Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Thursday's session are VeriFone Systems Inc. (PAY), Pegasystems
Inc. (PEGA) and Rubicon Technology Inc. (RBCN).
VeriFone Systems Inc. (PAY) slashed its estimates for the fiscal
first quarter, pointing to weak macro-economic conditions in
Europe, delayed projects from several major customers and weakness
in South America. The electronic payments company also forecast
disappointing results for the current quarter. Shares plunged 36%
to $20.56 in premarket trade.
Pegasystems Inc. (PEGA) swung to a fourth-quarter profit as the
business-software company "gained important new-name customers in
the public sector as well as two of the world's top five global
insurance companies," in the words of CEO Alan Trefler. Shares
jumped 19% to $30.20 premarket as results beat Wall Street's
expectations and the company's full-year outlook easily surpassed
estimates.
Rubicon Technology Inc. (RBCN) swung to a fourth-quarter loss as
the LED-component supplier's margins weakened. Shares tumbled 12%
to $5.05 premarket as the company offered first-quarter guidance
well below analyst expectations.
Gentium SpA (GENT) expects a European regulatory panel to
recommend against approval of its main drug candidate for treatment
of a hereditary liver disorder. The Italy-based biopharmaceutical
drug developer's American depositary shares sank 41% to $7 in
premarket trade.
Repros Therapeutics Inc. (RPRX) said the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration has told it to proceed with a study of Androxal--a
treatment to normalize testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels
in men--and also accepted additional enrollment into another study
for the drug. Shares rose 24% to $12.60 in recent premarket
trading.
Linn Energy LLC (LINE), along with its former unit LinnCo LLC
(LNCO), has agreed to buy Berry Petroleum Co. (BRY) for about $2.5
billion in stock as the oil and natural-gas developer aims to
expand its geographic presence and bolster production. Berry shares
surged 20% to $46.40 in premarket trade.
Electric-car maker Tesla Motors Inc. (TSLA) reported a wider
fourth-quarter loss and warned of new cost cuts, but said
production of its Model S sedan is running at a rate of 20,000
vehicles a year, a key benchmark for investors. Still, the loss was
wider than analysts had expected. Shares were down 5.6% to $36.20
premarket.
Watchlist:
Boston Beer Co.'s (SAM) fourth-quarter profit fell 5.1% as
margins slid and prior-year results included a tax-settlement gain,
masking strong demand for Sam Adams seasonal brews and newer
products like Angry Orchard ciders.
Cheesecake Factory Inc.'s (CAKE) fourth-quarter profit shrank
26% as its namesake chain faced a decline in customer traffic, in
part due to superstorm Sandy. The company's latest results and
outlook for the year didn't live up to Wall Street's
expectations.
Concho Resources Inc. (CXO) swung to a fourth-quarter profit as
derivative gains boosted the oil-and-gas exploration company's
results and as production increased.
Energy Transfer Partners L.P.'s (ETP) fourth-quarter earnings
rose 49% as the pipeline operator's revenue soared. Meanwhile,
Energy Transfer Equity L.P. (ETE) reported its profit declined 43%
as interest expenses increased.
Fluor Corp. (FLR) swung to a fourth-quarter loss as the
engineering and construction company recorded a significant
arbitration charge related to a wind farm project, offsetting
improved revenue.
Forest Oil Corp. (FST) swung to a fourth-quarter loss as
write-downs and debt-extinguishment costs weighed on the
exploration-and-production company's results, though core earnings
topped Wall Street's expectations.
High-frequency market-maker Getco Holding Co. and Knight Capital
Group Inc. (KCG) unveiled the management team of the new public
company expected to form from the merger between the two financial
firms.
Healthcare Realty Trust Inc. (HR) swung to a fourth-quarter loss
as the real-estate investment trust recorded higher impairment
charges and lower real-estate sales gains, masking revenue growth.
However, results beat analysts' expectations.
HollyFrontier Corp. (HFC) raised its quarterly dividend 50% and
also declared a special cash dividend, the refiner's latest moves
to reward shareholders.
Jack in the Box Inc.'s (JACK) fiscal first-quarter earnings rose
a better-than-expected 73% as the restaurant operator posted
stronger same-store sales and lower expenses.
KBR Inc.'s (KBR) fourth-quarter earnings declined 67% as the
company recorded steep revenue declines in its North American
government and logistics business and in its minerals business.
Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. (KORS) said a secondary offering of
25 million of its shares priced at $61.50 a piece, in line with its
Wednesday close.
Molina Healthcare Inc. (MOH) lowered its full-year earnings
guidance by ten cents a share, factoring in an upsized debt
offering and projected increases to premium revenue.
Questar Corp.'s (STR) fourth-quarter earnings rose 3.6% as the
natural-gas company reported wider margins, offsetting declining
revenue in its larger gas segment.
Sherwin-Williams Co. (SHW) has agreed to pay $80 million to
settle charges with the Labor Department over transactions related
to the company's employee stock-ownership plan.
SM Energy Co.'s (SM) fourth-quarter loss narrowed as the
oil-and-gas company increased production and as derivative gains
boosted results.
Southwestern Energy Co. (SWN) swung to a fourth-quarter loss as
lower natural-gas prices cost the oil-and-gas company a significant
impairment charge, although revenue for the latest period beat
analysts' expectations.
Semiconductor-packaging company Tessera Technologies Inc. (TSRA)
said a court has awarded it more than $130 million in a dispute
with Amkor Technology Inc. (AMKR), in addition to about $20 million
Amkor already paid to Tessera.
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (TRW) said Automotive Investors
LLC, an affiliate of the Blackstone Group LP (BX), and certain
members of TRW's management plan to offer 10 million shares. The
company had 119.3 million shares outstanding as of Feb. 8.
Walter Energy Inc. (WLT, WLT.T) swung to a fourth-quarter loss
as lower prices for metallurgical coal hurt the company's
results.
Williams Cos.' (WMB) swung to a fourth-quarter profit despite
impacts from weaker natural-gas liquids margins as the year-earlier
loss stemmed from asset write-downs and other charges related to
its former exploration and production business.
Yamana Gold Inc.'s (AUY, YRI.T) fourth-quarter earnings rose 89%
as higher production and prices boosted revenue, offsetting
increased expenses at the Canada-based mining company.
Write to Mia Lamar at mia.lamar@dowjones.com
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