Among the earnings stories for Wednesday, May 7, from AP Financial News:
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) -- The Dutch insurance company Aegon NV on Wednesday reported a 78 percent drop in first-quarter profit, blaming the weak dollar and worsening business conditions in the United States, where its Transamerica Corp. unit is based.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Devon Energy Corp., the largest U.S.-based independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company, said Wednesday its first-quarter profit rose 15 percent as higher prices and production offset one-time charges and increased expenses.
LONDON (AP) -- British American Tobacco PLC on Wednesday reported a 21 percent jump in first-quarter profit, with rising global sales more than compensating for declining volumes in the United States.
ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) -- SkyWest Inc. said Wednesday its first-quarter earnings fell 16 percent, hurt by rapidly accelerating fuel prices and higher maintenance costs.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- Lamar Advertising Co., which owns and operates outdoor advertising and logo sign displays, said Wednesday that it swung to a loss in the first quarter, hurt by higher expenses and minimal sales growth.
