Stocks to Watch: Apple, AMD, Mellanox

NEW YORK -- Apple (AAPL) has set its first-quarter earnings release for Jan. 23, with a conference call the same day to discuss the results.

Wall Street will be paying close attention to sales figures for the iPhone and iPad, with the iPhone driving more than half of Apple's revenue in its most recent quarter.

Meanwhile, reports said Wednesday that Apple is testing the next iPhone.

The Next Web reported that developers have started to see logs with an 'iPhone6,1' identifier, using iOS 7, which could be Apple's next mobile operating system.

iPhone 6: Will People Even Care?

---

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) appointed Devinder Kumar as its chief financial officer after a four-month search.

An AMD veteran, Kumar had served as the company's interim financial chief since September 2012, when Thomas Seifert stepped down from the role. The appointment is effective immediately.

AMD Appoints Company Insider Devinder Kumar as CFO

---

Mellanox Technologies (MLNX) on Wednesday reduced its revenue forecast for the fourth quarter.

The data-storage company said it expects fourth-quarter revenue in a range of $119 million to $121 million, down from previous guidance of $145 million to $150 million.

---

Family Dollar Stores (FDO) is expected by analysts Thursday to post fiscal first-quarter earnings of 75 cents a share on revenue of $2.38 billion.

---

Worthington Industries (WOR) is seen earnings 41 cents a share in its fiscal second quarter on revenue of $636.4 million.

---

Microsoft (MSFT) bought start-up id8 Group R2 Studios as it looks to expand further in technology focused on the home and entertainment, a person familiar with the situation told Reuters on Wednesday.

---

Quiksilver (ZQK) co-founder Robert McKnight Jr reportedly will step down from his CEO post, effective Jan. 11. He has been with the surfing outfitter since 1991.

Former Walt Disney executive Andy Mooney will take over as CEO, according to The Wall Street Journal.

---

Zipcar (ZIP) surged 47.8% on Wednesday after Avis (CAR)announced that it is acquiring Zipcar for about $500 million, or $12.25 a share in cash, a 49% premium over Zipcar's closing price on Dec. 31.

Prices May Zip Higher After Zipcar, Avis Deal

---

-- Written by Joseph Woelfel



>To contact the writer of this article, click here: Joseph Woelfel

>To submit a news tip, send an email to: [e-mail].