Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Thursday's session are Children's Place Retail Stores Inc. (PLCE),
Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) and Staples Inc. (SPLS).
Biolase Inc. (BIOL) swung to a fourth quarter loss as the dental
lasers manufacturer and distributor's revenue fell, and the company
said it was exploring strategic alternatives. Revenue fell short of
analysts' expectations. Shares dropped 7.7% to $2.98 in light
premarket trading.
Children's Place said its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings dropped
18% thanks to a highly promotional market and severe weather. Its
earnings outlook for the year and current quarter badly missed the
current consensus view. Shares declined 8.6% to $50 in light
premarket trading.
Ciena Corp. (CIEN) said its fiscal first-quarter loss narrowed
sharply on stronger revenue. Adjusted earnings easily topped
estimates, pushing shares up 1.3% to $25.70 premarket.
Costco Wholesale's fiscal second-quarter profit fell 15% as
lower international profit, weaker foreign-exchange rates and poor
results from nonfoods merchandise categories weighed on the bottom
line. The company said the first four-week period of the quarter
represented the majority of earnings underperformance. Results
missed estimates, sending shares down 3.5% to $112.40
premarket.
Staples unveiled a $500 million cost-saving program while
posting declines in sales and traffic for its fiscal fourth
quarter. The office-supplies retailer, which has recently focused
more on its online operations, said it plans to close 225 stores by
the end of 2015. Shares fell 9.5% to $12.13 in recent premarket
trading as results for the period fell below Wall Street
projections.
Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corp. (TKMR) said the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration has granted fast-track designation for the
development of its anti-Ebola viral treatment, TKM-Ebola. Shares
rose 7.5% to $26.80 premarket.
Wuxi Pharmatech Inc. (WX) said its fourth-quarter earnings
jumped 38% as revenue increased in both its laboratory-services and
manufacturing-services segments. However, the company's
first-quarter outlook fell short of market expectations, pushing
shares down 6.8% to $36.71 premarket.
Zumiez Inc.'s (ZUMZ) same-store sales rose 2% in February,
topping analysts' expectations, though discounting weighed on
margins. Shares edged up 2.3% to $24.37 premarket.
Watch List:
Beam Inc. (BEAM) said that federal antitrust regulators have
given clearance for the spirits company's takeover by Suntory
Holding Ltd. Beam said Wednesday that the U.S. Federal Trade
Commission has granted early termination of the necessary waiting
period to review Beam's proposed acquisition by Suntory.
FXCM Inc. (FXCM) said its fourth-quarter profit dropped slightly
amid a muted trading environment, although results beat Wall Street
expectations. FXCM makes most of its top line from customers using
its software to trade currencies online.
Joy Global Inc. (JOY) said its fiscal first-quarter earnings
fell 65% as the mining-equipment maker continued to post weaker
sales. The company raised the low end of its earnings guidance for
the year.
Stage Stores Inc. (SSI) said it agreed to sell its Steele's
retail stores to financial services firm Hilco Global later this
year, which contributed to a drop in fiscal fourth-quarter
earnings. The top line missed expectations, and the sales view for
the year also fell below the consensus view.
Sun Communities Inc. (SUI) said it has launched a public
offering of 4.2 million shares and intends to use the proceeds to
repay borrowings under its credit facility. The real-estate
investment trust also said it plans to use any remaining proceeds
to fund possible future acquisitions of properties.
Write to Anna Prior at anna.prior@wsj.com
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