U.S. Hot Stocks: Hot Stocks to Watch

Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Friday's session are Big Lots Inc. (BIG) and Splunk Inc. (SPLK).

Big Lots said its fiscal second-quarter profit topped its expectations as the company posted higher sales. The company, which sells items at deep discounts and overstocks, also raised the bottom end of its earnings guidance for the year by five cents. Shares dropped 2.8% to $45.88 premarket.

Splunk's fiscal second-quarter loss widened sharply as expenses surged, offsetting broad revenue growth. The San Francisco company's adjusted profit, however, beating Wall Street expectations, and it offered a strong revenue forecast for the current quarter and year. Shares rose 7.4% to $48.64 premarket.

Veeva Systems Inc. (VEEV) reported strong revenue gains in its fiscal second quarter amid a general upswing of cloud-based businesses, which led the company to boost its forecast for the year. Shares rose 12% to $28 in premarket trading.

 
   Watch List: 

Amira Nature Foods Ltd. (ANFI) posted stronger-than-expected earnings and revenue growth for its fiscal first quarter as the Dubai-based company continues to grow its basmati rice business in international markets.

Fred's Inc. (FRED) unveiled a series of operational restructuring moves, including store closures, as the discount retailer swung to a loss for its fiscal second quarter amid its transition to a convenience and pharmacy-center model.

Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. (PSUN) eked out a gain in sales for the latest quarter, led by growth in the teen retailer's men's division. But the company forecast a wider-than-expected loss for the current quarter.

Federal regulators have requested more information on Reynolds American Inc.'s (RAI) pending deals to buy Lorillard Inc. (LO) and divest certain brands to Imperial Tobacco Group PLC, the companies said Friday.

Write to Lauren Pollock at [e-mail]

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires