Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Friday's session are Quiksilver Inc. (ZQK), Adobe Systems Inc.
(ADBE) and VeriFone Systems Inc. (PAY).
Quiksilver's fiscal fourth-quarter earnings slumped 94% as the
sports outfitter reported significantly lower income-tax benefits
and weaker margins, masking growth in sales. Shares slid 15% to
$3.47 in after-hours trading Thursday as the company's results
missed analysts' expectations.
Adobe's fiscal fourth-quarter earnings rose 28% as subscriptions
for creative services grew ahead of expectations, overhead costs
came in lower and the year-earlier period included restructuring
charges. Shares climbed 6% to $37.66 after hours.
VeriFone's fiscal fourth-quarter profit sank 86% as the
electronic-payments company logged a significant income tax benefit
last year, though revenue continued to improve. Shares dropped 7.4%
after hours to $30.78 after the company predicted downbeat
first-quarter results and missed its revenue guidance in the latest
quarter.
AVG Technologies NV (AVG) said it reached a
search-and-distribution agreement with Yahoo Inc. (YHOO) that the
Amsterdam-based Internet and mobile security provider said will
increase search-provider choices for its customers. Shares were up
4.4% to $14.70 after hours.
Cytori Therapeutics Inc. (CYTX) plans to offer an undisclosed
number of shares, subject to market conditions. The company
develops cell therapies to treat heart disease. Shares fell 6.6% in
after-hours trading to $3.10.
LaSalle Hotel Properties (LHO) said it plans to offer seven
million shares in an effort to help fund future hotel acquisitions,
including the possible purchase of a hotel in a major U.S. market,
and to pay down debt. The real-estate investment trust recently had
around 86.3 million shares outstanding, according to FactSet.
Shares fell 3.4% to $23.70 after hours.
Drug developer Lpath Inc. (LPTN) intends to offer an undisclosed
number of shares. The stock was down 3.3% after-hours to $5.80.
Gold mining company Vista Gold Corp. (VGZ, VGZ.T) is planning to
offer an undisclosed number of shares and warrants. Shares were
down 11% in after-hours trading to $2.61.
Watchlist:
Amgen Inc.'s (AMGN) board has raised its dividend by 31% for the
first quarter of next year and authorized an additional $2 billion
for share repurchases, as the drug company looks to boost
shareholder value.
For-profit educator Apollo Group Inc. (APOL) said its founder
will retire from the role of executive chairman of the board at
year's end, and will be replaced by his son.
Bank of America Corp. (BAC) said Thursday it had sued MBIA Inc.
(MBI) in a New York court and accused the mortgage-bond insurer of
defaulting on its debt.
CorpBanca S.A. (BCA), a Chilean bank, is offering 10.7 billion
shares, including American depositary shares, and its shareholder
Fernando Aguad Dagach is offering an additional 1.34 billion
shares, including ADS. The company intends to use the proceeds to
help fund an acquisition.
Fitch Ratings cut First Horizon National Corp.'s (FHN) credit
rating a notch, as the Tennessee bank's profits come under pressure
from low interest rates and mortgage buybacks.
Nasdaq OMX Group Inc. (NDAQ) has named Borje E. Ekholm as
chairman after serving seven months in the interim post.
Nordson Corp.'s (NDSN) fiscal fourth-quarter profit rose 24% as
the maker of dispensing equipment saw broad-based sales growth,
helped by recent acquisitions.
Progress Software Corp. (PRGS) said Chief Financial Officer
Melissa H. Cruz plans to retire next year for health reasons. The
news comes three days after the software company named a new chief
executive.
Spartech Corp.'s (SEH) fiscal fourth-quarter loss narrowed as
the company reported fewer expenses, though revenue also
declined.
United Continental Holdings Inc.'s (UAL) board has named
President and Chief Executive Jeff Smisek as chairman, effective
Dec. 31, as part of the 2010 merger agreement between United
Airlines and Continental Airlines.
United Technologies Corp. (UTX) expects a 10% to 16% rise in
earnings per share and a 10% to 12% rise in sales in 2013, the
first full year that will reflect its $16.5 billion acquisition of
aircraft component maker Goodrich.
Casino operator Wynn Resorts Ltd. (WYNN) is seeking to remove
Kazuo Okada, a former business partner of Chief Executive Steve
Wynn, from its board amid a continuing dispute.
Write to Nathalie Tadena at nathalie.tadena@dowjones.com
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