Early movers: DG, LE, MCD, CLC, MLBY, DIS, BOX, PVH & more
Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell:
Dollar General — The discount retailer reported adjusted quarterly profit of 89 cents per share, four cents below estimates, with revenue slightly below forecasts. Comparable store sales fell 0.1 percent, surprising analysts who had predicted a 0.5 percent increase. Dollar General said its results were hurt by slower customer traffic and a challenging retail environment.
Lands' End — The apparel retailer reported a larger than expected quarterly loss, although revenue exceeded forecasts. Same-store sales fell 14.3 percent, a result the company calls "disappointing" although it also said its inventories are now under control and that costs are being aggressively managed.
McDonald's — The Financial Times reports that a joint bid by China state-owned investment firm Citic and U.S. private equity firm Carlyle is now in the lead to buy the restaurant chain's China operations. That's a sale that analysts say could be worth as much as $3 billion. Separately, the stock was downgraded to "neutral" from "buy" at Guggenheim. The firm said it sees limited upside at current valuations.
Clarcor — The maker of filtration products is being bought by for $4.3 billion in cash and assumed debt, or $83 per share. Clarcor had closed Wednesday at $70.45 per share.
Mobileye — The maker of autonomous car technology was rated "buy" at Needham, which said the company has a significant first mover advantage.
Walt Disney — The company raised its semi-annual dividend by 10 percent to 78 cents per share. That brings the total dividend for 2016 to $1.49 per share, up from $1.37 a year ago.
Pure Storage — Pure Storage lost 10 cents per share for its latest quarter, five cents less than analysts were expecting. The data storage company's revenue beat forecasts, benefiting from the addition of new customers.
Box — Box reported an adjusted quarterly loss of 14 cents per share, compared to consensus estimates of a 19 cent loss. The web storage company saw revenue beat Street forecasts, and it also raised its full-year outlook on stronger sales trends.
PVH — PVH beat estimates by 20 cents with quarterly profit of $2.60 per share. The apparel maker's revenue was essentially in line with forecasts, but it gave weaker than expected guidance for the current quarter. The company behind brands like Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger said it was being cautious in light of macroeconomic and political uncertainty around the globe.
Guess — Guess missed estimates by three cents with quarterly earnings of 11 cents per share, and the apparel maker's revenue fell below analyst projections as well. The company also cut its earnings guidance for the year, with restructuring efforts not yet producing the desired results.
Raymond James Financial — Raymond James raised its quarterly dividend to 22 cents per share from the prior 20 cents.
Praxair — Praxair got a boost in its effort to buy German industrial gas maker Linde, with Linde chairman Wofgang Reitzle reportedly expressing support for the deal. German newspaper Handelsblatt said Reitzle likes the idea of a deal and also is concerned about Praxair moving toward a hostile bid if a deal isn't worked out.
Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Sands — These and other casino operators with establishments in Macau may benefit after November figures showed a fourth straight month of growth, up 14.4 percent from a year earlier. The four-month rise comes after more than two years of declining gaming revenue.
Fitbit — Fitbit is near a deal to buy smartwatch maker Pebble for an undisclosed price, according to The Information.
Blackstone — Blackstone-owned Invitation Homes has filed confidentially for an initial public offering, according to the Wall Street Journal. Invitation Homes manages the largest pool of rental homes in the United States, and the Journal said the offering could come as soon as January.
Rockwell Collins — Rockwell Collins is being urged to reconsider its planned $6.4 billion purchase of B/E Aerospace, according to Reuters. That urging comes from activist investor Starboard Value, which has taken a stake in the aircraft component maker.