Outlook roundup: Ulta Salon, Conn's

Among the earnings projection stories for Thursday, Jan. 8, from AP Financial News:

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. (AP) _ Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc. lowered its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings and revenue forecasts Thursday and cut its full-year outlook for the second time after reporting lackluster holiday sales.

BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) _ Conn's Inc., a home appliances and consumer electronics retailer, on Thursday predicted fourth-quarter earnings above Wall Street expectations on strong sales growth and improved cost management.

HOUSTON (AP) _ Ion Geophysical Corp. on Thursday said it expects fourth-quarter revenue to drop up to 31 percent and its full-year results to miss analyst estimates, due to the rapid slowdown in North American and Russian energy markets and a pullback in year-end data library sales.

SUFFERN, N.Y. (AP) _ Women's apparel retailer Dress Barn Inc. on Thursday cut its full-year guidance after heavy markdowns during a weak holiday shopping season.