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

Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Thursday's session are Target Corp. (TGT) and Darden Restaurants Inc. (DRI).

Target was hit by an extensive theft of its customers' credit-card and debit-card data during the busy holiday-shopping season, a brazen breach of the major retailer's information security. The company said a data breach may have affected about 40 million credit card and debit card accounts between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15. Shares dropped 2% to $62.30 premarket.

Darden plans to separate its struggling Red Lobster business from the rest of the casual-dining company, while also saying it intends to suspend acquisitions. The company also slashed its guidance for the fiscal year and reported disappointing results for its second quarter ended Nov. 24. Shares dropped 2.7% premarket to $51.50.

IAC/InterActiveCorp. (IACI) Chief Executive Greg Blatt will step down and take on the chairman role in a new unit called Match Group that will focus on expanding the company's online-dating websites business. Shares rose 6.5% to $64 premarket.

Alimera Sciences Inc. (ALIM) and pSivida Corp. (PSDV, PVA.AU) shares soared after Alimera disclosed they were in talks with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over labeling of a treatment for an eye disease found in patients with diabetes. Investors sent specialty pharmaceutical firm pSivida shares up 55% to $4.59, while biopharmaceutical firm Alimera's stock soared 73% to $4.40.

Semtech Corp. (SMTC) cut its expectations for the fiscal fourth quarter, as the chip manufacturer pegged the blame on delays to carrier capital spending and the ramp up of a new consumer mobile platform. Shares tumbled 18% to $23 in premarket trading.

AK Steel Holding Corp. (AKS) expects to report a surprise adjusted profit in the fourth quarter, news that sent the steelmaker's shares higher in after-hours trading. The stock rose 6.7% to $6.74 premarket.

 
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Apogee Enterprises Inc.'s (APOG) fiscal third-quarter profit rose 20% as the glass-products designer posted top-line growth driven by revenue increases in all but its biggest segment.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMY) confirmed a deal to sell its stake in a diabetes partnership with AstraZeneca PLC (AZN, AZN.LN) for up to $4.1 billion.

Herman Miller Inc. (MLHR) swung to a fiscal second-quarter loss due to the results of charges related to its former U.S. defined-benefit pension plans and other items, despite improved revenue. The office-furniture company also unveiled a 12% increase in its quarterly dividend.

MDU Resources Group Inc. (MDU) raised its full-year adjusted profit target, as the company said favorable weather in northern states in October and November helped extend the construction season. Meanwhile, colder weather in December resulted in higher natural gas and electric sales at the company's utility.

Oracle Corp. (ORCL) said its net income slid 1.1% in the fiscal second quarter as rising operating expenses outpaced revenue growth amid pressure from online competition. Results for the period exceeded Wall Street's expectations.

Paychex Inc.'s (PAYX) fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 7.3% as the payroll and human resources services company reported higher revenue.

Steelcase Inc.'s (SCS) fiscal third-quarter earnings edged down 2.5% as the office-furniture maker recorded a slight rise in expenses that helped mask a rise in revenue.

The U.S. Department of Energy is prepared to extend a cooperative centrifuge research program for three months beyond Jan. 15, uranium supplier USEC Inc. (USU) said. The announcement comes after USEC on Monday said that it plans to file for bankruptcy early next year as it seeks to restructure its debt.

Write to Lauren Pollock at [e-mail]

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