Xerox Corporation (XRX: chart) announced before market open Friday quarterly profits that more than doubled from last year, driven by rising demand for its digital copiers and printers. The Stamford, Connecticut-based technology and services enterprise rolled out net earnings of $208 million, or 21 cents per share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2004, compared with net earnings of $86 million, or 9 cents per share, for the corresponding period in 2003. Results outpaced the average analysts’ estimate for a profit of 17 cents per share. Xerox said its cost-cutting initiatives also helped boost its earnings. For the quarter ended June 30, the company reported revenue of $3.85 billion, a 2% drop from a year ago, due to weak results in Latin America and lower sales of older light-lens technology. Analysts were expecting revenue of $3.96 billion in the quarter. For the first six months of the year, Xerox posted net income of $456 million, or 46 cents per share, against net income of $21 million, or less than a penny per share, for the first half in 2003.

For the full fiscal year, the company lifted its earnings guidance to between 80 cents and 84 cents a share, from a previous outlook of 67 cents to 72 cents a share.

Xerox shares rose 3.68% to close Friday at $13.80. The stock added 5 cents to $13.85 in after-hours trading.

LaBranche & Co Inc. (LAB: chart), the New York-based specialist on the New York Stock Exchange, said Friday that it swung to a quarterly loss from a prior-year profit, hurt by charges and declines in principal transaction gains and commissions. The company announced a net loss of $25.6 million, or 43 cents per share, for its second quarter, in contrast to a net profit of $10.6 million, or 18 cents per share, last year. Excluding items, LaBranche posted earnings of 2 cents per share for the quarter, falling short of the mean analysts’ estimate of 6 cents per share. Quarterly revenue climbed 3.7% to $90.7 million.

The stock inched up 4 cents on Friday to $8.00.

Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (CCU: chart) of San Antonio, Texas, posted Friday second-quarter net income of $254 million, or 41 cents per share, up 1% from net income of $251 million, or 41 cents per share, a year ago, when results included a one-time gain of 4 cents per share. The media company matched Wall Street’s forecasts. Revenue in the quarter edged up 7% to $2.48 billion from $2.32 billion, a year earlier.

Company shares shed 32 cents to $35.41 at market close Friday.

Maytag Corporation (MYG: chart) reported Friday a net loss of $41.1 million, or 52 cents a share, for the second quarter of 2004, against a profit of $25.2 million, or 32 cents a share, in the prior-year equivalent. The Newton, Iowa-based No.3 U.S. maker of home appliances cited restructuring and litigation charges, and a decline in sales as main factors for the loss. Excluding unusual items, Maytag said it had a profit of 9 cents a share in the second quarter. Analysts were looking for earnings of 40 cents a share.

The stock plunged 9.73% to close Friday at $19.21.

Fortune Brands, Inc. (FO: chart) of Lincolnshire, Illinois, announced Friday that its quarterly net earnings slipped from a year ago, hurt by restructuring charges. The consumer brands company said that it earned $167.8 million, or $1.11 a share, in the second quarter, down from $176.7 million, or $1.18 a share, generated in the 2003 comparable period. However, adjusted earnings in the quarter jumped to $1.28 a share from $1.03 a share a year earlier, boosted by rising sales. The consensus estimate of analysts was for a profit before items of $1.25 a share. Quarterly sales advanced to $1.89 billion from $1.58 billion, last year.

Company shares closed Friday up 90 cents, or 1.26%, at $72.05.

Ryder System, Inc. (R: chart) on Friday turned in net income of $63.6 million, or 97 cents a share, for its fiscal second quarter, an 83% surge from net income of $34.7 million, or 55 cents a share, in the 2003 corresponding quarter. The Miami, Florida-based provider of transportation and supply chain management services recorded revenue of $1.27 billion in the quarter, up 6% from a year ago. Ryder attributed the results to strength in its fleet management business, acquisitions and favorable currency exchange rates.

The stock edged up 60 cents to $40.45 at market close Friday.

Weyerhaeuser Company (WY: chart) of Federal Way, Washington, reported Friday a huge jump in its quarterly earnings, aided by rising prices for wood products. The forest product company announced second-quarter net income of $369 million, or $1.57 a share, in contrast to net income of $157 million, or 71 cents a share, in the same period a year ago. Excluding items, earnings totaled $1.67 per share, blasting past Wall Street’s average view of $1.13 per share. Quarterly revenue soared to $5.89 billion from $4.93 billion, in 2003.

Company shares gained $1.32 on Friday to $59.98.

Halliburton Company (HAL: chart) posted Friday a loss of $663 million, or $1.51 per share, for its fiscal second quarter, against a profit of $26 million, or 6 cents per share, a year earlier. The Houston, Texas-based provider of oil-field services said results were dragged by charges related to a deep-water oil project and asbestos litigation. Excluding items, the company posted a profit of 34 cents per share, a penny ahead of analysts’ projections.

The stock dropped 49 cents to close Friday at $30.55.

Schlumberger Limited (SLB: chart), the New York-based oil-field services company, said Friday that its second-quarter net profits more than tripled to $355.6 million, or 59 cents a share, from prior-year net profits of $112.1 million, or 19 cents a share. The company said results were due to higher revenue, which rose 12% to $2.88 billion. On operating basis, second-quarter earnings before items were 48 cents a share, a penny shy of Wall Street’s expectations.

Company shares closed Friday at $63.01, down $1.25, or 1.95%.