Bed Bath & Beyond Posts 23% Profit Jump

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., the largest U.S. home furnishings retailer, said second- quarter earnings rose 23% to $120 million, or 39 cents a share.

The Union, N.J.-based company said sales gained 15% to $1.27 billion as it opened 14 stores in the quarter. Sales at stores open at least a year rose 4.8%.

Shares fell 31 cents to $39.58 on Nasdaq. Results were released after regular trading.

* Darden Restaurants Inc. posted a 5% rise in its fiscal first quarter as strong sales at new Olive Garden locations and lower costs offset slower traffic at Red Lobster. Net profit rose to $72.1 million, or 44 cents a share, from $68.6 million, or 40 cents, a year ago. Sales rose 1.5% to $1.28 billion.