Micron Technology, Inc. (MU: chart) reported after market close Wednesday a narrower quarterly loss as the world’s second-largest maker of memory chips benefited from improving demand from computer makers. The Boise, Idaho-based company posted a net loss of $28 million, or 4 cents per share, for its fiscal 2004 second quarter, against a net loss of $619 million, or $1.02 per share, in the same period a year earlier. The consensus estimate of analysts was for a loss of 6 cents a share. Micron said sales came in at $991 million in the quarter ended March 4, a 26% increase over prior-year sales of $785 million. The company’s quarterly sales fell short of projections of analysts, who had forecast revenue of $1 billion. Micron summarized that average selling prices were relatively flat compared with the second quarter of fiscal 2003, but there was stronger-than-expected demand for memory chips.

Micron shares dropped a penny to $15.81 at market close Wednesday. The stock slid 3.86% to $15.20 in after-hours trade.

Sonic Corp. (SONC: chart) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, announced after the bell Wednesday that its quarterly earnings jumped 23% from a year ago, helped by new product offerings and stronger same-store sales. The U.S. top chain of quick-service drive-ins rolled out second-quarter net income of $9.8 million, or 24 cents per share, compared with net income of $8 million, or 20 cents per share, in the 2003 equivalent. Results were a penny better than the mean estimate of analysts. Quarterly revenue rose 24% to $111.6 million from $90.4 million, a year ago.

The stock dipped 1.28% on Wednesday to $34.05. Sonic shares recovered 19 cents to $34.24 in after-market trade.

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation (LSCC: chart) said after Wednesday’s closing bell that it had a net loss of $25.2 million, or 22 cents a share, in its fiscal fourth quarter, in contrast to a net loss of $127.1 million, or $1.14 a share, in the corresponding period of fiscal 2002. Excluding charges, the Hillsboro, Oregon-based maker of computer chips said fourth-quarter loss was $6.6 million, or 6 cents a share, below analysts’ estimates of break-even.

Lattice shares gained 12 cents to close Wednesday at $8.72. The stock rose 3.33% to $9.01 in after-hours trading.

Merix Corporation (MERX: chart), the Forest Grove, Oregon-based semiconductor equipment maker, announced Wednesday that it swung to a quarterly profit from a year-earlier loss, driven by higher sales of its products. The company turned in earnings of $3.2 million, or 19 cents a share, for its third quarter, a turnaround from a loss of $4.9 million, or 33 cents a share, in the prior-year period. Sales rocketed up 100% to $44.1 million in the quarter, from $22.1 million last year.

The stock shed 72 cents to $20.02 at market close Wednesday. Merix shares plunged 8.34% to $18.35 in after-market trade.

Vans, Inc. (VANS: chart) posted before the bell Wednesday a net profit of $7 million, or 39 cents a share, on sales of $88.6 million, for its fiscal third quarter, rebounding from a year-earlier net loss of $9.2 million, or 51 cents a share, on sales of $80.8 million. The Santa Fe Springs, California-based designer of action sports footwear and apparel attributed the results to strong performance in its wholesale and retail businesses.

Vans shares closed Wednesday up 55 cents, or 4.07%, at $14.05. The stock dropped a penny to $14.04 in after-hours trading.

Swisscom AG (SCM: chart) reported Wednesday that its earnings nearly doubled in 2003, driven by strong demand and lower writedowns. The Bern, Switzerland-based telecommunications company rolled out a profit of 1.57 billion Swiss francs ($1.26 billion) for fiscal year 2003, compared with a profit of 824 million francs, a year ago. Sales climbed to 14.58 billion francs ($11.7 billion) in 2003, from 14.53 billion.

The stock dropped 27 cents to close Wednesday at $32.41.

VF Corporation (VFC: chart) of Greensboro, North Carolina, lifted Wednesday its quarterly earnings estimate, boosted by stronger-than-expected sales of its products at retail in most of its businesses. The world’s No.1 jeans maker said it now expects earnings of 87 cents a share, for its first quarter, which represents a 5% rise from the same quarter a year ago. VF had previously said that earnings would be flat in the quarter.

VF shares soared 6.47% on Wednesday to $45.59.

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (ROK: chart) raised Wednesday its second-quarter earnings guidance to a range of 37 cents to 39 cents a share, from an earlier forecast of 35 cents to 38 cents a share. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based provider of automation equipment said improving sales helped boost its outlook.

The stock edged up $1.05 to close Wednesday at $32.80.

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (RS: chart) of Los Angeles, California, said Wednesday that its first-quarter results will beat analysts’ expectations, aided by rising metal prices and strong demand. The metals service center company projected earnings of 75 cents to 85 cents per share for the first quarter. Analysts currently forecast a profit of 40 cents to 45 cents per share.

Company shares rose 2.75% on Wednesday to $31.39. The stock shed 9 cents to $31.30 in after-hours trading.

Oakley, Inc. (OO: chart) reaffirmed Wednesday its financial guidance for fiscal year 2004, on the back of higher first-quarter sales. The Foothill Ranch, California-based maker of sunglasses said it expects net earnings of 64 cents a share, on sales of $574 million, in 2004. Analysts currently project a profit of 67 cents a share, on sales of $580.9 million.

The stock dipped 2.12% to close Wednesday at $14.30. Oakley shares inched up 4 cents to $14.34 in after-market trade.