Stocks to Watch Tomorrow 12/20

Northfield Laboratories Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLD) was crunched 20% today ahead of an update on the Phase III clinical trial of PolyHeme, its controversial red blood cell substitute. After the close the company said because of discrepancies in the initial data, the database will be unlocked and corrected prior to finalizing the statistical analyses. The company said preliminary results indicate that in the primary modified intent to treat (MITT) population (those who were randomized and received some treatment) the upper limit of the CI exceeded the 7% threshold by 0.3%. However, in the pre-specified per protocol (PP) population (those who both received the correct treatment and did not otherwise violate the protocol), the upper limit of the CI was below the threshold, at 5.8%. We're not sure where this one lands but it will be fun watching tomorrow.

FedEx (NYSE: FDX) is reporting earnings before the open Wednesday. Guidance will be key here, not only for the company but as a gauge for the rest of the economy.

Nike (NYSE: NKE) is reporting after the close Wednesday. Short of a major surprise, the needle will unlikely move much. But again, comments on its outlook could be seen as a gauge for the rest of the economy.

Escala Group Inc. (Nasdaq: ESCL) jumped 92% Tuesday on huge volume after the company said they will restate prior results and basically said they are not crooks. The move was likely partially related to a short squeeze. This company has a lot to do before it can re-gain respect on Wall Street, but traders may try to keep pressing the shorts here.

Syntroleum Corporation (NASDAQ: SYNM) gained 46% today after announcing a Joint Development Agreement with Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company, K.S.C. to join in the development of a 50,000 barrel per day Gas-to-Liquids facility in Papua New Guinea. This one seems to be back on the radar, but after the big run we may see some profit taking before moving higher.

Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM) met/beat their lowered Q2 results, but guidance was disappointing. Weakness at Palm was pretty well-telegraphed. It's time for the company to put the For Sale sign up.

Today's IPO with the least fanfare, Fuwei Films Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: FFHL), rose 34%. The one with the most, Melco PBL Entertainment (Macau) Limited (Nasdaq: MPEL), rose 13.4%

Tomorrow's proposed IPOs are Solarfun Power Holdings (Nasdaq: SOLF), Dayton Superior Corporation (Nasdaq: DSUP) and Artes Medical (Nasdaq: ARTE).

Look for upcoming bottom fishing in Circuit City Stores Inc. (NYSE: CC) after today's 16.5% haircut after a terrible quarter and guidance.

Stocks to Watch Tomorrow 12/19

Big box retailer Circuit City (NYSE: CC) is set to report earnings before the bell Tuesday. The company will be reporting Q3, but look for comments on the all-important Q4 - which it is currently in. Rival Best Buy recently missed on the bottom line, so slight earnings/margin weakness at CC may be somewhat expected.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is the latest broker to report earnings, coming before the bell Tuesday. It will likely take a big 'beat' to move the stock up.

Palm (Nasdaq: PALM) is expected to report earnings after the close Tuesday with analysts looking for earnings of $0.15 and revenue of $392.3 million. Investors want an update on the new line of Treo's which were recently delayed.

Pointer Telocation Ltd. (Nasdaq: PNTR) surged 27% Monday after the company set a date to release its 2007 revenue and profitability guidance (12/21). No - the company didn't give any numbers, but this is a recent momentum stock and it gives speculators something to play with. Irrational exuberance anyone. Note: This stock was $5 per share back in November. Today's close was $14.35.

Mikron Infrared Inc. (Nasdaq: MIKR) received a 29% haircut Monday after delivering Q3 results and saying it will be difficult to maintain revenue increases in light of the deteriorating pricing situation.

Two bankrupt stocks were shunned today after their meteoric rises recently. Delphi Corp. (OTC: DPHIQ) sunk 19% after announcing $3.4B in financing. Northwest Airlines (OTC: NWACQ) sunk 21%. We expect continued volatility in the names as investors gauge what the equity will be worth once the company's emerges from bankruptcy.

Oracle Corp. (Nasdaq: ORCL) reported in-line results after the close. The stock is taking it on the chin a little bit in after-hours action, but basically just gave back today's gains. Nothing of concern to note. Oracle has been a beast this year, so a little profit taking could be healthy.

A handful of IPOs are expected to start trading tomorrow: ARTE, PLTE, DSUP, MPEL, TSL. Watch the IPO action tomorrow here: http://www.streetinsider.com/IPOs