Prudential Financial, Inc. (PRU: chart) announced after market close Tuesday a 41% decline in its quarterly profit, citing a loss in its corporate division. The second largest U.S. life insurer posted net earnings of $230 million, or 46 cents a share, for its fiscal 2003 third quarter, down from $392 million, or 70 cents a share, for the same quarter a year earlier. The year-ago quarter included a $183 million gain from the resolution of a tax issue. Excluding items, Newark, New Jersey-based Prudential said its earnings came in at $361 million, or 70 cents a share, compared to $303 million, or 54 cents a share, in the 2002 equivalent. Analysts had expected earnings of 56 cents a share. Third-quarter revenue dropped 3.7% to $4.37 billion from $4.54 billion, a year ago. The company said its acquisition of annuity seller American Skandia boosted the operating results.

Prudential raised its full-year earnings guidance and now expects to earn $2.40 to $2.50 per share in 2003, in contrast to a previous forecast of $2.25 to $2.40 per share.

Prudential shares closed Tuesday at $38.05, down 98 cents, or 2.51%. The stock dipped 0.13% to $38.00 in after-hours trading.

Aon Corporation (AOC: chart) said Tuesday its third-quarter earnings slumped to $114 million, or 36 cents per share, from $127 million, or 46 cents per share, in the 2002 same quarter. The second biggest insurance broker in the world cited losses related to its automobile finance servicing business as main factor for the drop in profit. Excluding losses on discontinued operations, Chicago, Illinois-based Aon said it earned 44 cents per share, a penny short of Wall Street’s estimates.

Aon shares plummeted 5.28% to close Tuesday at $20.97. The stock recovered 0.05% to $20.98 in after-hours trading.

Emerson Electric Co. (EMR: chart) of St. Louis, Missouri, said Tuesday its fourth-quarter earnings rose 11% to $276 million, or 66 cents a share, from $249 million, or 59 cents a share, a year ago, and above analysts’ expectations of 62 cents a share on average. The diversified equipment maker said results were due to improved sales in four of its five businesses.

Company shares climbed up 2.93% on Tuesday to $59.33. The stock fell $1.33 to $58.00 in after-market trade.

The Gillette Company (G: chart), the world's largest razor and blade maker, posted Tuesday a third-quarter profit of $416 million, or 41 cents a share, an increase of 17.5% from $354 million, or 33 cents a share, generated in the same period a year ago. Boston, Massachusetts-based Gillette said sales were up 11% to $2.41 billion. The company attributed the results to the weaker dollar and strong sales of its products.

The stock soared 5.08% to $34.15 at market close Tuesday.

Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (CCU: chart) said before market open Tuesday its third-quarter profit tripled to $636 million, or $1.03 per share, from $212.5 million, or 34 cents per share, a year earlier, on the back of one-time gains. The San Antonio, Texas-based No. 1 U.S. radio station owner said revenue rose to $2.54 billion from $2.3 billion.

Company shares dropped 30 cents to close Tuesday at $41.10. The stock slipped 0.07% to $41.07 in after-hours trading.

BJ Services Company (BJS: chart) of Houston, Texas, reported Tuesday a net profit of $60.4 million, or 37 cents per share, for its fourth quarter ended September 30. Results were up from the year-ago profit of $32.9 million, 21 cents per share, but below the average analysts’ estimate for earnings of 39 cents a share. The oilfield services company said revenue jumped 24% to $588.6 million.

The stock slid 3.68% on Tuesday to $30.90. Company shares gained a penny in after-market trade.


Marvel Enterprises, Inc. (MVL: chart), the New York-based comic book publisher, said before market open Tuesday its third-quarter profit rose nine fold on a one-time gain to $63.1 million, or 85 cents a share. For the same quarter last year, the company reported income of $6.7 million, or 17 cents per share. Marvel said sales were almost flat at $84.5 million compared with $84.4 million a year ago.

Company shares tumbled 6.76% on Tuesday to $29.50. The stock edged up 0.47% to $29.64 in after-hours trading.

Perot Systems Corporation (PER: chart) reported Tuesday net earnings of $15.7 million, or 14 cents a share, for its fiscal third quarter, a 16% drop from $18.7 million, or 17 cents a share, a year earlier, on increased costs of services. The Plano, Texas-based provider of information-technology consulting outpaced analysts’ earnings projections by 2 cents.

The stock closed Tuesday up 11 cents at $11.30. Company shares gained 0.88% to $11.40 in after-hours trading.

priceline.com Inc. (PCLN: chart) of Norwalk, Connecticut, posted Tuesday a net profit of $9.7 million, or 24 cents per share, rebounding from a net loss of $23.8 million, or 63 cents per share, in the prior year. The Web travel service company beat Wall Street forecasts for earnings of 21 cents per share.

Company shares added 56 cents to $29.25 on Tuesday. The stock dived 21.71% to $22.90 in after-hours trading.