Masco’s, (MAS: chart), income from continuing operations gained 2.2% to 34 cents a share as sales from continuing operations climbed 6%. Excluding impairment charges, earnings were 50 cents a share, compared to 54 cents a share in the same quarter the prior year, in line with analyst estimate. The company announced that its results benefited from a strong construction market, which more than offset rising costs.

Playboy Enterprises Inc, (PLA: chart), media firm, reported Q4 net income of 14 cents a share, down 68% from 43 cents a share in the year-earlier period, which included a $5.6 million insurance recovery, missing analyst estimate for earnings of 18 cents a share. Revenue advanced 2% to $91 million and licensing segment income advanced nearly 90%, but, as anticipated, was more than offset by a $4.1 million decline in publishing group results.

Transocean Inc, (RIG: chart), offshore and inland marine contract drilling services company, reported Q4 earnings of 45 cents a share, swinging from a loss of 23 cents a share a year-ago on revenue growth, missing the analyst mark for a profit of 48 cents a share. The year-ago results incorporate a loss of 9 cents a share, from the company''s TODCO disposition and a loss of 15 cents a share, related to early debt retirement.

Inco Ltd, (N: chart), miner of nickel and copper, reported that Q4 earnings advanced 4% to $1.06 a share, up from $1.08 in the year-ago quarter despite 3.4% lower sales net.. Excluding special items, Q4 earnings were 76 cents against $1.21, beating analyst estimate of 62 cents a share.

Jakks Pacific Inc, (JAKK: chart), designer of toys, writing instruments and other consumer products, reported that Q4 net income declined 14% to 30 cents a share, from 35 cents a share in the year-ago period on 10% lower sales. If not for the repatriation of $175 million of profit from its overseas subsidiaries, Jakks earned 53 cents a share. Sales declined to $166.3 million from $184.8 million.

Macerich Co, (MAC: chart), real estate investment trust, reported that Q4 funds from operations advanced 17.8% to $1.32 a share. Quarterly net income available to common stock holders dropped 21.3% to 39 cents a share, with revenue before impairments from the disposal of long-lived assets climbing 36%. The company attributed the FFO growth to high occupancy levels and leasing activity.

Omnicom Group Inc, (OMC: chart), advertising company, reported that Q4 net income increased 7% to $1.41 a share on 5% revenue growth, in line with forecasts from analysts. The company announced that growth was particularly strong in the domestic market, where revenue climbed 9% to $1.58 billion. International revenue grew 1%.

Qwest Communications, (Q: chart), communications services provider, reported a Q4 loss of 28 cents a share, down from a year-ago loss of 8 cents a share, missing analyst estimate for a loss of 5 cents a share. If not for special items, such as restructuring charges and a loss related to debt extinguishment, the company posted a loss of $8 million for Q4, breaking even on a per share basis. Revenue slipped 0.7% in Q4.

Waste Management Inc, (WMI: chart), hauler, reported Q4 net income of 52 cents a share, up 8% from 47 cents a share in the year-earlier quarter on revenue growth. Adjusted net income came to 46 cents a share, up from 39 cents a share, topping analyst view of 40 cents a share.

Jarden Corp., (JAH: chart), maker of camping gear, reported Q4 income of 4 cents a share, reversing from a loss of 8 cents a share. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted net income came to 50 cents a share for Q4 of 2005, missing analysts’ forecasts of 52 cents a share.

Natural Resource Partners L.P, (NRP: chart), owner and manager of coal properties in the USA, reported Q4 earnings of 91 cents per unit, up from a profit of 50 cents per unit a year-ago on 35% revenue growth. Coal production rose 21% in Q4 to 2.4 million tons.