MARKET PULSE-HP, Tilly's, Infoblox, GW Pharma, Crocs, Foster Wheeler

(For more market insights, including options activity, click on ; for the Day Ahead newsletter http://link.reuters.com/mex49s; for the Morning News Call newsletter, http://link.reuters.com/nex49s) U.S. stock index futures rose on Wednesday as investors found few reasons to buy ahead of a market holiday with major indexes near all-time or multi-year highs. Dow Jones industrial average futures were up 0.07 percent at 16,071, S&P 500 futures were up 0.06 percent at 1,803 and Nasdaq 100 futures were up 0.17 percent at 3,453.25.

** HEWLETT-PACKARD CO, Tuesday close $25.09, +6.14 pct premarket

Signs that Hewlett-Packard Co's turnaround plan is finally yielding results prompted at least one brokerage to raise its rating on HP shares and eight others to raise price targets, setting up the stock for a bounce on Wednesday.

** TILLY'S INC, Tuesday close $15.88, -22.54 pct premarket

The teen apparel retailer forecast a much lower-than-expected profit for the fourth quarter, citing weak customer traffic amid increased promotions in the holiday season.

** INFOBLOX INC (NYSE: BLOX - news) , Tuesday close $44.96, -18.71 pct premarket

The network equipment maker forecast second-quarter results below analysts' expectations. Infoblox's shares have almost tripled in the past year, spurred by strong demand for its automation products that help telecom companies manage internet traffic more efficiently.

** GW PHAMACEUTICALS PLC, Tuesday close $35, +9.43 pct premarket

The company said its cannabis-based drug, Sativex, recieved Swiss regulatory approval for the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients who have not responded to conventional treatment. Sativex will be marketed in Switzerland by GW's European partner, Almirall SA. Sativex now holds approval in 23 countries, the company said in a statement.

Piper Jaffray (Frankfurt: PJR.F - news) initiated coverage of the stock with an "overweight" rating.

** CROCS INC (NasdaqGS: CROX - news) , Tuesday close $13.54, +4.95 pct premarket

The shoemaker, known for its brightly colored clogs, is in talks with buyout firms including Blackstone Group LP about a possible investment, Bloomberg reported, citing people with knowledge of the matter. (http://link.reuters.com/mak94v)

** FOSTER WHEELER AG (NasdaqGS: FWLT - news) , Tuesday close $28.73, +5.22 pct premarket

British engineer Amec (Other OTC: AMCBF - news) is looking at Swiss-based rival Foster Wheeler among a number of potential acquisition targets, but is not currently in talks with the company, a source close to the matter said on Wednesday.

** TIVO INC (NasdaqGS: TIVO - news) , Tuesday close $13.24

The digital video recorder maker reported better-than-expected quarterly results, helped by strong growth in cable television subscriptions.

** ANALOG DEVICES INC (NasdaqGS: ADI - news) , Tuesday close $49.92, -3.4 pct after market

The chipmaker reported lower-than-expected fourth-quarter revenue and forecast current-quarter results below analysts' expectations as customers remain cautious about spending.

** ASHLAND INC (NYSE: ASH - news) , Tuesday close $91.11

The chemicals manufacturer is in talks with at least seven private equity firms about selling its water technologies unit in a deal that could top $1.5 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

** DURATA THERAPEUTICS INC (NasdaqGM: DRTX - news) , Tuesday close $10.8, +9 pct after market

The company said U.S. health regulators granted priority review to its experimental skin drug, Dalvance, and set a review date of May 26, 2014.

This status allows for an expedited review process for medicines that are considered potentially significant therapeutic advancements over existing therapies.

** IAMGOLD CORP (Xetra: IAL.DE - news) , Tuesday close $4.13

The miner and its subsidiary Rosebel Gold Mines N.V. will fund the development and operation of a solar power project in Suriname in South America. The projected, likely to cost $12 million to $14 million, is expected to be operational by the start of the third quarter of 2014, the company said.

** MORGAN STANLEY (Xetra: DWD.DE - news) , Tuesday close $31.39

The U.S. Justice Department is probing the bank for its hiring practices in China, according to a person familiar with the matter. The move comes as U.S. authorities expand their investigation into whether banks' hiring of politically connected Chinese employees may have breached U.S. bribery laws.

** MCKESSON CORP, Tuesday close $164.35

Hedge fund Elliott International lifted its stake in German drugs distributor Celesio AG, bringing it close to a position where it could block the $8.3 billion takeover bid by McKesson (Frankfurt: MCK.F - news) . (Compiled by Avik Das in Bangalore; Edited by Don Sebastian)