$PSUN News U.S. HOT STOCK FUTURES: HOT STOCKS TO WATCH
Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Friday's session are VeriSign Inc. (VRSN), Zynga Inc. (ZNGA) and Yum Brands Inc. (YUM).
VeriSign has received approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce to renew its agreement to serve as the authoritative operator for the .com registry with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. Under the renewal, VeriSign can serve as the registry operator through Nov. 30, 2018. However, shares tumbled 11% to $35.10 premarket as renewal says the domain-name company no longer has the right to four price increases of up to 7% over the six-year term.
Facebook Inc. (FB) and Zynga are changing the rules of their relationship. In a bid to become less reliant on Facebook, Zynga disclosed in a filing Thursday that it has amended the terms of its relationship with the world's largest social network so that it can now host its Web games outside of Facebook's platform, among other things. The new agreement also leaves the door open for Facebook to produce its own games and become a direct competitor to Zynga. Zynga shares fell 8.8% to $2.39 premarket.
Yum Brands said sales in China have recently softened, and the fast-food chain gave a weaker-than-expected earnings growth outlook for next year. Shares fell 7.7% premarket to $68.75.
Groupon Inc.'s (GRPN) board meeting Thursday ended with no change to its chief executive position, said a company spokesman. Shares fell 3.5% to $4.38 premarket.
Christopher & Banks Corp. (CBK) swung to a fiscal third-quarter profit as the women's clothing retailer recorded strong same-store sales growth and an overall sales improvement. Shares soared 29% to $4.73 premarket, as earnings soared past Street expectations.
Zumiez Inc.'s (ZUMZ) fiscal third-quarter earnings fell 10% amid charges related to its Blue Tomato acquisition, though the teen apparel retailer continued to report sales growth. Shares fell 7.9% to $19.11 in premarket trading as revenue missed expectations and the company gave a mostly downbeat view for the current quarter.
Grocery-store operator Supervalu Inc. (SVU) said its strategic review is continuing, and that it continues to be in active discussion with several parties. Shares were up 4.4% to $2.38 premarket.
Tellabs Inc.'s (TLAB) board has declared a special cash dividend of $1 a share, and promoted Daniel P. Kelly to chief executive and president of the networking-equipment company. Shares jumped 14% to $3.36 premarket.
Supernus Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (SUPN) offering of six million shares priced at a 19% discount to Thursday's close. The specialty-drug maker's shares will be offered at $8 each, compared with Thursday's closing price of $9.83. The offering comes just after the company's initial public offering in May, when it offered shares at $5 each. As of Sept. 30, Supernus had about 24.5 million shares outstanding. Shares were down 18% to $8.05 premarket.
Active Network Inc. (ACTV) shares received an upgrade from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, which raised its rating on the stock to buy from underperform and maintained its $59 price objective, citing attractive valuation. The technology and media company's leadership in the online event management space "should enable it to continue consolidating a highly fragmented market and the online shift of offline event management should drive gross profit growth," the investment bank said in a note to clients. Shares rose 7.9% to $5.45 premarket.
FBR Capital Markets downgraded shares of integrated communications provider NTELOS Holdings Corp. (NTLS) to underperform from market perform, and slashed its price target to $5 from $21, citing "the adverse cash flow impact of the expected non-renewal" of the Sprint Strategic Network Alliance agreement, which generates the majority of EBITDA for NTELOS. Shares fell 13% to $14 premarket.
Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc.'s (ULTA) fiscal third-quarter earnings rose 43%, as the beauty-products retailer saw better-than-expected sales growth. Shares were up 5.9% at $98.61 in premarket trading as results beat analysts' expectations.
Avago Technologies Ltd.'s (AVGO) fiscal fourth-quarter earnings rose 3.2% as the chip manufacturer booked lower operating expenses, though revenue declined slightly. Shares were down 2.4% at $34.25 in premarket trading.
Watchlist:
Duke Energy Corp. (DUK) Chief Executive Jim Rogers is retiring, and the power company's board will be overhauled in a sweeping settlement with North Carolina regulators over a controversial boardroom coup last summer.
Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ENZN) and Mastech Holdings Inc. (MHH) were among a string of companies to declare special dividends ahead of a potential tax hike in the new year, while Seagate Technology Inc. (STX) will pay its boosted quarterly dividend early.
The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved a new drug from Exelixis Inc. (EXEL) to treat a rare type of thyroid cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Five Below Inc. (FIVE) swung to a fiscal third-quarter profit as the teen discount retailer's same-store sales and margins strengthened. Adjusted profit and revenue topped Five Below's expectations and as the company raised its full-year guidance.
Gentiva Health Services Inc. (GTIV) said the Securities and Exchange Commission doesn't intend to recommend any enforcement action after completing its investigation into the company's participation in the Medicare Home Health Prospective Payment System.
Hanesbrands Inc.'s (HBI) has raised its 2013 earnings guidance, saying its plan to repay debt early will reduce the apparel manufacturer's interest expenses.
Moody's Investors Service lowered its outlook on newspaper publisher McClatchy Co. (MNI) to stable from positive, citing expectations that ongoing revenue pressure on newspapers will make it difficult for the company to reduce its high leverage.
Mentor Graphics Corp.'s (MENT) fiscal third-quarter earnings rose 27% as the chip-design software company reported sales gains in both its software and service segments.
Mitel Networks Corp.'s (MITL, MNW.T) fiscal second-quarter loss widened amid restructuring-related charges and other items as the company also reported weaker revenue. However, adjusted earnings and revenue topped expectations.
OmniVision Technologies Inc.'s (OVTI) fiscal second-quarter profit dropped 50% as high manufacturing costs pressured the chip maker's margins, masking a jump in revenue.
Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. (PSUN) swung to a small fiscal third-quarter profit--its first quarter in the black in four years--as the teen-focused retailer benefited from a one-time gain related to a derivative liability.
Richmont Mines Inc. (RIC, RIC.T) said it has closed its Francoeur Mine and suspended exploration activities on the Wasamac gold property, citing economic infeasibility.
Splunk Inc.'s (SPLK) fiscal third-quarter loss widened as the data-analysis software company's higher costs continued to offset improved revenue. The company again raised its revenue guidance for the year.
St. Jude Medical Inc.'s (STJ) board authorized the repurchase of as much as $1 billion of the medical-device maker's stock, the latest shareholder-friendly move by the company.
Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Friday's session are VeriSign Inc. (VRSN), Zynga Inc. (ZNGA) and Yum Brands Inc. (YUM).
VeriSign has received approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce to renew its agreement to serve as the authoritative operator for the .com registry with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. Under the renewal, VeriSign can serve as the registry operator through Nov. 30, 2018. However, shares tumbled 11% to $35.10 premarket as renewal says the domain-name company no longer has the right to four price increases of up to 7% over the six-year term.
Facebook Inc. (FB) and Zynga are changing the rules of their relationship. In a bid to become less reliant on Facebook, Zynga disclosed in a filing Thursday that it has amended the terms of its relationship with the world's largest social network so that it can now host its Web games outside of Facebook's platform, among other things. The new agreement also leaves the door open for Facebook to produce its own games and become a direct competitor to Zynga. Zynga shares fell 8.8% to $2.39 premarket.
Yum Brands said sales in China have recently softened, and the fast-food chain gave a weaker-than-expected earnings growth outlook for next year. Shares fell 7.7% premarket to $68.75.
Groupon Inc.'s (GRPN) board meeting Thursday ended with no change to its chief executive position, said a company spokesman. Shares fell 3.5% to $4.38 premarket.
Christopher & Banks Corp. (CBK) swung to a fiscal third-quarter profit as the women's clothing retailer recorded strong same-store sales growth and an overall sales improvement. Shares soared 29% to $4.73 premarket, as earnings soared past Street expectations.
Zumiez Inc.'s (ZUMZ) fiscal third-quarter earnings fell 10% amid charges related to its Blue Tomato acquisition, though the teen apparel retailer continued to report sales growth. Shares fell 7.9% to $19.11 in premarket trading as revenue missed expectations and the company gave a mostly downbeat view for the current quarter.
Grocery-store operator Supervalu Inc. (SVU) said its strategic review is continuing, and that it continues to be in active discussion with several parties. Shares were up 4.4% to $2.38 premarket.
Tellabs Inc.'s (TLAB) board has declared a special cash dividend of $1 a share, and promoted Daniel P. Kelly to chief executive and president of the networking-equipment company. Shares jumped 14% to $3.36 premarket.
Supernus Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (SUPN) offering of six million shares priced at a 19% discount to Thursday's close. The specialty-drug maker's shares will be offered at $8 each, compared with Thursday's closing price of $9.83. The offering comes just after the company's initial public offering in May, when it offered shares at $5 each. As of Sept. 30, Supernus had about 24.5 million shares outstanding. Shares were down 18% to $8.05 premarket.
Active Network Inc. (ACTV) shares received an upgrade from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, which raised its rating on the stock to buy from underperform and maintained its $59 price objective, citing attractive valuation. The technology and media company's leadership in the online event management space "should enable it to continue consolidating a highly fragmented market and the online shift of offline event management should drive gross profit growth," the investment bank said in a note to clients. Shares rose 7.9% to $5.45 premarket.
FBR Capital Markets downgraded shares of integrated communications provider NTELOS Holdings Corp. (NTLS) to underperform from market perform, and slashed its price target to $5 from $21, citing "the adverse cash flow impact of the expected non-renewal" of the Sprint Strategic Network Alliance agreement, which generates the majority of EBITDA for NTELOS. Shares fell 13% to $14 premarket.
Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc.'s (ULTA) fiscal third-quarter earnings rose 43%, as the beauty-products retailer saw better-than-expected sales growth. Shares were up 5.9% at $98.61 in premarket trading as results beat analysts' expectations.
Avago Technologies Ltd.'s (AVGO) fiscal fourth-quarter earnings rose 3.2% as the chip manufacturer booked lower operating expenses, though revenue declined slightly. Shares were down 2.4% at $34.25 in premarket trading.
Watchlist:
Duke Energy Corp. (DUK) Chief Executive Jim Rogers is retiring, and the power company's board will be overhauled in a sweeping settlement with North Carolina regulators over a controversial boardroom coup last summer.
Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ENZN) and Mastech Holdings Inc. (MHH) were among a string of companies to declare special dividends ahead of a potential tax hike in the new year, while Seagate Technology Inc. (STX) will pay its boosted quarterly dividend early.
The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved a new drug from Exelixis Inc. (EXEL) to treat a rare type of thyroid cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Five Below Inc. (FIVE) swung to a fiscal third-quarter profit as the teen discount retailer's same-store sales and margins strengthened. Adjusted profit and revenue topped Five Below's expectations and as the company raised its full-year guidance.
Gentiva Health Services Inc. (GTIV) said the Securities and Exchange Commission doesn't intend to recommend any enforcement action after completing its investigation into the company's participation in the Medicare Home Health Prospective Payment System.
Hanesbrands Inc.'s (HBI) has raised its 2013 earnings guidance, saying its plan to repay debt early will reduce the apparel manufacturer's interest expenses.
Moody's Investors Service lowered its outlook on newspaper publisher McClatchy Co. (MNI) to stable from positive, citing expectations that ongoing revenue pressure on newspapers will make it difficult for the company to reduce its high leverage.
Mentor Graphics Corp.'s (MENT) fiscal third-quarter earnings rose 27% as the chip-design software company reported sales gains in both its software and service segments.
Mitel Networks Corp.'s (MITL, MNW.T) fiscal second-quarter loss widened amid restructuring-related charges and other items as the company also reported weaker revenue. However, adjusted earnings and revenue topped expectations.
OmniVision Technologies Inc.'s (OVTI) fiscal second-quarter profit dropped 50% as high manufacturing costs pressured the chip maker's margins, masking a jump in revenue.
Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. (PSUN) swung to a small fiscal third-quarter profit--its first quarter in the black in four years--as the teen-focused retailer benefited from a one-time gain related to a derivative liability.
Richmont Mines Inc. (RIC, RIC.T) said it has closed its Francoeur Mine and suspended exploration activities on the Wasamac gold property, citing economic infeasibility.
Splunk Inc.'s (SPLK) fiscal third-quarter loss widened as the data-analysis software company's higher costs continued to offset improved revenue. The company again raised its revenue guidance for the year.
St. Jude Medical Inc.'s (STJ) board authorized the repurchase of as much as $1 billion of the medical-device maker's stock, the latest shareholder-friendly move by the company.
