Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Thursday's session are Pantry Inc. (PTRY), Oracle Corp. (ORCL) and
Rite Aid Corp. (RAD) .
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. agreed to buy convenience-store
chain Pantry for about $860 million, strengthening its position in
the southeastern U.S.
Oracle said its earnings fell 2% on higher costs that offset
stronger revenue during the quarter ended November, the first one
with Safra Catz and Mark Hurd as co-chief executives.
Rite Aid boosted its guidance for the year on Thursday after
posting better-than-expected sales and earnings growth in its
November quarter.
Accenture (ACN) said strong growth in its outsourcing business
helped drive better-than-expected results in its November quarter,
but the company lowered its earnings guidance for the year on
expectations that negative foreign-exchange impacts will be worse
than previously anticipated.
AK Steel Holding Corp. (AKS) projected a fourth-quarter profit,
bolstered by a recent acquisition, a rebound in demand for cars and
lower material costs.
Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) on Thursday launched a new service in
Manhattan to deliver daily essentials such as shampoo, paper towels
and toys within an hour--as the e-commerce giant continues to ramp
up pressure on traditional brick-and-mortar retailers.
Avon Products Inc. (AVP) agreed to pay $67.6 million in criminal
penalties in a settlement with the U.S. government of foreign
bribery charges that involved the beauty-products company's China
unit.
ConAgra Foods Inc. (CAG) said its profit plunged in its November
quarter as the packaged-foods company took a large write-down on
its struggling private-label business. The company, however,
reaffirmed its earnings outlook for the year after posting results
that largely met expectations in the latest quarter.
Chemicals company LyondellBasell Industries (LYB) appointed
Bhavesh V. Patel as its new chief executive, succeeding James L.
Gallogly, who previously announced plans to retire early next
year.
Corning Inc. (GLW) said its fourth-quarter earnings will include
about a net $100 million in charges stemming from its interest in
Dow Corning Corp.
Jabil Circuit Inc. (JBL) said its profit for the November
quarter fell 39% on restructuring costs, though the electronics
supplier posted an uptick in revenue.
Marathon Oil Corp. (MRO) plans to cut spending in 2015, the
latest energy company to slim its spending plans amid skidding oil
prices.
Merck & Co. (MRK) acquired privately held OncoEthix in a
deal potentially valued at as much as $375 million, in the
pharmaceutical giant's latest push into the oncology market, as
well as its continuing efforts to bolster its drug pipeline.
Steelmaker and metal recycler Steel Dynamics Inc. (STLD)
projected fourth-quarter profit below consensus estimates, citing
acquisition costs and lower raw material prices.
Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TTPH) reported favorable
results from a Phase 3 clinical trial of its lead product
candidate, an intravenous and oral antibiotic called eravacycline
to treat intra-abdominal infection.
Wendy's Co. (WEN) said that its chief marketing officer, Craig
Bahner, plans to step down early next year, in one of several
management shifts unveiled by the restaurant chain. Mr. Bahner, who
has been in the role since 2012, will be succeeded by Brandon
Solano, the company's senior vice president of marketing.
Winnebago Industries Inc. (WGO) reported disappointing earnings
for the quarter ended in November, owing to labor constraints, as
well as the falling average sale price of its motor homes. The
recreational-vehicle manufacturer's results missed Wall Street
expectations.
Mobile-device accessory maker Zagg Inc. (ZAGG) raised its 2014
guidance thanks to sales growth driven by the launch of the latest
iPhone and iPad models.
Watch list:
Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (CCE) warned Thursday that foreign
exchange headwinds will likely weigh on its results next year. The
company, which bottles Coca-Cola Co. (KO) products in countries
including Belgium, France and Monaco, said it expects the soft
economic and consumer environments it has been facing to continue
next year.
Health Net Inc. (HNT) projected 2015 earnings that missed Wall
Street expectations, as the managed-care provider also said its
board approved the repurchase of an additional $258 million of its
shares.
Herman Miller Inc. (MLHR) swung to a profit for the November
quarter, on higher sales and an improved gross margin but the
office furniture company said order growth was less than it had
anticipated.
Barge operator Kirby Corp. (KEX) lowered its outlook for both
the fourth quarter and year, blaming problems in its land-based
diesel engine services market and weak demand related to the recent
tumble of oil prices.
Scholastic Corp. (SCHL) said unfavorable foreign exchange rates
and falling sales in its educational-technology segment hurt
results for the quarter ended November, though growth in its
school-based book sales helped results for publisher of the "Hunger
Games" and "Harry Potter."
Worthington Industries Inc. (WOR) reported higher profit and
sales in its fiscal second quarter as its steel processing
operations continued to benefit from higher demand, particularly
from the automotive sector. But results missed the forecast on a
per-share basis due to higher manufacturing costs and a product
miss.
Write to Maria Armental at maria.armental@wsj.com and Tess
Stynes at tess.stynes@wsj.com
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