Accenture Ltd. (ACN: chart) said before Tuesday’s opening bell that its quarterly profit rose, primarily due to lower reorganization costs related to its transition to a corporate structure in 2001. The world’s largest management and technology consulting firm posted net income of $174.3 million, or 33 cents a share, for its fiscal 2004 first quarter, in contrast to net income of $126.9 million, or 27 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding the gain from the lower reorganization costs, the Bermuda-based company said it had a profit of 27 cents a share, a penny short of the mean estimate of analysts. For the quarter ended November 30, Accenture said revenue increased 11% to $3.26 billion from $2.93 billion, in the first quarter a year ago. Analysts had projected revenue of $3.11 billion. For the second quarter, Accenture sees earnings of 21 to 27 cents per share, before items, on revenue in the range of $3.1 billion to $3.25 billion.

Accenture shares plunged 12.54% on Tuesday to $22.66. The stock shed 31 cents to $22.35 in after-market trade.

State Street Corporation (STT: chart) of Boston, Massachusetts, reported Tuesday fourth-quarter net income of $447 million, or $1.33 a share, compared with $477 million, or $1.46 a share, in the same period a year earlier. Excluding items, the financial services company said profit came to $223 million, or 69 cents per share, up 28% from $174 million, or 54 cents a share, last year. Revenue climbed 3.4% to $1.51 billion from $1.46 billion.

The stock dipped 3.48% to close Tuesday at $53.30. Company shares inched down 2 cents to $53.28 in after-hours trading.

BB&T Corporation (BBT: chart) announced Tuesday that its fourth-quarter operating profit jumped 10% to $376.8 million, or 69 cents a share, from $343.7 million, or 72 cents a share, a year ago. Results of the Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based bank matched analysts’ expectations. BB&T said net earnings were $305 million, or 55 cents a share, in the fourth quarter, down 10% from $337.3 million, or 70 cents a share, last year, hurt by charges.

BB&T shares slipped 3.07% on Tuesday to close at $36.63. The stock gained a penny to $36.64 in after-market trade.

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (FNFG: chart) of Lockport, New York, posted Tuesday a net profit of $10.1 million, or 15 cents per diluted share, for its fourth quarter, a 20% rise from a profit of $8.4 million, or 13 cents per diluted share, in the corresponding period of 2002. Results were in line with analysts’ projections. The bank attributed the results to strength in commercial mortgage and business loan portfolio.

The stock dropped 41 cents to $14.54 at market close Tuesday. Company shares were down a penny in after-hours trading.

Linear Technology Corporation (LLTC: chart) reported after market close Tuesday higher quarterly earnings, citing strong demand for its products. The Milpitas, California-based chipmaker said it had a net profit of $74.3 million, or 23 cents a share, in the fiscal second quarter, compared to a profit of $56.2 million, or 18 cents a share, in the comparable period of 2003. Results were in line with Wall Street’s estimates. Net sales leapt to $186 million from $145 million, a year ago.

Company shares closed Tuesday down $1.00, or 2.22%, at $43.95. The stock slid 1.71% to $43.20 in after-market trade.

Helen of Troy Limited (HELE: chart) of El Paso, Texas, announced Tuesday that its third-quarter net profit jumped 49% to a record $25.1 million, or 78 cents a share, boosted by sales increase. For the same quarter a year earlier, the maker of personal-care products posted net income of $16.8 million, or 57 cents a share. Helen of Troy blasted past analysts’ forecasts for earnings of 62 cents a share, in the quarter.

The stock soared 13.78% on Tuesday to $28.65. Company shares lost 5 cents to $28.60 in after-hours trading.

Plantronics, Inc. (PLT: chart) said Tuesday its quarterly earnings almost doubled on the back of strong headset sales. The Santa Cruz, California-based maker of communications headsets reported a third-quarter net profit of $17.6 million, or 37 cents a share, up 91% from a year-ago profit of $9.2 million, or 20 cents a share, and ahead of the average analysts’ estimate of 28 cents a share. Revenue was $107.6 million, in the quarter ended December 31, up 24% from $86.8 million, last year.

Plantronics shares gained 1 cent to close Tuesday at $35.19. The stock rose 4.72% to $36.85 in after-market trade.

Boosted by strong December sales, Charming Shoppes, Inc. (CHRS: chart) of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, said it expects quarterly profit to be at the high end of its outlook. The women’s clothing retailer had projected earnings in the range of 3 cents to 5 cents a share, for the fourth quarter. Analysts forecast a profit of 3 cents a share, on average.

The stock closed Tuesday at $5.95, up 3 cents, or 0.51%.

Borders Group, Inc. (BGP: chart) raised Tuesday its fourth-quarter earnings target on solid holiday sales, and now expects a profit in the range of $1.48 to $1.52 a share. The Ann Arbor, Michigan-based No.2 bookstore operator in the U.S. had previously forecast fourth-quarter earnings of $1.45 to $1.50 a share.

Company shares rose 3.51% on Tuesday to $22.10.

Internet Security Systems, Inc. (ISSX: chart) of Atlanta, Georgia, said Tuesday its fourth-quarter profit may come in below its earlier guidance of 13 cents to 17 cents a share, on potential charges. The provider of intrusion-detection software also said quarterly revenue will be near or above its forecast of $66 million.

The stock slipped 3.34% to close Tuesday at $19.65. Company shares shed 95 cents to $18.70 in after-market trade.