EARNINGS

Freemont General: Freemont General reported third-quarter net income of $8.4 million, or $1.02 per share, up 32% from the same period a year earlier.

The firm posted earnings of $6.66 million or 81 cents a share in the year-ago quarter. The most recent period included a “fresh start” tax benefit of 18 cents a share, compared to 4 cents a share in the third quarter of 1990. Revenue totaled $109.5 million, up from last year’s $107.6 million.

James A. McIntyre, chairman and chief executive, said the Santa Monica-based company’s workers’ compensation insurance and financial services operations contributed to the improved earnings.

Workers’ compensation insurance operations generated $10.3 million in pretax earnings, compared to $9.6 million in the same quarter for 1990. This was accomplished largely through continued expense reduction and increased investment income. Pretax income generated by financial services operations increased to $3.3 million from $1.8 million.