Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Wednesday's session are Twitter Inc. (TWTR), Sprint Corp. (S),
Humana Inc. (HUM) and Hess Corp. (HES).
Twitter reported Tuesday its second-quarter revenue more than
doubled and the company saw an uptick in user growth, signaling its
efforts to make the short messaging service more appealing to the
masses may be bearing fruit. Shares surged 23.8% to $47.74 in
premarket trading.
Sprint said it swung to a profit in its fiscal first quarter, as
its operating expenses declined and it narrowed its loss of the
most lucrative contract customers. Shares rose 3.3% to $8.26 in
premarket trading.
Humana said its second-quarter profit fell 18% as a surge in
benefit costs helped offset an increase in revenue. The company
reaffirmed its full-year earnings guidance. Shares fell 4.3% to
$121.99 premarket.
Hess said it plans to pursue a spinoff of some midstream assets,
mostly in North Dakota, to create a separately traded company to
support growth of its production in the Bakken oil shale. Shares
gained 4.2% to $103.62 premarket.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (GT) reported a nearly 18% jump
in its second-quarter profit as sales in North America, combined
with some cost-squeezing in Europe, offset the economic weakness in
other parts of the world. Shares dipped slightly to $27.50
premarket.
Southern Co. (SO) said its second-quarter earnings more than
doubled amid stronger electricity sales and a year-earlier period
than included one-time charges. Shared edged up to $44.95
premarket.
Carlyle Group L.P. (CG) said it swung to a second-quarter profit
on a surge of private-equity deal profits, as the firm ramped up
its buying and selling of companies. Shares were inactive
premarket.
WellPoint Inc. (WLP) said its second-quarter profit slipped as
the health insurer recorded higher expenses, masking a boost in
revenue and enrollment. Still, the company again raised its
earnings outlook for the year. Shares were inactive premarket.
Hospira Inc. (HSP) said its second-quarter profit more than
doubled on higher sales. Results easily topped analysts'
expectations. Shares were up 2.1% to $53.01 premarket.
Barclays PLC (BCS) is under renewed pressure in the U.S. after
it disclosed Wednesday that authorities extended for two more years
an agreement that essentially puts the bank on probation while the
government looks into possible misconduct. The bank also reported
it swung to a profit in its second quarter.
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. (BAH) said its fiscal
first-quarter profit edged up 1.1%, even as the consulting
company's revenue fell amid tepid spending from federal government
clients.
Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PEG) said its
second-quarter earnings fell 36% as the power company's operating
revenue declined. The company said it expects full-year earnings at
the upper end of its forecast.
Dominion Resources Inc. (D) said its second-quarter earnings
declined 21%, dented by milder weather and one-time
legislation-related charge.
Valero Energy Corp. (VLO) said its second-quarter profit rose
26% as the company's refining segment enjoyed higher volumes and
operating income.
Lorillard Inc. (LO) said its second-quarter profit declined
slightly as a drop in sales for the company's e-cigarettes offset a
slight increase in sales for traditional cigarettes.
Rockwell Automation Inc. (ROK) said its fiscal third-quarter
earnings fell 2% owing to tax impacts, while revenue growth at its
architecture and software segment offset declines at its
control-products unit.
Energizer Holdings Inc. (EZR) said its fiscal third-quarter
earnings fell 26% as higher expenses masked an increase in revenue,
though the company's household products segment posted lackluster
sales.
Pfizer Inc. (PFE) agreed to acquire Baxter International Inc.'s
(BAX) portfolio of marketed vaccines for $635 million.
Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) said it will invest $1 billion to expand
in India as competition for customers heats up in the South Asian
e-commerce market.
Watchlist:
Aflac Inc.'s (AFL) second-quarter profit fell 8.8% as the
insurance company was hit by lower revenue and a difficult exchange
rate with Japan.
American Express Co.'s (AXP) second-quarter profit rose 9%,
driven by a gain on the sale of half of its corporate-travel
business and higher spending by cardholders.
Ameriprise Financial Inc.'s (AMP) second-quarter profit rose
16.5% as the financial-services company posted a strong performance
in its advice and wealth-management unit.
Amgen Inc. (AMGN) said it plans to reduce its global workforce
by 12% to 15% and close facilities in two states as part of a
restructuring that aims to focus resources on developing new
drugs.
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.'s (APC) second-quarter profit fell 76%
on hedging impacts that masked the oil-and-gas company's stronger
sales.
Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. (BWLD) reported strong results for the
second quarter, but its net earnings forecast for the year fell
short of the Street consensus.
DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. (DWA) swung to a second-quarter
loss as revenue dropped nearly 43% as the film studio continues to
feel the fallout from recent flops. The company disclosed Tuesday
the Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating the
company's write-down on "Turbo," a summer 2013 film release.
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.'s (EW) second-quarter profit surged
amid continued sales growth for the company's nonsurgical heart
valves and a large one-time settlement-related gain.
Apartment developer Equity Residential (EQR) reported
second-quarter normalized funds from operations at the high end of
its guidance, saying demand for rental housing "remains
exceptionally strong."
Express Scripts Holding Co.'s (ESRX) second-quarter profit fell
5.1% on lower revenue and higher expenses, including acquisition
costs.
Carl Icahn's investor group trimmed its stake in Family Dollar
Stores Inc. (FDO), a day after the discount retail chain agreed to
an $8.5 billion buyout offer from rival Dollar Tree Inc.
(DLTR).
Genworth Financial Inc.'s (GNW) second-quarter profit rose 25%,
with the insurer reporting strong results from its mortgage
business and a disappointing performance by its long-term care
insurance business.
Global Payments Inc.'s (GPN) fiscal fourth-quarter profit rose
26.5% as the credit-card processor recorded a jump in revenue.
A unit of IAC/InterActive Corp. (IACI) reached a deal to buy
test-preparation service The Princeton Review from Charlesbank
Capital Partners, the companies said Tuesday.
Marriott International Inc.'s (MAR) second-quarter earnings rose
7.3% on an increase in revenue and on a key industry metric buoyed
by stronger average daily room rates.
Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM) swung to a profit in the second
quarter. The gold-mining company also said it plans to invest up to
$1 billion in cash to develop the Merian gold mine in Suriname.
Nutrisystem Inc.'s (NTRI) second-quarter profit rose sharply as
the weight-loss products company reported higher sales and
double-digit new customer growth.
Panera Bread Co.'s (PNRA) second-quarter net profit slipped as
higher costs masked an uptick in sales.
U.S. Steel Corp.'s (X) second-quarter loss narrowed as the
company continues to cut costs amid a still-glutted global
market.
Write to Tom Rojas at tom.rojas@wsj.com and Maria Armental at
maria.armental@wsj.com
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires