DRS Technologies, Inc. (DRS) of Parsippany, New Jersey, said Friday that its fiscal 2004 fourth-quarter net earnings surged 68% to $16.3 million, or 60 cents per share, from net earnings of $9.7 million, or 42 cents per share, last year. Analysts had expected the defense technology company to earn 54 cents a share, on average. DRS attributed the results to strong demand for its military tactical computer systems and thermal sighting technology. For the quarter ended March 31, revenue increased 61% to $347.2 million, from $215.8 million in the same quarter a year ago. The company said its acquisition of Integrated Defense Technologies Inc. last November also helped boost the results. For all of 2004, DRS turned in net income of $44.7 million, or $1.80 per share, up 48% from $30.2 million, or $1.58 per share, in 2003. Revenue in 2004 rose 48% to $1.0 billion, compared with $675.8 million a year ago.

For its first quarter, DRS projected earnings of 33 cents to 35 cents a share, which would be below analysts’ estimates of 38 cents a share.

DRS shares gained 29 cents to close Friday at $27.88.

chinadotcom corporation (CHINA) reported before the bell Friday higher quarterly earnings, aided by acquisitions. The Hong Kong-based provider of integrated enterprise software and mobile applications said it earned $4.3 million, or 4 cents a share, in its first quarter of fiscal 2004, compared with a profit of $1.3 million, or a penny a share, in the year-earlier period. Earnings fell a penny short of the mean estimate of analysts. Quarterly revenue jumped 26% to $35.9 million, from $28.5 million a year ago, boosted by the company’s recent acquisition of Pivotal Corporation, a customer relationship management software firm.

The stock plummeted 11.42% on Friday to $6.67. Company shares dropped 2 cents to $6.65 in after-hours trading.

AVX Corporation (AVX) announced before market open Friday that it narrowed its fourth-quarter loss, citing cost cuts and stronger sales. The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina-based maker of electronic components posted a net loss of $8 million, or 5 cents per share, for its fourth quarter, in contrast to a net loss of $14 million, or 8 cents per share, in the 2003 corresponding period. Excluding charges, AVX said it had a fourth-quarter profit of 4 cents a share, 3 cents a share ahead of analysts’ projections.

AVX shares closed Friday up 6 cents, or 0.42%, at $14.39.

Millennium Chemicals Inc. (MCH) of Hunt Valley, Maryland, announced Friday a smaller first-quarter net loss of $10 million, or 16 cents per share, in contrast to a net loss of $27 million, or 43 cents per share, for the comparable period in fiscal 2003. The chemical company said loss before items came to 5 cents a share. On average, analysts were looking for a loss of 18 cents a share. The company credited the performance at its flavor and fragrance chemicals unit for the results.

The stock dropped 12 cents on Friday to $15.68.

ID Biomedical Corporation (IDBE) said Friday that its quarterly loss more than doubled, dragged by increased research and development expenses. The Vancouver, Canada-based biotechnology company reported a first-quarter net loss of C$10.7 million, or 26 Canadian cents per share, compared with a net loss of C$4.3 million, or 13 Canadian cents per share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2003. Revenue in the quarter climbed to C$1.5 million from C$1.4 million, last year.

Company shares lost 8 cents to $9.27 at market close Friday. The stock dipped 3.88% to $8.91 in after-market trade.

Zi Corporation (ZICA) of Calgary, Canada, posted Friday a net loss of $1.5 million, or 4 cents per share, for its fiscal first quarter, against a year-earlier net loss of $1.1 million, or 3 cents per share. The provider of intelligent interface solutions said that this year's first-quarter loss included two non-cash items. Excluding those, loss was $55,000. Quarterly revenue rose to $3.0 million from $2.5 million, a year ago.

The stock gained a penny to $2.34 at market close Friday.

Golden State Vintners, Inc. (VINT) reported Friday that it swung to a quarterly profit from a year-earlier loss, driven by solid revenue growth. The Napa, California-based wine supplier rolled out third-quarter net income of $1.3 million, or 13 cents a share, a turnaround from a prior-year net loss of $6.3 million, or 67 cents a share. Revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 jumped 33% to $22.1 million, from $16.6 million, last year.

Company shares closed Friday at $8.15, down 1 cent, or 0.11%.

Genesco Inc. (GCO) of Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday revised upward its earnings guidance for the first quarter, due to rising sales at its Journeys and Hat World chains. The shoe retailer said it now expects to post a profit of 21 cents to 24 cents per share, for its first quarter. The company had earlier forecast first-quarter earnings of 12 cents to 13 cents a share. Same-store sales climbed 6% in the quarter.

The stock rocketed up 15.05% on Friday to $24.00.