Springdale, Arkanzas-based Tyson Foods Inc. (TSN: chart) reported 2Q operating income Monday of $183 million, or 21 cents a share, compared with $263 million, or 33 cents a share in the year-ago quarter. Sales climbed to $6.4 billion from $6.2 billion. The analyst estimate was for earnings of 17 cents a share and $6.15 billion in sales said 2005 income would be $1.05 to $1.20 a share based on strong chicken demand and improving domestic cattle supplies.

Tyson also lowered the top end for its earnings guidance for the year. The company’s anticipated profits for 2005 are expected to be in the range of $1.05 to $1.20. It had been forecast previously that the company would earn up to $1.30 per share.

DirecTV Group Inc. (DTV: chart), the nation's largest direct broadcast satellite provider, reported Monday that its 1Q losses narrowed from last year on fewer charges and higher revenue at DirecTV U.S.

DirecTV Group reported a first-quarter loss of $41.4 million, or 3 cents a share vs. a loss of $638.8 million, or 46 cents a share in the same period a year ago. Revenue rose to $3.15 billion from last year's $2.49 billion. Analysts had been expecting a loss of 1 cent a share and revenue of $3.04 billion, on average.

The communications equipment and networking company Nortel Networks (NT: chart) reported 4Q earnings of $133 million, or 3 cents a share, down vs. $528 million, or 12 cents a share in the same period a year earlier. Revenue dropped to $2.62 billion vs. last year's $3.27 billion. The average analyst estimate was $2.51 billion.

Comsys IT Partners (CITP: chart) on Monday said it projects 2005 net income of $12 million to $15
million, or in the range 75-95 cents a share. Comsys IT forecasts 2005 revenue to total $655 million to $675 million. The company also projects 2005 earnings per share of $1.10 to $1.30.

The Israel producer of computerized intrusion-detection and monitoring technology Magal Security Systems Ltd. (MAGS: chart) posted 1Q earnings down 57% due to 2.6% lower revenue. Net income dropped to $295,000, or 3 cents a share, down from $687,000, or 8 cents, in the year-earlier period. Revenue slid to $13.8 million from $14.2 million.

The Minneapolis maker of industrial cleaning machinery and coatingsTennant Company (TNC: chart) on Monday reported 1Q net income of $3.5 million, or 39 cents a share, up 35% vs. $2.6 million, or 28 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. The company said sales advanced to $126 million vs. $119.1 million. The company was expected to earn 36 cents a share and report revenue of $128.5 million. The company backed its 2005 net income target of $1.80 to $2 a share but warned about less favourable sales in coming quarters.

Mercury General Corp. (MCY: chart) said Monday first-quarter profit fell to $60.4 million, or $1.10 a share, from $68.8 million, or $1.26 a share, in the year-earlier period. Net income included 5 cents a share, after tax, from net realized investments gains, versus 7 cents in the year-ago quarter. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call were looking for earnings, on average, of $1.06 a share. Net premiums written rose to $729.8 million from $630.3 million last year, while net premiums earned increased to $684.7 million from $591.9 million. The Los Angeles insurance company's stock closed at $52.86, down 96 cents, Friday.

Insteel Industries Inc. (IIIN: chart) reported fiscal second-quarter earnings of $5 million, or 53 cents a share, down from $5.5 million, or 63 cents a share in the same period a year ago. Excluding non-recurring items, earnings were 46 cents a share. Revenue rose 11% to $81.7 million from last year's $73.8 million, as a 42% increase in average selling prices offset a 22% decline in shipments. The wire products maker's stock closed Friday up 75 cents at $9.50.