U.S. Hot Stocks: Hot Stocks to Watch

Among the companies with shares expected to trade actively in Thursday's session are Medtronic PLC (MDT), Signet Jewelers Ltd. (SIG) and Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD).

Medtronic PLC said sales fell in the latest period across most of its segments, though the medical device maker's profit grew thanks to lower expenses, including a lower tax burden. Shares fell 2.71% to $84.30 in premarket trading.

Signet Jewelers Ltd. said sales at its stores open at least a year unexpectedly fell for the first time in more than six years amid concerns that the jeweler has been swapping expensive diamonds for lesser-quality stones. Shares fell 9.69% to $86.25 premarket.

Sears Holdings Corp. reported improved core earnings in the latest period helped in part by lower costs, though it still recorded a loss amid sliding sales. Shares fell 1.36% to $14.50 premarket.

Mylan NV (MYL) responded Thursday to backlash over price increases for its EpiPen emergency allergy treatment by promising to reduce the costs that some patients pay, though the drugmaker stopped short of saying it would roll back prices or limit future increases. Shares rose 2.18% to $44.09 premarket.

Dollar General Corp. (DLTR) reported weaker-than-expected sales growth hurt by declining traffic, signaling that discount retailers are also vulnerable to the trend of dwindling consumer spending in brick-and-mortar stores.

Tiffany & Co. (TIF) said weaker spending by tourists in the U.S.--especially from China--and weak demand in Asia remain big challenges, leading second quarter same-store sales lower.

Allegheny Technologies Inc. (ATI) will idle a Utah plant that makes a key material used in its titanium products by year's end and consolidate some titanium operations in Oregon. ATI said it would book about $4.89 a share in charges, the bulk of it in the third quarter, and estimated the moves would boost operating profit by roughly $50 million a year starting in 2017.

Amgen Inc. (AMGN) said Wednesday that U.S. health regulators have rejected its new drug application for its therapy for a hormonal imbalance common in patients on dialysis.

Guess Inc. (GES) on Wednesday offered an optimistic profit view for the year as the apparel maker's restructuring efforts begin to pay off, though it signaled sales would improve at a slower-than-expected pace.

HP Inc.'s (HPQ) revenue and profit shrank in the most recent quarter, but revenue from its personal-computer business, the company's largest revenue source, was flat after five quarters of declines.

Monster Worldwide Inc. (MWW) on Wednesday affirmed its support for a $429 million sale to Dutch recruitment firm Randstad Holding NV and criticized MediaNews Group Inc.'s opposition to the deal.

Retail apparel giant PVH Corp.(PVH), whose brands include Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, on Wednesday raised its projections for the year on strong second-quarter results as international sales helped offset weaker retail demand in the U.S.

Williams-Sonoma Inc. (WSM) trimmed annual guidance Wednesday for sales and profit with Chief Executive Laura Alber saying the home-goods retailer was feeling the effects of "a more cautious consumer."

Business software provider Workday Inc. (WDAY) on Wednesday reported revenue rose more than a third, but its quarterly loss widened more than expected on rising expenses.

Write to Chris Wack at [e-mail] or Maria Armental at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 25, 2016 09:30 ET (13:30 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.