ORANGE COUNTY EARNINGS

Sunbelt Nursery Group Inc.: The San Juan Capistrano operator of 60 retail nursery stores posted a net loss of $1.8 million, or 21 cents a share, for the second fiscal quarter, compared with a net loss of $2.1 million, or 24 cents a share, for the like period last year. Sales for the quarter ended Dec. 28 declined 30% to $16.4 million from $23.4 million. Same-store sales for the latest second quarter fell 15%, the company said.

For the first half, the company said it lost $4.5 million, or 53 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $4.8 million, or 57 cents a share, for the first six months of the prior fiscal year. Sales dropped 30% to $29.1 million from $41.7 million. The company attributed the narrower losses in the second quarter and first half to the elimination of under-performing stores and to its focus on inventory and margin controls.