Best Buy Co., Inc. (BBY: chart) announced before market open Wednesday a 51% increase in its quarterly net earnings, citing strong sales in the recent year-end holiday season. The Richfield, Minnesota-based U.S. No.1 consumer electronics retailer rolled out net income of $469 million, or $1.42 per share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, up from net income of $311 million, or 96 cents per share, in the 2003 corresponding period. Analysts had called for a profit of $1.39 per share, on average. Prior-year earnings before items were $378 million, or $1.16 per share. For the quarter ended February 28, Best Buy recorded revenue of $8.45 billion, up 21% from $6.99 billion, a year earlier. Same-store sales improved 9.7% in the quarter. For the full year, earnings came in at $705 million, or $2.15 a share, compared with $99 million, or 30 cents a share, in fiscal 2003, when results included a $441 million loss for the company’s Musicland division.

Looking ahead, Best Buy said it expects earnings of 30 cents to 35 cents per share in the first quarter.

Best Buy shares surged 6.86% on Wednesday to $51.72. The stock inched up 2 cents to $51.74 in after-market trade.

Circuit City Stores, Inc. (CC: chart) of Richmond, Virginia, reported before the bell Wednesday that its fiscal 2004 fourth-quarter net earnings jumped 26% to $89.6 million, or 44 cents per share, from net earnings of $70.9 million, or 34 cents per share, in the comparable period of 2003. The U.S. second-largest consumer electronics chain said that earnings excluding items were $94.7 million, or 46 cents per share, in the quarter ended February 29, compared with $66.4 million, or 32 cents per share, last year. The mean estimate of analysts was for a profit of 36 cents a share. The company attributed the results to its cost-cutting efforts. Quarterly sales climbed 2% to $3.25 billion, from $3.19 billion a year ago. For all of 2004, Circuit City said it swung to a loss of $89.3 million, or 43 cents per share, from a profit of $82.3 million, or 29 cents a share, in fiscal 2003. Sales eased 2% to $9.75 billion from $9.95 billion. The company said the 2004 loss is primarily due to discontinued operations as the sale of its bank-card operation.

The stock soared 5.61% to close Wednesday at $11.30. Company shares dropped 2 cents to $11.28 in after-hours trading.

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (BBBY: chart) said after market close Wednesday that its quarterly profit surged 37%, bolstered by rising sales. The Union, New Jersey-based domestics retailer turned in earnings of $144.2 million, or 47 cents a share, for its fourth quarter, in contrast to earnings of $105.3 million, or 35 cents a share, in the year-ago equivalent. Results were 3 cents a share ahead of the consensus estimate of analysts. Sales rose to $1.29 billion in the fourth quarter, from $1.05 billion a year ago, helped by new-store openings and acquisitions.

Company shares rose 1.40% on Wednesday to $41.90. The stock shed 25 cents to $41.65 in after-market trade.

ATI Technologies Inc. (ATYT: chart) said Wednesday that it swung to a net profit of $47.6 million, or 19 cents a share, in its fiscal second quarter, rebounding from a prior-year loss of $9.4 million, or 4 cents a share. The Markham, Canada-based supplier of computer graphics chips and boards said strong demand for its products helped boost quarterly revenue by 48% to $463.3 million.

The stock edged up 6 cents to $16.36 at market close Wednesday. ATI shares slipped 1.22% to $16.16 in after-hours trading.

American Greetings Corporation (AM: chart) of Cleveland, Ohio, posted Wednesday fourth-quarter income of $48.3 million, or 62 cents per share, up 6% from income of $45.4 million, or 60 cents per share, last year, on higher sales. Results of the greeting cards retailer fell short of analysts’ expectations for a profit of 65 cents a share.

Company shares shed 21 cents on Wednesday to $22.77. The stock recovered 9 cents to $22.86 in after-market trade.

Monsanto Company (MON: chart) announced Wednesday that it had net earnings of $154 million, or 57 cents per share, in its second quarter, compared with earnings of $100 million, or 38 cents per share, in the same period a year ago. The St. Louis, Missouri-based provider of agricultural products reported quarterly sales of $1.5 billion, a 15% rise from $1.3 billion a year earlier, driven by higher corn seed sales.

The stock closed Wednesday at $36.67, up 53 cents, or 1.47%.

International Multifoods Corporation (IMC: chart) of Minnetonka, Minnesota, reported Wednesday a drop in its quarterly profit, weighed down by higher expenses. The food company, maker of Hungry Jack pancake and Pillsbury cake mixes, posted fourth-quarter net income of $2.7 million, or 14 cents per share, in contrast to net income of $7.9 million, or 40 cents per share, in the year-earlier period. Quarterly sales slipped 2.6% to $212 million, affected by the popularity of low-carbohydrate diets.

Company shares inched down 4 cents to $24.72 at market close Wednesday. The stock gained a penny to $24.73 in after-hours trading.

Sabre Holdings Corporation (TSG: chart) raised Wednesday its first-quarter earnings estimate to a range of 32 cents to 35 cents a share, from a previous outlook of 24 cents to 27 cents a share. The Southlake, Texas-based travel services company said strong bookings and lower-than-expected costs helped boost its view.

The stock rocketed up 19.16% on Wednesday to $24.81. Sabre shares added 9 cents to $24.90 in after-market trade.

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (BHE: chart) of Angleton, Texas, reiterated Wednesday its quarterly earnings guidance. The provider of contract manufacturing services to electronics makers said it still sees a profit of 33 cents to 37 cents a share, in its first quarter, on revenue of $470 million to $485 million. Analysts currently forecast earnings of 35 cents a share on revenue of $479.7 million.

Company shares dipped 1.59% to close Wednesday at $31.48. The stock gained 11 cents to $31.59 in after-hours trading.

Cendant Corporation (CD: chart) lifted Wednesday its profit target for the first quarter, boosted by strong performance across all of its business lines. The New York-based travel and real estate company said it now expects first-quarter earnings of 41 cents a share, up from an earlier estimate of 37 cents to 38 cents a share.