From Standard & Poor's Equity ResearchBoeing (BA) posts $1.62, vs. $1.13 a year ago, first quarter EPS on 4.1% revenue rise. Sees $5.70-$5.85 2008 EPS on revenue of $67-$68 billion and $6.80-$7.00 2009 EPS on revenue of $72-$73 billion.

Yahoo (YHOO) posts $0.11, vs. $0.11 a year ago, first quarter non-GAAP EPS on 8.7% higher revenue. Notes that first quarter revenues excluding traffic acquisition costs grew 14% year-over-year. Sees second quarter non-GAAP operating income of $425-$475 million on $1.73-$1.93 billion revenue, $1.78-$2.03 billion 2008 non-GAAP operating income on $7.2-$8.0 billion revenue. Separately, Microsoft (MSFT) CEO Steve Ballmer reportedly said that MSFT has no plans to raise its $44 billion takeover offer for YHOO. S&P reiterates hold.

Ambac Financial Group (ABK) posts $11.69 first quarter loss per share, vs. $2.02 EPS a year ago, on 38% drop in net premiums written. Notes impact of non-cash, mark-to-market losses on credit derivative exposures amounting to $1.7 billion in first quarter driven by continued disruption in global credit markets impacting fair value of its derivatives exposures in first quarter.

Safeco (SAF) agrees to be acquired by Liberty Mutual Group in deal valued at about $6.2 billion. Terms: SAF holders to get $68.25 per share in cash for each share held.

Schering-Plough (SGP) posts $0.15, vs. $0.36 a year ago, first quarter GAAP EPS as purchase accounting adjustments and acquisition-related items for the Organon BioSciences N.V. (OBS) acquisition, other specified items offset 56% sales rise. Says excluding OBS acquisition, other items, EPS was $0.53.

VMware (VMW) posts $0.22, vs. $0.16 a year ago, first quarter non-GAAP EPS on 6% revenue rise. Continues to see 2008 revenue growth of about 50%. Expects second quarter revenue of about 55%.

EMC Corp. (EMC) posts $0.23, vs. $0.18, first quarter non-GAAP EPS on 17% revenue rise.

Broadcom (BRCM) posts $0.14, vs. $0.10 a year ago, first quarter GAAP EPS on 15% revenue rise. first quarter revenue of $1.03 billion was ahead of the company's guidance of $975 million to $1.005 billion. S&P reiterates buy.

Molex (MOLX) posts $0.37 (excluding charges), vs. $0.35 a year ago, third quarter EPS on 1.9% revenue rise. Sees $0.36-$0.40 (excluding restructuring charge) fourth quarter EPS on $850-$890 million revenue. S&P reiterates hold, raises estimates, target.

Daktronics (DAKT) lowers fourth quarter EPS guidance to $0.05-$0.09, vs. previous range of $0.12-$0.19. Sales are now expected to be in the range of $122-$126 million, vs. previous guidance of $130-$138 million. It cites delays in order bookings on large projects as well as delays in getting design approvals on some contract and lower level of orders for Galaxy products.

Edwards Lifesciences (EW) posts $0.56 (adjusted), vs. $0.54 a year ago, first quarter EPS on 12% sales rise. Raises 2008 sales guidance by $50 million to $1.21-$1.26 billion and EPS view by $0.13 to $2.45-$2.53, excluding special items. S&P keeps hold.

Carter's (CRI) posts $0.19, vs. $0.16 a year ago, first quarter EPS on 3.1% revenue rise. Notes OshKosh retail store sales decreased 3.2% due to a same-store sales decrease of 6.6%. Notes retail environment continues to be very uncertain.

Raymond James Financial (RJF) posts better-than-expected $0.50, vs. $0.50 a year ago, second quarter EPS on 9.3% revenue rise. S&P raises estimate, target, keeps hold.

Cymer (CYMI) posts better-than-expected $0.41, vs. $0.52 a year ago, first quarter EPS on 2.2% revenue rise. Expects second quarter revenue to be comparable to first quarter revenue and gross margin of about 48%. S&P keeps hold. Caris keeps average rating; says shares up on short covering.

UPS (UPS), the largest shipping company in the world, posted earnings of 87 cents per share, vs. 78 cents a year ago. That largely met investor expectations, but UPS executives warned they see no sign of an economic recovery in the U.S. in the second quarter.

Philip Morris International (PM) posts $0.89, vs. $0.69 (including items) a year ago, first quarter EPS on 18% revenue rise. Raises 2008 EPS forecast to $3.18-$3.24 from $3.11-$3.17 to reflect favorable currency, business momentum and increased reinvestment in some key markets. To acquire Interval and other trademarks in the Other from Imperial Tobacco Group PLC for €254 million.

MetLife (MET) says its board authorized another $1 billion in stock buybacks. About $261 million remains of a previous, $1-billion stock repurchase program announced in January.

Arrow Electronics (ARW) posts lower-than-expected $0.79, vs. $0.74 a year ago, first quarter non-GAAP EPS on 15% revenue rise.

WellPoint (WLP) posts $1.07, vs. $1.26 a year ago, first quarter EPS on 3.5% operating revenue rise. Notes first quarter 2008 includes net realized investment losses of $0.06 per share. Now sees 2008 EPS of $5.42-$5.67, including net realized investment losses of $0.06. Says guidance reflects higher medical costs, lower level of favorable prior year reserve development.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX) posts $2.64, vs. $2.02 a year ago, first quarter EPS on sharp revenue rise. Expects consolidated sales from mines to be about 4.2 billion pounds of copper, 1.4 million ounces of gold and 75 million pounds of molybdenum for 2008, including 930 million pounds of copper, 225 thousand ounces of gold and 18 million pounds of molybdenum for the second quarter.

Becton, Dickinson (BDX) posts $1.09, vs. $0.92 a year ago, second quarter EPS from continuing operations on 11% revenue rise. Raises 11%-13% fiscal year 2008 EPS from continuing operations growth guidance to 13%-14%.

Air Products and Chemicals (APD) posts $1.43, vs. $1.02 a year ago, second quarter EPS on 13% sales rise. Sees $1.25-$1.30 third quarter EPS from continuing operations. Raises fiscal year 2008 EPS guidance to $4.95-$5.05, representing 18%-20% year-over-year growth.

Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) posts $0.13 (excluding charge), vs. $0.12, first quarter EPS on 7.5% revenue rise. It sees 2008 top-line growth of 6%-7%, EPS of $2.30-$2.38, operating free cash flow of at least $620 million.

XL Capital (XL) posts $1.57, vs. $3.01, first quarter EPS excluding net realized gains and losses. Says first quarter underwriting profit was $40.7 million, vs. $116.8 million a year ago. Net income from investment affiliates was $11.8 million, vs. $118.9 million a year ago.

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