ChevronTexaco Corporation (CVX: chart) announced before market open Friday that its quarterly profit almost doubled, driven by higher oil and natural-gas prices. The second-largest U.S. energy company posted net earnings of $1.74 billion, or $1.63 per share, for its fiscal 2003 fourth quarter, a 92% increase compared with net earnings of $904 million, or 85 cents per share, in the same period a year earlier, when figures included $240 million of charges. On average, analysts were looking for a profit of $1.59 per share. San Ramon, California-based ChevronTexaco said fourth-quarter results include one-time gains of $89 million, which were offset by $171 million in foreign currency losses. Revenue jumped 13% to $30.47 billion, in the quarter ended December 31, from $27.06 billion last year. For fiscal 2003 full year, ChevronTexaco turned in net income of $7.23 billion, or $6.96 a share, in contrast to $1.13 billion, or $1.07 a share, in 2002, when results were hurt by charges of $3.33 billion. Revenue improved 23% to $121.76 billion from $98.91 billion, in fiscal 2002.

Company shares dipped 1.10% to $86.35 at market close Friday.

United States Steel Corporation (X: chart) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, reported Friday that it swung to a net loss of $22 million, or 26 cents a share, in its fiscal 2003 fourth quarter, weighed down by higher costs for employee benefits. Analysts had forecast a loss of 37 cents per share. In the 2002 equivalent, the U.S. No.1 steelmaker had net income of $11 million, or 10 cents a share. For the latest quarter, U.S. Steel said revenue soared 41% to $2.68 billion from $1.9 billion, last year, on strong demand for steel.

The stock closed Friday up $1.34, or 4.10%, at $34.05. Company shares added 19 cents to $34.24 in after-market trade.

AK Steel Holding Corporation (AKS: chart) said before the bell Friday that it narrowed its quarterly loss, helped by sales increase and lower benefit-related charges. The Middletown, Ohio-based steelmaker posted a net loss of $163.9 million, or $1.51 a share, for its fourth quarter, compared with a loss of $489.7 million, or $4.54 a share, in the 2002 comparable period. The company said revenue improved 2.7% to $1.05 billion from $1.03 billion, in the year-ago quarter.

Company shares gained 12 cents to close Friday at $5.02.

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (APC: chart) of The Woodlands, Texas, reported Friday fourth-quarter net income of $295 million, or $1.17 a share, down 5.1% from $311 million, or $1.21 a share, in the year-ago period. The independent oil and gas company cited higher operating expenses as main factor for the profit drop. Quarterly revenue climbed 14% to $1.28 billion from $1.12 billion, a year earlier.

The stock rose 2.25% on Friday to $49.90.

Manor Care, Inc. (HCR: chart) posted Friday improved fourth-quarter earnings, aided by higher Medicare reimbursement and occupancy rates. The Toledo, Ohio-based operator of nursing homes said it earned $37.9 million, or 42 cents per share, in the fourth quarter, compared with $23.1 million, or 24 cents per share, generated in the 2002 corresponding period. Results were in line with the mean estimate of analysts.

Company shares surged 7.21% to $35.70 at market close Friday. The stock shed 70 cents to $35.00 in after-hours trading.

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (TROW: chart) of Baltimore, Maryland, announced Friday a 48% rise in its quarterly profit, on improving stock market. The financial services company said fourth-quarter net income came in at $68.6 million, or 53 cents a share, up from $46.2 million, or 37 cents a share, in the 2002 fourth quarter. Results were a penny ahead of the consensus estimate of analysts. Assets under management hit a record $190.0 billion at the end of the fourth quarter, compared with $140.6 billion last year.

The stock slipped 1.12% on Friday to $52.16. Company shares recovered 9 cents to $52.25 in after-market trade.

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM: chart) said Friday it had net income of $220.8 million, or 34 cents a share, in its fiscal second quarter, an improvement of 68% from a prior-year profit of $131.2 million, or 20 cents a share. The Decatur, Illinois-based processor of oilseeds, corn, and wheat turned in earnings excluding items of 37 cents a share, 10 cents above the average analysts’ estimate. ADM attributed the results to increased demand for agricultural products.

ADM shares dropped 3 cents to close Friday at $15.66. The stock rose 0.26% to $15.70 in after-hours trading.

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (WIN: chart) of Jacksonville, Florida, reported Friday a second-quarter net loss of $79.5 million, or 57 cents a share, in contrast to a net profit of $91.4 million, or 65 cents a share, in the same quarter a year ago. The food retailer said sales dropped 6% to $3.56 billion from $3.79 billion, last year. The company cited the effect of aggressive pricing programs on profit margins and strong competition as main factors for the loss.

The stock plummeted 41.14% to $6.39 at market close Friday.

Wendy's International, Inc. (WEN: chart) said Friday its quarterly earnings jumped 28%, driven by strong sales and new menu items. The Dublin, Ohio-based fast-food chain posted fourth-quarter net income of $64.7 million, or 56 cents a share, up from $50.7 million, or 44 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue surged 21% to $862.4 million from $711.6 million, in the same quarter of 2002.

Wendy’s shares inched up 3 cents on Friday to $39.73.

Boosted by strong sales in North America, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (HMC: chart) announced Friday that its third-quarter net profit soared 31% to a record 151 billion yen ($1.43 billion), in contrast to 115.1 billion yen, in the year-earlier period. The Japanese automaker said it expects 2004 full-year net profit of 473 billion yen.

The stock closed Friday at $21.34, up 48 cents, or 2.30%.