Among the companies whose shares are expected to actively trade in Thursday's session are Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ), Kohl's Corp. (KSS) and Vivus Inc. (VVUS). Hewlett-Packard's fiscal first-quarter earnings fell 44% as sales in the company's personal computers business continued to fall. Shares slid 4.1% to $27.75 in recent premarket trading as H-P's revenue missed analyst expectations and as the company issued a downbeat outlook for the current quarter. Kohl's fiscal fourth-quarter earnings fell 7.9% as the department-store chain's disappointing holiday performance led to its first revenue decline in roughly three years. Shares fell 3.4% to $50.41 in premarket trade, as first-quarter outlook also fell short of expectations. A federal advisory panel on Wednesday overwhelmingly backed Vivus's weight-loss drug Qnexa, boosting the chance the Food and Drug Administration could approve a new prescription weight-loss drug for the first time in more than a decade. Shares of the drug maker surged 103 to $21.40 premarket. Rival obesity-drug maker Orexigen Therapeutics (OREX) rose 20% to $3.86, while similar rival Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ARNA) climbed 19% to $2.16. Polypore International Inc.'s (PPO) fourth-quarter net income rose 49% as the company continued to see higher sales of its lithium battery separators. However, shares slid 12% to $38.44 in premarket trading as results missed analysts' expectations and as the company warned that some headwinds experienced in the latest period will affect near-term results. Limited Brands Inc.'s (LTD) fiscal fourth-quarter earnings fell 21% as the specialty retailer booked charges tied to the closure of some La Senza stores, though adjusted profit climbed and topped the company's own forecast. Limited also issued a disappointing outlook for the new fiscal year, pushing shares down 3.1% to $44.05 premarket. Dish Network Corp.'s (DISH) fourth-quarter earnings rose 24% as the satellite-television operator reversed its subscriber-loss trend. Dish's shares added 2.1% to $29.78 in recent premarket trading. MetroPCS Communications Inc.'s (PCS) fourth-quarter earnings soared from a year-earlier period weighed down by debt-reduction costs, as the prepaid wireless-service provider increased its subscriber rolls by 15%. The company's stock climbed 4.8% to $10.77 premarket. Onvia Inc. (ONVI) rejected an unsolicited takeover proposal from private equity firm Symphony Technology Group LLC, calling the bid inadequate. Onvia shares still jumped 35% in premarket trading to Symphony's offer price of $4.25. Trina Solar Ltd. (TSL) swung to a wider-than-expected fourth-quarter loss as the Chinese solar-products maker reported sharply lower sales and margins plunged. Trina's American depositary shares were down 5.7% at $9.20 in premarket trading. NII Holdings Inc. (NIHD) swung to a surprise fourth-quarter loss as higher operating costs masked revenue and subscriber growth. Looking ahead, NII forecast 2012 revenue below what analysts were expecting. Shares traded down 6.4% to $22 premarket. Darden Restaurants Inc. (DRI) projected strong earnings for the fiscal third quarter, pointing to a shift in the Lenten season that boosted same-store sales, along with less severe winter weather. Shares gained 1.1% to $50.68 premarket. Radian Group Inc.'s (RDN) fourth-quarter loss narrowed sharply in the absence of heavy investment losses and as company reduced funds to cover soured mortgages. Shares jumped 5.2% to $4.10 premarket. Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd. (GNK) unveiled plans to offer $50 million worth of common stock to pay for general corporate purposes. Shares of the company fell 12% to $7.20 premarket. Steel-tube maker Tenaris SA's (TS, TEN.MI) fourth-quarter earnings rose 25% as a jump in shipments in its key tubes business drove better-than-expected revenue growth. The company's American depositary shares rose 1.5% to $42.77 premarket. Media General Inc. (MEG) said it is exploring the potential sale of its newspaper operations and has received inquiries from several third parties regarding the potential purchase of certain print assets. Shares jumped 4.8% to $5.25 in light premarket trading. Watchlist American Tower Corp.'s (AMT) fourth-quarter earnings more than doubled as the company posted a double-digit increase in rental and management business revenue. Analog Devices Inc. (ADI) said the worst is likely behind the company and boosted its quarterly dividend, but the chip maker still provided light guidance for the current period. Avago Technologies Ltd.'s (AVGO) fiscal first-quarter profit rose 5% as the chip designer's wireless-market customers drove stronger sales. Concho Resources Inc.'s (CXO) fourth-quarter loss widened as the oil and natural-gas company reported higher derivative losses, though it posted better-than-expected revenue growth on increased production and higher oil prices. Continental Resources Inc.'s (CLR) fourth-quarter loss widened as the effect of derivatives offset a stronger core profit driven by surging oil production. Dana Holding Corp. (DAN) said its board has initiated a quarterly dividend of 5 cents a share of common stock, marking the maker of axles and thermal-management products' first-ever payout to shareholders. Dillard's Inc.'s (DDS) fourth-quarter earnings rose 29% as the retailer logged another quarter of same-store sales growth. Express Scripts Inc.'s (ESRX) fourth-quarter earnings fell 12% on acquisition-related expenses as the pharmacy-benefit manager posted stronger sales. Exterran Partners L.P. (EXLP) agreed to buy Exterran Holdings Inc.'s (EXH) compression and processing assets in a $184 million deal to increase its natural-gas contract operations in the U.S. Flowserve Corp.'s (FLS) fourth-quarter earnings grew 11% as the valve-and-pump maker again saw double-digit growth in bookings and sales. Fluor Corp.'s (FLR) fourth-quarter profit rose 31% as the engineering and construction company reported higher revenue, led by gains in its industrial and infrastructure segment. KBR Inc.'s (KBR) fourth-quarter profit rose 15% amid lower operating costs, but delivered lower-than-expected revenue. Liberty Global Inc. (LBTYA, LBYTB) swung to a fourth-quarter loss as a tax expense weighed on the company's bottom line, though revenue improved. Oasis Petroleum Inc. (OAS) swung to a fourth-quarter loss as the effect of derivatives contracts masked the benefit of surging production. Omnicare Inc. (OCR) swung to a fourth-quarter profit from a year-earlier period that included hefty charges as the nursing-home pharmacy company's revenue grew more than expected. Plains Exploration & Production Co.'s (PXP) swung to a fourth-quarter profit amid stronger sales volume and high commodities prices. QEP Resources Inc.'s (QEP) fourth-quarter swung to a fourth-quarter loss due to an impairment charge, though revenue improved. The company's adjusted profit and revenue beat analyst expectations. Two reinsurers, RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (RNR) and Everest Re Group Ltd. (RE), Wednesday unveiled plans to increase their stock buyback programs. SM Energy Co. (SM) swung to a fourth-quarter loss on an impairment charge, though revenue improved. Synopsys Inc.'s (SNPS) fiscal first-quarter profit rose 18% as the provider of chip-design software benefited from stronger revenue and wider margins. Target Corp.'s (TGT) fiscal fourth-quarter earnings slipped 5.2% after the retail giant wrestled with muted sales during the critical holiday selling season. Whiting Petroleum Corp.'s (WLL) fourth-quarter earnings fell 5% on derivatives impacts and other items as the oil and gas producer's revenue continued to benefit from increased production and higher selling prices. Adjusted earnings and revenue beat expectations. Williams Cos. (WMB) swung to a fourth-quarter loss, mostly on write-downs related to its former exploration and production business, while midstream and interstate gas pipeline asset-holder Williams Partners LP's (WPZ) fourth-quarter earnings improved, mostly due to strong margins on natural-gas liquids. Yamana Gold Inc.'s (AUY, YRI.T) fourth-quarter earnings fell 29% as a result of an impairment charge, though revenue increased. The company's adjusted profit beat analyst expectations. -Edited by Corrie Driebusch, Nathalie Tadena and Drew FitzGerald; write to corrie.driebusch@dowjones.com
