Medtronic Inc. (MDT: chart), the world's largest maker of medical devices, said fiscal first quarter earnings rose 17.5 percent due to sales of spinal products and devices that manage irregular heartbeats. The Minneapolis-based company earned 37 cents a share, up from 31 cents a year ago. Revenue climbed 20.5 percent to $2.06 billion.

Computer Sciences Corp. (CSC: chart), a computer services company based in El Segundo, California, said net income surged to 49 cents a share in the first quarter ended July 4, from 46 cents in the same period last year. Revenue jumped 29 percent to $3.55 billion. The company had a steady flow of government contracts that currently account for 42 percent of revenue.

Marvel Enterprises Inc. (MVL: chart), the creator of X-Men and Incredible Hulk, said profit in the second quarter quadrupled to 42 cents a share, from 10 cents in the prior second quarter, due to strong licensing and feature films like “Spider-Man” and “Incredible Hulk.” The New York comic-book publisher said revenue rose 27 percent to $90 million.

J.C. Penney Co. Inc. (JCP: chart), a department and discount retailer based in Plano, Texas, narrowed its loss in the second quarter to two cents a share from five cents in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 1.6 percent to $7.3 billion due to a rebound in department same-store sales.

Deere & Company (DE: chart), the world's largest farm equipment maker, said profit in the third quarter ended July 31 jumped 68 percent due to the weaker dollar and solid sales of lawn tractors. The Moline, Illinois manufacturer earned $1.02 a share, up from 61 cents a year ago. Revenue grew 11 percent to $4.4 billion.

The Williams Cos. Inc. (WMB: chart), an energy company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, swung to a profit of 46 cents a share in the second quarter, compared with a net loss of 68 cents a year ago, due to its improved Energy Marketing segment and asset sales. Excluding gains, charges and discontinued operations, the company broke even from a loss of 41 cents.

CMS Energy Corp. (CMS: chart), a major gas and electric utilities company based in Jackson, Michigan, narrowed its second-quarter loss to 31 cents a share from 55 cents a year ago amid restructuring and asset sales. Excluding charges, the company earned one cent a share. Revenue declined 46 percent to $1.2 billion.

La-Z-Boy Inc. (LZB: chart), the largest maker of recliners, swung to a profit of 11 cents a share in its fiscal first quarter ended July 26, compared with a loss of 68 cents a share in the year-ago period. Excluding charges, the Monroe, Michigan-based furniture maker earned 18 cents a share, down from 32 cents as it faced weak sales and competition from cheaper imports. Revenue declined 9.2 percent to $451 million.

The Clorox Co. (CLX: chart), a provider of personal and household products such as bleach and plastic bags, posted profit of 68 cents a share in the fiscal fourth quarter, up from 63 cents in the same period last year. The Oakland, California-based company benefited from an aggressive cost-cutting program. Revenue rose 2.1 percent to $1.15 billion due to strong sales of plastic bags, barbecue sauce and salad dressing.