Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Thursday's session are Target Corp. (TGT) and Darden Restaurants
Inc. (DRI).
Target was hit by an extensive theft of its customers'
credit-card and debit-card data during the busy holiday-shopping
season, a brazen breach of the major retailer's information
security. The company said a data breach may have affected about 40
million credit card and debit card accounts between Nov. 27 and
Dec. 15. Shares dropped 2% to $62.30 premarket.
Darden plans to separate its struggling Red Lobster business
from the rest of the casual-dining company, while also saying it
intends to suspend acquisitions. The company also slashed its
guidance for the fiscal year and reported disappointing results for
its second quarter ended Nov. 24. Shares dropped 2.7% premarket to
$51.50.
IAC/InterActiveCorp. (IACI) Chief Executive Greg Blatt will step
down and take on the chairman role in a new unit called Match Group
that will focus on expanding the company's online-dating websites
business. Shares rose 6.5% to $64 premarket.
Alimera Sciences Inc. (ALIM) and pSivida Corp. (PSDV, PVA.AU)
shares soared after Alimera disclosed they were in talks with the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration over labeling of a treatment for
an eye disease found in patients with diabetes. Investors sent
specialty pharmaceutical firm pSivida shares up 55% to $4.59, while
biopharmaceutical firm Alimera's stock soared 73% to $4.40.
Semtech Corp. (SMTC) cut its expectations for the fiscal fourth
quarter, as the chip manufacturer pegged the blame on delays to
carrier capital spending and the ramp up of a new consumer mobile
platform. Shares tumbled 18% to $23 in premarket trading.
AK Steel Holding Corp. (AKS) expects to report a surprise
adjusted profit in the fourth quarter, news that sent the
steelmaker's shares higher in after-hours trading. The stock rose
6.7% to $6.74 premarket.
Watch List:
Apogee Enterprises Inc.'s (APOG) fiscal third-quarter profit
rose 20% as the glass-products designer posted top-line growth
driven by revenue increases in all but its biggest segment.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMY) confirmed a deal to sell its
stake in a diabetes partnership with AstraZeneca PLC (AZN, AZN.LN)
for up to $4.1 billion.
Herman Miller Inc. (MLHR) swung to a fiscal second-quarter loss
due to the results of charges related to its former U.S.
defined-benefit pension plans and other items, despite improved
revenue. The office-furniture company also unveiled a 12% increase
in its quarterly dividend.
MDU Resources Group Inc. (MDU) raised its full-year adjusted
profit target, as the company said favorable weather in northern
states in October and November helped extend the construction
season. Meanwhile, colder weather in December resulted in higher
natural gas and electric sales at the company's utility.
Oracle Corp. (ORCL) said its net income slid 1.1% in the fiscal
second quarter as rising operating expenses outpaced revenue growth
amid pressure from online competition. Results for the period
exceeded Wall Street's expectations.
Paychex Inc.'s (PAYX) fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 7.3%
as the payroll and human resources services company reported higher
revenue.
Steelcase Inc.'s (SCS) fiscal third-quarter earnings edged down
2.5% as the office-furniture maker recorded a slight rise in
expenses that helped mask a rise in revenue.
The U.S. Department of Energy is prepared to extend a
cooperative centrifuge research program for three months beyond
Jan. 15, uranium supplier USEC Inc. (USU) said. The announcement
comes after USEC on Monday said that it plans to file for
bankruptcy early next year as it seeks to restructure its debt.
Write to Lauren Pollock at lauren.pollock@wsj.com
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires