Thursday's Winners & Losers: Matrix Service

Updated from 12:11 p.m. EDT

Shares of Matrix Service(MTRX) were among the Nasdaq's winners Thursday, rising 14.8% after the industrial services company posted third-quarter earnings that easily beat expectations.

For the quarter ended Feb. 28, the company earned $6.2 million, or 24 cents a share, on revenue of $168.7 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call expected earnings of 17 cents a share on revenue of $133.9 million. During the year-earlier period, the company earned $1.8 million, or 8 cents a share, on revenue of $119.6 million.

Looking ahead, Matrix now sees full-year revenue of $630 million to $640 million, up from its earlier projection of $560 million to $580 million. Analysts project revenue of $559.8 million. Shares closed up $3.16 to $24.57.

M&F Worldwide(MFW) jumped 23.6% after the Department of Justice granted earlier termination of the waiting period needed to approve the company's merger with John H. Harland(JH). In December, M&F agreed to acquire Harland for $52.75 a share in cash. The deal, which was approved by shareholders on March 28, is now expected to close during the second quarter. Shares closed up $11.58 to $60.65.

Shares of NeuStar(NSR) rose 7.5% after the business services company said that first-quarter earnings would be above expectations. The company sees adjusted earnings of $20.9 million to $21.9 million, or 27 cents to 28 cents a share. It expects revenue of $96.5 million to $97.5 million. Analysts project earnings of 22 cents a share on revenue of $97.2 million. For the full year, the company sees adjusted earnings of $1.30 to $1.35 a share on revenue of $428 million to $438 million. Analysts project earnings of $1.07 a share on revenue of $433.9 million. Shares closed up $2.07 to $29.81.