Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Wednesday's session are Mondelez International Inc. (MDLZ), Whole
Foods Market Inc. (WFM) and AOL Inc. (AOL).
Mondelez International Inc. (MDLZ) on Wednesday said it plans to
combine its coffee portfolio with D.E. Master Blenders 1753 B.V. to
create a new coffee company, as part of a $3.5 billion
restructuring program. The new company--called Jacobs Douwe
Egberts--will be based in the Netherlands and is expected to have
annual revenue of more than $7 billion, the companies said.
Mondelez shares rose 7.6% to $37.88 premarket.
Whole Foods Market Inc. (WFM) trimmed its annual sales and
profit forecasts as it struggles with growing mainstream
competition in the market for natural and organic foods. Shares
fell 18% to $39.30 premarket.
AOL Inc. said its first-quarter profit shrank 64%, missing
market expectations, after the company posted some restructuring
charges and write-downs, though revenue grew more than anticipated.
Shares fell 7.9% to $40.45 premarket.
Activision Blizzard Inc. (ATVI) reported adjusted first-quarter
profit that beat analysts' expectations, while providing bullish
statements about "World of Warcraft," which saw a slight decline in
subscribers but strong pre-orders for a new expansion storyline
coming out later this year. Shares rose 3.6% to $20 premarket.
Cable-equipment maker Arris Group Inc. (ARRS) posted a strong
forecast for the current quarter and better-than-expected results
for the first three months of the year. Shares rose 14% to $29.27
premarket.
Chesapeake Energy Corp. (CHK) said its first-quarter profit
soared as the company reported a 47% surge in revenue and higher
production. The oil-and-gas producer raised its adjusted production
growth outlook for 2014, citing higher-than-expected natural gas
liquids volumes. Shares rose 3.2% to $29.25 premarket.
Cimarex Energy Co. (XEC) said it agreed to acquire oil and gas
assets primarily in the Cana-Woodford shale play in Western
Oklahoma for $497.4 million. The company also agreed to sell a 50%
interest in the assets to Devon Energy Corp. (DVN) at the deal's
closing, expected by June 30. Cimarex shares rose 9.2% to $131.07
premarket. Devon rose 1.2% to $71.
Data-center infrastructure and services provide Datalink Corp.
(DTLK) posted results for the first three months of the year that
badly missed expectations and also provided an outlook for the
current quarter below consensus. Shares fell 21% to $10
premarket.
Videogame maker Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) said
better-than-expected sales of new videogame consoles have helped to
increase sales at a more rapid pace than it expected, powering
increased profits along the way. Shares rose 14% to $32.11
premarket.
Canada's Encana Corp. (ECA, ECA.T) has agreed to buy 45,500
acres of the Eagle Ford Shale in Texas from Freeport-McMoRan Copper
& Gold Inc. (FCX) for $3.1 billion, the companies said
Wednesday. Encana, which has sought to broaden its portfolio beyond
natural gas, said it expects the deal will double its current rate
of oil production. Encana rose 4.1% to $23.50 premarket.
FireEye Inc. (FEYE), which offers a virtual machine-based
security platform against cyber attacks, announced a
weaker-than-expected outlook for the current quarter and year.
Shares fell 15% to $31.70 premarket.
First Solar Inc. (FSLR) said Tuesday that first-quarter earnings
jumped 89% from a year earlier, as the solar-products maker
reported higher net sales. Shares rose 1.5% to $68.45
premarket.
GNC Holdings Inc. (GNC) lowered its full-year guidance and
reported disappointing first-quarter results. The
nutritional-products retailer attributed a same-store sales decline
to severe winter weather. Shares fell 10% to $39.25 premarket.
Groupon Inc. (GRPN) said its first-quarter loss widened amid
acquisition-related expenses and other costs. The company's plan to
remake itself as an e-commerce player--rather than a daily-deals
site--is taking time. Shares fell 9.2% to $6.10 premarket.
Lamar Advertising Co.'s (LAMR) first-quarter loss narrowed as
the outdoor advertising company posted stronger revenue. However,
revenue missed expectations. Shares fell 1.7% to $48.82
premarket.
Walt Disney Co. (DIS) said its fiscal second-quarter profit rose
27% as the company's studio division continued to benefit from the
animated blockbuster "Frozen." Shares rose 1% to $81.86
premarket.
Fast-growing Internet retailer Zulily Inc. (ZU) reported a
first-quarter net loss as soaring sales were accompanied by an
order backlog that pushed up its expenses and lengthened shipping
times. Shares fell 19% to $37.10 premarket.
Watchlist:
Allstate Corp. (ALL) said its first-quarter earnings fell 15% as
heavy winter storms drove up claims costs for the car and home
insurer.
Duke Energy Corp. (DUK) swung to a loss in the first quarter
because of a hefty write-down of its Midwest Generation business
and an increase in other expenses.
Energy Transfer Partners LP (ETP) said its first-quarter
earnings rose 30% as results benefited from its continued
expansion, stronger demand and higher commodity prices. Affiliate
Energy Transfer Equity LP (ETE) reported earnings surged 87% in the
quarter.
Humana Inc.'s (HUM) first-quarter profit shrank 22% as the
Medicare-focused insurer's higher expenses offset its improved
revenue. However, revenue and earnings were well above analysts's
views.
ICU Medical Inc. (ICUI) said its first-quarter earnings fell
23%, as the medical-products maker reported that sales growth in
its oncology and critical-care segments was offset by declines in
its infusion therapy business.
Pepco Holdings Inc. (POM) swung to a profit in the first
quarter, as the electricity provider benefited from a notable
increase in revenue and a favorable comparison to year-earlier
quarter.
Sandwich shop chain Potbelly Corp. (PBPB) reported first-quarter
results that topped Wall Street's expectations, while also
providing a rosy outlook.
Sotheby's (BID) said its first-quarter loss narrowed on stronger
sales thanks to a robust art market, as well as the auction house's
cost-control efforts.
Write to Tess Stynes at tess.stynes@wsj.com
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