U.S. Equity Preview: Day Runner, Microsoft, North Face, Prodigy
New York, March 11 (Bloomberg) -- The following is a list of companies whose shares may move in U.S. markets Friday, March 12. U.S. Equity Preview includes news that broke after the markets closed. Thursday's closing prices are included. The stock symbol is in parentheses after the company name.
Day Runner Inc. (DAYR): The leading maker of paper-based personal organizers in North America and the U.K. warned that its loss for the third quarter ended March 31 would be 35 cents to 40 cents a share. The company was expected to lose 16 cents for the period, based on the average estimate of three analysts surveyed by First Call Corp. Day Runner fell 1/16 to 13 1/4.
DoubleClick Inc. (DCLK): The Internet advertising agency said its board approved a 2-for-1 stock split, payable April 2 for shareholders of record March 22. DoubleClick fell 4 11/16 to 106 7/16.
Microsoft Corp. (MSFT): The world's biggest software company said it expected to defer $400 million of revenue in the third quarter ending March 31 because of a delay in Office 2000, the next generation of the popular group of word-processing and spreadsheet software. Microsoft rose 1/16 to 161 7/16.
National Semiconductor Corp. (NSM): The maker of chips for cars, telephones and computers had a smaller-than-expected fiscal third-quarter loss, helped by sales of its chips for wireless- phone equipment. The company had a loss of 16 cents a share in the quarter ended Feb. 28. It was expected to lose 20 cents, the average estimate of analysts surveyed by First Call. National Semiconductor was unchanged at 10 11/16.
North Face Inc. (TNFI): The maker of outerwear and camping gear said it is likely the company will restate its results for 1997 and the first quarter of 1998 following a review of its accounting procedures. Trading in North Face shares was halted Thursday. It fell 1 to 13 on Wednesday.
Prodigy Communications Corp. (PRGY): The Internet service provider said its fourth-quarter loss narrowed as it cut marketing expenses by almost half and revenue rose slightly. Prodigy's fourth-quarter loss was 38 cents a share, compared with a loss of $2.14 a year earlier. Prodigy rose 1 7/8 to 40 3/4.
Safeskin Corp. (SFSK): The largest U.S. manufacturer of disposable latex examination gloves said its first-quarter earnings will be well below analysts' expectations because of lower sales. The company said it will have earnings of 1 cent to 2 cents a share. It was expected to earn 27 cents, the average estimate of analysts surveyed by First Call. Safeskin fell 2 3/4 to 15 1/4 before trading was halted.
Willamette Industries Inc. (WLL): The maker of paper bags said it will lower its depreciation costs, boosting profit this year by an expected $57 million, or 52 cents a share. Willamette fell 1/16 to 36 1/8. |
