Knight-Ridder, Inc. (KRI: chart) announced Friday an increase in its third-quarter profit, on the back of higher returns from newsprint mills investments, lower tax rate and strong September advertising. The San Jose, California-based second-largest newspaper publisher in the U.S. posted third-quarter net earnings of $69.1 million, or 85 cents per share, on revenue of $685.3 million, up 22% from $56.5 million, or 67 cents per share, on revenue of $689 million, in the year-ago period. Excluding a one-time charge, earnings in the third quarter of 2002 were 81 cents a share, 4 cents below the profit-per-share in the 2003 period. Results for the quarter were above analysts’ expectations for profit of 81 cents a share. The publisher said the strong online employment service CareerBuilder, a joint venture with Tribune Co. and Gannett Co., also contributed for the profit increase.

Company shares closed Friday down 44 cents, or 0.62%.

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP: chart) of Roseland, New Jersey, reported before market open Friday first-quarter net profit of $194.85 million, or 32 cents a share, down 7% from $210.4 million, or 34 cents a share a year earlier, but ahead of analysts’ forecasts for profit of 29 cents a share. The world's biggest payroll and tax filing processor said the drop in profit was due to weakness in the brokerage industry.

The stock rose 0.37% to $38.16 at market close Friday.

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. (GAP: chart), the Montvale, New Jersey-based owner of the A&P supermarket chain, said Friday it narrowed its second-quarter net loss to $83.7 million, or $2.17 a share, from a loss of $144.7 million, or $3.76 a share, a year earlier. Excluding items, loss from continuing operations was $1.62 a share, compared with a loss of 33 cents a share, a year ago. Analysts had called for a loss of 88 cents a share.

Company shares dropped 9.09% on Friday to close at $6.50.

Visteon Corporation (VC: chart) said Friday its third-quarter loss tripled to $168 million, or $1.34 a share, from a loss of $52 million, or 40 cents a share, a year ago.The no.2 auto parts maker in the world based in Dearborn, Michigan, cited falling production by automakers and costs of a new union contract as main factors for the loss increase.

Visteon shares slumped 3.59% to $6.99 on Friday. The stock fell 1 cent 0.14% to $6.98 in after-hours trading.

UST Inc. (UST: chart) of Greenwich, Connecticut, posted Friday profit of $124 million, or 74 cents a share, in the third quarter, down 5% from $130.5 million, or 77 cents a share, in the same period a year ago, on cheaper competition. The largest U.S. smokeless tobacco maker, whose business also includes wine and cigars, said total net sales were down 3% to $437.6 million.

The stock closed Friday at $34.64, down 99 cents.

Sonoco Products Co. (SON: chart), the Hartsville, South Carolina-based packaging maker, reported before market open Friday third-quarter earnings of $13.7 million, or 14 cents a share, down from $29.2 million, or 30 cents a share, in the year-ago period, partly due to a restructuring charge.

Company shares slipped 2.87% on Friday to $22.00.

Lear Corporation (LEA: chart) of Southfield, Michigan said before market open Friday its third-quarter profit increased 24% to $76.1 million, or $1.10 a share, from $61.6 million, or 91 cents a share, generated in the year-earlier quarter. The automotive parts supplier said the better results were due to lower interest expenses and a lower effective corporate tax rate. Analysts had called for profit of $1.03 a share.

Lear shares slid $2.44 to close Friday at $60.68.

First Albany Companies Inc. (FACT: chart) posted Friday net income of $2.8 million, or 23 cents a share, for its third quarter ended September 30, compared with a loss of 0.5 million, or 5 cents a share, in the same period a year earlier. The Albany, New York-based investment services company said net revenue dropped 1.6% to $44.3 million.

The stock closed Friday at $14.93, down 9 cents, or 0.60%.

Compass Bancshares, Inc. (CBSS: chart), the Birmingham, Alabama-based financial services company, announced Friday third-quarter earnings of $86.6 million, or 68 cents a share, up 11% from $80 million, or 61 cents a share, in last year’s third quarter.

Company shares fell 25 cents to $36.50 on Friday. The stock inched up 0.11% to $36.54 in after-hours trading.

Benihana Inc. (BNHNA: chart) of Miami, Florida raised Friday its second-quarter earnings outlook, citing lower commodity and labor costs and its decision to postpone renovations at some of its teppanyaki restaurants. The Asian restaurant chain now expects to post profit of 15 cents to 16 cents a share, up from its previous guidance for earnings of 8 cents to 10 cents a share.

Benihana shares closed Friday at $11.83, up 63 cents, or 5.63%.