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Early movers: CMCSA, NFLX, GM, PFE, NVS & more
Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell:
Comcast (CMCSA)-The parent of NBCUniversal and CNBC earned 68 cents per share for the first quarter, excluding certain items, four cents above estimates, with revenue beating consensus as well. Comcast was helped by a surge in ad revenue at NBC, thanks to the Winter Olympics and Jimmy Fallon taking over as host of "The Tonight Show."
Allergan (AGN)-The maker of Botox and eye care products is now a takeover target of Pershing Square's Bill Ackman and Valeant Pharmaceuticals (Toronto Stock Exchange: VRX-CA). Valeant is offering $48.30 per share in cash, plus 0.83 Valeant shares, for each share of Allergan. The latter's shareholders would own 43 percent of the combined company.
Travelers (TRV)-The insurer earned $2.95 per share for the first quarter, beating estimates of $2.16. Revenue was essentially in line, and the company also announced a 10 percent dividend increase.
United Technologies (UTX)-The aerospace manufacturer reported first quarter profit of $1.32 per share, excluding certain items, beating estimates by five cents. The company's results were aided by sales increases in all five of its operating units.
Lexmark (LXK)-The maker of computer printers beat estimates by five cents with first quarter profit of 92 cents per share, excluding certain items, with revenues also above consensus. Lexmark's results were boosted by increases in revenue for software and printing services.
Harley-Davidson (HOG)-The motorcycle maker earned $1.21 per share for the first quarter, 13 cents above estimates, with revenue scoring a strong beat as well. The company is maintaining its prior full-year forecast of up to 284,000 motorcycles sold for 2014.
Xerox (XRX)-The company beat estimates by three cents with first quarter profit of 27 cents per share, excluding certain items, but gave a current quarter forecast below consensus. Xerox is being impacted by declining sales in printing, as well as slower growth in services.
Netflix (NFLX)-The steaming video service reported first quarter profit of 86 cents per share, three cents above estimates. The company also announced it would increase its monthly membership fee by $1 to $2 per month for new subscribers later this quarter, and projected current quarter profit above street estimates.
Novartis (Swiss Exchange: NOVN-CH)-The drug maker has struck two separate multi-billion dollar deals: the Swiss drug maker has agreed to acquire GlaxoSmithKline's (London Stock Exchange: GSK-GB) oncology products unit for $14.5 billion , while divesting most of its vaccines business to GSK for $7.1 billion plus royalties. Separately, it will sell its animal health division to Eli Lilly (LLY) for $5.4 billion in cash.
General Motors (GM)-The battered auto giant is seeking court protection against lawsuits related to its ignition switch recall. The automaker is seeking a ruling saying the reorganized General Motors can't be sued for claims related to so-called "Old GM", the company as it existed before the 2008 bailout.
Caterpillar (CAT)-CEO Doug Oberhelman's 2013 compensation fell 33 percent from a year earlier, according to an SEC filing. That drop stems from Caterpillar's failure to achieve certain financial targets.
Pfizer (PFE)-The pharmaceuticals behemoth has settled a class action suit involving its epilepsy drug Neurontin for $190 million. The suit involved alleged moves by Pfizer to delay the introduction of generic versions.
Royal Philips (PHG)- The company reported quarterly profit below estimates, and also warned that the current year would be challenging because of unfavorable exchange rates as well as falling demand for its medical equipment.
-By CNBC's Peter Schacknow
Questions? Comments? Email us at marketinsider@cnbc.com
