Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in
Friday's session are Gap Inc. (GPS), Salesforce.com Inc. (CRM) and
Autodesk Inc. (ADSK).
Gap's fiscal first-quarter profit was unchanged from the prior
year, as the casual-apparel retailer reported higher same-store
sales in North America but weakness abroad and a jump in operating
expenses. Shares rose 2.4% to $26.95 premarket as the company
raised its full-year earnings guidance.
Salesforce.com swung to a fiscal first-quarter loss as operating
costs and stock-based expenses jumped, although the company's
top-line growth and quarterly billings easily exceeded
expectations. Shares jumped 6.7% to $142.70 premarket.
Design software maker Autodesk's fiscal first-quarter earnings
rose 14% on stronger revenue in all its major markets, led by
Asia-Pacific and the Americas. Shares sank 7.2% to $32.23 premarket
as the company forecast mostly weak estimates for the current
quarter.
Boston Scientific Corp.'s (BSX) stock jumped 4.6% to $6.38
premarket on news of an Epic heart stent launch in the U.S. for
patients with iliac artery stenosis -- narrowing of arteries
leading to the leg -- a disease that can cause severe leg pain
because of insufficient blood flow. While a launch this month was
expected, the stent is seen as a key growth driver for Boston
Scientific, which has been hurt by weak sales of heart rhythm
products, like others in the industry. Last month, Chief Executive
Hank Kucheman said Boston Scientific saw "strong sales" of Epic
overseas in the first quarter, and the U.S. launch "will contribute
to continued above-market growth in this business."
Marvell Technology Group Inc. (MRVL) reported
better-than-expected fiscal first-quarter results and provided
strong guidance for the current period as the chip maker benefits
from strong demand for its processors in Chinese smartphones and a
recovering hard-disk drive industry. Shares were up 5.2% to $13.99
premarket.
Osiris Therapeutics Inc. (OSIR) said it has been authorized by
Health Canada to market its main stem cell therapy Prochymal for
the treatment of acute graft-vs-host disease in children. Shares
climbed 12% to $5.88 premarket.
Sequenom Inc. (SQNM) said Coventry Health Care Inc. (CVH) has
terminated its agreement to provide coverage for the life-sciences
company's MaterniT21 Plus laboratory-developed test. Sequenom
shares were down 9% to $4.34 premarket.
Aruba Networks Inc.'s (ARUN) fiscal third-quarter profit surged
88% as the WiFi-equipment maker's revenue grew, helped by a
double-digit percentage increase in product revenue, while margins
improved as well. But management projected revenue for the current
quarter that was slightly below consensus expectations. Lazard
Capital markets called the guidance "conservative," saying it
believes the company remains cautious about the macro economy.
Shares fell 5.2% to $14.50 premarket.
Watchlist:
Aeropostale Inc.'s (ARO) fiscal first-quarter earnings slipped
35% as the youth-focused apparel retailer recorded weaker margins
and flat same-store sales, though revenue improved.
Ann Inc.'s (ANN) fiscal first-quarter earnings rose 5.1% as the
reduced use of promotions helped the seller of women's apparel beat
its downbeat sales estimate. The company also forecast
current-quarter sales of $585 million while analysts surveyed by
Thomson Reuters expect $593 million.
Applied Materials Inc.'s (AMAT) fiscal second-quarter profit
shrank 41% as the semiconductor-equipment maker's margins narrowed,
though revenue dropped less than expected.
Brocade Communications Systems Inc.'s (BRCD) fiscal
second-quarter profit rose 51% as margins improved and interest
expense decreased.
Intuit Inc.'s (INTU) fiscal third-quarter earnings climbed 6.7%
as the tax-software maker reported modest growth during the recent
tax season and continued strength in its small-business
products.
JDA Software Group Inc. (JDAS) said it has been notified by
Nasdaq that it continues to be noncompliant with the exchange's
listing requirements because it hasn't yet filed its latest
quarterly report.
Moody's Investors Services placed its ratings on MEMC Electronic
Materials Inc. (WFR) on review for a possible downgrade, pointing
to the wafer maker's larger-than-expected cash burn in the first
quarter and the departure of several senior executives.
Orchard Supply Hardware Corp. (OSH) said it expects same-stores
sales to drop 3.1% in its fiscal first quarter, in line with its
April guidance of a decline of low single-digits.
Pacific Sunwear of California Inc.'s (PSUN) fiscal first-quarter
loss narrowed on improved same-store sales and margins. Same-store
sales came in at the high end of company projections and the loss
wasn't as bad as expected.
S&W Seed Co. (SANW) said it will offer an unspecified number
of shares of its common stock as the seed producer looks to raise
funds for working capital needs and general corporate purposes.
Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc. (SCHN) said it expects weakness
in its third quarter as demand for recycled metals has remained
soft while supplies continue to be tight.
Union leaders of Continental Airlines and United Airlines pilots
said they plan to call for a vote to strike against their employer,
air carrier United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL).
Zumiez Inc.'s (ZUMZ) fiscal first-quarter earnings more than
doubled as the teen-apparel retailer continues to benefit from
sustained growth in same-store sales. Results topped the company's
own estimates.
-Edited by Corrie Driebusch and Nathalie Tadena, Dow Jones
Newswires; 212-416-2143; corrie.driebusch@dowjones.com