Apple Computer, Inc. (AAPL: chart) reported Wednesday a huge rise in its quarterly profits, driven by surging sales of its iPod digital music players and continued strong demand for its Macintosh computers. The Cupertino, California-based company said that its fiscal 2005 first-quarter net income more than quadrupled to $295 million, or 70 cents a share, from year-earlier income of $63 million, or 17 cents a share. The earnings powered past the average analysts’ forecast of 49 cents a share. For the quarter ended December 25, revenue soared 74% to $3.49 billion from $2 billion, a year ago. That was also well beyond analysts’ projections for revenue of $3.14 billion. Apple said it shipped 4.58 million iPods during the quarter, which represents a 525% increase from last year. In its Mac unit, the company boosted shipments by 26% to 1.05 million.

For the second quarter, Apple projected a profit of 40 cents a share, on revenue of $2.9 billion.

Apple shares closed Wednesday at $65.46, up 90 cents, or 1.39%. The stock rocketed up 11.98% to $73.30 in after-hours trading.

Infosys Technologies Limited (INFY: chart) posted Wednesday quarterly earnings that jumped 52% from last year, boosted by strong outsourcing demand. The Bangalore, India-based information technology services firm reported a net profit of 4.97 billion rupees ($114 million) for its fiscal third quarter, compared with 3.28 billion rupees, generated a year earlier. Quarterly revenue leapt 49% to 18.76 billion rupees ($423 million).

The stock rose 2.61% to close Wednesday at $64.90. Company shares gained 59 cents to $65.49 in extended trade.

Innovex, Inc. (INVX: chart) of Maple Plain, Minnesota, said Wednesday that it swung to a loss of $1 million, or 5 cents a share, in its first quarter, from a prior-year profit of $1.6 million, or 8 cents a share. The provider of flexible circuit interconnect solutions blamed the results on restructuring charges and supply issues related to its FSA product. Excluding items, the company had a loss of 3 cents a share. Analysts had predicted a loss of 5 cents a share, on average. Revenue in the quarter eased to $40 million from $44.3 million.

Innovex shares inched up 3 cents to $5.26 at market close Wednesday. The stock slipped 0.57% to $5.23 in after-market trade.

SYNNEX Corporation (SNX: chart) announced Wednesday a 77% surge in its quarterly income, helped by stronger sales. The Fremont, California-based information technology supply chain services company turned in fourth-quarter net earnings of $15.3 million, or 50 cents per share, which reflect proceeds from its initial public offering. For the 2003 equivalent, earnings were $8.6 million, or 35 cents per share, including a charge of $1.3 million, or 5 cents per share. Synnex recorded revenue of $1.48 billion for the fourth quarter, an 18% rise year-over-year.

The stock dropped 5 cents on Wednesday to $22.21. Synnex shares lost a penny to $22.20 in the extended session.

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (MDC: chart) on Wednesday turned in a profit of $142.6 million, or $3.17 per share, for its fiscal fourth quarter, compared with a profit of $67 million, or $1.52 per share, for the 2003 corresponding period. The Denver, Colorado-based homebuilder said quarterly revenue advanced 56% from a year ago to $1.34 billion. The fourth-quarter results beat analysts’ estimates for a profit of $2.82 per share and revenue of $1.26 billion. MDC cited strong demand and higher home prices as main contributors for the improvement.

MDC shares closed Wednesday down 80 cents, or 1.20%, at $65.88. The stock recovered 37 cents to $66.25 in after-hours trading.

Intel Corporation (INTC: chart) announced after the bell Tuesday quarterly earnings that surpassed Wall Street’s expectations, driven by record revenue growth. The world’s top semiconductor maker turned in a profit of $2.12 billion, or 33 cents a share, on sales of $9.6 billion, for its fiscal 2004 fourth quarter ended December 25. The consensus analysts’ estimate was for a profit of 31 cents per share, on sales of $9.4 billion. Year-ago sales totaled $8.7 billion. Santa Clara, California-based Intel said strong holiday sales of computer and cell phone chips helped boost its results. However, the fourth-quarter earnings dipped 2% from $2.17 billion, generated in the 2003 equivalent, due to excess inventory and lower profit margins. Prior-year per share earnings also stood at 33 cents. For the full fiscal year, Intel posted earnings of $7.5 billion, or $1.16 per share, up from $5.64 billion, or 85 cents per share, in 2003. Annual sales rose to $34.21 billion from $30.14 billion.

Looking ahead, the company forecast first-quarter sales in the range of $8.8 billion to $9.4 billion. Analysts expect sales of $8.9 billion, on average.

Intel shares shed 34 cents to $22.54 at market close Tuesday. The stock rose 3.02% to $23.22 in the extended session.

M&T Bank Corporation (MTB: chart) of Buffalo, New York, said Tuesday that its quarterly income advanced 15% from last year, aided by higher interest income, lower expenses and fewer bad loans. The bank reported a profit of $192.2 million, or $1.62 per share, for its fourth quarter, compared with a profit of $166.9 million, or $1.35 per share, for the 2003 corresponding period. Analysts had called for earnings of $1.59 per share, on average. Interest income was $608.9 million for the quarter, an 11% rise from $550.5 million a year ago.

The stock closed Tuesday down 87 cents, or 0.83%, at $103.85.

SUPERVALU INC. (SVU: chart) on Tuesday turned in third-quarter net income of $64.9 million, or 48 cents per share, in contrast to net income of $48.6 million, or 36 cents per share, for the same quarter a year earlier. Excluding items, the Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based food retailer and wholesaler earned 57 cents per share, in line with analysts’ projections. The company said results were due to its cost-cutting efforts. Quarterly sales eased to $4.56 billion from $4.74 billion, a year ago.

Company shares dropped 3 cents on Tuesday to $33.72.