Image Entertainment, Inc. (DISK: chart) of Chatsworth, California, announced after market close Monday that it swung to a quarterly profit from a prior-year loss, boosted by solid revenue growth. The licensee and distributor of home entertainment programming rolled out net income of $973,000, or 5 cents per share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, bouncing back from a net loss of $318,000, or 2 cents per share, in the 2003 comparable period. Earnings from continuing operations before tax were $973,000 in the quarter ended March 31, compared to earnings of $643,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago. Quarterly net revenues advanced 20.8% to $26.6 million from $21.9 million, last year. Image Entertainment recorded fourth-quarter net revenues of $24.2 million from the U.S. segment, up 19% from a year ago due to rising sales of exclusive DVD and CD programming. Net revenues from the company’s international business surged 44.5% to $2.3 million, on higher sublicense revenues through BMG.

Company shares closed Monday up 10 cents, or 2.63%, at $3.90. The stock rocketed up 26.92% to $4.95 in after-hours trading.

e.Digital Corporation (EDIG: chart) reported after the bell Monday that it narrowed its annual loss, helped by strong demand for its MicroOS system which provides file management for flash memories. The San Diego, California-based consumer electronics company posted an operating loss of $2.3 million for its fiscal year 2004, compared with a loss of $5.8 million in fiscal 2003. Net loss per share was 2 cents in fiscal 2004 in contrast to 5 cents a year earlier. Annual revenues jumped 32% to $3.4 million from $2.6 million.

The stock closed Monday unchanged at $0.23.

Sonic Corp. (SONC: chart) said Monday that its third-quarter net earnings rose 18% to $19.1 million, or 31 cents per share, from net earnings of $16.2 million, or 27 cents per share, in the 2003 corresponding quarter. Results of the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based fast-food chain were in line with analysts’ expectations. The company attributed the profit rise to record quarterly revenues, which jumped 19% from last year to $145.9 million.

Sonic shares gained 30 cents on Monday to $23.18.

AirTran Holdings, Inc. (AAI: chart), the Orlando, Florida-based airline, said Monday that it expects its earnings for the fiscal second quarter to be in line with analysts’ projections. Currently, analysts forecast a profit 18 cents a share, on average. AirTran added that its yields in the third and fourth quarters will continue to be soft, citing strong competitive environment.

The stock plunged 8.64% to close Monday at $13.86. Company shares recovered 24 cents to $14.10 in after-market trade.

Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (ATI: chart) forecast Monday that it will post a profit in its second quarter, rebounding from a year-earlier loss, aided by improving market conditions and special items. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based steelmaker projected second-quarter earnings in the range of 22 cents to 32 cents a share, including a gain from special items of 48 cents a share. The mean analysts’ estimate was for a loss of 37 cents a share.

Company shares soared 11.65% to $17.44 at market close Monday.

Washington Mutual, Inc. (WM: chart) lowered Monday its profit target for fiscal year 2004 to a range of $3 to $3.60 per share, from a prior forecast of $4.35 per share, citing higher long-term interest rates, which affected negatively its mortgage business. The Seattle, Washington-based financial services company had earnings of $4.21 per share in the same period a year ago. Analysts are looking for a profit of $4.05 per share.

The stock closed Monday at $41.31, up 13 cents, or 0.32%. Company shares plummeted 10.82% to $36.84 in the extended session.

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (WPI: chart) of Corona, California, on Monday reduced its earnings estimate for the second quarter, hurt by weaker sales of its birth control pills. The drug maker said that it now sees second-quarter earnings, including items, of 31 cents to 33 cents per share, down from an earlier outlook of 50 cents to 52 cents per share. Excluding items, Watson expects earnings of 39 cents to 41 cents a share in the quarter, against the average analysts’ forecast of 51 cents a share.

Watson shares dived 14.87% on Monday to $27.49. The stock edged up 16 cents to $27.65 in after-hours trading.

Syms Corp (SYM: chart) reported Friday that it returned to a profit in its first quarter from a year-earlier loss, driven by higher sales and a decrease in operating expenses. The Secaucus, New Jersey-based operator of off-price retail stores posted income of $4,000, or less than a penny per share, for its fiscal 2004 first quarter ended May 29. For the 2003 corresponding period, Syms had a loss of $1.75 million, or 11 cents per share. Quarterly net sales were up 7.5% to $68.1 million from $63.4 million, a year ago. Comparable-store sales improved 7.5% year-over-year.

The stock soared 7.85% to close Friday at $9.20.

QMed, Inc. (QMED: chart) of Eatontown, New Jersey, announced Friday a wider second-quarter loss of $1.4 million, or 10 cents per share, compared with a prior-year loss of $587,451, or 4 cents per share. The provider of disease-management services said results for the second quarter of 2004 included costs related to the settlement of a dispute with The Regence Group. Revenue for the quarter rose to $3.7 million from $3.3 million, last year.

QMed shares dropped 14 cents on Friday to $8.34.

Steel Technologies Inc. (STTX: chart) of Louisville, Kentucky, said Friday that it expects to report a huge rise in its quarterly financial results, due to rising prices and strong demand for steel. The processor of flat-rolled steel forecast a third-quarter profit in the range of 75 cents to 78 cents a share, on sales of $225 million. The company had earned 10 cents a share on sales of $129.6 million, in the year-ago period.

Company shares rose 2.54% on Friday to $23.43. The stock dropped 20 cents to $23.23 in the extended session.