Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW: chart) reported before Monday’s opening bell that its quarterly earnings surged 28%, citing strong revenue growth and its expansion into large U.S. markets. The world's second-biggest home improvement retailer rolled out a net profit of $407 million, or 51 cents a share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, compared with a net profit of $319 million, or 40 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. The 2003 results included income of 1 cent a share under discontinued operations. Excluding that, earnings were 50 cents a share, in line with the mean estimate of analysts. Mooresville, North Carolina-based Lowe's recorded net sales of $7.25 billion in the quarter ended January 30, a 20% jump from $6.04 billion a year ago. Same-store sales improved 7.3%, on higher lumber prices. For all of 2003, Lowe’s posted net income of $1.88 billion, or $2.34 a share, up 28% from $1.47 billion, or $1.85 a share, in fiscal 2002. Sales climbed 18% to $30.84 billion, in 2003, from $26.11 billion.

For the first quarter of 2004, Lowe’s said it expects earnings including items of 52 cents to 54 cents a share.

Lowe’s shares fell 2.93% on Monday to $56.67. The stock gained 23 cents to $56.90 in after-market trade.

Navistar International Corporation (NAV: chart) of Warrenville, Illinois, announced before the bell Monday a narrower-than-expected first-quarter loss, helped by the company’s cost-cutting efforts and a recovering market. The U.S. No.3 heavy-duty truck maker reported a net loss of $23 million, or 34 cents a share, for the fiscal first quarter of 2004, in contrast to a loss of $99 million, or $1.49 a share, in the comparable period last year. On average, analysts had forecast a loss of 44 cents a share for the quarter ended January 31. Navistar, which also produces diesel engines and school buses, said quarterly sales were up 18% to $1.86 billion from $1.58 billion, in the year-ago period, driven by improving demand for trucks.

Navistar lifted its full-year earnings estimate and now sees a profit of $2.44 a share, in 2004, up from a previous outlook for a profit of $2.02 a share.

The stock closed Monday down 66 cents, or 1.38%, at $47.00.

Novell, Inc. (NOVL: chart) said Monday that it swung to a net profit of $10.1 million, or 3 cents a share, in its first quarter, rebounding from a year-earlier net loss of $11.9 million, or 3 cents a share. The Waltham, Massachusetts-based software maker said lower operating expenses helped boost the results. First-quarter revenue climbed 2.7% to $267.1 million, from $260 million a year earlier.

Novell shares rose 5.06% on Monday to $11.21. The stock added 32 cents to $11.53 in after-hours trading.

Citing higher ready-to-serve soup sales, Campbell Soup Company (CPB: chart) of Camden, New Jersey, posted Monday second-quarter net income of $235 million, or 57 cents per share, up 2% from net income of $231 million, or 56 cents per share, in the 2003 equivalent. Results of the world's largest soupmaker matched analysts’ projections. Campbell said sales increased 10% in the quarter to $2.1 billion, from $1.9 billion last year.

The stock inched up 4 cents to $28.24 at market close Monday.

Concord EFS, Inc. (CE: chart), the Memphis, Tennessee-based electronic commerce provider, reported Monday higher quarterly earnings, on the back of revenue growth. Concord said it earned $93.1 million, or 20 cents per share, in its fourth quarter, compared with earnings of $89.1 million, or 18 cents per share, a year earlier. Excluding items, earnings came in at 21 cents per share, a penny ahead of the consensus estimate of analysts.

Company shares gained 21 cents to close Monday at $14.43. The stock rose 0.83% to $14.55 in after-market trade.

Synopsys, Inc. (SNPS: chart) of Mountain View, California, announced Monday that its first-quarter net profit dipped 6.5% to $32.2 million, or 19 cents a share, from $34.4 million, or 22 cents a share, generated in the 2003 corresponding period, on charges. Excluding items, the top maker of electronic design automation software posted a profit of 33 cents a share, 2 cents above the mean estimate of analysts. Revenue climbed 6.4% in the quarter to $285.3 million, from $268.1 million a year ago.

The stock shed $1.14 on Monday to $34.43. Company shares plummeted 12.05% to $30.28 in after-hours trading.

Agile Software Corporation (AGIL: chart) said Monday that it narrowed its quarterly loss from a year ago, boosted by strong revenue growth. The San Jose, California-based software firm reported a loss of $4 million, or 8 cents a share, for its fiscal third quarter, in contrast to a loss of $5.7 million, or 12 cents a share, in the third quarter of 2003. Quarterly revenue soared 46% to $26.2 million from $17.9 million.

Agile shares slipped 3.32% to close Monday at $9.61. The stock recovered 34 cents to $9.95 in after-market trade.

Zoran Corporation (ZRAN: chart) of Santa Clara, California, posted after the bell Monday a fourth-quarter net loss of $17.9 million, or 42 cents a share, against a net profit of $196,000, or a penny a share, last year. The consumer electronics device maker said results reflected acquisition-related charges. Revenue rose to $66.5 million, up 66% from $40 million a year earlier.

The stock dropped 70 cents to $16.00 at market close Monday. Zoran shares surged 8.38% to $17.34 in after-hours trading.

Wind River Systems, Inc. (WIND: chart) reported Monday that it returned to profit in its fourth quarter, citing a healthier economy and new products as main factors for the turnaround. The Alameda, California-based provider of embedded software and services for embedded systems said it had a profit of $1.4 million, or 2 cents share, in its fourth quarter, compared to a prior-year loss of $37.5 million, or 47 cents a share. Earnings before items came in at 4 cents a share. Analysts had called for a loss of 3 cents a share.

Company shares rocketed up 10.32% on Monday to $9.51. The stock added a penny in after-market trade.