Bear, Stearns & Cos.’ first-quarter profit fell...

Bear, Stearns & Cos.’ first-quarter profit fell 24% from a year ago to $20.5 million. Revenue inched up 2% to $471.9 million. The New York brokerage said the results reflect a decline in commission revenue cause by lackluster market volume during the period. Charles Schwab Corp.’s third-quarter net income dropped 77% to $2.7 million. Revenue fell 16% to $98 million. The San Francisco discount broker, the nation’s largest, attributed the results primarily to reduced retail investor participation in the stock market.