Among the companies whose shares are expected to actively trade
in Thursday's session are Target Corp. (TGT), Sirius XM Radio Inc.
(SIRI) and Zumiez Inc. (ZUMZ).
Target is putting itself in the camp of holiday underperformers,
with December same-store-sales rising just half of analysts'
estimates and prompting a fiscal fourth-quarter earnings forecast
cut. Target specifically cited entertainment-related
products--electronics, movies, music--for its shortfall. The miss
follows a shortfall in November. Shares fell 4.5% to $47.75
premarket. Eli Lilly & Co. (ELY) shares also slipped, dropping
3.5% to $39.30, as its revised outlook for 2012 disappointed
investors.
Sirius said it added about 1.7 million net new subscribers in
2011, exceeding the company's expectations. Shares rose 3.8% to
$1.90 premarket as the satellite-radio operator said it ended the
year with nearly 21.9 million subscribers. The company had expected
1.6 million subscriber additions for the year.
Zumiez raised its fourth-quarter guidance as December same-store
sales beat analyst expectations. Shares surged 11% to $29.17 in
premarket trading.
Spanish banking stocks fell in early trade after the government
said the sector will need to raise about EUR50 billion in
additional provisions to deal with bad property assets. Banco
Santander SA's (STD) American depository shares were down 4.9% to
$7.17 in recent premarket trading.
Children's Place Retail Stores Inc. (PLCE) lowered its
fourth-quarter earnings guidance, as the children's specialty
retailer cited aggressive markdowns and high expenses. Shares
slumped 11% to $47.45 in premarket trading.
Seagate Technology PLC (STX) lifted its revenue outlook for its
fiscal second and third quarters as the impact from Thailand
flooding wasn't as bad as expected and the company benefited from
higher pricing. Seagate shares jumped 7.3% to $18.05 in premarket
trading.
SodaStream International Ltd. (SODA) will soon be adding bubbles
to Kraft Foods Inc.'s (KFT) Crystal Light and Country Time
Lemonade. Under a licensing agreement, SodaStream will add the two
Kraft brands to its portfolio of more than 120 flavors that can be
made into carbonated drinks at home using SodaStream machines,
sales of which have boomed recently in the U.S. The company's
shares surged 9.3% to $41.25 premarket.
American Greetings Corp. (AM) unveiled plans to buy back up to
$75 million of its Class A shares in an apparent effort to reassure
investors following the company's December stock plunge. Shares
edged up 0.4% to $12.55 premarket following the
shareholder-friendly move. The stock was off 28% over the past
month through Wednesday's close.
Oclaro Inc. (OCLR) said revenues in its just-ended fiscal
quarter were better than expected and predicted all but one of its
product lines hindered by Thai flooding would be restarted by the
end of the month. Shares in the optical components company jumped
8.8% to $3.20 in premarket trading.
Watch List:
Bebe Stores Inc. (BEBE) said it expects its fiscal
second-quarter earnings to be at the high end of its guidance, even
as the women's clothing retailer reported sales growth that missed
expectations.
Department-store operator Bon-Ton Stores Inc. (BONT) widened its
estimated loss for the full year as unseasonably mild weather hurt
its December sales.
Billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn indicated he could be
willing to raise his $15-a-share bid for Commercial Metals Co.
(CMC) and he encouraged shareholders to accept his unsolicited
$1.73 billion tender offer for the scrap-metal processor.
Constellation Brands Inc.'s (STZ) fiscal third-quarter earnings
declined 25% as the alcoholic-beverage company posted weaker sales
in the absence of its divested Australian and U.K. wine
business.
Cray Inc. (CRAY) cut its 2011 guidance as unexpected supply
issues resulted in delays completing the acceptance process on a
key project during the fourth quarter, though the company expects
the change in timing to help its performance in the current
year.
Destination Maternity Corp. (DEST) expects to post fiscal
first-quarter earnings at or slightly below the low end of its
targeted range as the maternity-apparel retailer undertook
additional markdowns to spur sales.
Dunkin' Brands Group Inc.'s (DNKN) Baskin-Robbins ice-cream
business reached a franchising agreement with a Vietnamese food
manufacturer to develop the brand in that country.
Golden Star Resources Ltd. (GSS, GSC.T) said its preliminary
fourth-quarter production results for two operations came in below
guidance, due to a shutdown and production problems.
Helen of Troy Ltd.'s (HELE) fiscal third-quarter earnings rose
21% though surging revenue, mostly spurred by its Kaz Inc.
acquisition, was partly offset by weaker margins and higher
overhead costs.
Henry Schein Inc. (HSIC) paid $155 million in cash to buy the
remaining stake in an animal-health joint venture held by private
equity firm Oak Hill Capital Partners, a purchase the health-care
products maker said it expects to add to earnings.
Limited Brands Inc. (LTD) raised its fiscal fourth-quarter
earnings target on the heels of December same-store sales
performance that easily topped analyst estimates.
Macy's Inc. (M) said its expects to post fourth-quarter charges
of $25 million to $30 million for expenses related to a series of
store openings and closings, part of its continuing steps to focus
on locations with growth opportunities.
Mosaic Co.'s (MOS) fiscal second-quarter earnings fell 39% as
the sale of an equity investment boosted year-ago results, though
phosphate and potash sales increased in the latest period.
MSC Industrial Direct Co.'s (MSM) fiscal first-quarter earnings
rose 26% as its better-than-expected sales contributed to slight
margin growth.
Resources Connection Inc.'s (RECN) fiscal second-quarter
earnings rose 45% as the outsourcing and advisory company continued
to see revenue growth and benefited from a favorable accounting
adjustment.
Sonic Corp.'s (SONC) fiscal first-quarter earnings fell 24% as
its top line dropped again and its margin weakened, although the
drive-in restaurant chain's comparable sales crept higher after an
unexpected drop last quarter.
Synchronoss Technologies Inc. (SNCR) acquired privately held
Miyowa Inc. for about $45.5 million in cash, giving the software
provider new exposure to mobile social networking and enhancing its
cloud-technology strategy.
Texas Industries Inc.'s (TXI) fiscal second-quarter loss widened
as the construction-materials company's margins slumped despite
recent cost-cutting efforts.
Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc. (ULTA) boosted its
fiscal fourth-quarter sales guidance and raised an already upbeat
earnings target for the quarter, citing strong sales performance
during the holiday season.
US Airways Group Inc.'s (LCC) consolidated December traffic rose
3.4% from a year earlier.
-Edited by Ian Thomson and Maya Pope-Chappell; write to
ian.thomson@dowjones.com and maya.pope-chappell@dowjones.com