Volt Information Sciences Inc., (VOL: chart), said its improved performance was due to strong demand and margin growth within its technical placement and administrative and industrial divisions, as well as growth in its higher margin permanent placement and recruitment process outsource offerings. It also attributed the positive effect to aggressive cost controls with workers'' compensation and unemployment insurance.

H&R Block Inc, (HRB: chart), tax-preparation company reported that Q4 net income was $1.77 a share, 4% below the same period a year ago when the company earned $1.83 a share. Revenue advanced 6% to $2.5 billion, H&R Block said. Fiscal 2007 earnings should be between $1.80 a share and $2.05 a share, the company added.

BMC Software Inc, (BMC: chart), enterprise management software firm, reported Q4 net profit more than quadrupled to 31 cents a share, from 7 cents a share a year ago as the corporate software cut costs and revenue advanced 3.2%. The company added that revenue rose to $407.9 million from $395.1 million. If not for unusual items, the company''s profit would have been 35 cents a share, up from 4 cents a share on the same basis a year earlier. The company topped analyst estimate for a profit of 29 cents a share.

Hayes Lemmerz International Inc, (HAYZ: chart), auto parts maker, reported Q1 loss grew to 46 cents a share, from a loss of 20 cents a share in the year-ago period. Sales dropped about 3% to $572.8 million from $589.2 million. Unfavorable currency exchange and the loss of sales from divested operations led to the fall in revenue, with lower demand in the U.S. offsetting higher international volumes, the company said.

CRA International Inc, (CRAI: chart), provider of consulting services, reported Q2 earnings of 55 cents a share, up from a profit of 49 cents a share a year-ago on 25% revenue growth. Q2 results include stock option expensing of 7 cents a share. The company beat analysts’ estimates for a profit of 52 cents a share. The company added it recorded $600,000 in closure and severance costs that was largely offset aby a reduction in the company''s corporate tax rate to 39% from 42%.