SAN FRANCISCO -- Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Wednesday's session are Monsanto Co., Costco Wholesale Corp., and Alcoa Inc.

Monsanto Co. (MON) is expected to report a fiscal fourth-quarter loss of 11 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.

Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) is forecast to post earnings of 92 cents a share in the fiscal fourth quarter.

After Tuesday's closing bell, Alcoa Inc. (AA) reported a third-quarter profit of $268 million, or 33 cents a share, down from $555 million, or 63 cents a share, a year ago when the company benefited from an asset sale. The most recent results include an after-tax charge of 4 cents a share relating to the curtailment of a smelter in Texas. Revenue fell to $7.23 billion from $7.39 billion a year ago. Analysts were looking for a profit, on average, of 54 cents a share on sales of $7.27 billion. Alcoa warned that the profit squeeze from falling aluminum prices, shrinking demand and high input costs will have a greater impact going forward. See full story

Watch list

Brocade Communications Systems (BRCD) said it entered into a $1.23 billion secured credit facility to partly finance its buyout of Foundry Networks (FDRY) . In addition to the funds, Brocade expects to raise up to $400 million in additional financing and using cash on hand to fund the deal. The proposed buyout has received regulatory clearance and approval from the boards of each company. Shareholders of Foundry are scheduled to vote on the deal on Oct. 24. The buyout is expected to close in the fourth quarter.

Legg Mason Inc. (LM) had its senior debt rating lowered by Moody's to A3 from A2 and the ratings agency indicated that there could be additional downgrades. The move was due to continued pressure on Legg Mason's business profile and profitability resulting from its financial support of constant net asset value money market funds. The outlook is negative.

Sealy Corp. (ZZ) reported its third-quarter net income slid to $10.9 million, or 12 cents a share, nearly halved from $21.5 million, or 22 cents a share, in the third quarter last year. Revenue decreased to $405 million from $446.4 million in the same period a year ago, the Trinity, N.C.-based bedding products manufacturer said. Analysts had forecast earnings of 9 cents a share on revenue of $394.3 million.

Yum Brands Inc. (YUM) reported its third-quarter profit rose 4.4% from a year ago. The company backed its 2008 profit outlook. Yum said it earned $282 million, or 58 cents a share, compared with a profit of $270 million, or 50 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. Yum said a favorable tax rate and a 10% reduction in its diluted common shares outstanding helped to offset a weak U.S. operating profit. For the quarter ended Sept. 6, sales rose 11% to $2.8 billion.

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