Late on Thursday, Guess Inc. (NYSE: GES) announced that its fiscal third-quarter 2009 net income rose to $64 million, or 69 cents a share from $58.3 million, or 62 cents in the corresponding quarter of 2007. Quarterly revenue rose 12.5% to $527.9 million. Analysts on average had projected a profit of 63 cents a share on $515 million in sales. Same-store sales fell 0.8% while retail stores sales registered growth of 12%.The company said that though European sales were robust, fewer shoppers in its stores and aggressive promotions by rivals impacted the company's North American business. Chief Executive Paul Marciano called the retail environment "challenging." Marciano stated the company's flagship denim DNA- was priced correctly in the market as shoppers have begun to shy away from premium, high- priced denim. In a conference call with analysts, Marciano said "We are very aware of the surroundings. We will adapt to be more aggressive or cautious when and where we need to be."  Looking ahead for fiscal 2008, Los Angeles-based Guess lowered its outlook. The company now expects to post earnings in the range of $2.27 to $2.32 a share which is lower than earlier forecast of $2.47 to $2.53. Revenue is now expected at $2.03 billion to $2.07 billion, down from a prior guidance of $2.06 billion to $2.11 billion. Analysts, on average, are currently expecting 2008 earnings of $2.42 on revenue of $2.08 billion. The company said it has gone slow on purchasing and has canceled some orders in order to keep inventory lean for 2009.Chief Operating Officer Carlos Alberini said in a statement "We have been able to really buy later ... which we think is the right approach for this type of economy and market conditions." Shares of Guess rose 5.66% in after hours trade on Thursday.

Waltham, Massachusetts-based software maker Novell Inc. (NASDAQ: NOVL) registered fourth-quarter net loss of $16.3 million, or 5 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $17.9 million, or 5 cents a share, in the same quarter a year earlier. The results include a $14 million impairment charge related to the company's auction-rate securities. Excluding one time items, the company earned $20 million or 6 cents a share. Revenue declined slightly to $244.7 million from $244.9 million. Consensus estimates were for earning of 4 cents a share, excluding items on revenue of $247.8 million. Novell Inc. climbed 5.76% in after hours trade on Thursday.

Manufacturer of  load engagement devices, Cascade Corp. (NYSE: CAE) said its third-quarter net income fell to $10.4 million or $0.94 a share from $12.4 million or $1.00 a share in the comparable quarter in 2007. Revenue dropped 3% to $139.1 million from $143.1 million. Analysts on average were looking for earnings of 85 cents a share on revenue of $143.00 million for the quarter. Chief Financial Officer Joseph Pointer also noted the unfavorable impact of currency fluctuations on quarterly results.