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

Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Thursday's session are Conn's Inc. (CONN), Francesca's Holdings Corp. (FRAN) and Aeropostale Inc. (ARO).

Conn's fiscal third-quarter earnings soared as the retailer reported broad sales growth, again led by furniture and mattress sales. The company raised its per-share earnings estimate for the year and issued a profit forecast for the upcoming year that topped analysts' expectations. Shares rose 15% to $67.40 premarket.

Francesca's fiscal third-quarter earnings fell 20% as same-store sales decline amid weak demand for apparel tops and jewelry. The retailer said the holiday selling season is off to a weak start and lowered its outlook for the fiscal year, sending shares down 12% to $16.00 premarket.

Aeropostale swung to a fiscal third-quarter loss as the youth-focused apparel retailer continued to struggle with falling sales and teens' lackluster response to new style offerings. Shares fell 6% to $8.80 premarket as the company guided for a wider-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter loss and the latest period's results missed the company's and Wall Street's expectations.

Korn/Ferry International's (KFY) fiscal second-quarter profit surged due in large part to a big revenue boost in the company's leadership and talent consulting business, as well as a favorable comparison to the year-ago period. Shares rose 5.3% to $23.70 premarket as the company's earnings beat its expectations.

S&P Dow Jones Indices said General Growth Properties Inc. (GGP) will join the S&P 500 index, replacing Molex Inc. (MOLX), a move that sent the real-estate investment trusts' shares 4.3% higher to $21.15 premarket.

 
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Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX, ABX.T), the world's largest gold miner, announced a raft of boardroom changes Wednesday and the exit date of founder and chairman Peter Munk, as it looks to ease investors' concerns over corporate governance at the gold-mining giant. The Toronto-based company said Mr. Munk will step down from the board at the 2014 annual meeting, which is expected around April.

Church & Dwight Co. (CHD) unveiled plans to boost its gummy vitamin production capacity by 75% by adding a new production line at its Pennsylvania facility, which is expected to be operational by early 2015.

Guess Inc.'s (GES) fiscal third-quarter earnings fell 7.2% as the apparel retailer was hurt by weaker sales, led by declines in its North America retail segment. The company also raised the lower end of its per-share earnings estimate for the year, but lowered its revenue view.

Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc.'s (JOSB) fiscal third-quarter profit grew 2.3% as the men's clothing retailer posted stronger direct marketing sales, though same-store sales were down slightly. For the start of the fourth quarter, Chief Executive R. Neal Black said total sales, same-store sales and direct sales all increased during November, leading into the critical December sales time.

Mattress Firm Holding Corp.'s (MFRM) fiscal third-quarter earnings rose 46% as increased advertising helped drive customer traffic and sales growth. The company's adjusted profit and revenue beat expectations.

New York & Co.'s (NWY) fiscal third-quarter loss narrowed as the women's apparel retailer recorded comparable-store-sales growth and benefited from lower costs.

Activist investor Carl C. Icahn on Wednesday disclosed he increased his stake in Nuance Communications Inc. (NUAN) by 6.5 million shares. Mr. Icahn now owns a total of 58.9 million shares in the company, or a stake of nearly 19%, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Omnicare Inc. (OCR) raised its quarterly dividend by 43% and boosted its stock buyback program by $500 million in a bid to increase shareholder value.

Puma Biotechnology Inc. (PBYI) reported positive top-line data from the Phase II clinical trial of the biopharmaceutical company's investigational drug PB272 for the neoadjuvant treatment of breast cancer.

Synopsys Inc.'s (SNPS) fiscal fourth-quarter profit nearly doubled on a top-line increase driven by growth in the company's time-based license revenue. However, the company's guidance for the current quarter came in below Wall Street expectations.

UTi Worldwide Inc. (UTIW) swung to a fiscal third-quarter loss as higher expenses related to its transformation efforts and other items more than offset improved freight-forwarding volume and strength in the logistics and distribution business.

Write to Anna Prior at [e-mail]

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