Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO: chart) reported Wednesday that its quarterly earnings more than doubled from a year ago, bolstered by strong advertising and recent acquisitions. The Sunnyvale, California-based online media company said it had a net profit of $101 million, or 14 cents a share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2004, compared with a net profit of $47 million, or 8 cents a share, in the 2003 corresponding period. Results outpaced the consensus analysts’ estimate of 11 cents per share. Yahoo recorded total revenue of $758 million in the first quarter ended March 31, up from $283 million in the year-earlier period. The company said the revenue growth was driven by its acquisition of Web-search advertising provider Overture Services Inc. Excluding traffic acquisition costs, revenue came in at $550 million, ahead of analysts’ projections of $501 million. Boosted by the improved results, Yahoo announced a two-for-one stock split, effective May 11.

Looking ahead, Yahoo said it expects revenue, excluding traffic acquisition costs, of $580 million to $615 million in the second quarter.

Yahoo shares dropped 42 cents to close Wednesday at $48.35. The stock surged 9.91% to $53.14 in after-hours trading.

Research In Motion Limited (RIMM: chart) announced Wednesday that it swung to a quarterly profit, citing strong sales. The Waterloo, Canada-based developer of hand-held devices turned in net income of $41.5 million, or 46 cents a share, for its fourth quarter, rebounding from a prior-year loss of $12.6 million, or 16 cents a share. Excluding items, earnings were $50.2 million, or 56 cents per share, beating the average analysts’ estimate of 50 cents per share. Quarterly revenue more than doubled to $210.6 million from $87.5 million, driven by strong demand for RIM’s flagship BlackBerry wireless device.

The stock slipped 1.64% on Wednesday to $107.98. RIM shares shed $1.50 to $106.48 in after-market trade.

Genentech, Inc. (DNA: chart) of South San Francisco, California, posted after the bell Wednesday higher quarterly earnings, due to solid revenue growth. The world’s No.2 biotechnology company said it earned $176.6 million, or 33 cents per share, in the first quarter, in contrast to net income of $151.5 million, or 29 cents per share, in the same period last year. First-quarter revenue jumped 30% to $975.1 million, from $749.7 million a year ago, helped by strong sales of the company’s two leading cancer drugs, Rituxan and Herceptin, as well as its newest drug Avastin.

Genentech shares fell $1.70 to $108.45 at market close Wednesday. The stock rose 2.86% to $111.55 in after-hours trading.

Constellation Brands, Inc. (STZ: chart), the Fairport, New York-based alcohol company, said Wednesday that it had a profit of $63 million, or 55 cents per share, in its fourth quarter, up 21% from $52 million, or 56 cents per share, in the comparable period a year ago. Results topped by a penny analysts’ projections. The company attributed the profit increase to the 35% rise in sales.

The stock gained 18 cents on Wednesday to $33.44. Company shares inched down 4 cents to $33.40 in after-market trade.

Metron Technology N.V. (MTCH: chart) reported Wednesday a smaller third-quarter net loss of $4.1 million, or 33 cents a share, compared with a year-earlier net loss of $7.5 million, or 59 cents a share. The San Jose, California-based provider of outsource solutions for the semiconductor industry said results were aided by strong revenue, which advanced to $52.7 million from $44.0 million, last year.

Metron shares rose 4.35% to close Wednesday at $3.12. The stock added 13 cents to $3.25 in after-hours trading.

Laidlaw International, Inc. (LI: chart) of Naperville, Illinois, announced Wednesday that its quarterly earnings tumbled, hurt by higher interest expense. The transportation holding company posted net income of $600,000, or a penny a share, for the second quarter, down from net income of $16.2 million, or 5 cents a share, in the 2003 equivalent. Analysts were looking for a profit of 12 cents a share, on average.

The stock closed Wednesday down 4 cents, or 0.27%, at $14.65.

Quidel Corporation (QDEL: chart) said Wednesday that its quarterly profit will fall short of Wall Street’s estimates, due to weaker-than-expected sales of its upper respiratory products. The San Diego, California-based provider of diagnostic tests projected first-quarter earnings of 1 cent a share on sales of $19.7 million. Analysts forecast earnings of 2 cents a share on sales of $28 million, for the first quarter.

Quidel shares shed 57 cents to close Wednesday at $6.93. The stock plummeted 11.69% to $6.12 in after-market trade.

Biosite Incorporated (BSTE: chart) of San Diego, California, lifted Wednesday its first-quarter profit target to a range of 48 cents to 56 cents per share, from its prior outlook of 33 cents to 41 cents per share. The maker of of diagnostic tests said it expects sales of $56 million to $57 million in the quarter. Biosite had previously forecast sales of $48 million to $51 million.

The stock soared 6.03% on Wednesday to $39.89. Biosite shares gained $2.01 to $41.90 in after-hours trading.

The Bombay Company, Inc. (BBA: chart) announced Wednesday that its first-quarter loss will be at the high end of the previously estimated range of 8 cents to 11 cents a share, due to weaker-than-expected sales. Analysts currently expect the home furnishings retailer to post a loss of 9 cents a share. Fort Worth, Texas-based Bombay added that same-store sales dipped 6% in the quarter.

Bombay shares closed Wednesday at $7.84, up 4 cents, or 0.51%.

Christopher & Banks Corporation (CBK: chart) of Plymouth, Minnesota, posted Wednesday fourth-quarter net income of $8.3 million, or 22 cents per share, down from net income of $10.5 million, or 27 cents per share, in the year-ago period. The women's apparel retailer blamed the results on the 9% drop in same-store sales. Quarterly earnings were a penny ahead of the mean estimate of analysts.