Toys ''R'' Us, Inc. (TOY: chart) announced before the bell Wednesday a 48% decrease in its quarterly profit, citing charges for the closure of Kids ''R'' Us and Imaginarium stores as main factor for the drop. The Wayne, New Jersey-based second-largest toy retailer in the U.S. reported net earnings of $144 million, or 67 cents a share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, in contrast to net earnings of $278 million, or $1.30 a share, in the prior-year period. Excluding extraordinary items, the company posted a profit of $234 million, or $1.08 a share, for the quarter ended January 31, beating by 3 cents a share the consensus estimate of analysts. Toys ''R'' Us said sales climbed 1.4% to $4.94 billion in the quarter, from $4.87 billion a year ago, due primarily to favorable exchange rates. For the full fiscal year, the company posted net income of $88 million, or 41 cents a share, down 62% from net income of $229 million, or $1.09 a share, in fiscal 2002. Sales were up 2.3% to $11.57 billion, in 2003, from $11.31 billion a year earlier.

Company shares surged 7.12% to $16.39 at market close Wednesday. The stock added 11 cents to $16.50 in after-hours trading.

AutoZone, Inc. (AZO: chart) of Memphis, Tennessee, said before market open Wednesday that its second-quarter net earnings jumped 16% to $91.7 million, or $1.04 a share, from a net profit of $79.3 million, or 79 cents a share, generated in the year-earlier period. The U.S. No.1 auto-parts chain credited its stock-buyback program for the results. AutoZone recorded sales of $1.16 billion in the quarter, up 3.4% from $1.12 billion a year ago, due in large part to rising sales to service chains and mechanics.

The stock plunged 5.38% on Wednesday to $83.64. AutoZone shares inched up 3 cents to $83.67 in after-market trade.

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST: chart) posted Wednesday a 25% rise in its quarterly earnings, boosted by strong revenue growth. The Issaquah, Washington-based U.S. largest wholesale club operator turned in net income of $226.8 million, or 48 cents a share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2004, in contrast to net income of $182.1 million, or 39 cents a share, in the same period last year. Analysts had called for a profit of 47 cents per share, on average. Quarterly revenue advanced 14% to $11.6 billion, from $10.1 billion a year earlier, aided by the weak dollar.

Costco shares dipped 3.53% to close Wednesday at $38.31. The stock recovered 9 cents to $38.40 in after-hours trading.

Biovail Corporation (BVF: chart) reported Wednesday that it narrowed its fourth-quarter net loss to $96.0 million, or 60 cents a share, from a net loss of $102.8 million, or 65 cents a share, in the corresponding period a year earlier, helped by gains from a reduction in effective tax rate and the release of a tax reserve The Canada-based pharmaceutical company said earnings before items came in at 27 cents a share, a penny short of the mean estimate of analysts.

The stock plummeted 10.45% to $18.60 at market close Wednesday. Biovail gained 30 cents to $18.90 in after-market trade.

The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. (NMGA: chart) of Dallas, Texas, announced Wednesday that its quarterly earnings soared 82%, driven by stronger sales. The upscale department-store chain rolled out net income of $59.2 million, or $1.21 a share, for its fiscal second quarter, compared with net income of $32.5 million, or 68 cents a share, in the prior-year equivalent. Excluding items, earnings were $1.06 a share, ahead of analysts’ projections for a profit of $1.03 a share. Second-quarter revenue improved 12% to $1.05 billion, from $938.5 million last year.

Company shares closed Wednesday down 12 cents, or 0.21%, at $56.99.

Saks Incorporated (SKS: chart) said Wednesday that it earned $81.8 million, or 57 cents a share, in its fourth quarter, a 20% increase from a year-earlier profit of $68.1 million, or 47 cents a share. The Birmingham, Alabama-based department store operator attributed the results to improved gross margin and higher sales, which rose 7.1% to $1.97 billion, from $1.84 billion a year ago. Analysts had forecast fourth-quarter sales of $1.94 billion.

The stock shed 20 cents on Wednesday to $17.39.

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (LGND: chart) of San Diego, California, reported Wednesday that it swung to a profit in its fourth quarter, on strong demand for its Ontak cancer drug and Avinza painkiller. The drug maker announced a net profit of $5.9 million, or 8 cents a share, for the fourth quarter, reversing from a prior-year loss of $6.7 million, or 9 cents a share. Excluding items, profit was 10 cents a share, well above the average analysts’ estimate of 3 cents a share.

Ligand shares jumped 12.97% to close Wednesday at $18.29. The stock inched down 4 cents to $18.25 in after-market trade.

eFunds Corporation (EFD: chart) posted Wednesday higher quarterly earnings, helped by cost reductions and a lower tax rate. The Scottsdale, Arizona-based provider of transaction processing and risk management services said it had net earnings of $10.1 million, or 21 cents a share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, in contrast to $881,000, or 2 cents a share, earned in the year-ago quarter.

The stock rose 4.70% on Wednesday to $17.60. Company shares dropped 3 cents to $17.57 in after-hours trading.

Genesco Inc. (GCO: chart) of Nashville, Tennessee, announced Wednesday a higher profit of $16.9 million, or 77 cents a share, for its fourth quarter, compared with a profit of $14 million, or 55 cents a share, last year. The footwear retailer said it benefited from a tax gain and less-than-expected price cutting. Sales advanced to $253 million in the fourth quarter, from $250 million a year earlier.

Genesco shares surged 9.36% to close Wednesday at $22.56. The stock shed 3 cents to $22.53 in after-market trade.

Deb Shops, Inc. (DEBS: chart) on Wednesday revised upward its quarterly earnings guidance. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based teen apparel retailer said it now expects a profit of 61 cents to 63 cents a share for its fourth quarter. This compares to the company’s earlier outlook for earnings of 40 cents to 50 cents a share.

The stock closed Wednesday at $25.77, up $2.67, or 11.55%.