Federated Department Stores, Inc. (FD: chart) announced before the bell Wednesday a drop in its quarterly profits, dragged by costs related to debt repurchase. The Cincinnati, Ohio-based U.S. No.1 upscale department store retailer posted net earnings of $78 million, or 43 cents per share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2004, down 35% from net earnings of $120 million, or 64 cents per share, a year earlier. Results were below the average analysts’ estimate of 46 cents per share. Excluding items, the company posted a profit of 63 cents per share for the quarter ended July 31. Quarterly sales inched up 3% to $3.55 billion from $3.45 billion, for the same quarter in 2003. Same-store sales were up 3.3% from last year. For the first half of the year, earnings rose to $175 million, or 96 cents per share, on sales of $7.07 billion, compared with earnings of $166 million, or 88 cents per share, on sales of $6.73 billion, for the first half of 2003.

For its fiscal third quarter, Federated said it expects a profit of 35 cents to 40 cents per share.

Federated shares closed Wednesday down $1.52, or 3.30%, at $44.50.

AnnTaylor Stores Corporation (ANN: chart) posted Wednesday a 43% rise in its quarterly earnings, driven by surging sales. The New York-based women's clothing retailer announced second-quarter profits of $30.2 million, or 41 cents per share, in contrast to $21.2 million, or 30 cents per share, generated in the year-earlier period. The earnings topped by a penny a share the consensus estimate of analysts. Sales in the quarter jumped 21.1% to $472.6 million from $390.2 million, a year ago.

The stock dipped 2.43% on Wednesday to $22.05. Company shares dropped 27 cents to $21.78 in after-hours trading.

ARAMARK Corporation (RMK: chart) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, reported Wednesday that its third-quarter net income tumbled 28% to $64.5 million, or 33 cents a share, from net income of $89.3 million, or 45 cents a share, for the 2003 comparable period. The world’s No.3 food service provider said profit drop was due to the sale of its education resources unit. Quarterly sales advanced 11% to $2.59 billion.

Company shares slipped 3.05% to close Wednesday at $23.50.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF: chart) on Tuesday turned in second-quarter net income of $42.9 million, or 44 cents per share, a 23% increase from net income of $34.8 million, or 35 cents per share, for the corresponding period a year ago. The New Albany, Ohio-based clothing retailer beat by a penny a share the mean analysts’ estimate. The company said results were due to higher sales, which climbed 13% in the quarter to $401.3 million.

The stock inched down 2 cents to $33.46 at market close Tuesday. Company shares plummeted 8.19% to $30.72 in the extended session.

The Walt Disney Company (DIS: chart) posted Tuesday a 20% rise in its third-quarter earnings, driven by strong results at its theme parks and gains from its cable channels. The Burbank, California-based media titan announced net income of $604 million, or 29 cents a share, for its fiscal third quarter, up from $502 million, or 24 cents a share, generated in the 2003 equivalent. The average analysts’ estimate was for a profit of 27 cents a share. Quarterly revenue was up 17% to $7.47 billion from $6.38 billion.

Disney shares rose 2.28% on Tuesday to $22.44. The stock dropped 9 cents to $22.35 in extended-hours trading.

The BISYS Group, Inc. (BSG: chart), the New York-based provider of outsourcing services to financial institutions, reported Tuesday a drop in its quarterly earnings, citing a loss of a big client and restructuring charges. The company posted a fourth-quarter net profit of $18 million, or 15 cents a share, compared with a net profit of $31 million, or 26 cents a share, for the 2003 comparable quarter. Excluding items, earnings were $20.2 million, or 17 cents a share, matching analysts’ expectations.

The stock closed Tuesday at $13.49, up 39 cents, or 2.98%.

Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (CHD: chart) of Princeton, New Jersey, said Tuesday that its second-quarter net income tumbled 21% to $19.6 million, or 45 cents a share, from prior-year net income of $24.6 million, or 59 cents a share, hurt by acquisition-related charges. The maker of household products topped the consensus analysts’ forecast by a penny a share. Quarterly sales increased 13.4% to $431.8 million, aided by acquisitions.

Company shares rose 4.5% to close Tuesday at $44.65.

Hospira, Inc. (HSP: chart) announced Tuesday a net profit of $125.8 million, or 80 cents a share, for its fiscal second quarter, which was its first period as a stand-alone entity. The Lake Forest, Illinois-based hospital products maker, which was spun off from Abbott Laboratories Inc. in April, had earnings of $67.5 million, or 43 cents a share, in the second quarter of 2003. Excluding items, profit came in at 56 cents a share, powering past the mean analysts’ estimate of 34 cents a share.

The stock surged 9.7% to $27.15 at market close Tuesday.