National Semiconductor Corp. (NSM: chart) announced Thursday that its quarterly earnings rose more than tenfold, boosted by lower operating costs and strong sales of its microchips. The maker of analog and mixed-signal chips reported a fiscal second-quarter net profit of $65.8 million, or 34 cents a share, compared with earnings of $6.2 million, or 3 cents a share, in the same period a year earlier. Excluding charges for cost-reduction actions, Santa Clara, California-based National Semiconductor said it earned $71.1 million, or 36 cents a share in the second quarter. On that basis, analysts had forecast earnings of 32 cents a share. For the quarter ended November 23, the company said sales jumped 12% to $473.5 million from $422.3 million, in the 2003 comparable quarter, due to increased demand for notebooks, personal computers, displays and wireless handsets.

Company shares dipped 3.91% on Thursday to $41.80. The stock dropped 50 cents to $41.30 in after-market trade.

Dollar General Corporation (DG: chart) of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, reported Thursday a third-quarter net profit of $77.9 million, or 23 cents a share, on sales of $1.69 billion, a 13.6% increase from net income of $68.6 million, or 20 cents a share, on sales of $1.5 billion, in the year-ago period. The retailer topped analysts’ projections for earnings of 20 cents a share on average. The company attributed the results to increased sales, higher prices and lower distribution costs.

The stock plunged 5.94% to close Thursday at $19.00. Company shares gained 35 cents to $19.35 in after-hours trading.

Del Monte Foods Company (DLM: chart) posted before the bell Thursday a 23% drop in its quarterly earnings, hurt by higher operating costs. The San Francisco, California-based U.S. largest producer of canned foods posted second-quarter net income of $40.2 million, or 19 cents a share, down from $52.4 million, or 33 cents a share, in the 2003 equivalent, but a penny ahead of Wall Street’s expectations. For the quarter ended October 26, sales rocketed up 72% to $811.6 million from $471.7 million, a year earlier.

Company shares rose 2.63% to $9.75 at market close Thursday.

Pathmark Stores, Inc. (PTMK: chart) of Carteret, New Jersey, reported before market open Thursday a third-quarter net loss of $200,000, or a penny a share, due to an interest payment charge. Results of the supermarket chain were unchanged from a year ago. Excluding the interest charge, earnings came in at $2.3 million, or 7 cents a share, 2 cents above the average analysts’ estimate.

Pathmark shares edged up 9 cents on Thursday to $7.52. The stock shed 2 cents to $7.50 in after-market trade.

Aber Diamond Corporation (ABER: chart) said after the bell Thursday it swung to a third-quarter profit of $13.5 million, or 25 cents a share, reversing a loss of $600,000, or 1 cent a share, in the same period last year. Analysts had called for a profit of 20 cents a share. The Toronto, Canada-based diamond marketing company credited the results to the production at the Diavik diamond mine, which it co-owns with Rio Tinto Plc.

The stock closed Thursday down 97 cents, or 2.57%, at $36.79.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (PRU: chart) reaffirmed Thursday its fourth-quarter earnings guidance. The second largest U.S. life insurer said it expects to report adjusted operating earnings of 60 cents to 65 cents a share, for its fiscal fourth quarter. For the full year, Newark, New Jersey-based Prudential also reiterated its forecast for adjusted operating profit of $2.62 to $2.67 a share.

Prudential shares added 43 cents to $40.44 at market close Thursday.

Qualcomm, Inc. (QCOM: chart) of San Diego, California, hiked its first-quarter profit outlook, boosted by stronger-than-expected sales of its mobile phone chips. The provider of digital wireless telecommunications products and services now sees earnings at 47 cents to 48 cents a share, up from its previous forecast of 37 cents to 40 cents a share. Analysts had forecast a profit of 38 cents a share on average.

The stock was catapulted up 10.57% on Thursday to $49.10. Company shares shed 21 cents to $48.89 in after-hours trading.

Safeway Inc. (SWY: chart) forecast Thursday 2004 earnings of $1.95 to $2.03 a share, below the analysts’ projections for profit in the range of $1.76 to $2.23 a share, with an average of $2.05. The Pleasanton, California-based U.S. third largest grocer said its earnings guidance does not include any possible impact from a supermarket strike in Southern California.

Safeway shares were up 0.10% to $20.32 at market close Thursday.

Guitar Center, Inc. (GTRC: chart) of Westlake Village, California, said Thursday it expects to report 2004 earnings between $1.77 and $1.93 per share, which would be in line with analysts’ expectations for profit of $1.79 a share on average. The musical products retailer also said it views full-year 2004 sales in the range of $1.42 billion to $1.47 billion.

The stock slipped 3.01% on Thursday to $28.72. Company shares surged 7.94% to $31.00 in after-market trade.

Shoe Carnival, Inc. (SCVL: chart), the Evansville, Indiana-based discount shoe retailer, said Thursday it sees lower-than-expected quarterly earnings, due to weak November sales. The company said it expects to post a fourth-quarter profit below the 15 cents to 18 cents a share of its earlier guidance. Analysts project earnings of 16 cents a share on average.

Company shares dived 8.69% to close Thursday at $16.07. The stock inched up 8 cents to $16.15 in after-hours trading.