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

Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Tuesday's session are Conn's Inc. (CONN), Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) and Dollar General Corp. (DG).

Conn's reported lower-than-expected fiscal second-quarter earnings as more customers failed to make payments for its consumer-credit division. The Woodland, Texas, seller of furniture and home appliances also cut its earnings outlook for the year. Shares sank 29% to $31.95 premarket.

Norwegian Cruise said it has agreed to buy Prestige Cruises International Inc. for about $3 billion in cash and stock, including the assumption of debt, as the cruise-operator looks to add luxury brands to its offerings. Shares rose 15% to $38.43 premarket.

The battle for Family Dollar Stores Inc. (FDO) escalated as Dollar General slightly raised its bid for its smaller rival and took steps to help allay antitrust concerns. The sweetened all-cash bid is worth $80 a share. Dollar General shares rose 1.3% to $64.84 premarket, while Family Dollar shares edged up 0.7% to $80.40.

Exelixis Inc. (EXEL) said it would cut its workforce by 70% after clinical trials for the drugmaker's prostate cancer drug didn't meet its goals. Shares plummeted 54% to $1.90 in premarket trading.

1-800-Flowers.com Inc. (FLWS) said that it would acquire Harry & David Holdings Inc. (HARR) for $143 million in cash in a bid to expand its offerings of gift brands and gourmet food. 1-800-Flowers shares jumped 11% to $5.70 premarket.

Darden Restaurants Inc. (DRI) unveiled a new slate of nominees and structure for its board to be voted on at its annual shareholder meeting in October. Shares slipped 1.6% to $46.55.

Aastrom Biosciences Inc. (ASTM) filed to offer $35 million of common stock. Shares slipped 11% to $3.44 premarket.

 
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Autozone Inc. (AZO) agreed to acquire Interamerican Motor Corp., a deal to boost its offerings of import car parts.

Covenant Transportation Group Inc. (CVTI) said an unfavorable pretrial court decision related to a 2008 cargo claim will lead the trucking company to raise its reserves related to the case by $7 million to $8 million before taxes during the third quarter.

Four major U.S. energy companies disclosed plans Tuesday to form a joint venture to build the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which would funnel natural gas from West Virginia to North Carolina. The companies forming the joint venture--Dominion Resources Inc. (D), Duke Energy Corp. (DUK), Piedmont Natural Gas Co. (PNY) and AGL Resources Inc. (GAS)--said the partnership, called Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC, will own the pipeline, which was initially proposed by Dominion as the Southeast Reliability Project.

Select Income REIT (SIR) said it has agreed to acquire nonlisted real-estate investment trust Cole Corporate Income Trust in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $3 billion, including the assumption of $298 million of mortgage debt, in a move that will create an office and industrial net lease REIT.

Fleet-management software company Omnitracs LLC agreed to acquire XRS Corp. (XRSC) for $178 million, expanding the privately held firm's presence in fleet management and compliance technology.

Write to Anna Prior at [e-mail]

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