Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Thursday's session are VeriFone Systems Inc. (PAY), Ciena Corp.
(CIEN) and Vera Bradley Inc. (VRA).
VeriFone swung to a fiscal second-quarter loss as the maker of
card-payment systems recorded significant legal expenses and
product sales weakened. Shares slumped 16% to $18.50 premarket as
results missed the company's expectations and it provided
third-quarter guidance below analyst estimates.
Ciena's fiscal second-quarter loss narrowed as the
networking-equipment company's revenue topped its own forecast.
Shares jumped 11% to $18.05 premarket as the company also estimated
current-quarter revenue above analysts' estimates.
Vera Bradley's fiscal first-quarter profit shrank 27% as the
handbag designer's increased costs overshadowed stronger revenue
and higher same-store sales. Additionally, Chief Executive Michael
C. Ray said he will retire, though he plans to remain CEO through a
transition period and continue to serve as a director. Shares were
down 9.2% to $20.40 premarket.
Ascena Retail Group Inc.'s (ASNA) fiscal third-quarter earnings
fell 37% as the women's apparel retailer recorded higher expenses
and acquisition-related costs, masking revenue growth. Shares slid
8% to $18.27 premarket as results missed analysts' expectations and
the company lowered its full-year earnings guidance.
PepsiCo Inc. (PEP) denied a report in an Israeli newspaper that
it is in talks to acquire SodaStream International Ltd. (SODA), the
maker of counter-top machines that turn tap water into soda. The
report it "totally and complete untrue," a PepsiCo spokesman said
Thursday. SodaStream shares lost some fizz, but still rose 6% to
$73.51 premarket.
Conn's Inc.'s (CONN) fiscal first-quarter earnings surged 92%
amid broad sales growth led by its furniture and mattress business
and sharply improved margins. The company raised its per-share
earnings estimate and same-store sales growth outlook for the
fiscal year. Shares rose 7.3% to $52.00 premarket.
FuelCell Energy Inc.'s (FCEL) fiscal second-quarter loss
narrowed as the power-equipment maker's revenue grew more than
expected and as margins improved. Shares jumped 13% to $1.66
premarket.
Rosetta Stone Inc. (RST) unveiled an offering of 3.5 million of
its shares. Shareholders ABS Capital Partners IV Trust and Norwest
Equity Partners VIII, LP, are offering the bulk of the shares,
while the language-learning company is selling 10,000 shares. The
company had 21.5 million shares outstanding as of April 30. Shares
slipped 6.7% to $15.93 premarket.
Chinese game developer and operator Giant Interactive Group Inc.
(GA) said a downsized secondary offering of 11 million American
depositary shares priced at a 4% discount to Wednesday's close. The
ADSs fell 5.8% to $7.11 premarket, below the offer price of
$7.25.
Watchlist:
Coldwater Creek Inc.'s (CWTR) fiscal first-quarter loss narrowed
amid stronger margins that offset a bigger-than-expected decline in
sales at the women's apparel retailer. The company offered downbeat
guidance for the current quarter.
Endo Health Solutions Inc. (ENDP) unveiled a series of
cost-cutting plans, including cutting its global workforce by 15%
and exploring strategic alternatives for parts of its business, as
the pharmaceutical company looks to focus on its core
businesses.
Francesca's Holdings Corp.'s (FRAN) fiscal first-quarter
earnings rose 25% as the women's apparel and accessories retailer
continued its pace of double-digit sales growth. However, sales
came in below guidance.
Greif Inc.'s (GEF, GEFB) fiscal second-quarter earnings rose
3.8% as the packaging company benefited from an easy comparison
with a year-earlier period that was bogged down by heavy
restructuring charges.
KAR Auction Services Inc. (KAR) said a secondary offering of 15
million shares, which are being sold by its largest stockholder, at
a 2% discount to Wednesday's close. The shares, which are being
sold by KAR Holdings II LLC, priced at $21.25 apiece.
Las Vegas Sands Corp.'s (LVS) board approved a multiyear $2
billion share repurchase program, as the casino and resort operator
looks to increase shareholder returns.
Nordion Inc.'s (NDZ, NDN.T) fiscal second-quarter profit fell
77% as the medical-technology company posted significantly higher
selling and administrative expenses that masked revenue growth.
Procter & Gamble Co. (PG) Chief Executive A.G. Lafley
elevated four senior executives to run major business units and
report directly to him, effectively identifying some of the people
in the running to succeed him at the helm of the consumer-products
company.
Rue21 Inc.'s (RUE) fiscal first-quarter earnings fell 6.9% amid
higher overhead costs, though the value-oriented teen-apparel
retailer reported stronger revenue and margins.
SAP AG (SAP, SAP.XE) said it has agreed to buy Hybris, a Swiss
maker of online logistics-management software, in a move to expand
the company's products that help track customer relationships.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO) started a $2.2 billion
offering to raise funds for its $13.6 billion acquisition of fellow
laboratory-equipment maker Life Technologies Corp. (LIFE). Thermo
Fisher recently had a market capitalization of $31.68 billion.
Moody's Investors Service lowered its rating on Walter Energy
Inc. (WLT) one notch further into junk territory, citing continued
headwinds pressuring the metallurgical-coal industry.
Write to Anna Prior at anna.prior@dowjones.com
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