Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT: chart) reported before market open Tuesday record quarterly results, boosted by strength in its international operations and higher same-store sales at its Sam's Club warehouse stores. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based world’s biggest retailer said it had income from continuing operations of $2.29 billion, or 54 cents a share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2005, which represents a 12.7% rise, compared with year-earlier income of $2.03 billion, or 46 cents a share. The results met the average analysts’ forecast. For the quarter ended October 31, the company reported net sales of $68.5 billion, up 9.7% from $62.48 billion, a year ago. The company’s international division delivered an 18% growth in sales of $13.55 billion. Sales in the Wal-Mart division climbed 8.3% and Sam's Club sales improved 5.5%. Comparable-store sales at Wal-Mart's U.S. divisions inched up 1.7%, while at Sam's Club they edged up 4.0%. For the first nine months of 2005, profits amounted to $7.10 billion, or $1.66 a share, against $6.33 billion, or $1.44 a share, in fiscal 2004. Sales were up to $203.01 billion in the period, from $181.84 billion a year ago.

Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW: chart) announced Monday a 15.5% increase in its quarterly profits, aided by robust sales. The U.S. second-largest home improvement retailer rolled out net income of $522 million, or 66 cents a share, for its fiscal 2004 third quarter, in contrast to net income of $452 million, or 56 cents a share, for the same period a year ago. The earnings topped by a penny a share Wall Street’s consensus estimate. Mooresville, North Carolina-based Lowe's recorded sales of $9.1 billion for the third quarter ended October 29, a 16% rise from $7.8 billion, in the 2003 equivalent. Same-store sales edged up 5.2% in the quarter, compared with a growth of 12% a year earlier. The company said its expansion into large U.S. markets, such as New York and other big cities, helped boost its earnings. For the first nine months of the year, Lowe's earned $1.68 billion, or $2.11 a share, on sales of $27.9 billion. That compares to net income of $1.47 billion, or $1.84 a share, on sales of $23.6 billion, for the 2003 corresponding period.

For its fourth quarter, Lowe's projected a profit in the range of 58 cents to 60 cents per share.

The stock slipped 1.66% to $59.25 at market close Monday. Lowe's shares recovered 28 cents to $59.53 in the extended session.

Electronic Data Systems Corporation (EDS: chart) of Plano, Texas, said Monday that its third-quarter net loss widened to $153 million, or 30 cents per share, compared with a restated loss of $16 million, or 3 cents per share, for the 2003 equivalent. The world’s second-biggest technology services company attributed the results to an asset impairment charge of $375 million, associated with its Navy Marine Corps Intranet contract. Excluding items, EDS reported a profit of $57 million, or 11 cents per share, for the third quarter, outpacing the mean analysts’ forecast of 7 cents per share.

EDS shares edged up 9 cents on Monday to $21.96.

Barnes & Noble, Inc. (BKS: chart) posted Monday a drop in its quarterly earnings, hurt by increased expenses and weak sales of bestseller books. The New York-based No.1 U.S. bookseller said its income eased to $7.64 million, or 10 cents per share, in the third quarter, from prior-year income of $10.17 million, or 14 cents per share. The earnings fell 2 cents a share short of the average analysts’ estimate. Total sales in the quarter climbed to $1.46 billion from $1.27 billion, last year.

The stock plummeted 29.35% to close Monday at $25.81.

GameStop Corp. (GME: chart) on Monday turned in a third-quarter net profit of $12.1 million, or 21 cents per share, a 13% rise over a net profit of $10.7 million, or 18 cents per share, for the year-earlier quarter. On a pro forma basis, the video game retailer had a profit of $13.8 million, or 24 cents per share. The earnings were in line with analysts’ expectations. The Grapevine, Texas-based company said the profit increase was due to higher revenue, which jumped 28% from last year to $416.7 million. Same-store sales advanced 11.8%.

Company shares closed Monday at $23.15, down 35 cents, or 1.49%. The stock dropped 20 cents to $22.95 in after-market trade.

ArvinMeritor, Inc. (ARM: chart) of Troy, Michigan, reported Monday that it swung to a quarterly loss from a year-ago profit, dragged by charges associated with the planned sale of its Light Vehicle Aftermarket and Roll Coater businesses. The auto parts supplier announced a net loss of $153 million, or $2.23 a share, for its fourth quarter, in contrast to net earnings of $34 million, or 50 cents a share, for the 2003 comparable period. Excluding items, the company posted income of $37 million, or 54 cents a share. Analysts were looking for a profit before items of 51 cents a share.

The stock surged 7.75% to $21.97 at market close Monday. Company shares inched down 6 cents to $21.91 in extended trade.

Jo-Ann Stores, Inc. (JAS: chart) said Monday that its quarterly profits slumped 39%, due to soft sales trends in September and October and lower advertising spending. The Hudson, Ohio-based fabric and craft retailer posted income of $7.3 million, or 32 cents per share, for its third quarter, down from $12.0 million, or 54 cents per share, for the 2004 corresponding period. The results matched Wall Street’s average forecast.

Company shares gained 17 cents on Monday to $25.67.

Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN: chart) of Springdale, Arkansas, posted Monday earnings of $66 million, or 19 cents per share, for its fiscal fourth quarter, a 55% decline from $147 million, or 42 cents per share, generated in the same quarter of 2003. The meat company cited higher feed costs and weakness in its beef operations as main factors for the results. Despite the drop, the earnings surpassed the mean analysts’ estimate of 16 cents per share. Quarterly revenue rose to $7.15 billion from $6.57 billion.

The stock was up 1.18% to close Monday at $17.08.