Among the companies whose shares are expected to actively trade
in Thursday's session are First Solar Inc. (FSLR), Lincoln National
Corp. (LNC) and Sprint Nextel Corp. (S)
First Solar's third-quarter profit jumped 54% as the thin-film
solar-power modules maker posted higher revenue, but margins
slumped on pricing pressures. Shares dropped 13% to $131 in
pre-market trading as revenue badly missed expectations.
Lincoln National's third-quarter profit--its first in a
year--rose 3.3% on a gain from an asset sale. Shares climbed 6.5%
to $23.70 in premarket trading as the life insurer and
variable-annuity provider's earnings topped Wall Street's
expectations.
Sprint Nextel posted a wider third-quarter loss as subscribers
continued to leave the struggling mobile-phone service provider,
albeit at a slower rate in the post-paid market. Results were
slightly worse than analysts' expectations and shares slid 3%
premarket to $3.14.
LSI Corp.'s (LSI) third-quarter profit surged as a $65 million
tax benefit masked lower sales and margins. The storage-chip maker
posted a rare profit and better-than-expected results, sending
shares up 3.8% to $5.18 premarket.
Akamai Technologies Inc.'s (AKAM) third-quarter profit slipped
1.8% on falling margins as the Internet content-delivery company
beat its forecasts. Shares grew 8.1% to $21.80 in premarket
trading.
AutoNation Inc. (AN) swung to a profit in the third quarter
following a $1.46 billion write-down last year as the largest U.S.
car-dealership chain reported earnings above analysts'
expectations. The company also said capital spending next year will
surge 65% while the board approved a $250 million stock-buyback
effort. AutoNation's shares rose 2.2% to $18.50 premarket.
Burger King Holdings Inc.'s (BKC) fiscal first-quarter earnings
fell 3.2% as high unemployment among the chain's core customers led
to declining same-store sales. Burger King's results fell below
Wall Street expectations, sending shares down 3.1% to $16.75 before
the opening bell.
Flowserve Corp.'s (FLS) third-quarter profit was flat as
cost-cutting offset a decline in sales, and the company said it is
expanding its realignment efforts. Shares fell 4.4% to $95 in
premarket trading as the valve and pump producer's revenue fell
short of Wall Street's expectations although earnings topped
analysts' estimates.
Watch List:
Cerner Corp.'s (CERN) third-quarter earnings rose 7.5% as the
health-care information technology company saw a healthy increase
in bookings. Cerner also projected fourth-quarter revenue below
Wall Street estimates while putting its earnings view at the low
end of consensus.
Owens-Illinois Inc.'s (OI) third-quarter profit jumped 61% on
cost cutting and earnings at the container manufacturer beat
expectations. Chairman and Chief Executive Al Stroucken said
seasonal volume trends and production cuts to reduce inventories
will likely lead to lower earnings sequentially in the fourth
quarter.
Questar Corp.'s (STR) third-quarter profit tumbled 52%, as the
oil-and-gas company's results were hurt by lower natural-gas
prices. But results topped analysts' expectations and the company
boosted its profit target for the year.
Symantec Corp.'s (SYMC) fiscal second-quarter profit rose 19% on
rising margins and strong sales in its consumer segment as results
beat its expectations. The security-software company also said it
would buy back up to $1 billion in shares.
Torchmark Corp.'s (TMK) third-quarter earnings jumped 59% on
year-earlier investment losses, but premiums fell. The life insurer
cut its 2009 earnings target.
Whiting Petroleum Corp.'s (WLL) third-quarter earnings fell 72%
on a bigger-than-expected drop in revenue, though the oil-and-gas
explorer's total production in the period topped its forecast. The
company also raised its 2009 production forecast.
XL Capital Ltd. (XL) returned to the black in the third quarter,
after big losses a year ago from dealings with Syncora Holdings
Ltd. (SYCRF), as the property-and-casualty insurer reported core
profit well above analysts' expectations.
-By Dow Jones Newswires, write to hotstocks@dowjones.com
