EARNINGS

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp., the El Segundo sporting goods retailer, said first-quarter profit doubled to $6.8 million, or 30 cents a share. Sales rose 10% to $181 million, and sales at stores open at least a year -- a key measure of growth -- improved 5.2%. The 294-store chain raised its earnings guidance for 2004 to $1.55 to $1.61 a share, from $1.47 to $1.53.