Nov. 2--Third quarter: Profits were $422,000, a sharp reversal from the $3.4 million loss in the third quarter of 2007. Per share, profits were 2 cents; the year-earlier loss 13 cents. Revenue rose to $34.5 million from $33.7 million. Results for the first nine months: $678,000 loss, 3 cents a share, compared with profits of $113,000 in 2007 on revenue that dropped to $101 million from $130 million.

Quarterly highlights: The Irving, Texas, company, which has operations in Lincoln, reported several contracts for sale of the two-way radio equipment and encryption technologies to defense and public safety agencies. -- Virgil Larson

Transgenomic Third quarter: Net loss was cut to $499,000 from $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2007 on revenue that rose to $5.4 million from $5.2 million. Per share, the loss dropped to 1 cent from 3 cents. For the first three quarters of the year, the net loss was cut to $276,000, 1 cent a share, from $2.3 million, 5 cents. Revenue rose to $17.9 million from $16.6 million.

Quarterly highlights: The third-quarter loss for the Omaha biotechnology company came after two straight quarters of profitability. Chief Executive Officer Craig Tuttle said the third quarter has historically been slower due to summer laboratory closings in Europe, a major market for the company.

Guidance: The company gave no specifics on future performance but said it would continue to leverage stable revenue from instrument and consumables sales, its traditional business, and continue expanding its laboratory services businesses. -- Virgil Larson

Nelnet Third quarter: The Lincoln student loan company reported net income of $23.8 million, or 48 cents per share, in the three months that ended Sept. 30, compared with a loss of $15.7 million, or 32 cents a share, a year earlier. For the first nine months of 2008, Nelnet lost $2.3 million, or 5 cents per share, compared with net income of $13.8 million, or 28 cents a share, in the same period of 2007. Excluding costs for discontinued operations and other expenses, "base net income" was $23.4 million in the third quarter compared with $22.2 million in 2007. Nine-month base net income was $65.2 million this year and $68.6 million last year.

Highlights: Mike Dunlap, chairman and chief executive, said accounting rules have placed an "unreasonably low value" on a group of federally insured student loans, which carry almost no default risk. The company and its lenders are in discussions regarding its $2.5 billion credit line on the federally insured loans. -- Steve Jordon

Ballantyne Third quarter: The movie projection company reported a net loss of about $340,000 or 2 cents per share, compared with net income a year ago of about $128,000 or 1 cent per share. Revenue declined 2.4 percent to $12.3 million. So far this year, the company reported a loss of approximately $715,000, or 5 cents per share, compared with a gain of about $500,000 or 4 cents per share from a year ago. Revenue increased to $40.1 million.

Quarterly highlights: Ballantyne continued to await a large-scale rollout of digital projection equipment as the industry moves to the latest technology. President and Chief Executive John Wilmers said a decline in film-based products cut into that line of business. Ballantyne's cinema screen division, acquired in October last year, did well in the third quarter and in the first nine months, demonstrating the strategic importance of that acquisition, Wilmers said.

Future guidance: The company's cash position and credit availability provide enough liquidity to run its business, pursue digital cinema opportunities and possible acquisitions. -- Joe Ruff

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