Among the companies whose shares are expected to actively trade
in Wednesday's session are Oracle Corp. (ORCL), Research In Motion
Ltd. (RIMM) and Walgreen Co. (WAG).
Oracle's second-quarter earnings rose 17% despite a decline in
the business-software company's hardware sales pressuring the top
line. But shares were down 9.9% at $26.27 in recent premarket
trading as the results were short of guidance.
Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and Nokia Corp. (NOK) in recent months
flirted with the idea of making a joint bid for Research In Motion,
The Wall Street Journal reported late Tuesday, citing people
familiar with the matter. Reuters also reported Tuesday evening
that Research in Motion turned down takeover overtures from
Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) earlier this year, citing people with
knowledge of the situation. Shares of Research in Motion surged
8.9% to $13.63 recently in premarket trading.
Walgreen's fiscal first-quarter earnings fell 4.5% on higher
costs as the drugstore chain appeared poised to begin the new year
without a contract with Express Scripts Inc. (ESRX). Shares were
down 6.9% at $31.20 in premarket trading as earnings missed
expectations.
Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. (8766.TO) said it has agreed to buy
Delphi Financial Group Inc. (DFG) for $2.66 billion, or Y205
billion, underscoring once again the ravenous appetite for overseas
acquisitions among Japan firms facing a strong yen and a shrinking
domestic market. Delphi's shares soared 73% to $43.91
premarket.
Nike Inc.'s (NKE) fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 2.6% as
the athletic-shoe maker reported a better-than-expected revenue
increase, though product costs continued to hurt its margins.
Shares gained 1.9% to $95.44 premarket.
Jabil Circuit Inc.'s (JBL) fiscal first-quarter earnings grew
5.8% as the electronics contractor's margins and sales improved.
Shares fell 4% to $19.15 premarket as net revenue growth came in at
the low end of the company's forecast range.
Paychex Inc.'s (PAYX) fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 4.9%
as the payment-processing company generated more revenue per check.
Still, the weak economic recovery has hurt Paychex as prolonged
high unemployment has shrunk its client base, while low interest
rates weakened the revenue it earns from funds held for clients.
Shares slipped 1.8% to $29.70 premarket.
Sealed Air Corp. (SEE) said one of its biggest shareholders,
private-equity firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice LLC, would be
offering the 14 million shares it holds in the maker of Bubble
Wrap. Shares slipped 3.2% to $16.60 premarket.
Hecla Mining Co. (HL) plans to reestablish production at its
Lucky Friday mine in northern Idaho by the end of February, and
expects 2012 silver production to increase despite losing two
months of Lucky Friday production. But shares slipped 1.1% to $5.59
in recent premarket trading.
Used-vehicle seller CarMax Inc.'s (KMX) fiscal third-quarter
earnings edged up 0.4% as low consumer confidence contributed to a
tougher comparison with last year's strong results. Shares slipped
1.8% to $30.51 in light premarket trading.
Lindsay Corp.'s (LNN) fiscal first-quarter earnings fell 32% on
increased estimates for environmental-remediation expenses, though
the company continued to show strong growth in irrigation-equipment
sales. Shares dropped 1.5% to $52.80 in recent premarket
trading.
Watch List:
Actuant Corp.'s (ATU) fiscal first-quarter profit rose a
better-than-expected 44% as the industrial manufacturer reported
improvements in all major segments, led by electrical and
engineered solutions.
Medical-device maker C.R. Bard Inc. (BCR) acquired
venture-backed arterial-device maker Lutonix Inc. for about $225
million in a bid to expand its portfolio with a new way to treat
heart disease.
Cintas Corp.'s (CTAS) fiscal second-quarter earnings grew a
stronger-than-expected 33% on higher revenue from the corporate
supplier's uniform business. The results prompted Cintas to raise
its full-year earnings guidance.
DealerTrack Holdings Inc. (TRAK) and new media company Internet
Brands Inc. said they will form a joint venture that will provide
automotive data to the North American automotive retail market.
Exelixis Inc. (EXEL) licensed its PI3K-delta research and
development program to Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) in order to focus
on its lead compound cabozantinib, a potential cancer
treatment.
FSI International Inc.'s (FSII) fiscal first-quarter loss
widened as the microelectronics-equipment maker's sales fell below
guidance. But the company predicted stronger-than-expected revenue
in the current quarter.
Healthways Inc. (HWAY) said it expects to post a net loss for
the year due to expenses stemming from Cigna Corp.'s (CI) decision
to allow its contract with the company to wind down ahead of
expiration, as well as revenue delays from an international
contract.
Leggett & Platt Inc. (LEG) said it was buying a privately
held maker of welded tubing for aircraft systems in a cash deal
with a $188 million enterprise value, its largest purchase in
years.
Mission West Properties Inc. (MSW) is exploring strategic
alternatives, including the possible sale of the commercial
real-estate investment trust focused on research and development
properties in Silicon Valley.
Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. (MMI) said an administrative law
judge at the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled in its favor
on six of seven patent-infringement claims brought against it by
Microsoft Corp. (MSFT).
Papa John's International Inc. (PZZA) issued earnings guidance
for 2012 below analyst expectations Tuesday, though it raised its
full-year earnings view for the current year.
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services upgraded SanDisk Corp.'s
(SNDK) credit status a notch closer to investment grade Tuesday,
citing strong demand for the data-storage maker's memory chips.
Shaw Group Inc. (SHAW) swung to a fiscal first-quarter profit,
as margins improved thanks to lower input costs, though revenue
shrank.
Shuffle Master Inc.'s (SHFL) fiscal fourth-quarter earnings
jumped 71% as the gambling-equipment maker benefited from stronger
sales, especially in its electronic gaming segment.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (4502.TO) (TKPYY) said it agreed
to acquire a privately held developer of small-molecule drugs for
as much as $310 million in cash.
Valmont Industries Inc. (VMI) said it will record a one-time
tax-related benefit of about $2.66 a share in the fourth quarter
and raised its full-year earnings guidance.
Westlake Chemical Corp. (WLK) is planning a
larger-than-initially-expected chlor-alkali plant for a Louisiana
vinyls manufacturing complex. The maker of basic chemicals, vinyls,
polymers and fabricated PVC products said the capacity of the new
plant, where site work is under way, will be designed with an
additional capacity of 40%. Construction costs are estimated
between $370 to $420 million. The new facility is expected to go
online in 2013 and allow Westlake to expand and optimize its vinyls
production chain.
Westway Group Inc. (WWAY) said it received a unsolicited offer
from an infrastructure investment fund on Sunday to acquire the
company for $6 a share, but a special committee formed by the
company found that the offer was too low. Shares closed Tuesday at
$4.48.
Whole Foods Market Inc. (WFM) said its biggest shareholder,
private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners LP, was aiming to
exit its stake by offering up to 13.9 million shares of the natural
foods supermarket, about 7.7% of the total outstanding.
-By Dow Jones Newswires; write to hotstocks@dowjones.com