Blockbuster Inc.’s (BBI: chart) net losses totaled $57.5 million, or 31 cents per share, for the three months ended March 31 versus earnings of $114.4 million, or 63 cents per share, a year earlier.

Total revenue jumped 3% to $1.55 billion from $1.50 billion last year. Analysts were expecting the company to post losses of 28 cents per share on sales of $1.49 billion in the latest quarter.

Selling, general and administrative climbed 19.6% to $878.4 million vs. $734.4 million last year, largely due to $50 million in launch costs for the 'No Late Fees' program, additional operating expenses and higher compensation expenses.

Commercial printer RR Donnelley & Sons Co. (RRD: chart) said Thursday it swung to a profit in 1Q, boosted by higher sales and a revenue growth from the acquisition of label maker Moore Wallace. The company also boosted its forecast for full year earnings.

In the latest quarter income was $106.9 million, or 49 cents per share, versus a loss of $58.9 million, or 39 cents, the year earlier.

Net sales totaled $1.93 billion, up 49% vs. $1.29 billion a year ago and surpassing the $1.87 billion expected by analysts. RR Donnelley said the sales growth was due to added revenue from Moore Wallace and improved publishing and retail business, where sales advanced 17% to $985.2 million.

RR Donnelley lifted its projected annual earnings guidance to $2.07 per share, up 10 cents from the previous estimate. Analysts predict a profit of $2.04 per share on $7.99 billion in sales, vs. income of $1.65 per share and $7.16 billion in sales for 2004.

The No. 2 U.S. long-distance telephone company MCI Inc. (MCIP: chart), which agreed to be bought for $8.5 billion by Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ: chart) earlier this week, on Thursday reported an unexpected loss for 1Q citing higher taxes.

MCI reported a net loss of $2 million, or 1 cent per share, versus a loss of $388 million, or $1.19 per share, a year ago. Revenue slid 12% to $4.8 billion. Analysts had expected MCI to post a profit of 14 cents a share on revenue of $4.8 billion.

MCI's tax expenses climbed to $119 million in the quarter from $24 million a year earlier.

MCI said it targets operating profit before depreciation and amortization of $1.8 billion to $2.0 billion for the full year, excluding merger-related costs. Analysts had forecast MCI to earn $1.9 billion in operating profit.

Gillette Co. (G: chart) today reported record 1Q results, with double-digit percentage growth in net sales, profit from operations, net income and diluted net EPS. The record performance was fueled by strong demand, strength of established brand names and manufacturing productivity.

Net sales for 1Q advanced 17% to $2.61 billion from $2.24 billion in 1Q a year earlier. Profit from operations for the quarter rose 15% to $640 million vs. $556 million last year. Net income for the quarter gained 19% to $449 million vs. $376 million last year, helped by the strong operating results and a lower effective tax rate. Diluted net income per common share advanced to a 1Q record of 45 cents, up 22% vs. 37 cents a year earlier.

The leading national specialty apparel retailer The Dress Barn, Inc. (DBRN: chart) reported its fiscal April and 3Q sales results. Total sales for the four-week period ended April 30, 2005 advanced 44% to $104.9 million versus $73.0 million in the comparable period ended April 24, 2004. Same-store sales climbed 3% for this fiscal period, and include same-store sales for Maurices, which was acquired January 2005, in both years.

Total sales for the thirteen-week fiscal period ended April 30, 2005 gained 61% to $295.9 million versus $183.3 million reported for comparable fiscal period ended April 24, 2004. Same-store sales increased 7% for this fiscal quarterly period, and include same-store sales for Maurices in both years.

The Minneapolis general merchandise retailer Target Corp. (TGT: chart) said Thursday same-store sales gained 1.3% in April. Total sales for the four weeks ended April 30 grew 7.7% to $3.39 billion vs. $3.15 billion in the same period a year ago. The company said its target for the month was for a jump of 2 to 4% in same-store sales.

The high-end department store chain Neiman Marcus Group (NMG: chart) said April same-store sales gained 14% over year-ago levels, and total sales climbed 13% to $309 million vs. last year's $272 million. For the fiscal 3Q, same-store sales advanced 8% and total sales rose 6.9% to $933 million. The company expects earnings of $1.53 to $1.58 for the quarter ending April, vs. the analyst estimate of $1.53. For its 4Q, the company expects same-store sales jump of 5 to 7%.

Cablevision Systems Corp. (CVC: chart) on Thursday reported 1Q net loss of $119 million, or 41 cents a share, vs. a loss of $120 million, or 42 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue jumped 6% to $1.21 billion vs. $1.15 billion. Operating income climbed to $75 million from $5 million. Analysts forecast revenue of $1.31 billion and a loss of 18 cents a share. The company backed its 2005 revenue growth target.