Earnings Watch For October 9 (FDO, FAST, PGR, HELE, RT)

(RTTNews) - Discount retailer Family Dollar Stores Inc. (FDO) is expected to report fourth quarter results before the markets open. The Matthews, North Carolina-based company is expected to earn $0.84 per share, higher than the prior year's $0.75 per share. Quarterly revenues are anticipated at $2.56 billion, an increase from $2.36 billion last year. The shares closed Tuesday at $69.45. ( 52-wk H/L $75.29/$54.06)

Industrial and construction supplies provider Fastenal Co. (FAST) will post its results for the third quarter before the opening bell. The company is expected to earn $0.41 per share on revenues of $862.54 million. In the year-ago quarter, the company reported earnings of $0.37 per share on revenues of $802.58 million. The shares closed Tuesday at $39.81. (52-wk H/L $53.38/$40.00)

Mayfield Village, Ohio-based Progressive Corp. (PGR) is due to post its third-quarter results. The auto insurance group is expected to record profit of $0.36 per share, up from $0.27 per share last year. Revenues are anticipated to grow to $4.48 billion from the year-ago's $4.24 billion. The shares of PGR closed Tuesday's trade at $26.60. (52-wk H/L $27.55/$20.69)

Restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday, Inc. (RT) is scheduled to report first-quarter results after the market closes. The company is expected to post a loss of $0.05 per share, compared to $0.05 per share earned a year earlier. Also, the Maryville, Tennessee-based company is anticipated to generate revenues of $298.27 million, lower than the $332.92 million in the prior-year quarter. The company's shares closed Tuesday's session at $7.27. (52-wk H/L $9.909/$6.75)

Personal care products maker Helen of Troy Ltd. (HELE) is slated to report second quarter results. The company is expected to earn $0.72 per share, flat with last year, while revenues are projected at $292.15 million versus $287.41 million a year ago. The shares closed Tuesday at $43.68. (52-wk H/L $44.83/$28.02)