Earnings Report

Swedish low-cost fashion brand Hennes & Mauritz AB says its first-quarter profit plummeted 44 percent after it was forced to cut prices and make markdowns due to higher than expected garment inventories.

Nike reported a loss in its third quarter due to a $2 billion tax expense related to recent changes in the U.S. tax law.

Darden Restaurants Inc. (DRI) on Thursday reported fiscal third-quarter earnings of $217.8 million.

General Mills Inc. (GIS) on Wednesday reported fiscal third-quarter profit of $941.4 million.

General Mills, like other U.S. packaged food companies, has been facing higher transportation costs as railroads and truck fleets have raised prices amid a shortage of drivers, reduced capacity, higher fuel prices and a strengthening U.S. economy.

The shipping giant reports earnings and revenue that beat estimates.

Tax reduction, higher rates and strength in its ground-shipping business helped boost FedEx's profit during a stellar holiday gift-shipping season.

The latest on developments in financial markets (all times local): 9:35 a.m.

Tiffany & Co. (TIF) on Friday reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings of $61.9 million.

Global port operator DP World profits rose by 7 percent to nearly $1.2 billion in 2017 as the company expands in India, Brazil, the Horn of Africa and other parts of the world.

Sears Holdings said a key sales figure fell during the important holiday shopping season, but the struggling department store operator posted a profit for the quarter, mainly due to a tax benefit.

Signet Jewelers Ltd. will close more than 200 stores and expects a profit slump in 2019 as it faces an increasingly tough market for its Kay and Jared stores.

Zara fashion brand owner Inditex says strong sales and investment in technology for its online and physical stores boosted net profit in the past fiscal year by 7 percent.

Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific says its losses more than doubled last year because of rising fuel costs and relentless competition from rival carriers.

The sporting-goods retailer has faced some pushback after implementing new restrictions on gun sales.

Dick's Sporting Goods shares are sliding in early trading after the company reported some disappointing holiday sales numbers.

Uber still holds a sizeable lead over Lyft, which only operates in the U.S.

Kroger Co. reported a surge in fourth-quarter profit Thursday, but the lackluster results and outlook sunk shares.

Costco Wholesale Corp. reported a 36 percent jump in its fiscal second-quarter profit thanks partly to a $74 million boost from tax cuts, but the results fell short of expectations.

Rights packages with CBS and Turner accounted for more than $800 million, with the rest tied to championships and tournaments.