Ask Jeeves Profit Rises 70%; Shares Fall

Ask Jeeves Inc., owner of Internet search sites including Ask.com and Excite.com, said third-quarter profit jumped 70%. The company’s profit forecast was lower than some analysts expected, and its shares fell as much as 17% in extended trading.

Net income increased to $10.7 million, or 19 cents a share, from $6.32 million, or 14 cents, the company said. Revenue more than doubled to $75.5 million from $27.2 million.

Ask Jeeves shares fell as much as $5.86 to $29.13 in extended trading. Earlier, they rose $2.57 to $34.99 on Nasdaq.

* Engineering and construction giant Fluor Corp., based in Aliso Viejo, said quarterly earnings rose slightly on an 18% gain in new projects. Net income was $47.3 million, or 57 cents a share, up from $44.1 million, or 55 cents, a year ago. Revenue rose 11% to $2.4 billion.

* Stronger sales helped Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. report a 25% increase in third-quarter profit. Net income rose to $8.4 million, or 37 cents a share, from $6.7 million, or 30 cents, a year earlier. Revenue increased 6.8% to $195.8 million.

* LeapFrog Enterprises Inc., the maker of LeapPad electronic learning books, said third-quarter profit declined 39.5% as expenses rose. Net income was $20.2 million, or 33 cents a share, compared with $33.4 million, or 55 cents, a year earlier. Sales rose 13% to $231.1 million.

* Video game publisher THQ Inc. posted a second-quarter loss of $6.35 million, or 16 cents a share, contrasted with net income of $3.59 million, or 9 cents, a year earlier, the Calabasas Hills-based company said. Sales fell 24% to $96.3 million.