PLX Technology Inc. (PLXT: chart), chips maker, reported fourth-quarter earnings of $162,000, or a penny per share, versus $35,000, or breakeven per share, last year. Revenue climbed to $21 million compared with $15.3 million in the same period a year earlier.

W.W. Grainger Inc. (GWW: chart), maintenance products supplier, said that its fourth-quarter earnings fell to $98.9 million, or $1.14 per share, compared with a year-ago profit of $103.8 million, or $1.13 per share. The latest results include a gain of 6 cents per share from income tax benefits, while last year''s performance included a similar gain of 10 cents per share. Revenue climbed 5% to $1.46 billion versus $1.39 billion in the same period a year earlier.

CDW Corp. (CDWC: chart), computer products seller, said that its fourth-quarter earnings fell to $53.6 million, or 67 cents per share, compared with a year-ago profit of $70.5 million, or 86 cents per share. On a non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) basis, excluding a litigation settlement of $15.4 million, the Vernon Hills, Ill., technology products distributor said it earned $69 million, or 86 cents per share, in the latest quarter. Net sales jumped to $1.82 billion versus $1.61 billion in the same period a year earlier.

Caterpillar Inc. (CAT: chart), heavy construction equipment maker, said that its fourth-quarter earnings increased by 4% to $882 million, or $1.32 per share, compared with a year-ago profit of $846 million, or $1.20 per share. Total sales and revenue climbed to $11 billion against $9.66 billion in the same period a year earlier. Excluding revenue from financial products, sales from machinery and engines reached $10.33 compared to $9.04 billion a year ago.

Honeywell International Inc. (HON: chart), diversified high-tech manufacturer, said that its fourth-quarter earnings increased to $585 million, or 72 cents per share, compared with a year-ago profit of $514 million, or 61 cents per share. The Dow component said it recorded stock option expense of a penny per share in the latest quarter. Revenue jumped 14% to $8.28 billion versus $7.28 billion in the same period a year earlier.