U.S. Hot Stocks: Hot Stocks to Watch

Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Friday's session are Chevron Corp. (CVX), CVS Caremark Corp. (CVS) and Endocyte Inc. (ECYT).

Akamai Technologies Inc. (AKAM) said its first-quarter earnings rose 1.8% on continued revenue growth that was partly offset by higher costs. Shares edged up 1.8% to $55.51 premarket.

Chevron said its first-quarter profit fell 27% as revenue slipped amid lower oil prices and production. The results fell short of expectations, sending shares down 1.5% to $123.11 premarket.

CVS Caremark said its first-quarter profit jumped 18% as its growing specialty pharmacy business helped boost revenue. Shares, however, fell 1.4% to $72.10 premarket after the company failed to reach its earnings outlook for the quarter, despite having boosted those expectations in February.

Endocyte and Merck & Co. (MRK) on Friday said they have stopped a late-stage study of an ovarian-cancer treatment because results fell short. Shares of Endocyte plummeted 60% to $6.90 in premarket trading.

LinkedIn Corp. (LNKD) swung to a first-quarter loss on higher expenses but posted stronger-than-expected revenue and raised its top-line guidance for the year. But shares dropped 2.3% to $157.60 premarket.

Nutrisystem Inc.'s (NTRI) better-than-expected quarterly results and rosier full-year outlook targets sent the weight-loss products company's shares up 10% to $17.10 premarket.

OpenTable Inc. (OPEN) swung to a first-quarter loss as a one-time impairment expense masked an increase in revenue for the online-restaurant-reservation provider. Shares declined 3.7% to $65.74 premarket.

Shares of Skullcandy Inc. (SKUL) jumped in after-hours trading after the headphone maker reported a narrower-than-expected first-quarter loss as sales grew in North America and markets abroad. Shares climbed 14% to $8.80 premarket.

Wynn Resorts Ltd.'s (WYNN) first-quarter earnings climbed 12% as the casino operator reported a jump in occupancy and daily rates in Macau. Shares climbed 4% to $214.80 premarket.

 
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Cheniere Energy Inc. (LNG) reported another quarterly loss for the first quarter of 2014, just days after it rewarded the company's chief executive with compensation valued at $142 million in 2013.

Ellie Mae Inc.'s (ELLI) shares rose after the maker of mortgage-origination software reported first-quarter results that exceeded the company's expectations.

Expedia Inc.'s (EXPE) revenue jumped nearly 19% in the first quarter as the online travel site reported continued growth in bookings as well as advertising.

Kraft Foods Group Inc.'s (KRFT) first-quarter profit jumped 13% due to wider gross margins, masking sales declines for most of the food and beverage company's key segments.

Outerwall Inc.'s (OUTR) first-quarter earnings edged up 2.5% as the kiosk operator recorded higher revenue. Results were bolstered by higher revenue from the company's Redbox video-rental kiosk business and Coinstar kiosks.

Public Storage's (PSA) first-quarter profit rose 8% as rents and occupancy increased. The real-estate investment trust also said its funds from operations, an important metric in the sector, grew during the period.

Southwestern Energy Co.'s (SWN) first-quarter profit rose 52% as the oil and gas company's operating revenue was bolstered by higher gas sales.

Tempur Sealy International Inc. (TPX) said its first-quarter earnings more than doubled on increased sales, mainly from its Sealy acquisition.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX) said that an experimental treatment combined with its Kalydeco drug significantly improved lung function for a certain type of cystic fibrosis in a phase III trial.

Western Union Co.'s (WU) first-quarter earnings fell 4% as the money-transfer company's operating margins shrunk, hurt by higher compliance expenses and an increase in retail commission rates.

Write to John Kell at [e-mail]

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