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Stocks to Watch, Jan. 31: Google, Altria Group, Merck, Kraft

By MarketWatch
Published | Updated

SAN FRANCISCO – Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Tuesday's session are Google Inc., Altria Group, Merck & Co. and Kraft Foods Inc.

Allstate Corp. (ALL) is expected to report fourth-quarter earnings of $1.52 a share, according to analysts polled Thomson First Call.

Altria Group (MO) is seen posting a fourth-quarter profit of $1.17 a share.

Archer Daniels Midland Co.'s (ADM) fiscal second-quarter earnings are expected to be 42 cents a share.

Archipelago Holdings Inc. (AX) is expected to post a per-share profit of 25 cents a share in its fourth quarter

Chiron Corp. (CHIR) is seen posting fourth-quarter earnings of 51 cents a share.

Google Inc. (GOOG) is expected to post fourth-quarter earnings of $1.76 a share

Hilton Hotels Corp. (HLT) is seen posting per-share earnings of 19 cents a share in its fourth quarter.

Kellogg Co. (K) is expected to post a profit of 46 cents a share in its fourth quarter.

Knight Ridder Inc. (KRI) is seen reporting a fourth-quarter per-share profit of $1.22.

Merck & Co.'s (MRK) fourth quarter earnings are expected to be 62 cents a share.

Symantec Corp. (SYMC) is expected to report a fiscal third-quarter profit of 25 cents a share.

After Monday's closing bell, Kraft Foods Inc. (KFT) reported fourth-quarter increases in earnings and revenue. The company also said that it would cut about 8% of its workforce and close 20 plants, a move to boost its restructuring plan. See full story. See After Hours column.

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Aflac Inc. (AFL) reported an 11% drop in fourth-quarter earnings, but the health insurer also unveiled strong sales growth and increased its dividend. See full story.

Atheros Communications Inc. (ATHR) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $13.1 million, or 24 cents a share, vs. $2.2 million, or 4 cents a share, last year. Excluding certain items, the company earned 11 cents a share vs. 5 cents a year ago. Revenue rose 27%, to $53.1 million from $41.7 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had forecast earnings of 7 cents a share on revenue of $52 million.

Boston Properties Inc. (BXP) said fourth-quarter funds from operations, a key profitability measure for real estate investment trusts, rose to $126.7 million from $118.9 million during the same period last year. See full story.

Everest Re Group Ltd. (RE) said it lost $162.2 million, or $2.63 a share, during the fourth quarter as the reinsurer continued to feel the effects of last year's record hurricane season. On an operating basis, which excludes realized capital gains and losses, Everest Re lost $185.8 million, or $3.01 a share, vs. a profit of $94.7 million, or $1.66 a share, in the fourth quarter of 2004, the Bermuda-based company reported. Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma cost $422 million in after-tax losses during the fourth quarter, the company added. Everest Re was expected to lose $2.90 a share, according to the average estimate of 13 analysts in a Thomson First Call poll.

Fiserv Inc. (FISV) said its quarterly profit rose 54% as revenue bumped higher, helped by its recent addition of check-processing operations in Australia. See full story.

Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) said its fourth-quarter income nearly tripled, boosted by the sale of HIV treatments. See full story.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber (GT) warned that raw-material costs will hit its bottom line harder than it had expected. See full story.

H.B. Fuller Co. (FUL) said its specialty construction brands subsidiary has agreed to acquire Roanoke Companies Group Inc. for $270 million. St. Paul, Minn.-based H.B. Fuller said it will fund the transaction, which is expected to close in the second quarter, with $75 million in existing cash and the balance in new debt. The chemical company expects the deal to add 10 cents to 15 cents a share to 2007 earnings. For 2006, H.B. Fuller said it still sees 2006 earnings of $2.06 to $2.11 a share.

Kronos Inc. (KRON) reported fiscal first-quarter net earnings of $6.22 million, or 19 cents a share, down 41.6% from $10.7 million, or 33 cents a share, during the same period a year ago. Revenue rose to $127.9 million from $118.3 million a year ago, the Chelmsford, Mass.-based workforce management company said. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had forecast first-quarter earnings of 28 cents a share on revenue of $128 million.

Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. (NDAQ) reported that its net income for the fourth quarter rose 131% from last year, while quarterly revenue increased to $259.5 million from $168.1 million. See full story.

Plum Creek Timber Co. (PCL) Inc. posted a lower quarterly profit, citing higher energy costs and a $28 million drop in sales of manufactured products. See full story.

UnumProvident Corp. (UNM) said fourth-quarter net income rose 2% to $137.5 million, or 43 cents a share. Income excluding net realized after tax investment gains and losses was $136 million, or 43 cents a share, vs. $117.7 million, or 39 cents a share, in the fourth quarter of 2004, the disability insurer reported. UnumProvident was expected to earn 45 cents a share, according to the average estimate of 14 analysts in a Thomson First Call poll.

U.S. Steel Corp. (X) said its fourth-quarter net income plunged 76% as the rising cost of natural gas and electricity slammed profits in its flat-rolled steel business. See full story.

Zimmer Holdings Inc. (ZMH) posted lower fourth-quarter earnings, and the maker of medical products said its future sales growth could be hampered by adverse currency-exchange rates. See full story.

Zoran Corp. (ZRAN) reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $2.08 million, or 5 cents a share, vs. a net loss of $30.1 million, or 70 cents a share, last year. Excluding certain items, the company earned $10.9 million, or 23 cents a share. Revenue rose 46%, to $109.3 million from $74.8 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had forecast revenue of $104 million. The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based developer of circuits for digital video and audio products expects a first-quarter net loss of 15 cents to 18 cents a share on revenue of $103 million to $106 million.