MedImmune Narrows Loss With Better Sales of FluMist, Synagis

MedImmune Inc. said its third-quarter loss narrowed to $55.8 million (23 cents a share), from $64.1 million (26 cents) in the third quarter last year. Revenue was $177.2 million, up 15 percent.

The Gaithersburg biotech company's improved performance was the result of higher sales of its nasal flu vaccine FluMist and its lead product Synagis, which prevents certain respiratory infections in babies. Analysts had been expecting revenue of $156 million. Shares of MedImmune closed at $30.20, up 45 cents.

· Black & Decker Corp. , a maker of power tools and accessories in Towson, Md., said third-quarter profit fell 9 percent, to $125.1 million ($1.74 a share). Revenue rose 2 percent, to $1.61 billion. The company said it had fewer orders for generators, Price Pfister faucets and auto industry equipment. The company also forecast that fourth-quarter and full-year results would be below Wall Street expectations. Shares closed at $84.99, up $3.89.

· United Bankshares Inc., which has headquarters in Charleston, W.Va., and the District, had a profit of $14.2 million (34 cents a share) in the third quarter, down from $25.4 million (59 cents). The parent of United Bank said the results included charges to prepay long-term debt. Interest income fell 2 percent, to $54.9 million. Shares closed at $38.95, up $1.06.

· Strayer Education Inc. of Arlington had a profit of $6.3 million (44 cents a share), down slightly, as the company began counting options as an expense. Revenue rose 20 percent, to $56.7 million. Student enrollment increased 15 percent, to 31,372. Shares closed at $108.28, up $5.28.

· Educate Inc. of Baltimore, parent of Sylvan Learning Centers, said it lost $8.5 million (20 cents a share) in the third quarter, compared with a profit of $2.7 million (6 cents). Revenue rose 4 percent, to $81.3 million. Shares closed at $7.76, down 20 cents.

· Cuisine Solutions Inc. of Alexandria, which makes flash-frozen foods, had a first-quarter profit of $525,000 (3 cents a share) in the period ended Sept. 16, compared with a profit of $1.5 million (8 cents). Revenue fell 4 percent, to $14.2 million. The company said the drop-off reflected a surge in sales to the U.S. military in the comparable quarter last year. Shares closed at $5.45, down 1 cent.