Stocks to Watch, Dec. 6: Novell and Versant

SAN FRANCISCO – Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Wednesday's session are Novell Inc., Versant Corp. and Wind River Systems Inc.

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Delia's Inc. (DLIA) is expected to report earnings per share for the third quarter of 7 cents, according to analysts polled by Thomson First Call.

Greif Inc. (GEF) is expected to report fourth-quarter per-share income of $1.32.

SeaChange International Inc. (SEAC) is expected to post a per-share loss of 7 cents for the third quarter.

Tweeter Home Entertainment Group Inc. (TWTR) is expected to report a fourth-quarter per-share loss of 52 cents.

Veritas DGC Inc. (VTS) is expected to post earnings per share of 47 cents for the first quarter.

After Tuesday's closing bell, Novell Inc. (NOVL) reported preliminary fourth-quarter earnings of $22.4 million. During the same period a year ago, the Waltham, Mass.-based networking-software firm posted a net loss of $4.95 million. Novell reported preliminary revenue of $244.9 million vs. $287.6 million.

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ActivIdentity Corp. (ACTI) said the fourth-quarter net loss narrowed, as revenue rose, to $343,000, or a penny a share, from a net loss of $10.1 million, or 23 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year. Analysts had expected a per-share loss of 9 cents.

Agile Software Corp. (AGIL) said its preliminary second-quarter net loss per share was 3 cents, compared with a net loss of 7 cents per share during the same period in the prior year. Before items, the per-share net loss 2 cents, compared with a loss of 3 cents per share in the prior year.

Altera Corp. (ALTR) said it now sees a decline in fourth-quarter sequential sales of 5 percent to 7 percent, compared with its prior view of a 2 percent to 5 percent decline. The company cited declining sales for mainstream and mature products.

Continental Airlines Inc. (CAL) said it has converted an additional 12 of its Boeing Co. (BA) orders into the new Boeing 737-900ER.

Copart Inc. (CPRT) reported first-quarter net earnings of $30.3 million, or 32 cents a share, up 33% from $22.8 million, or 24 cents a share, during the year-ago period. The provider of vehicle salvage services posted revenue of $132.1 million vs. $116.7 million.

Dow Jones & Co. (DJ) said it has completed its sale of six community newspapers to Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. Dow Jones, publisher of this report, said it received $281.5 million in cash, and will receive an additional $6.4 million upon transfer of real property.

Electronic Data Systems Corp. (EDS) said it has promoted Ron Rittenmeyer to president. Rittenmeyer will also remain chief operating officer.

Handleman Co. (HDL) said it swung to a net loss in the second-quarter, as expenses rose for items such as income taxes, of $14.2 million, or 70 cents a share. During the same period in the prior year, net income was $9.77 million, or 46 cents a share.

Indevus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IDEV) and Novexel S.A. said they have agreed for Indevus to -license worldwide aminocandin rights to Novexel. Indevus will receive an up-front payment of $1.5 million, a payment of $2 million upon initiation of Phase II clinical trials, potential milestones totaling an additional $41 million and royalties on all future sales.

InterDigital Communications Corp. (IDCC) said it expects fourth-quarter revenue of $62 million to $63 million. The outlook doesn't include the potential positive impact of new agreements that may be signed during the quarter or additional royalties. Analysts are looking for revenue of $106 million for the quarter.

KBW Inc. (KBW) said third-quarter income rose, as revenue gained, to $9.13 million, or 35 cents a share, from $3.96 million, or 14 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year. The investment bank said quarterly revenue rose to $93.2 million from $78 million in the prior year.

Manor Care Inc. (HCR) said it has named Stephen Guillard chief operating officer, effective Jan. 1. Guillard was also elected to the board of directors.

MDU Resources Group Inc. (MDU) said it still expects 2006 per-share earnings of $1.50 to $1.65 a share. The natural resource products and services company also said it sees 2007 per-share earnings of $1.45 to $1.65. Analysts are forecasting 2006 per-share earnings of $1.63 and 2007 per-share earnings of $1.79.

New York Times Co. (NYT) said November advertising revenue from continuing operations decreased 3.8 percent to $189.9 million from $197.4 million during the same period in the prior year.

Optium Corp. (OPTM) shares rose 8.7 percent after the optical subsystems supplier said first-quarter net income rose, as revenue gained, to $2.76 million, or 13 cents a share, from $377,000, or 2 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year.

Photronics Inc. (PLAB) said fourth-quarter net income rose, as revenue gained, to $9.82 million, or 21 cents a share, from $8.74 million, or 19 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year. Analysts had expected per-share income of 16 cents.

R.H. Donnelley Corp. (RHD) said it expects 2007 revenue of roughly $2.67 billion, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and stock option expense of $1.44 billion. Analysts are expecting 2007 revenue of $2.68 billion.

Schering-Plough Corp. (SGP) said it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Braintree Laboratories Inc. to market the prescription laxative MiraLAX over the counter.

Sirva Inc. (SIR) said it now sees 2006 earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization from continuing operations of $45 million to $55 million, compared with its prior outlook of $65 million to $80 million. The relocation services provider cited higher inventory costs within in its Global Relocation business as a factor.

US Airways Group Inc. (LCC) said November traffic rose 1 percent to 4.97 billion from 4.92 billion revenue passenger miles during the same period in the prior year. The carrier said monthly capacity fell 2.3 percent to 6.39 billion from 6.54 billion available seat miles.

Versant (VSNT) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $1.36 million compared with $512,000, during the same period a year ago. Earnings attributable to common shareholders were 38 cents a share vs. 14 cents a share.

Wind River (WIND) said preliminary third-quarter revenue is $70.6 million, compared with $67.6 million during the same period in the prior year. Analysts had expected revenue of $75 million.

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