Among the companies whose shares are expected to actively trade
in Monday's session are SAP AG (SAP, SAP.XE), Trius Therapeutics
Inc. (TSRX) and Eldorado Gold Corp. (EGO).
SAP on Friday began its roughly $3.4 billion acquisition of
SuccessFactors Inc. (SFSF), outlining a tender offer that will last
until Jan. 18. Shares climbed 2% to $55.70 premarket.
Trius' treatment for bacterial skin and skin-structure
infections met its primary and secondary goals in a Phase 3 trial
when compared with a leading antibacterial drug. Shares climbed
8.4% to $7.40 in light premarket trading.
Eldorado Gold said Monday it has agreed a cash and shares deal
worth C$2.5 billion (US$2.4 billion) to buy European Goldfields
Ltd. (EGU.T), creating a gold producer with a market value around
C$11 billion. Eldorado's shares fell 4.2% to $14.35 premarket.
Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ALXA) said it had retained adviser
Lazard Ltd. to help it explore its strategic options as the drug
company handed all of its employees 60-day layoff notices to
conserve cash. Shares slumped 17% to 55 cents in recent premarket
trading. The stock was down 47% this year through Friday's
close.
PDL BioPharma Inc. (PDLI), which obtains most of its revenue
from development and licensing of antibodies, forecast downbeat
revenue for its fourth quarter and fiscal year, citing reduced
royalties from the sale of two drugs. Shares slipped 4.3% to $5.75
in light premarket trading.
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services downgraded GMX Resources
Inc. (GMXR) to selective default after the oil and gas company
completed a debt-exchange offer that the credit-rater considers
distressed. GMX's shares slipped 5.7% to $1.33 recently in light
premarket trading.
Watch List:
Alliance Data Systems Corp.'s (ADS) board approved a stock
buyback program of up to $400 million during 2012, as the company
joined a growing list of firms looking to boost shareholder
value.
Astur Gold Corp. (AST.V, ATRGF) and Gold-Ore Resources Ltd.
(GOZ.T) agreed to a C$150 million all-stock merger Friday, creating
a gold producer with assets in Sweden and Spain.
Interdealer broker BGC Partners Inc. (BGCP) said it expects its
fourth-quarter earnings and revenue to come in around the low-end
of its previously stated guidance.
Edison International (EIX) said it would hold a press conference
Friday evening at its Rosemead, Calif., headquarters to address
reports of shootings at one of its offices.
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services downgraded Geokinetics
Inc. (GOK) two notches closer to default Friday and kept the door
open for another cut, saying it expects weaker earnings and less
liquidity in the fourth quarter.
Toy maker Jakks Pacific Inc. (JAKK) cut its 2011 full-year
guidance citing "a difficult retail sales environment for toys,
especially during the important holiday season, which has also
resulted in higher markdown allowances and higher royalty expenses
relating to license guarantee shortfalls."
Pepco Holdings Inc. (POM) asked the Maryland Public Service
Commission to allow the utility to raise its electric delivery
rates next year to pay for higher expenses, including cleanup costs
after Hurricane Irene.
PG&E Corp. (PCG) said Friday it completed strength testing
of 160 miles of natural-gas pipelines, finishing this year's
inspection program.
Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) Bing search engine gained slight ground
against competitors, including the still-leading Google Inc.
(GOOG), in the race for the most popular U.S. search engine,
according to sector researcher ComScore Inc. (SCOR).
Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc. (SCHN) lowered its guidance for
its fiscal first-quarter results due to weaker than anticipated
global market conditions for recycled metals.
Janney slashes its stock-value estimate on Shutterfly Inc.
(SFLY) by nearly a third as it trims fourth-quarter and 2012
forecasts on the online photo concern, noting there's been
"continuing competitive pricing pressure deeper into the Holiday
than expected." However, the investment bank remains a fan of
Shutterfly, highlighting its low cost, quality and market-share
leadership. It adds the company would benefit from "further
industry consolidation," which Shutterfly could partake in.
Whiting Petroleum Corp. (WLL) filed plans for a new trust to
raise up to $385 million through an initial public offering.
-Edited by Ian Thomson and Corrie Driebusch; write to
ian.thomson@dowjones.com and corrie.driebusch@dowjones.com