Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Thursday's session are NetApp Inc. (NTAP), Diamond Foods Inc.
(DMND) and PetSmart Inc. (PETM).
NetApp posted a smaller-than-feared drop in quarterly earnings
as revenue improved even in hard-hit Europe, suggesting the
data-storage maker's top line may be poised to reaccelerate. Its
current-quarter projections also came in better than expected.
Shares jumped 10% to $29.89 after hours.
Diamond Foods said it closed the book on the walnut-accounting
scandal that dogged the maker of snack foods during the past year,
but opened a new chapter of struggles related to securing enough
walnuts for its business and righting some of its other businesses.
Diamond late Wednesday disclosed restated financial results tied to
the accounting scandal and showed that it swung to a loss during
the first three quarters of 2012 as it took significant charges
related to its investigation. Shares slmped 18% to $16 after
hours.
PetSmart's fiscal third-quarter profit grew a
better-than-expected 47%, as the specialty pet store's same-store
sales and margins continued to improve. Shares rose 6% to $68.75
after hours after the company again raised its earnings guidance
for the year.
AspenBio Pharma Inc. (APPY) unveiled plans to offer common
stock, but didn't detail how many shares it is selling. The
diagnostic-product developer plans to use proceeds for general
corporate purposes, including conducting a clinical trial for its
blood-based appendicitis test, and for working capital purposes. It
had 7.7 million shares outstanding as of Nov. 6. Shares slipped 16%
to $2.06 after hours.
DryShips Inc. (DRYS) swung to a worse-than-expected
third-quarter loss as the dry bulk shipper saw sharply higher
drilling rigs operating expenses, masking modest revenue growth.
Shares sank 8.7% to $1.90 after hours.
Velti PLC (VELT) swung to a third-quarter loss on heavy one-off
expenses and operating costs, masking an increase in revenue.
Shares plummeted 23% to $5.11 as the bottom-line results sharply
missed Street expectations.
Watchlist:
Agilent Technologies Inc. (A) has named Chief Operating Officer
Ron Nersesian as its new president, effective immediately, as Chief
Executive William Sullivan relinquishes the president title.
Groupon (GRPN) named a new chief operating officer for the daily
coupon service Wednesday, elevating Kal Raman to the position as
the company seeks to reshape itself and regain investor
confidence.
Hot Topic Inc.'s (HOTT) fiscal third-quarter earnings rose 38%
as the teen apparel retailer reported stronger sales and
margins.
Limited Brands Inc.'s (LTD) fiscal third-quarter profit fell 22%
on lower sales and as a tax benefit boosted year-earlier results.
The retailer raised its earnings projection for the full year.
Defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) is offering up to
$3.4 billion of outstanding debt in exchange for notes due 2042 and
an additional cash amount.
NetEase Inc.'s (NTES, K3MD.SG) third-quarter earnings edged down
1.7% as the Internet company's revenue from online games slipped
and it boosted promotional activities.
Moody's Investors Service has lowered its long-term debt ratings
of mail and document services company Pitney Bowes Inc. (PBI) one
notch closer to junk territory, citing concerns for its North
American and international mailing businesses and a weak
macroeconomic environment.
RLI Corp. (RLI) is paying a special dividend of $5 a share as
the specialty insurer seeks to boost shareholder returns. The
company also said it expects losses from superstorm Sandy to reach
$15 million to $20 million, before taxes.
Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc. (SPB) swung to a fiscal
fourth-quarter profit as an impairment charge weighed on the
consumer-products company's year-earlier results, though sales in
its largest segment slipped. Adjusted earnings were above analyst
expectations.
Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN) said it will cut about 4.8% of its
global workforce in a cost-reduction effort as it shifts away from
the mobile market.
Williams-Sonoma Inc.'s (WSM) fiscal third-quarter profit rose
13% as the houseware and furniture retailer posted same-store sales
increases across its brands.
Write to Nathalie Tadena at nathalie.tadena@dowjones.com
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