By Nathalie Tadena
Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Friday's session are Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD), Aeterna
Zentaris Inc. (AEZS, AEZ.T) and J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.
(JBHT).
AMD sharply lowered its estimate of quarterly sales and
profitability a week before its scheduled earnings report, joining
a long list of peers wrestling with eroding personal-computer
demand. The chipmaker blamed a challenging global economy for sales
hurt by weaker-than-expected demand across all its major product
lines. Shares fell 9.1% to $2.91 after hours.
Aeterna Zentaris has commenced an offering of units, consisting
of shares and warrants to purchase shares. In May, the drug
development company filed plans to offer up to $100 million of its
shares or warrants to raise funds for general corporate purposes.
It recently had a market capitalization of $58 million, according
to FactSet. Shares slid 13% to $2.73 after hours.
J.B. Hunt's third-quarter earnings rose 14% as the trucking
company's intermodal division posted stronger results and margins
edged higher. Shares jumped 5.7% after hours to $57.90 as revenue
outpaced analysts' estimates.
Watchlist:
Energy services company AGL Resources Inc. (GAS) cut its
full-year earnings estimates, saying "unprecedented warm weather"
in the first half of 2012 hurt results.
Bank of the Ozarks Inc.'s (OZRK) third-quarter profit rose 2% as
the regional bank's interest income improved slightly and credit
quality improved on a year-over-year basis.
Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. (CP, CP.T) named Brian Grassby as
its new chief financial officer, effective Nov. 1, replacing
Kathryn McQuade, who plans to retire.
ExactTarget Inc. (ET) has acquired two privately held companies,
Pardot LLC and iGoDigital, in separate cash-and stock deals for a
combined $116.5 million as it also projected a more-upbeat view for
the third quarter.
Moody's Investors Service lowered its outlook on Ferro Corp.
(FOE) to negative from stable, a day after the specialty materials
and chemical company lowered its full-year earnings guidance and
said it is exploring strategic options for its solar pastes
business.
Genesee & Wyoming Inc.'s (GWR) traffic fell 5.2% in
September as the railroad operator reported a steep decline in
shipments of farm and food products, as well as fewer carloads of
coal and minerals. RailAmerica Inc., which Genesee & Wyoming
recently acquired, said its freight carloads last month rose
2.4%.
Heartland Express Inc.'s (HTLD) third-quarter earnings fell 19%
as the trucking company's revenue growth was again outpaced by
higher operating costs. Results fell short of analyst
expectations.
PartnerRe Ltd. (PRE) expects to record a $63 million net
after-tax charge in the third quarter related to severe drought
conditions in the U.S. during 2012.
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services placed Sprint Nextel
Corp.'s (S) rating on review for a potential upgrade, saying the
wireless-services company's rating could gain support from the
higher-rated Softbank Corp. (9984.TO).
Write to Nathalie Tadena at nathalie.tadena@dowjones.com
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires