Among the companies whose shares are expected to actively trade
in Friday's session are SunPower Corp. (SPWR), Rambus Inc. (RMBS)
and Eastman Kodak Co. (EK).
SunPower said it had signed an agreement to acquire Tenesol SA,
a French global solar provider, for $165.4 million in cash.
Tenesol, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Total SA (TOT, FP.FR), has
operations in 18 countries and solar panel manufacturing facilities
in France and South Africa. SunPower will also sell 18.6 million
common shares to Total at $8.80. SunPower's shares surged 25% to
$7.30 premarket.
Rambus said it reached a five-year patent license agreement with
Broadcom Corp. (BRCM) covering some of the technology used in the
wireless chip maker's products. Rambus shares climbed 19% to $8.70
recently in premarket trading as the semiconductor technology
company said its latest deal with Broadcom settles all outstanding
claims between the two companies. Broadcom shares gained 0.7% to
$29.99.
Film giant Eastman Kodak tapped general counsel Laura Quatela to
serve as president alongside current President Philip Faraci. The
stock jumped 17% to 74 cents premarket.
Baxter International Inc. (BAX) said it will partner with
Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc. (MNTA) to develop and market
biosimilars, which replicate existing, branded biologics drugs used
to treat cancer, autoimmune disorders and other chronic conditions.
Momenta shares rose 6.8% to $18.18 premarket, while Baxter was
unchanged at $49.76.
R.W. Baird started its coverage on Trius Therapeutics Inc.
(TSRX) with an outperform rating and $13 price target, noting that
its lead product tedizolid has a good chance to achieve a
differentiated profile and carve out a nice place in the MRSA
hospital infections market. Shares jumped 10% to $7.60 premarket on
light volume.
Rodman & Renshaw cut its stock-investment rating on Ram
Energy Resources Inc. (RAM) to market perform from market
outperform on valuation. The oil-and-gas explorer's shares surged
83% Thursday following its announcement that Halcon Resources
agreed to provide a $550 million capital injection, half of which
will give it a majority stake in the oil-and-gas explorer. Ram
shares slipped 6.5% to $1.88 premarket.
Fuel Tech Inc. (FTEK) announced receipt of multiple air
pollution control orders totaling $10.5 million. Shares gained 5.8%
to $6.75 in light premarket trading.
Baldwin Technology Co. (BLD) agreed to a $16.1 million buyout by
the investment-firm Forsyth Capital Investors LLC, though it plans
to actively solicit alternative proposals. The supplier of
process-automation-equipment for the print media industry will
receive 96 cents a share in cash, more than double its Thursday
close of 47 cents. Shares soared 89% to 89 cents premarket.
Watch List:
Christopher & Banks Corp. (CBK) reported its fiscal
third-quarter loss widened as the apparel retailer recorded charges
related to planned store closures and flat same-store sales.
Everest Re Group Ltd. (RE) estimated its net losses from floods
in Thailand would total between $100 million to $125 million, as
the reinsurer provided guidance for a disaster that is estimated to
cost the industry between $10 billion to $15 billion.
Heritage Financial Group Inc.'s (HBOS) board approved a new
repurchase program for up to 5% of the bank holding company's
shares outstanding.
Indentive Group Inc. (INVE) said former White House security
advisor Richard A. Clarke will join the board of the provider of
identification and security technology, effective Jan 1.
InterOil Corp. (IOC) on Thursday pushed back deadlines for its
partners' final investment decisions on a major natural-gas project
in Papua New Guinea, giving them until the end of March to meet
some of its conditions.
Mercury Computer Systems Inc. (MRCY) agreed to acquire KOR
Electronics Inc. for $70 million, in a move expected to expand
Mercury's capabilities and offerings to defense contractors and the
U.S. intelligence community.
Ralcorp Holdings Corp. (RAH) said it expects to receive about
$900 million and up to 20% of the outstanding shares of Post Foods
when its spins off the cereal maker. Progress continues toward
completing the separation--which is expected around the end of next
month, Ralcorp said.
Shutterfly Inc. (SFLY) lowered its fourth-quarter guidance as
heavy competitor discounting contributed to a revenue
shortfall.
Georgia lender Synovous Financial Corp. (SNV) said its President
and Chief Executive Kessel D. Stelling will take on the additional
title of chairman, effective Jan. 1.
Standard & Poor's said it will move independent natural gas
and oil exploration company WPX Energy Inc. (WPX) into its S&P
500 index, replacing technology-management software maker Compuware
Corp. (CPWR).
Verso Paper Corp. (VRS) said it was notified by the New York
Stock Exchange that it faces a potential delisting unless it can
improve its average market capitalization to meet the exchange's
requirements within 18 months.
Vornado Realty Trust (VNO) said it will include wider losses
from its 32.7% stake in Toys "R" Us Inc. in its upcoming
fourth-quarter results.
-Edited by Ian Thomson and Corrie Driebusch; write to
ian.thomson@dowjones.com and corrie.driebusch@dowjones.com