Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Wednesday's session are MasterCard Inc. (MA), Air Products and
Chemicals Inc. (APD) and Riverbed Technology Inc. (RVBD).
MasterCard, the world's second-largest payments network,
reported a 21.1% increase in second-quarter profit as spending on
its credit and debit cards rose 11.7%. Shares rose 3.4% to $622.00
premarket as results beat the estimates of analysts.
Activist investor William Ackman bought a 9.8% stake in Air
Products and Chemicals for $2.2 billion, his firm's largest
investment to date, according to a report in The Wall Street
Journal that cites people familiar with the matter. Shares of the
supplier of hydrogen and semiconductor materials rose 4.1% to
$109.94 premarket.
Riverbed Technology swung to a second-quarter loss as expenses
increased, masking revenue growth driven in part by business it has
gained from its Opnet Technologies Inc. acquisition. Shares were
down 16% at $14.80 premarket as revenue fell short of the company's
expectations.
Oil States International Inc.'s (OIS) board has approved a plan
to spin off its accommodations business, a move that will separate
the company's business that provides technology and services to the
deepwater and shale play markets from its remote site
accommodations segment. The energy company's shares jumped 7.8% to
$104.49 premarket.
Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CBST) unveiled a pair of deals to
acquire two smaller biopharmaceutical peers, transactions that
could total a combined $1.6 billion if certain sales milestones are
achieved. Separately, Cubist said it was paying about $535 million
to acquire Optimer Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OPTR) and $707 million to
buy Trius Therapeutics Inc. (TSRX). The news sent Cubist's shares
up 5.3% to $60.00 in premarket trading. Trius's shares jumped 18%
to $13.80 in premarket trading, while Optimer's slid 6% to
$12.49.
SodaStream International Ltd. (SODA) reported a good-looking
second-quarter beat, especially on the bottom line, allowing the
company to again boost 2013 expectations and give life to a stock
that's sold off strongly this month amid growth and competitive
concerns. Shares of the maker of in-home soda machines rose 7.6% to
$62.73 premarket.
Restaurant operator Ignite Restaurant Group Inc. (IRG)
preannounced second-quarter results that missed analysts'
expectations. The company said results were "significantly
impacted" by the company's decision to increase spending in its
Macaroni Grill business to try to drive "immediate sales
improvement." Shares fell 12% to $16.10 premarket.
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (BCRX) is offering to sell shares,
but didn't say how many. The company is seeking to fund clinical
development of drugs including BCX4161, a potential treatment for
hereditary angioedema, an immune system disorder. Shares were off
5.5% premarket to $3.76.
Enterprise networking software vendor Jive Software Inc. (JIVE)
reported second-quarter revenue in-line with analysts' expectations
and beat on the bottom line. However, shares fell 18% to $14.01
premarket trading as the company forecast current quarter and
full-year results below expectations.
Questcor Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (QCOR) second-quarter profit
grew 67% on increased adoption of its primary drug, Acthar. Shares
jumped 17% to $60.69 premarket as top- and bottom-line results
easily beat analyst expectations.
Scorpio Tankers Inc. (STNG) plans to offer 20 million shares to
raise funds for acquiring more fuel-efficient tanker vessels in an
effort to gain an edge in a competitive market. The oil-tanker
company recently had around 164.7 million shares outstanding.
Shares fell 5.8% premarket to $9.64.
Symantec Corp.'s (SYMC) fiscal first-quarter profit slipped 1.9%
as the security-software maker logged higher operating expenses,
masking slight revenue growth. Shares rose 4.8% to $25.52 premarket
as results topped the company's expectations.
BRE Properties Inc.'s (BRE) second-quarter profit rose 52% as
the real-estate investment trust's funds from operations
performance beat expectations. Shares rose 11% to $57.50
premarket.
Watchlist:
Aflac Inc.'s (AFL) second-quarter earnings rose 84% on the
strength of after-tax investment gains.
Amgen Inc. (AMGN) said its second-quarter earnings edged lower
on increased research and development costs, as executives sought
to assure investors that the company would be judicious in any
acquisition discussions.
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.'s (AJG) second-quarter profit rose
30% as the insurance broker and consulting firm continued to book
strong growth in commissions and fees.
Shares of Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. (BGFV) slid in after-hours
trading Tuesday after the retailer reported second-quarter sales
that fell short of expectations, as well as a muted outlook for the
current quarter. Investors ignored a second-quarter profit that
doubled from last year's level due to higher sales and expanding
margins.
Boston Properties Inc.'s (BXP) second-quarter profit soared from
a year earlier as a gain related to the consolidation of the office
landlord's joint ventures boosted results, though a key metric
known as funds from operations fell slightly.
Chicago Bridge & Iron Co.'s (CBI) second-quarter earnings
increased 47% the engineering and construction company's revenue
more than doubled.
Covance Inc. (CVD) swung to a second-quarter profit after the
drug-research outsourcing company's results a year ago were
weakened by write-downs and revenue in the late-stage development
business grew in the latest period.
Equity Residential's (EQR) second-quarter income surged as the
apartment landlord recorded a hefty gain from the sale of
properties.
Fiserv Inc.'s (FISV) second-quarter earnings fell 6.2% as the
financial-technology provider's expenses--including costs to
integrate its Open Solutions Inc. acquisition--masked higher
revenue.
Genworth Financial Inc.'s (GNW) second-quarter earnings surged
85% as the life insurer's U.S. mortgage-insurance business remained
profitable for the second quarter in a row, and expenses declined.
Results fell short of analyst expectations.
Hanesbrands Inc.'s (HBI) second-quarter earnings soared, topping
analysts' estimates, as the apparel maker recorded higher sales and
lower costs, boosting margins.
IAC/InterActiveCorp.'s (IACI) second-quarter profit grew 35% as
the Internet company reported higher sales due to the contribution
of About Group, as well as an increase in revenue from
Match.com.
Jones Lang LaSalle Inc.'s (JLL) second-quarter profit grew 24%,
as higher fee revenue helped bolster the top line, though overall
quarterly results missed Wall Street's expectations.
Kimco Realty Corp.'s (KIM) second-quarter profit fell 26% as the
mall landlord was hurt by property writedowns, though its core
funds from operations improved.
Nanometrics Inc. (NANO) swung to a second-quarter loss as the
chip equipment maker posted a double-digit revenue decline and
weaker margins. The company provided downbeat current-quarter
guidance.
NCR Corp. (NCR) second-quarter profit fell 16% as the maker of
automatic teller machines saw higher expenses and the prior-year
period had income from discontinued operations, masking a jump in
sales and wider margins.
Oneok Inc.'s (OKE) second-quarter earnings plunged on a $71
million after-tax charge related to its energy-services business
that masked better-than-expected revenue growth. Pipeline and
natural-gas gathering business Oneok Partners LP (OKS) reported
that its second-quarter profit increased 2% amid narrower
natural-gas-liquids price spreads and continued ethane-rejection
related impacts.
Qiagen NV (QGEN) swung to surprise second-quarter loss on a
restructuring charge of $76 million and other items that
overwhelmed the medical-testing technologies company's revenue
growth.
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.'s (RNR) second-quarter earnings
declined 77% as the insurer logged an increase in net claims and
claim expenses as a result of floods in Europe and tornadoes in the
U.S., though operating profit improved.
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (TTWO) reported a narrower
loss in the first quarter on lower revenue, as the videogame maker
relied on older products while preparing to release its next "Grand
Theft Auto" title.
Fitch Ratings has lifted its outlook on Texas Instruments Inc.
(TXN) to stable, saying the chip maker's renewed profitability
expansion and pockets of revenue growth should enable it to protect
the company's current rating.
UGI Corp. (UGI) swung to a gain in its fiscal third-quarter, due
to stronger performance in the gas distributor's international unit
and its AmeriGas Partners LP (APU) operations, which said it
narrowed its loss from the year-ago period.
Weatherford International Ltd.'s (WFT) second-quarter loss
narrowed as the oilfield-services company recorded fewer charges,
and revenue outside of North America grew.
Write to Anna Prior at anna.prior@dowjones.com
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