Energy crop developer Ceres Inc. reported deeper losses than expected Thursday even as it beat revenue estimates. The Thousand Oaks company reported a net loss of $8.2 million (-33 cents a share) for the quarter ended Nov. 30, compared with a loss of $6.9 million (-28 cents) in the same period a year earlier. Revenue fell 61 percent to $793,000. Analysts on average expected a net loss of 26 cents a share on revenue of $500,000, according to Thomson Financial Network. Shares closed up 6 cents, or 3.6 percent, to $1.73 on the Nasdaq. Simulations Plus Inc. on Thursday announced fiscal first quarter results that beat analysts’ revenue estimates. The Lancaster company, which makes clinical trial software, reported net income of $685,000 (4 cents a share) in the quarter ended Nov.30, compared to $587,000 (4 cents) for the same quarter a year ago. Revenue climbed 15 percent to $2.6 million. Analysts on average expected earnings of 4 cents a share on revenue of $2.4 million. Chief Executive Walt Woltosz said in a statement that the company performed well as it works to release the next generation of its software in the second quarter. Shares closed up 2 cents, or fraction of a percent, to $4.92 on the Nasdaq.
