National Semiconductor Corporation (NSM: chart) reported Thursday a profit for its fourth quarter, rebounding from a year-ago loss, bolstered by surging sales. The chipmaker announced earnings of $126.4 million, or 32 cents a share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, a turnaround from a loss of $4.4 million, or a penny a share, in the 2003 corresponding period. Excluding items, earnings were 33 cents per share, beating the consensus analysts’ estimate by 4 cents per share. For the quarter ended May 30, National Semiconductor reported sales of $571.2 million, a 34% increase from $425.3 million, a year earlier. Analysts had projected sales of $559.1 million in the quarter. The Santa Clara, California-based company cited improved demand for its chips as main factor for the sales rise. For the full year, net income totaled $315 million, or 81 cents a share, in contrast to a loss of $33.3 million, or 9 cents a share, in fiscal 2003, when results were weighed by special charges. Sales for 2004 jumped to $1.98 billion from $1.67 billion, last year.

Company shares closed Thursday up 19 cents, or 0.90%, at $21.34. The stock added 12 cents to $21.46 in after-hours trading.

The SCO Group, Inc. (SCOX: chart) of Lindon, Utah, said Thursday that it swung to a quarterly loss from a prior-year profit, hurt by a slump in revenues. The software company reported a net loss of $15 million, or $1.06 per share, in its fiscal second quarter, compared with a net profit of $4.5 million, or 33 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2003. The mean estimate of analysts was for a loss of 33 cents per share. Quarterly revenue tumbled 52% to $10.1 million, from $21.3 million a year ago. The company said increased expenses related to its intellectual property lawsuits also hurt the results.

The stock plummeted 10.11% on Thursday to $4.89.

Transcontinental Inc. ((TCLA.TO)) posted after the bell Thursday a second-quarter profit of C$39.2 million ($28.8 million), or 44 Canadian cents a share, up 5% from a profit of C$37.3 million, or 42 Canadian cents a share, a year earlier. The Montreal, Canada-based printer and publisher credited the results on its two first-quarter acquisitions. Revenues for the second quarter climbed 10% to C$522 million.

Company shares edged up 37 Canadian cents on Thursday to close at C$24.37 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Charles River Associates Incorporated (CRAI: chart) of Boston, Massachusetts, said Thursday that its second-quarter net income rose 42.7% to $4.0 million, or 38 cents a share, from prior-year net income of $2.8 million, or 30 cents a share. The economic and business consulting firm recorded a 14% increase in its quarterly revenue to $45.7 million from $40.2 million, in fiscal 2003. The company cited growing demand for its economic and litigation consulting services as principal factor for the improvement.

The stock rose 3.15% to $35.04 at market close Thursday.

Ashworth, Inc. (ASHW: chart) announced Thursday a 32% rise in its quarterly earnings, aided by a one-time gain from the sale of a distribution center. The Carlsbad, California-based designer of sportswear turned in net income of $5.7 million, or 41 cents per share, for the second quarter of 2004, up from consolidated net income of $4.3 million, or 33 cents per share, for the same period in 2003. Excluding the gain, Ashworth posted earnings of $4.7 million, or 34 cents per share. Results fell a penny shy of analysts’ expectations.

Ashworth shares inched up 4 cents to close Thursday at $8.00. The stock slipped 1.25% to $7.90 in after-market trade.

America's Car-Mart, Inc. (CRMT: chart) of Bentonville, Arkansas, reported Thursday that its fourth-quarter net earnings surged 24% to $4.6 million, or 58 cents per share, from net earnings of $3.7 million, or 48 cents per share, in the 2003 comparable quarter. The earnings of the automotive dealership operator were 3 cents a share above the mean analysts’ estimate. The company attributed the results to an increase in average retail sales price.

The stock gained 18 cents on Thursday to $30.02. Company shares dropped 2 cents to $30.00 in the extended session.

Repligen Corporation (RGEN: chart) posted Thursday a wider quarterly loss due to higher expenses. The Waltham, Massachusetts-based biopharmaceutical company said that it lost $3.3 million, or 11 cents per share, in its fiscal fourth quarter ended March 31, against a loss of $1.7 million or 6 cents per share, in the 2003 equivalent. Quarterly revenue inched up 3% to $2.1 million.

Repligen shares plunged 8.03% to $2.52 at market close Thursday. The stock recovered 3 cents to $2.55 in after-hours trading.

Luby's, Inc. (LUB: chart) of San Antonio, Texas, said Thursday that it swung to a profit in its third quarter, driven by increased same-store sales. The restaurant chain rolled out net income of $381,000, or 2 cents a share, for its fiscal 2004 third quarter, reversing from a year-earlier net loss of $25.0 million, or $1.11 a share. Earnings from continuing operations came in at $2.4 million, or 11 cents a share, against a loss from continuing operations of $2.1 million, or 9 cents a share, last year.

The stock soared 5.23% to close Thursday at $6.24.

FedEx Corporation (FDX: chart) on Thursday lifted once again its earnings estimates for the fourth quarter, on strong demand for its services. The Memphis, Tennessee-based world’s No.1 express transport firm said that it now sees a profit before special items of $1.37 per share in its fiscal fourth quarter, up from an earlier outlook of $1.20 to $1.30 per share. Analysts currently forecast earnings of $1.25 per share. In mid-April FedEx raised its target to a range of $1.20 to $1.30 a share, from a range of $1.15 to $1.25 a share projected in March.

FedEx shares added 93 cents on Thursday to $76.94.

Northwest Pipe Company (NWPX: chart) of Portland, Oregon, projected Thursday higher quarterly earnings, boosted by a surge in orders for its steel pipes. The company, which makes water transmission lines, forecast a profit between 40 cents and 45 cents per share in the second quarter, up from a profit of 6 cents per share, generated a year ago. Analysts were looking for earnings of 20 cents per share.

The stock surged 7.10% to $17.35 at market close Thursday.