Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. (PNY: chart) announced Friday record financial results for its second fiscal quarter, boosted by the acquisition of North Carolina Natural Gas Corporation last September and good internal customer growth. The Charlotte, North Carolina-based energy services company turned in net income of $41.3 million, or $1.08 per share, for the second quarter of 2004, a 33% increase from net income of $31.0 million, or 93 cents per share, in the 2003 comparable quarter. Analysts had been expecting a profit of $1.01 per share, on average. Operating revenues in the second quarter ended April 30 advanced 18% to $482 million from $407 million, a year ago. For the first six months of 2004, net earnings rose to $115.9 million, or $3.20 per share, up 30% from $89.0 million, or $2.67 per share, generated for the first six months of 2003.

Looking ahead, Piedmont said that it still sees fiscal year 2004 earnings from continuing operations in the range of $2.35 to $2.45 per share.

Piedmont shares closed Friday down 16 cents, or 0.39%, at $40.69.

J. Crew Group, Inc. said before the bell Friday that its first-quarter loss widened dragged by an increase in expenses. The New York-based apparel retailer posted a net loss of $23 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2004, compared with a net loss of $20 million, in the same quarter last year. Excluding items, the privately held company had an operating loss of $2 million, against an operating loss of $10 million, in fiscal 2003. Consolidated revenue dropped 10% in the quarter to $145 million, hurt by weaker Internet and catalog sales. Retail sales climbed to $104 million from $98 million.

Adecco SA (ADO: chart) reported Friday a 53% drop in its quarterly profits, citing the negative impact of additional audit fees and fees for other advisers related to an accounting investigation. The Switzerland-based world’s top employment agency said first-quarter net earnings tumbled to €30 million ($36.6 million) from €64 million, for the first quarter of fiscal 2003. Operating income before items eased to €96 million from €113 million a year earlier. Quarterly sales improved 4.4% year-over-year in local currency to €3.8 billion.

Company shares rose 2.81% on Friday to $12.80. The stock dropped inched down 3 cents to $12.77 in after-hours trading.

Mirant Corporation (MIRKQ: chart) of Atlanta, Georgia, posted Friday a profit of $30 million, or 7 cents a share, for its fiscal first quarter, rebounding from a loss of $28 million, or 7 cents a share, for the corresponding period a year ago. The energy company, which is restructuring under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, attributed the results to a $110 million decrease in interest expenses in the first quarter. Quarterly revenue slipped to $1.18 billion from $1.50 billion, last year.

The stock rocketed up 23.08% to $0.32 at market close Friday. Company shares added 2 cents to $0.34 in after-market trade.

Pacific & Western Credit Corp. ((PWC.TO)) announced Friday that its second-quarter earnings jumped to C$1.5 million, or 11 Canadian cents a share, from year-earlier earnings of C$267,000, or 2 Canadian cents a share. The London, Ontario-based financial services company said results were due to higher interest income, which surged to $3.9 million from $1.9 million, last year.

Great Plains Energy Incorporated (GXP: chart) of Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday revised upward its 2004 earnings target, on strong wholesale electricity revenues, favorable weather and retail growth at its Kansas City Power & Light utility. The utility holding company said that it now expects to earn between $2.23 and $2.35 per share for fiscal year 2004, up from a prior outlook of $2.20 to $2.32 per share. The mean estimate of analysts is for a profit of $2.27 a share.

Company shares dipped 2.21% to close Friday at $29.26.

Maytag Corporation (MYG: chart) on Friday reduced its profit outlook for fiscal year 2004, citing expected restructuring charges and weak performance at its Hoover and Maytag appliance businesses. The Newton, Iowa-based maker of home appliances said that it sees earnings including charges of $1.00 to $1.10 per share in 2004. Excluding items, Maytag expects to report a profit in the range of $2.00 to $2.10 a share. Analysts forecast a 2004 profit of $2.32 a share.

The stock plummeted 7.65% on Friday to $24.28.

A.S.V., Inc. (ASVI: chart) of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, lifted Friday its earnings guidance for fiscal year 2004 to between $1.05 and $1.17 per share, from a previous forecast of 95 cents to $1.17 per share. The manufacturer of track-driven all-season vehicles also raised its sales forecast to a range of $140 million to $155 million, from a prior range of $130 million to $155 million. The company said continued strong demand for its rubber track machines helped boost its estimates.

Company shares gained 5 cents to $30.55 at market close Friday.