GSK "Hot stock to Watch". Ebola vaccine gaining attention
Looks like the Ebola vaccine is gaining attention
DJ U.S. Hot Stocks: Hot Stocks to Watch
Jan 23, 2015 09:18:00 (ET)
Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Friday's session are United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS), Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (BK) and McDonald's Corp. (MCD).
UPS warned of disappointing fourth-quarter and full-year results, as higher-than-expected seasonal expenses dragged down profits and currency headwinds continue to make a dent in long-term earnings growth. Shares dropped 8.1% to $105 in premarket trading.
Bank of New York Mellon said higher foreign exchange revenue and equity market values were unable to offset lower performance fees and losses in fixed income, as the bank posted weaker-than-expected results in the fourth quarter. Shares fell 2.1% to $38.89 premarket.
McDonald's posted a worse-than-expected 21% drop in earnings its December quarter, rounding out a dismal year for the fast-food chain that prompted core changes to its business. But U.S. same-store sales edged up 0.4% in December. Shares were down slightly to $90.80 premarket.
General Electric Co. (GE) said growth in its industrial segment again helped drive better-than-expected earnings in its fourth quarter, as the company continues a multiyear shift away from reliance on financial earnings and toward industrial growth. Shares ticked up slightly to $24.32 premarket.
Honeywell International Inc. (HON) said its earnings edged up in its fourth quarter, though the company again said it is taking a cautious outlook on the global economy. Results narrowly topped expectations. Shares rose 1.7% to $101.12 premarket.
State Street Corp. (STT) said strength in its trading-services and forex trading segments spurred strong earnings growth in the fourth quarter, despite unfavorable currency effects. Shares declined 2.7% to $75 premarket.
Kimberly-Clark Corp. (KMB) swung to a loss in its fourth quarter and gave a disappointing outlook for the 2015 year as the consumer goods company struggles with currency volatility and increased competition in its diapers segment. Shares fell 4.6% to $113.50 premarket.
Deere & Co. (DE) on Friday announced another round of layoffs, impacting 910 employees at its agricultural equipment facilities in Iowa and Illinois, as the company scales back production amid weaker demand. Shares edged up 0.5% to $89.99 premarket.
Shareholders of Family Dollar Stores Inc. (FDO) overwhelmingly approved being sold to Dollar Tree Inc. (DLTR), choosing regulatory certainty over a riskier-but higher-offer from Dollar General Inc. (DG). Family Dollar's shares were inactive premarket.
Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) said its earnings surged as the coffee chain reported stronger traffic and sales at its U.S. cafes for the holiday quarter. The company also said Kevin Johnson, a former chief executive at Juniper Networks Inc. and 16-year veteran of Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), will take over as president and chief operating officer on March 1. Shares climbed 4.8% to $86.73 premarket.
E*Trade Financial Corp. (ETFC) reported a drop in fourth-quarter earnings Thursday after the online brokerage took actions to pay down debt in the most recent quarter. The online brokerage also announced regulatory approval that will allow $430 million to be paid out to shareholders. Shares gained 6% to $24 premarket.
DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. (DWA) said it would cut 500 positions in a restructuring of the troubled entertainment studio's core animation business. Shares sank 12.7% to $18.60 premarket.
Rockwell Collins Inc. (COL) said soaring sales in its information-management system, as well as stabilizing revenue in its key government-services segment, boosted its earnings for the December quarter. Shares edged up slightly to $87 premarket.
LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. (LF) on Thursday withdrew its financial projections for the year that ends March and said it expects to swing to a loss in the December quarter on disappointing holiday sales. Shares plunged 30.8% to $2.70 premarket.
Kansas City Southern (KSU) reported a 24% increase in earnings, on increased carloads and strength in its automotive and chemicals segments, though lower gas prices and the depreciating peso dented revenue growth.
Capital One Financial Corp. (COF) posted higher revenue and net income for the fourth quarter and raised its provision for credit losses.
BP PLC's (BP) former chief financial officer for exploration and production has been appointed Apache Corp.'s (APA) vice president and CFO, Apache said Thursday.
The National Institutes of Health on Thursday detailed its plans to test an Ebola vaccine on thousands of Liberians, with the help of two major drug companies, GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK, GSK.LN) and Merck & Co. (MRK).
Joe's Jeans Inc. (JOEZ) said Friday that Chief Executive Marc Crossman has resigned but will stay on at the company as a consultant, two months after the jeans retailer warned it could be delisted from the Nasdaq Stock Market if it doesn't get its stock price above $1.
Apple Inc. (AAPL) said J. Crew Inc. Chief Executive Millard "Mickey" Drexler plans to step down from its board of directors in March. The turnover on Apple's board is the latest sign of Chief Executive Tim Cook placing his own stamp on the company four years after he took over for Steve Jobs, the company's iconic co-founder.
Intuitive Surgical Inc.'s (ISRG) fourth-quarter profit fell 12%, as operating expenses offset higher revenue from an increase in procedures performed with its da Vinci robotic surgical system.
Write to Tom Rojas at tom. rojas@wsj.com and Maria Armental at maria. armental@wsj.com
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 23, 2015 09:18 ET (14:18 GMT)
COMMENT: GSK SHIPPED THEIR VACCINE YESTERDAY TO W. AFRICA AND THERE IS NO MENTION ABOUT MERCK'S VACCINE BEING SHIPPED. GSK IS RUNNING AWAY WITH THE EBOLA VACCINE RACE. |
