Intel Corporation (INTC: chart) announced after Tuesday’s closing bell an 89% increase in its quarterly earnings, citing improvement in worldwide information technology spending. The world’s top semiconductor maker rolled out a net profit of $1.73 billion, or 26 cents per share, for its fiscal 2004 first quarter, which included a $162 million charge related to the settlement of a patent dispute. The charge reduced earnings per share by 1.7 cent. Analysts had called for earnings of 27 cents a share, on average. For the 2003 corresponding period, Intel had a net profit of $915 million, or 14 cents per share. Santa Clara, California-based Intel recorded revenue of $8.09 billion in the quarter ended March 27, up 20% from $6.75 billion a year ago, helped by strong demand from businesses for computers. Analysts had forecast first-quarter revenue of $8.16 billion.

For the second quarter, Intel said it expects revenue in the range of $7.6 billion to $8.2 billion.

Intel shares edged up 7 cents to $27.67 at market close Tuesday. The stock slipped 1.52% to $27.25 in after-hours trading.

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (MER: chart) reported before the bell Tuesday that its quarterly profits nearly doubled, driven by solid growth in revenue and pre-tax profits across all three business segments. The New York-based financial services firm said it had record net income of $1.25 billion, or $1.22 per share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2004, compared with net income of $643 million, or 67 cents per share, in the 2003 equivalent. Results beat Wall Street’s estimate for a profit of $1.07 a share, on average. For the quarter ended March 26, the company posted revenue of $6.1 billion, a 27% rise from $4.8 billion, in the prior-year period. Merrill said that pretax earnings at its Global Markets and Investment Banking unit rose 49% to $1.1 billion, on net revenue of $3.2 billion. Revenue from principal transactions, which include trades for the firm's own account, was $1.05 billion, relatively flat with $1.03 billion last year, but almost triple the $380 million in the fourth quarter.

The stock shed $1.12 to close Tuesday at $58.61. Merrill shares inched up 4 cents to $58.65 in after-market trade.

BB&T Corporation (BBT: chart) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, posted before market open Tuesday first-quarter net income of $328.5 million, or 60 cents per share, against net income of $327.7 million, or 69 cents per share, a year earlier. The bank said that excluding items earnings came in at 61 cents a share, falling short of the average analysts’ estimate of 63 cents a share. BB&T said results were hurt by a decrease in mortgage banking.

BB&T shares closed Tuesday at $34.53, down 37 cents, or 1.06%.

AmSouth Bancorporation (ASO: chart) said Tuesday that it earned $160.1 million, or 45 cents per share, in its fiscal first quarter of 2004, up from $155.4 million, or 44 cents per share, generated in the comparable period a year earlier. Earnings were in line with analysts’ expectations. The Birmingham, Alabama-based regional bank attributed the results to the growth in loans and deposits.

The stock dipped 1.82% to $22.65 at market close Tuesday.

Dow Jones & Company, Inc. (DJ: chart) announced Tuesday that its quarterly profits tumbled from a year ago, when results included a large one-time gain. The publisher of The Wall Street Journal posted a first-quarter net profit of $17.8 million, or 22 cents a share, compared with a net profit of $66.9 million, or 82 cents a share, last year. Despite the drop, results topped by 2 cents a share the mean estimate of analysts. New York-based Dow Jones reported revenue of $401.6 million in the quarter, up from $358.2 million a year ago, boosted by improving advertising market.

Company shares slid 2.06% on Tuesday to $47.94. The stock gained 20 cents to $48.14 in after-hours trading.

Raymond James Financial, Inc. (RJF: chart) of St. Petersburg, Florida, reported Tuesday that its second-quarter earnings nearly tripled, driven by rising commissions and investment banking revenue. The brokerage turned in net income of $43.1 million, or 58 cents per share, for the second quarter, in contrast to $15.2 million, or 21 cents per share, in the same period of 2003. Results glided past analysts’ projections for a profit of 38 cents a share. Quarterly revenue jumped 41% to $480.4 million.

The stock inched up 4 cents to $24.90 at market close Tuesday.

Marshall & Ilsley Corporation (MI: chart) posted Tuesday a first-quarter net profit of $146.1 million, or 65 cents per share, a 14% improvement from a prior-year profit of $128 million, or 56 cents per share. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based bank said results were aided by higher lending and reduced bad loans. The consensus estimate of analysts was for first-quarter earnings of 62 cents per share.

Company shares shed 15 cents on Tuesday to $36.95.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ: chart) said Tuesday that its quarterly earnings increased 20%, bolstered by rising sales. The New Brunswick, New Jersey-based health-care product maker turned in first-quarter net income of $2.49 billion, or 83 cents a share, up from net income of $2.07 billion, or 69 cents a share, in the 2003 equivalent. Results were 3 cents a share ahead of the mean estimate of analysts. Quarterly sales advanced 18% to $11.56 billion, from $9.82 billion a year ago, boosted by the weak dollar.

The stock closed Tuesday up 19 cents, or 0.37%, at $51.39. J&J shares added 20 cents to $51.59 in after-market trade.

Linear Technology Corporation (LLTC: chart) of Milpitas, California, said Tuesday that it earned $85.5 million, or 27 cents per share, in its third quarter, up from $60.6 million, or 19 cents per share, in the year-earlier period. The chip-maker recorded revenue of $209.1 million in the quarter, a 36% rise from $153.8 million last year. Linear credited the results to the strong demand for its products.

Linear shares dropped 22 cents to close Tuesday at $39.24. The stock rose 2.57% to $40.25 in after-market trade.

Bolstered by strong revenue growth, The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. (PBG: chart) reported Tuesday a 52% jump in its quarterly profits. The Somers, New York-based world’s No.1 bottler of Pepsi drinks announced net earnings of $50 million, or 19 cents a share, for the first quarter, compared with $33 million, or 12 cents a share, a year ago. Analysts were looking for earnings of 17 cents a share. Revenue climbed 10% to $2.07 billion.