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J.B. Hunt Transport Services (JBHT), the third-largest U.S. truckload carrier, reported second quarter 2011 earnings of 53 cents per share, which came in at par with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Earnings per share rose 32.5% from 40 cents earned in the year-ago quarter.

Total revenue increased 22% year over year to $1.15 billion, but came in way below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.23 billion. The year-over-year growth was aided by higher shipment in each of the segments. Operating income leaped 24% year over year to $113.4 million attributable to strong profits in three segments –– Intermodal, Dedicated Contract Services and Integrated Capacity Solutions.

Segment Results

Intermodal reported revenue of $676.0 million, up 28.6% year over year driven by an 18% increase in load count. Higher fuel surcharges and capacity constrains, particularly in the southeast truck market also aided revenue growth. Excluding fuel surcharges, pricing increased 4.4% year over year. The

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Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (BBBY) reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter 2010 results on the heels of double-digit growth in sales and higher margins. Earnings rose 30.2% to $1.12 per share from the year-ago quarter earnings of 86 cents a share, handily surpassing its earnings guidance range of 91 cents to 95 cents per share. Bed Bath & Beyond also outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 97 cents a share. The company has reported eight consecutive quarters of improving trends.

For full fiscal 2010, earnings rose 33.5% to $3.07 per share from the prior fiscal earnings of $2.30 a share, easily outshining its earnings guidance range of $2.86 to $2.90 per share. Bed Bath & Beyond also outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.92 a share.

Quarterly Details

Bed Bath & Beyonds top line jumped 11.6% to $2,505.0 million from $2,244.0 million in the year-ago quarter. The company has been witnessing increasing trends in comparable-store sales. After falling 0.6% in the second quarter of fiscal 2009, comparable-store sales increased in the subsequent quarters.

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Ireland-based health care product maker Covidien plc (COV) reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2010 (ended September 24) adjusted earnings per share of 84 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents and the year-ago earnings of 71 cents.

For fiscal 2010, adjusted earnings of $3.38 per share outshone the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.28 and were above the corresponding year-ago figure of $2.78. Adjusted earnings exclude one-time items such as acquisition and restructuring charges, loss on divestitures and tax-related adjustments.

Net income for the quarter was $443 million (or 89 cents a share), representing a staggering eightfold annualized growth. Profits were boosted by higher sales of medical devices. Moreover, the year-ago profit (of $56 million) was hit by hefty tax expenses. For fiscal 2010, net income rocketed 80% year over year to $1.63 billion (or $3.24 a share).

Revenues

Net sales for the quarter rose 3% year over year to $2,670 million, also beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,638 million.

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Regional bank People’s United Financial Inc. (PBCT) announced third quarter 2010 operating earnings per share of 8 cents, which was below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 10 cents. Earnings also compared unfavorably with 9 cents per share reported in the prior quarter, but were in line with the prior-year quarter.

Operating income reported was $27.7 million compared with $31.8 million in the prior quarter and $26.8 million in the prior-year quarter. Including pre-tax merger-related expenses, core system conversion costs and one-time charges of $5.3 million, net income was $24.1 million or 7 cents per share in the third quarter of 2010.

The modest sequential decrease in results was attributed to higher provision for loan losses, partly offset by improvement in the net interest margin (NIM), as well as lower non-interest expenses.

People’s United completed its acquisitions of Financial Federal Corporation in February and Butler Bank in April. The

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Parker Hannifin Corporation (PH) released its first quarter fiscal 2011 earnings result before the opening bell today, reporting earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.51. The company surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.07. Earnings for the period was more than three times the earnings of 45 cents in first quarter of fiscal 2010.

Revenue

Total revenue for the quarter was $2.8 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of 26.5% and also above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.6 billion. The increase in total revenue was led by improved sales in all the segments, partially offset by foreign currency translation (1% negative impact). The company benefited from increased demand for its products in the markets and a surge in order rates in all the segments.

Segment Details

Parker’s Industrial North America segment witnessed the highest growth rate, increasing by 36.0% to $1.1 billion. T

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