DRS Technologies, Inc. (DRS: chart) of Parsippany, New Jersey, said Friday that its fiscal 2004 fourth-quarter net earnings surged 68% to $16.3 million, or 60 cents per share, from net earnings of $9.7 million, or 42 cents per share, last year. Analysts had expected the defense technology company to earn 54 cents a share, on average. DRS attributed the results to strong demand for its military tactical computer systems and thermal sighting technology. For the quarter ended March 31, revenue increased 61% to $347.2 million, from $215.8 million in the same quarter a year ago. The company said its acquisition of Integrated Defense Technologies Inc. last November also helped boost the results. For all of 2004, DRS turned in net income of $44.7 million, or $1.80 per share, up 48% from $30.2 million, or $1.58 per share, in 2003. Revenue in 2004 rose 48% to $1.0 billion, compared with $675.8 million a year ago.

For its first quarter, DRS projected earnings of 33 cents to 35 cents a share, which would be below analysts’ estimates of 38 cents a share.

DRS shares gained 29 cents to close Friday at $27.88.

chinadotcom corporation (CHINA: chart) reported before the bell Friday higher quarterly earnings, aided by acquisitions. The Hong Kong-based provider of integrated enterprise software and mobile applications said it earned $4.3 million, or 4 cents a share, in its first quarter of fiscal 2004, compared with a profit of $1.3 million, or a penny a share, in the year-earlier period. Earnings fell a penny short of the mean estimate of analysts. Quarterly revenue jumped 26% to $35.9 million, from $28.5 million a year ago, boosted by the company’s recent acquisition of Pivotal Corporation, a customer relationship management software firm.

The stock plummeted 11.42% on Friday to $6.67. Company shares dropped 2 cents to $6.65 in after-hours trading.

AVX Corporation (AVX: chart) announced before market open Friday that it narrowed its fourth-quarter loss, citing cost cuts and stronger sales. The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina-based maker of electronic components posted a net loss of $8 million, or 5 cents per share, for its fourth quarter, in contrast to a net loss of $14 million, or 8 cents per share, in the 2003 corresponding period. Excluding charges, AVX said it had a fourth-quarter profit of 4 cents a share, 3 cents a share ahead of analysts’ projections.

AVX shares closed Friday up 6 cents, or 0.42%, at $14.39.

Millennium Chemicals Inc. (MCH: chart) of Hunt Valley, Maryland, announced Friday a smaller first-quarter net loss of $10 million, or 16 cents per share, in contrast to a net loss of $27 million, or 43 cents per share, for the comparable period in fiscal 2003. The chemical company said loss before items came to 5 cents a share. On average, analysts were looking for a loss of 18 cents a share. The company credited the performance at its flavor and fragrance chemicals unit for the results.

The stock dropped 12 cents on Friday to $15.68.

ID Biomedical Corporation (IDBE: chart) said Friday that its quarterly loss more than doubled, dragged by increased research and development expenses. The Vancouver, Canada-based biotechnology company reported a first-quarter net loss of C$10.7 million, or 26 Canadian cents per share, compared with a net loss of C$4.3 million, or 13 Canadian cents per share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2003. Revenue in the quarter climbed to C$1.5 million from C$1.4 million, last year.

Company shares lost 8 cents to $9.27 at market close Friday. The stock dipped 3.88% to $8.91 in after-market trade.

Zi Corporation (ZICA: chart) of Calgary, Canada, posted Friday a net loss of $1.5 million, or 4 cents per share, for its fiscal first quarter, against a year-earlier net loss of $1.1 million, or 3 cents per share. The provider of intelligent interface solutions said that this year's first-quarter loss included two non-cash items. Excluding those, loss was $55,000. Quarterly revenue rose to $3.0 million from $2.5 million, a year ago.

The stock gained a penny to $2.34 at market close Friday.

Golden State Vintners, Inc. (VINT: chart) reported Friday that it swung to a quarterly profit from a year-earlier loss, driven by solid revenue growth. The Napa, California-based wine supplier rolled out third-quarter net income of $1.3 million, or 13 cents a share, a turnaround from a prior-year net loss of $6.3 million, or 67 cents a share. Revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 jumped 33% to $22.1 million, from $16.6 million, last year.

Company shares closed Friday at $8.15, down 1 cent, or 0.11%.

Genesco Inc. (GCO: chart) of Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday revised upward its earnings guidance for the first quarter, due to rising sales at its Journeys and Hat World chains. The shoe retailer said it now expects to post a profit of 21 cents to 24 cents per share, for its first quarter. The company had earlier forecast first-quarter earnings of 12 cents to 13 cents a share. Same-store sales climbed 6% in the quarter.

The stock rocketed up 15.05% on Friday to $24.00.