Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Thursday's session are Infoblox Inc. (BLOX), Research In Motion
Ltd. (RIMM, RIM.T) and Tiffany & Co. (TIF).
Infoblox's fiscal first-quarter loss widened as the data-center
technology company recorded sharply higher costs, masking
double-digit revenue growth. Shares jumped 26% to $17.50 premarket
as the company's core earnings and revenue beat expectations, and
it raised its outlook.
Research In Motion received an upgrade from Goldman Sachs to buy
from neutral. The investment bank also increased its price target
for shares of the BlackBerry maker to $16 from $9, saying in a note
to clients that "we see a positive risk/reward heading into its
BlackBerry 10 launch on Jan. 30. For the first time in three years,
we think out-year Street estimates are too low as they don't
capture" potential results from the forthcoming device. Shares rose
13% to $12.50 premarket.
Tiffany's fiscal third-quarter earnings slid 30% as the high-end
jewelry retailer continued to record weaker margins, weighed down
by high precious metal and diamond costs. Shares fell 7.7% to
$58.80 premarket as results markedly missed Wall Street estimates,
while Tiffany also again cut its full-year estimate.
U.S.-listed shares of South African gold miner Gold Fields Ltd.
(GFI, GFI.JO) rose 5.4% to $12.49 premarket after the company said
it plans to spin off two strike-hit mines into a separate company.
Subject to regulatory approvals, Gold Fields said it will
"unbundle" its KDC and Beatrix mines into a new company named
Sibanye Gold that will be listed as an independent company in
February.
Kohl's Corp. (KSS) shares fell 7.1% to $47.50 premarket after
the department store said comparable store sales for November fell
5.6%, when a 1.9% increase was expected. The company said, though,
that it was "encouraged" by improved sales over the Thanksgiving
weekend.
Frontline Ltd.'s (FRO, FRO.LN) third-quarter loss narrowed
sharply as the oil tanker company's operating expenses dropped,
though results missed Wall Street estimates. Shares fell 5.5% to
$3.24 in premarket trading.
Aeropostale Inc.'s (ARO) fiscal third-quarter earnings edged up
3.5% as the youth-focused apparel retailer posted
higher-than-expected net sales, but its shares dropped as the
company took a cautious stance on the current quarter, which
includes the holiday selling season. Shares sank 8.6% to $12.91
premarket.
Guess Inc.'s (GES) fiscal third-quarter earnings fell 45% as the
apparel company reported that currency impacts weighed on revenue
and expenses increased. Still, shares rose 6.9% to $27 premarket as
the company also said its board authorized a special dividend of
$1.20 a share.
Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Inc. (RNN) said it intends to offer an
undisclosed number of shares and warrants. Shares fell 13% to 41
cents in premarket trading.
Progenics Pharmaceuticals Inc. (PGNX) is planning to sell an
undisclosed number of shares as it aims to raise funds for research
and development and other general purposes. Shares were off 5.7% to
$1.99 premarket.
Watchlist
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has lowered its ratings
on Brown-Forman Corp. (BFA) by one notch after the spirits company
declared a special dividend, citing concerns around the company's
cash flow metrics.
Coldwater Creek Inc.'s (CWTR) fiscal third-quarter loss narrowed
as the women's apparel retailer posted stronger comparable retail
sales and cut input costs. The company posted a surprise
improvement in revenue.
In a new twist on the trend of paying big dividends before
higher taxes have a chance to kick in, discounter Costco Wholesale
Corp. (COST) is paying its shareholders $3 billion and borrowing
$3.5 billion to do it.
Gordmans Stores Inc.'s (GMAN) fiscal third-quarter earnings fell
16% amid higher expenses and lower same-store sales, although the
discount retailer posted improved net sales.
Ignite Restaurant Group Inc. (IRG) has named Michael J. Dixon as
its new finance chief, replacing Jeffrey L. Rager, who is
resigning.
La-Z-Boy Inc.'s (LZB) fiscal second-quarter earnings fell 16% on
higher expenses, although same-store written sales improved for the
furniture company. The company's earnings missed Street
expectations.
McClatchy Co. (MNI) is proposing to offer $750 million in debt
to help fund a cash tender offer for other notes.
New York & Co. Inc.'s (NWY) fiscal third-quarter loss
narrowed as the women's apparel retailer trimmed input costs and
posted a small improvement in same-store sales.
Pall Corp.'s (PLL) fiscal first-quarter profit more than
quadrupled as the sale of certain blood product line assets of
boosted the filtration and purification products manufacturer's
results. However, the company lowered its full-year earnings
guidance.
NCR Corp. (NCR) agreed to buy Retalix Ltd. (RTLX) for $650
million in cash, as the maker of automated teller machines and cash
registers moves more deeply into software and the retail industry.
The proposed $30-a-share takeover of the Israeli concern, which
makes software for retailers like grocery stores and restaurant
chains, marks NCR's second software-industry acquisition in as many
years.
Semtech Corp.'s (SMTC) fiscal third-quarter earnings fell 39% as
the chip maker posted higher acquisition-related costs and other
items and increased operating expenses that masked strong revenue
growth. Adjusted earnings and revenue topped expectations and the
company gave a mostly upbeat view for the current quarter.
SL Green Realty Corp. (SLG) is offering to buy back as much as
$100 million of two series of notes, as the real-estate investment
trust aims to refinance some of its debt amid historically low
interest rates.
Rue21 Inc.'s (RUE) fiscal third-quarter profit fell 6.6% as the
value-oriented teen-apparel retailer recorded a wage-related
settlement expense, masking an increase in sales.
TiVo Inc. (TIVO) swung to a fiscal third-quarter profit as a
litigation settlement with Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) helped
boost the digital video-recorder company's results and subscriber
rolls continued to grow.
Universal Insurance Holdings Inc.'s (UVE) board has unveiled a
special cash dividend of 12 cents a share, as the company looks to
raise shareholder value.
Walt Disney Co.'s (DIS) board has increased the company's annual
cash dividend by 25%, as the entertainment giant seeks to enhance
shareholder return.
Workday Inc.'s (WDAY) fiscal third-quarter loss widened as an
increase in expenses outpaced the enterprise-software company's
revenue growth, though the adjusted loss and revenue were both
better than analysts had expected. The company also offered upbeat
revenue guidance for the current quarter.
Write to Anna Prior at anna.prior@dowjones.com
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