Stocks to Watch, Dec. 7: Hershey and Fannie Mae

SAN FRANCISCO – Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Thursday's session are National Semiconductor Corp., Hershey Corp. and Fannie Mae.

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Central Garden & Pet Co. (CENT) is expected to report earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 49 cents, according to analysts polled by Thomson First Call.

Credence Systems Corp. (CMOS) is expected to post a fourth-quarter per-share loss of 2 cents.

Esterline Technologies Corp. (ESL) is expected to report earnings of 67 cents per share for the fourth quarter.

Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. (FLE) is expected to post a second-quarter per-share loss of 32 cents.

Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. (JOSB) is expected to post income of 29 cents per share for the third quarter.

National Semiconductor (NSM) is expected to report earnings per share for the second quarter of 27 cents.

Uti Worldwide Inc. (UTIW) is expected to post third-quarter per-share income of 31 cents.

Verifone Holdings Inc. (PAY) is expected to post fourth-quarter earnings of 29 cents per share.

After Wednesday's closing bell, Hershey (HSY) cut its 2006 sales and profit forecasts, citing a recent product recall and related plant closure in Canada, as well as slower-than-expected improvement in marketplace trends in the United States.

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Ace Ltd. (ACE) , one of the largest Bermuda-based insurance and reinsurance companies, set a 2007 earnings target that roughly matched analysts' expectations.

Brinker International Inc. (EAT) said its November sales at restaurants open at least one year fell 2.6 percent. The Dallas-based restaurant operator said Chili's same-restaurant sales fell 1.2 percent, while Macaroni Grill comparable-restaurant sales dropped 6.2 percent.

Capstone Turbine Corp. (CPST) said it has named Darren Jamison as president and chief executive. Jamison will also be a member of the board, effective Dec. 18.

Casella Waste Systems Inc. (CWST) reported second-quarter net earnings of $2.39 million, or 6 cents a share, compared with $4.16 million, or 13 cents a share, during the year-ago period.

Casey's General Stores Inc. (CASY) said second-quarter net income fell, with earnings affected by tighter gasoline margins, to $17.2 million, or 34 cents a share, from $22.2 million, or 44 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year. Analysts had expected per-share income of 37 cents.

Culp Inc. (CFI) said it swung to second-quarter net income of $812,000, or 7 cents a share, from last year's result, which included restructuring and related charges of $3.8 million, or 33 cents per share. During the same period in the prior year, the net loss was $4.15 million, or 36 cents a share.

Delia's Inc. (DLIA) said third-quarter net income rose, as revenue gained, to $3.27 million, or 11 cents a share, from $1.68 million, or 6 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year. The retailer said quarterly revenue rose to $67.5 million from $60.3 million in the prior year.

Duke Realty Corp. (DUK) said it has agreed to acquire Bremner Healthcare Real Estate, a national healthcare development and management firm. The company will be known as Bremner-Duke Healthcare Real Estate.

Dynamex Inc. (DDMX) reported first-quarter net earnings of $3.65 million, or 34 cents a share, compared with $3.18 million, or 27 cents a share, in the same period last year, on the back of higher sales. Analysts had expected per-share earnings of 31 cents.

Fannie Mae (FNM) restated multiple years' worth of results, cutting retained earnings at the mortgage giant by $6.3 billion through the middle of 2004.

G-III Apparel Group Ltd. (GIII) said third-quarter net earnings rose to $23.3 million, or $1.59 a share, from $14.8 million, or $1.15 a share, in the same period last year, on the back of strong sales. The apparel manufacturer said revenue rose 31 percent to $244.7 million from $186.6 million.

Home Depot Inc. (HD) said it has concluded its review of stock-option practices, and found unrecorded expenses since 1981 of $200 million related to the backdating of option grants.

Journal Register Co. (JRC) said it expects a 2.5 percent increase in total advertising revenue for 2007. The company said it sees a 40 percent increase in online advertising revenue in 2007, and expects circulation revenue to rise 1 percent.

Liquidity Services Inc. (LQDT) said fourth-quarter net income rose, as revenue gained, to $2.23 million, or 8 cents a share, from $1.59 million, or 7 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year.

Parker Hannifin Corp. (PH) said total orders in November were up 5 percent compared with the year-ago period. The company added that orders in the industrial North America segment were flat vs. a year ago.

Pediatrix Medical Group Inc. (PDX) said the Federal Trade Commission has closed its investigation of the company's 2001 acquisition of Magella Healthcare Corp., and no further action is warranted. Also, Pediatrix said its audit committee expects to conclude that there were deficiencies in the company's stock-options process.

PepsiAmericas Inc. (PAS) said it is sees pretax charges of $18 million related to severance and other costs as part of the strategic realignment of its United States business. The Pepsi distributor said it sees recording $12 million of the charges in the fourth quarter, and the remainder throughout 2007.

Perry Ellis International Inc. (PERY) said it has agreed to re-acquire the Perry Ellis brand fragrance license from Parlux Fragrances Inc. for about $63 million..

Phelps Dodge Corp. (PD) said its board has given conditional approval to develop the initial mining project at the Tenke Fungurume copper/cobalt concession in the Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The project will require a capital investment of about $650 million.

PNM Resources Inc. (PNM) said a public offering of 5 million of its shares has priced at $30.79 each. The energy holding company said it plans to use the proceeds to repay a portion of a loan used to finance the acquisition of the Twin Oaks Power facility.

Retail Ventures Inc. (RVI) said it is exploring strategic alternatives for its Value City department stores operations, including a possible sale.

SeaChange International Inc. (SEAC) said the third-quarter net loss narrowed, as revenue gained, to $1.03 million, or 4 cents a share, from a net loss of $2.11 million, or 7 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year. Analysts had expected a per-share loss of 7 cents.

Tercica Inc. (TRCA) said a jury in a federal court in California found that Insmed Inc. (INSM) and Insmed Therapeutic Proteins Inc. infringed several patents licensed by Tercica from Genentech Inc. (DNA) .

Veritas DGC Inc. (VTS) said first-quarter net income gained, as revenue rose, to $27.5 million, or 68 cents a share, from $11.8 million, or 32 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year. Quarterly revenue rose to $230.8 million from $168.7 million.

Viacom Inc. (VIA) (VIAB) said its $750 million retail debt offering of 6.85 percent senior notes due 2055 has priced. The media company said it plans to use the proceeds to repay a portion of its credit facilities and its commercial paper program.

VistaPrint Ltd. (VPRT) said it has promoted Wendy Cebula to chief operating officer, effective Jan. 3. Cebula now is chief information officer.

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