U.S. stock futures edged lower on Thursday, with focus on a European Central Bank meeting for later, as well as U.S. economic data and same-store sales results to come.
Business wire reports, Bank of America Merrill Lynch today announced the creation of a strategic platform to enhance the delivery of its global liquidity product offering. The new Global Liquidity Platform is a centralized technology hub that enables the company to provide consistent, seamless and integrated liquidity solutions to clients around the world. Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:BAC, $14.71, +$0.65, 4.62%) rose 0.82 percent to $14.83 on Thursday morning pre-market trading session, even on Wednesday, shares of Bank of America climbed 4.62 percent, closed on $14.71 and BofA dropped 0.81 percent in the past one month trading.
Citigroup Inc has agreed to sell its private equity unit to Lexington Partners for more than $900 million in a plan announced last year to shrink the U.S. bank’s assets. Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C, $3.90, +$0.11, 2.9%) jumped 1.28 percent to $3.95 on Thursday morning pre-market trading session, even on Wednesday, Citigroup shares were up 2.90 percent, closed on $3.90.
San Francisco-based Wells Fargo & Co. reported on Wednesday that will close its 638 Wells Fargo Financial stores and lay off 3,800 employees over the next 12 months. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC, $26.66, +$1.51, 6.0%) rose 1.09 percent to $26.95 on Thursday morning pre-market trading session, even on Wednesday, shares of Wells Fargo climbed 6.0 percent, closed on $26.66.
Teen apparel retailer Hot Topic Inc said late Wednesday its June same-store sales at stores open at least one year fell 2.1%. Hot Topic also declared a regular quarterly dividend of 7 cents per share that is payable on Aug. 2 to shareholders of record as of July 19. Hot Topic, Inc. (NASDAQ:HOTT, $4.84, +$0.06, 1.26%) jumped 1.45 percent to $4.91 on Thursday morning pre-market trading session, even on Wednesday, Hot Topic shares were up 1.26 percent, closed on $4.84.
Tractor Supply Company, the largest retail farm and ranch store chain in the United States, raised its fiscal 2010 outlook Wednesday, saying it believed second-quarter profits rose as much as 40 percent. Tractor Supply said it expects to report a second-quarter profit of $75.6 million to $76.7 million, or $2.03 to $2.05 per share. Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO, $63.76, +$2.49, 4.06%) rose 5.76 percent to $67.43 on Thursday morning pre-market trading session, even on Wednesday, shares of Tractor Supply climbed 4.06 percent, closed on $63.76.
Helen of Troy Limited, designer, developer and worldwide marketer of brand-name personal care and household consumer products, todays reported its first-quarter earnings rose 26.7 percent as gross margins improved on continued strength across its segments. Helen of Troy Ltd reported its first-quarter net income rose to $18.39 million, or 59 cents per share, compared from $14.51 million, or 47 cents per share and revenue rose 11.3% to $160.15 million from $143.87 million in the same quarter a year earlier. Helen of Troy Limited (NASDAQ:HELE, $22.08, +$1.00, 4.74%) jumped 1.04 percent to $22.31 on Thursday morning pre-market trading session, even on Wednesday, Helen of Troy shares were up 4.74 percent, closed on $22.08.