Agere Systems (AGR: chart), storage and communications chip maker, said that its first-quarter earnings increased to $16 million, or 9 cents per share, up from a year-ago loss of $19 million, or 11 cents per share. On a non-GAAP basis, the company reported a profit of $32 million, or 19 cents per share, in the latest quarter. Revenue slipped to $372 million versus $403 million in the same period a year earlier.

Ford Motor Co. (F: chart), engages in the manufacture and distribution of automobiles, said its fourth-quarter loss widened to $5.8 billion, or $3.05 per share compared with a loss of $74 million, or 4 cents per share, in the year-earlier period. Excluding special items, the fourth-quarter loss would have been $2.1 billion, or $1.10 per share, reversing a similarly-compiled profit of $285 million, or 15 cents per share, from a year ago. Restructuring in Ford''s North American operations reduced quarterly earnings by $3.7 billion. Fourth-quarter revenue fell 13% to $40.3 billion versus $46.3 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Pantry Inc. (PTRY: chart), convenience store operator, said that its first-quarter net income fell to $125,000, or a penny per share, compared to $32.97 million, or $1.45 per share in the year-ago period. The convenience store operator cited lower margins on gasoline sales. Revenue increased to $1.38 billion versus $1.31 billion in the year-ago quarter.

Fiat (FIA: chart), car and construction equipment maker, said that its fourth-quarter net income jumped to 470 million euros ($610 million) compared with 84 million euros in the same quarter a year ago. Revenue rose 5.5% to 13.86 billion euros versus euro13.1 million a year earlier. The company said its trading profit improved 50% to 542 million euros. Its Fiat Auto posted a 28% rise in trading profit, and Maserati swung to a trading profit during the quarter.

Potash Corp. (POT: chart), Saskatoon fertilizer producer, reported fourth-quarter earnings rose 59% on 9.9% higher revenue. Net income reached US$186 million, or $1.74 per share, from $117.1 million, or $1.09 per share, in the year-earlier period. Revenue reached $1.02 billion versus $930.5 million in the same period a year earlier. The weaker Canadian dollar added 9 cents to the latest share earnings.

Union Pacific Corp. (UNP: chart), railroad operator, said that its fourth-quarter earnings increased to $485 million, or $1.78 per share, compared with a year-ago profit of $296 million, or $1.10 per share. Revenue rose 9% to $3.96 billion versus $3.62 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMY: chart), engages in the discovery, development, licensing, manufacture, marketing, distribution, and sale of pharmaceutical and other health care products, posted a fourth-quarter loss of $134 million, or 7 cents per share. In the year-ago period the company earned $499 million, or 26 cents per share. Excluding items, it earned $380 million, or 19 cents per share, compared to $601 million, or 31 cents per share. Net sales slipped to $4.21 billion versus $5.02 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Southern Co. (SO: chart), power supplier, reported fourth-quarter earnings of $188.4 million, or 25 cents per share, up from a year-ago profit of $158.9 million, or 21 cents per share. Operating revenue slipped to $3.15 billion versus $3.29 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Dow Jones & Co. (DJ: chart), financial news publisher, reported fourth-quarter net income more than quadrupled to $192.9 million, or $2.30 per share, compared with $41.2 million, or 49 cents per share, in the year-earlier quarter. Excluding gains on the sale of local newspapers, a special tax benefit and other items, the company earned $39.9 million, or 47 cents per share, in the latest quarter. The company recorded a gain on special items of $1.83 per share in the quarter, up from a gain of 8 cents per share in the prior-year period. Revenue rose 6.1% to $485.4 million versus $457.6 million last year.

Westell Technologies Inc. (WSTL: chart), broadband access products provider, said that its third-quarter net earnings declined to $1.84 million, or 3 cents per share, compared with $3.17 million, or 4 cents per share, last year. Revenue decreased to $63.3 million versus $68.1 million in the same period a year earlier.

Bottomline Technologies (EPAY: chart), payment and invoice automation services provider, reported a fiscal second-quarter net loss of $2.12 million, or 9 cents per share. In the same quarter last year, the company recorded a net profit of $1.07 million, or 5 cents per share. Excluding certain items, Bottomline reported a profit of 10 cents a share versus 16 cents per share a year ago. Revenue increased to $29.7 million as compared with $26.1 million last year.

eBay Inc. (EBAY: chart), online marketplaces provider, reported fourth-quarter earnings of $349 million, or 25 cents per share, compared with net earnings of $279 million, or 20 cents per share in the year-ago period. Fourth-quarter revenue totaled $1.72 billion, up 29% from $1.33 billion in the year-ago period.

Sherwin-Williams Co. (SHW: chart), paint maker, said that its fourth-quarter earnings rose 31% on 4.9% higher revenue. Earnings reached $98.7 million, or 73 cents per share, compared with $75.1 million, or 54 cents per share, in the year-earlier period. Revenue increased to to $1.79 billion versus $1.71 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Rohm & Haas Co. (ROH: chart), developer of technologies and solutions for the specialty-materials industry, said that its fourth-quarter net income increased by 34% on 2% higher sales. Earnings reached $176 million, or 80 cents per share, compared with $131 million, or 59 cents per share, in the year-earlier period. Earnings from continuing operations before restructuring and asset impairments were 81 cents against 78 cents. Revenue increased to $2.03 billion versus $1.99 billion in the same period a year ago.