Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Wednesday's session are H&R Block Inc. (HRB), Francesca's
Holdings Corp. (FRAN) and LinkedIn Corp. (LNKD).
H&R Block's fiscal first-quarter loss widened as the
tax-services provider's expenses grew, masking higher revenue.
Shares fell 4.1% to $26.75 in premarket trading, as the loss was
wider than Wall Street expected, though revenue beat expectations.
The company also said that its plan to shed its banking operations
will be delayed due to a regulatory hold-up.
Francesca's fiscal second-quarter profit rose 16% amid higher
revenue, but results missed expectations and the women's fashion
retailer cut its view for the year, warning it expects challenging
traffic trends. Shares tumbled 18% to $19.80 premarket as
Francesca's gave a third-quarter outlook well below Wall Street
views.
LinkedIn, looking to capitalize on a strong run-up in its share
price, Tuesday filed to raise $1 billion in a follow-on stock
offering. Shares fell 2.1% to $241.00 in premarket trading.
Europe's biggest discount airline by passenger numbers Ryanair
Holdings PLC (RYAAY, RYA.LN, RYA.DB) said it may miss its net
profit forecast for the current fiscal year as it reduces ticket
prices to match a rash of low fares offered by its main competitors
since mid-August. American depositary shares fell 12% to
$43.00.
C.R. Bard Inc. (BCR) agreed to acquire Rochester Medical Corp.
(ROCM) in a deal valued at roughly $247 million that is expected to
enhance the medical-device maker's presence in the global urology
homecare market. Rochester Medical shares surged 44% to $19.88
premarket, just below the offer of $20 a share, a 45% premium to
Tuesday's close and a level last reached roughly six years ago.
Guidewire Software Inc.'s (GWRE) fiscal fourth-quarter earnings
soared as the provider of software to the insurance industry posted
a double-digit increase in revenue that was led by growth in
license revenue. However, shares fell 7.9% to $42.80 premarket as
first-quarter guidance fell short of analyst estimates.
Ciena Corp.'s (CIEN) fiscal third-quarter loss narrowed as the
telecom-equipment company posted higher revenue led by its products
unit, as well as wider margins. Shares climbed 8.5% to $22.42
premarket as adjusted earnings topped expectations and the company
projected strong fourth-quarter revenue.
Rockwell Medical Inc. (RMTI) said results from a study of its
investigational iron-delivery drug in chronic kidney-disease
patients receiving hemodialysis were positive. Shares jumped 7.6%
to $5.96 premarket.
E*Trade Financial Corp. (ETFC) received regulatory approval to
distribute $100 million in cash from its bank to the parent company
this month, marking the latest step in the online brokerage's
efforts to improve its balance sheet. Shares rose 7.3% to $15.60
premarket.
Medley Capital Corp. (MCC) is offering six million of its shares
to raise funds for the repayment of debt, to fund new investment
opportunities and for general corporate purposes. The
management-investment company had 33.2 million shares outstanding
as of July 31. Shares were down 3% to $12.87 premarket.
Watchlist:
ABM Industries Inc.'s (ABM) fiscal third-quarter earnings jumped
28% as revenue strengthened due to organic growth in the
janitorial, facility-services and security segments and gains from
recent acquisitions. The facility-services contractor increased its
fiscal-year earnings guidance and the latest quarter's results beat
analyst expectations.
Alliant Energy Corp. (LNT) agreed to sell its Minnesota electric
and natural-gas distribution businesses for a total of $128
million.
Carl Icahn reduced his holdings in Hain Celestial Group Inc.
(HAIN) by about half, but will remain the largest shareholder in
the organic-products company. Mr. Icahn is selling his holdings as
part of a sale of nearly 3.7 million Hain Celestial shares to
investment bank Jefferies Group LLC.
Chemical and polymer maker LyondellBasell Industries NV (LYB)
said Apollo Management Holdings LP, which has been paring its stake
in the company, is selling 16 million shares. The company had 570.3
million shares outstanding as of Aug. 30 and said the number of
shares outstanding won't change as a result of the offering.
News Corp (NWS) sold a collection of community newspapers called
the Dow Jones Local Media Group to an affiliate of Fortress
Investment Group LLC for an undisclosed amount.
National CineMedia Inc. (NCMI) said Regal Entertainment Group
(RGC), one of its founding members, plans to offer two million
shares. The media company, which had 55.4 million shares
outstanding as of June 27, won't receive proceeds from the
sale.
United Technologies Corp. (UTX) said David P. Hess will retire
as president of aircraft-engine maker Pratt & Whitney on Jan.
1, and will be replaced by Paul R. Adams.
Write to Anna Prior at anna.prior@wsj.com
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