Early Stocks in Motion

Lamson & Sessions(LMS) shares gained 12% in late trading Wednesday after the company sharply raised its fourth-quarter guidance.

The company, a maker of enclosures and fittings for the electric, telecom and consumer markets, sees fourth-quarter earnings of 70 cents to 75 cents a share, more than double its prior forecast of 30 cents to 33 cents. Lamson & Sessions boosted its sales view to $125 million to $130 million from $110 million to $115 million. The company said it has been able to pass cost increases on to customers, and many customers have been increasing order rates due to concern over material availability and price escalation for resin-based products. Shares rose $2.81 to $26.79 after hours.

Shares of PW Eagle(PWEI) jumped after the company said it will prepay debt and set its earnings forecast. PW Eagle plans to combine its polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene pipe businesses into one entity through merging its subsidiary USPoly into the parent company. USPoly's outstanding debt will be prepaid, and PW Eagle also will use proceeds from its current master revolving credit facility to prepay all of its $25 million of subordinated debt. PW Eagle now anticipates its total debt at year's end will be $30 million to $40 million, compared to the outstanding debt of $102 million at Sept. 30. PW Eagle anticipates fourth-quarter earnings of $3.60 a share, including debt-related charges and a $1.15 gain from the sale of its interest in W.L. Plastics. For the year, the company expects to earn $4.50 a share. Shares were up $3.72, or 20%, to $22.46 in after-hours trading.

WellPoint(WLP) announced that it named Larry Glasscock as chairman, in addition to his roles as president and chief executive. Glasscock will replace Leonard Schaeffer, who resigned a year after WellPoint bought Anthem. The stock fell 11 cents after hours to $76.72.