Stocks to Watch, Nov. 3: Whole Foods, Washington Post

SAN FRANCISCO – Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Friday's session are Whole Foods Market Inc., Washington Post Co. and Electronic Arts Inc.

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Ameren Corp. (AEE) is expected to report earnings per share for the third quarter of $1.36, according to analysts polled by Thomson First Call.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A) (BRK.B) is expected to report third-quarter results.

CryptoLogic Inc. (CRYP) is expected to post third-quarter per-share income of 46 cents.

Duke Energy Corp. (DUK) is expected to post income of 56 cents per share for the third quarter.

KeySpan (KSE) is expected to post third-quarter per-share income of 25 cents.

Medco Health Solutions Inc. (MHS) is expected to report earnings per share of 69 cents for the third quarter.

Peoples Energy Corp. (PGL) is expected to report a fourth-quarter loss of 41 cents per share.

Progress Energy (PGN) is expected to post per-share earnings of $1.13 for the third quarter.

Washington Post (WPO) is expected to post third-quarter income of $8.62 per share for the third quarter.

After Thursday's closing bell, shares of Whole Foods (WFMI) fell sharply following the grocer's lowering of its yearly sales growth forecast.

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Aquantive Inc. (AQNT) said third-quarter net income rose, as revenue gained, to $13.6 million, or 16 cents a share, from $9.44 million, or 13 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year. Aquantive said quarterly revenue rose to $111 million from $78.8 million in the prior year.

Avanex Corp. (AVNX) said its first-quarter net loss narrowed to $9.8 million, or 5 cents a share, compared with a net loss $16.9 million, 12 cents a share, in the prior year. Excluding share-based payments, among other items, the company's per-share loss narrowed to 3 cents vs. 10 cents last year.

Cephalon Inc. (CEPH) reported third-quarter net earnings of $95.7 million, or $1.43 a share, compared with $29.3 million, or 50 cents a share, during the year-ago period. The Frazer, Pa.-based biotechnology company posted revenue of $482.3 million vs. $309.5 million.

Electronic Arts (ERTS) reported a quarterly profit that fell 57 percent from a year ago, when it didn't account for the cost of employee stock options, but its shares rose almost 8 percent in late trading as results topped expectations and the company raised its full-year sales and profit forecast.

Emmis Broadcasting Corp. (EMMS) declared a special cash dividend of $4 a share, payable Nov. 22 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 12.

Gateway Inc. (GTW) reported a fiscal third-quarter profit that rose almost 21 percent from a year ago, but the No. 3 U.S. personal-computer company saw its sales dip amid flat PC sales.

Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. (GMST) income fell 65 percent from the year-earlier quarter that included a substantial gain, but the shares advanced after the company reported a better-than-expected revenue total.

JDSU Corp. on Thursday reported a narrower quarterly net loss as the company cut costs and benefited from an acquisition-related increase in sales.

Macrovision Corp. (MVSN) reported third-quarter net earnings of $6.4 million, or 12 cents a share, compared with $6.1 million, or 12 cents a share, in the prior year, as revenue and expenses rose. Revenue rose 25 percent to $58.1 million from $46.6 million.

Energy services contractor McDermott International Inc. (MDR) reported a 74 percent jump in third-quarter earnings, with the return of Babcock & Wilcox to the company's books accounting for the bulk of the gains.

Nationwide Financial Services Inc. (NFS) said third-quarter net income came in at $159.5 million, or $1.06 a share, down 4 percent from a year earlier, when the life insurance and retirement savings company made $166.7 million, or $1.08 a share. Operating earnings, which exclude net realized investment gains and losses, were $154.7 million, or $1.03 a share.

Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. (NBIX) said it swung to a third-quarter net loss, as revenue plummeted from last year's result that included a $50 million milestone payment, of $39.1 million, or $1.03 a share. During the same period in the prior year, net income was $26.2 million, or 68 cents a share.

Oracle Corp. (ORCL) and Stellent Inc. (STEL) said Oracle has agreed to acquire Stellent in a cash tender offer for $13.50 per share, or $440 million. Software behemoth Oracle's bid is a 27 percent premium to Stellent's closing price of $10.62.

PDL BioPharma Inc. (PDLI) said its third-quarter net loss narrowed to $6.72 million, or 6 cents a share, in the quarter ended Sept. 30, compared with a net loss of $45.2 million, or 43 cents a share, the year before. Excluding one-time items, PDL reported a profit of 23 cents a share.

Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) said its quarterly net income rose 14% from a year ago as it sold more of its cell-phone chip technology.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (RRGB) said third-quarter net income fell, as results included charges related to the acquisition of 11 restaurants, to $5.99 million, or 36 cents a share, from $6.47 million, or 39 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year. Excluding items, quarterly per-share income rose to 47 cents from 45 cents.

Univision Communications Inc. (UVN) , which has agreed to be acquired by a group of private equity interests, said its third-quarter profit rose 11 percent on increased revenue at its television networks and stations.

Walter Industries Inc. (WLT) said third-quarter net income rose, as revenue gained, to $63.2 million, or $1.23 a share, from $20.2 million, or 43 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year. Analysts had expected per-share income of $1.38.

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