BUZZ-U.S. STOCKS ON THE MOVE-World Acceptance, Venaxis, Merrimack Pharma

(For faster updates on individual market-movers, Eikon users please use search string "STXBZ US"; for the Day Ahead newsletter, http://link.reuters.com/mex49s; for the Morning News Call newsletter, http://link.reuters.com/nex49s) Wall Street was set to open higher on Thursday as data showed that the U.S. economy was on the path to recovery after consumer spending recorded its largest increase in nearly six years. Dow Jones industrial average futures were up 0.34 percent at 17,944, S&P 500 futures were up 0.32 percent at 2,106.25 and Nasdaq 100 futures were up 0.40 percent at 4,534.

** MOLYCORP INC (NYSE: MCP - news) , Wednesday close $0.3587, -38.39 pct premarket

The sole U.S. supplier of rare earths filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection along with its North American subsidiaries to restructure $1.7 billion of debt in its U.S. and Canadian operations.

** CLEVELAND BIOLABS INC (NasdaqCM: CBLI - news) , Wednesday close $2.83, +97.17 pct premarket

The drug developer signed a private placement agreement with David Davidovich, a venture capital investor, for sale of 6.4 million common shares at $3.87/share for $25 million.

** VENAXIS INC (NasdaqCM: APPY - news) , Wednesday close $0.556, -19.24 pct premarket

The diagnostic test maker said FDA reviewers needed more clinical data supporting revised intended use for blood testing system, APPY1. On Jan. 29, the agency did not find APPY1 to be "substantially equivalent" to standard of care.

** MAGNUM HUNTER RESOURCES CORP (NYSE: MHR - news) , Wednesday close $1.75, +17.71 pct premarket

The oil and natural gas producer said it expected to raise $600-$700 million by selling its 45.53 percent stake in its natural gas gathering subsidiary, Eureka Hunter Holdings.

** IAC/INTERACTIVECORP, Wednesday close $77.26, +5.75 pct premarket

The media company, controlled by media mogul Barry Diller, said it planned to list its dating business, which includes dating website Match.com and mobile dating app Tinder.

** SUNEDISON SEMICONDUCTOR LTD, Wednesday close $19.2, -2.66 pct premarket

The chip equipment maker's parent and top holder SunEdison Inc, No.4 holder Samsung Fine Chemicals Co Ltd and No.6 holder Samsung Electronics Co Ltd to sell remaining stakes.

** CREE INC (NasdaqGS: CREE - news) , Wednesday close $30.56, -7.13 pct premarket

The company, which makes lighting and semiconductor products, said it would reduce manufacturing capacity at its light-emitting diode factory, as it struggles with a decline in prices, and take an $85 million restructuring charge.

** AETERNA ZENTARIS INC (Toronto: AEZ.TO - news) , Wednesday close $0.274, +4.01 pct premarket

The Canadian drug developer said UK-based drug developer Ergomed Plc (LSE: ERGO.L - news) will manage late-stage confirmatory study of Aeterna's drug Macrilen used to evaluate growth hormone deficiency in adults.

** MERRIMACK PHARMACEUTICALS INC (NasdaqGM: MACK - news) , Wednesday close $11.9, +6.72 pct premarket

The cancer drug developer said the U.S. FDA granted priority review status to its experimental cancer drug, MM-398, and set a decision date for Oct. 24.

** WORLD ACCEPTANCE CORP (NasdaqGS: WRLD - news) , Wednesday close $82.82, -15.48 pct premarket

FBR Capital Markets downgraded the lender's stock to "market perform" from "outperform" and cut its price target to $73 from $98[ID:nEOL9yw3ww

** WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES INC (NYSE: WGO - news) , Wednesday close $20.7, +5.80 pct premarket

The largest U.S. motorhome maker reported better-than-expected quarterly revenue as it shipped more vehicles.

** ACCENTURE PLC (NYSE: ACN - news) , Wednesday close $97.77, +2.58 pct premarket

The company raised its full-year revenue forecast for the third time, reflecting continued strong demand for the company's consulting and outsourcing services.

(Compiled by Anya George Tharakan in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)