Earnings Roundup: BMC Software, GT Solar

Among the earnings stories for Tuesday, May 12, from AP Financial News:

HOUSTON (AP) — Business software maker BMC Software Inc. said its fiscal fourth-quarter profit declined, weighed by charges and a higher income tax provision.

MERRIMACK, N.H. (AP) — GT Solar International Inc. said its fourth-quarter profit fell by more than half as costs surged and sales rose only slightly.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mortgage giant Freddie Mac said it needs $6.1 billion in additional government aid as the cost to taxpayers from the housing market bust keeps rising.

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) — National CineMedia Inc., which sells advertising in AMC, Regal and Cinemark movie theaters, said it turned a profit in the first quarter as sales picked up and the company curbed costs.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Chip manufacturing equipment maker Applied Materials Inc. posted a net loss, hurt by charges and lower revenue.

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Ticketmaster Entertainment Inc. says first-quarter earnings fell 78 percent as ticket sales slowed and a ticketing agreement with merger partner Live Nation ended.

HOUSTON (AP) — Oil and gas producer Mariner Energy Inc. posted a first-quarter loss driven by a $704.7 million write-down on gas properties amid weakened natural gas prices.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S.-traded shares of Ctrip.com International Ltd. soared after the China-based travel services provider posted solid results for the first quarter.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp., commonly called Farmer Mac, posted a first-quarter profit, reversing a year-ago loss.