Among the companies with shares expected to trade actively in
Thursday's session are Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), Cisco Systems
Inc. (CSCO) and Vipshop Holdings Ltd. (VIPS).
Wal-Mart Stores' fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 1.3%, but
sales grew slower than expected as the retailer said consumers in
both mature and emerging markets curbed their spending. The world's
largest retailer lowered both ends of its full-year earnings
estimate and forecasted current-quarter earnings below analysts'
estimates. Shares slipped 2.1% to $74.75 premarket.
Cisco said it will cut 4,000 jobs, or 5% of its workforce,
despite reporting an 18% jump in profit in the fourth fiscal
quarter. Word of the job cuts during a conference call with
analysts--and Cisco's financial outlook in the current
quarter--accelerated a stock selloff triggered by its earnings
announcement. Shares fell 8.5% to $24.13 premarket.
Vipshop reported it swung to a second-quarter profit as the
Chinese online discount retailer's revenue and margins continued to
improve. However, its American depositary shares declined 12% to
$40.50 premarket as the company's sales guidance for the current
quarter missed Wall Street expectations.
Maxim Integrated Products Inc. (MXIM) agreed to purchase smaller
fellow chip maker Volterra Semiconductor Corp. (VLTR) for about
$586 million, helping Maxim build on its integrated
power-management products. Maxim will pay $23 per Volterra share, a
55% premium over Wednesday's close. Volterra shares jumped 54% to
$22.83 premarket.
Medical Properties Trust Inc. (MPW) unveiled plans to sell a mix
of common stock and senior notes as the real-estate investment
trust looks to raise proceeds to fund a $283.3 million acquisition
of three acute-care hospitals. Shares of Medical Properties fell
5.5% to $12.85 in premarket trading. The company has about 150
million shares outstanding, according to FactSet Research.
Netease Inc.'s (NTES, K3MD.SG) second-quarter earnings rose 25%
as the company continued to thrive on its Chinese Internet-gaming
base, even while its operating costs increased again. American
depositary shares of the company were up 5% at $64.50 premarket as
results beat analysts' expectations.
Renren Inc.'s (RENN) second-quarter loss narrowed as the Chinese
social-networking company's revenue continued to increase and
margins improved. However, its Class A American depositary shares
slid 10% to $3.77 in premarket trading as the company gave a weak
current-quarter sales view.
Watchlist:
Agilent Technologies Inc.'s (A) fiscal third-quarter earnings
fell 31% as the diversified testing-equipment maker reported
revenue weakness in its electronic-measurement segment that offset
growth in its other businesses. Adjusted earnings beat expectations
and the company boosted the lower end of its fiscal-year earnings
guidance.
Dean Foods Co. (DF) said it would enact a one-for-two reverse
stock split to help boost the dairy giant's share price.
Diebold Inc. (DBD) has revised its bottom-line results for the
second quarter, as well as expectations for the full year, to
reflect a greater cost tied to some Brazil deferred tax assets.
Dillard's Inc.'s (DDS) fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 18%
as the department-store operator continued to lift its margins and
reduce expenses, offsetting flat sales. Per-share earnings exceeded
analyst expectations, though revenue fell short.
Kohl's Corp.'s (KSS) fiscal second-quarter profit fell 3.5% as
the department-store chain reported higher expenses, while offering
a cautious earnings view for the third quarter. Kohl's also lowered
the top end of its per-share earnings view for the year.
Motorola Solutions Inc. (MSI) said Chief Financial Officer Ed
Fitzpatrick is leaving the company, and it named finance executive
Gino A. Bonanotte to fill the role until a permanent successor is
found.
NetApp Inc.'s (NTAP) fiscal first-quarter earnings rose 28% as
the data-storage company posted stronger revenue in all its major
segments, led by its service business.
T-Mobile U.S. Inc. (TMUS) said that it would sell $500 million
in senior notes, with the intention of using proceeds for general
corporate purposes.
Write to Anna Prior at anna.prior@wsj.com
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