LITTLE ROCK — Companies reporting quarterly earnings on Wednesday included: q H&R Block Inc., the largest U.S. tax preparer, a loss of $132.7 million, or 41 cents a share, narrowed from a loss of $302.6 million, or 93 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue fell to $339.6 million from $381.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Shares rose 94 cents to closeat $26.50.
q Staples Inc., the office supply chain, a profit of $150.2 million, or 21 cents a share, down from $178.8 million, or 25 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue rose 18 percent to $5.07 billion from $4.29 billion a year ago. Shares rose 41 cents to close at $25.18.
Business, Pages 28 on 09/04/2008