Earnings roundup: Smithfield, Jackson Hewitt

Among the earnings stories for Wednesday, Sept. 8, from the AP Financial Desk:

Top stories:

NEW YORK -- Smithfield Foods Inc. said Wednesday higher selling prices for pork and improvement in hog market prices helped it return to a profit in its fiscal first quarter.

Other stories:

PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. on Wednesday posted a narrower first-quarter loss as its expenses fell, beating Wall Street expectations. But shares fell after it said it would seek new financing for its refund anticipation loan program.

WARRENVILLE, Ill. -- Navistar International Corp., which makes RV chassis, buses and military vehicles, returned to a fiscal third-quarter profit partly on strong military and service part sales, but cut its full-year revenue guidance.

WEST FARGO, N.D. -- Titan Machinery Inc., which operates agriculture and construction equipment stores, said Wednesday its fiscal second-quarter earnings plunged 44 percent as higher expenses overshadowed increased revenue.

HINGHAM, Mass. -- Women's clothing seller The Talbots Inc. returned to a profit in the fiscal second quarter as the company cut costs to offset slightly lower revenue.

LINTHICUM, Md. -- Communications networking company Ciena Corp. reported a wider third-quarter loss Wednesday on higher costs and expenses.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Danish toy maker Lego on Wednesday said its profit in the first half of 2010 jumped almost 64 percent as the family-owned company continued to see strong growth in demand.