Advertisement

Early movers: ODP, SPLS, GM, MRK, ADP & more

Lucas Jackson | Reuters

Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell:

Office Depot (ODP)-Staples (SPLS) is buying Office Depot in a deal worth $6.3 billion in cash and stock, or $11 per share.

Whirlpool (WHR)-The appliance maker earned an adjusted $3.52 per share for its latest quarter, above estimates of $3.19, with revenue also beating forecasts. Whirlpool's results were boosted by recent acquisitions overseas.

General Motors (GM)-The automaker will seek board approval to raise its dividend by 20 percent, which would hike the quarterly payout to 36 cents from the current 30 cents. Separately, General Motors beat estimates on the bottom line, but fell slightly short on revenue.

Humana (HUM)-The health insurer missed estimates by 7 cents with quarterly profit of $1.16 per share, while revenue also fell short of Street consensus. The company did see revenue and membership grow from a year earlier, but also saw medical expenses increase.

Merck (MRK)-The drug maker earned an adjusted 87 cents per share for the fourth quarter, 2 cents above estimates, with revenue essentially in line. Merck was impacted by both patent expirations and a stronger dollar during the quarter, and the company said it will see a 27 cent per share negative impact from foreign exchange this year.

ADP (ADP)-The payroll processor beat estimates by 5 cents with adjusted quarterly profit of 69 cents per share, while revenue was essentially in line. ADP's results were negatively impacted by currency fluctuations, though revenue did grow by 7 percent versus a year earlier.

Macy's (NYSE:M)-The retailer raised its 2014 profit forecast, and also announcing the acquisition of beauty products and services provider Bluemercury for $210 million.

Walt Disney (DIS)-Disney earned $1.27 per share for its latest quarter, 20 cents above estimates, with revenue also above consensus. Disney was helped by increased theme park attendance as well as higher sales of "Frozen"-themed toys.

JM Smucker (SJM)-The company is buying pet foods producer Big Heart Pet Brands for $3.2 million dollars in cash and stock. Big Heart is best known as the maker of the popular Meow Mix and Milk-Bone pet food brands.

Sony (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 6758.T-JP)-The company trimmed its expected fiscal year loss, after cutting corporate costs and seeing better than expected sales of its PlayStation video game consoles.

Toyota (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 7203.T-JP)-The automaker increased its annual profit forecast, as it benefits from the drop in the yen's value.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG)-The restaurant chain earned $3.84 per share for its latest quarter, beating estimates by 5 cents. But revenue fell slightly below estimates, and its sales growth is also lagging behind Street forecasts.

Gilead Sciences (GILD)-The drug maker beat estimates by 21 cents with adjusted quarterly profit of $2.43 per share. Revenue also beat forecasts, and the company also announced a $15 billion stock buyback program and initiated a dividend of 43 cents per share. However, investors are also focused on news that the company is offering wider discounts on hepatitis C drugs Harvoni and Sovaldi.

Wynn Resorts (WYNN)-The casino operator missed estimates on both the top and bottom line, with Wynn feeling the impact of a decline in business in Macau. Wynn earned an adjusted $1.20 per share for the quarter, below estimates of $1.43.

Take-Two Interactive (TTWO)-The video game publisher earned an adjusted $1.87 per share for its latest quarter, well above estimates of $1.52, and revenue of $954 million swamped the consensus forecast of $798 million. Take-Two also raised its forecast for the full year, on the back of the success of "Grand Theft Auto V."

Myriad Genetics (MYGN)-The drug maker announced the retirement of CEO and co-founder Peter Meldrum, and also cut its profit and revenue forecast for the fiscal year ending in June. It cites an increased lag in being reimbursed for diagnostic services, among other factors.

Ford (NYSE:F)-The automaker is adding 1,550 jobs at four plants which produce its F-150 pickup truck.

Yahoo (YHOO)-The company will spin off its Small Business unit along with its stake in Alibaba (BABA).

Costco (COST)-The warehouse retailer reported flat same-store sales for January, below estimates of a 1.2 percent increase.

FMC (FMC)-FMC sold its soda ash unit to Tronox (TROX) for $1.64 billion, in a deal that the Wall Street Journal had reported was "close" earlier this week.


Questions? Comments? Email us at marketinsider@cnbc.com