Credit Agricole's 1Q net profit was 905 million euros ($1.1 billion) versus 639 million euros in the same quarter a year earlier. Analysts estimated net profit of 746 million euros.

Revenue was up 9.7% at 3.23 billion euros versus 2.95 billion euros, and gross operating profit was up 26% to 1.02 billion euros vs. 813 million euros reported for 1Q of 2004.

The home-furnishings retailer Pier 1 Imports Inc. (PIR: chart) sees a wider-than-expected 1Q loss, citing weaker sales and softer merchandise margins. The company now estimates its 1Q loss at 13 cents to 15 cents a share vs. analysts' forecast of 9 cents. Four-week sales through May 28 amounted to $130.9 million, down 2% vs. the same period a year earlier, as comparable-store sales declined 7.7%.

The mining company Vedanta Resources PLC (VED: chart) reported Wednesday that attributable profit grew by 66% to $120 million for FY 2005, mainly on better results across the business and a cut in minority interest holdings. Earnings before interest, tax, deprecitation and amortization rose to 41% to $455 million, topping forecasts of $430 million, while revenue jumped by 46% to $1.9 billion.

The hotel operator Marriott International Inc. (MAR: chart) forecasted growth in earnings per share at a compound yearly rate of 17% to 22% through FY 2008. The outlook sees growth in revenue per available hotel room of 8% to 10% for 2005 and 4% to 8% for 2006 through 2008 and excludes any contributions from Marriott's investment in synthetic fuels.

Looking ahead to 2008, the company said earnings per share could range between $3.75 and $4.50, based on the 4%-to-8% growth estimate for revenue per available room.

For 3Q 2005 Pall (PLL: chart) reported its net earnings were $43.7 million, or 35 cents a share, down vs. $46.5 million, or 37 cents, a year earlier.

The decline came despite a 6.5% growth in sales, which totaled $493.5 million in the quarter ended April 30, up versus $463.9 million a year earlier.

Pall's latest forecast expects per-share earnings for the full FY ending July 31, at $1.30 to $1.35, down versus the $1.38 to $1.52 it forecasted September and at the low end of analysts' estimates of $1.30 to $1.42 range.

Vimpel-Communications (VIP: chart) reported that 1Q net income advanced to $109.7 million, or $2.14 a share, versus $75.6 million, or $1.88 a share, a year earlier. Operating revenues grew by 55% to $640.6 million, the wireless telecommunications company said. Average revenue per user for 1Q was nearly $7.3, a 33% drop vs. a year ago, mainly due to seasonal effects. The company reported that at March 31, it had 30.7 million subscribers, versus 13.4 million a year earlier, while 1Q churn rate declined to 5.9%, vs. 8.9% last year.

VimpelCom sees its market share in Russia at 34.6% at the end of 1Q of 2005, versus an estimated 32.0% at the end of 1Q of 2004.

Stage Stores Inc. (STGS: chart), retailer, said that total sales for the four weeks ended May 28 gained 10.4% to $100 million versus $90.6 million in the year-ago comparable period. Comparable-store sales, those from stores open at least a year, climbed 7%.

ShopKo Stores Inc. (SKO: chart) reported that comparable sales for the four weeks to May 28 dropped 7.2%, while total sales declined 6.7% to $235.1 million. The company announced also that it estimates comparable sales for June to be in the negative low single digit range.

Penn Treaty American Corp. (PTA: chart) said 1Q net income dropped to $2.2 million, or 3 cents a share, vs. $23.3 million, or 32 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue for the quarter eased to $79.8 million versus $82.3 million a year earlier. The insurer reiterated its forecast for 2005 adjusted earnings in the range of 28 cents to 30 cents a share.