Quite a few stocks were trending in pre-market deals, including delivery titan FedEx Corp (NYSE:FDX), which saw shares shed nearly 2% before the New York bell after its latest quarterly numbers disappointed analysts.
The stock was down 1.93% to stand at US$250.79 before the open.
Its profit for the three months missed Wall Street estimates.
Net profit came in at US$835 million, or US$ $3.10 per share, for the first quarter to August 31.
But scribes on Wall Street had penciled in an adjusted profit that was US$3.81, more than the US$3.46 per share that the group reported.
Kraft Heinz Co (NASDAQ:KHC) was in focus before the bell, due to a saucy story — no, not that kind.
The group is releasing a new sauce called Mayochup in the USA, which contains a blend of mayonnaise, ketchup and spices.
Shares eased 0.17% to US$58.25 in pre-market trade.
Heinz Mayochup will be released reportedly nationwide this month,and will be available in 16.5oz squeeze bottles, with a suggested retail price of US$3.49 per bottle.
Elsewhere, General Mills (NYSE:GIS) traded 2.6% higher after topping forecasts for its fiscal first-quarter earnings but missing slightly on sales.
The food company's adjusted per-share earnings came to US$0.71, beating the consensus of US$0.64 while its sales jumped to US$4.09bn, falling short of the estimate of US$4.12bn.
Oracle (NYSE:ORCL), meanwhile, shed 3.2% after falling short of Wall Street's estimates for sales in its fiscal first quarter.
On an adjusted basis, the software maker earned US$0.71 per share on revenue of US$9.19bn. Analysts had expected Oracle to report profits of US$0.69 per share on revenue of US$9.28bn.
In other news, New Age Beverages Corp (NASDAQ:NBEV) shares added 2.17% to stand at US$2.35.
The firm has reportedly been mentioned as a takeover target and it is The Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:CO) that has it in its sights.
The firm also is reportedly in the process of trademarking various brands, which seem to include cannabis-derived products, suggesting where it believes the market may be headed.
Coca-Cola said yesterday that it was “closely watching” the market for cannabidiol drinks after a report suggested that it was close to making one https://t.co/M5uUQE93hQ
— The Times of London (@thetimes) 18 September 2018
Also today, AutoZone Inc (NYSE:AZO) shares lost 5.69% to US$705 after the car-parts retailer unveiled a fourth-quarter profit, which beat expectations, but sales missed.
Sales came in at US$3.56bn in the three months, but that was shy of consensus of US$3.60bn.
-- updated to include action from General Mills and Oracle --