AeroVironment Inc. (AVAV: chart), maker of unmanned aircraft systems, said that its third-quarter net profit increased to $8.89 million, or 57 cents per share, compared with $4.39 million, or 29 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Revenue climbed to $46.3 million against $35.5 million in the same period a year earlier. Shares climbed 12%.

Air Methods (AIRM: chart) results were above two analysts'' estimates by a penny, earning 10 cents per share in the fourth quarter. Shares went up 7.4%.

Blue Coat Systems Inc. (BCSI: chart), Internet monitoring equipment maker, reported third-quarter net revenue of $47.1 million, compared with $35.5 million during the year-ago period. Net revenue in the quarter rose 32.6 percent to $47.1 million. Last month, the company had raised its forecast to $45.5 million to $47.5 million. Shares climbed 12%.

Big Lots Inc. (BIG: chart), closeout retailer, said that its fourth-quarter net profit jumped to $104.3 million, or 94 cents per share, compared with $14.7 million, or 13 cents per share a year earlier due to an extra week in the quarter, higher same-store sales, an improved margin and a gain from discontinued operations. Net sales for the period increased 10.8% to $1.55 billion, with same-store sales rising 4.9%. Earnings included a $12.7 million profit from discontinued operations, compared to a loss of $23 million a year earlier. Earnings from continuing operations reached 83 cents a share from 33 cents a share. Shares climbed 18.5%.

Callon Petroleum Co. (CPE: chart) said it agreed to buy an 80% working interest in the Entrada Field from oil company BP PLC for $150 million. Callon, which already owns the other 20% of the field, also agreed to pay another $40 million if the field reaches certain undisclosed production milestones. Callon plans to finance the purchase using a $200 million revolving credit line from Merrill Lynch Capital Corp. Shares climbed 6.2%.

Jones Soda Co. (JSDA: chart), natural soda maker, said that its fourth-quarter net earnings increased to $2.06 million, or 8 cents per share, compared with $580,245, or 3 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Revenue climbed to $10.05 million against $8.75 million in the same period a year ago. Shares went up 21.7%.

La Jolla Pharmaceuticals (LJPC: chart) shares soared 56.2% after it reported positive interim results from a late-phase study of a drug proposed to treat lupus, a chronic condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body''s own tissues.

Middleby Corp. (MIDD: chart) shares soared to 9.3% after the company reported its fourth-quarter net income increased 53%, beating analysts'' expectations. The company said it earned $11.1 million, or $1.34 per share, on $98.3 million in sales. Robert W. Baird analyst Peter Lisnic upgraded the stock to """"Outperform"""" from """"Neutral,"""" and raised his price target to $140 from $97. He praised the company''s market share and brand loyalty.

Winston Hotels Inc. (WXH: chart) stock jumped 8.8% after the real estate investment trust said it received a $15-a-share buyout offer from Inland American Real Estate Trust.

Ashworth Inc. (ASHW: chart), which designs golf sportswear, said its fiscal first-quarter loss widened on a drop in revenue. For the quarter Ashworth posted a loss of $2.5 million, or 17 cents per share, compared with $50,000, or no cents per share, for the same quarter in 2006. Revenue fell 5.8% to $38.3 million from $40.6 million in the year-ago period. Shares fell 4.6%.

Elong (LONG: chart) posted a small loss for the period as revenue climbed 24% higher to $8.9 million. Analysts were expecting the company to earn $0.10 per ADS on $9.6 million in revenue. Even on a more favorable adjusted basis, eLong''s profitability was disappointing. Shares fell 21.1%.

Encysive Pharmaceuticals (ENCY: chart), drug developer, said fourth-quarter losses widened to $25.8 million, 44 cents a share, compared with $19.4 million, or 33 cents per share, a year earlier, due primarily to costs related to the launch of Thelin tablets in Europe and maintaining its commercial infrastructure in the U.S. Revenue declined to $5.4 million versus $5.6 million in the same period a year ago. Shares fell 10.7%.

Gmarket Inc. (GMKT: chart), electronic commerce merchant, said that its fourth-quarter net income increased to $6.8 million, or 13 cents per share, compared with $3.8 million, or 9 cents per share, a year earlier. Revenue jumped 67% to $51.6 million versus $30.9 million a year ago. The company''s gross merchandise value, which represents the total value of all items sold on Gmarket''s website, rose 53% to $737.4 million from $480.8 million. Shares fell 21.3%.

IDT Corp. (IDT: chart), telecom service provider IDT Corp. said Thursday its fiscal second-quarter net loss narrowed as costs fell. For the quarter the company posted a net loss of $27 million, or 33 cents per share, compared with a loss of $55.6 million, or 58 cents per share, during the same period a year earlier. Sales fell 10% to $512.5 million from $567.3 million in the year-ago period. Shares fell 10%.

Lumera Corp. (LMRA: chart), which makes polymer-based devices for the bioscience and electro-optics industries, widened its fourth-quarter losses to $3.13 million, or 17 cents per share, compared with $2.62 million, or 16 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Revenue climbed to $1.16 million versus $240,000 in the same period a year earlier. Shares fell 16.7%.

NovAtel Inc. (NGPS: chart), maker of global positioning system receivers and components, reported fourth-quarter net income of C$5.14 million ($4.6 million) or 58 Canadian cents a share (52 cents), compared with C$5.13 million, or 58 Canadian cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenues climbed to C$19.2 million versus C$16.2 million in the same period a year earlier. Shares fell 8.7%.

PeopleSupport Inc. (PSPT: chart) tanked 38.1% on plunging fourth-quarter profits of $4.2 million, or 18 cents a share, including income tax benefits of 11 cents. Last year the Los Angeles-based outsourcer earned 65 cents a share with a 51-cent income tax benefit. Analysts at Friedman Billings, Piper Jaffray and JMP downgraded the stock.

1:00PM NY European markets closed higher, helped by U.S. jobs data.
European stocks closed higher on Friday, reversing from earlier gains, as in-line-with-expectations U.S. jobs data offset a disappointing outlook from Airbus owner EADS and a negative broker note on the pharmaceutical sector. EADS was the most notable French large-cap decliner, falling 4.6% after saying 2007 operating profit may be flat following a 94% decline in 2006 net income. Shares of GlaxoSmithKline lost 1% after Goldman downgraded the U.K. drug giant, and Novartis shares fell 2.1% as the broker left its rating at neutral. Among other stocks in focus, French supermarket retailer Carrefour rose 2.7% higher after recent losses. Alliance Boots surged 14% after the U.K. pharmacy chain said it''s received a takeover bid. The French CAC 40 closed up 0.3 % at 5,537.84, the U.K. FTSE 100 gained 0.3% at 6,245.20, and the German DAX 30 rose 0.1% to 6,716.52.

Crude oil prices reversed from steep advance in the previous session, due to profit-taking. Light, sweet crude April delivery fell 52 cents $61.30. Heating oil slipped to $1.7642. Natural gas fell 15 cents to $7.220 per 1,000 cubic feet. London Brent dropped 64 cents to $61.86. The U.S. dollar gained ground against its major currency rivals. The euro was quoted at $1.3118, down from $1.3182. The dollar bought 117.42 yen, up from 116.36. The British pound was quoted at $1.9281, down from $1.9339. European gold prices rose. In London gold traded at $651.20 per troy ounce, up from $647.50. In Zurich, the precious metal traded at $650.40, down from $648.60. Silver rose to $12.97, up from $12.94.