Research In Motion Limited (RIMM: chart) reported after market close Tuesday that it reversed course to a quarterly profit from a year-earlier loss, bolstered by a huge rise in revenue. The Waterloo, Ontario-based developer of handheld wireless devices rolled out net income of $55.0 million, or 28 cents per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2005, bouncing back from a net loss of $8.2 million, or 5 cents per share, in the same period a year ago. Excluding items, RIM posted a profit of $70.6 million, or 36 cents a share, for the quarter ended May 29, in contrast to a loss of $1 million, or a penny a share, last year. Analysts were looking for a profit before items of 32 cents a share. Revenues in the quarter more than doubled to $269.6 million from $104.5 million, a year ago, driven by surging demand for the company’s BlackBerry wireless e-mail device. RIM said it added about 270,000 new BlackBerry subscribers in the quarter to a total of 1,340,000.

Looking ahead, the company forecast second-quarter net earnings in the range of 32 cents to 37 cents per share, on revenue of $290 million to $310 million.

RIM shares slipped 2.64% to close Tuesday at $59.38. The stock surged 10.64% to $65.70 in after-hours trading.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated (MKC: chart) announced before the bell Tuesday that its quarterly profits increased 7.2%, aided by the acquisition of the Zatarain's food seasoning business last year and a favorable lawsuit settlement. The Sparks, Maryland-based world's No.1 spice maker said that it had net earnings of $42.9 million, or 30 cents per share, in its fiscal 2004 second quarter, up from net earnings of $40.0 million, or 28 cents per share, in the 2003 equivalent. Earnings topped by a penny a share the mean estimate of analysts. Quarterly sales climbed 13% to $596.2 million from $527.9 million, a year ago, helped by the weak dollar.

The stock dropped 33 cents on Tuesday to $34.07.

American Greetings Corporation (AM: chart) of Cleveland, Ohio, posted Tuesday first-quarter net income of $4.2 million, or 6 cents a share, a 78% drop from net income of $19.7 million, or 27 cents a share, a year ago. The greeting card maker cited costs for repurchasing debt as main factor for the decline in profit. Excluding items, first-quarter earnings were $28.1 million against $22.1 million, in the 2004 equivalent. Sales in the quarter eased to $445.7 million from $454.3 million, last year.

Company shares closed Tuesday up 90 cents, or 4.11%, at $22.80.

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (LGF: chart) reported Tuesday a net loss of $94.2 million, or $1.35 a share, for its fiscal year 2004, in contrast to a prior-year profit of $1.1 million, or a per-share loss of 6 cents after deducting preferred share dividends. The Vancouver, Canada-based film and TV company said results were due to acquisition-related charges and higher marketing costs. Revenues in 2004 jumped to $384.9 million from $293.1 million, a year ago.

The stock closed Tuesday unchanged at $6.80.

AGF Management Limited ((AGFb.TO)) posted Tuesday higher quarterly earnings, boosted by solid revenue growth. The Toronto, Canada-based investment management company announced net income of C$34 million ($25.2 million), or 37 Canadian cents a share, for its fiscal second quarter. For the 2003 comparable period, AGF had a profit of C$19.6 million, or 21 Canadian cents a share. Revenue advanced 17.9% to C$166 million in the quarter ended May 31, from C$140.8 million a year ago, due to improved stock market conditions.

AGF class B shares gained 18 Canadian cents on Tuesday to C$17.85 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. (EXFO: chart) of Quebec City, Canada, said Tuesday that it narrowed its third-quarter net loss to $1.2 million, or 2 cents a share, from a net loss of $38.4 million, or 61 cents a share, in the 2003 corresponding quarter. The maker of fiber-optic test systems attributed the results to strong demand for its products. Quarterly sales surged 35.4% to $20.5 million from $15.1 million, last year.

The stock rose 3.43% to $5.13 at market close Tuesday. EXFO shares added 17 cents to $5.30 in after-market trade.

Electro Scientific Industries, Inc. (ESIO: chart) announced Tuesday that it swung to a quarterly profit from a prior-year loss, driven by surging sales. The Portland, Oregon-based provider of manufacturing and test equipment turned in a net profit of $16.2 million, or 54 cents per share, for its fiscal fourth quarter, a turnaround from a loss of $20.8 million or 75 cents per share, in the 2003 equivalent. Sales in the quarter leapt to $81.8 million from $22.5 million, a year ago.

ESI shares edged up 62 cents to close Tuesday at $24.00. The stock was catapulted up 22.50% to $29.40 in the extended session.

AAR CORP. (AIR: chart) of Wood Dale, Illinois, reported Tuesday fourth-quarter net income of $2.6 million, or 8 cents a share, rebounding from a year-earlier net loss of $7.5 million, or 24 cents a share. Analysts had expected the provider of products and services for the aviation industry to earn 7 cents a share in the quarter. Sales rose to $179.2 million from $145.1 million. The company credited the strong performance in each of its four segments for the results.

The stock closed Tuesday at $11.20, up 85 cents, or 8.21%.

Thoratec Corporation (THOR: chart) said Tuesday that its second-quarter earnings will fall short of Wall Street’s expectations, on problems with Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for its Destination ventricular assist device. The Pleasanton, California-based maker of artificial heart devices forecast a second-quarter profit, excluding items, of 2 cents a share, compared with analysts’ projections of a profit before items of 7 cents a share. Thoratec also said that it sees a net loss of 1 cent per share in the quarter.

Thoratec shares gained 37 cents on Tuesday to $14.42. The stock plummeted 17.82% to $11.85 in after-hours trading.

Murphy Oil Corporation (MUR: chart) of El Dorado, Arkansas, issued Tuesday its earnings guidance for the second quarter of fiscal 2004. The oil and gas company said that it sees second-quarter net income from continuing operations in the range of $1.70 to $1.80 per share. The company said the forecast excludes a gain from the sale of properties in western Canada. Analysts are looking for a second-quarter profit of 93 cents to $1.46 per share.