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Stocks to Watch: Red Hat, McCormick & Co.

By MarketWatch
Published | Updated

SAN FRANCISCO – Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Wednesday's session are Red Hat Inc., McCormick & Co., Research in Motion Ltd.

Landec Corp. (LNDC) is expected to show a first-quarter loss of 2 cents a share, according to analysts polled by Thomson First Call.

McCormick & Co.'s (MKC) third quarter is expected to show a per-share profit of 34 cents.

Merix Corp. (MERX) is seen posting a first-quarter loss of 6 cents a share.

Red Hat Inc. (RHAT) is expected to show earnings of 7 cents a share in its second quarter.

Research in Motion Ltd.'s (RIMM) second quarter is expected to show a per-share profit of 61 cents.

Topps Co. Inc. (TOPP) is expected to show second-quarter earnings of 7 cents a share.

After Tuesday's closing bell, Constellation launched a C$1.4 billion ($1.2 billion) hostile takeover bid for Vincor International, one of the world's top 10 wine companies by revenue.

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Affymetrix Inc. (AFFX) lowered its third-quarter revenue forecast, due to lower than expected sales of its most advanced commercial product.

Aehr Test Systems () reported a first-quarter net loss of $244,000, or 3 cents a share, compared with a loss of $1.32 million, or 18 cents a share, in the same quarter last year. The Fremont, Calif.-based supplier of semiconductor test and burn-in equipment posted revenue of $4.65 million vs. $5.94 million and said it expects second-quarter sales to be "significantly higher" than the most recent period.

Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (APD) said it expects the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to reduce its fiscal fourth-quarter results by 5 cents to 7 cents a share. It said the losses are attributable to property damage and business interruption in its gases and chemicals businesses.

AngioDynamics Inc. (ANGO) reported first-quarter net earnings of $1.3 million, or 10 cents a share, up 70% from $761,000, or 6 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue at the Queensbury, N.Y.-based medical products company rose to $16.4 million from $13.1 million last year, and gross margin rose to 58.2% from 53.4%. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had estimated earnings at 9 cents a share on revenue of $16 million. AngioDynamics reaffirmed its 2006 earnings forecast of $5.8 million on revenue of at least $72 million. The company expects pro forma earnings of $6.1 million in 2006.

Enesco Group Inc. (ENC) said it expects pretax cost savings in the range of $34 million to $38 million annually as it implements a plan to cut costs and increase its market share in the U.S., the U.K. and Canada. It said savings will include $12 million in expenses from the termination of its Precious Moments license agreement and severance costs, among other sources. Enesco also expects to reduce the number of product lines to a range of 50 to 60, from 170. The savings are expected to be fully realized in 2007.

First Industrial Realty Trust Inc. (FR) is increasing the low end of its 2005 funds from operations forecast range by 10 cents a share to $3.55 to $3.65, the company said. The new forecast will be presented at its annual investor day tomorrow. The company now sees per-share earnings for the year of $1.75 to $1.85 and third-quarter FFO of 91 cents to 96 cents. For 2006, First Industrial sees FFO of $3.90 to $4.10 a share and earnings of $2.20 and $2.40 a share.

Manor Care Inc. (HCR) said it has restated its first-quarter earnings to $40.6 million, or 46 cents a share. The Toledo, Ohio-based healthcare services provider had previously reported earnings of $31.2 million, or 36 cents a share, for the quarter. Manor Care said its second-quarter restatement resulted in no change to its earlier reported per-share earnings of 43 cents.

Manugistics Group Inc. (MANU) reported a second-quarter net loss of $6.1 million, or 7 cents a share, narrower than its loss of $17.1 million, or 21 cents a share, a year ago. Its adjusted loss was $217,000, or breakeven on a per-share basis. The business management software provider said revenue fell 15% to $43.6 million from $51.3 million last year. Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call expected Rockville, Md.-based Manugistics to report a loss of 1 cent a share on revenue of $45 million.

Insurer Markel Corp. (MKL) said its preliminary estimated after-tax losses, including reinstatement premiums, from Hurricane Katrina are expected to range from $125 million to $150 million.

Mohawk Industries Inc. (MHK) lowered its third-quarter earnings forecast to $1.60 to $1.63 a share from $1.71 to $1.80 a share due to the impact of Hurricane Katrina on raw materials and energy costs. The Calhoun, Ga.-based flooring company said it expects fourth-quarter earnings of $1.49 to $1.58 a share, excluding the impact, if any, of Hurricane Rita.

Nelnet Inc. (NNI) said it has agreed to acquire assets from Chela Education Financing Inc., including a $2.3 billion student loan portfolio, related servicing and origination assets, and rights to the Chela brand. Financial terms of the cash deal were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter. Lincoln, Neb.-based Nelnet is an education finance company.

Newfield Exploration Co. (NFX) said that three production platforms were lost in Hurricane Rita with a combined net natural gas production of 5.6 million of cubic feet equivalent a day. All other Newfield-operated structures it has flown over appear to be intact, the company said. Newfield began shutting in production in advance of the storm on Sept. 20, and 2 billion of cubic feet equivalent has been deferred since then. The Houston-based company said 320 MMcfe a day of production remains shut-in.

Paychex Inc. reported a better profit than expected late Tuesday and bumped up its financial forecast.

Safeco Corp. (SAFC) said that Hurricane Katrina may cost it $170 million, before taxes. The Seattle, Wash.-based property and casualty insurer said its pretax Katrina losses will likely be reduced by reinsurance to about $120 million.

Sterling Financial Corp. (STSA) lowered its third-quarter earnings forecast to 38 cents to 44 cents a share, and its 2005 forecast to $1.67 to $1.77 a share. The Spokane, Wash.-based bank holding company said it lowered its expectations based on slower-than-expected growth in loan balances and the impact of the continued flattening of the yield curve.