EARNINGS

At a Glance

Other earnings, excluding one-time gains or charges unless noted:

* A.G. Edwards Inc. said fiscal second-quarter profit fell 6.4% to $77 million, or 93 cents a share, as revenue from investment banking fell 27% to $41 million and expenses grew. Revenue from trading commissions rose 4.5% to $325 million, and asset management fees grew 22% to $57.8 million.

* Darden Restaurants Inc., owner of more than 1,000 Red Lobster and Olive Garden restaurants, said fiscal first-quarter profit rose 20% to $56.9 million, or 46 cents a share, led by business in its Olive Garden restaurants. The results beat forecasts of 41 cents. Sales rose 9.6% to $1.02 billion.

* FedEx Corp. said fiscal first-quarter profit rose a better-than-forecast 6.3% to $169 million, or 58 cents a share, on higher international demand and a rebound in U.S. shipments. It said revenue increased 11% to $4.78 billion. Analysts had expected earnings of 54 cents, according to First Call/Thomson Financial. The company imposed two rate increases earlier this year to cover rising fuel expenses.

* Hain Celestial Group Inc. said earnings rose 21% to $5.7 million, or 18 cents, in its fiscal fourth quarter, 2 cents better than analysts expected. Sales rose 6.4% to $87 million, led by its Westsoy soy milk, Terra brand vegetable chips and Earth’s Best baby foods. Sales of Health Valley brands rose for the first time in many years, by 7%. The report sent shares in Uniondale, N.Y.-based Hain up $4.81, or 17%, to close at $32.31 in heavy trading on Nasdaq.

* Interstate Bakeries Corp., the maker of Hostess Twinkies, said fiscal first-quarter earnings fell 19% to $26.9 million, or 41 cents a share, because of higher fuel prices and operational problems. Sales edged up 1.3% to $819.7 million. Analysts expected earnings of 44 cents.