Emeryville-based educational toy maker LeapFrog Enterprises reported a net loss of $27.4 million, or 43 cents a share, for the first quarter this year.

Last year during the same period, they lost $30.4 million, or 48 cents a share. The company did say that its sales of its Leapster video game system did better than it had expected. Shares of LeapFrog closed up 5 percent, or 47 cents, to $8.98.

Labor

Inter-Con security officers who protect Kaiser facilities will launch an unfair labor practice strike against Inter-Con to defend their civil rights today. This is the first group of hospital security officers to strike. Workers from Oakland, San Francisco, Hayward, Fremont, Fairfield and Union City in the Bay Area will be amongst those who strike.

Energy

"Much higher" U.S. natural gas prices are expected over the long term, the Federal Reserve Bank said in its first-quarter energy update. The report said "higher oil prices, oil spells, seasonal gains in demand, reduced inventories and expectations of increasing natural gas use to generate electricity are continuing to push prices upward." Domestic prices are still low compared with the $18 to $19 per million cubic feet commanded internationally, about twice the domestic price.

Quickly

Jamba Juice of Emeryville said it has partnered

Advertisement
with the Dole Food Co. to launch Jambafruit.com, an online portal where consumers come to together to "blend", submit and share smoothie recipes. Coinciding with the Web site roll-out, Dole has produced tens of millions of customized stickers on bunches of fresh bananas that read, "I Want to Jamba!" to promote the Web site. ... Union City-based Questcor Pharmaceuticals announced that its board of directors has approved the decision to switch the listing of its common stock from the American Stock Exchange to the Nasdaq Stock Market effective May 16. The Company's trading symbol will change from QSC to the new symbol QCOR. ... Electronic Arts of Redwood City said it has reached an agreement with AOL Sports to market and promote its online sports trivia game EA Sports GameShow at www.eagameshow.com.

Compiled from staff and wire report. Got Bay Area business news? Reach Drew Voros at 925-943-8099 or dvoros@ bayareanewsgroup.com.