Toll Brothers, Inc. (TOL: chart) of Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, said before Wednesday’s opening bell that its fiscal 2003 fourth-quarter profit surged 35% to $93.4 million, or $1.19 a share, from $69.4 million or 93 cents a share, in the year-ago period. For the quarter ended October 31, analysts were looking for earnings of $1.14 per share on average. The homebuilder attributed the results to strong demand for luxury homes. The company said that quarterly revenue was $903.4 million, a 28% increase from $705.6 million, in last year’s fourth quarter. Toll Brothers said it also benefited from the jump in contracts, which improved 55% to $1.02 billion, or 1,757 homes. For the year, the company reported net income of $259.8 million, or $3.44 a share, on revenue of $2.78 billion, up 18% from $219.9 million, or $2.91 a share, on revenue of $2.33 billion, in fiscal 2002.

Company shares plunged 4.01% to $37.87 at market close Wednesday.

Korn/Ferry International (KFY: chart) reported Wednesday that it swung to a profit of $2.2 million, or 6 cents a share, in its fiscal 2004 second quarter, reversing from a year-earlier net loss of $18.0 million, or 48 cents a share, when results included restructuring charges. Analysts had called for profit of 2 cents a share on average. The world’s largest executive recruitment firm said this year’s second quarter results were due to its cost-cutting efforts and improving corporate job market. The Los Angeles, California-based company posted total revenue of $82 million, for the quarter ended October 31, down from $85.7 million, in the corresponding period a year earlier. Korn/Ferry said the reduction of its work force by half and closing some offices also helped the company post its first profit in ten quarters.

The stock rocketed up 12.31% to close Wednesday at $11.22.

America's Car-Mart, Inc. (CRMT: chart) of Bentonville, Arkansas, posted before the bell Wednesday second-quarter net earnings of $3.8 million, or 48 cents a share, up 13.7% from $3.6 million, or 43 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding discontinued operations, the automotive retailer reported earnings of 48 cents per share, in contrast to 40 cents per share, last year. The company said new store openings and higher vehicle prices boosted the results.

Company shares plummeted 9.21% on Wednesday to $25.73.

Hurco Companies, Inc. (HURC: chart) said Wednesday it returned to profit in its fourth quarter, due to strong demand for its products. The Indianapolis, Indiana-based manufacturer of computerized machine tools reported earnings of $574,000, or 10 cents a share, for the quarter ended October 31, compared with a net loss of $1.7 million, or 32 cents a share, in the 2002 equivalent. Hurco’s sales were up 27% to $23.8 million, partly helped by the weaker U.S. dollar.

Hurco shares were catapulted up 30.77% to close Wednesday at $3.74.

UTi Worldwide Inc. (UTIW: chart) of Rancho Dominguez, California, posted Wednesday a third-quarter net profit of $13.2 million, or 42 cents a share, a 40% increase from $9.5 million, or 37 cents a share, in the comparable period a year ago. The supply chain management company saw its quarterly gross revenue surge 24% to $398.7 million from $321.5 million. UTi credited the results to the improvement in airfreight forwarding operations.

The stock rose 1.29% on Wednesday to $37.62.

Tyco International Ltd. (TYC: chart), the Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based industrial conglomerate, repeated Wednesday its quarterly earnings guidance. The company said it expects to report earnings in the range of 30 cents to 32 cents per share, in its fiscal first quarter. For fiscal 2004, Tyco views profit at $1.42 to $1.52 a share.

Tyco shares gained 33 cents to close Wednesday at $24.32. The stock inched down 3 cents to $24.29 in after-market trade.

The Procter & Gamble Company (PG: chart) backed on Wednesday its quarterly profit views. The Cincinnati, Ohio-based U.S. No.1 maker of household products said it sees second-quarter earnings of $1.24 to $1.27 a share, on sales of between $12.54 billion and $13.09 billion. The average analysts’ estimate is for profit of $1.25 a share.

Company shares edged up 31 cents on Wednesday to $96.88. The stock slipped 0.20% to $96.69 in after-hours trading.

TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc. (TQNT: chart) of Hillsboro, Oregon, raised its fourth-quarter earnings outlook, on the back of strong sales of its products and a one-time gain. The chip maker said it now expects to report quarterly net income of $4 million to $5 million, or 3 cents to 4 cents a share. The company had previously forecast a net loss of 2 cents to 4 cents a share.

The stock dropped 8 cents to $6.99 at market close Wednesday. Company shares rose 3.72% to $7.25 in after-market trade.

The Walt Disney Company (DIS: chart), the Burbank, California-based world’s No.2 media conglomerate, said Wednesday it expects its fiscal 2004 earnings to rise to at least 84.5 cents per share. That would be a 30% increase from an adjusted profit of 65 cents per share, generated in fiscal 2003. Wall Street currently expects the company to earn 87 cents per share in 2004.

Company shares closed Wednesday up 11 cents, or 0.49%, at $22.41. The stock added 24 cents to $22.65 in after-market trade.

Boosted by strong seasonal demand, FindWhat.com (FWHT: chart) raised its quarterly financial targets. The Internet marketing company, which is based in Fort Myers, Florida, said it now sees fourth-quarter earnings of 14 cents per share, on revenue of $20.3 million. This compares to an earlier outlook for profit of 13 cents a share and revenue of $18.8 million.

The stock shed 13 cents to close Wednesday at $16.32.