SCI 8.0 +7%
Service Corporation International, the world's largest provider of funeral and cemetery services, said late Wednesday its second-quarter profit rose 85 percent despite flat revenue, as costs fell. Net income grew to $25.5 million, or 9 cents per share, from $13.8 million, or 5 cents per share, a year ago. The company reported earnings from continuing operations, excluding one-time items, of $28.6 million, or 10 cents per share, for the latest quarter. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected earnings per share of 7 cents. The latest quarter also lacked last year's charge of $13.1 million for the early retirement of debt. Revenue fell to $431.3 million from $431.8 million last year, but costs and expenses fell 3 percent to $348.2 million from a year ago. biz.yahoo.com
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