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

Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Tuesday's session are Tower Group International Ltd. (TWGP), Jamba Inc. (JMBA) and J.C. Penney Co. (JCP).

Tower Group, which has struggled as it has paid out insurance claims from superstorm Sandy, said it is reviewing an array of strategic options with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, its lead financial advisor. Shares of the company were down 27% to $5.43 in recent premarket trading.

Jamba lowered its outlook for several key metrics for the fiscal year, as the smoothie company faced a slowdown in consumer spending, adverse weather in key markets and increased competition. Shares dropped 16% to $11.27 premarket.

J.C. Penney said that same-store sales declines slowed to 4% last month, as the struggling retailer said sales trends are expected to continue improving throughout the rest of the year. Shares climbed 6.6% to $8.22 premarket.

Biotechnology company Agenus Inc. (AGEN) said late Monday that Phase 3 data for GlaxoSmithKline PLC's (GSK) RTS,S malaria vaccine candidate, which contains Agenus' flagship Stimulon adjuvant, showed positive results in helping protect young children and infants from clinical malaria up to 18 months after the vaccination. Shares were up 9% to $3.03 in premarket trading.

Nuance Communications Inc. (NUAN) has named activist investor Carl Icahn's son and his investment partner to the speech-recognition technology maker's board, expanding the board to 11 directors. Shares were up 2% to $18.85 premarket.

Carl Icahn has acquired a nearly 6% stake in oil and gas producer Talisman Energy Inc. (TLM, TLM.T), a move the activist investor said may lead to conversations with management about board seats and strategic alternatives. The news sent shares of the Calgary, Alberta, company up 6.4% to $13.58 in premarket trading.

Wolverine World Wide Inc.'s (WWW) third-quarter earnings grew a better-than-expected 66% as the maker of Hush Puppies and Merrell shoes continued to see improvement after its acquisition of Collective Brands' operations last year. The company boosted its adjusted per-share earnings forecast for the year, though the move puts the range in line with the Street's view. Shares rose 1.9% to $58.88 premarket.

 
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SolarWinds Inc. (SWI) agreed to pay $103 million to acquire privately held Confio Software, a deal the information-technology management software firm said will help bolster its product portfolio.

United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL) reported slightly higher passenger traffic in September, the first monthly increase the airline has reported from year-ago levels since January.

Wendy's Co. (WEN) disclosed the sale of all of the fast-food chain's company-owned stores in the Seattle market, unloading the restaurants to long-time franchisee Cedar Enterprises Inc. The deal is part of a plan announced earlier this year to sell about 425 company-operated restaurants to franchisees.

Write to John Kell at [e-mail]

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