AutoZone, Inc. (AZO: chart) said after market close Tuesday its quarterly earnings increased 16%, boosted by sales growth and the company’s cost-cutting efforts. AutoZone, which is the U.S. largest auto parts chain, reported a net profit of $121.7 million, or $1.35 a share, for its fiscal 2004 first quarter, ahead of the average analysts’ estimate for earnings of $1.28 a share. For the corresponding quarter last year, the Memphis, Tennessee-based company earned $104.9 million, or $1.04 a share. For this year’s first quarter ended November 22, the retailer said net sales climbed 5.2% to $1.28 billion from $1.22 billion a year earlier. Same-store sales were up 1% in the retail segment and 17% in the company's commercial segment. The company said it also benefited from the repurchase of 644,000 common shares for $60 million during the fiscal first quarter.

Company shares dropped 99 cents to close Tuesday at $91.34. The stock plunged 4.19% to $87.51 in after-hours trading.

The Kroger Co. (KR: chart) of Cincinnati, Ohio, posted before the bell Tuesday a third-quarter profit of $110.2 million, or 15 cents per share, down from $254.6 million, or 33 cents per share, in last year’s comparable period. The leading U.S. grocery chain cited the Southern California labor strike as main factor for the earnings drop. Analysts had expected the company to earn 30 cents per share in its third quarter.

Kroger shares closed Tuesday down 58 cents, or 3.24%, at $17.31.

Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST: chart) reported before market open Tuesday first-quarter earnings of $160.2 million, or 34 cents per share, a 10% increase from the year-ago profit of $145.7 million, or 31 cents per share. Analysts were looking for income of 31 cents a share. The Issaquah, Washington-based U.S. largest wholesale club operator said quarterly sales jumped 14% to $10.31 billion. The company said labor strikes at rivals in Southern California boosted the results.

The stock slipped 0.39% to close Tuesday at $36.00. Company shares lost 10 cents to $35.90 in after-market trade.

Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL: chart) of Houston, Texas, reported Tuesday that its fourth-quarter profit tumbled 75%, hurt by weak product demand and soft prices. The company, which makes equipment to monitor and control the flow of electricity, said it earned $1.2 million, or 12 cents per share, in the quarter ended October 31, down from $5.1 million, or 48 cents per share, a year earlier. Revenue eased 24% to $57.2 million from $75.3 million.

Powell shares plummeted 10.78% on Tuesday to $14.90. The stock recovered 6 cents to $14.96 in after-hours trading.

ABM Industries, Inc. (ABM: chart) said Tuesday its fourth-quarter net income rose 15% to $12.8 million, or 26 cents a share, in contrast to a profit of $11.1 million, or 22 cents a share, in the same period last year. The San Francisco, California-based facility services contractor topped by a penny analysts’ expectations. The company said sales were up 4% to $578.4 million, in the fourth quarter.

The stock shed 12 cents to $15.90 at market close Tuesday.

Sanderson Farms, Inc. (SAFM: chart) of Laurel, Mississippi, posted Tuesday fourth-quarter earnings of $20.5 million, or $1.55 per share, compared with $6.5 million, or 49 cents per share, in the 2002 corresponding quarter. The poultry producer saw its sales surge to $254.7 million, in the quarter ended October 31, from $201.0 million, a year earlier. The company attributed the results to higher chicken prices.

Company shares gained 97 cents on Tuesday to $35.40.

Washington Mutual, Inc. (WM: chart) lowered Tuesday its 2003 earnings guidance, citing a slow mortgage market. The Seattle, Washington-based financial services company now expects to post 2003 earnings of $4.15 to $4.25 a share, compared with an earlier forecast of $4.42 a share. Analysts’ projection was for profit of $4.42 per share on average.

The stock slid 8.85% to close Tuesday at $39.97. Company shares inched down 2 cents to $39.95 in after-market trade.

Agilent Technologies, Inc. (A: chart) of Palo Alto, California, confirmed Tuesday that it expects earnings of 5 cents to 15 cents per share, on revenue of $1.55 billion to $1.65 billion, in its fiscal first quarter ending January 31. The world’s No.1 maker of electronic test and measurement products said quarterly outlook was boosted by improved technology spending.

Company shares dropped 60 cents to $26.86 at market close Tuesday.

Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NWL: chart) revised downwards its quarterly earnings outlook, citing soft sales, costs for ending product lines and a tornado damage. The Freeport, Illinois-based manufacturer of consumer products said it now sees a fourth-quarter loss of 8 cents to 24 cents a share, compared with its previous views for earnings of 32 cents to 40 cents a share.

The stock dived 8.58% on Tuesday to $21.00. Company shares shed 18 cents to $20.82 in after-hours trading.

Belo Corp. (BLC: chart) lowered Tuesday its quarterly profit forecast due to the introduction of a fast-read daily newspaper in Dallas and an executive retirement plan. The Dallas, Texas-based newspaper and television station owner said it expects to post fourth-quarter net earnings in the range of 35 cents to 36 cents, including 2 cents a share for special items. This compares to its prior earnings guidance of 36 cents to 38 cents a share.

Belo shares closed Tuesday at $27.93, down 12 cents, or 0.43%.