Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Friday's session are Tyson Foods Inc. (TSN), Audience Inc. (ADNC)
and Life Time Fitness Inc. (LTM).
Tyson's fiscal first-quarter earnings jumped 11% as the meat
processor's results from chicken and beef sales improved on
stronger prices and margins. Shares rose 3.1% to $22.80 premarket
after Tyson beat earnings expectations.
Audience swung to a fourth-quarter profit and its revenue surged
as the audio-processing firm said more mobile devices are using its
technology. Shares jumped 30% to $15.85 in premarket trading as the
company also gave a first-quarter view that significantly topped
Wall Street estimates.
Life Time Fitness, which operates exercise and recreation
centers, preannounced fourth-quarter earnings per-share and revenue
below analysts' estimates, and cut its full-year outlook as well.
The company also forecast fiscal year 2013 earnings below analysts'
expectations. Shares tumbled 15% to $43.
Vivus Inc. (VVUS) said results from a study showed that weight
loss resulting from treatment with its Qsymia capsules led to
significant improvements in certain associated risky conditions.
Shares rose 5.5% to $12.78 premarket.
Perrigo Co.'s (PRGO) fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 6.2% as
the store-brand pharmaceutical and nutritional-products maker
recorded strong revenue growth from its consumer health-care
business, although margins narrowed as costs climbed. Perrigo
revealed Friday it had agreed to buy pet-health company Velcera
Inc. for $160 million in cash, a move the company billed as a
"natural extension" to its Sergeant's Pet Care Products Inc.
acquisition in October. Shares rose 4.5% to $105 premarket as
results came in ahead of expectations.
Telecommunications Systems Inc.'s (TSYS) fourth-quarter earnings
and revenue beat consensus estimates as the computer software
company saw continued strong results from TotalCom government
customer solutions, commercial 9-1-1 services revenue growth, sales
of navigation technology into new markets, and traction in
monetizing the company's growing portfolio of protected
intellectual property. Shares rose 12% to $2.54 premarket.
Green Dot Corp. (GDOT), which markets prepaid debit cards to
consumers through grocery stores, pharmacies and online, said its
revenue grew 15% in the fourth quarter as it activated more cards
and customer spending increased, sending shares up 8.2% to $14.50
in premarket trading. The results beat the average estimates of
analysts polled by Thomson Reuters.
Chesapeake Lodging Trust (CHSP) is launching an offering of 6.25
million shares, as it raises funds to pay down debt, invest in
future hotel acquisitions and other general purposes. The
hotel-focused real-estate investment trust recently had 40.2
million shares outstanding. Shares fell 2.7% to $20.78 in premarket
trading.
Echo Therapeutics Inc. (ECTE) said its offering of 13.3 million
shares priced at 75 cents a piece, a 35% discount to its Thursday
closing price. The company, which is developing a needle-free
glucose-monitoring system, had 44.5 million shares outstanding as
of Wednesday. Shares sank 37% to 73 cents premarket.
Navios Maritime Partners LP (NMM) plans to offer 4.25 million
units representing limited partnership interests. The company,
which owns and operates cargo vessels, had around 60.1 million
units outstanding as of Dec. 31, 2012. Units were off 6.3% to
$13.89 in premarket trading.
Tellabs Inc. (TLAB) reported its fourth-quarter loss widened as
the networking-equipment company saw revenue decline across its
segments and as it recorded restructuring-related charges. Shares
fell 5.7% to $2.15 premarket as the company issued downbeat revenue
guidance.
Watchlist:
AGL Resources Inc. (GAS) has agreed to acquire a portion of
NiSource Inc.'s (NI) retail services business for around $120
million, as the gas company seeks to expand its offerings for
residential and small-business customers.
Berry Plastics Group Inc.'s (BERY) fiscal-first quarter loss
narrowed as the plastic-packaging manufacturer recorded fewer
restructuring and impairment charges and as input costs fell,
however adjusted earnings and sales missed analyst
expectations.
Brooks Automation Inc. (BRKS) swung to a fiscal first-quarter
loss as the company saw its revenue and margins shrink.
Chubb Corp.'s (CB) fourth-quarter earnings declined 77% as hefty
costs related to Hurricane Sandy weighed on the
property-and-casualty insurer's results. Still, the company
reported an operating profit, while analysts had projected an
operating loss for the quarter, and Chubb also provided upbeat
earnings guidance for the current year.
Consolidated Edison Inc.'s (ED) fourth-quarter earnings rose
8.9% as the utility company recorded a mark-to-market gain from its
competitive energy businesses and a smaller tax expense, though
revenue was about flat from a year earlier.
Constant Contact Inc.'s (CTCT) fourth-quarter earnings declined
66% as a tax benefit boosted the Web-based marketing firm's
year-ago results, though revenue improved in the latest period. The
company projected a loss for the current quarter, while analysts
had expected a profit.
Cytec Industries Inc.'s (CYT) fourth-quarter earnings rose 10%
as the specialty chemicals and materials company saw revenue
boosted by a recent acquisition, while sales in its two largest
segments also grew.
Eastman Chemical Co. (EMN) swung to a fourth-quarter loss as the
chemical-and-materials manufacturer recorded expenses related to
asset impairments, restructuring and a recent acquisition. The
company raised its 2013 adjusted earnings guidance.
Electro Scientific Industries Inc. (ESIO) swung to a fiscal
third-quarter profit on patent-related settlement proceeds,
although it recorded an adjusted loss and lower revenue. The
laser-systems manufacturer gave downbeat guidance for the current
quarter.
Essex Property Trust Inc.'s (ESS) fourth-quarter earnings more
than tripled as gains from co-investments boosted results for the
West Coast owner of apartments, while funds from operations also
improved.
Forest City Enterprises Inc. (FCEA, FCEB) said it currently has
no definitive announcement to make on potential leadership
succession, a response to recent media reports that the chief
executive of Forest City Ratner Cos. intends to step down.
New home construction built up Fortune Brands Home &
Security Inc. (FBHS) sales growth in the fourth quarter, helping
the home-fixtures and hardware company swing to a profit.
McKesson Corp.'s (MCK) fiscal third-quarter earnings were down
slightly as the medical-products distributor reported modest
revenue growth that was offset by higher operating expenses.
Adjusted earnings growth wasn't as strong as expected and the
company lowered its fiscal year outlook.
NetSuite Inc.'s (N) fourth-quarter loss narrowed as the maker of
cloud software continued to report strong demand from its business
customers. The results beat analyst expectations.
PerkinElmer Inc.'s (PKI) fourth-quarter loss narrowed as the
manufacturer of health-testing equipment increased its revenue and
recorded income-tax benefits.
PMC-Sierra Inc.'s (PMCS) fourth-quarter profit fell 61% as the
chip maker's revenue declined, though margins improved. Results
topped analyst expectations.
Principal Financial Group Inc.'s (PFG) fourth-quarter profit
rose 47% as the asset manager and insurer reported higher core
earnings from retirement and investor services, and fewer
investment losses.
Reinsurance Group of America Inc.'s (RGA) fourth-quarter profit
rose 61% as the life reinsurer saw strong results from its North
American businesses, and investment income jumped.
EveryWare Global Inc. will merge with ROI Acquisition Corp.
(ROIQ) in a cash and stock deal that values the manufacturer and
distributor of tableware at about $420 million.
Wynn Resorts Ltd.'s (WYNN) fourth-quarter profit fell 41% as the
casino operator reported lower revenue in Macau.
Write to Anna Prior at anna.prior@dowjones.com
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