Cedar Rapids-based Rockwell Collins Inc. reported net income of $145 million, or 91 cents per share, for its fiscal third quarter ended June 30, down $29 million, or 17 percent, from the year-ago period. Sales were down 9 percent to $1.08 billion from weakness in the commercial aerospace market, but Rockwell’s DataPath Inc. and SEOS Group Ltd. acquisitions contributed $28 million to revenue growth. Cash for operating activities was $381 million at the end of the quarter, compared with $310 million at the same time last year. Rockwell updated its fiscal year 2009 outlook to include results from its May 2009 DataPath acquisition. It expects sales of about $4.55 billion for the year, with government systems sales up about 11 percent and commercial systems sales down 20 percent.

Davenport-based Lee Enterprises Inc. had a net loss of $24.5 million, or 55 cents per share, in the 13 weeks ended June 28, compared with net income of $2.8 million, or 6 cents per share, in the 13 weeks ended June 29, 2008. Excluding non-cash impairment charges and other unusual items, net income in its fiscal third quarter was $5.3 million, or 12 cents per share. The newspaper publishing chain’s operating revenues from continuing operations fell 20.5 percent to $203.8 million as print and online advertising revenues decreased 24.3 percent. Operating expenses fell 22 percent as part of the company’s goal to reduce full-year 2009 cash costs by about 17 percent or nearly $140 million. Lee also paid off about $18 million in debt.

Sauer-Danfoss Inc. had a net loss of $121.8 million, or $2.52 per share, in the second quarter as net sales fell 55 percent to $277.4 million. It had net income of $22.7 million, or 47 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2008. The 2009 results included $13.2 million in restructuring and severance costs and a charge of $78.5 million, or $1.62 per share, to establish a non-cash deferred tax asset valuation allowances relating to operating losses which cannot be tax-benefited. However, the company reduced its operating expenses by about $25 million, or 27 percent. The company said it is taking further actions to reduce costs in response to declining sales, including further workforce reductions and restructuring costs. It lowered its sales outlook to a decline of 45 to 50 percent of 2008 levels and an expected loss of $6.70 to $7.30 per share for the year.

The number of people filing for unemployment benefits for the first time increased by 25,000 to a seasonally adjusted 584,000 last week, but the Labor Department said the rise was mostly due to seasonal distortions as automobile companies shut down their plants earlier than usual this year to retool their factories to build new car models, the Associated Press reported. However, the figure is still far above the 300,000 to 350,000 that analysts say is a sign of a healthy economy. Meanwhile, the number of people continuing to claim jobless benefits fell to 6.2 million from 6.25 million. Continuing claims lag behind initial claims by one week.