Electronic Data Systems Corporation (EDS: chart) of Plano, Texas, announced after market close Monday that it narrowed its quarterly loss, citing the company’s cost-cutting efforts. The U.S. No.2 technology-services company said it had a net loss of $12 million, or 2 cents per share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2004, in contrast to a loss of $1.43 billion, or $3 per share, in the prior-year equivalent. First-quarter results reflect a 19 cent-per-share loss from U.S. Navy contract and other items. Excluding items, EDS reported a loss of $3 million, or 1 cent per share, matching analysts’ projections. In the year-ago period, the company had a profit before items of 7 cents per share. For the quarter ended March 31, EDS posted revenue of $5.43 billion, up 4% from $5.22 billion, a year earlier. The company said contract signings rose to $4 billion in the quarter, from $3 billion a year ago.

For the second quarter, EDS said it expects a loss between 6 cents a share and break-even, which would be below analysts’ expectations for a profit of 8 cent a share, due to losses on the $6 billion navy contract.

EDS shares shed 16 cents on Monday to $19.23. The stock dived 3.59% to $18.54 in after-hours trading.

AmerisourceBergen Corporation (ABC: chart) reported Monday a 22% jump in its quarterly earnings, boosted by rising sales. The Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania-based U.S. biggest drug wholesaler rolled out a second-quarter net profit of $142.2 million, or $1.23 a share, compared with a net profit of $116.4 million, or $1.03 a share, in the 2003 comparable period. Earnings before items came in at $1.22 a share, 2 cents a share ahead of the mean estimate of analysts. Quarterly revenue climbed to $13.4 billion from $12.2 billion, a year ago, driven by strong demand for prescription drugs from mail-order customers, hospitals and other facilities.

The stock gained 45 cents to close Monday at $58.45.

John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. (JHF: chart) posted before the bell Monday first-quarter net income of $254.5 million, or 87 cents a share, a slight improvement from net income of $253.2 million, or 88 cents a share, a year earlier, when results included a gain from real-estate sales. The Boston, Massachusetts-based insurer said revenue rose to $2.66 billion in the quarter, from $2.27 billion, last year. The company attributed the results to the strength in its retail operations.

Company shares rose 1.15% to $46.71 at market close Monday. The stock added 19 cents to $46.90 in after-market trade.

The Chubb Corporation (CB: chart) said Monday that its quarterly profits surged 61%, driven by higher premiums. The Warren, New Jersey-based property and casualty insurance company turned in net income of $360.7 million, or $1.88 a share, for its first quarter, in contrast to $224.6 million, or $1.31 a share, for the corresponding quarter in 2003. On operating basis, earnings were $1.61 per share, up from $1.29 per share, last year, and above the consensus analysts’ forecast of $1.42 per share. Net premiums rose 13% to $3.02 billion in the quarter, from $2.67 billion a year earlier.

Chubb shares edged up 18 cents on Monday to $69.31. The stock rose 2.44% to $71.00 in after-hours trading.

Ashland Inc. (ASH: chart) of Covington, Kentucky, announced Monday a smaller second-quarter net loss of $16 million, or 23 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $39 million, or 57 cents a share, last year. The diversified company said results were due to the decrease in operating losses from its construction and paving segment and higher earnings from its chemicals businesses. Excluding items, second-quarter loss was 16 cents a share, compared with analysts’ estimates for a loss of 18 cents a share. Quarterly revenue advanced to $1.8 billion from $1.7 billion.

The stock closed Monday up 80 cents, or 1.66%, at $48.91.

Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (ZMH: chart) reported Monday that its quarterly earnings tumbled 28%, dragged down by acquisition and inventory charges. The Warsaw, Indiana-based maker of orthopedic products said it had first-quarter net income of $97.6 million, or 40 cents a share, down from year-ago net income of $135.3 million, or 68 cents a share. First-quarter sales soared 90% to $742.2 million from $390.1 million, last year, aided by the acquisition of Centerpulse AG in October.

Zimmer shares rose 1.42% to close Monday at $84.00. The stock shed 20 cents to $83.80 in after-hours trading.

Altiris, Inc. (ATRS: chart) of Lindon, Utah, posted Monday a first-quarter profit of $3.1 million, or 11 cents a share, compared with a profit of $2.5 million, or 11 cents a share, in the same period a year ago. Excluding items, earnings came in at 17 cents a share, up from 9 cents a share, in 2003, and a penny ahead of Wall Street’s estimates. The provider of system-management software said results were due to high license revenue that nearly doubled to $24.7 million from last year.

The stock dropped 10 cents on Monday to $27.99. Company shares gained 51 cents to $28.50 in after-market trade.

Entergy Corporation (ETR: chart) said Monday that its quarterly earnings dropped 48%, citing low volatility in the energy market and mild weather. The New Orleans, Louisiana-based nuclear plant operator rolled out first-quarter net income of $213 million, or 88 cents a share, against net income of $400.9 million, or $1.73 a share, a year earlier. Results topped by a penny the average analysts’ estimate.

Entergy shares closed Monday at $56.24, down 10 cents, or 0.18%. The stock gained a penny to $56.25 in after-hours trading.