On Thursday, publisher John Wiley & Sons Inc. (NYSE: JW.A) reported that its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings more than doubled. Not so good news from retailer Pier 1 Imports Inc. (NYSE: PIR), which said Thursday that its fiscal first quarter loss narrowed, but still fell short of analysts' forecasts.

Wiley said that, for the quarter ended April 30, earnings soared to $29 million, or 49 cents per share, from $14.4 million, or 25 cents per share, in the same period of the previous year ago. Revenue grew 11% to $433 million. Results were lifted by the company's 2007 acquisition of Blackwell Publishing.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected 35 cents per share on $427.1 million in sales.

For the full year, earnings rose 48% to $147.5 million, or $2.49 per share, and revenue grew 36% to $1.67 billion. Wiley also announced its 15th consecutive annual dividend increase.

John Wiley shares rose $1.10 Thursday to $49.76, just shy of its 52-week high, but was trading lower Friday morning. Shares are up 13.3% year to date.

Continue reading John Wiley doubles Q4 profit; Pier 1 narrows Q1 loss

John Wiley doubles Q4 profit; Pier 1 narrows Q1 loss originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.