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.

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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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