Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Thursday's session are Zynga Inc. (ZNGA), Men's Wearhouse Inc. (MW)
and Vera Bradley Inc. (VRA).
Zynga took its first official step toward offering real-money
gambling games in the U.S. by filing preparatory paperwork in
Nevada. Many investors and analysts expect real-money games to
boost the prospects of a firm that has seen its fortunes wane
recently, though the U.S. regulatory environment for such games is
still a major question mark. Shares rose 6% to $2.46 premarket.
Men's Wearhouse reported a 22% jump in third-quarter profit, but
lowered its guidance for the year and said same-store sales in the
U.S. and Canada fell last month. Shares dropped 11% to $27.83
premarket.
Vera Bradley's fiscal third-quarter earnings climbed 37%, though
shares fell 9.2% to $23.80 premarket as the company predicted a
disappointing fourth quarter and lowered its full-year revenue
expectations.
Titan Machinery Inc.'s (TITN) fiscal third-quarter profit rose
9.9% as the agricultural and construction-equipment retailer easily
exceeded revenue expectations for the quarter. Shares rose 7.2% to
$24.80 premarket.
Align Technology Inc. (ALGN) said it is cutting jobs and
shuffling management, adding it fourth-quarter profit and revenue
at the lower end of its previous downbeat guidance. Shares were
down 4.4% to $25 premarket.
Finisar Corp.'s (FNSR) fiscal second-quarter earnings fell 95%
as the telecommunication-equipment provider reported weaker revenue
and margins. However, shares rose 5%, to $14, premarket, as the
company reported that sales improved from its fiscal first quarter
and that it made progress in controlling its operating costs.
BHP Billiton (BHP) is considering a cash bid for U.S.
metallurgical coal producer Walter Energy Inc. (WLT) at $55 share,
Britain's Daily Mail newspaper reported, without citing a source
for the information. Walter shares jumped 6.6% to $33.75 in
premarket trade. Rumors of a takeover have circled the company for
more than a year, with BHP frequently named as a possible suitor. A
spokeswoman at BHP's Melbourne headquarters said the report was
"market speculation" and declined to comment further.
Watchlist:
Ascena Retail Group Inc.'s (ASNA) fiscal first-quarter income
fell 9.3% as the women's apparel retailer saw increased costs wipe
away sharply higher revenue. Adjusted earnings beat estimates
Used-electronics seller TechForward Inc. said a federal court in
California has awarded it $27 million in damages after finding that
Best Buy Co. (BBY) misused its trade secrets.
Broadcom Corp. (BRCM) raised the lower end of its fourth-quarter
revenue guidance and improved its margin outlook, as the chip maker
cited slightly better-than-expected revenue in its mobile and
wireless business.
Chevron Corp. (CVX) said Wednesday it would spend $36.7 billion
in capital projects in 2013, up 12% from 2012, an increase
partially due to rising costs in a mammoth liquefied natural gas
project in Australia.
Citrix Systems Inc. (CTXS) has agreed to purchase mobile device
management company Zenprise Inc., a move that allows the software
company to offer a comprehensive product line for managing mobile
devices, applications and data.
Derma Sciences Inc. (DSCI) intends to offer shares of its common
stock, but didn't say how much. The medical device and
pharmaceutical company had about 13 million shares outstanding as
of Nov. 8.
Delcath Systems Inc. (DCTH) said it is seeking Food and Drug
Administration approval for a narrower use than initially
anticipated for a new liver cancer drug, based on FDA guidance.
Emulex Corp. (ELX) said it will acquire networking-products
company Endace Ltd. (EDA.LN) for about $130 million, a move the
networking and storage company said will place it another
high-margin, high-growth market.
Standard & Poor's said it will add personal-navigation
devices maker Garmin to its S&P 500 index, replacing printing
company R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. (RRD).
KAR Auction Services Inc. (KAR) said an offering of 13.5 million
of its shares priced at a 3.5% discount to its Wednesday close.
Memorial Production Partners LP (MEMP) is offering 10.5 million
units representing limited partner interests as the company looks
to raise funds for a pending acquisition of oil and natural gas
properties.
Pacific Premier Bancorp Inc. (PPBI) plans to offer about $30
million of its common stock and will use proceeds for general
corporate purposes. The Southern California bank recently had a
market capitalization of $106 million, according to FactSet
Research.
PRGX Global Inc. (PRGX) announced an offering of 6.2 million of
its shares priced at $6.39 a piece, matching its Wednesday
close.
Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc. (RRTS) has launched an
offering of 3.5 million shares. The transportation and logistics
services provider is offering 3.4 million shares, while a selling
stockholder is offering the remaining 100,000 shares. The company
had about 31 million shares outstanding as of Nov. 7.
SAIC Inc. (SAI) swung to fiscal third-quarter profit as the
government-services contractor benefited from sales growth and
lower overhead expenses and the year-earlier period included a
large provision related to its the CityTime contract.
Select Income REIT (SIR) said its upsized offering of 7 million
shares priced at a slight discount to its Wednesday close.
Sigma Designs Inc.'s (SIGM) fiscal third-quarter loss narrowed
as an acquisition boosted the chip manufacturer's revenue and as a
significant write-down hurt year-earlier results.
Stryker Corp.'s (SYK) board has increased its quarterly dividend
by 25% and authorized an additional $405 million in share
repurchases, as the medical-device maker looks to boost shareholder
returns.
Write to Mia Lamar at mia.lamar@dowjones.com
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