Early Movers: NYX, ICE, CAG & More
Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell on Thursday:
NYSE Euronext - CNBC's David Faber reports a deal could be announced as soon as today that would combine the New York Stock Exchange parent with IntercontinentalExchange. The proposed deal values NYSE Euronext at roughly $33 per share. At this writing, the shares of both companies were halted for "news pending."
ConAgra - The food producer earned $0.57 per share, excluding certain items, two cents above estimates, with revenue also beating consensus. ConAgra also raised its full-year forecast to "at least" $2.06 a share from the prior $2.04 to $2.06 a share range, matching current Street estimates.
KB Home - The home builder reported quarterly profit of $0.10 per share, three cents above estimates, with revenue also exceeding forecasts. New orders did slow, but higher selling prices boosted revenue.
Best Buy - Executive vice president Stephen Gillett is leaving the electronics retailer to take an executive position at Symantec. Gillett's job duties have been assigned to various Best Buy senior executives.
Apple - Apple's "pinch-to-zoom" patent has been found invalid in a preliminary ruling by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Samsung says that ruling will support its bid for a new trial against Apple, as it seeks to overturn a $1.05 billion damage award for patent infringement.
Jabil Circuit - Jabil reported fiscal first-quarter profit of $0.61 per share, five cents above estimates. Revenue for the electronics manufacturer was also above consensus, but its earnings guidance for the current quarter is below analysts' projections because of what Jabil calls "muted" end-market demand.
Bed Bath & Beyond - The company reported fiscal third-quarter profit of $1.03, one cent above estimates. Revenue was shy of consensus, as was the retailer's current-quarter guidance. The company said Hurricane Sandy shaved nearly one percent off its same-store sales growth during the quarter.
Accenture - The consulting firm reported quarterly profit of $1.06 per share, two cents above estimates. But revenue fell short, and its current-quarter revenue projection is largely below Street consensus, as clients turn cautious about spending on consulting projects. Accenture did raise its full-year guidance, and said it expects operating profit margins to rise, as well.
Allscripts Healthcare - Chief Executive Officer Glen Tullman has resigned. Board member Paul Black has been named CEO, effective immediately. The health-care records company also said it's decided against any sale following an evaluation of strategic alternatives.
Arris Group - The cable equipment maker is buying from Google for $2.35 billion in cash and stock.
Illumina - Illumina may have reached a deal to sell itself to Roche for $66 per share, according to the Swiss newspaper L'Agefi. In September, Roche's $51 per share hostile bid had been called "woefully inadequate" by Illumina, which specializes in genetic analysis tools
(Read More: See CNBC's Market Insider Blog)
—By CNBC's Peter Schacknow
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