Premarket Roundup: Starent Networks, Pharmasset

Among the premarket stories for Tuesday, Sept. 8, from AP Financial News:

NEW YORK (AP) — Starent Networks Corp. stands to gain if Apple Inc. picks up Verizon Wireless as a carrier for its popular iPhone or a new portable computer, a CL King analyst said Tuesday.

NEW YORK (AP) — A Robert W. Baird analyst upgraded shares of drug developer Pharmasset Inc. on Tuesday, citing the chances for a successful outcome from upcoming midstage study results on the developing hepatitis C treatment R7128.

NEW YORK (AP) — An analyst upgraded shares of several hotel real estate investment trusts on Tuesday on factors including stabilizing occupancy, improving liquidity and strong balance sheets.

NEW YORK (AP) — Women's retailer Talbots Inc. may post better-than-expected second-quarter results on Wednesday after the women's apparel retailer took fewer markdowns on merchandise, an analyst said Tuesday.