Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Thursday's session are Best Buy Co. (BBY) and J.C. Penney Co.
(JCP).
Assured Guaranty Ltd.'s (AGO) fourth-quarter earnings soared
sharply higher as the bond insurer recorded gains on credit
derivatives, masking a decline in net earned premiums. Shares rose
2.9% to $24.50 premarket.
Autodesk Inc. (ADSK) said its fiscal fourth-quarter profit fell
28% as license revenue slipped and its costs increased. Shares rose
4.4% to $57.10 premarket.
Baidu Inc. (BIDU) topped its hearty projections for
fourth-quarter revenue, demonstrating continued momentum in
advertising sales. American depositary shares of the company rose
3.8% to $179.52 in premarket trade.
Best Buy said its fiscal fourth-quarter sales fell, fulfilling
the company's warning last month about a lackluster holiday-season
performance. Shares rose 7.2% to $27.68 in premarket trading,
however, as earnings beat Wall Street expectations.
Continental Resources Inc. (CLR) said its fourth-quarter profit
fell 40% as the oil-and-natural gas company reported a significant
loss on derivatives and higher costs and expenses, which offset
gains in revenue. Shares fell 2.5% to $117.52 premarket.
Halcon Resources Corp.'s (HK) fourth-quarter loss sharply
widened as the oil and natural gas producer recorded a steep
impairment charge, masking a jump in production that significantly
boosted the top line. Shares fell 6.5% to $3.61 in premarket
trading.
J.C. Penney Co. (JCP) said it expects its same-store sales to
increase about 3% to 5% in the current quarter, as it also posted a
narrower-than-expected loss for its fiscal fourth quarter. Shares
surged 24% to $7.40 premarket.
Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) said its losses narrowed in the
fourth quarter, as its license and collaboration segment help drive
an increase in overall revenue. Shares fell 8.5% to $12.53
premarket.
Noodles & Co. (NDLS) said its fourth-quarter profit jumped
54%, as the fast-casual dining chain's sales were lifted by new
restaurant openings and higher same-store sales. Shares fell 7% to
$36.80 premarket.
Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) said its fourth-quarter revenue took
a hit from lower same-store sales and fewer stores being open.
However, the retailer narrowed its loss compared with the year-ago
period, as its total costs and expenses declined. Shares rose 7.4%
to $43.38 premarket.
YRC Worldwide Inc. (YRCW) reported better-than-expected revenue
for the fourth quarter, but the trucking company continued to be
hurt by losses at its freight division. Shares rose 8% to $24.44
premarket.
Watch List:
Babcock & Wilcox Co.'s (BWC) fourth-quarter profit grew more
than four-fold, but the energy technology and services provider
offered an outlook that weighed on the company's shares.
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (BBBY) promoted Eugene A. Castagna to
chief operating officer and named Susan E. Lattmann as his
successor as chief financial officer and treasurer.
Impax Laboratories Inc. (IPXL) is facing a government probe over
the powerful painkiller drug Opana ER and its generic equivalents,
the company said in a regulatory filing Wednesday.
Transocean Ltd.'s (RIG) fourth-quarter profit fell 49% as the
offshore oil driller reported higher costs and a decline in fleet
utilization.
Wendy's Co. (WEN) said its fourth-quarter earnings rose 25% as
the fast-food chain offset a decline in revenue with lower
expenses.
Write to John Kell at john.kell@wsj.com
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