STOCKS TO WATCH

Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Monday's session are Verizon, McDonald's, Corning and Meritage Homes.

Verizon Communications (VZ: 37.76, -0.47, -1.2%) is projected to report earnings of 62 cents a share in the fourth quarter, according to analysts polled by Thomson Financial.

McDonald's Corp. (MCD:54.10, +0.10, +0.2%) is expected to post fourth-quarter earnings of 71 cents a share.

Corning Inc. (GLW: 22.37, +0.17, +0.8%) is forecast to post earnings of 39 cents a share in the fourth quarter.

Meritage Homes Corp. (MTH:10.84, -0.03, -0.3%) is expected to report a loss of $3.52 a share in the fourth quarter.

Tyson Foods Inc. (TSN: 13.26, -0.23, -1.7%) is estimated to post earnings of 4 cents a share in the fiscal first quarter.

Albemarle Corp. (ALB: 37.30, +3.15, +9.2%) is likely to post earnings of 59 cents a share in the fourth quarter.

Black & Decker Corp. (BDK: 69.98, -0.25, -0.4%) is forecast to post earnings of $1.03 a share in the fourth quarter.

Sysco Corp. (SYY:27.61, +0.07, +0.3%) is tipped to report earnings of 43 cents a share in the fiscal second quarter.

VMware Inc. (VMW:80.55, +0.35, +0.4%) is expected to post earnings of 24 cents a share in the fourth quarter.

Crane Co. (CR: 36.35, +0.33, +0.9%) is projected to report earnings of 69 cents a share in the fourth quarter.

Halliburton Co. (HAL: 33.09, +0.72, +2.2%) is estimated to post fourth-quarter earnings of 69 cents a share in the fourth quarter.

Graco Inc. (GGG:34.42, +0.50, +1.5%) is forecast to report fourth-quarter earnings of 57 cents a share.

Rohm and Haas Co. (ROH: 49.90, +0.78, +1.6%) is expected to post fourth-quarter earnings of 78 cents a share.

SanDisk Corp. (SNDK: 25.62, -1.13, -4.2%) is estimated to post earnings of 64 cents a share in the fourth quarter.

Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AMLN:32.46, -0.85, -2.5%) is projected to post a loss of 44 cents a share in the fourth quarter.

Unum Group (UNM: 20.58, -0.20, -1.0%) is forecast to post earnings of 54 cents a share in the fourth quarter.

Stanley Works (SWK: 46.58, +0.52, +1.1%) is expected to report fourth-quarter earnings of $1.10 a share.

YRC Worldwide Inc. (YRCW:18.86, +0.86, +4.8%) is estimated to post fourth-quarter earnings of 54 cents a share.

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. (SSCC: 8.83, +0.15, +1.7%) is forecast to post earnings of 8 cents a share in the fourth quarter.

Zoran Corp. (ZRAN) is expected to post earnings of 32 cents a share in the fourth quarter.

The Hanover Insurance Group (THG) is projected to post earnings of $1.12 a share in the fourth quarter.

Steel Dynamics Inc. (STLD:) is tipped to report fourth-quarter earnings of 98 cents a share.

Airgas Inc. (ARG) is estimated to report fiscal third-quarter earnings of 65 cents a share.

Con-Way Inc. (CNW) is expected to post fourth-quarter earnings of 82 cents a share.

After Friday's closing bell, Tyson Foods Inc. (TSN) said it will cease beef slaughter operations at its Emporia, Kansas, beef plant in the next few weeks, resulting in the elimination of 1,500 of 2,400 jobs. Affected workers will continue to be paid and receive benefits for 60 days, and the company will work with affected employees to discuss other employment opportunities within the company.

Watch list

Baxter International (BAX) issued an "urgent" recall of batches of its blood-thinner heparin due to reports they have caused severe allergic reactions in some recipients. In particular, Baxter is recalling injectable formulations of heparin sodium in 1000 units/mL and 30mL multi-vial doses.

Delphi Corp. (DPHIQ) said a federal bankruptcy judge confirmed the company's amended reorganization plan after ruling the company met all of the statutory requirements. The auto parts supplier said it plans to emerge from bankruptcy during the calendar quarter following the syndication and closing of about $6.1 billion of exit financing facilities.

FedEx (FDX) reportedly is in talks to buy all or part of Deutsche Post's DHL delivery business in the U.S. in a deal that would help it challenge larger rival UPS (UPS) . Seeking to cut losses in the hyper-competitive domestic fast delivery business, Deutsche Post may move to trim its DHL business in the United States without abandoning it completely, according to published reports on Friday.

Merck & Co. (MRK) received a not-approvable letter from the Food and Drug Administration in response to its application seeking approval for over-the-counter Mevacor 20 mg, the drug company said. The FDA indicated in its letter that it would require a revised label and additional data from Merck in order for marketing approval.

Short interest in 3,214 Nasdaq (NDAQ) securities totaled 8.69 billion shares at the end of the Jan. 15 settlement date, compared with 8.11 billion shares at the end of the Dec. 31 settlement date, the exchange said. Short interest in 2,707 Nasdaq Global Market securities totaled 8.49 billion shares at the end of the Jan. 15 settlement date, up from 7.93 billion shares in 2,697 issues.

Wellcare Health Plans Inc. (WCG:) named Charles Berg executive chairman and Heath Schiesser as president and chief executive officer, effective immediately, after three executives resigned from their positions. The managed-care services provider said the shakeup is in the "best long-term interest of the company."