Microsoft Corporation (MSFT: chart) said after market close Thursday that its quarterly earnings dipped 17%, weighed down by costs for stock-based compensation. However, revenue hit record levels. The world’s largest software maker posted a net profit of $1.55 billion, or 14 cents per share, for the fiscal second quarter of 2004, compared with a profit of $1.87 billion, or 17 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding stock-based compensation expenses, earnings came in at 34 cents per share, in the quarter ended December 31, up from 17 cents per share last year, and above the average analysts’ estimate for a profit of 30 cents per share. Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft reported record second-quarter revenue of $10.15 billion, a 19% increase from $8.54 billion, a year earlier. Analysts were looking for revenue of $9.74 billion in the quarter.

For the third quarter, Microsoft expects earnings of 23 to 24 cents a share, including stock-based compensation expenses of 5 cents a share. Revenue is expected to be in the range of $8.6 billion to $8.7 billion.

Microsoft shares slipped 1.02% on Thursday to $28.01. The stock shed 21 cents to $27.80 in after-market trade.

Amgen Inc. (AMGN: chart) announced Thursday that its fiscal 2003 fourth-quarter profit rose 20% to $546.9 million, or 41 cents a share, from a profit of $456.4 million, or 34 cents a share, in the 2002 corresponding period. The Thousand Oaks, California-based world's top biotechnology company said that earnings excluding items were 46 cents a share, in contrast to 35 cents a share, a year ago. The mean estimate of analysts was for a profit of 48 cents a share. For the quarter ended December 31, Amgen posted revenue of $2.35 billion, up 33% from $1.77 billion a year ago. The company attributed the results to strong demand for its products. For the full year, Amgen reported net income of $2.26 billion, or $1.69 a share, compared with a net loss of $1.39 billion, or $1.21 a share, in fiscal 2002. Revenue surged 51% to $8.36 billion in 2003, from $5.52 billion a year ago.

Amgen shares slid 2.13% to close Thursday at $61.47. The stock gained 53 cents to $62.00 in after-hours trading.

AT&T Corp. (T: chart) of Bedminster, New Jersey, said before the bell Thursday its quarterly earnings fell, citing increased pricing pressures by competitors. The U.S. No.1 long-distance telephone company reported fourth-quarter net income of $340 million, or 43 cents a share, compared with $516 million, or 66 cents a share, in the 2002 equivalent. AT&T said quarterly revenue was down 12.8% to $8.1 billion.

The stock plunged 4.00% to $20.40 at market close Thursday. AT&T shares inched down a penny in after-market trade.

BellSouth Corporation (BLS: chart) reported Thursday fourth-quarter net income of $787 million, or 43 cents a share, a 37% jump from $574 million, or 31 cents a share, in the fourth quarter of 2002. The Atlanta, Georgia-based No.3 U.S. local telephone company said revenues climbed to $5.74 billion in the fourth quarter, from $5.69 billion last year. BellSouth said results were due to cost-cutting efforts and strong sales of its multiple-service package.

BellSouth shares closed Thursday down a penny at $29.39.

Pfizer Inc. (PFE: chart) posted Thursday a drop in its quarterly profit, hurt by acquisition-related charges. The New York-based world’s leading drug maker said it earned $602 million, or 8 cents per share, in its fourth quarter, compared with $2.86 billion, or 46 cents per share, in the comparable quarter of 2002. Excluding items, Pfizer had earnings of 53 cents per share, 2 cents above analysts’ projections. Quarterly revenue soared 52% to $14.2 billion.

The stock gained 51 cents on Thursday to $36.14. Pfizer shares were down 0.69% to $35.89 in after-hours trading.

Wyeth (WYE: chart) of Madison, New Jersey, said Thursday its fourth-quarter net profit tumbled 79% to $335 million, or 25 cents a share, on charges. For the same quarter last year, the drug maker reported a profit $1.57 billion, or $1.18 a share, boosted by the sale of shares in Amgen Inc. In the fourth quarter of 2003, revenue was $4.33 billion, up 14% from $3.81 billion a year ago.

Company shares plunged 5.17% to $42.34 at market close Thursday.

Ford Motor Company (F: chart) announced a fourth-quarter net loss of $793 million, or 43 cents a share, wider than a year-earlier net loss of $130 million, or 7 cents a share. The world’s second largest auto maker cited restructuring charges as main factor for the loss increase. For the fiscal 2003 full year, Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford posted net income of $495 million, or 27 cents a share, rebounding from a net loss of $980 million, or 55 cents a share, in 2002.

The stock closed Thursday at $16.43, down 1 cent, or 0.06%.

MBNA Corporation (KRB: chart), the Wilmington, Delaware-based No.2 U.S. credit card issuer, reported a 30% rise in its quarterly earnings, helped by growth of new accounts and high activity of its customers around Christmas. MBNA said it earned $703.5 million, or 54 cents per share, in its fourth quarter, up from $540.2 million, or 41 cents per share, last year. Results were a penny ahead of the mean estimate of analysts.

MBNA shares gained 40 cents to close Thursday at $27.26.

Corning Incorporated (GLW: chart) said Thursday it narrowed its fourth-quarter net loss to $29 million, or 2 cents a share, from a prior-year net loss of $709 million, or 60 cents a share, aided by strong performance a its liquid-crystal-display segment. The Corning, New York-based top maker of fiber-optic cable said net sales climbed 11% to $820 million from $736 million, a year ago.

The stock dived 3.66% on Thursday to $12.90. Company shares lost 46 cents to $12.44 in after-hours trading.

Nokia Corporation (NOK: chart), the world’s No.1 maker of cell phones, posted a fourth-quarter profit of ˆ1.17 billion ($1.48 billion), a 12% increase from ˆ1.05 million, in the fourth quarter of 2002. Results were in line with expectations. The Espoo, Finland-based company attributed the results to rise in handset sales.