Mediaboss Marketing

By Maya Pope-Chappell and Ian Thomson

Among the companies whose shares are expected to actively trade in Wednesday’s session are Amazon.com Inc., Enterprise Products Partners L.P. and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Amazon.com’s fourth-quarter earnings fell 57%, and the Internet retailer again warned it could post an operating loss in the current quarter. Shares were down 9.4% at $176.57 in recent premarket trading.

Enterprise Products’ fourth-quarter profit soared as contributions from acquisitions continued to boost results, though daily volume fell. Shares were up 2.3% to $49.40 premarket.

Thermo Fisher’s fourth-quarter earnings fell 2.9% as several charges masked the analytical technologies and laboratory products supplier’s better-than-expected revenue. However revenue results beat expectations, as the laboratory products and services segment — the company’s largest top-line contributor — saw a 5% revenue increase. The company’s analytical technologies segment’s and specialty diagnostics segment saw larger gains. Shares gained 2.3% to $54.10 premarket.

Broadcom Corp.’s fourth-quarter profit slipped 4.5%, failing to match the company’s explosive year-ago earnings growth, though the chip maker’s top line fell less than expected. The company also said it will boost its quarterly dividend by 11%, signaling its desire to satisfy investors during a challenging time for the broader semiconductor sector. Shares were up 3.5% to $35.55 premarket on the stronger-than-expected core results.

Aetna Inc.’s fourth-quarter earnings rose 73% as the health insurer’s membership rolls increased and margins improved. Aetna has seen increased profits in recent quarters, despite revenue declines, as patients reduce their use of health services amid economic turmoil. Shares were up 2.2% to $44.65.

Seagate Technology Inc.’s fiscal second-quarter earnings soared as the maker of hard drives reported sharply stronger margins and revenue increased. Shares climbed 9.5% to $23.15 premarket.

Marathon Petroleum Corp. swung to a fourth-quarter loss after a sharp drop in its refining and marketing segment’s gross margin. Marathon Oil Corp. spun off its downstream and petroleum assets in July–creating Marathon Petroleum–to focus its drilling efforts on unconventional U.S. oil shales. Shares were up 7.4% to $41.02 premarket as revenue jumped 11% to $19.44 billion, beating analysts’ expectations.

C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.’s fourth-quarter earnings edged up 5.9% as the logistics company saw higher revenue in the key trucking business and intermodal segments more than offset declines in air and sourcing revenue. But shares were down 5.6% to $65.00 premarket.

Whirlpool Corp.’s fourth-quarter profit improved 20% as the appliance maker cut costs and saw improved sales activity in North America, which helped offset softer sales globally. For the new year, Whirlpool forecast earnings of that easily topped Wall Street estimates. Shares added 8% to $58.64 in recent premarket trading.

Dendreon Corp. picked John H. Johnson, the chief executive and president of Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc., to succeed longtime President and CEO Mitchell H. Gold. Gold, who has been president and CEO for nearly a decade, will serve as executive chairman until June 30, at which point Johnson will become chairman. Shares traded higher premarket at 4.6% to $14.20.

JDA Software Group Inc. swung to a fourth-quarter loss amid sharply higher litigation-related charges as a slowdown in the Americas continued to weigh on the supply-chain company’s revenue growth. Shares dropped 11% to $26.25 premarket.

Manitowoc Co. swung to a fourth-quarter profit as its crane unit benefited from stronger growth. Shares rose 9.4% to $14.70 premarket on a stronger-than-expected top-line result.

IAC/InterActive Corp.’s fourth quarter net profit dropped 44% from a year earlier due to one-time gains booked a year earlier, but the internet conglomerate reported strong growth in its core online dating service and search websites, IAC said Wednesday. Shares gained 4.5% to $45 premarket.

Navistar International Corp. projected adjusted earnings for the current fiscal year below analysts’ estimates despite expectations for improved truck demand in North America. Shares were up 2.1% to $44.20 in recent premarket trading.

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Stocks To Watch: Amazon, Seagate, Broadcom And More