Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Friday's session are Gilead Science Inc. (GILD), Dillard's Inc.
(DDS) and Monster Beverage Corp. (MNST).
Gilead said it scored a key victory in the pharmaceutical
industry's competition for hepatitis-C treatment supremacy, as an
arbitration panel ruled in its favor over Roche Holding AG's
(RHHBY) claim to exclusive rights to a lucrative drug. Shares rose
2.2% to $98.44 in premarket trading.
Dillard's said its fiscal second-quarter earnings fell about 5%
as the department-store chain became the latest retailer to post
weaker margins amid increased discounting. Shares fell 4.8% to $110
premarket.
Coca-Cola Co. (KO) on Thursday said it will pay $2.15 billion to
acquire a 16.7% stake in energy-drink maker Monster Beverage as
part of an asset swap. Monster Beverage's shares jumped 27.4% to
$91.29 premarket. Coke's shares gained 1.6% to $40.81.
Estee Lauder Cos. (EL) said its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings
jumped as it reported higher sales that were buoyed by new products
and growth in both emerging and developed markets. Shares edged up
to $75.99 premarket.
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (CLF) said it expects to make a
payment of about $11 million to former chief executive Gary
Halverson in connection with the termination of his employment.
Shares rose slightly to $17.03 premarket.
J.C. Penney Co. (JCP) took another step away from the brink
Thursday, when it reported higher sales, wider margins and a
smaller quarterly loss. Shares gained 2.5% to $9.98 premarket.
Supervalu Inc. (SVU) said Thursday it is investigating a
potential data breach, the latest attack against a big merchant in
recent months. Shares dropped 3.3% to $9.27 premarket.
Chiquita Brands International Inc. (CQB) on Thursday rejected
the unsolicited $625 million offer proposed earlier this week by a
pair of Brazilian companies.
Nordstrom Inc. (JWN) on Thursday reported fiscal second-quarter
revenue growth of 6.2%, coming in slightly above analysts'
expectations, and raised the lower end of its fiscal-year
guidance.
Deere & Co. (DE) said it will lay off more than 600
employees at four agricultural equipment factories in response to
current market demand for its products.
SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. (SEAS), suffering from negative
publicity and flagging attendance, said it will expand the habitats
housing its signature killer whales.
Write to Tom Rojas at tom.rojas@wsj.com
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires