U.S. HOT STOCK FUTURES: HOT STOCKS TO WATCH

Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Friday's session are Tyson Foods Inc. (>> Tyson Foods, Inc.), Audience Inc. (>> Audience Inc) and Life Time Fitness Inc. (>> Life Time Fitness, Inc.).

Tyson's fiscal first-quarter earnings jumped 11% as the meat processor's results from chicken and beef sales improved on stronger prices and margins. Shares rose 3.1% to $22.80 premarket after Tyson beat earnings expectations.

Audience swung to a fourth-quarter profit and its revenue surged as the audio-processing firm said more mobile devices are using its technology. Shares jumped 30% to $15.85 in premarket trading as the company also gave a first-quarter view that significantly topped Wall Street estimates.

Life Time Fitness, which operates exercise and recreation centers, preannounced fourth-quarter earnings per-share and revenue below analysts' estimates, and cut its full-year outlook as well. The company also forecast fiscal year 2013 earnings below analysts' expectations. Shares tumbled 15% to $43.

Vivus Inc. (>> VIVUS, Inc.) said results from a study showed that weight loss resulting from treatment with its Qsymia capsules led to significant improvements in certain associated risky conditions. Shares rose 5.5% to $12.78 premarket.

Perrigo Co.'s (>> Perrigo Company) fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 6.2% as the store-brand pharmaceutical and nutritional-products maker recorded strong revenue growth from its consumer health-care business, although margins narrowed as costs climbed. Perrigo revealed Friday it had agreed to buy pet-health company Velcera Inc. for $160 million in cash, a move the company billed as a "natural extension" to its Sergeant's Pet Care Products Inc. acquisition in October. Shares rose 4.5% to $105 premarket as results came in ahead of expectations.

Telecommunications Systems Inc.'s (>> TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.) fourth-quarter earnings and revenue beat consensus estimates as the computer software company saw continued strong results from TotalCom government customer solutions, commercial 9-1-1 services revenue growth, sales of navigation technology into new markets, and traction in monetizing the company's growing portfolio of protected intellectual property. Shares rose 12% to $2.54 premarket.

Green Dot Corp. (>> Green Dot Corporation), which markets prepaid debit cards to consumers through grocery stores, pharmacies and online, said its revenue grew 15% in the fourth quarter as it activated more cards and customer spending increased, sending shares up 8.2% to $14.50 in premarket trading. The results beat the average estimates of analysts polled by Thomson Reuters.

Chesapeake Lodging Trust (>> Chesapeake Lodging Trust) is launching an offering of 6.25 million shares, as it raises funds to pay down debt, invest in future hotel acquisitions and other general purposes. The hotel-focused real-estate investment trust recently had 40.2 million shares outstanding. Shares fell 2.7% to $20.78 in premarket trading.

Echo Therapeutics Inc. (>> Echo Therapeutics Inc) said its offering of 13.3 million shares priced at 75 cents a piece, a 35% discount to its Thursday closing price. The company, which is developing a needle-free glucose-monitoring system, had 44.5 million shares outstanding as of Wednesday. Shares sank 37% to 73 cents premarket.

Navios Maritime Partners LP (>> Navios Maritime Partners L.P.) plans to offer 4.25 million units representing limited partnership interests. The company, which owns and operates cargo vessels, had around 60.1 million units outstanding as of Dec. 31, 2012. Units were off 6.3% to $13.89 in premarket trading.

Tellabs Inc. (>> Tellabs, Inc.) reported its fourth-quarter loss widened as the networking-equipment company saw revenue decline across its segments and as it recorded restructuring-related charges. Shares fell 5.7% to $2.15 premarket as the company issued downbeat revenue guidance.

 
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AGL Resources Inc. (>> AGL Resources Inc.) has agreed to acquire a portion of NiSource Inc.'s (>> NiSource Inc.) retail services business for around $120 million, as the gas company seeks to expand its offerings for residential and small-business customers.

Berry Plastics Group Inc.'s (>> Berry Plastics Group Inc) fiscal-first quarter loss narrowed as the plastic-packaging manufacturer recorded fewer restructuring and impairment charges and as input costs fell, however adjusted earnings and sales missed analyst expectations.

Brooks Automation Inc. (>> Brooks Automation, Inc.(USA)) swung to a fiscal first-quarter loss as the company saw its revenue and margins shrink.

Chubb Corp.'s (>> The Chubb Corporation) fourth-quarter earnings declined 77% as hefty costs related to Hurricane Sandy weighed on the property-and-casualty insurer's results. Still, the company reported an operating profit, while analysts had projected an operating loss for the quarter, and Chubb also provided upbeat earnings guidance for the current year.

Consolidated Edison Inc.'s (>> Consolidated Edison, Inc.) fourth-quarter earnings rose 8.9% as the utility company recorded a mark-to-market gain from its competitive energy businesses and a smaller tax expense, though revenue was about flat from a year earlier.

Constant Contact Inc.'s (>> Constant Contact, Inc.) fourth-quarter earnings declined 66% as a tax benefit boosted the Web-based marketing firm's year-ago results, though revenue improved in the latest period. The company projected a loss for the current quarter, while analysts had expected a profit.

Cytec Industries Inc.'s (>> Cytec Industries Inc) fourth-quarter earnings rose 10% as the specialty chemicals and materials company saw revenue boosted by a recent acquisition, while sales in its two largest segments also grew.

Eastman Chemical Co. (>> Eastman Chemical Company) swung to a fourth-quarter loss as the chemical-and-materials manufacturer recorded expenses related to asset impairments, restructuring and a recent acquisition. The company raised its 2013 adjusted earnings guidance.

Electro Scientific Industries Inc. (>> Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.) swung to a fiscal third-quarter profit on patent-related settlement proceeds, although it recorded an adjusted loss and lower revenue. The laser-systems manufacturer gave downbeat guidance for the current quarter.

Essex Property Trust Inc.'s (>> Essex Property Trust Inc) fourth-quarter earnings more than tripled as gains from co-investments boosted results for the West Coast owner of apartments, while funds from operations also improved.

Forest City Enterprises Inc. (FCEA, FCEB) said it currently has no definitive announcement to make on potential leadership succession, a response to recent media reports that the chief executive of Forest City Ratner Cos. intends to step down.

New home construction built up Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc. (>> Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc) sales growth in the fourth quarter, helping the home-fixtures and hardware company swing to a profit.

McKesson Corp.'s (>> McKesson Corporation) fiscal third-quarter earnings were down slightly as the medical-products distributor reported modest revenue growth that was offset by higher operating expenses. Adjusted earnings growth wasn't as strong as expected and the company lowered its fiscal year outlook.

NetSuite Inc.'s (N) fourth-quarter loss narrowed as the maker of cloud software continued to report strong demand from its business customers. The results beat analyst expectations.

PerkinElmer Inc.'s (>> PerkinElmer, Inc.) fourth-quarter loss narrowed as the manufacturer of health-testing equipment increased its revenue and recorded income-tax benefits.

PMC-Sierra Inc.'s (>> PMC-Sierra, Inc.) fourth-quarter profit fell 61% as the chip maker's revenue declined, though margins improved. Results topped analyst expectations.

Principal Financial Group Inc.'s (>> Principal Financial Group Inc) fourth-quarter profit rose 47% as the asset manager and insurer reported higher core earnings from retirement and investor services, and fewer investment losses.

Reinsurance Group of America Inc.'s (>> Reinsurance Group of America Inc) fourth-quarter profit rose 61% as the life reinsurer saw strong results from its North American businesses, and investment income jumped.

EveryWare Global Inc. will merge with ROI Acquisition Corp. (>> ROI ACQU) in a cash and stock deal that values the manufacturer and distributor of tableware at about $420 million.

Wynn Resorts Ltd.'s (>> Wynn Resorts, Limited) fourth-quarter profit fell 41% as the casino operator reported lower revenue in Macau.

Write to Anna Prior at anna.prior@dowjones.com

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