Morgan Stanley (MWD: chart) announced before the bell Thursday that its quarterly profits increased 20% from a year ago, driven by strong results in its fixed income and investment management divisions. The New York-based investment bank turned in net income of $1.47 billion, or $1.35 a share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2005, up from net income of $1.23 billion, or $1.11 a share, for the 2004 comparable period. The earnings powered past the average analysts’ estimate of $1.16 a share. Morgan Stanley said its latest results included an after-tax benefit of $49 million from the cumulative effect of an accounting change. For the quarter ended February 28, the company recorded net revenue of $6.85 billion, which is a 10% growth compared to prior-year net revenue of $6.24 billion. Analysts were looking for revenue of $6.44 billion. In the company’s institutional securities division, fixed income achieved record quarterly sales and trading revenues of $2 billion, a 21% jump year-over-year. However, pre-tax income in the division slipped 3% to $1.15 billion, hurt by charges. Pre-tax income in the Individual Investor Group more than doubled from last year to $353 million.

Albertsons, Inc. (ABS: chart) reported before market open Tuesday higher quarterly profits, aided by acquisitions. However, the earnings missed analysts’ estimates. The Boise, Idaho-based U.S. second-largest supermarket chain rolled out net income of $194 million, or 52 cents per share, for its fiscal 2004 fourth quarter, compared with net income of $130 million, or 35 cents per share, last year. The grocer said its 2004 fourth-quarter results also benefited from an additional week of business. On a pro forma basis, the company earned $186 million, or 50 cents per share, up 44% from $129 million, or 35 cents per share, generated for the 2003 equivalent. The consensus analysts’ forecast was for a profit of 52 cents per share. For the quarter ended February 3, sales totaled $11.08 billion, which is a 29% jump from prior-year sales of $8.57 billion. The purchase of Shaw's and Bristol Farms chains boosted the results. Same-store sales climbed 5.3% year-over-year. Analysts expected total sales of $10.95 billion.

For fiscal year 2005, Albertsons projected earnings in the range of $1.33 to $1.43 per share.

Company shares slipped 1.77% to $20.50 in early trading hours Tuesday.

Comverse Technology, Inc. (CMVT: chart) of Woodbury, New York, announced Monday a huge rise in its quarterly earnings, topping analysts’ projections, driven by solid revenue growth. The developer of communications systems and software reported that its net profit more than quadrupled to $21 million, or 10 cents per share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, compared to a net profit of $4.9 million, or 2 cents per share, for the corresponding period a year earlier. Excluding items, Comverse earned $22.3 million, or 10 cents per share, for the quarter ended January 31, up from $3.2 million, or 2 cents per share, last year, and a penny per share above the mean analysts’ forecast. Sales for the quarter jumped 27.6% to $259.1 million from $203 million, bolstered by strong demand across all three of the company’s business units, Comverse Network Systems, Verint and Ulticom. Analysts had predicted quarterly sales of $252.4 million, on average.

Comverse shares closed Monday up 38 cents, or 1.63%, at $23.65. The stock gained 33 cents to $23.98 in after-market trade.

Conseco, Inc. (CNO: chart) posted Monday quarterly profits that surged 55% from a year ago, as reduced expenses helped offset weakness in revenue. The Carmel, Indiana-based insurer announced fourth-quarter net income of $76.9 million, or 46 cents per share, against net income of $49.6 million, or 49 cents per share, for the 2003 comparable period. The company said per-share results were affected by a $1.6 billion equity offering and $800 million debt refinancing completed in mid-2004, which increased weighted average diluted shares outstanding by approximately 86%, compared to the prior-year quarter. Quarterly revenue slipped to $1.11 billion from $1.14 billion.

The stock rose 3.39% to $19.80 at market close Monday.

This week is likely to keep analysts busy, as the market anticipates the start of first-quarter financial announcements and the release of important economic data. Four of the biggest Wall Street banks are on the earnings schedule this week. Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (LEH: chart) and Bear Stearns Companies Inc. (BSC: chart) will report their quarterly results on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS: chart) and Morgan Stanley (MWD: chart), the other two big names in the financial services sector this week, are expected to announce their earnings on Thursday. Investors will also be looking out for quarterly results from FedEx Corporation (FDX: chart), Nike Inc. (NKE: chart), Jabil Circuit Inc. (JBL: chart) and Tektronix Inc. (TEK: chart). Along with earnings, the week's calendar of economic data will also be in focus. Investors will be watching closely the key retail sales data for February, which is due out on Tuesday, to throw some light on consumer spending. The report on the fourth-quarter U.S. current account deficit will be released on Wednesday. Industrial production data for February is expected on the same day. The report on import and export prices for February is scheduled for Friday.