Earnings Roundup: Target, Solarfun

Among the earnings stories for Tuesday, Aug. 18, from AP Financial News:

NEW YORK (AP) — Target Corp.'s second-quarter profit fell 6.3 percent, but it beat Wall Street forecasts, and executives credited the higher profit to a focus on controlling expenses and declining crude oil prices, which lowered transportation costs.

NEW YORK (AP) — Chinese solar cell maker Solarfun Power Holdings Co. on Tuesday posted a second-quarter loss on declining sales prices, but adjusted earnings beat analyst expectations.

CHICAGO (AP) — Shares of Huron Consulting Group Inc. soared Tuesday after the business consultant reported growth in revenue and profit for the second quarter.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Ascent Media Corp. on Tuesday reported a wider loss for the second quarter, felled by lower client spending and a decline in production of content for movie studios, networks and other media.

DENVER (AP) — Denmark's wind turbine manufacturer Vestas Wind Systems A/S said Tuesday its second-quarter net profit fell 34 percent on sluggish global demand and higher employee and plant costs.