Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Wednesday's session are Apple Inc. (AAPL), Edwards Lifesciences
Corp. (EW) and VMware Inc. (VMW).
In addition to raising its buyback program and increasing its
dividend, Apple Inc. (AAPL) reported a mixed bag of fiscal second
quarter results, notching its first profit drop in more than a
decade, though revenue was slightly higher than expected. And while
the Silicon Valley company quieted fears that its gadgets have lost
their edge, reporting strong demand for its iPhones and iPads, the
company posted that profit dropped and signaled that new products
may not arrive as quickly as investors hoped. Shares fell 3.5% to
$392.05 premarket.
Edwards Lifesciences reported disappointing sales of its
flagship heart valves in the first quarter, leading the medical
device firm to lower its full-year sales and earnings guidance.
Shares slumped 18% to $68 premarket.
VMware's first-quarter earnings declined 9.3% as realignment
charges weighed on the software maker's results, though services
revenue rose and expense controls improved core earnings. While the
company maintained its full-year revenue outlook, it forecast
second-quarter revenue below analyst estimates. Shares fell 3.6% to
$72.99 premarket.
Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc. (LL) again smashed consensus
estimates with its first-quarter results, as the closeout flooring
retailer's same-store sales jumped 15% amid increased purchases and
order sizes, while gross margin was further aided by lower product
costs. The company raised the year's forecasts as Chief Executive
Robert Lynch noted that Lumber Liquidators continues "to
aggressively pursue share in our highly fragmented market." Shares
rose 6.4% to $75 premarket.
Yum Brands Inc.'s (YUM) first-quarter earnings fell 26% as the
fast-food chain's business in China was hurt by negative publicity
earlier this year related to safety concerns about its chicken
supplies. However, shares of Yum Brands, which affirmed its
downbeat per-share earnings 2013 guidance, were up 4.5% at $67.01
premarket.
Amgen Inc.'s (AMGN) first-quarter earnings rose 21% as a
significantly lower tax rate offset disappointing sales, especially
of its key arthritis and osteoporosis drug. Shares fell 6.1% to
$105.93 in premarket trading.
Unisys Corp. (UIS) swung to a first-quarter loss as the
information-technology company saw revenue declines across both of
its businesses. Shares of the company, which provides
information-technology services and software for commercial and
government clients, dropped 20% to $16.50 in premarket trading.
Vocus Inc.'s (VOCS) first-quarter loss narrowed as the marketing
cloud provider's revenue improved, though shares slumped after
hours as the company lowered its full-year guidance and provided
weak estimates for the current quarter. Shares tumbled 32% to $9.10
premarket.
Broadcom Corp.'s (BRCM) first-quarter profit more than doubled
as the chip maker continued to benefit from growth in the mobile
market. Chief Executive Scott McGregor said the
better-than-expected results in the latest quarter were driven by
wireless baseband and connectivity chips. Shares rose 4.9% to
$34.60 premarket.
Cree Inc.'s (CREE) fiscal third-quarter profit more than doubled
as the energy-efficient light maker saw its sales of lighting
products jump. Shares fell 5.5% in premarket trading to $54.50,
however, as earnings met the company's expectations but revenue
fell short.
Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ENZN) unveiled a special dividend, a
move that comes as the biopharmaceutical company concluded a review
of strategic alternatives. Shares jumped 9.7% to $4.20
premarket.
Juniper Networks Inc. (JNPR) posted sharply higher earnings as
its core telecommunications customers bought new equipment, but
spending by other enterprise customers remained feeble. Shares
dropped 6.4% to $16.25 in premarket trading as the company warned
of "continued weakness" among enterprise customers, which included
particularly slower sales to financial- and government-sector
customers in the first quarter.
Panera Bread Co.'s (PNRA) first-quarter earnings rose 17% as the
bakery-cafe chain's results continued to improve, though same-store
sales fell below the company's expectations. Shares dropped 5.5%
premarket to $170.57.
Watchlist:
AT&T Inc. (T) reported first-quarter profit grew 3.2% and
strong customer additions as a seasonal drop in smartphone sales
helped raise profitability of its wireless service.
Food and vegetable company Chiquita Brands International Inc.
(CQB) has named Rick Frier chief financial officer, replacing Brian
W. Kocher.
C.R. Bard Inc.'s (BCR) first-quarter earnings fell 35% as the
medical-device company was hurt by litigation-related charges and
other items as well as higher expenses that offset modest revenue
growth.
DeVry Inc.'s (DV) fiscal third-quarter earnings fell 15% as the
for-profit education company continued to report slower
enrollments, particularly at its namesake university.
Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.'s (ETH) fiscal third-quarter profit
fell 84% as the furniture maker said it was hurt by a decline in
shipments to China and unfavorable holiday timing. Furthermore, the
year-earlier quarter benefited from a one-off tax benefit. Results
fell short of Street expectations.
Everest Re Group Ltd.'s (RE) first-quarter earnings rose 26% as
the insurer earned more from premiums and continued to be helped by
an absence of costly disasters.
FedEx Corp. (FDX) said Tuesday it had retained a
multibillion-dollar contract o fly domestic mail on behalf of the
U.S. Postal Service, fending off efforts y rivals including United
Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) to secure the business.
Hanesbrands Inc. (HBI) swung to a first-quarter profit as the
apparel maker's margins improved sharply, with some help from lower
cotton costs, though sales were hurt by delayed income tax returns
and unfavorable weather trends.
HomeAway Inc.'s (AWAY) first-quarter profit more than doubled as
growth in new listings boosted the vacation-home rental website's
revenue. However, the company lowered its full-year revenue
projections.
IRobot Corp.'s (IRBT) first-quarter earnings surged as the robot
maker said it is seeing better-than-expected demand for its home
robots in the U.S. Results beat the company's raised
expectations.
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services lowered its outlook on
Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM) to negative from stable, pointing to the
likelihood that gold prices might remain low or decline
further.
Nabors Industries Ltd.'s (NBR) first-quarter earnings fell 26%
as the oil-and-gas drilling contractor was hit by weaker profits in
its main business segments, including a steep decline in its U.S.
lower 48 drilling and rig-services division.
Norfolk Southern Corp.'s (NSC) first-quarter earnings rose 9.8%,
boosted by the sale of land, although the railroad company recorded
a slight drop in railway operating revenue as coal revenue
continued to slump.
Owens-Illinois Inc.'s (OI) first-quarter profit fell 43% as the
bottle manufacturer was hurt by weaker sales, particularly in
Europe. However, per-share earnings topped analysts' estimates.
Robert Half International Inc.'s (RHI) first-quarter earnings
increased 16% as the temporary-staffing company's margins improved
and as its Protiviti unit recorded a double-digit revenue gain.
Rock-Tenn Co.'s (RKT) fiscal second-quarter profit soared as the
paper-and-packaging company reported stronger revenue in its
corrugated-packaging segment as well as a large alternative-fuel
related tax adjustment. Revenue missed Wall Street estimates.
Total System Services Inc.'s (TSS) first-quarter earnings
increased 1.1% as the payment-services company paid less in income
taxes, though revenue was relatively flat.
W.R. Berkley Corp.'s (WRB) first-quarter profit fell 14% as the
specialty insurer saw fewer investment gains, though revenue and
premiums written increased.
Write to Anna Prior at anna.prior@dowjones.com
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