The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (IPG: chart) posted before market open Friday a quarterly loss that nearly doubled from last year, dragged by restructuring charges. The world's second-largest advertising conglomerate announced a net loss of $16.9 million, or 5 cents a share, for its fiscal 2004 first quarter, in contrast to a net loss of $8.6 million, or 2 cents a share, in the year-ago period. New York-based Interpublic said results included a $70.2 million restructuring charge and $8.8 million in charges related to investment and asset impairment. The consensus estimate of analysts was for a loss of 1 cent a share. For the quarter ended March 31, revenue climbed 6% to $1.4 billion, from $1.32 billion, in the first quarter of 2003. International revenue advanced 9.2% to $576.7 million in the quarter, while U.S. revenue was up 3.9% to $818.4 million. Organic revenue slipped 0.6%, compared to a 6% drop last year.

Interpublic shares were down 1.22% to $15.35 at market close Friday.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRKA: chart) of Omaha, Nebraska, said Friday that its first-quarter net income dropped 10% to $1.55 billion, or $1,008 per Class A share, from net income of $1.73 billion, or $1,127 per share, for the corresponding period of 2003. The investment holding company run by billionaire Warren Buffett cited lower investment income and strong pricing pressures in its reinsurance business as main factors for the profit drop. Quarterly revenue soared 51% to $17.18 billion.

The stock closed Friday down $101.00, or 0.11%, at $91,400.

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. (MSO: chart) reported before the bell Friday a wider quarterly loss, hurt by a decline in advertising revenue. The New York-based media and merchandising company posted a net loss of $20.3 million, or 41 cents a share, for its fiscal first quarter, compared with a loss of $4.5 million, or 9 cents a share, for the 2003 equivalent. Excluding items, the company reported a loss of 22 cents a share, 2 cents a share shy of the average analysts’ estimate. Revenue eased to $44.5 million in the quarter, from $58 million a year earlier.

Company shares plunged 6.29% on Friday to $9.09.

FirstEnergy Corp. (FE: chart) of Akron, Ohio, announced Friday first-quarter net income of $174 million, or 53 cents a share, a 20% decrease from net income of $218.5 million, or 74 cents a share, in the comparable period of 2003, when results reflected a gain from an accounting change. Quarterly revenue was down to $3.18 billion from $3.22 billion, last year. The power company said higher expenses and milder weather also affected the results.

The stock slipped 2.41% to close Friday at $37.60.

Edison International (EIX: chart) announced Friday that its quarterly earnings rose from a year ago, aided by strength in its power producing unit and a gain from the sale of its stake in Four Star Oil & Gas. The Rosemead, California-based energy company turned in a first-quarter net profit of $97 million, or 30 cents per share, compared with a net profit of $57 million, or 17 cents per share, in the prior-year quarter. Earnings before items came in at 21 cents per share, a penny ahead of the mean analysts’ forecast.

Edison shares dipped 2.85% to $22.50 at market close Friday. The stock inched up 4 cents to $22.54 in after-market trade.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (PNW: chart) of Phoenix, Arizona, said Friday that it had net income of $30.2 million, or 33 cents a share, in its first quarter, up 19% from year-earlier net income of $25.3 million, or 28 cents a share. The utility company recorded revenue of $574.4 million in the quarter, from $552.6 million a year ago. Pinnacle West said it benefited from an increase in customers and favorable weather conditions.

The stock was down 1.86% on Friday to $38.00. Company shares gained a penny to $38.01 in after-hours trading.

ATA Holdings Corp. (ATAH: chart) reported Friday a wider quarterly loss, due to a charge from bond debt restructuring. The Indianapolis, Indiana-based parent company of ATA Airlines Inc. posted a net loss of $64.7 million, or $5.47 per share, for its first quarter, against a loss of $11.4 million, or 97 cents per share, for the same period in 2003. ATA also blamed higher fuel prices and severe competition on east-west routes for the results. Quarterly revenue climbed 4% to $387 million.

ATA shares dived 4.82% to close Friday at $7.50.

NTT DoCoMo, Inc. (DCM: chart) posted Friday 2004 full-year profits that more than tripled from last year, boosted by subscriber growth to its third-generation mobile phone service, called FOMA. The Japanese mobile phone operator rolled out group net earnings of 650 billion yen ($5.9 billion) for its fiscal 2004, in contrast to net earnings of 212.5 billion yen, generated a year ago. Revenue climbed 5% to 50.48 trillion yen ($458 billion).

The stock plummeted 9.41% on Friday to $18.00.

Ballard Power Systems Inc. (BLDP: chart) of Burnaby, Canada, said Friday that its first-quarter net loss widened to $37.2 million, or 31 cents per share, from a prior-year loss of $22.5 million, or 19 cents per share. The fuel-cell technology company recorded revenue of $16 million in the first quarter, against $33.1 million a year earlier. Ballard attributed the results to a decline in engineering service revenue and unfavorable foreign exchange rates.

Ballard shares skidded 4.76% to close Friday at $9.81. The stock dropped a penny to $9.80 in after-market trade.

Sanders Morris Harris Group Inc. (SMHG: chart) announced Friday that its quarterly earnings more than doubled, helped by strong performance in its investment banking and asset management units. The Houston, Texas-based financial services firm reported first-quarter net income of $3.3 million, or 18 cents a share, compared with net income of $1.2 million, or 7 cents a share, last year. Revenue surged 43% to $29.8 million in the first quarter.

The stock closed Friday at $13.53, down 39 cents, or 2.80%. Company shares recovered 7 cents to $13.60 in after-hours trading.