Earnings Roundup: Gartner, AES

Among the earnings stories for Friday, May 8, from AP Financial News:

STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) — Technology research and analysis company Gartner Inc. said its first-quarter profit fell 7 percent as the economic downturn pushed clients to spend less on market research, consulting and conferences.

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Power company AES Corp. said its first-quarter profit fell 6 percent but reaffirmed its full-year adjusted earnings per share outlook.

NEW YORK (AP) — Shares of Emergent BioSolutions Inc. jumped after the company reported a 58-percent profit boost on higher sales of the anthrax treatment BioThrax, and its results widely beat Wall Street expectations.

HERNDON, Va. (AP) — Curriculum and education services provider K12 Inc. said profit rose 44 percent in the third quarter, the result of strong enrollment growth and increased demand for its curriculum offerings.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Automotive retailer Sonic Automotive Inc. said profit tumbled 87 percent in the first quarter as new and used car sales fell and the company took an expense for debt restructuring. But the results still beat analysts' expectations.

ROSEMEAD, Calif. (AP) — California utility operator Edison International said its first-quarter profit fell 16 percent on lower power prices and generation levels but topped analyst expectations.

HOUSTON (AP) — Power producer Calpine Corp. posted a first-quarter profit that exceeded Wall Street expectations as hedging gains and lower costs boosted net income.