Solectron Corporation (SLR: chart) announced after the bell Tuesday a narrower quarterly loss, driven by strong revenue growth. The provider of contract electronics manufacturing services reported a net loss from continuing operations of $45 million, or 5 cents per share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, against a net loss from continuing operations of $163 million, or 20 cents per share, a year ago. Excluding items, Milpitas, California-based Solectron posted earnings from continuing operations of 4 cents a share in the quarter ended August 31, rebounding from a loss of 6 cents a share, in the 2003 comparable period. On that basis, results matched analysts’ expectations. Sales rose to $3.01 billion in the fourth quarter, up 23.4% from $2.44 billion, last year. For all of 2004, Solectron posted a net loss from continuing operations of $252 million, or 29 cents per share, in contrast to a net loss of $3.02 billion, or $3.65 per share, in 2003. Annual sales increased to $11.64 billion from $9.83 billion.

For the first quarter of 2005, the company forecast a profit before items of 4 cents to 6 cents per share, on revenue of $2.9 billion to $3.1 billion.

Company shares rose 2.88% on Tuesday to $5.00.

The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. (PBG: chart) on Tuesday rolled out net income of $191 million, or 73 cents a share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2004, a 4.4% increase from net income of $183 million, or 67 cents a share, for the corresponding period last year. The Somers, New York-based world’s No.1 bottler of PepsiCo Inc. drinks cited strong sales in the United States and Europe as principal contributor for the improvement. Excluding items, Pepsi Bottling posted a profit of 71 cents per share for the quarter ended September 4, topping by a penny a share the mean estimate of analysts. Quarterly net revenue also rose 4.4% to $2.93 billion from $2.81 billion, a year ago. The company’s case volume in the domestic market was up 1% in the quarter, while volume in Europe advanced 5%.

Company shares gained 10 cents to close Tuesday at $26.68.

Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated (BSET: chart) posted Tuesday a drop in its quarterly earnings, hurt by a restructuring charge. The Bassett, Virginia-based furniture manufacturer announced net income of $1.1 million, or 10 cents a share, for its fiscal third quarter, down from $1.6 million, or 13 cents a share, generated in the 2003 corresponding period. Excluding items, earnings totaled $2 million, or 17 cents a share, for the quarter ended August 28, a penny short of the average analysts’ estimate. Quarterly revenue eased 1% to $78.6 million.

The stock closed Tuesday at $19.00, down 21 cents, or 1.09%.

Emmis Communications Corporation (EMMS: chart) of Indianapolis, Indiana, on Tuesday turned in a second-quarter net profit of $13.1 million, or 23 cents per share, in contrast to a profit of $7.5 million, or 14 cents per share, for the same period a year earlier. Analysts had expected the media company to earn 20 cents per share, on average. Emmis attributed the results to higher revenues, which increased to $166.8 million in the quarter from $154.6, last year.

Emmis shares dropped 6 cents to close Tuesday at $17.86.

Novamerican Steel Inc. (TONS: chart) said Tuesday that its third-quarter net income swelled to $21.6 million, or $2.23 per share, compared with net income of $2.1 million, or 22 cents per share, for the 2003 equivalent. The Montreal, Canada-based metal processing company said results were due to strong demand. Sales in the quarter surged 63.7% to $201.7 million, from $123.2 million a year ago.

The stock dipped 2.39% to $24.50 at market close Tuesday.

Cypress Semiconductor Corporation (CY: chart) of San Jose, California, lowered Tuesday its quarterly profit guidance for the second time this month, citing weaker-than-expected sales. The chipmaker said that it now expects to report earnings, excluding items, of 3 cents to 5 cents per share, for its third quarter, which compares to an earlier forecast for earnings of 11 cents to 15 cents per share. Analysts had predicted a third-quarter profit before items of 13 cents a share.

Company shares closed Tuesday down 29 cents, or 3.26%, at $8.60.

Walgreen Co. (WAG: chart) posted Monday quarterly earnings that rose 18% from a year earlier, topping analysts’ estimates, helped by higher prescription drug sales. The Deerfield, Illinois-based U.S. No.1 drugstore chain announced a net profit of $327.2 million, or 32 cents a share, for its fiscal 2004 fourth quarter, compared with a profit of $277.1 million, or 27 cents a share, for the prior-year period. The earnings were a penny a share above Wall Street consensus forecast. For the quarter ended August 31, sales improved 14.3% to $9.4 billion from $8.3 billion, last year. Comparable-store sales were up 9.7% from a year ago. Walgreen said strength in digital photo processing and general merchandise also helped boost its profits. For all of 2004, net earnings totaled $1.36 billion, or $1.32 a share, on revenue of $37.5 billion. That compares to earnings of $1.18 billion, or $1.14 a share, on revenue of $32.5 billion, in 2003. The company said that it was its 30th consecutive year of record sales and profits.

Ault Incorporated (AULT: chart) snapped a three-year loss streak as it announced Monday a quarterly profit, aided by strong sales and expense reductions. The Brookland Park, Minnesota-based maker of power-conversion devices reported earnings of $153,000, or 2 cents per share, for its first quarter, a turnaround from a prior-year loss of $924,000, or 21 cents per share. Sales in the quarter jumped 21% to $13.1 million from $10.8 million, last year.

Financial Federal Corporation (FIF: chart) reported Monday that its fourth-quarter income increased 19% to $8.2 million, or 48 cents per share, from $6.9 million, or 38 cents per share, generated in the 2003 equivalent. The New York-based financial services firm cited reductions in non-performing assets as main factor for the results. Analysts were looking for a profit of 46 cents per share, on average. For the quarter ended July 31, finance receivables outstanding rose $27 million to $1.46 billion.

Federated Department Stores, Inc. (FD: chart) said Monday that its third-quarter earnings will be reduced by 4 cents to 6 cents a share, due to the effect of Hurricane Jeanne and Hurricane Frances. The Cincinnati, Ohio-based department store retailer estimated that the impact of Hurricane Jeanne on lost sales in its Florida stores will be about $10 million. September sales are expected to be crimped by about $30 million, as a result of the combined effect of the two hurricanes.