Earl Scheib Inc. said its operating loss narrowed to $1.57 million in its fiscal third quarter from a loss of $2.23 million a year ago, helped in part by lower administrative costs. The Sherman Oaks-based company said sales at its auto paint and body shops open at least a year jumped 7.7%. Total sales declined 1.5% to $10.2 million, as the company operated 26 fewer shops in the latest quarter than in the year-ago period.
Earl Scheib's net loss was $778,000, or 18 cents a share, compared with $2.3 million, or 53 cents, a year ago.
