Walgreen Co. (WAG: chart) announced Monday that its quarterly earnings climbed 10%, helped by strong demand for drugs. The U.S. largest drugstore chain reported a net profit of $254.9 million, or 25 cents a share, for its fiscal 2004 first quarter, compared with earnings of $231.6 million, or 22 cents a share, in the same period last year, when results included a pretax gain of $16.7 million from legal settlements. Results were in line with analysts’ expectations. For the quarter ended November 30, Deerfield, Illinois-based Walgreen said revenues jumped 17% to $8.72 billion from $7.48 billion, a year earlier, boosted by strong prescription drug business. Same-store sales increased 12% from a year ago, with front-end sales rising 7.5%, on the back of improved economy, advertising and the growth in new digital photo services.

Walgreen shares dropped 46 cents to $35.25 at market close Monday.

The Finish Line, Inc. (FINL: chart) of Indianapolis, Indiana, posted after Monday’s closing bell a third-quarter profit, including extraordinary items, of $2.2 million, or 9 cents a share. For the comparable quarter a year ago, the footwear retailer had a loss of $23.7 million, or 13 cents a share. Excluding items, earnings came in at 6 cents a share. The company said results were due to strong holiday sales, which surged 37% to $202 million, in the quarter ended November 29.

Company shares slid 3.90% to close Monday at $29.06. The stock edged up 25 cents to $29.31 in after-hours trading.

Sonic Corp. (SONC: chart) said after market close Monday that its first-quarter net earnings rose to $12.8 million, or 31 cents a share, from $10.6 million, or 26 cents a share, in the corresponding period of 2003. The Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based U.S. largest chain of quick-service drive-ins topped by a penny the mean estimate of analysts. Sonic said revenue jumped 20% to $118.7 million, in the quarter ended November 30. The company attributed the results to new product promotions and favorable weather.

The stock rose 3.46% on Monday to $31.14. Sonic shares added 5 cents to $31.19 in after-market trade.

Nextel Communications, Inc. (NXTL: chart), the No.5 U.S. wireless telecommunications company, said Monday it expects its 2003 profit to meet or surpass its prior target. The Reston, Virginia-based company said it views earnings of at least $1.15 per share, for fiscal 2003. Analysts forecast a profit of $1.18 per share.

Nextel shares closed Monday at $28.94, up $1.08, or 3.88%. The stock shed a penny in after-market trade.

Boosted by strong demand for its products, ARRIS Group, Inc. (ARRS: chart) of Duluth, Georgia, raised Monday its quarterly earnings outlook. The company, which supplies equipment used in cable and voice communications networks, said it now sees a fourth-quarter profit, excluding items, of 1 cent to 6 cents a share. Arris had previously forecast earnings of nil per share to a loss of 8 cents per share.

The stock gained 7 cents on Monday to $7.59.

ADTRAN, Inc. (ADTN: chart) said Monday that it expects to report fourth-quarter income of 24 to 25 cents per share, on revenues of around $113.4 million. The Huntsville, Alabama-based provider of telecommunications equipment said revenue was higher than expected, due to market share gains and increased demand for its products.

Adtran shares added $1.35 to close Monday at $32.68. The stock soared 8.90% to $35.59 in after-hours trading.

Starbucks Corporation (SBUX: chart) of Seattle, Washington, said Monday it sees earnings in the range of 25 cents to 26 cents a share, for its fiscal 2004 first quarter. The world’s top coffee retailer also raised its full-year profit outlook to 84 cents to 87 cents a share, from a previous forecast of 83 cents to 85 cents a share, on strong holiday sales.

The stock climbed 1.52% to $33.41 at market close Monday. Company shares gained 99 cents to $34.40 in after-market trade.

California Micro Devices Corporation (CAMD: chart) revised upward its quarterly financial targets on Monday, citing strong sales of its mobile and computing/consumer products. The Milpitas, California-based microchip maker said it now expects a third-quarter profit of 8 cents to 10 cents a share, on revenue of $16.8 million to $ 17.2 million, against an earlier view for earnings of 6 cents to 9 cents a share, on revenue of $16.2 million to $17 million.

Company shares gained 51 cents to close Monday at $9.60. The stock surged 11.93% to $10.74 in after-hours trading.

Planar Systems, Inc. (PLNR: chart), the Beaverton, Oregon-based manufacturer of flat-panel displays, lowered Monday its first-quarter net earnings guidance to between 20 cents and 22 cents a share, on sales of $62 million to $64 million. The mean estimate of analysts was for a profit of 28 cents a share, on average. The company said the revised outlook was due to weak sales in its medical segment.

Planar shares closed Monday up $1.00, or 4.02%, at $25.85.

Siebel Systems, Inc. (SEBL: chart) of San Mateo, California, lifted Monday its fourth-quarter financial forecast, on strong licensing revenue, and now sees a profit of 8 cents per share on revenue of $365 million. The provider of e-business applications software had previously projected a profit of 5 to 6 cents a share, on revenue of $335 million to $355 million.

The stock rocketed up 10.01% to close Monday at $15.39.