Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM: chart) reported before the bell Wednesday a 55% jump in its quarterly profits, driven by robust sales. The home products retailer said that it earned $27.6 million, or 23 cents per share, in its fiscal 2004 second quarter, compared with net earnings of $17.8 million, or 15 cents per share, for the same period in fiscal 2003. The results outpaced the consensus analysts forecast of 19 cents per share. For the quarter ended August 1, net revenues, including shipping fees, advanced 18.8% to $689.6 million from $580.4 million, a year ago. Retail sales were up 13.5% in the quarter to $380.7 million from $335.3 million. Same-store sales edged up 5%. The San Francisco, California-based company said strong sales at its Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids chains were a principal contributor for the improved results.

H&R Block, Inc. (HRB: chart) said after market close Tuesday that it swung to a quarterly loss from a year-earlier profit, blaming higher interest rates, which hurt its mortgage lending business. The Kansas City, Missouri-based biggest tax preparation company in the world announced a loss of $44.1 million, or 26 cents a share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 ended July 31, in contrast to net income of $5.2 million, or 3 cents a share, a year ago. Quarterly revenue was down to $482.7 million in the quarter, from $495.4 million last year. The average analysts estimate was for a first-quarter loss of 5 cents a share, on revenue of $525 million. Despite the loss, H&R Block confirmed its previous guidance for full-year earnings in the range of $4.00 to $4.25 per share.

Company shares gained $1.26 on Tuesday to $51.23. The stock plunged 6.30% to $48.00 in after-hours trading.

H.J. Heinz Company (HNZ: chart) announced before the bell Tuesday that its quarterly earnings, excluding items, increased 7.8% from last year, boosted by strong demand for its new products. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based food producer turned in a profit of $194.8 million, or 55 cents per share, for its fiscal 2005 first quarter, compared with a profit before items of $179.8 million, or 51 cents per share, in the 2004 comparable period. On that basis, the earnings matched Wall Street consensus forecast. For the prior-year quarter, net income including items came to $214.0 million, or 60 cents per share, as it was fuelled by a gain from the sale of some of its units to Del Monte Foods. For the quarter ended July 28, sales climbed 5.7% to $2 billion from $1.9 billion, a year earlier. Sales in the North American Consumer Products division rose 8.4%, while the European sales were up 7.3% year-over-year.

The stock closed Tuesday at $37.63, up 2.81%, or $1.03.

The Toro Company (TTC: chart) of Bloomington, Minnesota, said Tuesday that its third-quarter profits jumped 27% to $34.2 million, or $1.33 a share, from $27 million, or $1.03 a share, generated in the same quarter of 2003. The manufacturer of lawn-care equipment attributed the results to higher sales, which improved to $454 million from $394.5 million, last year. Analysts had predicted a profit of $1.25 a share for the quarter.

Toro shares dived 6.84% on Tuesday to $62.14. The stock gained 28 cents to $62.42 in after-market trade.

Semtech Corporation (SMTC: chart) on Tuesday rolled out earnings of $17.4 million, or 22 cents per share, for its fiscal second quarter, up from earnings of $2.4 million, or 3 cents per share, a year ago, when results were hurt by charges. Analysts had expected the maker of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors to earn 21 cents per share in the quarter. Camarillo, California-based Semtech recorded sales of $68.3 million in the quarter, compared with $44.6 million a year ago, aided by strong demand for its timing and synchronization products.

The stock dropped 63 cents to close Tuesday at $17.63. Company shares soared 7.77% to $19.00 in the extended session.

OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (OVTI: chart) of Sunnyvale, California, posted Tuesday quarterly earnings that tripled from last year, boosted by higher demand for mobile phones with cameras. The developer of image sensors used in digital cameras reported first-quarter net income of $19.9 million, or 32 cents per share, against net income of $6.2 million, or 12 cents per share, in fiscal 2004. The results were 2 cents a share ahead of the mean analysts estimate. Quarterly revenue surged to $98.8 million from $46.8 million.

Company shares shed 65 cents to $11.57 at market close Tuesday. The stock plummeted 9.68% to $10.45 in after-hours trade.