For the first time in its history, H&R Block, Inc. (HRB: chart) announced after the bell Tuesday a profit in its fiscal second quarter, boosted by gains in its mortgage business. The U.S. leading tax preparer said it swung to a profit of $10.4 million, or 6 cents per share, for the quarter ended October 31, reversing a loss of $37.3 million, or 21 cents per share, in the same period a year ago. Results outpaced analysts’ expectations for a loss of 6 cents per share. Last year’s numbers included a litigation settlement charge of $41.7 million. Kansas City, Missouri-based H&R Block said revenues surged 23% to $579.9 million, in the 2004 second quarter, from $471.4 million a year earlier. Analysts had forecast revenues of $529.5 million. H&R Block’s mortgage business posted second-quarter pretax earnings of $184 million, up from $153.5 million last year. Revenues from mortgage operations jumped 28% to $351.2 million. The company said its U.S. tax operations reported a pretax loss of $130.9 million.

For the fiscal year, H&R Block raised its earnings target to $3.65 to $3.85 a share, up from an earlier guidance of $3.56 to $3.72 a share.

Company shares gained 25 cents to $49.40 at market close Tuesday. The stock rose 3.24% to $51.00 in after-hours trading.

Brown-Forman Corporation (BFB: chart) of Louisville, Kentucky, said before market open Tuesday its second-quarter net earnings rose 8.8% to $88.2 million, or $1.45 a share, from $81.1 million, or $1.18 a share, in the prior-year quarter. The manufacturer of alcoholic beverage brands topped analysts’ projections for profit of $1.39 a share. Brown-Forman said it benefited from strong sales of its Jack Daniel's and Southern Comfort liquor brands and a weaker U.S. dollar.

The stock closed Tuesday up $3.90, or 4.38%, at $99.92.

H.J. Heinz Company (HNZ: chart) reported Tuesday a 10% drop in its quarterly earnings due to the spin-off of its underperforming businesses to Del Monte Corp. in December last year. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based ketchup giant said it earned $191.5 million, or 54 cents a share, in the second quarter of 2004, compared with $212.1 million, or 60 cents a share, a year earlier. Last year’s results included earnings of 12 cents per share from discontinued operations. Heinz said second-quarter sales eased to $2.09 billion from $2.10 billion.

Heinz shares edged up 52 cents on Tuesday to $36.19. The stock dipped 0.38% to $36.05 in after-hours trading.

Eaton Vance Corp. (EV: chart) said Tuesday its fiscal 2003 fourth-quarter profit soared 20% to $28.7 million, or 41 cents a share, from $23.8 million, or 34 cents a share, in the 2002 comparable period, on the back of strong revenue growth. The investment-management company fell short by 2 cents of analysts’ projections. Boston, Massachusetts-based Eaton Vance said its quarterly revenue jumped 16% to $143.4 million from $123.8 million, a year ago.

Company shares shed 17 cents to $35.17 on Tuesday. The stock inched down 2 cents to $35.15 in after-market trade.

Deere & Company (DE: chart) of Moline, Illinois, posted Tuesday fourth-quarter income of $70.6 million, or 27 cents per share, up 4% from $68 million, or 28 cents per share, a year earlier. Analysts were looking for earnings of 18 cents a share. For the year, the maker of farm and construction equipment said its profit more than doubled to $643.1 million, or $2.64 a share, from $319.2 million, or $1.33 a share, in 2002.

The stock was up 2.06% on Tuesday to $61.44. Company shares added 23 cents to $61.67 in after-hours trading.

Michaels Stores, Inc. (MIK: chart) reported Tuesday a third-quarter net profit of $38.2 million, or 54 cents per share, an 18% increase from $32.3 million, or 46 cents per share, in the 2003 corresponding period. Analysts had called for a profit of 48 cents a share. The Irving, Texas-based U.S. top arts and crafts retailer said higher average prices and a lower tax rate boosted the results.

Company shares slipped 0.33% to close Tuesday at $47.75. The stock rose 2.62% to $49.00 in after-market trade.

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (BONT: chart) said Tuesday it swung to a loss in its fiscal 2004 third quarter, due to an asset impairment charge and weaker same-store sales. The York, Pennsylvania-based department store operator posted a net loss of $1.7 million, or 11 per share, in contrast to net income of $300,000 or 2 cents per share, a year ago. Total sales were up 7.7% to $180.4 million, in the third quarter, while comparable store sales dropped 0.8%.

The stock plunged 4.32% on Tuesday to $12.61. Company shares slipped 0.08% to $12.60 in after-hours trading.

Tweeter Home Entertainment Group, Inc. (TWTR: chart) of Canton, Massachusetts, reported Tuesday a fourth-quarter net loss of $10.3 million, or 43 cents a share, against a loss of $181.3 million, or $7.71 per share, a year ago, when results included a large impairment write-down. The consumer electronics retailer fell short of the average analysts’ estimate for a loss of 40 cents a share.

Company shares surged 7.95% to close Tuesday at $8.69. The stock gained a penny in after-market trade.

Acambis plc (ACAM: chart) posted Tuesday a pre-tax profit of £22.2 million, for its third quarter, compared with a loss of £1.3 million, last year. The Cambridge, United Kingdom-based biotechnology company said revenues increased to £65.8 million from £13.8 million, a year earlier. Acambis said results were boosted by smallpox vaccinations.

The stock closed Tuesday at $53.00, up $1.40, or 2.71%.

Fortis NV ((FOR.BR)) said Tuesday it swung to a profit in its third quarter, citing banking business growth and investments recovery. The Belgian-Dutch bank and insurer reported net earnings of €667 million ($785.9 million). For the same period a year ago, the Brussels, Belgium-based company had a loss of €1.6 billion due to an equity writedown. Operating profits jumped 16% to €539 million ($635.3 million), boosted by higher interest rates and lower costs.