Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO: chart) announced after market close Tuesday quarterly earnings that advanced 29% from last year, driven by strong demand for its products. The San Jose, California-based network equipment titan turned in a net profit of $1.4 billion, or 21 cents a share, for its fiscal 2005 first quarter ended October 30. That compares to a net profit of $1.1 billion, or 15 cents a share, for the same period a year earlier. Excluding items, Cisco reported earnings of $1.5 billion, or 21 cents per share, up from $1.2 billion, or 17 cents per share, in 2004. The results matched the average analysts’ forecast. Quarterly net sales increased 17.1% to $6.0 billion from prior-year sales of $5.1 billion. Analysts were looking for sales of $6.02 billion in the quarter. The company said switches accounted for 43% of total sales, compared with 41% a year ago. Routers accounted for 21% of sales, decreasing from 25% for the first quarter in 2004.

Cisco shares shed 22 cents to close Tuesday at $19.75. The stock dipped 2.58% to $19.24 in the extended session.

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC: chart) posted before the bell Tuesday net earnings of $21 million, or 4 cents per share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2004, in contrast to net earnings of $357 million, or 65 cents per share, for the same period in the previous year. The New York-based world's largest insurance broker said the profit slump was due to numerous charges, which cut its earnings per share by a total of 55 cents. The charges are related to the reserve for the company’s possible regulatory settlements, a decline in market services revenue, the potential Putnam SEC settlement and an increased tax rate. The consensus analysts’ estimate was for a profit of 67 cents per share. For the quarter ended September 30, total revenue edged up 5% to $3 billion. Risk and insurance services revenue improved 8% in the third quarter to $1.8 billion. Market services revenues tumbled to $46 million from $177 million, a year ago.

The stock closed Tuesday at $26.80, down 56 cents, or 2.05%.

Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC: chart) of El Segundo, California reported Tuesday higher quarterly income, boosted by strength in its federal government business. The information technology consulting and outsourcing firm posted earnings of $130.5 million, or 68 cents per share, for its second quarter, against $108.1 million, or 57 cents per share, generated a year ago. The results beat by 2 cents per share the mean analysts’ estimate. Revenue in the quarter rose to $3.93 billion from $3.59 billion.

Company shares inched down 2 cents to $50.13 at market close Tuesday. The stock rose 2.33% to $51.30 in after-market trade.

The May Department Stores Company (MAY: chart) said Tuesday that its third-quarter net income slumped 83% to $8 million, or 2 cents per share, from net income of $47 million, or 15 cents per share, for the 2003 corresponding period. The department store operator cited acquisition-related costs and weak sales of dresses and home furnishings as main factors for the results. St. Louis, Missouri-based May recorded net sales of $3.48 billion in the quarter, a 17% rise year-over-year. Same-store sales were down 3.4%.

The stock dropped 16 cents on Tuesday to $26.88.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF: chart) of New Albany, Ohio, announced Tuesday a 21% decline in its quarterly profits, hurt by litigation costs. The apparel retailer reported third-quarter earnings of $40.1 million, or 42 cents per share, in contrast to prior-year earnings of $50.5 million, or 51 cents per share. On an adjusted basis, profit came in at 63 cents a share, outpacing the consensus analysts’ forecast of 60 cents a share. Sales for the quarter edged up 17% to $520.7 million.

Company shares lost 16 cents to close Tuesday at $42.00. The stock slipped 0.52% to $41.78 in after-hours trading.

La-Z-Boy Incorporated (LZB: chart) posted Tuesday a steep drop in its second-quarter earnings, due to increased steel and lumber prices and a restructuring charge. The Monroe, Michigan-based furniture maker said it earned $8.9 million, or 17 cents a share, in its fiscal second quarter, down from $15.2 million, 28 cents a share, for the same quarter of the previous year. Analysts had called for a profit of 21 cents a share, on average.

The stock gained 68 cents to $14.33 at market close Tuesday. Company shares plummeted 14.52% to $12.25 in after-market trade.

Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (CHD: chart) of Princeton, New Jersey, on Tuesday rolled out a net profit of $27.4 million, or 42 cents a share, for its third quarter, a 41% rise from a net profit of $19.5 million, or 31 cents a share, for the 2003 comparable quarter. Excluding items, the consumer products maker earned 48 cents a share, powering past analysts’ projections of 31 cents a share. Quarterly sales soared to $420.3 million from $265.6 million, a year ago. The company said its acquisition of former Armkel business and Unilever oral-care business helped boost the results.

Company shares closed Tuesday up $2.32, or 8.17%, at $30.71. The stock inched down 6 cents to $30.65 in extended-hours trading.

The Progressive Corporation (PGR: chart) reported Tuesday that its third-quarter income rose 22% to $388.9 million, or $1.77 a share, compared with 2003 third-quarter income of $319.8 million, or $1.45 a share. Analysts expected the auto insurance company to earn $1.69 a share in the third quarter. Mayfield Village, Ohio-based Progressive attributed the results to a low level of car accidents.

The stock slid 1.41% on Tuesday to $95.13.