Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Friday's session are DuPont Co. (DD), Finish Line Inc. (FINL) and
Manitowoc Co. (MTW).
Amedisys Inc. (AMED) projected a surprise profit for its second
quarter, helped by its cost-cutting plans. Amedisys, a hospice and
at-home health-care company, had previously disclosed plans to
close or consolidate care centers and general and administrative
expenses. Shares rose 8.2% to $14.55 premarket.
AZZ Inc.'s (AZZ) fiscal first quarter earnings edged up as sales
grew more than expected, though the galvanizing services segment
recorded lower revenue from a year earlier. Shares climbed 4.7% to
$44 in light premarket trading.
Anadigics Inc. (ANAD), a maker of radio frequency products for
the wireless communications and broadband markets, will cut about
30% of its work force as part of a plan to reduce fixed costs for
its legacy mobile business. Shares dropped 12% to 92 cents in light
premarket trading.
DuPont cut its earnings forecast for the year, pointing to a
weaker-than-expected performance in its agriculture business in the
second quarter. Shares dropped 3.1% to $65.60 premarket.
Finish Line said its fiscal first-quarter profit more than
doubled as sales and margins expanded, the latest example of
sporting-apparel chains outperforming other retailers. Shares rose
5.3% to $30.69 in premarket trading as the results easily surpassed
analysts' expectations.
Activist investor Relational Investors LLC disclosed an 8.5%
stake in Manitowoc and called for the company to spin off its
foodservice-equipment business. Shares surged 9.3% to $32.47
premarket.
Nike Inc. (NKE) said its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings rose
5.4%, helped by the sporting-gear company's broad revenue growth
across almost all its main geographic markets. Shares edged up 2.6%
to $78.87 premarket.
Watch List:
Bob Evans Farms Inc. (BOBE) said hedge fund Sandell Asset
Management Corp. has spurned its efforts to avoid a proxy fight and
that it doesn't plan to expand the size of its board to accommodate
the hedge fund.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMY) said Friday that the European
Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use
granted positive opinions for the company's treatments for
hepatitis C, and deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Citrix Systems Inc. (CTXS) said President and Chief Executive
Mark B. Templeton will stay on in his current position and won't
retire as previously planned.
Commercial Metals Co. (CMC) said its fiscal third-quarter profit
rose on seasonal constructional activity, but its revenue remained
flat. Results missed expectations.
Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) said it is considering strategic
options for its power transmission solutions business, including
possibly adding or selling operations.
Expedia Inc. (EXPE) agreed to acquire Auto Escape Group from
private-equity fund Montefiore Investment. Some members of the
European online car-rental reservation firm's management team will
also join Expedia. Financial terms weren't disclosed.
Hedge fund Sandell Asset Management Corp. pushed auto-parts
company Meritor Inc. (MTOR) to use the proceeds of its recent
settlement pact with Eaton Corp. to return capital to shareholders
through a Dutch auction tender offer.
Progress Software Corp.'s (PRGS) fiscal second-quarter profit
rose sharply, thanks to lower costs, offsetting a drop in software
license revenue.
Gas and oil company QEP Resources Inc. (QEP) said its midstream
business filed a registration statement for a potential spinoff,
although QEP continues to solicit and evaluate "proposals for
alternative transactions."
United Therapeutics Corp. (UTHR) said its board has authorized
$500 million in new share buybacks on the heels of its previous
repurchase plan.
Write to Maria Armental at maria.armental@wsj.com
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