American Express Company (AXP: chart) announced Monday a 17% increase in its quarterly earnings, boosted by record cardmember spending, higher average cardmember lending balances and strong travel-related sales. The New York-based financial services firm turned in a profit of $896 million, or 71 cents per share, for its fiscal 2004 fourth quarter, up from $763 million, or 59 cents per share, for the year-earlier period. The earnings topped by a penny a share Wall Street’s mean forecast. American Express, which is also the world’s top travel agency, said revenue was $7.77 billion in the quarter ended December 31, a 10% growth year-over-year. Net income at the company’s travel-related services business jumped 20% from last year to $729 million, on revenue increase of 11% to $5.79 billion. American Express said travel sales were aided by lower airline prices. American Express Financial Advisors earned $218 million, on revenue of $1.86 billion, compared with net income of $182 million, on revenue of $1.71 billion, for the 2003 equivalent. The company attributed the results to higher levels of assets under management. For all of 2004, earnings totaled $3.45 billion, or $2.68 per share, against $2.99 billion, or $2.30 per share, a year ago. Annual revenue rose to $29.12 billion from $25.84 billion.

Company shares closed Monday at $52.60, up 67 cents, or 1.29%.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB: chart) said Monday that its fourth-quarter net income dipped 3.1% to $445.3 million, or 91 cents per share, from prior-year income of $459.5 million, or 91 cents per share. The Irving, Texas-based consumer-products company said results were due to the spin-off of its paper products business. Excluding items, Kimberly-Clark posted a profit of 92 cents per share for the quarter, compared with 88 cents per share, for the 2003 equivalent. Analysts were looking for earnings of 90 cents per share, on average. Quarterly sales rose 8% to $3.90 billion, offsetting higher raw-material costs.

The stock edged up 0.97% on Monday to $64.40. Company shares added 5 cents to $64.45 in after-market trade.

Lexmark International, Inc. (LXK: chart) of Lexington, Kentucky, reported Monday that its quarterly profits advanced 12% from a year earlier, driven by solid revenue growth. The maker of printers and related products rolled out net earnings of $155 million, or $1.18 per share, for its fourth quarter, in contrast to earnings of $138.8 million, or $1.05 per share, last year. The results were 4 cents a share ahead of the average analysts’ estimate. Revenue for the quarter rose to $1.54 billion from $1.37 billion, boosted by strong sales of laser printers and replacement toner.

For its first quarter, Lexmark forecast earnings in the range of 95 cents to $1.05 per share, compared with 91 cents per share, a year ago.

Lexmark shares gained $1.11 to $85.02 at market close Monday. The stock dropped 2 cents to $85.00 in extended-hours trading.

Union Pacific Corporation (UNP: chart) posted Monday quarterly income that tumbled 86% from last year, hurt by high fuel prices, increased operating costs and an asbestos-related charge. The Omaha, Nebraska-based U.S. largest railroad announced a fourth-quarter net profit of $79 million, or 30 cents a share, down from $551 million, or $2.12 a share, for the 2003 corresponding period. Excluding items, the company reported a profit of 88 cents a share, surpassing the mean analysts’ estimate of 84 cents a share.

The stock dipped 2.43% to close Monday at $58.94.

Netflix, Inc. (NFLX: chart) of Los Gatos, California, on Monday rolled out net income of $4.8 million, or 8 cents per share, for its fiscal fourth quarter, which represents a double increase compared to net income of $2.3 million, or 4 cents per share, for the prior-year period. The online DVD rental company cited strong subscriber growth as main factor for the improvement. Quarterly revenue surged 77% to $143.9 million from $82.1 million.

Netflix projected a net loss between $16 million and $19 million for its 2005 first quarter and a net loss of $5 million to $15 million, for the full year, due to increasing competition.

Company shares closed Monday up 10 cents, or 0.91%, at $11.14. The stock rocketed up 14.90% to $12.80 in after-market trade.