Check out the companies making headlines before the bell:
Twitter (TWTR) – Twitter was downgraded to "neutral" from "buy" at UBS, which said that Twitter's ongoing investments into safety, security, and ad technology will act as an earnings headwind for 2020.
Pinterest (PINS) – Wells Fargo raised its rating on the stock to "overweight" from "equal weight," noting material underperformance in the shares despite solid fundamentals and audience engagement.
Regions Financial (RF) – The bank reported quarterly profit of 38 cents per share, a penny a share below estimates. Revenue beat forecasts. Among the negative factors in the quarter: a 4.1% drop in net interest income, although total revenue was up 3%.
Alibaba (BABA) – Shares of Ant Financial – an affiliate of the China-based e-commerce giant – are being offered privately at levels that value Ant at $200 billion, according to a Reuters report. Ant was valued at $150 billion during a 2018 fundraising round.
Tailored Brands (TLRD) – The specialty retailer is selling its Joseph Abboud clothing brand trademarks to brand management firm WHP Global for $115 million. Tailored Brands – the parent of the Jos. A. Bank and Men's Wearhouse clothing chains – entered into a licensing agreement with WHP to sell and rent Joseph Abboud branded apparel.
Schlumberger (SLB) – The oilfield services company came in 2 cents a share above estimates, with quarterly earnings of 39 cents per share. Revenue also topped estimates. The company noted challenging market conditions but was able to benefit from strength in international markets.
Gap (GPS) – The apparel retailer abandoned its plan to spin off its Old Navy unit into a separate publicly traded company. Sales for the Old Navy business have slowed in recent months, casting some doubts on its value as a separate entity.
CSX (CSX) – CSX reported quarterly earnings of 99 cents per share, 3 cents a share above estimates. The railroad operator's revenue was very slightly below forecasts. CSX reported a larger-than-expected 7% drop in freight volume during the quarter and is expecting another challenging year in 2020, even as it implements significant improvements in efficiency.
Eli Lilly (LLY) – Lilly is aiming for $1 billion to $5 billion in acquisition deals during every quarter this year, according to Chief Financial Officer John Smiley. He told Reuters the drugmaker will focus on earlier stage opportunities in key areas like oncology, immunology, and neurology.
Alphabet (GOOGL) – Alphabet remains on watch after the Google parent's market value topped $1 trillion for the first time Thursday.
Comcast (CMCSA) – The NBCUniversal and CNBC parent unveiled details of its Peacock streaming service, with plans to offer a free option as well as $5 per month and $10 per month plans. The service will debut in April for Comcast customers and in July for others.
Progress Software (PRGS) – The business software company reported quarterly earnings of 79 cents per share, beating forecasts by 4 cents a share. Revenue also beat estimates and the company gave a better-than-expected forecast for the current quarter and the full year.
Ventas (VTR) – Ventas was upgraded to "buy" from "hold" at Jefferies, which points to the health-care REIT's valuation compared to competitors like Welltower (WELL) and Healthpeak (PEAK).