Westar Energy Inc. (WR: chart), an electric utilities company based in Topeka, Kansas, said its second-quarter profit tripled to 38 cents a share from 13 cents a share in the year-ago period, due to improved electric operations and reduced corporate debt.

Revenue surged 7.3 percent to $257.2 million.

Westar shares closed up 1.14 percent at $16.79 on Friday.

Discount retailer Kmart Corp. (KMRT: chart) narrowed its loss in the fiscal first quarter to $1.65 a share from $2.67 a share in the same period last year, when the company was in bankruptcy protection. Revenue dropped 13.9 percent to $6.18 billion.

Shares of Kmart ended the Friday session up 2.4 percent to $24.85.

Bridgestone Corp. (BRDCF.PK), the world’s largest tiremaker, reported a 31 percent jump in profit for the first half of 2003 due to strong sales in Asia and Europe. The Tokyo-based company earned 32 billion yen ($268.6 million) for the first half of this year, up from 24.5 billion yen a year ago. Revenue jumped 1.7 percent to 1.1 trillion yen ($9 billion).

Boots & Coots International Well Control Inc. (WEL: chart), a specialist in oil-related emergencies, such as fire, said that revenue in the second quarter rose 101 percent to $8 million as a result of its work in Iraq. The Houston-based company turned profitable with net income of two cents a share, compared with a net loss of 19 cents a share in the same period last year.

International Bancshares Corp. (IBOC: chart), a multi-bank financial holding company, reported second-quarter earnings of 72 cents a share, up from 60 cents in the prior-year period. The Laredo, Texas company had assets of $6.8 billion as of June 30.

Meadowbrook Insurance Group Inc. (MIG: chart), a specialist in alternative market insurance, said second-quarter earnings rose to eight cents a share from two cents in the year-ago quarter, due to higher fee-for-service revenue. The Southfield, Michigan company said revenue decreased 10.5 percent to $51.5 million.

Softbank Corp. (SFTBF.PK), a Japanese Internet investor, lost 29 billion yen ($244 million) in the fiscal first quarter as it continued to expand its broadband business giving free-trial opportunities to gain market share. Revenue was 103.9 billion yen ($874 million). For the fiscal year ended in March, Softbank lost nearly 100 billion yen on revenue of 407 billion yen.

Radio One Inc. (ROIAK: chart), a radio broadcaster based in Lanham, Maryland, said its second-quarter profit surged 30 percent after the company paid down debt and reduced interest expenses. Net income was 10 cents a share, up from eight cents a year earlier. Broadcast revenue rose 1.1 percent to $92.1 million.

Arch Wireless Inc. (AWIN: chart), a wireless messaging company based in Westborough, Massachusetts, posted a profit of 26 cents a share in the second quarter, up from two cents a share in the same period last year. Revenue more than doubled to $154 million.

Focus Enhancements (FCSE: chart), a video production technology company based in Campbell, California, narrowed its loss in the second quarter to two cents a share from four cents a year earlier, due to the order for the FS454 chip from Microsoft Corp. Revenue fell five percent to $4.3 million. The company is expected to become cash flow positive in the fourth quarter.