Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Wednesday's session are Humana Inc. (HUM), Hospira Inc. (HSP) and
Time Warner Inc. (TWX).
Humana's third-quarter earnings fell 14% as the Medicare-focused
insurer logged an increase in health-care and operating expenses,
though membership continued to increase. Results beat expectations,
but the company issued downbeat earnings guidance for 2014. Shares
dropped 4.2% to $90 premarket.
Hospira's third-quarter earnings rose 58% as the provider of
injectable drugs and infusion technologies reported improved
margins and higher sales for its Precedex sedative. Shares jumped
7.4% to $42.96 in light premarket trading as results topped Wall
Street estimates.
Time Warner's third-quarter earnings jumped 44% as the media
company's cost cutting and asset gains helped make up for
essentially flat revenue. The bottom line easily topped
expectations, but the company kept its guidance for the year
intact. Shares rose 2.2% to $69.75 premarket.
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) appears to be in for a blue
Christmas as the teen-apparel retailer reported a double-digit drop
in sales for the fiscal-third quarter and expects the same for the
upcoming holiday period. In premarket trading, the stock dropped
6.7% to $35.75.
BioTelemetry Inc.'s (BEAT) third-quarter loss narrowed slightly
as the wireless medical technology company logged volume growth in
its patient services segment, in part due to its contract with
UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH). Shares jumped 12% to $10.12
premarket as the company reported a surprise adjusted profit.
Chesapeake Energy Corp. (CHK) swung to a profit in the third
quarter as the natural-gas company posted improved oil and natural
gas liquids production and a decrease in expenses. Revenue beat
estimates, pushing shares up 2.9% to $28.95 premarket.
Devon Energy Corp. (DVN) swung to a third-quarter profit as the
exploration and production company reported improved prices for oil
and gas sold, helping push revenue significantly higher. The bottom
line beat estimates, pushing shares up 1.6% to $64.79 in light
premarket trading.
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Holdings Inc. (MTSI) agreed to
acquire semiconductor manufacturer Mindspeed Technologies Inc.
(MSPD) in a deal valued at $272 million, expanding the company's
markets to include enterprise applications. Mindspeed shares surged
70% to $5.04 premarket.
Molson Coors Brewing Co.'s (TAP, TAPA) third-quarter earnings
fell 39% as the beer company's results were hurt by a write-down
tied to two European brands and revenue weakened slightly. Results
were mixed as the bottom line beat views and the top line missed.
Shares edged up 1.8% to $55 in light premarket trading.
Skin-health company PhotoMedex Inc. (PHMD) issued a dour
third-quarter report as it didn't log any consumer sales to its
Japanese distributor, which changed its business model and affected
other companies besides PhotoMedex. Unless it generates revenue
from Japan, the company's current-quarter sales are poised to fall
short of consensus views. Shares dropped 10% to $11.47
premarket.
Renewable Energy Group Inc. (REGI) swung to a third-quarter
profit due to strong sales of biodiesel, news that sent shares
sharply higher as the results easily exceeded Wall Street's
expectations. The strong earnings report pushed shares up 14% to
$13.45 in premarket trading.
Shares of Tangoe Inc. (TNGO) slipped after the software and
services provider issued weak outlook targets for the fourth
quarter and trimmed full-year expectations. Tangoe's stock slid 13%
to $16.50 premarket. Investors appeared to ignore the company's
third-quarter results, as profit more than doubled on rising
revenue and gross margins.
Electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc. (TSLA) reported a narrower
third-quarter net loss of $38 million and said it plans to expand
production of its Model S sedans to meet rising demand in the U.S.
and overseas. Though adjusted profit and revenue beat expectations,
shares fell 11% to $157.25 in premarket trading as some had hoped
for a bigger beat. The stock, meanwhile, has surged this year.
Watch List:
21st Century Fox Inc. (FOXA, FOX.AU) said its fiscal
first-quarter profit slid 44% as last year's results included a
gain tied to an asset sale, masking the media company's broad
revenue growth.
Alliance Data Systems Corp. (ADS) has struck a deal to take a
60% stake in Netherlands-based BrandLoyalty for at least $360
million, a deal to expand its loyalty-program footprint into the
European and Asian markets.
Amdocs Ltd. (DOX) has agreed to acquire Celcite Management
Solutions LLC for about $129 million in cash, expanding the
company's network software offerings, and also offered upbeat sales
guidance for the new year.
Bloomin' Brands Inc. (BLMN) swung to a third-quarter profit as
sales from new restaurants boosted the company's revenue, though
the company Tuesday lowered its sales guidance for the year.
Carlyle Group L.P.'s (CG) third-quarter profit shrank 88% as the
private-equity firm posted higher expenses, though revenue
benefited from stronger fund management fees. Results were mixed as
economic net income missed expectations, but revenue easily
beat.
Duke Energy Corp.'s (DUK) third-quarter earnings rose 69% as
improved results at its franchised electric and gas utilities
offset declines at its commerical power segment. But the results
missed Street expectations, while Duke Energy raised the lower end
of its per-share earnings estimate for the year.
Energy Transfer Partners L.P.'s (ETP) third-quarter profit
soared from a year earlier while affiliate Energy Transfer Equity
L.P. (ETE) said it swung to a sharp profit. Revenue at both
companies soared, and the top line growth topped analyst
expectations. However, per-unit profit growth fell short of Wall
Street projections.
Fossil Group Inc.'s (FOSL) third-quarter earnings rose 17% as
the fashion-accessories retailer reported another jump in sales.
The company gave a weak outlook for the current quarter.
Industrial company Ingersoll-Rand PLC (IR) realigned its
financial reporting into two segments, climate and industrial, to
reflect its core businesses after the pending spinoff of its
commerical and residential-security businesess. The company expects
to incur a restructuring charge within the next two quarters.
Lamar Advertising Co.'s (LAMR) third-quarter earnings grew 60%
as the owner of ad space on billboards, buses and benches posted
stronger revenue that just edged past the company's own
forecast.
Liberty Global PLC's (LBTYA, LBTYB) third-quarter loss widened
on increased losses on derivative instruments and higher interest
and income tax expense, though revenue improved thanks to gains
from its Virgin Media acquisition.
Live Nation Entertainment Inc.'s (LYV) third-quarter profit slid
24% due to a loss tied to a debt payment, masking a jump in concert
ticket sales as new artists and legendary performers took to
touring.
Marsh & McLennan Cos.' (MMC) third-quarter earnings rose 5%
on broad revenue growth and investment income. But the top line
just missed expectations.
NGL Energy Partners LP (NGL) agreed to acquire midstream energy
business Gavilon LLC for about $890 million in cash, expanding the
energy company's holdings in Southern states. It also unvielded
plans to sell about $240 million in units in a private placement at
a discount to Tuesday's close.
Nielsen Holdings NV (NLSN) Chief Executive David L. Calhoun will
step down at the start of next year and be succeeded by company
insider Dwight M. "Mitch" Barns, who is a 16-year veteran of the
consumer-research company and currently serves as president of
global client services.
Office Depot Inc. (ODP) and rival OfficeMax Inc. (OMX) continued
to post declining sales during their last quarter as independent
concerns, underscoring the challenges the combined company will
face as they contend with stiffer online competition.
Oneok Inc.'s (OKE) third-quarter earnings fell roughly 4% on
charges related to the winding down of the company's
energy-services segment.
QEP Resources Inc. (QEP) swung to a third-quarter profit mostly
owing to higher oil production and improved realized natural gas
prices.
Write to Lauren Pollock at lauren.pollock@wsj.com
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