Earnings roundup: Southwest Airlines, TD Ameritrade

Among the earnings stories for Thursday, April 17, from AP Financial News:

DALLAS (AP) _ Southwest Airlines Co., better insulated from high fuel costs than other carriers, eked out a reduced profit in the first quarter but said rising costs would force it to slow its fleet expansion plans.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) _ Online brokerage TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. said Thursday its second-quarter profit jumped 32 percent on strong trading activity and growth in its asset-based revenue.

NEW YORK (AP) _ Bank of New York Mellon Corp. said Thursday its first-quarter earnings rose 72 percent as recent market volatility boosted fees at the trust bank.

HOUSTON (AP) _ Continental Airlines Inc. said Thursday that soaring fuel costs pushed it to a loss for the first quarter, and it plans to retrench by mothballing planes and reducing flights.

NEW YORK (AP) _ Gramercy Capital Corp.'s first-quarter results rose sharply as investment income jumped and rental revenues doubled, the real estate investment firm said Thursday.

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) _ Regional bank People's United Financial Inc. said Thursday its first-quarter earnings fell 55 percent because of rising loan-loss reserves and expenses.