(By Salman - iStockAnalyst Writer)
Late on Monday, AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) announced that its fiscal third-quarter profit slipped 24% to $4.541 million, or 21 cents a share, from $5.965 million, or 28 cents a share, in the prior year quarter. Revenue grew to $52.225 million from $48.535 million. Analysts on average were looking for earnings of 27 cents a share on revenue of $65.32 million. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tim Conver commented "In our fiscal third quarter we continued to supply our innovative solutions to existing and new customers while achieving great progress on our development programs. The strong order flow generated in the quarter produced record funded backlog, indicating continued demand for our solutions." Looking ahead to the fiscal year 2009, the company slashed it revenue outlook. The company now expects to report revenue growth in the range of 11% to 16% compared to earlier estimate of 20% to 25% growth. Shares of the company plunged over 27% in extended trading.

Covenience store operator Casey's General Stores Inc. (NASDAQ: CASY) reported that fiscal third-quarter net income climbed to $14 million, or 28 cents a share, from $13 million, or 26 cents a share, in the year ago quarter. Revenue dropped to $848.8 million from $1.15 billion. Consensus estimates were for earnings of 19 cents a share on revenue of $961.5 million. President and CEO Robert J. Myers stated "We are pleased with the execution of our strategy. We were able to exceed third quarter earnings from a year ago despite a gas margin decline of over 3.5 cents per gallon." Shares of Casey's General Stores rose more than 3% in late trading.

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) said that its fiscal second quarter nearly halved to $12.84 million or 46 cents a share, from $25.47 million, or 91 cents a share, in the year earlier period. On an adjusted basis, the company earned $14.29 million or 51 cents a share. Revenue declined to $143.89 million from $152.03 million. Analysts on average had projected earnings of 44 cents a share on revenue of $151.15 million. President and Chief Executive Officer Fred Kornberg said "Despite difficult market conditions, our second quarter results were in-line with our expectations. We continue to benefit from our strong leadership positions in the markets we serve, the differentiated and compelling value of our products, and the benefits we are generating from the Radyne acquisition." He added "Although business conditions are much more challenging than they were just a few months ago, we believe our overall business momentum will continue and drive growth into fiscal 2010."

Hill International, Inc. (NYSE: HIL) reported that its fourth quarter net earnings tumbled to $1.85 million, or 5 cents a share, from $5.08 million or 14 cents a share, in the comparable quarter last year. Analysts' estimates were for earnings of 13 cents a share on revenue $101.94 million.