BELLEVUE, WA — Coinstar Inc.'s stock price jumped last week to its highest level in a year, following strong earnings in the first quarter of 2008. Quarterly gross revenue soared 44% to $190.5 million for the quarter ended March 31.

Chief executive Dave Cole said Coinstar enjoyed "solid results" in coin processing and e-payments, and "better than expected results" for its Redbox DVD kiosk business. Unfortunately, Coinstar's nationwide crane, bulk vending and kiddie ride operations did not fare as well. Cole said "continued softness in entertainment" was "partially driven by previously announced de-installations." Coinstar lost its Wal-Mart accounts earlier this year.

A company statement said the number of cranes on location dropped to 25,000 during the quarter, compared with 30,000 units in place for the same quarter of 2007. Bulk vending and "other" units on location, which includes kiddie rides, dropped to 205,000 from 269,000 pieces. Total amusement installations accordingly fell 23%, from 299,000 on March 31, 2007, to 230,000 as of the same date this year.

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