CIGNA Corporation (CI: chart) reported before market open Wednesday a huge rise in its quarterly income, driven by strength in its health-care segment and a gain from the sale of the retirement benefits business. The health insurer posted a net profit of $320 million, or $2.34 per share, for the third quarter of 2004, in contrast to a prior-year net profit of $195 million, or $1.39 per share. Excluding investment results and special items, the company announced income from continuing operations of $242 million, or $1.77 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, compared with $204 million, or $1.45 per share, for the 2003 equivalent. The earnings were well above the average analysts’ estimate of $1.34 per share. CIGNA said its health-care segment earnings reflect the progress in medical management, service and underwriting. Consolidated revenues eased to $4.5 billion in the quarter from $4.8 billion.

For the full fiscal year, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based company said it expects earnings from continuing operations of $6.65 to $6.85 per share.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (PRU: chart) posted after the bell Tuesday quarterly profits that more than doubled from last year, boosted by acquisitions and one-time gains. The Newark, New Jersey-based second-largest U.S. life insurer announced net income of $548 million, or $1.08 a share, for its fiscal 2004 third quarter ended September 30. That compares to net income of $220 million, or 44 cents a share, for the same period in 2003. Excluding items, third-quarter earnings amounted to $460 million, or 92 cents per share, against $351 million, or 68 cents per share, a year earlier. Wall Street’s consensus forecast was for a profit of 78 cents per share. Total revenue for the quarter increased 15% $5.03 billion from $4.37 billion, aided by the acquisitions of Cigna's retirement business and American Skandia. The company’s insurance division reported adjusted operating income of $245 million in the quarter, up from $183 million a year ago. The international insurance and investments division had adjusted operating income of $252 million, compared to $223 million, for the third quarter last year.

Prudential projected full-year earnings in the range of $3.30 to $3.40 a share, while analysts predict $3.29 a share, on average.

Company shares edged up 17 cents to $46.83 at market close Tuesday. The stock rose 3.78% to $48.60 in the extended session.

BMC Software, Inc. (BMC: chart) announced Tuesday that it swung to a profit in its second quarter from a prior-year loss, due to an improvement in the technology spending environment. The company, which is a leading provider of enterprise management software, said it also benefited from a double increase in its operating margins. Houston, Texas-based BMC turned in net income of $12.7 million, or 6 cents per share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2005, a reversal from a net loss of $13.2 million, or 6 cents per share, for the same period in the previous year. Excluding items, the company reported a profit of $35.2 million, or 16 cents per share, for the quarter ended September 30, compared with a profit of $22.2 million, or 10 cents per share, for the 2004 equivalent. The results outpaced the consensus analysts’ forecast by 2 cents a share. Revenue in the quarter was up 6% from a year earlier to $355.1 million. Analysts were looking for revenue of $346.8 million, on average.

The stock plummeted 12.00% on Tuesday to $17.02. BMC shares inched down 2 cents to $17.00 in after-hours trading.

priceline.com Incorporated (PCLN: chart) of Norwalk, Connecticut, said Tuesday that its third-quarter net earnings climbed to $9.3 million, or 23 cents a share, from net earnings of $8.5 million, or 21 cents a share, for the 2003 comparable period. The online travel agency cited strong airline and hotel bookings and its acquisition of Travelweb as main factors for the improvement. On a pro forma basis, third-quarter profit came to 28 cents per share, topping by a penny the mean analysts’ forecast.

Company shares gained 96 cents to close Tuesday at $20.95. The stock plunged 5.54% to $19.79 in after-market trade.

Lincoln National Corporation (LNC: chart) reported Tuesday that it earned $199.7 million, or $1.12 per share, in its fiscal third quarter, compared to $133.3 million, or 74 cents per share, for the 2003 corresponding quarter. Excluding items, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based insurance and investment company had earnings from continuing operations of $178.2 million, or $1 per share, against $156 million, or 87 cents per share, a year ago. Analysts were expecting 94 cents per share. The company attributed the results to increased investment income in its life and retirement divisions from commercial mortgage loan prepayment and bond make-whole premiums.

The stock closed Tuesday at $43.34, up 37 cents, or 0.86%.

AmerisourceBergen Corporation (ABC: chart) of Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania, posted Tuesday a 23% drop in its quarterly earnings, due to the loss of a major customer and low drug price increases. The pharmaceuticals distributor announced a fourth-quarter net profit of $92 million, or 81 cents per share, compared to a profit of $119.5 million, or $1.04 per share, last year. Quarterly revenue was up to $13.4 billion from $12.6 billion.

Company shares rose 2.91% to $56.19 at market close Tuesday.

The Clorox Company (CLX: chart) announced Tuesday that its first-quarter net income slipped 5% to $123 million, or 57 cents per share, from year-earlier net income of $129 million, or 60 cents per share. The Oakland, California-based maker of consumer products said results were weighed by restructuring charges. Sales in the quarter climbed 4% to $1.09 billion from $1.05 billion, a year ago.

The stock dipped 2.50% on Tuesday to $53.77.

Emerson Electric Co. (EMR: chart) of St. Louis, Missouri, reported Tuesday that its quarterly profits jumped 28% from last year, citing strong performance in its network power and industrial automation units. The company, which manufactures electrical and electronic products, said it had net income of $354 million, or 84 cents a share, in its fiscal fourth quarter, in contrast to net income of $276 million, or 66 cents a share, for the 2003 equivalent. The earnings outpaced the average analysts’ estimate of 79 cents a share.

Company shares rose 1.94% to close Tuesday at $65.53. The stock shed $1.03 to $64.50 in extended trade.

International Game Technology (IGT: chart) posted Tuesday net income of $54.3 million, or 15 cents a share, for its fourth quarter, down 50% from net income of $108.3 million, or 31 cents a share, in 2003. The Reno, Nevada-based slot machine maker cited one-time items as principal contributor for the drop. Excluding items, earnings were 35 cents per share, beating by 2 cents analysts’ projections. Quarterly revenue advanced 14% to $621.7 million.

The stock closed Tuesday up $1.80, or 5.44%, at $34.89. Company shares dropped 4 cents to $34.85 in after-market trade.

Masco Corporation (MAS: chart) the Taylor, Michigan-based provider of home improvement and building products, on Tuesday rolled out net earnings of $359 million, or 80 cents a share, for its third quarter. This represents a 13% increase from earnings of $319 million, or 65 cents a share, for the same quarter in the previous year. Excluding discontinued operations, profits totaled 64 cents a share, up from 53 cents a share in 2003, and 2 cents ahead of the average analysts’ forecast. The company attributed the results to strong sales of new products.