Prudential Financial, Inc. (PRU: chart) announced after the bell Tuesday that its quarterly earnings soared 47%, boosted by its acquisition of annuity seller American Skandia last year and higher investment gains. The Newark, New Jersey-based insurance and investment firm said it had a net profit of $290 million, or 57 cents per share, in its fiscal 2004 first quarter, against a net profit of $197 million, or 39 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding items, the company recorded income of $379 million, or 74 cents a share, in the quarter ended March 31, up from adjusted operating income of $292 million, or 56 cents a share, last year. Analysts had called for a profit before items of 73 cents a share, on average. Prudential said its realized net investment gains were $1 million in the first quarter, compared with net investment losses of $113 million, in the 2003 comparable period, when the company sold credit-impaired securities.

Prudential shares rose 2.23% to $44.51 at market close Tuesday.

Aon Corporation (AOC: chart) reported Tuesday a 12% rise in its quarterly profits, aided by revenue growth. The Chicago, Illinois-based world’s No.2 insurance brokerage and consulting company rolled out net income of $170 million, or 53 cents a share, for its first quarter, compared with net income of $152 million, or 48 cents a share, in the 2003 corresponding period. On operating basis, earnings came to $192 million, or 60 cents a share, up from $160 million, or 51 cents a share, a year ago, and 4 cents ahead of the mean estimate of analysts. Quarterly revenue rose 8.6% to $2.57 billion from $2.37 billion, a year earlier, helped by the weak dollar and higher demand.

The stock closed Tuesday at $26.78, up 32 cents, or 1.21%.

UBS AG (UBS: chart) posted before market open Tuesday first-quarter earnings of 2.42 billion Swiss francs ($1.89 billion), which represents a double increase from prior-year earnings of 1.21 billion francs. Switzerland's largest bank said it had operating income of 10.3 billion francs ($8 billion) in the quarter, up 33% from a year earlier. UBS attributed the results to the strong performance in its investment and wealth management businesses.

UBS shares were up 2.41% on Tuesday to $73.14.

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (HIG: chart) of Hartford, Connecticut, said Tuesday that it swung to a net profit of $568 million, or $1.93 a share, in the first quarter, rebounding from a year-ago loss of $1.4 billion, or $5.46 a share, when results were hurt by charges. The insurer announced first-quarter earnings before items of $1.73 per share, compared with $1.33 per share, in fiscal 2003. The company said the turnaround was boosted by strength in its property and casualty business and improved investment results.

The stock shed 42 cents to close Tuesday at $61.61.

Lincoln National Corporation (LNC: chart) announced Tuesday that its earnings more than tripled in the first quarter of fiscal 2004, citing favorable stock market conditions. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based financial services company turned in net income of $130.5 million, or 72 cents per share, for its first quarter, compared to net income of $41.6 million, or 23 cents per share, in the 2003 equivalent. Lincoln said consolidated domestic net flows for the quarter surged 300% to $3.5 billion.

Lincoln shares slipped 1.34% to $44.13 at market close Tuesday.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC: chart) reported Tuesday first-quarter net income of $232 million, or $1.27 a share, down 8.3% from net income of $253 million, or $1.34 a share, in the 2003 comparable period, when results included earnings from discontinued operations. The Los Angeles, California-based defense contractor said that, excluding items, earnings in the first quarter rose to $1.25 a share from 91 cents a share, last year. Revenue advanced to $7.11 billion from $5.87 billion, boosted by higher U.S. defense spending.

The stock dropped 36 cents on Tuesday to $99.59.

Safeway Inc. (SWY: chart) of Pleasanton, California, said Tuesday that its quarterly profits plummeted 73%, blaming the supermarket strike in Southern California. The food retailer posted a net profit of $43.1 million, or 10 cents per share, for its first quarter, down from a profit of $162.6 million, or 36 cents per share, in the same quarter of 2003. Quarterly sales eased 5% to $7.64 billion, from $8.04 billion a year ago. Safeway estimated that the strike decreased its first-quarter earnings by $122 million, or 27 cents per share.

Safeway shares rose 3.16% to close at $23.50.

Whole Foods Market, Inc. (WFMI: chart) announced Tuesday second-quarter net earnings of $35.3 million, or 54 cents a share, a 38% jump from $25.6 million, or 41 cents a share, generated in the prior-year equivalent. The Austin, Texas-based world's top natural-foods retailer attributed the results to stronger sales, which climbed 24% in the quarter to $902.1 million.

The stock fell 66 cents on Tuesday to $78.84. Company shares dropped 24 cents to $78.60 in after-hours trading.

Tyco International Ltd. (TYC: chart) of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, posted Tuesday quarterly earnings that jumped more than fivefold from last year, driven by solid performance in its health-care, engineered products and electronics units. The diversified manufacturing and service company turned in second-quarter net income of $782.4 million, or 37 cents per share, against net income of $124.3 million, or 6 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2003. Revenue climbed 12% to $10.04 billion. Tyco said it also benefited from lower one-time charges in the second quarter of 2004.

Tyco shares were up 3.90% to $29.07 at market close Tuesday.

Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC: chart) reported Tuesday a wider net loss of $122 million, or 26 cents a share, for its first quarter, compared with a loss of $20 million, or 4 cents a share, a year earlier. The Santa Barbara, California-based hospital operator said results were due to costs for hospitals it is selling or closing. Quarterly revenue dipped 2.9% to $2.67 billion.

The stock gained 20 cents to close Tuesday at $12.10.