Afternoon Briefs

Shares in Van Nuys-based health care services provider HemaCare Inc. closed up nearly 30 percent Monday after the company reported a first quarter profit of $87,000 (1 cent per share) compared with a loss of $347,000 in the same period a year earlier. The company also reported a 3 percent hike in revenues to $8.6 million. HemaCare attributed the strong quarter to lower expenses and cuts in stock-based compensation, the company said. Shares closed Monday up 28 percent to 51 cents per share.