Tuesday's Winners & Losers: Kroger

Shares of Goldman Sachs(GS Quote) were among the NYSE's winners Tuesday, rising 3% after investment firm posted third-quarter results that easily beat expectations.

For the period ended Aug. 25, the company earned $1.59 billion, or $3.26 a share, on revenue of $7.46 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call expected earnings of $2.97 a share and revenue of $7.17 billion. During the year-earlier quarter, Goldman earned $1.61 billion, or $3.25 a share, on revenue of $7.29 billion.

"We are pleased to be reporting the third best revenue quarter in our history," the company said. "This is particularly noteworthy given our record performance for the first half of the year. While market conditions were more challenging this quarter, our results underscore the strength and depth of our client franchise." Shares were trading up $4.82 to $155.82.

Kroger (KR Quote) shares were down 4% after the grocer posted in-line second-quarter earnings and backed its full-year guidance. For the quarter ended Aug. 12, Kroger earned $209 million, or 29 cents a share, up from $196.5 million, or 27 cents a share, a year earlier. Sales rose to $15.14 billion from $13.87 billion. Identical supermarket sales increased 7.9% including fuel sales, and rose 6% without fuel. Analysts, on average, anticipated earnings of 29 cents a share and sales of $1.47 billion.

For the full year, Kroger projects EPS growth of 6% to 8%. "Our performance through the first half of 2006 indicates we are on track to exceed original identical sales guidance and meet earnings guidance for the year," said Chairman and CEO David Dillon. "Internal measurements show customers are responding to the investments we have made in service, product selection and pricing. Kroger shares were down 98 cents to $23.10.