Texas Instruments Incorporated (TXN: chart) posted after market close Monday quarterly earnings that increased 26% from a year earlier, driven by continued strong demand for its chips used in mobile phones and televisions. The world’s top maker of chips for cellular phones announced a net profit of $563 million, or 32 cents per share, for its fiscal 2004 third quarter, up from a year-earlier net profit of $447 million, or 25 cents per share. The consensus analysts’ estimate was for a profit of 27 cents per share. For the quarter ended September 30, revenue jumped 28% to $3.25 billion, compared with revenue of $2.53 billion, in 2003. The company said revenue from its wireless and Digital Light Processing(TM) semiconductor products reached record levels for the second consecutive quarter. The company’s wireless revenue surged 40% from a year ago. Dallas, Texas-based TI said tax benefits and cost reductions also helped boost its earnings.

For the fourth quarter, TI forecast a profit of 24 cents to 28 cents a share, on revenue of $2.96 billion to $3.2 billion.

TI shares dropped 13 cents on Monday to $21.09. The stock surged 5.74% to $22.30 in the extended session.

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM: chart) reported after the bell Monday higher quarterly profits, as solid revenues helped offset expenses of a legal settlement. The Armonk, New York-based computer giant posted net income of $1.80 billion, or $1.06 per share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2004, compared with net income of $1.79 billion, or $1.02 per share, last year. Excluding the costs related to a pension lawsuit, earnings came to $2 billion, or $1.17 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, surpassing by 3 cents per share Wall Street’s average estimate. Net revenues for the quarter climbed 9% to $23.43 billion from $21.52 billion, for the 2003 corresponding period. Total hardware revenues rose 12% to $7.5 billion and software revenues improved 5% to $3.6 billion, excluding currency fluctuations. IBM said third-quarter U.S. sales hit the highest level in three years, while sales in Europe were nearly flat. Revenue from emerging markets soared 30% year-over-year.

IBM shares closed Monday at $85.92, up $1.07, 1.26%.

Kraft Foods Inc. (KFT: chart) said Monday that its third-quarter net income slipped 3.8% to $779 million, or 46 cents a share, from year-ago income of $810 million, or 47 cents a share. The Northfield, Illinois-based U.S. No.1 food company blamed the results on higher marketing spending and increased commodity costs. The earnings topped by a penny a share the mean estimate of analysts. Quarterly sales improved 4.7% to $7.83 billion, aided by new products and the weaker dollar.

The stock gained 19 cents to close Monday at $32.33.

E*TRADE Financial Corp. (ET: chart), the New York-based online brokerage, announced Monday that its quarterly income rose from a year ago, due to lower expenses, which offset weaker revenue. The company turned in a third-quarter profit of $79.3 million, or 21 cents per share, in contrast to $61.4 million, or 17 cents per share, generated in the same quarter last year. The results were 3 cents a share ahead of the average analysts’ forecast. Net revenue for the quarter dipped 12.6% to $337.1 million, falling short of analysts’ projections of $357.5 million.

Company shares inched up 2 cents to $11.64 at market close Monday. The stock rose 1.80% to $11.85 in after-hours trading.

JDA Software Group, Inc. (JDAS: chart) of Scottsdale, Arizona, posted Monday third-quarter earnings of $1.65 million, or 6 cents per share, down from earnings of $3.4 million, or 11 cents per share, for the 2003 corresponding period. The software company attributed the results to a drop in software license revenue. Total quarterly revenue slid to $50.3 million from $58 million. Despite the drop, the results beat analysts’ expectations for a profit of 3 cents per share on sales of $50.1 million.

The stock edged up 7 cents on Monday to $11.05. JDA shares were up 2.26% to $11.30 in extended trade.

The Stanley Works (SWK: chart) reported Monday that its third-quarter net income swelled 53% to $63.9 million, or 76 cents a share, from year-earlier net income of $41.7 million, or 51 cents a share. Analysts expected the tool maker to earn 70 cents a share, on average. New Britain, Connecticut-based Stanley reported sales of $791 million in the quarter, up 19% from a year ago. The company cited strong demand from retail customers and higher pricing as main factors for the improvement.

Company shares shed 24 cents to close Monday at $41.02. The stock soared 6.05% to $43.50 in after-market trade.

Independence Community Bank Corp. (ICBC: chart) of Brooklyn, New York, posted Monday a huge rise in its quarterly earnings, driven by the acquisition of Staten Island Bancorp last year. The bank rolled out a profit of $63.4 million, or 76 cents a share, for its third quarter, against a profit of $33.6 million, or 64 cents a share, for the 2003 equivalent. The results were in line with Wall Street’s projections.

The stock closed Monday up 20 cents, or 0.51%, at $39.35. Company shares lost 15 cents to $39.20 in extended-hours trading.

Everest Re Group Ltd. (RE: chart) announced Monday that its quarterly profits tumbled 89%, due to claims from hurricanes in Florida and typhoons in Asia. The St. Michael, Barbados-based reinsurance company said its third-quarter income dropped to $11.5 million, or 20 cents per share, from $100.3 million, or $1.77 per share, a year earlier. On an adjusted basis, earnings were $4.8 million, or 8 cents per share, for the quarter ended September 30. Analysts were looking for a loss of 35 cents per share.

Company shares dropped 15 cents to $75.60 at market close Monday.

CheckFree Corporation (CKFR: chart) of Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday turned in net income of $6.2 million, or 7 cents per share, for its fiscal first quarter, jumping back from a net loss of $6.7 million, or 7 cents per share, a year ago. The provider of technology for electronic commerce and payment services cited higher software sales as principal contributor for the results. Excluding items, profit was 29 cents per share, outpacing the mean analysts’ forecast of 26 cents.

The stock closed Monday at $28.78, up 94 cents, or 3.38%.