Regal Entertainment Earnings Report and 3D Outlook

LOS ANGELES, Feb 19 (Reuters) – Regal Entertainment Group, the No.1 U.S. movie theater operator, posted lower-than-expected operating earnings and revenue on Thursday, but presented an upbeat outlook based partly on hopes for 3-D offerings. Regal, whose shares fell 9 percent, said fourth-quarter net income rose to $30.1 million, or 20 cents a share, from $23.2 million, or 15 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding special items, profit was 18 cents a share, far short of analysts average forecast of 26 cents, according to Reuters Estimates. Revenue rose 18 percent to $711.7 million, shy of the $726.4 million average forecast.