SAN FRANCISCO – Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Thursday's session are Apple Computer Inc., Peabody Energy Corp. and Excel Coal Ltd.
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Acuity Brands Inc. (AYI) is expected to report earnings per share for the third quarter of 57 cents, according to analysts polled by Thomson First Call.
America's Car-Mart Inc. (CRMT) is seen posting per-share earnings for the fourth quarter of 45 cents.
CardioDynamics International (CDIC) is expected to post a second-quarter per-share loss of 5 cents.
Delta & Pine Land (DLP) is seen reporting per-share income for the third quarter of $1.34.
Fiberstars (FBST) is expected to post a loss per share for the second quarter of 11 cents.
Horizon Health Corp. (HORC) is seen reporting per-share income for the third quarter of 30 cents.
Laidlaw International Inc. (LI) is expected to report third-quarter earnings per share of 51 cents.
Nu Horizons Electronics Corp. (NUHC) is seen posting a results of 13 cents for first-quarter earnings per share.
TIBCO Software (TIBX) is seen reporting second-quarter earnings per share of 6 cents.
UAP Holding Corp. (UAPH) is expected to report per-share income for the first quarter of $1.
After Wednesday's closing bell, Apple said two derivative lawsuits over stock option grants have made claims against current and former officers and directors. Last week the company said it had launched an internal probe into past option grants, including a package awarded to Chief Executive Steve Jobs that later was cancelled.
Peabody Energy (BTU) , in a move to build a bigger presence in the booming Far East energy market, has struck a deal to buy Australia's Excel Coal (EXL) (EXOAF) for $1.34 billion.
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ADC Telecommunications Inc. (ADCT) and Andrew Corp. (ANDW) said the Federal Trade Commission has granted early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. The $2 billion merger remains subject to approval by shareholders, as well as antitrust filings in certain foreign countries.
Amphenol Corp. (APH) said it has estimated flooding at its Sidney, N.Y. facility will result in losses of between $15 million and $30 million, or 11 cents a share and 22 cents a share.
AMR Corp.'s (AMR) American Eagle Airlines said June traffic increased 12.7% from the same month last year to 826 million revenue passenger miles.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A) (BRK.B) said it has completed acquiring 80% of Iscar Metalworking Cos. in a transaction valuing the concern at $5 billion.
Borland Software Corp. (BORL) said it sees second-quarter revenue of $73 million to $75 million. The company added that is sees reporting a net loss comparable with that of the prior quarter.
Citi Trends Inc. (CTRN) reported its June comparable store sales rose by 4.3%, versus a 14.5% increase in the same period the previous year.
Extreme Networks Inc. (EXTR) said William Slakey is leaving his post as chief financial officer after Aug. 4. Slakey plans to take a personal sabbatical, then pursue new opportunities, according to the networking concern.
General Dynamics Corp. (GD) said its Land Systems unit has received a $127 million order for 103 Stryker wheeled combat vehicles from the U.S. Army.
Harris Corp. (HRS) said it has received a $169 million contract from the U.S. Army Communications and Electronics Command for Falcon III dual vehicular adapter amplifier systems.
Clothing retailer Hot Topic Inc. (HOTT) said its June sales at stores open at least one year fell 3.4%. Analysts, on average, had expected it to post a same-store sales drop of 4.1%, according to Thomson First Call.
Men's Wearhouse Inc. (MW) said its U.S. same-store sales were up 3.7% in June vs. a 9.7% rise in the same month last year.
Mittal Steel Co. (MT) and Arcelor backed their 2006 outlook for pro forma earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of 12 billion to 12.5 billion euros for the combined company.
Northwest Airlines Corp. (NWACQ) said traffic in June fell 8.8% to 7.01 billion revenue passenger miles from 7.68 billion in the same period last year. Load factor, or the percentage of a plane filled with passengers, rose 2.3 percentage points to 88.9%, while net capacity fell 11.1% to 7.88 billion available seat miles.
Papa John's International Inc. (PZZA) said June domestic comparable sales rose 4.9% from the level achieved during the same period last year. Domestic comparable sales for the second quarter rose 4.7%.
Par Pharmaceutical Cos. (PRX) said it will restate its financial results for fiscal 2004 and 2005, as well as the first quarter of 2006, resulting in a reduction of its revenues for up to $55 million over those periods.
Parexel International Corp. (PRXL) backed its fourth-quarter view for service revenue of $160 million to $165 million, and per-share earnings 26 cents to 29 cents.
Peabody Energy Corp. (BTU) said it has signed an agreement to acquire Excel Coal Ltd. (EXOAF) for $1.34 billion, plus assumed debt of $190 million. Peabody sees the acquisition adding to per-share income and cash flows in 2007. See full story.
Portland General Electric Co. (POR) said it has finished repairs at its coal-fired Boardman power plant, which is now fully operational.
Uroplasty Inc. (UPI) said the company received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration to market its Urgent PC Neuromodulation System. The system treats individuals with overactive bladders.
Versant Corp. (VSNT) named Jerry Wong chief financial officer. The position had been held by Chief Executive Jochen Witte.
Washington Group International Inc. (WGII) said it will take a third-quarter $5 million non-cash charge related to the restructuring of its credit facility. Despite the charge, the company said it plans to increase its net income outlook by $10 million to $75 million to $85 million, or $2.42 to $2.74 a share, as it expects earnings from work in Iraq to be higher than initially planned.
Zumiez Inc. (ZUMZ) said its total net sales for the five-week period ended July 1 rose 38% to $21.2 million from $15.3 million during the same period last. The company's comparable store sales increased 12.4% for the period, versus a 10.7% increase the previous year.
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