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

Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Thursday's session are Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO), PetSmart Inc. (PETM) and Electronic Arts Inc. (EA).

Cisco Systems Inc. reported a jump in quarterly profit and said it would pay a bigger dividend, continuing the networking-equipment giant's transformation from a fast-growing upstart to a more mature company. Shares climbed 7.2% to $18.62 in premarket trade.

PetSmart's shares surged after the retailer turned in a better-than-expected profit for its fiscal second quarter and again boosted its earnings expectations for the year. The latest period marks the 10th straight quarter that PetSmart has reported double-digit profit growth--mostly in the range of 20%--driven by high-margin prescriptions, "super-premium" pet foods and hard goods. Shares rose 6% to $71.50 premarket.

Videogame maker Electronic Arts is exploring a sale as the company struggles against competition from free online gaming sites, the New York Post reported, citing sources. The paper said EA has been approached by private-equity giants KKR and Providence Equity Partners about a potential deal. Representatives for EA weren't immediately available for comment. Shares jumped 11% to $14.55 premarket.

Agilent Technologies Inc.'s (A) fiscal third-quarter profit fell 26% as the testing-and-measuring equipment maker reported higher expenses and weaker margins. Shares fell 7.4% to $37.50 premarket as results missed Agilent's expectations and the company lowered its full-year guidance.

Coinstar Inc. (CSTR)--the parent of struggling movie-rental-kiosks company Redbox--has been exploring the possibility of selling itself to an undisclosed private-equity firm for several months, the New York Post reported, citing sources. Representatives of Coinstar couldn't immediately be reached for comment. Shares jumped 8.2% to $52.15 premarket.

Dollar Tree Inc.'s (DLTR) fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 26% as the discount retailer posted higher sales. Still, shares were recently trading 6.2% lower at $46.93 premarket as the company issued a typically cautious outlook for the current quarter.

Applied Materials Inc.'s (AMAT) fiscal third-quarter profit fell 54% as the semiconductor-equipment maker recorded lower sales and restructuring charges. Shares slumped 4.3% to $11.29 premarket as the company said it sees an even deeper slowdown for chip-production gear spending in the current period and issued guidance below analyst expectations.

NetApp Inc.'s (NTAP) fiscal first-quarter profit fell 54%, but largely in-line results and guidance from the data-storage company helped alleviate some worries about spending by business users. Shares rose 4.8% to $33.28 premarket as adjusted earnings topped the company's weak projections from May.

NetEase Inc.'s (NTES, K3MD.SG) second-quarter earnings increased 13% as the Internet company posted stronger revenue from online games and advertising. However, its American depositary shares fell 8.9% to $53 premarket as results missed analyst expectations.

New York Mortgage Trust Inc. (NYMT) unveiled an offering of 10 million shares, saying it wants to raise money to buy mortgage-backed securities. Shares were off 3.9% to $6.67 premarket.

Sina Corp.'s (SINA) second-quarter surged higher, as the Chinese Internet company's results were boosted by an equity investment, masking sharply higher costs. Shares rose 7% premarket to 54.47 after the company posted a surprise adjusted profit.

 
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AFC Enterprises Inc.'s (AFCE) fiscal second-quarter earnings jumped a better-than-expected 20% as the restaurant operator saw same-store sales continue to climb, especially in the U.S.

Hot Topic Inc.'s (HOTT) fiscal second-quarter loss narrowed as the teen-apparel retailer's revenue and margins strengthened.

Limited Brands Inc.'s (LTD) fiscal second-quarter profit fell 38% on fewer one-time gains and slightly weaker sales. But the company's adjusted earnings and sales edged out expectations, and Limited raised its full-year outlook.

Ross Stores Inc. (ROST) said it approved a new management succession plan, under which Chief Executive Michael Balmuth will transition to the role of executive chairman in 2014.

Write to Mia Lamar at [e-mail]

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