Stocks in Motion: Pathmark

Shares of Burlington Coat Factory(BCF Quote) were among the NYSE's winners Wednesday, rising 9% after the company posted strong third-quarter results.

The company posted earnings of $66.7 million, or $1.49 a share, on sales of $969.6 million. An analyst polled by Thomson First Call was looking for earnings of $1.10 a share. A year ago the company earned $36 million, or 81 cents a share, on sales of $851 million. Colder temperatures drove strong sales during the fall and winter, the retailer said. Shares were trading up $2.23 to $28.85.

Harley-Davidson(HDI Quote) fell 17% after the company posted first-quarter earnings that were better than expected but warned that 2005 earnings would well below expectations. The motorcycle maker posted first-quarter earnings of $227.2 million, or 77 cents a share, on sales of $1.24 billion. Analysts were expecting earnings of 76 cents a share on sales of $1.24 billion. Looking ahead, the company forecast 2005 earnings growth of 5% to 8%, down significantly from its previous guidance that called for midteens earnings growth. Harley-Davidson also cut it would cut shipments to 329,000, down from its previous guidance of 339,000. The company blamed the weak outlook on weaker-than-expected domestic retail sales. Analysts had been expecting 2005 earnings of $3.36 a share, or growth of about 12%, on sales of $5.43 billion. Shares were trading down $9.83 to $48.94.

Shares of Smurfit-Stone Container(SSCC Quote) fell 4% after the paper company warned that it would post a first-quarter loss. The company now expects to post a loss of 7 cents a share. Analysts had been expecting a profit of 1 cent a share on sales of $2.06 billion. The company said that unseasonably wet weather conditions in the Southeast led to higher costs of virgin wood fiber compared to the fourth quarter; it also said that its mill operating rates were about 88% during the quarter, down from 94% in the fourth quarter. Smurfit-Stone said it expects to return to profitability during the second quarter. Shares were trading down 55 cents to $13.95.