Stocks To Watch: VeriFone, Yum! Brands, Diamond Foods, Heckmann, OCZ

Companies whose shares are expected to trade actively in today’s session are VeriFone Systems Inc (NYSE:PAY), Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM), Diamond Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:DMND), Heckmann Corporation (NYSE:HEK), Alphatec Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:ATEC) and OCZ Technology Group Inc. (NASDAQ:OCZ).

VeriFone Systems Inc (NYSE:PAY): Chief executive of the electronic payment solutions company Douglas Bergero has announced to step down after 12 years at the helm. Chairman Richard McGinn will act as an interim CEO of the company. Shares surged 7.72 percent to $22.04 in early market trading.

Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM): The fast food chain said its KFC business in China improved last month. showed signs of imp. Sales began to plunge late last year due to chicken controversy. Yum said its same-store sales dipped 20 percent in the first quarter that includes January and February. The results were better than the company’s own estimate of 25 percent decline. Shares soared 6.06 percent to $71.95 in early session.

Diamond Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:DMND): The snack-food company swung to second quarter profit as its operating expenses declined, though net sales were weak. Revenues and earnings fell short of Wall Street estimates. Shares declined 5.51 percent to $16.63 in early trading session.

Heckmann Corporation (NYSE:HEK): The environmental-services company swung to a fourth quarter profit due to improved revenues and larger income tax benefits. Wall Street was expecting the company to report a loss on lower revenues. The company also announced its plans to rename itself and operate its business units under the new brand. Shares rose 9.97 percent to $4.08 in early trading.

Alphatec Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:ATEC): The spinal implants and surgical instruments maker has received clearance from USFDA to market its Solus internal fixation anterior lumbar interbody fusion devices. Shares jumped 9.50 percent to $2.19 in early trading.

OCZ Technology Group Inc. (NASDAQ:OCZ): The computer components manufacturer said it has signed a $30 million credit agreement with Hercules Technology Growth Capital Inc. The fresh infusion of cash will give struggling OCZ a breathing room. Shares rose 14.37 percent to $1.99 in early trading.

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