US stocks are seen starting lower, but bucking the trend is Darden Restaurants Inc (NYSE:DRI), which soared 8.29% to US$101 before the Wall Street bell.
The group cruised past analyst estimates. It posted a profit in the fourth quarter of US$174.5mln, or US$1.41 per share.
That compares with US$123.8mln, or US$0.99 per share in the same period last year.
Adjusted earnings for the three months came in at US$174.2mln, or US$1.39 per share for the period. Analysts had expected the company to earn US$1.35 per share,
Barnes & Noble Education Inc (NYSE:BNED) shares advanced almost 11% before the bell after the latest quarterly results beat expectations.
The company announced that it had a positive fourth quarter to end 2018, reporting net income of US$17.1mln for the period, or a profit of US$0.36 per share.
Wall Street consensus had an estimate for a loss of US$0.02 per share.
Meanwhile, Kroger Co (NYSE:KR) shares surged over 8% before the bell to US$28.45 after its adjusted earnings beat estimates.
The grocer posted, excluding items, adjusted earnings of US$626mln, or US$0.73 per share for the latest three months.
Analysts had expected the company to earn US$0.63 a share.
Lastly, AT&T Inc (NYSE:T) added 0.28% to US$32.09 in pre-market deals after it said it had agreed a tie-up with Brookfield Infrastructure on colocation and other services to customers in 18 Internet Data Centers in the U.S. and 13 overseas.
AT&T will receive US$1.1bn, which it will use to reduce debt.