Earnings roundup: Exxon Mobil, Timberland

Among the earnings stories for Thursday, Oct. 30, from AP Financial News:

HOUSTON (AP) _ Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest publicly traded oil company, reported income Thursday that shattered its own record for the biggest profit from operations by a U.S. corporation, earning $14.83 billion in the third quarter.

STRATHAM, N.H. (AP) _ Apparel and footwear maker Timberland Co. said Thursday its profit rose more than 18 percent in the third quarter but revenue dropped as North American consumers continued to pull back on their spending.

CHICAGO (AP) _ LKQ Corp., which makes vehicle replacement parts, said Thursday its third-quarter profit jumped 72 percent, boosted by an acquisition last year.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ Phoenix Cos., a financial planner and life insurer, said Thursday it swung to a loss during the third quarter as it took a noncash charge in its asset management segment.

NEW YORK (AP) _ Strong foreign sales helped Avon Products Inc. post a 60 percent increase in third-quarter profit Thursday, but adjusted earnings missed expectations and the company's shares tumbled to a seven-year low.

HOUSTON (AP) _ Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. said Thursday its third-quarter profit jumped 11 percent, due in part to a higher number of rigs in operation.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Shares of Cigna Corp. sank to its lowest point in five years on Thursday, after the insurer reported a 53 percent drop in third-quarter profit due to reinsurance losses and cut its 2008 operating income outlook.

CLEVELAND (AP) _ Steel distributor Olympic Steel Inc. said Thursday third-quarter earnings increased fourfold as sales climbed on higher steel prices.

SAN DIEGO (AP) _ BioMed Realty Trust Inc. said its third-quarter funds from operations improved on increased rental revenue and tenant recoveries.