Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Wednesday's session are Bank of America Corp. (BAC), Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ) and KeyCorp (KEY).

Bank of America eked out a small profit for the third quarter, comfortably topping Street views, amid stronger-than-expected trading revenue, even as the bank's overall headline numbers were weighed down by large legal charges. Shares edged up slightly to $16.53 in premarket trading.

Hewlett-Packard said it would resume its stock repurchase program, which it halted about a week ago, as the tech giant said it is no longer in possession of material non-public information. Shares rose 1.8% to $32.81 premarket.

KeyCorp said its third-quarter profit fell 22% despite growth in its loan portfolio. Shares fell 3.8% to $12.40 premarket.

AbbVie Inc. (ABBV) said it was having second thoughts about buying Shire PLC (SHPG, SHP.LN), in light of new rules discouraging firms from relocating overseas to gain favorable tax treatment. Shire's American depositary receipts sank 25.3% to $182.74 premarket. AbbVie's shares fell 4.6% to $51.65.

Blackrock Inc. (BLK) said its third-quarter profit rose 26% as its revenue and assets under management grew, boosted by investor inflows into its fixed-income products. Shares were up 0.6% to $308.60 premarket.

PNC Financial Services Group Inc.'s (PNC) second-quarter profit edged up 1% even as revenue slipped. Earnings topped market expectations. Shares were down 0.7% to $81 premarket.

Ingredion Inc. (INGR) agreed to buy Penford Corp. (PENX) for $241.4 million in an all-cash deal between fellow food-ingredient producers, the companies said. Ingredion's shares ticked down slightly to $71.70 premarket. Penford's shares surged 71.1% to $18.80.

Charles Schwab Corp. (SCHW) said its third-quarter earnings improved 11% as client assets grew and trading activity shrank.

Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) pounced on U.K. semiconductor company CSR PLC (CSR.LN, CSRE) in a $2.48 billion takeover as the U.S. wireless-technology group seeks to expand its capabilities in the fast-growing area of Internet-connected devices.

CSX Corp. (CSX) on Tuesday said its third-quarter profit rose 12% as shipment volume improved across nearly all markets the freight rail operator serves. On Wednesday, the company reiterated that it won't comment on market rumors in connection with a proposed merger with Canadian Pacific Railway.

Safeway Inc. (SWY), which is on the verge of completing its merger with rival Albertsons, said its revenue for the most recent period increased slightly, as the supermarket operator expressed belief in a modest rebound in consumer confidence.

St. Jude Medical Inc. (STJ) said its third-quarter earnings fell 10% and lowered its guidance due to weak international sales.

Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) said Wednesday its veteran merchandising executive, Ronald D. Boire, has been tapped to be acting chief of the struggling Sears Canada Inc. (SCC.T, SEARF) business.

 
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Ann Inc. (ANN) said on Tuesday it has signed a nondisclosure agreement with Golden Gate Capital, the private-equity firm that disclosed earlier this year disclosed a big stake in the women's apparel retailer.

Apache Corp. (APA) said Chief Financial Officer Alfonso Leon has resigned after less than a year in the post. Mr. Leon plans to pursue other opportunities, the oil-and-gas producer said.

Central Garden & Pet Co. (CENTA) on Tuesday rejected Harbinger Group Inc.'s (HRG) offers to buy the company or its pet segment, saying the offers fell short of the lawn and pet-care company's expected growth.

Chiquita Brands International Inc. (CQB) on Tuesday projected its sales for the September quarter would top expectations, keeping it on track to meet its annual profit target.

Intel Corp. (INTC) continued to ride improving sales of personal computers in the third quarter, while a costly effort to place its chips in tablets also showed progress.

Linear Technology Corp. (LLTC) said its profit in the quarter ended in September grew 20% and that its chief financial officer will retire next year.

Wet Seal Inc. (WTSL) said it plans to reduce head count at its corporate offices by 24% and field-management level positions by 20% as the teen-apparel retailer endures continued weak sales.

Write to Tom Rojas at tom.rojas@wsj.com and Maria Armental at maria.armental@wsj.com

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