Deere & Co, (DE: chart), said operating profit from its equipment manufacturing divisions rose to $583 million from $500 million, reflecting improved selling prices, partially offset by the impact of planned lower manufacturing volumes in its agricultural division. Deere dded it expects Q4 net income to be around $200 million and net income for the full year to be around $1.625 billion on the back of a 2% to 3% rise in equipment sales for the year.

Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc, (BRL: chart), pharmaceutical company, reported that Q4 net income almost doubled to 76 cents a share, from 40 cents in the year-earlier period on 18% higher revenue. Revenue reached $351.7 million from $280.5 million. Adjusted earnings were 84 cents against 77 cents. The latest per-share number includes 4 cents of stock-option expense. The company topped analysts'' estimates of 73 cents a share.

Dick''s Sporting Goods Inc, (DKS: chart), full-scale sporting goods retaler, reported that Q2 net income rose 25% to 47 cents a share, from 38 cents a share in the year-ago period. Revenue climbed 18% to $734 million. The company beat analyst forecast for earnings of 44 cents a share. Dick''s said it expects Q3 profit of 3-4 cents a share, including stock option expenses of 7 cents a share.

G&K Services Inc, (GKSR: chart), uniform renter, said that Q4 net income rose 15% to 51 cents a share, with revenue up 10% to $227 million, topping analysts'' polled expectations for Q4 earnings of 49 cents a share. Revenue growth, productivity improvements and a lower effective tax rate offset record energy costs, higher interest expense and the impact of hurricanes, G&K added.

Fossil Inc, (FOSL: chart), watch and accessories maker, reported Q2 income rose to 16 cents a share, from 13 cents a year ago. Sales for the period increased to $259.2 million from $226.2 million. The company topped analysts'' views for earnings of 12 cents a share on sales of $250.1 million. For fiscal 2006, Fossil raised its earnings outlook to about $1.11 a share, including stock-option expense and a lower share count. The company''s prior target was for earnings of $1.07 a share.

BJ''s Wholesale Club Inc, (BJ: chart), reported its Q2 net income fell to 39 cents a share, from 44 cents a share in the year-ago period. Results for the period included 5 cents a share in expenses for stock-based compensation. Net sales rose to $2.09 billion from $1.98 billion. Total revenue rose to $2.14 billion from $2.02 billion. The company beat analysts forecasts by a penny. The company also announced revised earnings guidance for the full year in the range of $1.69 to $1.77 a share.

Wal-Mart, (WMT: chart), retailer, reported Q2 net income fell 26% to 50 cents a share, after taking a $863 million loss on the agreed sale of its German operation to Metro AG. From continuing operations, Wal-Mart net income rose 5% to 72 cents a share, with revenue up 11% to $85.43 billion, driven by international acquisitions. The company matched analysts'' expectations for earnings of 72 cents a share.

The Home Depot Inc., (HD: chart), home improvement store chain, reported a 5.3 % jump in Q2 earnings to 90 cents a share, compared with a profit of 82 cents a share, for the same period a year ago on a strong rise in sales. However, it said its earnings growth for the year will be at the low end of its previous guidance. Excluding the tax charge, Home Depot reported earnings of 93 cents a share, topping analyst forecasts by a penny.