SYDNEY (MarketWatch) — Qantas Airways Ltd. on Tuesday gave the strongest indication yet that it’s about to slash hundreds more jobs by closing at least one of its three heavy maintenance bases in Australia. “The significant reduction of maintenance required on our aircraft means we do not need three separate maintenance bases,” a Qantas spokeswoman said in an e-mailed statement. The... 

Helen of Troy Corp.’s HELE +4.25% fiscal fourth-quarter earnings rose 20% from a year-earlier period weighed down by impairment charges as the housewares and personal-care products company posted stronger-than-expected revenue, though margins declined. The company also forecast fiscal 2013 earnings of $3.80 to $3.90 a share on revenue of $1.3 billion to $1.33 billion, while analysts surveyed... 

Aflac Inc.’s AFL +1.55% first-quarter earnings more than doubled over a year-earlier period hit by heavy investment losses, although the insurer also posted a core profit that easily exceeded expectations. Shares jumped 5% to $44 after-hours as the insurer, which has operations in Japan and the U.S., also boosted its outlook for its Japanese operations, its largest revenue stream. Chief Executive... 

Pro-Dex Inc. PDEX -5.62% said Chief Executive Mark P. Murphy resigned from all his positions with the company and its subsidiaries Friday, and was immediately replaced by Director Michael J. Berthelot. Pro-Dex develops powered surgical devices and other tools used in the medical, dental, semiconductor and scientific research markets. “We welcome Mike’s leadership in guiding Pro-Dex through... 

SINGAPORE -(MarketWatch)- Singapore conglomerate Keppel Corp. Ltd. said that unit Keppel Energy Pte. Ltd. has entered into a gas sales agreement with Petronas to import an additional 43 million cubic feet per day of natural gas from their various supply networks. In a filing to the Singapore Exchange late Friday, Keppel said that based on historical oil prices, the contract value is estimated to be... 

Extreme Networks Inc. EXTR +1.89% said its fiscal third-quarter results will miss its expectations due to the negative impacts of longer customer sales cycles, sales execution issues and challenging macroeconomic conditions in some regions. Shares slid 13% to $3.74 after hours as the Ethernet-network provider also lowered its full-year guidance. Extreme Networks sees full-year earnings of 22 cents... 

Universal Forest Products Inc. UFPI -0.25% swung to a first-quarter profit as the seller of lumber and construction materials saw higher revenue in all its major segments, lead by commercial construction and concrete forming, and manufactured homes. The provider of lumber, building and packaging materials has posted mixed results in recent quarters as it struggled with lagging demand from soft construction... 

NEW YORK -(MarketWatch)- ConAgra Foods Inc. CAG +0.97% has agreed to buy Odom’s Tennessee Pride, the second-largest maker of frozen breakfast sandwiches in the U.S., for an undisclosed amount, continuing an acquisition spree of smaller food companies. Odom’s has annual sales of more than $190 million and about 750 employees. The company also makes refrigerated breakfast sandwiches and sausages.... 

Coinstar Inc. CSTR -2.91% raised its earnings and revenue forecasts for its first quarter and full year, saying it experienced increased consumer demand at its Redbox movie rental kiosks, especially for titles like “Moneyball” and “Puss and Boots.” The company said it expects first-quarter core earnings of $1.36 to $1.40 a share on revenue of $567 million to $569.2 million.... 

Mosaic Co. MOS +2.38% said it will more than double its quarterly dividend, as the fertilizer producer looks to put its cash stockpile to use and boost shareholder returns. The increase raises the company’s quarterly payout to 12.5 cents a share from 5 cents a share and will cost the company about $127 million more a year. The company had about $3.2 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of...