Among the companies whose shares are expected to actively trade in Wednesday's session are Oracle Corp. (ORCL), Research In Motion Ltd. (RIMM) and Walgreen Co. (WAG).

Oracle's second-quarter earnings rose 17% despite a decline in the business-software company's hardware sales pressuring the top line. But shares were down 9.9% at $26.27 in recent premarket trading as the results were short of guidance.

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and Nokia Corp. (NOK) in recent months flirted with the idea of making a joint bid for Research In Motion, The Wall Street Journal reported late Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Reuters also reported Tuesday evening that Research in Motion turned down takeover overtures from Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) earlier this year, citing people with knowledge of the situation. Shares of Research in Motion surged 8.9% to $13.63 recently in premarket trading.

Walgreen's fiscal first-quarter earnings fell 4.5% on higher costs as the drugstore chain appeared poised to begin the new year without a contract with Express Scripts Inc. (ESRX). Shares were down 6.9% at $31.20 in premarket trading as earnings missed expectations.

Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. (8766.TO) said it has agreed to buy Delphi Financial Group Inc. (DFG) for $2.66 billion, or Y205 billion, underscoring once again the ravenous appetite for overseas acquisitions among Japan firms facing a strong yen and a shrinking domestic market. Delphi's shares soared 73% to $43.91 premarket.

Nike Inc.'s (NKE) fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 2.6% as the athletic-shoe maker reported a better-than-expected revenue increase, though product costs continued to hurt its margins. Shares gained 1.9% to $95.44 premarket.

Jabil Circuit Inc.'s (JBL) fiscal first-quarter earnings grew 5.8% as the electronics contractor's margins and sales improved. Shares fell 4% to $19.15 premarket as net revenue growth came in at the low end of the company's forecast range.

Paychex Inc.'s (PAYX) fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 4.9% as the payment-processing company generated more revenue per check. Still, the weak economic recovery has hurt Paychex as prolonged high unemployment has shrunk its client base, while low interest rates weakened the revenue it earns from funds held for clients. Shares slipped 1.8% to $29.70 premarket.

Sealed Air Corp. (SEE) said one of its biggest shareholders, private-equity firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice LLC, would be offering the 14 million shares it holds in the maker of Bubble Wrap. Shares slipped 3.2% to $16.60 premarket.

Hecla Mining Co. (HL) plans to reestablish production at its Lucky Friday mine in northern Idaho by the end of February, and expects 2012 silver production to increase despite losing two months of Lucky Friday production. But shares slipped 1.1% to $5.59 in recent premarket trading.

Used-vehicle seller CarMax Inc.'s (KMX) fiscal third-quarter earnings edged up 0.4% as low consumer confidence contributed to a tougher comparison with last year's strong results. Shares slipped 1.8% to $30.51 in light premarket trading.

Lindsay Corp.'s (LNN) fiscal first-quarter earnings fell 32% on increased estimates for environmental-remediation expenses, though the company continued to show strong growth in irrigation-equipment sales. Shares dropped 1.5% to $52.80 in recent premarket trading.

 
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Actuant Corp.'s (ATU) fiscal first-quarter profit rose a better-than-expected 44% as the industrial manufacturer reported improvements in all major segments, led by electrical and engineered solutions.

Medical-device maker C.R. Bard Inc. (BCR) acquired venture-backed arterial-device maker Lutonix Inc. for about $225 million in a bid to expand its portfolio with a new way to treat heart disease.

Cintas Corp.'s (CTAS) fiscal second-quarter earnings grew a stronger-than-expected 33% on higher revenue from the corporate supplier's uniform business. The results prompted Cintas to raise its full-year earnings guidance.

DealerTrack Holdings Inc. (TRAK) and new media company Internet Brands Inc. said they will form a joint venture that will provide automotive data to the North American automotive retail market.

Exelixis Inc. (EXEL) licensed its PI3K-delta research and development program to Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) in order to focus on its lead compound cabozantinib, a potential cancer treatment.

FSI International Inc.'s (FSII) fiscal first-quarter loss widened as the microelectronics-equipment maker's sales fell below guidance. But the company predicted stronger-than-expected revenue in the current quarter.

Healthways Inc. (HWAY) said it expects to post a net loss for the year due to expenses stemming from Cigna Corp.'s (CI) decision to allow its contract with the company to wind down ahead of expiration, as well as revenue delays from an international contract.

Leggett & Platt Inc. (LEG) said it was buying a privately held maker of welded tubing for aircraft systems in a cash deal with a $188 million enterprise value, its largest purchase in years.

Mission West Properties Inc. (MSW) is exploring strategic alternatives, including the possible sale of the commercial real-estate investment trust focused on research and development properties in Silicon Valley.

Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. (MMI) said an administrative law judge at the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled in its favor on six of seven patent-infringement claims brought against it by Microsoft Corp. (MSFT).

Papa John's International Inc. (PZZA) issued earnings guidance for 2012 below analyst expectations Tuesday, though it raised its full-year earnings view for the current year.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services upgraded SanDisk Corp.'s (SNDK) credit status a notch closer to investment grade Tuesday, citing strong demand for the data-storage maker's memory chips.

Shaw Group Inc. (SHAW) swung to a fiscal first-quarter profit, as margins improved thanks to lower input costs, though revenue shrank.

Shuffle Master Inc.'s (SHFL) fiscal fourth-quarter earnings jumped 71% as the gambling-equipment maker benefited from stronger sales, especially in its electronic gaming segment.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (4502.TO) (TKPYY) said it agreed to acquire a privately held developer of small-molecule drugs for as much as $310 million in cash.

Valmont Industries Inc. (VMI) said it will record a one-time tax-related benefit of about $2.66 a share in the fourth quarter and raised its full-year earnings guidance.

Westlake Chemical Corp. (WLK) is planning a larger-than-initially-expected chlor-alkali plant for a Louisiana vinyls manufacturing complex. The maker of basic chemicals, vinyls, polymers and fabricated PVC products said the capacity of the new plant, where site work is under way, will be designed with an additional capacity of 40%. Construction costs are estimated between $370 to $420 million. The new facility is expected to go online in 2013 and allow Westlake to expand and optimize its vinyls production chain.

Westway Group Inc. (WWAY) said it received a unsolicited offer from an infrastructure investment fund on Sunday to acquire the company for $6 a share, but a special committee formed by the company found that the offer was too low. Shares closed Tuesday at $4.48.

Whole Foods Market Inc. (WFM) said its biggest shareholder, private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners LP, was aiming to exit its stake by offering up to 13.9 million shares of the natural foods supermarket, about 7.7% of the total outstanding.

 
    -By Dow Jones Newswires; write to hotstocks@dowjones.com 
 
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