ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 20, 1995 TAG: 9512200035
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: C-8 EDITION: METRO
USAir expects stronger earnings
NEW YORK - USAir Group Inc. expects its year-end earnings to exceed Wall Street expectations, the airline said Tuesday in an announcement that pushed its stock up nearly 10 percent.
USAir had its best November ever, chairman Seth Schofield told airline analysts. He said the average fares paid were higher and costs were lower than the airline expected.
The company said analysts predict USAir would earn as much as 28 cents per share of its common stock for the year and 38 cents for the fourth quarter.
- Associated Press
Railroads carry lots of freight
The nation's railroads have set a record for freight volume for the ninth consecutive year, according to the Association of American Railroads.
Total volume reached 1.208 billion ton-miles with three weeks still left in 1995. That was 6 percent more than the first 49 weeks of 1994 and 0.6 percent more than the 1.200 billion ton-miles carried during all of 1994, the association reported.
Bulk commodities such as grain, coal, metallic ores and chemicals have been especially strong this year, accounting for most of the increase in carload freight traffic, said Harvey A. Levine, the association's chief economist. Intermodal freight - goods in containers or trailers that can be carried by more than one form of transportation - was down 1.4 percent for the 49-week period, he said.
- Staff report
Roanoke Gas sets dividend
Roanoke Gas Co. declared a quarterly cash dividend of 25.5 cents per share on its common stock, payable Feb. 1 to shareholders of Jan. 19. The rate reflects a 2 percent increase from the previous dividend
Earnings ...
Heilig-Meyers Co., Richmond-based home furnishings retailer, reported net earnings of $8.8 million, or 18 cents per share, on sales of $317.7 million in its third quarter ended Nov. 30, compared with year-earlier $18.8 million, or 38 cents per share, on sales of $264.1 million. For the nine months, net earnings were $38.5 million, or 77 cents per share, on sales of $854 million, compared with year-earlier $51.9 million, or $1.04 per share, on sales of $710.7 million.
Vaughan Furniture Co., Galax manufacturer, reported profits of $5.6 million, or $2.04 per share, on sales of $104.8 million for its fiscal year ended Nov. 30, compared with year-earlier $4.1 million, or $1.51 per share, on sales of $97.8 million. For its fourth quarter, profits were $1.9 million, or 71 cents per share, on sales of $29.6 million, compared with year-earlier $1.7 million, or 62 cents per share, on sales of $27 million.
LENGTH: Medium: 57 linesby CNB