Stocks to Watch: Electronic Arts, Avon

SAN FRANCISCO – Among the companies whose shares are likely to see active trading during Friday's session are Electronic Arts Inc., Allegheny Technologies Inc., and Avon Products Inc.

Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI) expects third-quarter per-share earnings of $1.85 to $1.88 and sees the fourth quarter impacted in part by low operating volumes in its Flat-Rolled Products segment. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect third-quarter per-share earnings of $1.96 and full-year per-share earnings of $7.95. Allegheny still expects strong earnings growth in 2008 and beyond.

Avon Products Inc. (AVP) said its board authorized the buyback of $2 billion in company stock over a five-year period after it completes its current buyback. The company has repurchased 26 million shares for $904 million under its current program. As of Sept. 30, Avon had about 429 million shares outstanding.

Bank of the Ozarks Inc. (OZRK) reported third-quarter net earnings of $8.4 million, or 50 cents a share, compared with $8 million, or 48 cents a share a year earlier. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial forecast 49 cents a share. The bank's net interest income rose to $19.7 million from $17.8 million.

Black Hills Corp.'s (BKH) board approved a review of the company's strategic options, including potential divestiture, of certain independent power production plants throughout the western U.S. The energy and communications company hired Credit Suisse Securities LLC as a financial adviser on the review.

CalAmp Corp. (CAMP) reported a fiscal second-quarter net loss of $4.4 million, or 19 cents a share, compared with a net profit of $1.2 million, or 5 cents a share, the company said. Revenue fell to $32.7 million from $54.6 million. CalAmp forecast a third-quarter loss from continuing operations at 7 cents to 11 cents a share, on revenue of $32 million to $35 million.

Business software provider Captaris Inc. (CAPA) lowered its third-quarter sales guidance to about $23 million from its previous estimate of $27 million to $28 million. The company cited weak financial services sector and lower than expected performance from channel partners in North America for the revenue shortfall.

Coldwater Creek Inc. (CWTR) lowered forecasts for the second half of the year, based on operating results to date in the third quarter. The women's clothing retailer now sees a third-quarter loss of 11 cents to 13 cents a share on sales of $260 million. Fourth-quarter, per-share earnings are expected to break even, on sales of $360 million to $365 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial currently expect third-quarter earnings of 14 cents a share on revenue of $300 million, and fourth-quarter earnings of 20 cents a share on sales of $425 million. Coldwater also expects a per-share loss of 10 cents to 12 cents on sales of $620 million to $630 million for the second half of fiscal 2007.

Electronic Arts Inc. (ERTS) said it agreed to acquire VG Holding Corp., the owner of video game companies BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios., for $620 million in cash.

Specialty retailer Finish Line Inc. (FINL) said UBS extended its termination date for financing to acquire Genesco Inc (GCO) . The financing, which was set to expire Dec. 31, has been extended to April 30, 2008. In September, Genesco sued Finish Line to close on the $1.5 billion acquisition after Finish Line accused Genesco of breaching the companies' deal by refusing to provide it with financial information and access to Genesco's officials.

Herley Industries Inc. (HRLY) reported fiscal fourth-quarter net earnings of $3.84 million, or 27 cents a share, up from $713,000, or 5 cents a share, a year-earlier period. The Lancaster, Pa.-based company, which designs and manufactures microwave technology products, posted revenue of $40.6 million compared with $42.8 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had forecast a profit of 27 cents a share.

KB Home (KBH) said its chief financial officer, Domenico Cecere, will retire from the company in May 2008. The homebuilder said it is currently searching for a replacement.

Senior Housing Properties Trust (SNH) said it raised its quarterly dividend by 1 cent to 35 cents a share. The dividend is payable on or about Nov. 15 to shareholders of record as of Oct. 22.

Rogers Corp. (ROG) raised its third-quarter guidance for earnings, excluding restructuring adjustments, to 44 cents to 48 cents a share from its previous guidance of 32 cents to 35 cents a share. The Rogers, Conn., specialty material products company also boosted its third-quarter sales estimate to $109 million to $110 million from its previous guidance range of $94 million to $97 million.

Synutra International Inc. (SYUT) , a China-based maker of dairy-based nutritional products, said it received a letter from the Nasdaq on Wednesday certifying the company was in compliance with Nasdaq listing regulations after filing a late quarterly report with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Threshold Pharmaceuticals Inc. (THLD) said it will stop enrollment in a Phase II clinical trial for glufosfamide. The biotechnology company said patients had a low response rate in the trial, indicating that glufosfamide isn't sufficiently effective as a treatment of recurrent, sensitive small cell lung cancer. Patients currently enrolled will be given the option to continue in the trial.

W-H Energy Services Inc. (WHQ) lowered its third-quarter earnings outlook to a range of $1.06 to $1.10 a share, from a previous range of $1.23 to $1.28 a share. The company attributed the lower expectations to lower revenues and profit from its coiled tubing business.