Local earnings

Several companies that are based in Utah or have ties to the state reported quarterly financial results Thursday.

Alliant Techsystems

Alliant Techsystems Inc., the largest supplier of ammunition to the U.S. military, said fiscal third-quarter profit rose 8.8 percent on higher bullet sales and a tax credit.

The company, which has 4,585 employees in Utah at seven facilities, raised its forecast for this year and next, lifting the shares 4 percent. Net income in the quarter ended Dec. 31 climbed to $51.2 million, or $1.53 a share, from $47.1 million, or $1.26, a year earlier, said the company, which is based in Edina, Minn. Revenue grew 17 percent to $900.3 million.

Shares of Alliant, which is also the largest supplier of rocket motors to the U.S. military, rose $3.22 to close at $84.22 on the New York Stock Exchange. They gained 2.3 percent last year.

Comcast

Comcast Corp., the nation's largest cable television operator, said fourth-quarter profits nearly tripled as customers signed up for its discounted video, Internet and phone package, but the results fell short of expectations.

The Philadelphia-based company also said it is splitting its stock 3-for-2 on Feb. 21.

Net income totaled $390 million, or 18 cents per share, in the three months ended Dec. 31, compared with $133 million, or 6 cents per share, in the same quarter a year ago.

Fourth-quarter revenue rose 30 percent to $7.03 billion, up from $5.42 billion a year earlier.

Investors sold off Comcast's shares. The stock fell $1.43, or 3.22 percent, to close at $42.92 on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Sonic Innovations

Salt Lake-based Sonic Innovations Inc. reported net income of $243,000, or 1 cent per share, for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31. That compares with a net loss of $9.1 million, or 42 cents per share, in the same quarter a year earlier.

Income from continuing operations was $700,000, or 2 cents per share, compared with a loss of $7.2 million a year earlier. Sales from continuing operations were a company-record $28.7 million, up from $23.2 million a year earlier.