Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Tuesday's session are Oracle Corp. (ORCL), J.C. Penney Co. (JCP) and Walgreen Co. (WAG). Oracle reported its fourth-quarter profit increased 7.5% in a surprise announcement three days ahead of schedule that appeared to be triggered by the departure of a top sales executive. Oracle shares were up 5.1% to $28.50 premarket. J.C. Penney said its president, Michael R. Francis, is leaving the company, effective Monday, after eight months at the retailer. Shares were last trading 5.7% lower at $22.93 in premarket trading. Walgreen agreed to buy a 45% stake in the pharmacy-led health and beauty group Alliance Boots GmbH, a $6.7 billion cash and stock deal the drugstore chain makes as it looks to diversify in a changing global health market. The company also Tuesday reported its fiscal third-quarter earnings fell 11% as sales continued to decline on the loss of Express Scripts Holding Co.'s (ESRX) members. Walgreen shares slipped 2.1% to $31.30 premarket. HCP Inc. (HCP), a real-estate investment trust focused on health-care facilities, agreed to sell 7.8 million shares to Citigroup Inc. (C). It plans to use proceeds to repay debt, among other corporate needs. Shares slumped 3.5% to $42.10 premarket. Sonus Networks Inc. (SONS) agreed to acquire Network Equipment Technologies Inc. (NWK) in a roughly $42 million deal aimed at expanding its offering of real-time communication products. Shares of the networking equipment maker jumped 13% to $1.33 in premarket trading, approaching the $1.35 per-share offer price. IHS Inc.'s (IHS) fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 11% as the market-research firm saw subscription revenue boost results. Shares were trading 3.8% lower to $101.80 premarket as the company also disclosed that selling stockholders plan to sell 8 million shares of IHS stock. A U.S. district court sided with video-ringtone company Vringo Inc. (VRNG) regarding four out of six issues in an ongoing patent case it has against a handful of major companies. Shares surged 27% to $5.05 premarket. Western Gas Partners LP (WES), which transports and gathers natural gas for its parent Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (APC), said it will offer 5 million of its units, using the funds raised for general corporate needs. Shares fell 4.3% to $43.45 premarket. Watchlist: DCP Midstream Partners LP (DPM) has agreed to acquire a processing plant and gathering system from Penn Virginia Resource Partners LP (PVR) for approximately $63 million, as DCP Midstream looks to increase its market position in East Texas. FedEx Corp.'s (FDX) fiscal fourth-quarter earnings edged down 1.4% as results were hampered by an aircraft-related charge. Shares slipped, however, as revenue also missed views and the shipping giant forecast cost increases in its next fiscal year. KKR & Co. L.P. (KKR) has expanded into the fund-of-hedge-funds business by acquiring Prisma Capital Partners LP, which managed $7.8 billion of assets as of April 1. Marriott International Inc. (MAR) said it is on track to have 4,000 hotels in 90 countries by 2014, including 100 hotels expected in China. Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) on Monday unveiled the first tablet computer it has ever made, a sign of the new tactics the company is taking as it tries to make up lost ground in the markets for tablets and smartphones. Pep Boys-Manny Moe & Jack (PBY) said its chief financial officer, Ray Arthur, is resigning to pursue another business opportunity and said it will conduct a national search for his replacement. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration refused to approve a Pfizer Inc. (PFE) experimental drug to treat a rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system, requesting the completion of a second study involving the drug. -Write to Mia Lamar at mia.lamar@dowjones.com
