The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB: chart) announced before the bell Thursday that it swung to a quarterly profit from a year-earlier loss, aided by cost reductions and lower losses in its power business. The Tulsa, Oklahoma-based natural-gas company turned in net income of $9.9 million, or 2 cents a share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2004, rebounding from a net loss of $814.5 million, or $1.59 a share, in the comparable period last year. Year-ago results reflected an accounting charge of $760 million. The company said income from continuing operations was $5.4 million, or a penny a share, for the quarter ended March 31, in contrast to a loss of $39.3 million, or 9 cents a share, for the 2003 equivalent. Analysts had called for a first-quarter operating profit of 8 cents a share, on average. The company’s power business posted a loss of $32.7 million for the first quarter, compared with a loss of $136 million a year ago. Profits at the midstream business, which provides natural gas gathering, processing and other services, rose to $117.7 million, from $116.2 million a year earlier. Quarterly revenue fell 36% to $3.11 billion from $4.83 billion.

Company shares dipped 1.74% to $10.75 at market close Thursday.

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA: chart) reported Thursday higher quarterly results, citing strength in its core business. The Santa Clara, California-based maker of graphics chips and boards said it earned $21.3 million, or 12 cents a share, in its first quarter, up from a profit of $19.7 million, or 12 cents a share, in the year-ago quarter. Results beat by 2 cents a share the mean estimate of analysts. Nvidia recorded revenue of $471.9 million in the first quarter, compared to $405.0 million, last year.

The stock gained 18 cents to close Thursday at $21.91. Nvidia shares rose 2.69% to $22.50 in after-market trade.

Calpine Corporation (CPN: chart) of San Jose, California, posted Thursday a wider first-quarter net loss of $71.2 million, or 17 cents a share, compared with a loss of $52 million, or 14 cents a share, in the 2003 equivalent. The power company blamed mild weather and increased costs for the results. Revenue eased 6% in the first quarter to $2.04 billion, from $2.17 billion for the same period of fiscal 2003.

Calpine shares plunged 6.02% on Thursday to $3.90.

CMS Energy Corporation (CMS: chart) announced Thursday a first-quarter net loss of $11 million, or 7 cents a share, in contrast to a profit of $82 million, or 52 cents a share, in the prior-year period. The Jackson, Michigan-based energy holding company said results were due to a charge related to the sale of its Loy Yang power plant and coal mine in Australia. Operating revenues were down to $1.75 billion in the first quarter from $1.97 billion, a year ago.

The stock inched up 2 cents to close Thursday at $8.56. CMS shares added 4 cents to $8.60 in after-hours trading.

EchoStar Communications Corporation (DISH: chart) of Englewood, Colorado, posted Thursday a quarterly loss, hurt by charges. The satellite television operator said it lost $43 million, or 9 cents a share, in the first quarter, compared with a net profit of $58 million, or 12 cents a share, last year. The company reported first-quarter revenue of $1.58 billion, a 16% rise from $1.36 billion, a year earlier, boosted by subscriber growth.

EchoStar shares dived 5.95% on Thursday to $32.25.

The Clorox Company (CLX: chart) reported Thursday that its third-quarter net earnings rose 14% to $126 million, or 59 cents a share, from year-ago net earnings of $110 million, or 50 cents a share. The Oakland, California-based maker of household products said strong demand drove the results. Sales were up 7% to $1.09 billion in the quarter. Analysts were looking for a profit of 56 cents a share, on revenue of $1.06 billion.

The stock closed Thursday down 42 cents, or 0.80%, at $51.90.

Pixar Animation Studios (PIXR: chart) of Emeryville, California, said Thursday that its quarterly income more than tripled, driven by strong home video sales of its latest movie 'Finding Nemo”. The digital animation studio rolled out a net profit of $26.7 million, or 46 cents per share, for its fiscal first quarter, compared with a net profit of $8.2 million, or 15 cents per share, in the year-earlier quarter. Results were well above analysts’ expectations for a profit of 39 cents per share. Revenue soared to $53.8 million in the quarter, from $18.7 million in 2003.

Pixar shares dropped 19 cents to close Thursday at $66.06. The stock slipped 1.60% to $65.00 in after-market trade.

King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (KG: chart) announced Thursday that its first-quarter loss widened to $111 million, or 46 cents a share, from a prior-year loss of $7.2 million, or 3 cents a share. The Bristol, Tennessee-based drug maker cited weak sales as main factor for the increased loss. Excluding items, King posted earnings of 11 cents a share, down from 34 cents a share, last year. The consensus analysts’ estimate was for a first-quarter profit before items of 33 cents a share.

The stock plummeted 13.11% to $14.72 at market close Thursday. King shares shed 7 cents to $14.65 in after-hours trading.