Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell:
Best Buy – The electronics retailer came in six cents a share above estimates, with adjusted quarterly profit of 69 cents per share. Revenue also came in above forecasts. Same-store sales were up 5.4 percent, beating the consensus Thomson Reuters estimate of a 2.2 percent gain. Best Buy's results were helped by growing sales of smartphones, connected home devices, and wearable fitness devices.
Merck – A study showed an experimental Merck cholesterol drug cut heart attack and death risk by nine percent. Merck said it had not yet determined whether to seek approval in the U.S. and other markets for the drug.
Finish Line – Finish Line cut its profit forecast for the current fiscal year to 50 to 60 cents per share from the prior $1.21 to $1.23 a share, saying sales and profit margins would continue to be pressured. The sporting goods retailer also adopted a shareholder rights plan that would be triggered if any party takes a 12.5 percent stake. Finish Line's news is also pressuring shares of others in the retail sports space, including Nike, Dick's Sporting Goods, Under Armour, and Foot Locker.
AstraZeneca – The drugmaker will partner with Japan's Takeda to co-develop an early stage Parkinson's disease treatment, and will receive up to $400 million from Takeda as part of the deal.
Praxair – Praxair and Germany's Linde received a second request from the Federal Trade Commission for information on their planned $74 million merger. The industrial gas makers said they were cooperating with the request and still expect the deal to close in the second half of next year.
BHP Billiton – The mining company intends to sell its nickel division at some point, according to a story in today's London Times.
Catalent – Catalent reported adjusted quarterly profit of 65 cents per share, eight cents a share above estimates. The drug delivery technology company's revenue was also well above Street forecasts. The company said it benefited both from growing organic sales, as well as its prior strategic acquisitions.
Barrick Gold, Newmont Mining, Kinross Gold – These and other gold miners are getting a positive push from gold's recent surge, with the metal touching its highest level since last September.
HD Supply – The industrial-products distributor announced a new $500 million share repurchase program.
Movado Group – The watch designer reported adjusted quarterly profit of 43 cents per share, 20 cents a share above estimates. Revenue surpassed forecasts. The company also announced a new $50 million stock buyback program. Movado said it was pleased with the quarterly in light of a "challenging" retail environment, echoing what's been a popular sentiment among retailers.
J. Jill – The women's apparel retailer posted adjusted quarterly profit of 29 cents per share, one cent a share above estimates. Revenue exceeded forecasts, as well. Comparable-store sales rose 7.8 percent, exceeding the consensus Thomson Reuters forecast of 7.4 percent.