(By Salman - iStockAnalyst Writer)

Late on Monday, Aflac Inc. (NYSE: AFL) announced that fourth-quarter net income plunged 48% to $197 million, or 42 cents a share, from $382 million, or 78 cents a share in the same quarter, a year ago. Operating profit, which excludes investment gains and losses and foreign currency exchanges, jumped 20% to $458 million from $382 million a year ago in the comparable quarter, a year ago. Quarterly revenue grew 6% to $4.3 billion $4 billion. Chairman and CEO said in a statement "It certainly proved to be a more challenging year than we anticipated due to continued economic deterioration,” He added “Even though we did not meet our annual sales objectives for Aflac Japan or Aflac U.S. in 2008, we continued to build on the strong foundations of our insurance operations. In Japan, we made major strides in diversifying and expanding our distribution system through the addition of the bank channel and the Japan Post Network Co. We also enhanced our product line to better meet the needs of consumers. In the United States, we produced steady growth in the number of new payroll accounts throughout the year, while also continuing to recruit and train new sales associates to further penetrate the vast U.S. market.” Shares of Aflac surged over 4% in extended trading.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: APC) reported late Monday fourth-quarter net income rose to $824 million, or $1.79 a share, from $264 million, or 56 cents, a year ago. One-time items, including gains on derivatives and divestitures, added $750 million, or $1.63 per share, to the bottom line after tax. Revenue rose to $3.81 billion from $3.06 billion. Analysts on an average projected earnings of 37 cents a share and $2.59 billion in revenue. "We consistently met or surpassed our operating objectives in 2008, demonstrating the resiliency and quality of our asset portfolio," Anadarko Chairman and CEO Jim Hackett said. Anadarko rose more than 3% in late trading.

Array BioPharma Inc. (NASDAQ: ARRY) posted a wider fiscal second-quarter net loss of $37.8 million or 79 cents a share, compared to a loss of $20.4 million or 43 cents a share in the same period last year. Revenue fell to $7.7 million from $8.4 million. Analysts expected the company to report a loss of 88 cents a share for the quarter on revenue of $6.29 million.

Hologic Inc. (NASDAQ: HOLX) registered first quarter net income of $48.0 million or 19 cents a share, compared to a net loss of $358.6 million or $1.65 a share in the year ago quarter. Revenue jumped to $429.2 million from $371.4 million. Analyst on average had forecast the company to report earnings of 29 cents a share on revenue of $427.26 million. Jack Cumming, Chairman and Chief Executive Office said in a statement "We witnessed an unprecedented decline in demand for capital equipment at the end of the first quarter, which impacted sales of our Selenia digital mammography systems among our hospital customers.