Among the companies whose shares are expected to actively trade
in Friday's session are Google Inc. (GOOG), Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)
and General Electric Co. (GE).
Google's fourth-quarter earnings rose 6.3% as the Internet
giant's revenue grew at the slowest rate of 2011. Shares in Google,
a company that seldom misses consensus earnings estimates, plunged
8.3% to $586.53 in premarket trading as per-share earnings and
revenue were both short of expectations.
Microsoft's fiscal second-quarter profit slipped 0.2% as the
software giant recorded lower sales in its Windows and Windows Live
segment, though revenue rose in its other divisions. Microsoft
shares climbed 2.6% to $28.84 in recent premarket trading as
per-share earnings beat analysts' expectations.
General Electric's fourth-quarter earnings slipped 18% on a
bigger-than-expected drop in revenue and as discontinued operations
weighed on the conglomerate's results following its sale of a
majority stake in NBC Universal last year. Shares fell 2.4% to
$18.69 in recent premarket trading.
International Business Machines Corp.'s (IBM) fourth-quarter
earnings rose 4.4% as higher software and services revenue offset a
decline in its hardware business. Shares were up 2.6% to $185.20 in
recent premarket trading as the company projected 2012 earnings
above expectations.
Schlumberger Ltd.'s (SLB) fourth-quarter earnings rose 36% as
the oil-field services company saw revenue jump in North America.
Shares climbed 0.5% to $73.22 premarket.
American Express Co.'s (AXP) fourth-quarter earnings rose 12% as
cardholder spending kept rising and the company booked higher
revenue, though loan-loss provisions increased and revenue fell
short of analysts' expectations. Shares slipped 2.1% to $49.90
premarket.
Capital One Financial Corp.'s (COF) fourth-quarter profit fell a
surprise 42% as the card-issuer-turned bank reported higher
provisions for losses on loans. Shares slid 5.7% to $46 premarket
on the weaker-than-expected results.
Carnival Corp. (CCL) said it would review its safety and
emergency-response procedures across its cruise lines after a fatal
vessel incident, with the leader of the cruise operator vowing that
such a tragedy wouldn't happen again. Shares fell 3.7% to $30.73 in
recent premarket trading.
Fifth Third Bancorp's (FITB) fourth-quarter earnings fell 5.7%
as revenue sank, though the regional bank reduced its loan-loss
provisions and charge-offs amid a tighter lending environment.
Shares dropped 3.4% to $13.10 premarket.
Intuitive Surgical Inc.'s (ISRG) fourth-quarter earnings rose
25% as the surgical-robot maker reported more widespread use of its
da Vinci surgery machines. But shares were down 4.6% at $452.80 in
premarket trading.
Watch List
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ALNY) said it will cut a third of
its work force to better focus its efforts on a few key
projects.
Argo Group International Holdings Ltd. (AGII) estimated pre-tax
fourth-quarter catastrophe losses of $25 million to $35 million,
net of reinsurance and reinstatement premiums, due to the severe
flooding in Thailand.
AZZ Inc. (AZZ) issued a downbeat earnings forecast for 2013 as
the electrical and industrial products manufacturer warned of
continuing pricing pressure.
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (CLF) said it plans to increase
its spending 12% to about $1 billion this year to boost its mining
and transportation capacity around the world.
Comerica Inc.'s (CMA) fourth-quarter earnings were flat from a
year earlier as merger-related charges masked the
financial-services company's increase in loans.
Conn's Inc. (CONN) said it plans to close five stores this
month, as the retailer moves forward with a plan to shutter or
relocate underperforming locations and open new ones.
CoreLogic Inc. (CLGX) said Thursday its 2011 results would beat
guidance and the real-estate processor and data-service provider
predicted a better-than-expected profit this year thanks to
increasing mortgage originations and cost savings.
Covidien PLC (COV) said President and Chief Executive Jose E.
Almeida will take on the additional role of chairman in March,
succeeding Richard J. Meelia.
Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (CBST) fourth-quarter earnings
fell 53% on acquisition- and restructuring-related charges, though
the biopharmaceutical company's revenue continued to climb.
First Horizon National Corp.'s (FHN) fourth-quarter earnings
more than doubled despite lower revenue as the bank holding company
sharply cut its credit costs and gained over a year-earlier quarter
hindered by a large payout for preferred dividends.
Flextronics International Ltd.'s (FLEX) fiscal third-quarter
earnings fell 48% as charges related to the exit of its original
design manufacturer business weighed on the contract-electronics
company's bottom-line results. The company also issued a downbeat
fourth-quarter sales forecast.
Ingram Micro Inc. (IM) Chief Executive Gregory M. Spierkel said
he will step down from the computer-equipment distributor, which
promoted its operating chief to succeed him. President and Chief
Operating Officer Alain Monie will take the helm of the company
Friday, replacing Spierkel, who said it was the right time to spend
more time with his family.
Intel Corp.'s (INTC) fourth-quarter earnings rose a
better-than-expected 5.7% on strength in the chip giant's
personal-computer business. Revenue and gross margin, a closely
watched figure for chip makers, were in line with the company's
December projection.
Gap Inc. (GPS) said the leader of its Old Navy discount brand is
departing to work at a privately held early-childhood education
company.
Men's Wearhouse Inc. (MW), CenterPoint Energy Inc. (CNP) and
Williams Cos. (WMB) all unveiled dividend increases, joining a
growing list of corporations that have ramped up
shareholder-friendly payouts to woo investors.
Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) agreed to settle all claims related
to its Vioxx painkiller in Canada for between C$21.8 million and
C$36.9 million.
NCI Inc. (NCIT) issued a downbeat revenue outlook for 2012,
citing uncertainty in the federal procurement environment and a
high number of protested or cancelled contracts. The company also
unveiled $5 million of cost-cutting measures, including a reduction
in workforce.
Oneok Partners LP (OKS) raised its full-year earnings guidance
due to higher anticipated profit from its natural-gas segment,
while Oneok Inc. (OKE) also lifted the low end of its 2011
view.
Spirit Airlines Inc. (SAVE) said a sale of 11 million common
shares priced at $14.50, a 1.2% discount to Thursday's closing
price.
SunTrust Banks Inc.'s (STI) fourth-quarter earnings slipped 16%
as the regional bank reported weaker-than-expected revenue,
although credit costs continued to decline and earnings came in
just above Wall Street's consensus view.
Whiting Petroleum Corp. (WLL) reduced its production estimates
for the fourth quarter and full year to reflect
later-than-anticipated service rig arrivals in its Sanish field in
the Northern Rockies.
-Edited by Ian Thomson and Maya Pope-Chappell; write to
ian.thomson@dowjones.com and maya.pope-chappell@dowjones.com