US Stock Futures: HOT STOCKS TO WATCH

Among the companies whose shares are expected to actively trade in Monday's session are Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ALXA).

Alexza said it had retained advisor Lazard Ltd. to help it explore its strategic options as the drug company handed all of its employees 60-day layoff notices to conserve cash. Shares were off 4.4% at 63 cents in light after-hours trading Friday. The stock was down 47% this year through the close.

 
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Astur Gold Corp. (AST.V, ATRGF) and Gold-Ore Resources Ltd. (GOZ.T) agreed to a C$150 million all-stock merger Friday, creating a gold producer with assets in Sweden and Spain.

Edison International (EIX) said it would hold a press conference Friday evening at its Rosemead, Calif., headquarters to address reports of shootings at one of its offices.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services downgraded Geokinetics Inc. (GOK) two notches closer to default Friday and kept the door open for another cut, saying it expects weaker earnings and less liquidity in the fourth quarter.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services downgraded GMX Resources Inc. (GMXR) to selective default after the oil and gas company completed a debt-exchange offer that the credit-rater considers distressed.

Toy maker Jakks Pacific Inc. (JAKK) cut its 2011 full-year guidance citing "a difficult retail sales environment for toys, especially during the important holiday season, which has also resulted in higher markdown allowances and higher royalty expenses relating to license guarantee shortfalls."

Pepco Holdings Inc. (POM) asked the Maryland Public Service Commission to allow the utility to raise its electric delivery rates next year to pay for higher expenses, including cleanup costs after Hurricane Irene.

PG&E Corp. (PCG) said Friday it completed strength testing of 160 miles of natural-gas pipelines, finishing this year's inspection program.

Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) Bing search engine gained slight ground against competitors, including the still-leading Google Inc. (GOOG), in the race for the most popular U.S. search engine, according to sector researcher ComScore Inc. (SCOR).

SAP AG (SAP, SAP.XE) on Friday began its roughly $3.4 billion acquisition of SuccessFactors Inc. (SFSF), outlining a tender offer that will last until Jan. 18 at 5 p.m. EST.

Whiting Petroleum Corp. (WLL) filed plans for a new trust to raise up to $385 million through an initial public offering.

-Edited by Ian Thomson and Corrie Driebusch; write to [e-mail] and [e-mail]