CMS Energy Corporation (CMS: chart) reported before Wednesday’s opening bell that it swung to a quarterly profit from a prior-year loss due to fewer write-downs. The Jackson, Michigan-based energy holding company rolled out net income of $8 million, or 5 cents per share, for its fiscal 2003 fourth quarter, a turnaround from a net loss of $633 million, or $4.40 a share, in the comparable period of 2002. Excluding extraordinary items and discontinued operations, earnings came in at $36 million, or 22 cents a share, compared to a year-ago loss of $24 million, or 16 cents a share. Analysts had called for a profit before items of 23 cents a share. CMS recorded operating revenue of $1.37 billion in the quarter ended December 31, down 21% from $1.73 billion, a year earlier. For the full year, the company posted a net loss of $44 million, or 30 cents a share, in contrast to a loss of $650 million, or $4.68 a share, in fiscal 2002. Revenue dropped to $5.51 billion, from $8.67 billion a year ago.

For 2004, CMS said it expects a net loss of 50 cents a share, and earnings before items of 85 cents a share.

CMS shares inched down 5 cents on Wednesday to $9.00. The stock slipped 0.36% to $8.97 in after-hours trading.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. (KKD: chart) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, posted before the bell Wednesday a fourth-quarter profit of $16.4 million, or 26 cents per share, in contrast to a year-earlier profit of $5.6 million, or 9 cents per share, which included a $5.7 million pre-tax charge. Results of the doughnut chain were in line with analysts’ expectations. Krispy Kreme attributed the improved results to strong sales, which rose 36% to $185.5 million from $136.7 million, a year ago. Company-store sales advanced 36% to $124.7 million.

The stock plunged 10.32% to close Wednesday at $34.22. Company shares recovered 29 cents to $34.51 in after-market trade.

Dillard's, Inc. (DDS: chart) announced after market close Wednesday that its quarterly earnings tumbled 29%, hurt by charges and weaker sales. The Little Rock, Arkansas-based department-store operator reported net earnings of $51.2 million, or 61 cents a share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, compared with net earnings of $72.3 million, or 85 cents a share, a year earlier. Quarterly revenue eased 5.8% to $2.37 billion from $2.52 billion, in the previous year.

Company shares slipped 3.34% on Wednesday to $17.10. The stock inched up a penny to $17.11 in after-hours trading.

Aquila, Inc. (ILA: chart) of Kansas City, Missouri, said Wednesday that it narrowed its fourth-quarter net loss to $34 million, or 18 cents a share, from a loss of $977.9 million, or $5.22 a share, in the year-ago equivalent, when results reflected restructuring charges. The energy company said fourth-quarter sales, which surged 44% to $461.8 million, helped boost the results.

The stock closed Wednesday up 5 cents, or 1.27%, at $4.00.

Comverse Technology, Inc. (CMVT: chart) reported Wednesday that it returned to profit in its fourth quarter, bolstered by rise in sales. The Woodbury, New York-based maker of communications systems and software turned in a fourth-quarter profit of $4.9 million, or 2 cents per share, on revenue of $203 million, rebounding from a prior-year loss of $30.1 million, or 16 cents per share, on revenue of $176 million. Results were a penny a share ahead of the mean estimate of analysts.

Company shares dipped 4.00% to $18.50 at market close Wednesday. The stock shed 17 cents to $18.33 in after-market trade.

The Talbots, Inc. (TLB: chart) of Hingham, Massachusetts, posted Wednesday a fourth-quarter profit of $22 million, or 38 cents per share, a 22% decline from a profit of $28.3 million, or 48 cents per share, generated in the same period last year. Analysts had expected the clothing retailer to earn 40 cents a share, on average. Talbots said profit drop was due to low inventory levels.

The stock closed Wednesday down 92 cents, or 2.53%, at $35.38.

Tech Data Corporation (TECD: chart) announced Wednesday that it swung to a quarterly profit from a year-ago loss, aided by strong revenue growth and lower charges. The Clearwater, Florida-based world’s No.2 distributor of computer products said it earned $38.9 million, or 67 cents a share, in its fourth quarter, reversing a net loss of $303.0 million, or $5.37 a share, in the corresponding period a year earlier. Earnings before items were 58 cents a share, above analysts’ projections of 54 cents a share.

Company shares fell $1.07 to $40.95 at market close Wednesday. The stock rose 2.66% to $42.04 in after-hours trading.

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (ROK: chart) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, said Wednesday that its second-quarter earnings will beat analysts’ projections, on the back of rising sales. The maker of industrial automation equipment said it expects a profit excluding items of 35 cents to 38 cents a share, in the second quarter. The current consensus estimate of analysts is for earnings of 33 cents a share.

The stock gained 62 cents on Wednesday to $29.19. Rockwell shares added a penny to $29.20 in after-market trade.

Yellow Roadway Corporation (YELL: chart) lifted Wednesday its first-quarter profit target to between 30 cents and 35 cents per share, boosted by improved business. The Oakland Park, Kansas-based trucking company had previously forecast a profit in the range of 25 cents to 35 cents per share. Analysts are looking for earnings of 29 cents a share, on average.

Company shares shed 55 cents to close Wednesday at $29.77. The stock surged 5.84% to $31.51 in after-hours trading.

SPX Corporation (SPW: chart) of Charlotte, North Carolina, reiterated Wednesday its earnings guidance for fiscal 2004. The manufacturer of technical products and systems said it still expects 2004 earnings from continuing operations of $3.41 to $3.60 a share. On average, analysts forecast a profit of $3.53 per share.