AT&T, (T: chart), reported that adjusting for merger-related, severance, and Cingular hurricane costs, and a gain from tax settlements, the company would have earned 48 cents a share, beating analysts’ forecasts of earnings of 45 cents.

Potash Corp., (POT: chart), mining and production and sale of potash company, reported Q4 net income of $1.09 a share, up from the previous year''s 88 cents, topping analysts’ forecasts of 98 cents a share. PotashCorp accelerated stock buybacks during Q4, repurchasing 3.6 million shares for $290.6 million. The company also expects earnings growth of 10% to 30% for 2006, with profit projected at $1 to $1.25 a share for the Q1 and at $5.25 to $6.25 a share for the full year. Analysts’ estimates are for $1.41 and $5.71 a share, respectively.

Eli Lilly and Company, (LLY: chart), drugmaker, reported that Q4 net income was 64 cents a share, up from a net loss and no earnings per share, missing analyst estimate of 78 cents a share. The latest result includes 14 cents a share of charges from restructuring and asset impairments. Sales in Q4 advanced 6% to $3.88 billion.

First Data Corp, (FDC: chart), payment systems company, reported a 14% drop in Q4 net income to 52 cents a share and added it plans to separate its Western Union consumer payments business into an independent publicly traded company. Revenue for Q4 increased 3% to $2.77 billion. The company announced that the Western Union business will be spun-off to First Data shareholders. The separation is due to be completed in the second half of 2006.

Danaher Corp, (DHR: chart), industrial and consumer products manufacturer, reported Q4 net earnings of 81 cents a share, up from 67 cents in the same period of 2004, beating analyst estimate by a penny. Sales rose 14.5%, topping $2.26 billion compared to $1.98 billion in the prior year. Revenue growth from existing businesses increased 5.5%. Operating profit reached $367.6 million from $316 in the year-earlier Q4, as operating margin widened to 16.2% from 16.0%.

ChoicePoint, (CPS: chart), I.D. services company, reported Q4 net earning of 30 cents a share, down from 43 cents a share a year ago despite 11% revenue growth, missing analyst estimate of 45 cents a share. If not for a 14 cents charge related to an FTC probe of fraudulent data access, the company would have earned 44 cents a share.

Baxter International, (BAX: chart), medical products company, reported Q4 net earnings of 46 cents a share, from continuing operations on a GAAP basis up from 17 cents a share a year ago. If not for special charges, the company earned 60 cents a share in Q4, topping analyst estimate of 58 cents a share. Sales dropped 4% to $2.5 billion.

Honeywell International, (HON: chart), industrial company, reported Q4 earnings of 62 cents a share, up from 30 cents a share a year-ago, matching analyst estimate. On a continuing operations basis, the company posted earnings of 61 cents a share in Q4. Sales advanced in Q4 to $7.28 billion from $6.64 billion in the same period a year ago.

Lockheed Martin, (LMT: chart), defense contractor, reported Q4 earnings of $1.29 per share, up from 83 cents per share last year beating analyst estimate for earnings of $1.15 per share. Net sales for the period came in at $10.22 billion, up from last year''s sales of nearly $9.97 billion.

Caterpillar Inc., (CAT: chart), machinery maker, reported Q4 net income of $1.20 a share, compared with 77 cents a share in the year-ago period, beating analyst estimate of $1.10 a share. Sales at the company in Q4 advanced by more than 12% to $9.66 billion from $8.58 billion.