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