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Updates, advisories and surprises

Cummins raises dividend, warns on revenue

(1:48 PM ET) CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Cummins Inc.(CMI) said Tuesday that its board approved a boost in the company's quarterly cash dividend by 25% to 50 cents a share. The dividend is payable Sept. 1 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 22. The maker of fuel and electrical-power generation systems also lowered its full-year revenue outlook for 2012, and now expects 2012 revenues to be in line with 2011 compared to its previous guidance of an increase of 10%. As a result, the stock was down more than 5% during Tuesday's session.

Mako plunges 40% on sales forecast

(10:19 AM ET) BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Shares of MAKO Surgical Corp.(MAKO) plunged 40% to $14.80 on Tuesday, the day after the medical-device maker lowered its full-year financial forecast. Mako attributed the adjustment to slower-than-expected sales during the first half of 2012. Mako shares have fallen 63% over the past three months and 41% since the beginning of the year.

Applied Materials lowers outlook, shares slump

(9:23 AM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Applied Materials Inc. lowered its outlook for the current fiscal year on Tuesday morning, citing "weaker than expected near-term demand" in its semiconductor manufacturing equipment business. In a statement, Applied Materials(AMAT) said lower demand could have a 15-20 cents-per-share impact on its non-GAAP earnings for the fiscal year ending Oct. 28. Net sales are expected to come in below its previous outlook of $9.1 billion to $9.5 billion for the year. The company added that results for the current quarter -- ending July 29 -- are expected to remain within its previously issued outlook range. More specific guidance will be given in its next earnings call on Aug. 15. Shares of Applied Materials were down more than 5% in pre-market trading on Tuesday morning.

Martha Stewart extends contract to 2017

(9:00 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Martha Stewart Omnimedia Inc.(MSO) said Tuesday that founder Martha Stewart has extended her employment agreement with the company until June 30, 2017. Her official titles are founder and chief creative officer. The New York company promoted Lisa Gersh to chief executive officer, from her former position as chief operating officer.

Beazer Homes down 10% on stock offering

(8:16 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Beazer Homes USA Inc.(BZH) fell 9.8% in premarket trades on Tuesday after the company said it'll offer $75 million in common stock and $75 million in tangible equity units. The home builder said it'll use proceeds for up to $100 million in land investments in Florida, California, Texas, North Carolina and Arizona, as well as general corporate purposes.

United Continental June load factor up to 86.5%

(1:49 AM ET) TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- United Continental Holdings Inc.,(UAL) the Chicago parent of United Airlines, reported late on Monday that for June, its load factor, the percentage of seats filled with paying passengers, rose 0.4 percentage point from the year-earlier month to 86.5%. Traffic rose 0.1% to 19.24 billion revenue passenger miles, each of which is one paying passenger flown one mile.