SAN FRANCISCO – Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Thursday's session are Microsoft Corp., Verizon Communications, Exxon Mobil Corp. and Siebel Systems Inc.
Aetna Inc. (AET) is expected to report a third-quarter profit of $1.17 a share.
American Electric Power Co. (AEP) is seen posting third-quarter earnings of 82 cents a share.
Dow Chemical Co.'s (DOW) third quarter is expected to show a per-share profit of 75 cents.
Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) is expected to report earnings of $1.38 a share in its third quarter.
GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK) is seen posting second-quarter results of 77 cents a share, according to two analysts.
Hilton Hotels Corp.'s (HLT) third quarter is seen showing a per-share profit of 20 cents.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSO) is expected to report a third-quarter loss of 30 cents a share.
Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) is expected to report a first-quarter profit of 30 cents a share.
Verizon Communications (VZ) is expected to post third-quarter earnings of 64 cents a share.
Waste Management Inc.'s (WMI) third quarter is expected to show per-share earnings of 43 cents.
XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (XMSR) is seen posting a third-quarter loss of 66 cents a share.
After Wednesday's closing bell, Siebel Systems Inc. (SEBL) , which has agreed to be acquired by Oracle Corp., late Wednesday said its quarterly profit nearly doubled as it kept a tight handle on costs and revenue increased 9.7%.
Watch list
Airgas Inc. (ARG) reported second-quarter net earnings of $29.6 million, or 38 cents a share, vs. $22.8 million, or 30 cents a share, during the same period a year ago. The Radnor, Pa.-based distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases posted revenue of $714.4 million vs. $599.8 million. Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call had forecast second-quarter earnings of 39 cents a share on revenue of $711 million.
Alliance Capital Management Holding LP (AC) said its third-quarter profit beat analyst expectations as assets under management moved higher.
Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AMLN) reported a third-quarter net loss of $69.5 million, or 65 cents a share, vs. a net loss of $34.1 million, or 36 cents a share, during the same period a year ago. The San Diego-based biopharmaceutical company posted revenue of $25.9 million vs. $13.4 million. Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call had forecast a third-quarter loss of 57 cents a share on revenue of $31 million.
Ariba Inc. (ARBA) reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $7.27 million, or 11 cents a share, vs. a net loss of $22.9 million, or 36 cents a share, in the year-ago period. On a pro forma basis, the company posted net income of $16.4 million, or 24 cents a share. Revenue at the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company fell 8.3%, to $77.1 million from $84.1 million last year. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had estimated revenue at $75 million.
Biotechnology group Biogen Idec Inc. (BIIB) reported lower third-quarter earnings on higher revenue, with results falling markedly short of Wall Street expectations.
Callaway Golf Co. (ELY) on Wednesday said it trimmed its third-quarter loss as revenue almost doubled in its golf club division and sales soared in Japan.
CACI International Inc. (CAI) reported a rise in fiscal first-quarter earnings and record sales on a surge in business with the Defense Department.
Corning Inc. (GLW) reported third-quarter net earnings of $203 million, or 13 cents a share. Last year, it lost $2.5 million, or $1.78 a share. Excluding charges of $202 million, or 13 cents a share, Corning would have posted a profit of 26 cents a share. Revenue was $1.19 billion compared with $1 billion last year.
Baidu.com Inc. (BIDU) listed third-quarter profits and income that nearly tripled from the previous year.
Digital River Inc. (DRIV) reported third-quarter net earnings of $12.4 million, or 31 cents a share, up 52% from $8.1 million, or 22 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Pro forma earnings were 50 cents a share compared with 29 cents a share last year. Revenue at the Minneapolis-based electronic commerce outsourcing company rose to $53.2 million from $39.4 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had estimated pro forma earnings at 48 cents a share on revenue of $53 million.
Endurance Specialty Holdings (ENH) said it lost $377 million, or $6.26 per share, in the third quarter after the Bermuda-based insurer and reinsurer absorbed losses from Hurricane Katrina and other storms. The loss compares to a net profit of $26.8 million, or 40 cents per share, a year earlier. On an operating basis, which excludes realized gains and losses and other non-recurring items, Endurance lost $377.8 million, or $6.27 per share, in the period. That topped the average estimate of eight analysts in a Thomson First Call poll who were expecting the company to lose $6.52 a share.
Express Scripts (ESRX) reported a 65% jump in third-quarter net income.
LSI Logic Corp. (LSI) reported a narrower third-quarter loss, but offered a weaker sales outlook as the chipmaker restructures its business under new leadership.
Maxtor Corp. (MXO) reported a narrower third-quarter loss from a year ago as the maker of hard-disk drives saw increased sales of its products to businesses and enterprise customers.
The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (NDAQ) said it earned profits $17.8 million, or 16 cents a share in the third quarter, compared to a loss of $5.5 million, or 8 cents a share a year ago. The company said gross margin was $130.6 million for the third quarter 2005, an increase of 13.8% from $114.8 million in the year-ago period. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had expected, on average, that the company would earn 12 cents a share.
Openwave Systems Inc. (OPWV) reported a fiscal first-quarter net loss of $7.7 million, or 11 cents a share. Last year, it posted net earnings of $957,000, or 1 cent a share. On a pro forma basis, the company had a profit of $8.8 million, or 12 cents a share. Revenue increased 24% to $103.3 million from $83.6 million a year ago, said the Redwood City, Calif.-based communications software company.
Pulte Homes Inc. (PHM) reported third-quarter net earnings of $395.4 million, or $1.50 a share, up 47% from $269.9 million, or $1.03 a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue at the Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based homebuilder rose to $3.84 billion from $2.96 billion last year. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had estimated revenue at $3.81 billion.
STATS ChipPAC Ltd. (STTS) reported a third-quarter net loss of $1.01 million, or breakeven a share, vs. a net loss of $7.44 million, or breakeven a share, during the same period a year ago. There were 1.61 million ordinary shares this quarter vs. 1.97 million in the year-ago period. The Singapore-based provider of semiconductor test and packaging services recorded a net loss of a penny per American depository share, compared with a net loss of 5 cents per ADS in the year-ago period. The company posted revenue of $301.3 million vs. $232 million.
Trident Microsystems Inc. (TRID) reported first-quarter net earnings of $4.42 million, or 14 cents a share, vs. $1.38 million, or 4 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Pro forma income was 25 cents a share compared with 4 cents a share last year. Revenue at the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based digital television technology company doubled, rising to $33.2 million from $16.6 million last a year ago.
Zimmer Holdings Inc. (ZMH) posted a 32% jump in quarterly earnings, but it said the results reflected slower growth in the market for artificial knees, hips and other reconstructive implants. Zimmer said net third-quarter earnings rose to $168.6 million, or 67 cents a share, vs. $127.9 million, or 52 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Sales climbed 9% to $763 million. Adjusted for one-time items, Zimmer would have earned 70 cents a share. Analysts expected adjusted earnings of 67 cents a share.
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