E*TRADE Financial Corp. (ET: chart) announced before the bell Friday that its quarterly profits surged more than fourfold, citing increased trading volume. The online brokerage turned in net income of $88.5 million, or 23 cents a share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2004, in contrast to net income of $21.5 million, or 6 cents a share, in the same period a year earlier. Results were 3 cents a share ahead of Wall Street’s estimates. New York-based E-Trade said that total revenue jumped 28% to $410.9 million, in the quarter ended March 31, from $322.2 million in the 2003 corresponding period. The company said its brokerage revenue climbed to $262.9 million from $176.8 million, with the average commission per trade rising to $11.53 from $11.51, a year ago. Net banking revenue edged up to $147.9 million in the first quarter, from $145.4 million, last year. E-Trade added that trading volume soared 81% from a year ago.

The company lifted its 2004 profit outlook and now expects to earn in the range of 75 cents to 90 cents a share, compared with its earlier forecast of 70 cents and 85 cents a share.

E-Trade shares inched up 4 cents to $12.32 at market close Friday.

Regions Financial Corporation (RF: chart) of Birmingham, Alabama, reported before market open Friday that its first-quarter earnings improved 6% to $168.5 million, or 75 cents per share, from $158.6 million, or 71 cents per share, in the prior-year period. The bank topped by a penny the consensus estimate of analysts. Quarterly revenue excluding securities gains was up 6% to $731.7 million, aided by fee and loan growth. The company said the decrease in bad loans also helped boost the results.

The stock rose 2.19% to close Friday at $34.96.

NVR, Inc. (NVR: chart) posted Friday a 15% rise in its quarterly earnings, boosted by strong performance in its homebuilding business. The McLean, Virginia-based homebuilding and mortgage banking firm rolled out first-quarter net income of $100.6 million, or $12.58 a share, compared with net income of $87.8 million, or $10.10 a share, in the 2003 comparable period. Analysts were looking for a profit of $11.36 per share, on average. First-quarter revenue advanced 18% to $878.6 million.

NVR shares closed Friday up $11.50, or 2.65%, at $445.50.

Wipro Limited (WIT: chart) said Friday that it had a net profit of 3.25 billion rupees ($74 million), or 14 rupees per share, in its fiscal fourth quarter. For the same quarter last year, the Bangalore, India-based software services company earned 2.1 billion rupees. Sales jumped 43.5% to 17.61 billion rupees, in the quarter ended March 31. Wipro said it benefited from strong outsourcing by telecoms equipment makers.

The stock gained $1.56 to $46.81 at market close Friday.

Journal Register Company (JRC: chart) of Trenton, New Jersey, reported Friday higher quarterly income, helped by advertising gains. The newspaper publisher posted net earnings of $10.3 million, or 24 cents per share, for its first quarter, against $9.8 million, or 24 cents per share, in the 2003 equivalent. Results were in line with analysts’ projections. Quarterly revenues climbed 3% to $99.2 million.

Company shares inched up 20 cents on Friday to $20.89.

Pulitzer Inc. (PTZ: chart) announced Friday that its first-quarter profit increased 14% to $8.1 million, or 37 cents per share, from a year-earlier profit of $7.1 million, or 33 cents per share. The St. Louis, Missouri-based newspaper publisher attributed the results to the 6% rise in advertising revenue. First-quarter earnings fell a penny short of the average analysts’ estimate.

The stock closed Friday at $51.32, up 20 cents, or 0.39%.

Delphi Corporation (DPH: chart) of Troy, Michigan, said Friday that its quarterly earnings tumbled 57% from a year ago, dragged down by restructuring charges. The world’s largest maker of auto parts reported a first-quarter net profit of $54 million, or 10 cents per share, in contrast to $127 million, or 23 cents per share, generated in the year-earlier quarter. Earnings before items came in at $123 million, or 22 cents a share. Analysts had called for earnings of 20 cents a share, on average.

Delphi shares dropped 3 cents on Friday to $9.80.

Nokia Corporation (NOK: chart) posted Friday first-quarter earnings of ˆ816 million ($995 million), or 17 euro cents (21 cents) a share, down from earnings of ˆ977 million, or 20 euro cents a share, last year. The Finland-based world’s top maker of cell phones recorded revenue of ˆ6.6 billion ($8.1 billion) in the first quarter, compared with ˆ6.8 billion a year ago. Nokia said the results were hurt by a drop in mobile phone sales.

The stock plunged 8.97% on Friday to $14.61. Nokia shares added 4 cents to $14.65 in after-hours trading.

Ryder System, Inc. (R: chart) of Miami, Florida, boosted Friday its first-quarter earnings guidance to a range of 52 cents to 54 cents a share, from a prior forecast of 36 cents to 39 cents a share. The truck-leasing and logistics company attributed the improved forecast to the strong performance at its fleet management group and the growth in commercial rentals. Analysts had expected a first-quarter profit of 39 cents a share, on average.

Ryder shares rose 3.40% to close Friday at $39.54. The stock gained 16 cents to $39.70 in after-market trade.

Accenture Ltd (ACN: chart) said Friday that it expects its third-quarter results to be in line with its previous outlook. The Bermuda-based management and technology consulting firm reiterated that it sees net earnings of 30 cents a share, on revenue of $3.40 billion to $3.55 billion, in the third quarter. Analysts projected earnings of 31 cents a share and revenue of $3.46 billion.