Early Stocks in Motion

Research in Motion(RIMM) reported earnings for the second quarter ended Aug. 27 of $111.1 million, or 56 cents, versus $70.6 million, or 36 cents a share, a year ago. The BlackBerry maker said revenue for the quarter rose 58% to $490.1 million. Excluding certain items, the company earned $120.2 million, or 61 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call expected a profit of 61 cents a share on sales of $488.7 million.

For the third quarter, RIM predicted earnings of 62 cents to 68 cents a share on revenue of $540 million to $570 million. Analysts expected 66 cents a share on revenue of $545 million. For the fourth quarter, RIM expects to earn 74 cents to 81 cents a share on revenue of $590 million to $620 million. Analysts expected 72 cents a share on $584 million. The stock was down $2.55, or 3.3%, to $74.70 after hours.

Ameristar Casinos(ASCA) cut its financial outlook for the third quarter and for full year 2005 due to a casino expansion project at its Mountain High property in Black Hawk, Colo. The casino operator said it now expects third quarter earnings of 26 cents to 28 cents a share, compared to its previous guidance of 30 cents to 32 cents. For the year, Ameristar expects to earn $1.08 to $1.11 a share, down from its prior forecast of $1.17 to $1.26 a share. The stock was down $1.48, or 6.77%, to $20.39.

Morningstar(MORN) agreed to supply Morgan Stanley's brokerage clients with independent research under the terms of the Global Analyst Research Settlement. Morningstar's stock analyst reports will be offered to Morgan Stanley's financial advisers and investors as part of the settlement provision to provide independent equity research to clients alongside in-house research. Morningstar was up 74 cents, or 2.39%, to $31.70 in after-hours trading and Morgan Stanley was unchanged at $52.71.