Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Thursday's session are General Motors Co. (GM), Comcast Corp.
(CMCSA, CMCSK) and Caterpillar Inc. (CAT).
GM reported a 14% drop in its third-quarter profit but beat
analyst expectations, as strength in North America offset weaker
results in other regions of the world. Shares rose 2.7% to $32.15
in premarket trading.
Comcast's third-quarter profit rose 50%, as the cable giant
benefited from a one-time income-tax adjustment and a boost in
earnings at its NBCUniversal entertainment arm. Shares gained 2% to
$52.50 premarket.
Caterpillar boosted its profit outlook for the year as the
heavy-machinery maker said restructuring and cost controls were
paying off amid a tough economic environment. Shares were up 3.9%
to $98.30 premarket.
Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) said its sales and profit fell in the
most recent period, reflecting patent expirations and generic
competition. The company also lowered the top end of its revenue
guidance for the year by $200 million. Shares fell 1.8% to $63.55
premarket.
3M Co. (MMM) reported a 6% increase in profit in its third
quarter, driven by sales growth of items including water
purification systems and industrial adhesives and tapes. Shares
advanced 2.5% to $142.43 premarket.
Union Pacific Corp. (UNP) said its third-quarter earnings rose
19% benefiting from rail freight that has buoyed the sector, as
well as core pricing increases. Shares rose 3% to $110.08
premarket.
Under Armour Inc. (UA) said its apparel and footwear sales shot
up 29% in the latest quarter, helping drive a surge in overall
revenue, and the company again raised its outlook for full-year
revenue.
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (BAM, BAM.A.T) proposed to
acquire the 30% of Brookfield Residential Properties (BRP. BRP.T)
that it doesn't already own.
Several U.S. airlines posted stronger third-quarter profits and
expressed bullish sentiments for the fourth quarter. United
Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL), which has lagged behind its
largest rivals, had a particularly strong quarter, as its profit
more than doubled. American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL), Southwest
Airlines Co. (LUV) and JetBlue Airways Corp. (JBLU) all said they
posted a record profit for the quarter.
Raytheon Co. (RTN) on Thursday reported a forecast-beating 5%
rise in quarterly profits and lifted its 2014 guidance, completing
a clean sweep of outperformance by the top five U.S. defense
contractors.
Zimmer Holdings Inc. (ZMH) revised its guidance after slowing
growth and poor foreign exchange rates hurt third-quarter
results.
American Electric Power Co. (AEP) reported lower-than-expected
third-quarter revenues, weighed in part by a mild summer and
accelerated spending.
Occidental Petroleum Corp. (OXY) said its third-quarter earnings
fell 24%, weighed by lower crude oil prices and market
volatility.
Lazard Ltd. (LAZ) said its revenue jumped 18% in the latest
quarter as its financial advisory and asset-management businesses
significantly improved their top lines.
Dunkin' Brands Group Inc. (DNKN) said third-quarter sales rose,
but the restaurant-chain operator warned it may have trouble
reaching its sales targets for the year.
Quest Diagnostics Inc. (DGX) said its third-quarter revenue rose
slightly more than expected, driven by acquisitions and higher
diagnostic information services sales.
Yelp Inc. (YELP) on Wednesday said it swung to a profit in the
third-quarter, just the second period the San Francisco
business-review website has reported on the black side of the
ledger since its market debut in March 2012.
Prologis Inc. (PLD) swung to a third-quarter profit, beating
analyst expectations despite declining revenue.
PulteGroup Inc. (PHM) said the improving economy and higher
average selling prices help drive third-quarter results that were
in line with Wall Street expectations.
Mead Johnson Nutrition Co. (MJN) said its third-quarter profit
rose 9.5%, slightly beating expectations, despite being hurt by
foreign-exchange rates that brought down revenue 3% and higher
dairy costs.
Celgene Corp. (CELG) said its third-quarter profit jumped 37%,
again driven by sales growth of its key blood-cancer treatment.
Arctic Cat Inc.'s (ACAT) fiscal second-quarter adjusted
per-share earnings beat Wall Street estimates, but the company
reduced its full-year guidance.
AT&T Inc. (T) on Wednesday lowered its revenue projection
for the year, pointing to fewer-than-expected sign-ups for its
no-contract Next wireless plans that require customers to pay full
price for their smartphones.
Nielsen N.V. (NLSN) continued to see its revenue grow in the
third quarter, helped by recent acquisitions and growth in emerging
markets.
Apple Inc. (AAPL) plans to increase the number of its
Apple-brand retail stores in Greater China to 40 from 15 within two
years.
Watchlist:
Air Methods Corp. (AIRM) said Wednesday it will report a lower
profit from the year-ago period as net revenue edged down despite
price increases.
CA Inc.'s (CA) revenue fell 2.4% during its second quarter,
marking a 10th straight quarter of year-to-year revenue
declines.
Cheesecake Factory Inc.'s (CAKE) third-quarter earnings fell 11%
on higher costs that offset the casual-dining chain's continued
sales growth.
Citrix Systems Inc. (CTXS) reported third-quarter revenue below
its projection, but earnings excluding items exceeded the guidance
it provided in July.
Equifax Inc.'s (EFX) third-quarter profit rose 11% as revenue
increased 7%. Earnings, excluding certain items, were slightly
above a July projection.
O'Reilly Automotive Inc.'s (ORLY) third-quarter earnings rose
16% on higher sales and better margins, continuing a nearly
six-year trend of 15% or greater profit growth.
Select Comfort Corp.'s (SCSS) third-quarter profit rose 16%,
beating the Wall Street consensus, as the company reported an
uptick in sales and a better profit margin per unit.
Skechers USA Inc.'s (SKX) third-quarter revenue rose 31%,
contributing to the footwear company's sharply higher third-quarter
earnings.
Seagate Technology PLC (STX) plans to boost its dividend by 26%,
the data-storage company said Wednesday.
Tractor Supply Co.'s (TSCO) third-quarter profit rose 18% as the
chain of farm and ranch supply stores reported higher sales that
offset a price drop in livestock and bird feed, lubricants and
fencing.
Visa Inc. (V) is increasing its dividend by 20%, just a year
after boosting the payout by 21%.
Weatherford International PLC's (WFT) third-quarter profit rose
amid a round of cost-cutting and asset sales to pay down debt and
focus on its core business.
Write to Tom Rojas at tom.rojas@wsj.com and Maria Armental at
maria.armental@wsj.com
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