Earnings Roundup: Ruth's Chris

Among the earnings stories for Thursday, Feb. 21, from AP Financial News:

HEATHROW, Fla. (AP) _ Restaurant chain Ruth's Chris Steak House Inc. said Thursday that its fourth-quarter profit fell 61 percent as customers cut back on spending, and a large insurance benefit was aged out.

HOUSTON (AP) _ Continental Airlines Inc. said Thursday that its fourth-quarter loss widened to $32 million partly due to a noncash charge, and it said high fuel prices and labor costs could affect its results this year.

WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) _ E-mail marketing company Constant Contact Inc. said late Wednesday that its fourth-quarter loss narrowed, helped by the addition of more than 21,000 net new e-mail marketing customers.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Natural gas and oil producer Chesapeake Energy Corp. said Thursday its fourth-quarter profit fell on hefty charges, but revenue increased as production levels surged.

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. (AP) _ Shares of Vasco Data Security International Inc. plunged nearly 40 percent Thursday after the electronic banking security company said contract delays dragged its fourth-quarter profit well below Wall Street expectations.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (AP) _ Financial software maker Intuit Inc. said Thursday its fiscal second-quarter profit declined as marketing and other costs grew, and sales fell below Wall Street's expectations as some revenue was deferred to the third quarter.

DALLAS (AP) _ Denbury Resources Inc. said Thursday its profit surged during the fourth quarter on increased production and higher oil prices.