Earnings: Hormel Foods, Linn Energy, Cedar Fair (HRL, LINE, FUN)

Before Thursday’s opening bell, a number of big name, dividend paying companies announced their quarterly earnings. Below, we look at these earnings reports and break down the important points for investors.

Hormel Foods (HRL ) reported first quarter earnings of $171.7 million, or 64 cents per share, up from $153.3 million, or 57 cents per share, last year. Excluding special items, EPS came in at 69 cents – above analysts’ view of 64 cents. Revenue rose 7% to $2.40 billion from $2.24 billion. Analysts expected to see revenue of $2.47 billion.

Looking ahead to FY2015, the company expects to see adjusted earnings between $2.50 and $2.60 per share. Analysts expect to see EPS of $2.53.

LINN Energy (LINE ) reported a fourth quarter net loss of $155 million, or 47 cents per share, compared to last year’s net loss of $785 million, or $3.15 per share. Revenue came in at $2.2 billion, which beat analysts’ view of $974.37 million.

Cedar Fair (FUN ) reported a fourth quarter net loss of 32 cents per share, compared to last year’s net loss of 37 cents per share. Revenue came in at $160 million, compared to $139 million last year. On average, analysts expected to see a loss of 8 cents per share and $151.77 million in revenue.