(Reuters circulated the following article on October 31.)CHICAGO -- U.S. short-line railroad operator RailAmerica Inc. on Tuesday said quarterly net profit fell 10 percent as the slowdown in the U.S. housing market resulted in fewer lumber shipments.The Boca Raton, Florida-based company reported third-quarter net income of $6.9 million, or 18 cents a share, down from $7.7 million, or 20 cents a share, a year earlier.While sales rose 12 percent to $117.3 million, the company said lumber carloads fell 12 percent.Stripping out the effects of discontinued operations, RailAmerica said it earned 18 cents a share, down from 19 cents last year. On that basis, Wall Street analysts had, on average, predicted earnings of 21 cents a share, according to Reuters Estimates.
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