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.
Watchlist:
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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