Companies whose shares are expected to trade actively in today’s session are H.J. Heinz Company (NYSE:HNZ), Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM), CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE:CTL), Angie’s List Inc (NASDAQ:ANGI), Mondelez International Inc (NASDAQ:MDLZ) and Nanosphere, Inc. (NASDAQ:NSPH).
H.J. Heinz Company (NYSE:HNZ): The Ketchup maker announced, on Thursday, that it is being acquired by Warren Buffet-led Berkshire Hathaway and private equity firm 3G Capital Management Inc. for $28 billion. Berkshire and 3G Capital have offered $72.50 per Heinz share, a 20 percent premium over its closing price on Wednesday. Shares surged 19.96 percent to $72.55 in early market trading.
Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM): The supermarket chain’s fourth quarter revenues grew 14 percent and earnings soared 24 percent, as the company posted better-than-expected same store sales. Whole Foods also said its margins improved during the quarter. However, the company issued pessimistic guidance for the remaining 2013. Shares tanked 8.49 percent to $88.61 in early session.
CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE:CTL): The third largest landline provider in the United States announced plans to make a shift in its capital allocation. The shift will slash dividends and increase pressure on the company’s debt ratings due to higher risk of default. Shares of CenturyLink tanked 20.32 percent to $33.22 in early trading.
Angie’s List Inc (NASDAQ:ANGI): The online review site surprised Wall Street by swinging to a fourth quarter profit. The company said revenues continued to improve and expenses moderated. Angie’s List also issued first quarter projections that were higher than analysts’ estimates. Shares of the company rose 30.62 percent to $17.79 in early trading.
Mondelez International Inc (NASDAQ:MDLZ): The company’s earnings continue to disappoint investors since it spun off North American grocery division. Increase in its fourth quarter revenues was lower than expected as Mondelez reduced the prices of coffee in European market to keep up with competition. Shares were down 3.06 percent to $26.90 percent.
Nanosphere, Inc. (NASDAQ:NSPH): The medical diagnostic-test developer’s fourth quarter losses narrowed amid stronger revenues. The company also reshuffled its management by bringing in a new chief executive. But Nanosphere’s customer placements in the most recent quarter missed analysts’ estimates, and the company issued downbeat guidance for the first quarter of this year. Shares slipped 29.55 percent to $1.86 in early trading today.
