Unusual After-Hours Stocks on the Move (NILE, EXPE, PNRA, HOKU, VITA)

We are seeing yet another high number of shares on the move in the after-hours session this Thursday.  Five top movers are Blue Nile Inc. (NASDAQ: NILE), Expedia Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE), Hoku Corporation (NASDAQ: HOKU), Orthovita Inc. (NASDAQ: VITA), and Panera Bread Co. (NASDAQ: PNRA).

Blue Nile Inc. (NASDAQ: NILE) closed up over 5% today at $63.66.  The online jewelry seller reported quarterly sales rose 11.5% to $114.8 million and earnings rose 17% to $0.41 EPS.

Expedia Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE) closed up 1% at $25.69 but a smaller profit than expected and profit margins narrowing took a bite out of the company.  Shares are down currently in the after-hours by 6.6% at $24.00 versus a 52-week range of $18.30 to $29.85.

Hoku Corporation (NASDAQ: HOKU) closed up 1.5% at $2.58 today against a 52-week range of $2.09 to $3.78, but the company gave an update to its expected capital costs for a new plant before production can begin.  Shares are down 11.2% at $2.29 in the after-hours.

Orthovita Inc. (NASDAQ: VITA) was up 3% to $2.20 today but shares are really up higher in the after-hours.  The company received FDA approval for its Vitoss ‘bimodal bone graft substitute.’  Shares are now up 17% at $2.58 in the after hours against a 52-week trading range of $1.60 to $4.68.  For the coming quarter, sales are expected to be $76 to $78.5 million and earnings are expected to be $0.14 to $0.16 EPS.  Thomson Reuters had estimates ahead at $0.20 EPS on $79.69 million in revenues.  Shares are trading down 12% at $55.99 in the after-hours against a 52-week range of $40.70 to $64.45.

Panera Bread Co. (NASDAQ: PNRA) rose over 1% to $99.71 today and shares are breaking above the $100 mark after reports that Fiscal-2010’s $3.62 EPS was up 30% on 7.9% growth in system-wide comparable net bakery-cafe sales.  Shares are up 9% at $108.75 versus a prior 52-week trading range of $70.86 to $106.87.

JON C. OGG