Stocks to Watch: KB Home, Rite Aid

Among the companies whose shares are likely to see active trade in Thursday's session are KB Home, Rite Aid Corp. and Finish Line Inc.

Christopher & Banks Corp. (CBK) is expected to report earnings of 8 cents a share for its fiscal second quarter, according to a Thomson Financial poll of analysts.

Cintas Corp. (CTAS) is forecast to post earnings of 53 cents a share for its fiscal first quarter.

Cognos Inc. (COGN) is expected to report a per-share profit of 38 cents for the second quarter.

Finish Line Inc. (FINL) is expected to report earnings of 13 cents a share for the second quarter.

Jabil Circuit Inc. (JBL) is forecast to post earnings of 28 cents a share for its fiscal fourth quarter.

KB Home (KBH) is expected to post a fiscal third-quarter loss of 72 cents a share.

Analysts are looking for McCormick & Co. (MKC) to post a per-share profit of 43 cents for its fiscal third quarter.

Rite Aid Corp. (RAD) is forecast to report a second-quarter loss of 6 cents a share.

Saba Software Inc. (SABA) is expected to report a fiscal first-quarter loss of 1 cents a share.

Texas Industries Inc. (TXI) is forecast to post fiscal first-quarter earnings of 90 cents a share.

Tibco Software Inc. (TIBX) is expected to report earnings of 5 cents a share on earnings for its fiscal third quarter.

After Wednesday's closing bell, Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (BBBY) said its second-quarter profit rose 1 percent to $147 million, or 55 cents a share. Sales at the home-products retailer rose 10 percent to $1.77 billion.

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AFC Enterprises Inc. (AFCE) said a federal court in Atlanta awarded the company $20 million in damages and $4 million in pre-judgment interest in AFC's lawsuit against Executive Risk Indemnity Inc., an insurance carrier that previously provided liability coverage for AFC's directors and officers. The operator of Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits said the suit involved Executive Risk's attempt to rescind the liability policy for 2003, the year in which AFC announced a restatement of its prior years' financial statements. A portion of the $24 million award will be paid to the plaintiff class as part of the settlement of shareholder litigation arising from the restatement. After payment of settlement amounts, AFC expects net proceeds of $9 million to $10 million.

Best Buy Co. (BBY) said Chief Financial Officer Darren Jackson will move to the newly created position of executive vice president of customer operating groups, to oversee the company's entertainment, PC mobility and home solutions segments. Jim Muehlbauer has been named interim CFO. Muehlbauer currently serves as CFO of Best Buy U.S.

Intervoice Inc. (INTV) reported second-quarter net income of $1.4 million, or 4 cents a share, compared with $1.6 million, or 4 cents a share, in the prior year. The Dallas-based call automation systems developer said revenue fell to $48.7 million from $50.5 million in the year-ago period.

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) said that a record $170 million worth of its new "Halo 3" video game were sold in its first day on store shelves. The third installment of Microsoft's Halo title is seen as a key to reaching profitability for the company's entertainment & devices unit this fiscal year.

Parexel International Corp. (PRXL) said it completed its purchase of Taiwan-based Apex International Clinical Research Co., and restated its forecast to reflect the deal. The biopharmaceutical services company now anticipates consolidated service revenue of $203 to $210 million for the first quarter, and consolidated service revenue of $875 to $910 million for fiscal 2008. Paraxel previously forecast revenue of $200 to $210 million for the first quarter, and $855 to $885 million for the year.

Paychex Inc. (PAYX) said fiscal first-quarter net income rose 12 percent to $151.1 million, or 40 cents a share, from $135.1 million, or 35 cents a share. The provider of payroll, benefits and human resource services said revenue increased 10 percent to $507.1 million. Wall Street was looking for earnings of 39 cents a share on revenue of $511.7 million. Paychex expects 2008 earnings growth of 12 percent to 14 percent from a year earlier, and revenue growth of 11 percent to 13 percent.

Tennant Co. (TNC) is restructuring its worldwide operations, a move that will affect 60 positions, or about 2 percent of the cleaning equipment provider's workforce. Tennant said the changes will result in a charge of about $2.5 million, or 9 cents a share, with about 8 cents a share to be recognized during the second half of 2007. Tennant also said it now sees 2007 earnings of $1.78 to $1.86 a share. It previously expected earnings of $1.77 to $1.85 a share.

Xyratex Ltd.'s (XRTX) third-quarter earnings fell 76 percent to $4.27 million, or 14 cents a share, from $17.8 million, or 60 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue fell 11 percent to $234.2 million from $263.1 million a year ago. Excluding certain items, income fell 64 percent to $7.42 million, or 25 cents a share. Analysts expected adjusted earnings of 24 cents a share on revenue of $232 million.

The company forecast fourth-quarter earnings of 20 cents to 32 cents a share on revenue of $236 million to $256 million. Excluding certain items, the company forecast earnings of 28 cents to 40 cents a share. Analysts are looking for earnings of 48 cents a share on revenue of $267 million.

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