Environmental Power Corp., a Tarrytown-based company that produces natural gas from animal waste and other organic materials, reported a net loss of $2.6 million, or 17 cents a share, during the second quarter, an improvement from a net loss of $5.3 million, or 34 cents a share, a year earlier.

Hydrive Energy LLC, a Rye-based energy drink company, will gain shelf space across for its products across much of the United States through a retail distribution agreement with Dr Pepper Snapple Group.

The Hydrive drinks and chew food products will roll out to the majority of Dr Pepper Snapple’s distribution locations during the next six months, according to Hydrive.

Dr Pepper Snapple’s distribution system covers about two-thirds of the United States. Hydrive had previously tested the drinks in several Midwestern markets since early 2008.

Hydrive was was founded in 2006 by beverage executives Mike Weinstein, former CEO Snapple Beverages, and Brian O’Byrne, former CEO Yoo-hoo/Orangina. The company said that its focus is bringing healthier energy beverages that are non-carbonated and low calorie.

Dr Pepper Snapple took an unspecified equity stake in Hydrive last year in return for agreeing to distribute the drinks to retailers.

General Bearing Corp., a West Nyack-based manufacturer of ball bearings, reported a net loss of $426,000 for the quarter ended July 4, compared to net income of $1.87 million a year earlier. The net loss of 5 cents a share compared to earnings per share of 40 cents a year earlier. Sales fell to $21.48 million during the quarter from $35.12 million a year earlier.

Quarterly profits more than doubled at AboveNet Inc., a White Plains-based telecommunications company that benefited from strong demand from corporate customers for its high-speed data links.

Net income for the second quarter was $24.6 million, or $1.95 per share, up from $11.2 million, or 92 cents a share, a year earlier.

Revenues surged 14.1 percent to $88.0 million.

AboveNet’s system, which delivers network and Internet services among 15 top U.S. markets and London, has been popular among media, energy and financial services companies. Such customers need a lot of communications bandwith to operate their businesses. The company also signed up customers who are looking to use high-speed communications technology to lower their costs and boost efficiencies during the economic downturn.

“We delivered another quarter of solid year-over-year growth in revenue” and earnings, said Bill LaPerch, president and chief executive officer.

AboveNet recently signed a 10-year lease to remain at its White Plains headquarters at 360 Hamilton Ave. The company occupies 32,000 square feet in the downtown building owned by Reckson, a division of SL Green.

The company also has announced plans for a two-for-one stock split after its shares jumped 219 percent this year.

Presidential Life Corp., the Nyack-based insurer that does business in 49 states, reported a net loss of $1.6 million, or 5 cents a share, during the second quarter. That compared to a net gain of $9.8 million, or 33 cents a share, a year earlier.

“Negative market conditions have significantly impacted the financial markets and accordingly, the company’s investments and revenues,” Presidential Life said in regulatory filing.

The company said the setbacks this year have included negative returns on its limited partnership investments and low returns from short-term investments.

Olivier Jarry of Larchmont recently was named chief operating officer at Bayer Diabetes Care in Tarrytown. Jarry is responsible for the day-to-day global business operations of the unit, including marketing, sales and research and development.

Dr. Michael J. Palumbo of Pound Ridge recently was named executive vice president/medical director at White Plains Hospital Center. Palumbo joined the hospital in July 2005 as the founding medical director of the Adult Hospitalist Program. Palumbo previously operated a private practice of internal medicine in Manhattan from 1990 to 2005.

Tasti D-Lite, a frozen dessert chain, is expected to open its first Westchester County store in mid-August at 1282 North Ave. in New Rochelle.

A stock-market recovery and an improved investment climate contributed to a better earnings performance at Gamco Investors Inc., the Rye-based firm founded by money manager Mario Gabelli.

While net income dropped 8.3 percent at Gamco during the second quarter compared to a year earlier, that was a rebound from the 22 percent plunge in first-quarter earnings, when Gamco and other major investment firms were navigating through one of the worst bear markets since the Great Depression.

Since the stock market hit its lows on March 9, the S&P 500 index of large company stocks has gained 50 percent on growing optimism that a recovery in the economy and housing markets is taking root.

Over half of Gamco’s mutual funds performed in the top half of their Lipper categories over one-, three-, five-, and ten-year periods, the company said.

“Our investment performance was strong leading to substantial increases in assets under management on a sequential basis,” Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey M. Farber said in a written statement. “We continued our cost reduction efforts during the second quarter recognizing reductions in general and administrative costs.”

Farber added that Gamco continues to evaluate acquisition opportunties to enhance its business.

Gamco’s net income totaled $13.3 million in the second quarter, or 48 cents a share, compared to $14.5 million, or 51 cents a share, a year earlier.

Fashion retailer H&M opened a new store on Thursday at the Cross County Shopping Center in Yonkers. H&M, a Swedish-based retailer founded in 1947, operates 1,800 stores in 34 countries. The chain offers fashions for women, men, teenagers and children.

IBM remains the world’s largest vendor for information technology consulting, according to a report by industry analyst firm IDC. This is the second consecutive year that IBM has ranked first in the report, which ranks the top 10 information technology vendors worldwide and in the United States based on revenues.

Fifth Street Finance Corp., a White Plains-based specialty finance company that invests in small and mid-sized businesses, said net investment income for the quarter ended June 30 was $7.9 million, or 35 cents a share, up from net investment income of $5.1 million or 35 cents a share a year earlier. Net asset value per share was $11.95 on June 30, up from $11.94 on March 31.

EpiCept Corp., a biotech company based in Tarrytown, reported a net loss of $7.1 million, or 6 cents a share, during the second quarter, compared to a net loss of $7.8 million, or 15 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenues of $91,000 rose from $42,000 a year earlier.

Progenics Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Tarrytown-based biotech company, reported a net loss of $15.2 million, or 49 cents a share, during the second quarter. That compared to a net loss of $2.4 million or 8 cents a share, a year earlier.

IntegraMed America Inc., a Purchase-based operator of vein clinics and fertility centers, said that its profits rose 23 percent in the second quarter as patient demand for its services rose, despite the lackluster U.S. economy.

Net income of $1.1 million, or 13 cents a share, rose from $904,000, or 10 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenues surged 13 percent to $56.1 million.

“Looking across the business, we remain bullish on our prospects and committed to expanding our fertility business via acquisitions and growing our vein clinics business via new clinic openings,” Chief Executive Officer Jay Higham said.

The company’s vein clinics showed the fastest growth among the company’s divisions, with revenues increasing 37 percent. IntegraMed said that the growth was driven by patient marketing programs, strong patient demand, improving clinic performance and two new clinic openings during the past year. IntegraMed, which operates 34 vein clinics nationally, said the clinic procedures allow patients to be back on their feet the same day since no hospitalization or surgery is involved.

IntegraMed’s 57 fertility centers in 13 major markets grew revenues by 6 percent during the quarter. That growth was driven by more new patients visiting the centers and increased sales at two new centers.

IntegraMed America recently ranked as one of the nation’s 100 fastest-growing small public companies in a report by Fortune Small Business.

Hudson Technologies Inc., a Pearl River-based refrigerant services company, said that it raised $1.5 million by selling 1.47 million shares of stock to two institutional investors. Hudson said that it will use the proceeds from the stock sale for general corporate purposes, including sales and marketing programs. Hudson added that it may also use a portion of the proceeds to fund acquisitions or pay down debt.

Broadview Networks, a Rye Brook-based business communications provider, said that it agreed to buy select assets of Natural Convergence Inc., an Internet phone company based in Ottawa, Canada.

Dawn Zier has been named president and chief executive officer of Direct Holdings, a unit of Reader’s Digest Association Inc. Direct Holdings, based in Fairfax, Virginia, is a marketer of music, videos, DVDs and books worldwide. It is licensed to market products under the Time Life brand. In addition to the new position, Zier will remain as president of global consumer marketing at Chappaqua-based Reader’s Digest.

TAL International Group Inc., the Purchase-based company that leases freight containers to shippers, reported net income of $35.8 million, or $1.15 a share, during the second quarter, down from net income of $40.3 million, or $1.23 a share, a year earlier.

Chief Executive Officer Brian M. Sondey said that business conditions remain challenging. But he added that the downward pressure on the shipping industry from excess container supplies has started to moderate.