Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Friday's session are JA Solar Holdings Co. (JASO) and Zumiez Inc.
(ZUMZ).
Diamond Foods Inc. (DMND) raised its earnings guidance for the
year, as strong performance from its Kettle U.S. brand led to
better-than-expected earnings. Shares edged up 3.7% to $30.05 in
light premarket trading.
Esterline Corp. (ESL), which provides systems, sensors and
engineered materials for aerospace and defense markets, said fiscal
second-quarter earnings fell 46% because of factors including
acquisition costs and currency effects. Shares dropped 7.8% in
light premarket trading.
China-based JA Solar said Chairman and Chief Executive Baofang
Jun has offered to buy all the shares he doesn't already own in a
bid that values the solar company at about $490 million. The offer
is worth $9.69 an ADS, and the stock surged 15% premarket to $9.27
to approach the bid.
Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. (YGE) reported a wider loss in
its first quarter, as the Chinese solar-panel company continues to
reassure investors that it can repay its debt. Shares dropped 3.8%
to $1.02 premarket.
Zoe's Kitchen Inc. (ZOES) swung to a first-quarter profit,
helped by new restaurant openings and lower ingredient costs. The
fast-casual restaurant chain raised its sales projections for the
year by $3 million to between $218 million and $223 million. Shares
edged up 3.2% to $34.85 premarket.
Zumiez issued disappointing financial projections for the May
quarter, citing domestic weakness. Shares dropped 12% to $26.10
premarket.
Other stocks to watch:
Analogic Corp. (ALOG) reported better-than-expected earnings, as
favorable timing led to a 53% jump in its security and detection
segment.
Cardinal Health Inc. (CAH) said it would buy Harvard Drug Group
from Court Square Capital Partners for about $1.12 billion in a
move that will boost Cardinal's generic and over-the-counter
medicine-distribution businesses.
Checkpoint Systems Inc. (CKP) has elected a new chairman amid
activist shareholder pressure. The move also follows proxy adviser
Institutional Shareholder Services Inc.'s recommendation that
Checkpoint shareholders vote against the company's proposed
executive compensation at the annual shareholders meeting,
scheduled for June 3.
Cooper Cos. (COO) said its first-quarter profit fell 23%, as the
medical-device maker said currency issues led to a slight decline
in gross margins.
Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) has received subpoenas from the
Drug Enforcement Administration concerning prescriptions for
controlled substances and related practices.
Gap Inc. (GPS) said sales at established stores fell 1% during
May but exceeded analysts' expectations as declines at its namesake
brand and Banana Republic weren't as bad as Wall Street had
feared.
Sears Hometown & Outlet Stores Inc. (SHOS) said profit
plunged 42% in its first quarter amid lower sales and a drop in
commissions from Sears Holdings Corp. The retailer operates in two
segments--Sears Hometown & Hardware and Sears Outlet.
UTi Worldwide Inc. (UTIW) reported a larger-than-expected loss
in the first quarter, as the logistics and supply-chain management
company, in the midst of a turnaround, recorded weaker volumes.
VeriFone Systems Inc. (PAY) swung to a profit, as the
electronic-payments-equipment company benefited from strong revenue
growth in North America during the quarter ended in April.
Write to Maria Armental at maria.armental@wsj.com
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