Earnings roundup: Amazon.com, McDonald's

Among the earnings stories for Thursday, Oct. 22, from AP Financial News:

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Amazon.com Inc. shares surged after the company said its third-quarter profit soared 62 percent, showing that consumers are comfortable opening their wallets to the online retailer despite the still-shaky economy.

CHICAGO (AP) — McDonald's Inc., a notable winner from the recession because of its cheap menu, cautioned that the company could post disappointing U.S. sales figures in October.

NEW YORK (AP) — The country's second-largest railroad, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp., said its third-quarter earnings dropped 30 percent because people still weren't buying more goods in stores and industrial production continued to sputter.

EXTON, Pa. (AP) — Medical technology company Kensey Nash Corp. said its fiscal 2010 first-quarter profit fell slightly on flat biomaterial sales and lower royalty income.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Raytheon Co. said profit rose in the third quarter on increased demand for the defense contractor's Patriot missile by foreign governments concerned about potential threats from other countries, and for its soldier training programs.

NEW YORK (AP) — Shares of Core Laboratories NV, which provides services to the oil and gas industry, rose after the company reported third-quarter profit above Wall Street expectations.

FREMONT, Calif. (AP) — Better-than-expected sales helped Logitech International post a smaller decline in quarterly profit that Wall Street expected, and shares rose to a new year high.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Engine and power tool maker Briggs&Stratton Corp. said its fiscal first-quarter loss more than quadrupled due to a less favorable tax rate and falling sales at both its engine and power product segments.

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Shoe company Skechers USA Inc. said its third-quarter earnings declined 15 percent but still topped Wall Street expectations, as did revenue, on strong demand for fall merchandise.