Check out the companies making headlines before the bell:
Lululemon (LULU) – The apparel maker raised its earnings and revenue guidance for the fourth quarter, citing holiday season momentum. Lululemon now expects a profit of $2.22 to $2.25 per share for the quarter, compared to a previous range of $2.10-$2.13 and a consensus estimate of $2.15.
Anixter International (AXE) – The networking products maker agreed to a $100 per share cash-and-stock takeover by Wesco International (WCC), ending a back-and-forth bidding war between Wesco and private equity firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice. Clayton Dubilier first offered $82 per share for Anixter and raised its bid several times, but has now waived its right to match Wesco’s latest offer.
Boeing (BA) – Former CEO Dennis Muilenburg will receive $62 million in incentives, stock awards, and pension benefits, but forfeited $14.6 million in pay and will not receive any severance after being fired last month.
Tesla (TSLA) – Major stakeholder Baillie Gifford considered selling its 10% stake the automaker last year after a series of setbacks, according to an executive of the fund management group who spoke to The Times of London. The executive told the paper that while the case to keep the stake was “debatable,” the case against it wasn’t strong enough to sell. Separately, Oppenheimer raised its price target on the stock to $612 per share from $385, based on Tesla reaching scale sufficient to support positive free cash flow.
Ford (F) – Ford sales in China fell 26.1% in 2019, marking the third consecutive year of sales declines in that country. Sales had fallen 37% in 2018 and 6% in 2017. Ford did say its market share in the premium segment stabilized during the year.
Goldman Sachs (GS) – JMP Securities upgraded Goldman to “market outperform” from “market perform,” saying the company is in the early stages of the most meaningful transformations in the financial services industry.
Hexcel (HXL), Woodward (WWD) – The two aerospace components makers – both suppliers to Boeing – announced plans for an all-stock merger. Woodward shareholders will own about 55 percent of the combined company while Hexcel stockholders would own the rest.
Newmont Goldcorp (NEM) – Newmont Goldcorp was upgraded to “buy” from “neutral” at B Riley FBR, which expects the mining company to outperform its large-cap gold peers.
General Electric (GE) – GE was named a “catalyst call” buy at Deutsche Bank, which thinks the company could post a better-than-expected fourth quarter as well as upbeat guidance when it issues its next earnings report on Jan. 29.
IBM (IBM) – IBM was downgraded to “in line” from “outperform” at Evercore ISI, pointing to macro headwinds as well as market circumstances that set up a difficult first half of 2020.
Fiat Chrysler (FCAU) – The Peugeot family plans to raise the 6.2% stake it will have in the planned combination of Peugeot Parent PSA and Fiat Chrysler as soon as possible, according to a family representative quoted in a French newspaper.
Teladoc Health (TDOC) – Teladoc Health will acquire privately held InTouch Health for $600 million, in a combination of virtual health-care companies.
CORRECTION: This article has been updated to show that Ford’s sales fell 37% in 2018.
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