Among the companies whose shares are expected to actively trade
in Thursday's session are F5 Networks Inc.'s (FFIV), Sealy Corp.
(ZZ) and Plexus Corp. (PLXS).
F5 Networks's fiscal first-quarter earnings rose 19% as the
Internet traffic service provider reported year-over-year sales
gains. Shares rose 7% to $116.10 in after-hours trading as results
topped the company's expectations and as it issued an upbeat
forecast for the current quarter.
Sealy reported its fiscal fourth-quarter loss widened as the
mattress maker reported weaker sales and margins. Shares fell 14%
to $1.59 in after-hours trading as sales sharply missed analyst
expectations.
Plexus's fiscal first-quarter earnings fell a less-than-feared
29% as strength in the manufacturing services company's engineering
business helped damp the effect of lower sales. Shares surged as
much as 8.3% to $36 after hours as the company also predicted an
upbeat second-quarter profit, excluding any restructuring charges,
that beat analysts' expectations.
EBay Inc.'s (EBAY) fourth-quarter adjusted earnings rose 15% to
beat its generally conservative guidance, as e-commerce operator
reported an increasingly common pattern of its payments unit
leading growth amid a solid performance in its marketplace
division. The company provided mixed guidance for results in the
new year. Shares climbed 2.4% to $31.08 after hours.
Xilinx Inc.'s (XLNX) fiscal third-quarter profit fell 17% on
weaker revenue from the chip maker's communications customers,
though its earnings per share topped analysts' estimates. Shares
rose 7.2% to $37.83 after hours as the company predicted its
fourth-quarter revenue would rebound.
Sanmina-SCI Corp.'s (SANM) fiscal first-quarter earnings slumped
70% as the electronics manufacturer reported declining revenue amid
weakness at its communications-networks segment and the effects
from flooding in Thailand. Shares were down 6.3% at $9.84 in recent
after-hours trading as the company also gave a mostly downbeat view
for the current quarter.
Billionaire investor Carl Icahn boosted his stake in WebMD
Health Corp. (WBMD) to 11.6%, according to a filing Wednesday with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Shares rose 3% to $27.10 in
recent after-hours trading.
H.B. Fuller Co.'s (FUL) fiscal fourth-quarter profit climbed 20%
as the paint and adhesive maker's margins improved. The company
also projected a strong full-year profit. Shares rose 1.6% to
$26.60 after hours on the stronger-than-expected earnings.
Watch List
Alterra Capital Holdings Ltd. (ALTE) estimated its
fourth-quarter losses from catastrophes at $50 million, primarily
related to the severe flooding in Thailand. The insurer and
reinsurer plans to report fourth-quarter results next month.
The Securities & Exchange Commission charged bank holding
company BankAtlantic Bancorp Inc. (BBX) and its top executive with
misleading investors when the financial crisis was in its early
stages.
Black Hills Corp. (BKH) agreed to sell its non-regulated energy
marketing business and cut its 2012 profit outlook.
Clarcor Inc.'s (CLC) fiscal fourth-quarter earnings rose 28% as
the filter-and-packaging company's strong sales volume of
heavy-duty engine filters led revenue growth.
CNO Financial Group Inc. (CNO) named Frederick J. Crawford as
its new chief financial officer, effective Jan. 23.
Oneok Inc.'s (OKE) board raised the company's dividend by 8.9%,
joining a growing list of companies looking to increase value for
shareholders.
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP's (KMP) fourth-quarter earnings
rose 16% as the company reported stronger results at its
natural-gas pipelines business. Meanwhile, Kinder Morgan Inc.
(KMI), which owns Kinder Morgan Energy's general partner, reported
that its fourth-quarter earnings surged amid lower taxes, a well as
contributions from discontinued operations.
Federal regulators in December warned Johnson & Johnson's
(JNJ) DePuy Orthopaedics unit that several of its hip, knee and
joint replacements were improperly marketed, prompting the company
to stop offering some products.
SLM Corp.'s (SLM) fourth-quarter profit rose but core earnings
fell because of lower loan-sale and debt-repurchase gains.
-Edited by Maya Pope-Chappell and Ian Thomson; write to
maya.pope-chappell@dowjones.com and ian.thomson@dowjones.com