Earnings roundup: AutoNation, Kellogg

Among the earnings stories for Thursday, Oct. 29, from AP Financial News:

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — AutoNation Inc., the nation's largest automotive retailer, said Thursday it made money in the third quarter as lower costs and a boost from the Cash for Clunkers program helped it recover from a loss in the year-ago period.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Consumers' devotion to their favorite cereal and snack brands and a continued consumer focus on eating at home helped boost Kellogg Co.'s profit 6 percent in the third quarter.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A $5 million decline in political advertising revenue contributed to a drop in its fiscal first-quarter net income for magazine, TV and radio station owner Meredith Corp. — and it would have been worse without a tax benefit.

HOUSTON (AP) — Oilfield services Smith International Inc. said Thursday its third-quarter profit tumbled, falling well-below Wall Street's expectations, largely due to a weak natural gas market and prices.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Offshore energy supply company Tidewater Inc. said Thursday its second-quarter profit rose, even as sales fell, because of a huge one-time tax benefit.

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — For-profit education provider Strayer Education Inc. said its profit grew as more students enrolled in its schools, while the price it charged for tuition rose.

NEW YORK (AP) — Investment bank KBW Inc. said Thursday that higher revenue and improving market conditions drove it to a profit in the third quarter, reversing its year-ago loss and beating analyst expectations.