Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN: chart) announced after market close Thursday quarterly profits that surged 153% over the year-earlier levels, bolstered by rising sales. The upscale department store operator rolled out earnings of $68.7 million, or 48 cents per share, for its fiscal 2004 first quarter, in contrast to earnings of $27.2 million, or 20 cents per share, in the 2003 corresponding period. Nordstrom said that 2004 results include a charge of $20.8 million, or 8 cents per share, related to retirement of debt during the quarter. First-quarter 2004 earnings glided past analysts’ projections for a profit of 43 cents per share, on average. For the quarter ended May 1, the company recorded sales of $1.5 billion, a 16.6% improvement from $1.3 billion, in the previous year. Comparable-store sales advanced 13.2% from a year ago, surpassing Nordstrom’s forecast of a 4% to 6% gain. Seattle, Washington-based Nordstrom added that it made better use of technology to track sales trends and inventory, which helped boost its revenue.

For the second quarter, Nordstrom said it expects a profit of 70 cents to 74 cents per share, which would beat the consensus analysts’ estimate of 67 cents per share.

Nordstrom shares dropped 3 cents to $37.23 at market close Thursday. The stock rose 4.62% to $38.95 in after-hours trading.

Gap Inc. (GPS: chart) of San Francisco, California, posted after the bell Thursday a 54% increase in its quarterly earnings, aided by higher sales and tight inventory management. The clothing retailer announced a record profit of $312 million, or 32 cents per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 ended May 1. Earnings matched Wall Street’s expectations. For the same quarter a year earlier, Gap had earned $202 million, or 22 cents per share. Net sales for the first quarter climbed 9% to $3.7 billion from year-ago sales of $3.4 billion. Same-store sales were up 7% from last year.

The stock gained 11 cents on Thursday to $22.51. Gap shares slipped 0.49% to $22.40 in after-market trade.

CIENA Corporation (CIEN: chart) reported Wednesday a second-quarter net loss of $76.2 million, or 16 cents a share, compared with a loss of $75.5 million, or 17 cents a share, in the prior-year period. Excluding items, the Linthicum, Maryland-based telecommunications equipment maker posted a loss of 9 cents a share, falling a penny shy of the average analysts’ estimate. CIENA said results were due to weaker-than-expected sales.

CIENA shares plummeted 13.66% to close Thursday at $3.35. The stock inched up 3 cents to $3.38 in extended trading.

Sharper Image Corporation (SHRP: chart) of San Francisco, California, said Thursday that its first-quarter income tripled, on solid revenue growth. The personal and home electronics retailer posted earnings of $2.1 million, or 13 cents a share, in the first quarter, against earnings of $700,000, or 5 cents a share, generated last year. Results were a penny above the mean estimate of analysts. Quarterly revenue jumped 34% to $156.4 million, from $116.3 million a year ago, helped by strong Internet and catalog sales.

The stock dipped 4.04% on Thursday to $26.60. Company shares recovered 70 cents to $27.30 in after-hours trading.

Navistar International Corporation (NAV: chart) announced Thursday that it swung to a net profit of $41 million, or 54 cents a share, in its fiscal second quarter, reversing from a net loss of $14 million, or 21 cents a share, in the 2003 equivalent. The Warrenville, Illinois-based manufacturer of trucks, diesel engines and school buses attributed the turnaround to improving sales. However, second-quarter earnings fell short of the average analysts’ forecast of 59 cents a share.

Navistar shares tumbled 15.54% to close Thursday at $33.96. The stock shed 28 cents to $33.68 in after-market trade.

Claire's Stores, Inc. (CLE: chart) of Pembroke Pines, Florida, on Thursday turned in net income of $27.7 million, or 28 cents per share, for its fiscal first quarter, up from year-earlier net income of $15.6 million, or 16 cents per share. The specialty retailer of fashion accessories beat by 4 cents a share the mean estimate of analysts. The company said results were due to improved merchandising and higher sales.

The stock closed Thursday up 26 cents, or 1.35%, at $19.50.

The Wet Seal, Inc. (WTSLA: chart) posted Thursday a bigger quarterly loss, hurt by a drop in sales. The Foothill Ranch, California-based women’s clothing retailer reported a first-quarter loss of $20.3 million, or 68 cents per share, compared with a loss of $8.5 million, or 29 cents per share, in the comparable quarter a year ago. Excluding discontinued operations, first-quarter loss totaled 53 cents a share, while analysts’ mean estimate was for a loss of 56 cents a share. Sales from continuing operations dropped to $99.8 million, from $120.2 million last year, with same-store sales diving 17.2%.

Company shares dropped 5 cents to $5.93 at market close Thursday. The stock slid 2.19% to $5.80 in after-hours trading.

SERENA Software, Inc. (SRNA: chart) of San Mateo, California, said Thursday that it had a net loss of $4.3 million, or 11 cents a share, in its fiscal first quarter, in contrast to a year-ago net profit of $5.8 million, or 14 cents a share. The business software maker cited acquisition-related charges as main factor for the loss. Excluding items, Serena delivered a profit of 24 cents a share in the quarter, up from 17 cents a share last year. Analysts were looking for a profit before items of 20 cents a share, on average.

The stock shed 27 cents on Thursday to $16.78. Serena shares rocketed up 15.61% to $19.40 in extended trading.

Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL: chart) reported Thursday a 59% increase in its quarterly earnings, driven by strong performance in its specialty foods division. The Austin, Minnesota-based meat-processor posted second-quarter income of $53.7 million, or 38 cents per share, compared with income of $33.8 million, or 24 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2003. Earnings were 5 cents a share ahead of analysts’ expectations. Hormel said the popularity of low-carbohydrate diets helped boost the results.

Hormel shares inched up 2 cents to close Thursday at $30.57.

CBRL Group, Inc. (CBRL: chart) of Lebanon, Tennessee, announced Thursday third-quarter net earnings of $26.2 million, or 52 cents per share, up from net earnings of $23.4 million, or 46 cents per share, last year. The restaurant operator attributed the profit increase to higher prices. Results missed by a penny a share the average forecast of analysts. Quarterly sales were up 11% to $584.3 million.