Blyth, Inc. (BTH: chart) reported before market open Monday a drop in its quarterly earnings, hurt by increased interest expenses and a higher tax rate. The Greenwich, Connecticut-based company, which is a leader in home decor and home fragrance products, announced a net profit of $17.7 million, or 38 cents per share, for the fiscal first quarter of 2005, in contrast to a net profit of $19.6 million, or 42 cents per share, for the 2004 corresponding quarter. Earnings were in line with analysts’ projections. Operating profit for the first quarter of 2005 was $34.3 million, the same as in fiscal year 2004. For the quarter ended April 30, revenue advanced to $359 million, a 15% increase from $312 million, in the same quarter a year ago, mainly due to three acquisitions of rival companies. Blyth, the largest candle maker in the U.S., reiterated its previous guidance for full-year earnings of $2.35 to $2.45 per share. The current forecast of analysts is for earnings of $2.41 per share, on average.

Blyth shares rose 3.35% to $34.55 at market close Monday.

Financial Federal Corporation (FIF: chart) posted after the bell Monday quarterly profits that beat analysts’ expectations. The New York-based financial services firm reported income of $8 million, or 44 cents per share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 ended April 30, up 22% from income of $6.6 million, or 36 cents per share, generated in the 2003 equivalent. Earnings were 2 cents a share ahead of the mean estimate of analysts. Outstanding finance receivables increased by $26 million to $1.43 billion, with $211 million of finance receivables originating in the third quarter.

The stock gained 64 cents on Monday to $31.65.

Carreker Corporation (CANI: chart) of Dallas, Texas, announced after market close Monday that its first-quarter net loss narrowed to $812,000, or 3 cents per share, from a net loss of $3 million, or 13 cents per share, in the comparable period a year ago. The provider of payments technology and consulting solutions for the financial services industry said quarterly revenue climbed 5% to $29.8 million. The company attributed the results to strong demand for consulting services.

Carreker shares slipped 1.55% to close Monday at $8.89.

Dave & Buster's, Inc. (DAB: chart) said Monday that it earned $3.6 million, or 25 cents per share, in its fiscal first quarter, compared with earnings of $3.0 million, or 23 cents per share, in the prior-year period. Analysts had expected the operator of restaurant and entertainment complexes to earn 23 cents a share. Dallas, Texas-based Dave & Buster's said results were due to higher revenues, which improved 3.7% to $95.0 million in the first quarter.

The stock closed Monday down 36 cents, or 1.92%, at $18.40.

Bob Evans Farms, Inc. (BOBE: chart) of Columbus, Ohio, announced Monday higher quarterly income, boosted by rising sales. The operator of a restaurant chain and a sausage producer turned in a profit of $19.3 million, or 54 cents a share, for the fiscal fourth quarter ended April 30, against a profit of $17.6 million, or 50 cents a share, for the fourth quarter of 2003. Earnings matched Wall Street’s forecasts. Net sales for the quarter jumped 18% to $313.9 million from $265.5 million, a year earlier.

Company shares were up 3.52% on Monday to $26.75. The stock shed 45 cents to $26.30 in after-hours trading.

Texas Instruments Incorporated (TXN: chart) of Dallas, Texas, forecast Monday quarterly earnings at the upper end of its previous outlook. The world’s No.1 maker of chips for cell phones said that it now sees second-quarter earnings between 24 cents and 26 cents per share, compared with an earlier guidance of 23 cents to 26 cents per share. TI said its revised outlook was due to strong demand for its products. Revenue is seen in the range of $3.17 billion to $3.29 billion.

The stock surged 4.05% to $26.23 at market close Monday. TI shares dropped 44 cents to $25.79 in after-market trade.

Tessera Technologies, Inc. (TSRA: chart) lifted Monday its financial estimates for the fiscal second quarter, citing strong results from its licensing program as well as continued strength in its core business. The San Jose, California-based developer of semiconductor packaging technologies said that it now expects to earn 16 cents per share in its second quarter, on revenue of $16.6 million to $17 million. Tessera had previously forecast earnings of 9 cents per share and revenue between $12.8 million and $13.2 million.

Tessera shares soared 11.68% to close Monday at $18.55. The stock added 5 cents to $18.60 in the extended session.

RF Micro Devices, Inc. (RFMD: chart) of Greensboro, North Carolina, announced Monday that it is on track to meet its financial forecasts for the first quarter, on continued strong demand for its wireless chips. The chipmaker in April projected earnings before items of 3 cents to 4 cents a share for its first quarter, on revenue of $168.3 million to $171.6 million. Analysts are looking for a profit of 4 cents a share, on revenue of $170.8 million.

The stock gained 27 cents on Monday to $8.09. Company shares added a penny to $8.10 in after-hours trading.

Harris Corporation (HRS: chart) raised Monday its earnings target for fiscal year 2005 to reflect the expected acquisition of Orkand Corp. The Melbourne, Florida-based provider of communications equipment lifted its 2005 profit guidance to a range of $2.25 to $2.35 a share, from a previous outlook of $2.15 to $2.30 a share. The current consensus estimate of analysts is for earnings of $2.27 a share.

Harris shares edged up 39 cents to $46.25 at market close Monday.

Kforce Inc. (KFRC: chart) of Tampa, Florida, reaffirmed Monday its financial forecast for the third quarter after it announced the completion of its acquisition of Hall Kinion. The staffing company said that it still sees earnings of 9 cents to 15 cents a share in the third quarter, on revenue in the range of $170 million to $180 million.

The stock closed Monday unchanged at $8.95. Company shares lost 4 cents to $8.91 in after-market trade.