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

02/08/2013| 09:04am US/Eastern

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Among the companies with shares actively trading premarket are EnteroMedics Inc. (>> EnteroMedics Inc.), LinkedIn Corp.(>> Linkedin Corporation) and Nuance Communications Inc. (>> Nuance Communications Inc.).

EnteroMedics said a clinical trial of its implanted device to treat obesity didn't meet its primary goal, although the company will still move forward with applying for premarket approval in the U.S. Shares plummeted 48% to $1.48 premarket.

LinkedIn's profit and sales jumped sharply in the fourth quarter, as the professional social network siphoned more dollars from corporate recruiters and expanded its membership. Results handily beat Wall Street estimates, sending its shares up 10% to $136.60 in premarket trading.

Nuance swung to a fiscal first-quarter loss as higher costs for acquisition-related expenses and other items masked revenue growth at the speech-software company. Shares fell 17% to $20.40 in premarket trading, as adjusted earnings and revenue missed expectations.

Activision Blizzard Inc. (>> Activision Blizzard, Inc.) reported a better-than-expected fourth-quarter profit, helped by strong sales of its marquee war-simulation game as well as its new toy titles. Shares jumped 8.4% to $13.07.

Coinstar Inc.'s (>> Coinstar, Inc.) large Redbox unit continued to lose momentum in the fourth quarter with a 27% drop in profit, unsettling investors as the kiosk operator matures in a DVD-rental market with an uncertain future. The company also gave a downbeat first-quarter forecast. Shares were down 7.9% to $48 premarket.

Oncolytics Biotech Inc.'s (>> Oncolytics Biotech Inc.) (ONC.T) said its lead product candidate, Reolysin, showed a reduction in tumor size among 95% of patients studied in a Phase 2 trial. "Based on these findings, we intend to continue to look at Reolysin as a treatment for cancers of the lung and cancers that metastasize to the lung," said Chief Executive Brad Thompson. Shares surged 46% to $5.18 premarket.

3SBio Inc. (>> 3SBio Inc. (ADR)) agreed to be taken private by Decade Sunshine Ltd. in a deal that values the China-based biotechnology company at about $350 million. 3SBio shareholders will get $2.20 in cash per share, or $15.40 per American depositary share. ADS rose 5.2% to $14.50 in light premarket trade.

RadioShack Corp. (>> RadioShack Corporation) named Walgreen Co. (>> Walgreen Company) executive Joseph C. Magnacca to replace its acting chief, staking its future on a retail veteran who built his career in a merchandising role. Shares rose 4.5% to $3.25 in premarket trade.

AOL Inc.'s (>> AOL, Inc.) fourth-quarter profit jumped 57% as the Internet company reported stronger advertising sales--helping AOL grow revenue year-over-year for the first quarter in eight years, the company said. Shares rose 6.1% to $33.32 in premarket trade.

Riverbed Technology Inc.'s (>> Riverbed Technology, Inc.) fourth-quarter profit fell 76% as acquisition-related costs masked the network-technology provider's stronger revenue. The company also issued a cautious projection of core earnings this quarter, when its recently closed acquisition of Opnet Technologies Inc. will begin contributing significantly to its top line. Shares were off 11% at $17.82 premarket.

SunPower Corp. (>> SunPower Corporation) swung to a fourth-quarter loss as the U.S.-based solar-panel maker recorded an increase in expenses, though revenue improved in the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region. Shares fell 4.8% to $8.

 
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Aaron's Inc.'s (>> Aaron's, Inc.) fourth-quarter profit rose 20% as the rent-to-own retailer continued to benefit from new-store openings and same-store sales growth.

AptarGroup Inc.'s (>> AptarGroup, Inc.) fourth-quarter profit fell 9.4% as the dispenser manufacturer posted restructuring expenses, masking revenue growth.

CareFusion Corp.'s (>> CareFusion Corporation) fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 14% on strength at its smaller procedural-solutions business, while the medical-equipment company also provided its postponed first-quarter financial report, with profit up 20%.

Charter Communications Inc. (>> Charter Communications, Inc.) agreed to buy Cablevision Systems Corp.'s (>> Cablevision Systems Corporation) western cable systems, known as "Optimum West," for $1.625 billion in cash.

Columbia Sportswear Co.'s (>> Columbia Sportswear Company) fourth-quarter earnings rose 7.5% thanks to lower expenses, though the maker of active outdoor apparel saw its sales of cold-weather gear hurt by mild winter weather in North America for most of the holiday shopping season and broader consumer caution about spending. The company gave downbeat sales guidance for the current fiscal year.

FleetCor Technologies Inc.'s (>> FleetCor Technologies, Inc.) fourth-quarter earnings jumped 59% as the commercial-fuel-cards company reported double-digit revenue gains in North America and abroad, as well as stronger margins. Results beat analysts' expectations, and the company offered upbeat guidance for the full year.

Francesca's Holdings Corp. (>> Francesca's Holdings Corp) has named Abercrombie and Fitch Co. (>> Abercrombie & Fitch Co.) executive Mark Vendetti as its new chief financial officer, nine months after the retailer fired its former CFO for improper use of social media.

Home Properties Inc.'s (>> Home Properties, Inc.) fourth-quarter earnings quintupled as the apartment real-estate investment trust benefited from property disposals and higher revenue.

Intuit Inc. (>> Intuit Inc.) warned it expects an added shift in tax revenue and operating income to its fiscal third quarter from the second due to the late passage of tax legislation and the Internal Revenue Service's delay in opening e-file.

MDU Resources Group Inc. (>> MDU Resources Group Inc) and Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP (>> Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P) unveiled a joint venture to develop and operate a diesel refinery in southwestern North Dakota, expanding their presence in the oil-rich Bakken Shale.

Microchip Technology Inc.'s (>> Microchip Technology Inc.) fiscal third-quarter profit fell 87% on acquisition-related charges and other expenses, masking a jump in revenue. The company also gave an optimistic view of the current quarter.

Molina Healthcare Inc. (>> Molina Healthcare, Inc.) swung to a fourth-quarter profit as the health-care company grew its revenue and membership, and as the year-earlier period was hurt by impairment charges. Earnings surpassed Wall Street's expectations.

Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (>> Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd.) swung to a fourth-quarter loss as the reinsurer logged losses from Hurricane Sandy. However, the operating loss was better than analysts had expected.

NCR Corp.'s (>> NCR Corporation) fourth-quarter loss widened as the company recorded heavy pension-related costs and other one-off charges, masking a modest revenue increase.

Republic Services Inc.'s (>> Republic Services, Inc.) fourth-quarter earnings fell 34% as the waste-collection and recycling-services company recorded restructuring charges and higher operational costs, while revenue was roughly flat.

Solera Holdings Inc.'s (>> Solera Holdings Inc) fiscal second-quarter earnings slipped 30% as the auto-insurance software maker recorded higher acquisition-related costs and additional interest expense. However, adjusted earnings and revenue topped analysts' expectations.

XL Group PLC (>> XL Group plc) swung to a fourth-quarter profit as the property-and-casualty insurer recorded higher premiums earned, in part due to superstorm Sandy, and lower expenses.

Write to Mia Lamar at mia.lamar@dowjones.com

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