Novartis AG, (NVS: chart), announced that a charge of $266 million for its NKS104 drug and other one-time items flattened profits. Volume increases contributed nine percentage points and acquisitions ten percentage points to net sales growth. The company is planning to raise its 2005 dividend by 10%. For 2006, it sees high single digit sales growth at local currencies, compared to the 13% growth it achieved in 2005, and record net and operating income.

D.R. Horton, (DHI: chart), homebuilder, reported that Q1 net profit increased 29% to 98 cents a share with homebuilding revenue up 15% to $2.8 billion, beating analysts’ expectations of 94 cents a share. The company''s backlog at Dec. 31 was up 30% from a year ago. The company expects 2006 earnings between $5.25 and $5.35 a share on revenue of more than $15.5 billion

Harley-Davidson Inc., (HDI: chart), motorcycle manufacturer, reported that Q4 net income advanced to 84 cents a share, up from 71 cents a share in the year ago period on revenue growth, beating analysts’ forecasts of 81 cents a share. The company expects strong retail growth and anticipates wholesale unit growth rate in the range of 5% to 9% annually and annual earnings per share growth rate of 11% to 17%.

Charlotte Russe Holding Inc, (CHIC: chart), apparel retailer, reported a Q1 net profit of 29 cents a share, up from 9 cents, in the same period last year, beating analyst estimate by a penny. The quarterly sales reached $201.5 million from $150 million, as comparable-store sales increased 15.6%.

Avocent Corp, (AVCT: chart), switching systems and remote access products manufacturer, reported Q4 net income of 38 cents a share, up 58% from 23 cents a share in the year-ago period. Adjusted earnings totaled 49 cents a share, up from 40 cents a share, beating on that basis analysts’ forecasts of 43 cents a share. Sales increased 6.8%.

Wachovia Bank, (WB: chart), banking services, reported Q4 net income of $1.09 a share, up 18% from 95 cents a share in the year-earlier period. If not for after-tax net merger-related expenses of 2 cents a share, and 4 cents a share in the year-ago period, earnings were $1.11 per share, up from 99 cents per share in the same period last year, in line with analysts forecasts of $1.11 a share.

Pfizer Inc, (PFE: chart), drugmaker, reported Q4 net income of 37 cents a share, down from 38 cent in the year-ago period. Excluding special items, the company would have earned 51 cents a share in Q4, beating on that basis analyst estimate of 51cents a share. Pfizer''s quarterly sales slipped 9%in the latest period. Global sales of Lipitor, the world''s best-selling medicine, totaled $3.4 billion in the latest quarter, up 3% from the previous year, while Viagra sales skidded 8%.

International Game Technology, (IGT: chart), maker of gaming machines, reported Q1 net earnings of 34 cents a share, up from a profit of 33 cents a share in the year-ago period despite revenue decline, topping analyst estimate of 27 cents a share. Both period reflect share-based compensation expenses of $6.1 million and $700,000, respectively.