IBM
The technology giant managed a 9 percent increase in profit in the past quarter as revenue grew for the first time in a year and a half.
It also offered a slightly better forecast for 2010, although IBM already had been telling investors it was “well ahead” of the pace it would have needed to reach its previous target. IBM shares dipped in extended trading. IBM said it earned $4.8 billion, or $3.59 a share, in the last three months of 2009, up from $4.4 billion, or $3.27 a share, a year earlier.
Charles Schwab
Profit fell 47 percent in the fourth quarter as a result of a drop in trading revenue, low interest rates and waivers on management fees.
For the three months ending Dec. 31, the firm earned $164 million, or 14 cents a share. That compared with $308 million, or 27 cents a share, for the same period a year ago. Quarterly revenue was $986 million, down 23 percent from $1.28 billion the same time last year.
TD Ameritrade
Lower interest rates and higher expenses contributed to a 26 percent drop in its first- quarter profit.
Ameritrade reported it earned $136.2 million, or 23 cents a share, for the three months ended Dec. 31. That’s down from $184.4 million, or 31 cents a share, a year ago. Analysts expected earnings per share of 26 cents. The brokerage said its revenue grew about 2 percent to $624.6 million.
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