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

Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Wednesday's session are Guidewire Software Inc. (GWRE), FedEx Corp. (FDX) and Francesca's Holdings Corp. (FRAN).

Guidewire Software swung to a fiscal fourth-quarter profit as the insurance software maker reported broad-based revenue growth, led by gains in services revenue. Shares surged 13% to $33.05 after hours as results topped analyst expectations.

FedEx cut its fiscal first-quarter earnings view, citing a weak global economy affecting its express business. Shares fell 2.8% to $85.05 after hours.

Francesca's fiscal second-quarter income more than doubled as the women's fashion retailer saw same-store sales continued to surge. The company also said Chief Executive John De Meritt, a company founder, decided to retire, and President Neill P. Davis, who joined the company last month, will become CEO, starting Jan. 1, 2013. Shares slid 3.8% to $34.71 after hours.

DCT Industrial Trust Inc. (DCT) has commenced an offering of 16.5 million shares and plans to use proceeds for future acquisitions, development activities, repayment of debt and general corporate purposes. Shares were off 3.4% to $6.20 after hours.

NuStar Energy L.P. (NS) said it will offer 6.2 million units and will use proceeds for general partnership purposes. Shares of the company, a pipeline-and-storage concern that is also one of the largest U.S. asphalt companies, sank 4.5% to $48.69 after hours.

Pep Boys-Manny Moe & Jack's (PBY) fiscal second-quarter profit more than doubled as the auto-care company was helped by a breakup fee paid by a private-equity firm after a buyout deal soured. Shares were up 4.7% to $9.41 after hours.

Repros Therapeutics Inc. (RPRX) entered into an agreement with several institutional investors to sell about 2.1 million shares of its stock at $11 a piece, a 16% discount to the stock's Tuesday closing price. Shares slipped 3% to $12.65 after hours.

Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (TGP) plans to offer 4.6 million units to raise money for general partnership purposes, which may include potential future newbuilding deliveries or vessel acquisitions. Shares were down 4.1% to $38.33 after hours.

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3M Co. (MMM) has abandoned its planned acquisition of Avery Dennison Corp.'s (AVY) office and consumer-products business after being threatened with an antitrust lawsuit by the Justice Department, the agency said late Tuesday.

Bloomin' Brands Inc.'s (BLMN) second-quarter profit rose 25% as the operator of Outback Steakhouse saw sales grow across its core brands.

Capital One Financial Corp. (COF) said its largest shareholder, ING Groep NV (ING, INGA.AE), plans to sell all of its 54 million shares in the company.

CNO Financial Group Inc. (CNO) plans to offer $250 million of senior notes as part of a broader plan to improve its balance sheet and financial flexibility.

DeVry Inc. (DV) has authorized the buyback of an additional $100 million in shares through the end of December 2014, as it struggles to stem shareholder losses.

Finisar Corp.(FNSR) swung to a fiscal first-quarter loss as the telecommunications-equipment provider was hurt by higher expenses and as revenue weakened. The company's per-share earnings guidance for the current quarter missed expectations.

Forest City Enterprises Inc. (FCEA, FCEB) swung to a fiscal second-quarter loss as the real-estate company posted significant charges related to divestitures, though comparable occupancy rates continued to climb.

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. has agreed to pay $400 million to buy the retirement-plans business of Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (HIG), the latest step in the Connecticut insurer's effort to narrow its focus.

Kirby Corp. (KEX) agreed to acquire Allied Transportation Co. and two affiliated companies for about $116 million in cash, as the tank-barge operator seeks to expand the petrochemical segment of its offshore business.

Liberty Media Corp.'s (LMCA, LMCB) Starz LLC unit plans to offer $500 million of senior notes that mature in 2019 to raise funds for general corporate purposes, such as the repayment of other debt.

Marsh & McLennan Cos. (MMC) has named J. Michael Bischoff as its chief financial officer, making permanent a role he has held at the insurance brokerage on an interim basis since March.

News Corp. (NWS, NWS.AU, NWSA) nominated former U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao and former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe to join its board as it undergoes a broader shakeup in the board.

Pfizer Inc. (PFE) said U.S. regulators have approved the use of bosutinib as a treatment of adult leukemia.

SemiLEDS Corp. (LEDS) said its President and Chief Operating Officer Anh Chuong Tran has transitioned to the role of chief scientist, in a management shakeup that comes as the company struggles to stem its operational losses.

SPS Commerce Inc. (SPSC) said it plans to offer 1.6 million shares to raise funds to pay down debt and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Canada's TransAlta Corp. (TAC) is significantly expanding its operations in Western Australia with the $318 million purchase of the 125-megawatt Solomon power station from Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (FMG.AU).

Verso Paper Corp. (VRS) said it has decided to end further discussions with NewPage Corp. or its creditors regarding a potential merger between the coated-paper makers.

Write to Nathalie Tadena at [e-mail]

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