Federated Investors, Inc. (FII: chart) posted Monday a fiscal 2003 fourth-quarter net profit of $42.8 million, or 38 cents a share, down from a net profit of $48.9 million, or 42 cents a share, in the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2002. The investment management company cited a charge related to improper trading of mutual funds as main factor for the profit drop. Excluding the charge, the company posted earnings of 50 cents a share, a 19% improvement from 42 cents a share in the year-ago period. On that basis, analysts had called for a profit of 47 cents a share, on average. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Federated recorded revenue of $216.8 million, in the quarter ended December 31, compared with revenue of $197.3 million, last year. The company said 44% of total revenue came from money funds, 31% came from equity assets, 19% from fixed-income assets and 6% from other products.

Federated shares closed Monday at $31.53, up 63 cents, or 2.04%.

Hasbro, Inc. (HAS: chart), the No.2 toy maker in the U.S., reported before market open Monday that its quarterly earnings increased 23%, driven by strong sales of new products and classic board games. The Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based company announced net income of $76.6 million, or 43 cents per share, for its fiscal 2003 fourth quarter, in contrast to net income of $62.16 million, or 36 cents per share, for the 2002 comparable period. Excluding special items, earnings came in at 65 cents per share, in the quarter ended December 28, up from 42 cents per share, a year ago, and 10 cents ahead of the mean estimate of analysts. Hasbro said fourth-quarter revenues rose 12% to $1.12 billion, from $997.4 million last year. Hasbro added that it also benefited from sales of core brands such as Transformers and Playskool.

The stock edged up 7 cents on Monday to $20.76.

Lincoln National Corporation (LNC: chart) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, announced after the bell Monday a fourth-quarter profit of $194.3 million, or $1.08 per share, compared with a profit of $51 million, or 29 cents per share, for the same period a year earlier. For the full year, the life insurer posted net income of $511.9 million, or $2.85 a share, up from $48.8 million, or 26 cents a share in fiscal 2002. The company attributed the results to rising equity markets.

Company shares gained 34 cents to close Monday at $44.81. The stock rose 2.10% to $45.75 in after-market trade.

Nicor Inc. (GAS: chart) of Naperville, Illinois, said Monday its quarterly profit dipped from a year ago, on warmer weather and weak gas distribution business. The gas distributor said it had net income of $35.1 million, or 79 cents a share, in its fourth quarter, compared with year-earlier net income of $39.3 million, or 89 cents a share. Analysts were looking for a profit of 83 cents a share, on average.

The stock dropped 32 cents to $32.80 at market close Monday.

Alcan Inc. (AL: chart) posted Monday fourth-quarter net earnings of $143 million, or 44 cents a share, in contrast to net earnings of $26 million, or 8 cents a share, generated in the year-ago period. The Montreal, Canada-based aluminum maker said profit rise was due to higher metal prices and the company’s cost cutting efforts. Quarterly revenue climbed 13% to $3.51 billion from $3.11 billion.

Alcan shares added 3 cents to close Monday at $43.82.

Aeroflex Incorporated (ARXX: chart) of Plainview, New York, reported Monday bigger quarterly loss as a result of divestment of its thin film interconnect manufacturing business. The company, which makes electronics for the aerospace and defense industries, announced a second-quarter net loss of $2.4 million, or 4 cents per share, against a net loss of $204,000, or nil per share, last year. Aeroflex said sales in the second quarter were $105.7 million.

The stock shed 18 cents on Monday to $15.11. Company shares surged 6.62% to $16.11 in after-hours trading.

Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (CHD: chart) announced Monday fiscal 2003 fourth-quarter net income of $15.9 million, or 37 cents a share, compared with $15.5 million, or 37 cents a share, for the 2002 equivalent. The Princeton, New Jersey-based maker of Arm & Hammer baking soda said its quarterly sales rose 7% to $286.7 million from $268.1 million a year ago, aided by brands acquired from Unilever NV.

Company shares closed Monday down 37 cents, or 0.91%, at $40.31.

InterActiveCorp (IACI: chart), the New York-based multi-brand electronic commerce company, said Monday its fourth-quarter net profit increased 5% to $153 million from $145 million a year earlier, boosted by growth in its travel and television shopping services. Earnings per share were down to 20 cents from 30 cents, due to more shares outstanding. Excluding items, profit came in at 29 cents per share, 6 cents above the mean estimate of analysts.

The stock rose 3.41% on Monday to $33.04.

British Airways Plc (BAB: chart) reported Monday higher quarterly profit, citing the company’s cost cutting efforts. The United Kingdom-based airline said its third-quarter net income was £83 million ($154 million), in contrast to net income of £13 million, for the third quarter in 2002. Quarterly revenue increased to £1.89 billion ($3.52 billion) from £1.86 billion, a year earlier.

BA shares gained 78 cents to $54.47 at market close Monday.

Sharper Image Corp. (SHRP: chart) of San Francisco, California, forecast Monday earnings between 7 cents and 9 cents a share for its first quarter, which would be at the low end of analysts' projections. Analysts expect the personal and home electronics retailer to turn in a profit in the range of 7 cents to 13 cents a share.

The stock slid 3.46% on Monday to $38.50.