Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Thursday's session are Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), Gentiva Health
Services Inc. (GTIV) and Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO).
Wal-Mart offered a weak earnings forecast for the current
quarter and posted another drop in U.S. sales, its fifth
consecutive quarterly decline. The retailer pointed to investments
in e-commerce, headwinds from higher health care costs in the U.S.
and increased investments in Sam's Club membership programs for the
potential drop in profit. Shares fell 2.8% to $76.45 premarket.
Kindred Healthcare Inc. (KND) unveiled a proposal made last week
to acquire Gentiva for a combination of stock and cash that values
the home health and hospice provider at about $14 a share. Kindred
said Gentiva rejected the offer, saying in a letter dated Tuesday
that Gentiva's long-term strategy as a stand-alone company will
generate more value to shareholders. Gentiva shares jumped 52% to
$13.00 premarket.
Cisco showed signs that a sharp business slump is easing, though
the big network-equipment provider posted further declines in
quarterly revenue and profit. Results for the third fiscal quarter
were better than the company had projected. Shares climbed 6.9% to
$24.39 in premarket trading.
ExOne Co. (XONE) said its first-quarter loss widened amid weaker
revenue and as development costs weighed on the 3D-printer maker's
margins. The loss was bigger than analysts had expected and revenue
missed expectations. The company also cut its margin expectations
for 2014. Shares fell 14% to $26.41 premarket.
Kohl's Corp. (KSS) said fiscal first-quarter earnings fell 15%
as the retailer recorded lower sales. Same-store sales fell 3.4%,
missing analysts' expectations for 0.2% growth. Shares slipped 3.7%
to $52.02 premarket.
Sorrento Therapeutics Inc. (SRNE) said it plans to offer for
sale 4.8 million shares of its common stock. The late-stage
clinical oncology company, which develops treatments for cancer and
its associated pain, recently had about 23 million shares
outstanding, according to FactSet Research. Shares fell 20% to
$5.35 in premarket trading.
Vipshop Holdings Ltd.'s (VIPS) first-quarter earnings surged as
the Chinese online discount retailer said revenue more than doubled
amid a jump in the number of active customers and total orders. The
results and second-quarter revenue outlook exceeded expectations.
Shares jumped 8% to $162.01 premarket.
Watchlist:
Agilent Technologies Inc. (A) said its fiscal second-quarter
earnings fell 9.6% as the testing-equipment company's results were
hit by expenses related to the planned spinoff of its
electronic-measurement business and other costs. The company
forecast fiscal third-quarter earnings below analysts'
expectations.
American International Group Inc. (AIG) said it has completed
the sale of its jet-leasing business to AerCap Holdings NV (AER)
for $7.6 billion in cash a stock.
Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX) said it agreed to pay $415 million
in cash for Bayer AG's (BAYRY, BAYN.XE) interventional division,
continuing a flurry of deals in the pharmaceutical industry.
CA Inc. (CA) said its fiscal fourth-quarter profit fell 56% as
the company suffered its eight straight quarterly decline in
revenue. The results, however, topped analysts' expectations.
Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY) said the English High Court ruled that
Actavis PLC's (ACT) plans to sell a generic version of Alimta
wouldn't infringe on Lilly's patent for the vitamin dosage
regimen.
Jack in the Box Inc. (JACK) said its fiscal second-quarter
profit rose 19% as the restaurant operator reined in operating
costs and reported a rise in same-store sales, despite a drop in
total revenue.
Manchester United Ltd. (MANU) said its quarterly earnings soared
as the British soccer club posted stronger broadcasting and
commercial revenues.
Mylan Inc. (MYL) said a court dismissed rival generic drug maker
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.'s (TEVA, TEVA.TV) motion to
block approval of generic versions of multiple-sclerosis drug
Copaxone.
Re/Max Holdings Inc. (RMAX) said its first-quarter revenue rose
as the real-estate brokerage franchiser benefited from the
continued growth of its poll of agents.
SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. (SEAS) said its first-quarter loss
widened amid weaker attendance that the theme-park operator mostly
attributed to a shift in the timing of Easter and Spring break as
well as bad weather.
Write to Anna Prior at anna.prior@wsj.com
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