BOEING CO (BA, 33.75)- Analysts are likely to lower first quarter earnings estimates for the aircraft maker in the wake of its ongoing strike with its engineers, according to a story in the Wall Street Journal.

CONNING CORP (CNNG, 12.25)- Metropolitan Life Insurance Co will acquire the remaining 39% of the asset management firm for $12.50 per share in a transaction valued at $68 million.

CORECOMM LTD (COMM, 41)- The telecom services company has agreed to acquire ATX Telecommunications Services for $900 million in stock and cash.

GENESIS WORLDWIDE (GWO, 4)- The maker of engineered coil processing equipment reported a fourth quarter loss of 29 cents, compared to last year's profit of 12 cents.  Revenues in the quarter rose to $37.3 million from last year's $10.6 million.

HIGHLANDS INSURANCE GROUP (HIC, 7.75)- The property and casualty insurer missed estimates by 13 cents as it reported a fourth quarter loss of 10 cents per share, excluding charges.  The company lost 18 cents in last year's fourth quarter.  The company sees improving industry conditions in 2000, and said gross written premiums increased 27% during the first two months of this year.

HITACHI LTD (HIT, 133.88)- The computer maker lowered its forecast for 1999 earnings.  The company now sees operating income of 140 billion yen, compared to previous estimates of 165 billion; and net income of 10 billion yen, compared to previous estimates of 35 billion.  The company attributed the shortfall to lower than expected mainframe computer sales.

LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS (LGND, 20.5)- The drugmaker missed estimates by 13 cents as its fourth quarter loss, excluding charges, narrowed to 33 cents per share from last year's loss of 59 cents.  Revenues rose 188% to $12.4 million in the quarter.  The shares are up 0.75 in pre-open trading on the news.

MIM CORP (MIMS, 7)- The provider of pharmacy benefit management services met expectations as it reported full year 1999 earnings of 12 cents per share, excluding charges, compared to the prior year's 26 cents.  Revenues fell 16% to $377.4 million in the year. 

NIKU CORP (NIKU, 80.5)- The Internet software maker said fourth quarter revenues rose 157% sequentially to $5.2 million.  The company, with a market cap of $5.6 billion, lost $13.8 million, or $2.63 per share, in the quarter.

OMEGA PROTEIN CORP (OME, 3)- The edible fish oil maker missed estimates by seven cents as it reported a fourth quarter loss of 27 cents per share, compared to last year's profit of 18 cents.  Revenues in the quarter increased to $29.6 million from last year's $25.8 million.  The company attributed the lower results to a drop in fish oil and fish meal prices. 

PALM HARBOR HOMES (PHHM, 15.38)- The manufactured home builder said fourth quarter earnings will fall short of the 43 cents it earned in last year's fourth quarter.  Analysts were looking for 42 cents in the quarter.  The company attributed the lowered outlook to competitive pricing pressures and "credit-related" factors.

PANTRY INC (PTRY, 12.25)- The convenience store operator warned that second quarter earnings will fall short of expectations.  The company now sees a loss of $0.14-$0.16 in the quarter.  Analysts were looking for a profit of seven cents.  The company attributed the shortfall to a 32.8% rise in wholesale gasoline prices since the beginning of the quarter.

SRS LABS INC (SRSL, 20.75)- The maker of audio enhancement devices said it has formed a technology alliance with Microsoft (MSFT, 100).  Microsoft will make an equity investment in the company.  The shares are up 4.50 to 20.75 in pre-open trading on the news.

EMPLOYEE SOLUTIONS (ESOL, 1.81)- The provider of outsourced human resources services reported a fourth quarter loss of $1.18 per share, compared to last year's loss of 44 cents.  Revenues increased 19.3% to $312.4 million in the quarter.  The company said it is negotiating with its bondholders to restructure its debt.  The shares fell 0.56 in after hours trading on the news.

EXCALIBUR TECHNOLOGIES (EXCA, 31.75)- The provider of multimedia content management services beat estimates by three cents as fourth quarter earnings rose to 17 cents per share from last year's four cents.  Revenues rose 35% to $12.7 million in the quarter.

FATBRAIN.COM INC (FATB, 15.75)- The Internet bookseller beat estimates by four cents as its fourth quarter loss widened to 79 cents per share from last year's loss of 37 cents.  Revenues increased 122% to $11.9 million in the quarter.  The shares rose 2.56 in after hours trading on the news.

HANOVER COMPRESSOR (HC, 50.81)- The provider of natural gas handling equipment beat estimates by a penny as fourth quarter earnings rose 40% to 42 cents per share.  Revenues rose 18% to $94.3 million in the quarter.

JORE CORP (JORE, 7)- The maker of hand tools beat estimates by a penny as fourth quarter earnings rose 33.3% to 20 cents per share.  Revenues increased 10.2% to $21.4 million in the quarter.  Gross margins improved to 38% from last year's 28%.

NAVISITE INC (NAVI, 266)- The web hosting company beat estimates by 22 cents as its second quarter loss narrowed to 41 cents per share from last year's loss of 83 cents.  Revenues rose 323%, and 56% sequentially, to $9.2 million in the quarter.  The company also announced a 2 for 1 stock split.  The shares rose 16.88 in after hours trading on the news.

RANGE RESOURCES CORP (RRC, 2.68)- The oil and gas company said its fourth quarter loss narrowed to 27 cents per share from last year's loss of $3.13.  Revenues fell 11% to $40.1 million in the quarter.

REDBACK NETWORKS (RBAK, 327.69)- The maker of broadband network equipment announced a 2 for 1 stock split.  The shares rose 7.32 in after hours trading on the news.

SABRE HOLDINGS CORP (TSG, 49)- The airline reservation system operator will join the S&P 500 Index after the close on March 15th.

SUNRISE ASSISTED LIVING (SNRZ, 13.5)- The operator of assisted living facilities beat estimates by seven cents as fourth quarter earnings tumbled 37.3% to 21 cents per share, excluding one-time items.  Revenues rose 51% to $74.2 million in the quarter.  Occupancy rates increased to 95.6% from the prior year's 94.3%.

SUNBEAM CORP (SOC, 4.75)- The consumer products maker reported a fourth quarter loss of $1.43 per share, compared to last year's loss of $3.09.  Revenues increased 19% to $612 million in the quarter.

CAIS INTERNET (CAIS, 29.25)- The broadband service provider beat estimates by 15 cents as its fourth quarter loss widened to 89 cents per share from the third quarter's loss of 67 cents.  Revenues rose 75% sequentially to $4.7 million.  The shares rose 3.75 in after hours trading on the news.

COMVERSE TECHNOLOGY (CMVT, 222.13)- The maker of information processing systems beat estimates by three cents as fourth quarter earnings rose 36.3% to 60 cents per share.  Revenues increased 27% to $240.6 million in the quarter.  The company also announced a 2 for 1 stock split.  The shares rose 11.88 to 234 in after hours trading on the news.

DSI TOYS INC (DSIT, 3.38)- The toy maker reported year-end 1999 earnings of 17 cents per share, compared to last year's loss of 17 cents.  Revenues fell 9.7% to $47.6 million, but gross margins improved to 28.4% from last year's 20.2%.

ENGAGE TECHNOLOGIES (ENGA, 178)- The CMGI controlled Internet advertising and marketing company missed estimates by seven cents as it reported a wider than expected second quarter loss of 52 cents per share.  Revenues rose 377%, and 54% sequentially, to $12.8 million in the quarter.  The company also announced a 2 for 1 stock split.  The stock rose 7 in after hours trading on the split news.

FALCON PRODUCTS INC (FCP, 11.56)- The furniture maker beat estimates by a penny as first quarter earnings rose 14.3% to 24 cents per share.  Revenues jumped 117% to $75.1 million in the quarter.  Operating margins rose to 13.5% from 11.7%.

LERNOUT & HAUSPIE (LHSP, 107.19)- The maker of speech-enabled software has agreed to acquire dictation equipment maker Dictaphone Corp for 4.75 million shares of LHSP stock and the assumption of $425 million in Dictaphone debt in a deal valued at $880 million. Lernout expects the deal to be accretive to earnings before goodwill.

MAXX PETROLEUM (MMX, 3)- The oil and gas exploration company reported breakeven fourth quarter results, compared to last year's loss of $2.94 per share.  Revenues increased 47% to $16.5 million in the quarter.

NORTHLAND CRANBERRIES (CBRYA, 6.19)- The cranberry grower said it will seek strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value, including the possible sale of the company.

PANAVISION INC (PVI, 9)- The maker of motion picture camera systems said its fourth quarter loss narrowed to a penny a share from last year's loss of four cents.  Revenues rose 4% to $55 million in the quarter.

PHILLIPS-VAN HEUSEN (PVH, 7.13)- The apparel maker beat estimates by two cents as fourth quarter earnings jumped 300% to 10 cents per share.  Revenues in the quarter slipped 0.9% to $294 million.

TMP WORLDWIDE (TMPW, 87)- The provider of recruitment services and operator of the Monster.com jobs portal beat estimates by three cents as fourth quarter earnings rose 200% to 15 cents per share.  Total commissions and fees increased 27.2% to $204.3 million in the quarter.  The shares dipped 2.44 in after hours trading on the news.

AMCAST INDUSTRIAL CORP (AIZ, 10.69)- The maker of flow control products warned that higher raw materials costs and lower volumes wil cause second quarter earnings to fall short of expectations.  Analysts were looking for the company to earn 40 cents.

BREAKAWAY SOLUTIONS (BWAY, 147)- The provider of application hosting services announced a 2 for 1 stock split.  The shares are up 11 in pre-open trading on the news.

CT COMMUNICATIONS (CTCI, 56.75)- The telecom service provider met expectations as fourth quarter earnings rose to 53 cents per share.  Revenues in the quarter increased 12% to $27.6 million.  The company also announced a 2 for 1 stock split.  The shares rose 1.38 in pre-open trading on the news.

KOHLS CORP (KSS, 76.81)- The department store operator announced a 2 for 1 stock split.

LAM RESEARCH (LRCX, 151)- The semiconductor equipment maker announced a 2 for 1 stock split.  The shares rose 9 in after hours trading on the news.

AVALON HOLDINGS CORP (AWX, 4.88)- The provider of environmental services said its fourth quarter earnings rose to five cents per share from last year's loss of 32 cents.  Revenues in the quarter rose to $20.3 million from $19.4 million.

DATA TRANSMISSION NETWORK (DTLN, 25)- The information services company has agreed to be acquired by investment group VS&A Communications Partners lll for $29 per share in an all-stock deal that values the company at $470 million.

EDISON INTERNATIONAL (EIX, 26)- The electric power company warned that first quarter earnings will fall short of expectations due to lower electricity prices in the UK and lower than expected UK volumes caused by a warm winter.  The company now sees earnings of $0.28-$0.32 per share in the quarter.  Analysts were looking for the company to earn 44 cents.  The company sees full year earnings of $1.90-$2.10, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.20-$2.30. 

FLIR SYSTEMS INC (FLIR, 17)- The maker of thermal imaging systems warned that fourth quarter earnings will be "materially below" current expectations.  The company now sees a possible loss in the quarter.  Analysts were looking for FLIR to earn 57 cents.  The company attributed the lowered expectations to recently discovered accounting errors, and said its CFO has resigned.

KAISER GROUP INTERNATIONAL (KSR, 0.56)- The provider of construction management services said the New York Stock Exchange will suspend trading in the company's shares on March 8th because the company does not meet minimum exchange listing requirements.

LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP (LMT, 17)- The defense contractor has signed a $6.4 billion contract with the United Arab Emirates  to produce 80 F-16 fighter jets.

LORONIX INFORMATION SYSTEMS (LORX, 31.38)- The maker of software used in digital video recording has agreed to be acquired by software maker Comverse Technology (CMVT, 228) in a $221 million deal that values each Loronix share at approximately $43.90, based on Friday's closing prices.  Under the terms of the deal, Loronix shareholders will receive 0.1925 shares of CMVT for each LORX share held.

PIONEER GROUP INC (PIOG, 21.5)- The asset management company said it has hired an investment banker to explore strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value, including the possible sale of the company.

SKECHERS USA (SKX, 7)- The footwear maker met expectations as fourth quarter earnings rose to eight cents per share from last year's loss of 13 cents.  Revenues in the quarter increased 22% to $100.1 million, and gross margins improved to 42.3% from 41.3% in last year's fourth quarter.  The company's CEO said its year-end incoming order backlog rose 62.5% to $121.7 million.