Stocks to Watch, Nov. 28: Palm Inc. and Applebee's
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Tuesday's session are Chico's FAS Inc., Palm Inc. and Applebee's International Inc.
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Chico's FAS (CHS) is expected to report earnings per share for the third quarter of 23 cents, according to analysts polled by Thomson First Call.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Dress Barn Inc. (DBRN) is expected to post first-quarter per-share income of 37 cents.
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (JTX) is expected to report a second-quarter loss of 38 cents per share.
Restoration Hardware Inc. (RSTO) is expected to post a per-share loss of 16 cents for the third quarter.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Semtech Corp. (SMTC) is expected to report second-quarter income of 18 cents per share.
VA Software Corp. (LNUX) is expected to post per-share income of a penny for the first quarter.
After Monday's closing bell, Palm (PALM) slashed its fiscal second-quarter forecast, citing the delayed U.S. rollout of one of the newest versions of its Treo line of handheld smartphones.
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Applebee's (APPB) said comparable-store sales for its restaurants fell 3.1% in November because of falling guest traffic and a flat average check.
Caraustar Industries Inc. (CSAR) said it will record a pretax charge of $4 million for the closure of its York Carton Plant that will affect 61 salaried and hourly employees. The recycled packaging company said the closure is part of the consolidation of Caraustar's converted products group.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Celestica Inc. (CLS) said it has named Craig Muhlhauser as chief executive and president, effective immediately. Muhlhauser succeeds Stephen Delaney, who is resigning to pursue other business interests.
Chesapeake Energy Corp. (CHK) said it plans to commence a public offering of 400 million euros ($525 million) of senior notes due 2017. The natural gas producer said it expects to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay outstanding debt under its revolver.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) said Laurie Brlas has been appointed chief financial officer, effective Dec. 11. Brlas will replace acting CFO Donald Gallagher, who recently became president of the North American iron ore unit.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Copano Energy LLC (CPNO) said it plans to sell 2.5 million common units in a public offering. The midstream natural gas company also said it has granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to 375,000 additional units. Copano said it plans to use proceeds to repay its $100 million unsecured term loan, and for general company purposes.
Cytokinetics Inc. (CYTK) said its collaboration and license agreement with GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK) has been amended, and Cytokinetics will assume responsibility for the costs of continued development of the kinesin spindle protein inhibitors ispinesib and SB-743921. Cytokinetics added that it now sees revenue for 2006 of $3 million to $4 million.
Digital Realty Trust Inc. (DLR) said Global Innovation Partners LLC has agreed to sell 3.3 million shares of Digital Realty's common stock to Merrill Lynch & Co. (MER) .
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Donaldson Co. (DCI) reported first-quarter net earnings of $36 million, or 43 cents a share, up 12% from $32.2 million, or 37 cents a share, during the year-ago period. The provider of filtration systems posted revenue of $446.4 million vs. $403.4 million.
Everest Re Group Ltd. (RE) said it has named Craig Eisenacher chief financial officer, effective Dec. 18. Eisenacher replaces Stephen Limauro, who will assist during the transition.
Inter Parfums Inc. (IPAR) said it expects 2007 net earnings of $1 a share, on revenue of $365 million, assuming the dollar remains at its current levels. Analysts see per-share earnings for the period of $1.03, on revenue of $360 million.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Pilots, flight attendants and mechanics of MAIR Holdings Inc.'s (MAIR) Mesaba Airlines have ratified tentative labor agreements. The Air Line Pilots Association, International, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association said the new agreements reduce labor costs by 15%. MAIR
MasTec Inc. (MTZ) named Vice Chairman Jose Ramon Mas as president and chief executive, effective at the end of March. Mas will succeed Austin Shanfelter, whose contract runs through March 31, the specialty contractor said.
NeuStar Inc. (NSR) said it has acquired Followap Inc., a U.K.-based provider of mobile instant messaging products in Europe and Asia, for $139 million in cash. NeuStar said it expects Followap's revenue to exceed $25 million in 2007 and to more than double in 2008.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Stratos International Inc. (STLW) reported second-quarter earnings of $773,000. During the same period a year ago, the Chicago-based maker microwave components posted a net loss of $346,000.
US Airways Group Inc. (LCC) said it will distribute $1.8 million across its system in the form of one-time $50 bonuses to each employee.