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Stocks to Watch, Feb. 22: Martha Stewart Living, Viacom

By MarketWatch
Published | Updated

SAN FRANCISCO – Among the companies whose shares are likely to see active trading on Wednesday are Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Salesforce.com Inc. and Viacom Inc.

GlobalSantaFe Corp. (GSF) is expected to report fourth-quarter earnings of 56 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call.

Harrah's Entertainment (HET) is seen posting a profit of 56 cents a share for the fourth quarter.

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSO) is expected to report a per-share profit of 15 cents for the fourth quarter.

Analysts expect Molina Healthcare Inc. (MOH) to post fourth-quarter earnings of 33 cents a share.

OfficeMax Inc. (OMX) is seen posting a per-share profit of 7 cents for the fourth quarter.

R.H. Donnelley Corp.'s (RHD) earnings for the fourth quarter are expected to come in at 86 cents a share.

Salesforce.com Inc. (CRM) is seen posting a fourth-quarter per-share profit of 5 cents.

Sempra Energy (SRE) is expected to report earnings of $1.24 a share for the fourth quarter.

Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) is seen reporting fourth-quarter earnings of 34 cents a share.

Viacom Inc. (VIA) (VIAB) is expected to post a profit of 47 cents a share for the fourth quarter.

After the bell Tuesday, Sun Microsystems Inc. (SUNW) named Michael Lehman chief financial officer. He left the post in 2002. See full story.

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Allstate Corp. (ALL) increased its quarterly cash dividend 9.4% to 35 cents a share, payable April 3 to shareholders as of March 10.

AmSurg Corp. (AMSG) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $8.46 million, or 28 cents a share, compared with $8.69 million, or 29 cents a share, during the year-ago period. Revenue at the Nashville, Tenn.-based ambulatory surgery center operator rose to $102.9 million from $87.3 million. AmSurg forecast 2006 earnings of $1.22 to $1.25 a share, or $1.36 to $1.39 a share on a pro forma basis, on revenue of $445 million to $465 million. For the first quarter, the company expects per-share earnings of 28 cents to 29 cents, or 32 cents to 33 cents a share on a pro forma basis.

Baidu.com Inc. (BIDU) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $3 million, or 9 cents a share. The Chinese Internet search engine posted total revenue of $14.2 million, representing a 29.2% increase from the previous quarter, the company said. Net income excluding share-based compensation expenses was $4.3 million, or 13 cents a share. Baidu.com forecast first-quarter revenue of $15.1 million to $16.1 million.

HealthTronics Inc. (HTRN) warned that it expects fourth-quarter earnings to come below its previous forecast, primarily because sales of its medical devices fell short of estimates. The company now expects to post per-share earnings of 7 cents to 10 cents a share, compared with its previous forecast of per-share earnings forecast of 12 cents to 13 cents. Austin, Texas-based HealthTronics forecast 2005 pro forma earnings of 40 cents to 44 cents a share, compared with 41 cents a share in the year-ago period.

Herbalife Ltd. (HLF) said fourth-quarter net earnings were $30 million, or 41 cents a share. During the same period last year, the company reported a net loss of $37.4 million, or 68 cents a share. Revenue was $409 million, compared with $341.6 million last year. Herbalife expects first-quarter sales growth of 16% to 18%, and per-share income of 37 cents to 41 cents. For 2006, Herbalife expects sales growth of 14% to 18%, and per-share income of $1.80 to $1.85.

InPhonic Inc. (INPC) reported a fourth-quarter net loss attributable to common shareholders of $24.6 million, or 69 cents a share, compared with a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $7.91 million, or 37 cents a share, during the year-ago period. The net loss was $24.6 million vs. $1.39 million. Revenue at the Washington-based online wireless services provider rose to $85.2 million from $48.7 million a year ago. The adjusted loss for the quarter was $14.6 million, or 41 cents a share. A year ago, InPhonic posted adjusted earnings of $1.9 million, or 5 cents a share. InPhonic said it expects first-quarter adjusted earnings of 5 cents to 6 cents a share on revenue of $83 million to $85 million.

Medical device maker Medtronic Inc.'s (MDT) posted a quarterly profit increase of 22% because of higher sales of implantable defibrillators and spinal products. See full story.

Odyssey HealthCare Inc. (ODSY) said its fourth-quarter net loss was $1.79 million, or 5 cents a share. During the same period last year, the hospice provider reported income of $8.78 million, or 24 cents a share. Odyssey HealthCare said quarterly revenue was $101.8 million, compared with $91.3 million last year. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had expected revenue of $102 million. The company expects 2006 per-share income of 70 cents to 80 cents, and revenue of $420 million to $440 million. Analysts are looking for annual revenue of $429 million.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. (RRD) said it won a $70 million multiyear contract extension from Johnson Publishing Co. to provide all of its magazine printing, paper and logistics services, as well as components of the prepress needs for its Ebony and Jet magazines.

Ruth's Chris Steak House Inc. said (RUTH) fourth-quarter net income was $4.04 million or 17 cents a share, compared with $2.83 million, or 11 cents a share, during the same period last year. The Orlando, Fla.-based restaurant operator said quarterly revenue was $58.7 million, compared with $52.6 million last year. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had expected fourth-quarter revenue of $57 million. For the quarter, Ruth's Chris said comparable company-owned restaurant sales increased 8.5%, and franchised restaurant sales increased 8%. For the first quarter, Ruth's Chris expects per-share income of 24 cents to 26 cents, with analysts looking for 25 cents. For the full year, the company expects per-share income of 84 cents to 87 cents, with analysts looking for 84 cents.

Texas Roadhouse Inc. (TXRH) said fourth-quarter net earnings of $6.31 million, or 9 cents a share. During the same period a year ago, Louisville, Ky.-based restaurant chain posted a net loss of $331,000, or a penny a share. Revenue rose to $117.6 million from $96.9 million a year ago. Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call had forecast fourth-quarter revenue of $120 million. Texas Roadhouse said its same-restaurant sales increased 3.6% at company restaurants and 1.6% at franchise restaurants during the quarter.

Usec Inc. (USU) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $29.6 million, or 34 cents a share, compared with $28.2 million, or 33 cents a share, during the year-ago period. Revenue at the Bethesda, Md.-based supplier of low-enriched uranium to nuclear plants fell 15% to $549.7 million from $648.5 million. USEC forecast 2006 earnings of $70 million to $80 million on revenue of $1.75 billion. On a pro forma basis, Usec expects earnings of $120 million to $135 million for the year.