Nordstrom Inc. (NYSE: JWN) said Thursday that its third-quarter profit fell by 57% as its same-store-sales declined. It slashed its full-year outlook below analyst expectations. JWN stock was down over 5% in after-hours trading. JWN shares had a volatile half an hour after the open. Around 10:10 they were half a percent higher.
Kohl's Corp. (NYSE: KSS) said profit fell for the fifth quarter in a row, dropping 17%, and reduced its annual profit forecast. KSS shares were down over 4% in after-hours trading. KSS shares were 2.4% higher around 10:12.
- Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) reported lower quarterly profit, but beat estimates. It also cut its full-year outlook. ANF shares were down 7.4% in premarket trading (8:45 am). ANF shares traded over 4% lower at 10:12.
- J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) also reported lower quarterly profit -- fell by nearly 53% -- but beat estimates by a penny. Sales fell 8.7% in the quarter. JCP gave full year guidance much lower than analysts' expectations. Shares were down 4.6% in premarket trading (8:33 am). JCP traded 2.4% lower 45 minutes after the open.
- Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) -- keeping the same theme, Agilent [reported higher profit], managed to beat estimates but gave outlook below expectations. Shares were 2% lower in premarket trading (8:23 am). Agilent shares traded 3.3% higher 45 minutes after the open.
Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) -- seems drastic times call for drastic measures and the software giant had just announced a 0% financing promotion for some of its business software, in an attempt to jump-start sales when businesses actually are looking to cut capital expenditures. MSFT shares were down 1.8% in premarket trading (8:07 am). MSFT shares were down 3.25% around 10:15.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) and Chrysler -- while the debate is raging over whether automakers should be bailed out and how, and as Democrats slowly (too slow?) form a plan, the European Union is not keeping still on the matter. It plans to closely examine any aid package from the U.S. government to its automakers to ensure it complies with international trade rules. Meanwhile, to just remind of the troubles carmakers are in, the ACEA said Friday European new passenger-car registrations fell 15% on the year in October. GM shares were up 1.7% around 10:15.
MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM) Chairman and CEO J. Terrence Lanni announced late Thursday he would step down from his executive posts for personal reasons, but it was the same day after the WSJ published a report questioning his academic credentials. MGM shares traded 1.8% higher around 10:15.
Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) is offering voluntary buyout packages to an undisclosed number of its employees. Sprint shares were 1.8% higher in premarket trade (8:03 am). Sprint shares traded about 5.8% higher at 10:18.
Google Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) -- these two amazing companies at the forefront of their respective fields are not resting. As a big supporter of computers understanding human speech I'm excited about this: Google is adding a sophisticated voice recognition technology to the company's search software for the iPhone. Google's voice search software works only with iPhones, but the company plans to make it available to other phones. The free is expected to be available as soon as Friday through Apple's iTunes store. GOOG shares were down 2.5% in premarket trading (8:03 am). GOOG shares were 1% lower around 10:18.
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