US stocks closed higher on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones enjoying its best day in seven weeks, closing 322 points higher.
Conversely, after the bell, aluminum giant Alcoa Corp (NYSE:AA) sank 5.43% to US$53.90 as it posted earnings and revenue that missed analyst expectations.
The adjusted fourth-quarter earnings rose but profit missed analysts’ estimates amid higher costs for energy and raw materials and unfavorable movements in exchange rates.
The company also issued weaker than anticipated guidance for global demand growth, projecting 4.25 to 5.25% growth in 2018, versus consensus of 5.25% growth in 2017.
JUST IN: Alcoa shares down 5.4 percent premarket after results miss estimates https://t.co/2EGNRih2Tb $AA pic.twitter.com/BlAa4lUVgt
— Reuters Business (@ReutersBiz) 18 January 2018
Elsewhere, PTC Inc (NASDAQ:PTC), the software and services group, added 7.72% to US$71.85 in extended hours. It reported first quarter earnings of US$0.31 a share on revenues of US$307mln - trumping Wall Street estimates.
In other news, Plexus Corp (NASDAQ:PLXS) plunged 7.71% after the bell as the market didn't take too kindly to the electronic components and systems maker's first quarter results.
President and chief executive Todd Kelsey blamed weaker than expected earnings on the tax reform, citing US$125mln in tax expenses.
Last but not least, tech titan Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) gained 0.33% after the bell to US$179.69 after it said it would award eligible employees US$2,500 in stock-based compensation.
In cryptocurrency news, Bitcoin is currently up 3.49% at US$11,775. After last night's close, it was at US$11,122, up US$605 on the day, after falling well below the US$10,000 mark at one point.