Among the companies with shares expected to trade actively in
Friday's session are Aeropostale Inc. (ARO), Cooper Tire &
Rubber Co. (CTB) and General Mills (GIS).
Aeropostale said it has stuck a deal to receive much-needed cash
from private-equity firm Sycamore Partners in exchange for the
option to take a larger stake in the struggling teen apparel
retailer. Shares slid 16% to $6.12 premarket.
Anacor Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ANAC) swung to a profit in the
fourth quarter, driven by gains from a litigation settlement and a
rise in revenue. The company's revenue beat market expectations.
Shares rose 6.4% to $21.45 in light premarket trading.
Cooper Tire posted a 73% decline in fourth-quarter earnings,
driven by a drop in sales as well as the impacts from a labor
dispute in China and its failed merger with India's Apollo Tyres
Ltd. The company's earnings, however, topped Wall Street
expectations. Shares climbed 5.2% to $24 premarket.
General Mills offered downbeat earnings guidance for the fiscal
third quarter, citing lower sales volumes, among other issues. The
packaged-foods maker known for Cheerios cereal and Green Giant
frozen vegetables, among other brands, said sales reflect about a
1% drop in volume, which it called "consistent with recent food
industry trends in developed markets." Shares slipped 2.9% to
$49.55 premarket.
Hibbett Sports Inc. (HIBB) posted an increase in fiscal
fourth-quarter sales, but its bottom line was hit by higher costs.
The company's results fell below Wall Street expectations, sending
shares down 4.5% to $55.25 premarket.
Liberty Media Corp. (LMCA, LMCB) dropped its proposal to acquire
the rest of satellite-radio provider Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (SIRI)
that the media-investment company doesn't already own. The company
announced the withdrawn offer along with a plan to create two new
tracking stocks. Series A shares climbed 7.4% to $135.46
premarket.
Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (MFRM) fiscal fourth-quarter
earnings rose 14%, as the company reported a strong increase in
revenue and same-store sales. Shares rose 6.9% to $47.50
premarket.
Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc. (ULTA) said its fiscal
fourth-quarter earnings rose 9.5% on the beauty-products retailer's
better-than-expected sales growth. Shares climbed 7.6% to $96.35
premarket.
Watch List:
Ann Inc. (ANN) unveiled plans to restructure its business,
saying it expects to save about $25 million a year from eliminating
about 100 positions and streamlining its operations. The women's
clothing retailer also reported its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings
nearly doubled, as gross margin improved slightly and same-store
sales grew.
Buckle Inc. (BKE) said its fiscal fourth-quarter profit fell
3.4% as the clothing retailer's sales missed views. Buckle, which
sells brands like Diesel and Guess, has generally posted sales
growth in recent years, although its margins have been pressured by
rising labor and commodities costs.
Hologic Inc. (HOLX) named Eric Compton as its chief operating
officer, a newly created position, amid a handful of leadership
changes at the medical-equipment maker. Mr. Compton most recently
worked as the world-wide president of Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ)
Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics. J&J in January agreed to sell the
blood-testing business for $4.15 billion to Carlyle Group L.P.
(CG).
Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund Management LP called on PepsiCo Inc.'s
(PEP) board to meet shareholders without the company's management,
as the activist shareholder continued its push for a spin off of
the snack and drink company's struggling beverage business.
SeaWorld Entertainment Inc.'s (SEAS) fourth-quarter loss widened
on higher costs and a drop in admissions, though the theme-park
operator's revenue improved due to higher ticket prices and greater
in-park spending.
Zumiez Inc.'s (ZUMZ) fiscal fourth-quarter earnings rose 17%, as
the teen-apparel retailer's total revenue improved, though
same-store sales slipped amid a weaker-than-expected holiday
season.
Write to John Kell at john.kell@wsj.com and Lauren Pollock at
lauren.pollock@wsj.com
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