Stocks to Watch: Micron Technology, Hasbro, Alpha Natural Resources and More

Among the companies whose shares are expected to actively trade in Monday’s session are Micron Technology , Hasbro and Alpha Natural Resources.

Micron Technology Chairman and Chief Executive Steven R. Appleton died Friday morning in a small plane accident. The company named Mark Durcan as his replacement at the memory chip maker. Shares fell 2.9% to $7.72 in recent premarket trading.

Hasbro’s fourth-quarter earnings slipped 0.6% as the toy maker booked double-digit sales declines in the girls’ and games categories, masking growth in the boys’ and international categories. Shares dropped 2.4% to $35 in recent premarket trading.

Alpha Natural Resources said it will scale back production at many of its central Appalachian coal mines, citing weakening demand from its electric utility customers. Shares fell 2% to $22.33 premarket.

Sysco’s fiscal second-quarter earnings fell 3.1% as costs climbed, but the foodservice supplier reported stronger-than-expected sales growth. Shares rose 1.9% to $31.49 premarket.

Humana’s fourth-quarter earnings rose 86% as the health insurer continued to benefit from membership growth and light use of health benefits. But the results missed expectations, and Humana forecast current-quarter earnings beneath analysts’ expectations. Shares dropped 3.5% to $87 premarket.

Brown & Brown’s fourth-quarter earnings rose 14%, as the insurance agency and brokerage firm posted higher revenue from commissions and fees, beating analysts’ expectations. Shares rose 7.1% to $25 in light premarket trading.

Consolidated Communications agreed to acquire broadband provider SureWest Communications in a cash-and-stock deal valued at roughly $340.9 million that is expected to provide enhance scale in six states. The offer represents a 48% premium to the stock’s Friday closing price. SureWest shares were up 9.1% at $17.01 in light premarket trading.

BioLineRx licensed another Hepatitis C treatment from French biotechnology company Genoscience, as the Israeli-based biopharmaceutical company expands into the field of Hepatitis C therapeutics. Shares jumped 13% to $4.65 in recent premarket trading.

Aeropostale named Karin Hirtler-Garvey its chairman, succeeding Julian R. Geiger who has stepped down from the position.

American Apparel’s total January sales increased 14% to $41.4 million while same-store sales rose 15%, marking the fourth-straight month of improvement for the casual clothing retailer.

Fitch Ratings raised its outlook on American International Group to positive from stable, citing the bailed-out insurer’s strong competitive position in several markets.

Boardwalk Pipeline’s fourth-quarter earnings fell 16% as mild winter weather contributed to lower-than-expected revenue.

CNA Financial reported a 37% decline in fourth-quarter profit as the insurer recorded a wider operating loss in its non-core life and group lines of business.

Collective Brands Inc. (PSS) will open Payless ShoeSource stores in South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam under two new franchise agreements with Shinsegae Group’s Emart unit and Central Marketing Group, a unit of Central Group in Bangkok.

Eli Lilly will freeze base pay for most of its employees in 2012, citing financial pressures caused by patent expirations on top drugs.

Lazard swung to a loss in the fourth quarter as the midsize investment bank struggled under a slump in advisory revenue and a slowdown in its asset management business.

Nabors Industries said former Chief Executive Eugene Isenberg agreed to terminate his employment pact and will waive his claim to a $100 million payment that was triggered when Nabors named a new CEO in October.

Nielsen ‘s fourth-quarter profit soared amid fewer charges as the consumer-behavior tracker reported stronger revenue and margins.

Range Resources said it ended 2011 with higher resource potential with help from its drilling projects in the Marcellus Shale and other U.S. formations.

Towers Watson & Co.’s (TW) fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 39% as the employee-benefits consulting firm reported revenue growth across its businesses. The company also raised its earnings target for the year.

By Ian Thomson and Maya Pope-Chappell