Earnings roundup: Costco, Heinz

Among the earnings stories for Thursday, May 29, from AP Financial News:

Top stories:

ISSAQUAH, Wash. (AP) _ Costco Wholesale Corp. reported a 32 percent jump in third-quarter profits Thursday to top Wall Street expectations, as cash-squeezed customers flocked to its warehouse clubs in search of bargains on food and toiletries.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ H.J. Heinz Co. on Thursday posted a 7.2 percent increase in fourth-quarter profit as price increases partially offset higher commodity costs. The foodmaker also boosted its dividend.

Other stories:

PARAMUS, N.J. (AP) _ Movado Group Inc. said Thursday that first-quarter earnings dropped 48 percent, as U.S. sales for the upscale watch maker weakened, while interest income fell and operating expenses rose.

NEW YORK (AP) _ Telecommunications equipment maker Sycamore Networks Inc. on Thursday said it swung to a fiscal third-quarter loss as revenue dropped almost 52 percent.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ Footwear and accessories retailer Genesco Inc. said Thursday its fiscal first-quarter profit shot up, mostly due to a legal settlement related to Finish Line's failed takeover effort.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) _ Discount shoe retailer DSW Inc. on Thursday said first-quarter profit fell 57 percent, hurt by weak same-store sales.

MILWAUKEE (AP) _ Joy Global Inc. said Thursday its fiscal second-quarter profit fell 7 percent as higher expenses offset increased sales, but the surface mining equipment maker still beat analyst estimates.

PITTSBURGH (AP) _ Ansoft Corp., which develops electronic design automation software, said Thursday that its fiscal fourth-quarter profit rose 8 percent, helped mainly by increased license revenue.