Boeing Co. (BA), airplane maker, reported fourth-quarter earnings of $989 million, or $1.29 a share, up from a year-ago profit of $460 million, or 58 cents per share. On a continuing operations basis, the Dow component earned $980 million, or $1.28 per share, in the latest quarter. On an adjusted basis, excluding tax benefits as well as discontinued operations the company earned $1.16 per share, in the latest quarter, compared to 74 cents per share last year. Revenue rose to $17.54 billion from $13.9 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Hess Corp. (HES), oil and gas producer, reported a 21% fourth-quarter profit decline to $359 million, or $1.13 per share from $440 million, or $1.44 per share, a year ago, hurt by a downturn in refining product margins and marketing margins. Revenue rose 1% to $7.21 billion from $7.15 billion in the same period a year ago. Production rose to 366,000 barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2006 compared with 316,000 barrels a day in the year-ago quarter.

Xcel Energy (XEL), electric and natural gas energy company, said that its fourth-quarter earnings fell to $97.7 million, or 23 cents per share, compared with a year-ago profit of $112.1 million, or 27 cents per share. Total operating revenue slipped to $2.47 billion against $2.88 billion in the same period a year earlier.

PepsiAmericas Inc. (PAS), Pepsi bottler, said that its fourth-quarter net income fell to $26.1 million, or 20 cents per share compared with $37.6 million, or 28 cents per share in the same period a year earlier. Results for the quarter included 9 cents per share in charges. Net sales climbed to $994.5 million versus $894.3 million in the same period a year ago.

Nymex Inc. (NMX), parent of the New York Mercantile Exchange commodities market, said that its fourth-quarter net income rose 105% to $42.3 million, or 48 cents per share, compared to $20.7 million, or 28 cents per share in the year-ago period. Revenue increased 40% to $124.8 million from $88.9 million a year ago. Excluding a gain of $2.9 million for the sale of marketable securities, the company earned 46 cents per share.

Kraft Foods Inc. (KFT), engages in the manufacture and sale of packaged foods, said that its fourth-quarter net earnings fell to $624 million, or 38 cents per share compared with $773 million, or 46 cents per share, during the year-ago period. Excluding asset impairment, exit and implementation costs, among other items, per-share earnings were 51 cents compared with 56 cents. Revenue was $9.27 billion versus $9.66 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Altria Group Inc. (MO), the food and tobacco conglomerate, said that its fourth-quarter net earnings increased to $2.96 billion, or $1.40 per share, compared with $2.29 billion, or $1.09 per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding certain items, Altria posted a per-share profit of $1.27 compared with $1.17 last year. Revenue rose 3.7% to $25.4 billion from $24.59 billion in the same period a year ago.

Media General (MEG), publisher and TV stations owner, said fourth-quarter net income rose 27% to $31.6 million, or $1.33 per share, from $25 million, or $1.05 per share in the year-ago period. Income from continuing operations rose to $1.35 a share from $1 a share. Revenue climbed 26% to $294.7 million. Excluding the results of four new NBC affiliate stations purchased in June, sales rose 10.7%.

L-3 Communications (LLL), defense contractor, reported fourth-quarter net income rose 15% on 17% higher revenue. Earnings reached $173.6 million, or $1.37 per share, from $151.4 million, or $1.24 per share, in the year-earlier period. Revenue rose to $3.39 billion from $2.9 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Dominion Resources (D), energy producer, said that its fourth-quarter net income dropped to $31 million, or 9 cents per share compared with $257 million, or 73 cents per share, on a $244 million loss from discontinued operations of three merchange generation plants it sold in December. Operating earnings fell to $275 million, or 78 cents per share, against $357 million, or $1.02 per share, after milder-than-normal weather in the electric and gas utility service areas, lower average realized prices for natural gas and oil sales and the absence of a benefit from hedges.