Dell Inc. (DELL: chart) reported after market close Thursday that its quarterly earnings surged 29% from a year ago, driven by strong results at its international markets. The world's leading personal computer maker turned in net income of $799 million, or 31 cents per share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2005, compared with net income of $621 million, or 24 cents per share, for the prior-year quarter. The earnings were in line with Wall Street’s average forecast. For the quarter ended July 30, Dell delivered record revenue of $11.71 billion, a 20% rise from $9.78 billion, a year earlier, boosted by robust sales of notebook PCs, printers and servers. Round Rock, Texas-based Dell added that shipments to Europe, the Middle East and Africa rose 30% in the second quarter. For the first six months of fiscal 2005, the company posted a profit of $1.53 billion, or 59 cents per share, up from $1.22 billion, or 47 cents per share, for the same period a year ago. Revenues jumped to $23.24 billion from $19.31 billion.

Looking ahead, Dell projected third-quarter earnings of 33 cents per share on revenue of about $12.5 billion.

Dell shares shed 45 cents to $33.12 at market close Thursday. The stock rose 2.66% to $34.00 in after-hours trading.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT: chart) announced before the bell Thursday a profit of $2.65 billion, or 62 cents per share, for its fiscal 2005 second quarter ended July 31, an 8.5% increase from a profit of $2.44 billion, or 56 cents per share, for the year-earlier equivalent. The earnings of the Bentonville, Arkansas-based world’s largest retailer beat the consensus analysts’ estimate by a penny a share. The company attributed the profit rise to strong demand for high-profit items, which offset the negative impact of rising gasoline prices on summer sales. Total sales in the quarter improved to $70.46 billion from $63.23 billion, with same-store sales climbing up 4.1%. Analysts had predicted second-quarter sales of $70.77 billion, on average. For the first half of the fiscal year, earnings totaled $4.8 billion, or $1.12 per share, on revenue of $135.91 billion, in contrast to earnings of $4.31 billion, or 98 cents per share, on revenue of $120.45 billion, in the first six months last year.

For its third quarter, Wal-Mart said it expects to earn between 52 cents and 54 cents per share.

The stock gained $1.02 to close Thursday at $52.65. Company shares added 11 cents to $52.76 in after-market trade.

Hewlett-Packard Company (HPQ: chart) of Palo Alto, California, posted Thursday quarterly financial results that fell short of expectations, hurt by weaker-than-anticipated demand for its server and storage products. The provider of high-tech products reported third-quarter earnings of $586 million, or 19 cents a share, against $297 million, or 10 cents a share, generated in the 2003 comparable period. On an adjusted basis, earnings came to 24 cents a share, a penny above the year-ago figure. Quarterly revenue climbed 9% to $18.9 billion. On average, analysts were looking for a profit, excluding items, of 31 cents a share, on revenue of $19.1 billion.

HP shares plummeted 13.17% on Thursday to $16.95. The stock dropped 15 cents to $16.80 in the extended session.

Agilent Technologies, Inc. (A: chart) said Thursday that it swung to a net profit of $100 million, or 20 cents a share, in its fiscal third quarter, from a year-earlier net loss of $1.56 billion, or $3.28 a share. Excluding items, the Palo Alto, California-based top supplier of electronic test and measurement products posted earnings of $154 million, or 30 cents a share, in contrast to a loss before items of $11 million, or 2 cents a share, last year. The mean analysts’ estimate was for a profit before items of 28 cents a share. Agilent credited its test and measurement unit for the results.

The stock closed Thursday down $2.09, or 9.60%, at $19.68. Agilent shares soared 8.03% to $21.26 in after-hours trading.

Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI: chart) of Norwood, Massachusetts, announced Thursday that its quarterly earnings more than doubled, aided by strong revenue growth. The chip maker posted third-quarter net income of $169 million, or 43 cents per share, compared with net income of $79 million, or 21 cents per share, for the 2003 corresponding period. Quarterly revenue jumped to $717.8 million from $520.4 million. The results, however, missed analysts’ projections for a profit of 45 cents per share on revenue of $738.5 million.

Company shares tumbled 5.37% to $33.83 at market close Thursday. The stock shed $2.05 to $31.78 in extended-hours trade.

Target Corporation (TGT: chart) reported Thursday that its second-quarter net income swelled to $1.42 billion, or $1.54 per share, from year-ago net income of $358 million, or 39 cents per share, due to a one-time gain from the sale of its Marshall Field's department stores. The Minneapolis, Minnesota-based U.S. No.2 discount chain recorded revenues of $10.56 billion in the quarter, a 10% increase year-over-year. Comparable-store sales were up 3.9% from a year ago.

The stock closed Thursday at $41.90, up $1.48, or 3.66%.

Kohl's Corporation (KSS: chart) of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, on Thursday rolled out net income of $155.8 million, or 45 cents per share, for its fiscal second quarter, up from net income of $112.1 million, or 33 cents per share, a year earlier. The department store operator topped by a penny a share the average analysts’ forecast. The company said results were due to higher sales, which rose 13% in the quarter to $2.5 billion. Same-store sales eased 1.1%.

Kohl's shares dipped 3.06% on Thursday to $43.70. The stock recovered $1.29 to $44.99 in after-hours trading.

Tiffany & Co. (TIF: chart) said Thursday that its quarterly profits slid 11%, citing weaker sales in Japan and a lower profit margin as main factors for the drop. The New York-based jewelry retailer announced income of $36.6 million, or 25 cents a share, for the second quarter, compared with income of $41.1 million, or 28 cents a share, for the second quarter last year. Analysts had expected a profit of 29 cents a share, on average.

The stock plunged 14.78% to close Thursday at $27.10. Tiffany shares edged up 30 cents to $27.40 in extended trade.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEOS: chart) of Warrendale, Pennsylvania, posted Thursday a huge rise in its second-quarter earnings, helped by solid performance at its stores open at least a year. The clothing retailer said that it earned $29.6 million, or 40 cents a share, in its fiscal second quarter, up from $8.1 million, or 11 cents a share, for the prior-year period. The earnings were 2 cents a share ahead of the consensus analysts’ estimate. The company delivered sales of $413.8 million for the quarter, a 22.8% increase from last year, driven by a 12.7% jump in same-store sales.

Company shares shed 51 cents to $31.49 at market close Thursday.