(By Salman - iStockAnalyst Writer)

Late on Monday, American Financial Group Inc. (NYSE: AFG) announced that its fourth quarter net income nearly halved to $38.6 million or 32 cents a share from $89.9 million or 76 cents a share in the year ago quarter. Core net operating earnings fell $121.7 million or $1.04 a share from $143.6 million or $1.21 a share i the same quarter, a year ago. Revenue climbed to $1.10 billion from $1.03 billion. Analysts on average were looking for earnings of 97 cents a share. Looking ahead, for the full year 2009, the company expects to report core earnings of $3.70 to $4.00 a share, compared with its previous forecast of $3.65 to $3.85 a share. Craig Lindner and Carl Lindner III, AFG’s Co-Chief Executive Officers said in a statement “During these difficult times in the financial markets, we are committed to maintaining capital that supports our operations. Shares of American Financial surged over 10% in extended trading on Monday.

Beckman Coulter Inc. (NYSE: BEC) said that its fourth quarter net earnings nearly doubled to $77.2 million, or $1.21 a share, from $44.8 million or 69 cents a share in the corresponding quarter, a year ago. On an adjusted basis, the company earned $82.3 million, or $1.29 a share compared to $69.6 million or $1.08 a share in the same quarter in 2007. Revenue grew to $811.3 million from $789 million. Based on an estimated tax rate of 26% to 27% and a flat share count, the company expects to earn in the range of $3.85 and $4.05 a share for fiscal 2009. Analysts currently expect the company to report earnings of $3.91 a share on revenues of $3.21 billion for fiscal 2009. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Garrett said "Fourth quarter results demonstrate the ongoing strength of our Clinical Diagnostics business worldwide and the stability of sector fundamentals. Continued robust growth of recurring revenue at stable margins in combination with disciplined expense management allowed us to deliver on our earnings commitments, despite flat cash instrument sales." Shares of the company were up 1.66% in after hours trading.


Charles River Laboratories International Inc. (NYSE: CRL) said that it swung to a fourth quarter loss of $661.88 million or $9.91 a share, compared to net income of $36.91 million or 52 cents a share in the comparable quarter in 2007. Revenue slipped 2.1% to $311.45 million from $318.03 million. Analysts' estimates were for earnings of 55 cents a share on revenue of $312.58 million for the quarter. Looking ahead, for full year 2009, the company expects to earn in the range of $1.86-$2.16. Net sales for 2009 are expected to decrease in a range of 2% to 7%.President and Chief Executive Officer James Foster said in a statement "Our guidance for 2009 reflects our expectation that softer market demand, particularly for preclinical services, will persist at least until mid-year." Charles River fell 1.97% in evening trade.

Lincoln National (NYSE: LNC) posted a fourth-quarter net loss of $506 million, or $1.98 a share compared to a net income of $113 million, or 41 cents a share in the prior year quarter.