[R]12:45AM New York - Apollo Group surges 18% and Family Dollar rises 8% on earnings news.[/R]

Apollo Group, Inc, a for-profit education company that owns the University of Phoenix said third quarter revenues rose 14% to $835.2 million from $733.4 million a year ago. Net income in the quarter rose 5.53% to $139.1 million or 85 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $131.4 million or 75 cents per share, a year ago.

Apollo Group, Inc (APOL: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $81.68 in February 2008 and as low as $37.92 in March 2008. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $7.78 billion.

A. Schulman, Inc, engaged in the sale of plastic resins reported third quarter sales increased 9.6% to $511.8 million from $467.0 million a year ago. Net income in the quarter decreased 29.70% to $7.1 million or 26 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $10.1 million or 37 cents per share, a year ago.

A. Schulman, Inc (SHLM: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $25.97 in July 2007 and as low as $17.88 in January 2008. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $633.26 million.

Acuity Brands, Inc, a holding company that owns and manages two businesses lighting equipment and specialty products reported third quarter sales increased 2% to $512.4 million from $502.4 million a year ago. Net income in the quarter increased 6% to $41.1 million or $1.00 per diluted share compared to net income of $38.6 million or 88 cents per share, a year ago.

Acuity Brands, Inc (AYI: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $66.89 in July 2007 and as low as $34.04 in November 2007. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $1.94 billion.

Family Dollar Stores, Inc, general merchandise retailer reported third quarter sales increased 2.9% to $1.702 billion from $1.655 billion a year ago. Net income in the quarter increased 7.1% to $64.7 million or 46 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $60.4 million or 40 cents per share, a year ago.

Family Dollar Stores, Inc (FDO: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $35.41 in July 2007 and as low as $14.62 in January 2008. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $2.83 billion. Family Dollar operates 6,400 general merchandise stores in 44 states.

Investors Real Estate Trust a real estate investment trust reported fourth quarter revenues increased 9% to $59.0 million from $53.7 million a year ago. Net income in the quarter declined 21% to $2.7 million or 5 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $3.4 million or 7 cents per share, a year ago.

For the twelve month period ended April 30, 2008, as compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year revenues increased to $221.2 million from $197.5 million. Net income available to common shareholders, as computed under generally accepted accounting principles, was $9.7 million, compared to $11.7 million.

Investors Real Estate Trust (IRETS: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $9.54 in October 2007 and as low as $9.54 in January 2008. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $547.71 million.

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc, casino operator reported fourth quarter revenues increased 15.05% to $298.3 million from $253.4 million a year ago. Net loss in the quarter was $51.3 million or $1.66 per diluted share compared to net loss of $14.6 million or 48 cents per share, a year ago.

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc (ISLE: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $24.79 in July 2007 and as low as $4.25 in July 2008. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $156.69 million.

Schawk, Inc, a provider of brand point management services reported first quarter revenues decreased 2.5% to $126.4 million from $129.6 million a year ago. Net income in the quarter decreased 28.33% to $4.3 million or 15 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $6.0 million or 22 cents per share, a year ago.

Schawk, Inc (SGK: chart) in the last one year traded as high as $24.71 in October 2007 and as low as $11.03 in June 2008. Based on the yesterday’s closing price the company has a market cap of $300.34 million.