U.S. Hot Stocks Futures: Hot Stocks to Watch

Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Thursday's session are Hertz Global Holdings Inc. (HTZ), Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) and J.C. Penney Co. (JCP).

Hertz lowered its full-year guidance, citing weaker-than-expected volume generated by its namesake brand in the U.S. airport car-rental market. "Weaker volume impacts not only revenues, but also generates related fleet issues, including lower utilization and the inability of the used-car market to absorb our excess vehicles at current market prices," said Chairman and Chief Executive Mark Frissora. Shares dropped 8.8% to $23.50 premarket.

Eli Lilly said its experimental cancer drug ramucirumab failed to meet its target in a large late-stage trial of breast-cancer patients, a setback in the company's hopes that the agent will be effective against a wide range of tumors. But in a separate late-stage study, the company said the drug successfully met its goal of demonstrating an improvement in overall survival in patients with stomach cancer. Shares slipped 5% to $49.96 premarket.

Concerns are growing about J.C. Penney as it considers raising fresh capital heading into the holiday season. The Wall Street Journal reported the struggling department store chain is exploring the possibility of borrowing more money with the help of investment bankers at Goldman Sachs. Meanwhile, debt analysts from Goldman Sachs warned Wednesday that weak performance, particularly in Penney's home department, could put pressure on its available cash in the quarter that ends in October. Shares dropped 6.4% to $9.48 premarket, following a 15% decline Wednesday.

Jabil Circuit Inc.'s (JBL) fiscal fourth-quarter earnings rose 53%, but the contract electronics manufacturer projected fiscal first-quarter results below expectations. Also, Jabil estimated that it will record roughly $35 million to $85 million in charges during the new fiscal year stemming from its exposure to BlackBerry Ltd. (BBRY, BB.T), Jabil's second-largest customer in the past fiscal year. Jabil shares fell 3.5% to $23.15 in premarket trading.

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.'s (BBBY) fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 11% as the home-furnishings retailer recorded a jump in sales. Shares rose 6% to $78.67 premarket as the company raised the lower end of its full-year earnings estimate.

Progress Software Corp.'s (PRGS) fiscal third-quarter profit more than quadrupled as the business software provider posted a gain on the divestiture of its Apama product line as well as lower input costs. The results were slightly better than Wall Street expectations. Shares rose 4.3% to $26.50 in light premarket trading as the company's fiscal fourth-quarter guidance topped expectations.

Private equity firm American Industrial Partners has agreed to buy industrial-waterjet maker Flow International Corp. (FLOW) for $200 million. American Industrial said it would pay $4.05 a share in cash for Flow, an 8.6% premium over Flow's closing price Wednesday. Shares rose 6.7% to $3.98 premarket.

Fibrocell Science Inc. (FCSC) said it intends to sell an unspecified number of shares in a public offering. The company recently had 27.5 million shares outstanding, according to FactSet. Shares fell 14% to $4.30 premarket.

 
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Air Products & Chemicals Inc. (APD) said Chairman and Chief Executive John McGlade will retire next year and the company will add three new independent directors to its board, moves that come about two months after activist investor William Ackman took a multibillion-dollar stake in the industrial gas maker.

BlackBerry Ltd. (BBRY) said it has canceled its fiscal second-quarter earnings conference call in light of its sale agreement with Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. (FFH.T). BlackBerry is scheduled to release its results for the period at 7 a.m. EDT Friday.

Duke Energy Corp.'s (DUK) renewable energy business plans to build two large-scale wind power facilities in South Texas, adding to its Los Vientos wind farm projects. Together they will produce 400 megawatts of electricity.

EBay Inc. (EBAY) confirmed it will buy Braintree, a global payment platform, for $800 million in cash. The deal for Braintree will give PayPal access to data and lucrative transaction fees from Braintree's expanding network, which currently processes more than $10 billion annually for companies like OpenTable Inc. (OPEN), Uber Technologies and Airbnb.

Ferrellgas Partners LP's (FGP) fiscal fourth-quarter loss narrowed, primarily owing to stronger propane sales volume and improved margins, but the bottom line missed Street expectations.

H.B. Fuller Co.'s (FUL) fiscal third-quarter earnings fell 66% as the paint and adhesive manufacturer's results suffered from a tough year-ago comparison that masked an increase in revenue and wider margins. Results beat expectations.

Knight Transportation Inc. (KNX) made public its offer to acquire USA Truck Inc. (USAK) in a deal that values the company at about $95 million. Knight is offering $9 a share, a 39% premium to USA Truck's close on Wednesday. A USA Truck spokesman couldn't immediately be reached for comment. But Knight said it has held talks with the company about the proposed deal, and it was rejected.

McCormick & Co.'s (MKC) fiscal third-quarter earnings were unchanged from a year earlier, but the spice maker said it expects full-year earnings to be at the lower end of its prior outlook, noting weak demand for industrial products by quick service restaurant customers in the Americas has limited year-to-date sales and is expected to hurt its fourth-quarter results.

Specialty pharmaceutical firm pSivida Corp.'s (PSDV, PVA.AU) fiscal fourth-quarter loss widened as the company recorded costs associated with the launch of a clinical trial, as well as charges tied to compensation bonuses.

Plum Creek Timber Co. (PCL) agreed to acquire an interest in production at four quarries in the Atlanta market from Vulcan Materials Co. (VMC) for $154 million.

Sallie Mae (SLM) has agreed to sell its 529 college savings-plan administrator, Upromise Investments, to Ascensus. Terms of the transaction weren't disclosed. It is expected to close in the fourth quarter.

Synnex Corp.'s (SNX) fiscal third-quarter earnings rose 33% as the company benefited from a legal settlement and revenue growth.

Western Digital Corp. (WDC) is looking for a new chief financial officer as the current financial chief, Wolfgang Nickl, will resign effective Nov. 17. Mr. Nickl, Western Digital's financial chief since August 2010, will take over the same role at chip-equipment maker ASML Holding N.V. (ASML, ASML.AE) in the Netherlands.

Worthington Industries Inc.'s (WOR) fiscal first-quarter earnings jumped 61% as the steel processing and metals-products company received a boost from tax adjustments related to its increased interest in its laser welded blanks joint venture.

Write to Lauren Pollock at [e-mail]

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