Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Friday's session are VeriSign Inc. (VRSN), Zynga Inc. (ZNGA) and
Yum Brands Inc. (YUM).
VeriSign has received approval from the U.S. Department of
Commerce to renew its agreement to serve as the authoritative
operator for the .com registry with the Internet Corporation for
Assigned Names and Numbers. Under the renewal, VeriSign can serve
as the registry operator through Nov. 30, 2018. However, shares
tumbled 11% to $35.10 premarket as renewal says the domain-name
company no longer has the right to four price increases of up to 7%
over the six-year term.
Facebook Inc. (FB) and Zynga are changing the rules of their
relationship. In a bid to become less reliant on Facebook, Zynga
disclosed in a filing Thursday that it has amended the terms of its
relationship with the world's largest social network so that it can
now host its Web games outside of Facebook's platform, among other
things. The new agreement also leaves the door open for Facebook to
produce its own games and become a direct competitor to Zynga.
Zynga shares fell 8.8% to $2.39 premarket.
Yum Brands said sales in China have recently softened, and the
fast-food chain gave a weaker-than-expected earnings growth outlook
for next year. Shares fell 7.7% premarket to $68.75.
Groupon Inc.'s (GRPN) board meeting Thursday ended with no
change to its chief executive position, said a company spokesman.
Shares fell 3.5% to $4.38 premarket.
Christopher & Banks Corp. (CBK) swung to a fiscal
third-quarter profit as the women's clothing retailer recorded
strong same-store sales growth and an overall sales improvement.
Shares soared 29% to $4.73 premarket, as earnings soared past
Street expectations.
Zumiez Inc.'s (ZUMZ) fiscal third-quarter earnings fell 10% amid
charges related to its Blue Tomato acquisition, though the teen
apparel retailer continued to report sales growth. Shares fell 7.9%
to $19.11 in premarket trading as revenue missed expectations and
the company gave a mostly downbeat view for the current
quarter.
Grocery-store operator Supervalu Inc. (SVU) said its strategic
review is continuing, and that it continues to be in active
discussion with several parties. Shares were up 4.4% to $2.38
premarket.
Tellabs Inc.'s (TLAB) board has declared a special cash dividend
of $1 a share, and promoted Daniel P. Kelly to chief executive and
president of the networking-equipment company. Shares jumped 14% to
$3.36 premarket.
Supernus Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (SUPN) offering of six million
shares priced at a 19% discount to Thursday's close. The
specialty-drug maker's shares will be offered at $8 each, compared
with Thursday's closing price of $9.83. The offering comes just
after the company's initial public offering in May, when it offered
shares at $5 each. As of Sept. 30, Supernus had about 24.5 million
shares outstanding. Shares were down 18% to $8.05 premarket.
Active Network Inc. (ACTV) shares received an upgrade from Bank
of America Merrill Lynch, which raised its rating on the stock to
buy from underperform and maintained its $59 price objective,
citing attractive valuation. The technology and media company's
leadership in the online event management space "should enable it
to continue consolidating a highly fragmented market and the online
shift of offline event management should drive gross profit
growth," the investment bank said in a note to clients. Shares rose
7.9% to $5.45 premarket.
FBR Capital Markets downgraded shares of integrated
communications provider NTELOS Holdings Corp. (NTLS) to
underperform from market perform, and slashed its price target to
$5 from $21, citing "the adverse cash flow impact of the expected
non-renewal" of the Sprint Strategic Network Alliance agreement,
which generates the majority of EBITDA for NTELOS. Shares fell 13%
to $14 premarket.
Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc.'s (ULTA) fiscal
third-quarter earnings rose 43%, as the beauty-products retailer
saw better-than-expected sales growth. Shares were up 5.9% at
$98.61 in premarket trading as results beat analysts'
expectations.
Avago Technologies Ltd.'s (AVGO) fiscal fourth-quarter earnings
rose 3.2% as the chip manufacturer booked lower operating expenses,
though revenue declined slightly. Shares were down 2.4% at $34.25
in premarket trading.
Watchlist:
Duke Energy Corp. (DUK) Chief Executive Jim Rogers is retiring,
and the power company's board will be overhauled in a sweeping
settlement with North Carolina regulators over a controversial
boardroom coup last summer.
Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ENZN) and Mastech Holdings Inc.
(MHH) were among a string of companies to declare special dividends
ahead of a potential tax hike in the new year, while Seagate
Technology Inc. (STX) will pay its boosted quarterly dividend
early.
The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved a new drug
from Exelixis Inc. (EXEL) to treat a rare type of thyroid cancer
that has spread to other parts of the body.
Five Below Inc. (FIVE) swung to a fiscal third-quarter profit as
the teen discount retailer's same-store sales and margins
strengthened. Adjusted profit and revenue topped Five Below's
expectations and as the company raised its full-year guidance.
Gentiva Health Services Inc. (GTIV) said the Securities and
Exchange Commission doesn't intend to recommend any enforcement
action after completing its investigation into the company's
participation in the Medicare Home Health Prospective Payment
System.
Hanesbrands Inc.'s (HBI) has raised its 2013 earnings guidance,
saying its plan to repay debt early will reduce the apparel
manufacturer's interest expenses.
Moody's Investors Service lowered its outlook on newspaper
publisher McClatchy Co. (MNI) to stable from positive, citing
expectations that ongoing revenue pressure on newspapers will make
it difficult for the company to reduce its high leverage.
Mentor Graphics Corp.'s (MENT) fiscal third-quarter earnings
rose 27% as the chip-design software company reported sales gains
in both its software and service segments.
Mitel Networks Corp.'s (MITL, MNW.T) fiscal second-quarter loss
widened amid restructuring-related charges and other items as the
company also reported weaker revenue. However, adjusted earnings
and revenue topped expectations.
OmniVision Technologies Inc.'s (OVTI) fiscal second-quarter
profit dropped 50% as high manufacturing costs pressured the chip
maker's margins, masking a jump in revenue.
Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. (PSUN) swung to a small
fiscal third-quarter profit--its first quarter in the black in four
years--as the teen-focused retailer benefited from a one-time gain
related to a derivative liability.
Richmont Mines Inc. (RIC, RIC.T) said it has closed its
Francoeur Mine and suspended exploration activities on the Wasamac
gold property, citing economic infeasibility.
Splunk Inc.'s (SPLK) fiscal third-quarter loss widened as the
data-analysis software company's higher costs continued to offset
improved revenue. The company again raised its revenue guidance for
the year.
St. Jude Medical Inc.'s (STJ) board authorized the repurchase of
as much as $1 billion of the medical-device maker's stock, the
latest shareholder-friendly move by the company.
Write to Anna Prior at anna.prior@dowjones.com
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires