Earnings Report

Prudential Financial Inc. (PRU) on Wednesday reported fourth-quarter net income of $284 million.

Whole Foods Market Inc. said it would close nine of its stores and lowered its financial projections for the year, moves made as the natural-foods company struggles with increased competition and slowing sales growth.

Whole Foods Market Inc. said it would close nine of its stores and lowered its financial projections for the year, moves made as the natural-foods company struggles with increased competition and slowing sales growth.

The S&P 500 ended slightly higher on Wednesday as investors digested mixed earnings reports, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped as bank stocks weighed.

The S&P 500 ended slightly higher on Wednesday as investors digested mixed earnings reports, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped as bank stocks weighed.

Major business and economic events scheduled for Thursday.

Major business and economic events scheduled for Thursday.

The motorcycle maker is closely watching developments in Washington, D.C.

The motorcycle maker is closely watching developments in Washington, D.C.

Pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline saw sales and net earnings grow in the fourth quarter but warned that tougher competition from generic drugmakers this year could depress its earnings.

Pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline saw sales and net earnings grow in the fourth quarter but warned that tougher competition from generic drugmakers this year could depress its earnings.

Facing pressure from an activist investor, Cognizant Technology Solutions agreed to appoint three new independent directors to the board and launch an aggressive effort to return cash to investors.

Time Warner Inc. (TWX) on Wednesday reported fourth-quarter earnings of $293 million.

Time Warner Inc. (TWX) on Wednesday reported fourth-quarter earnings of $293 million.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (GT) on Wednesday reported fourth-quarter net income of $561 million, after reporting a loss in the same period a year earlier.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (GT) on Wednesday reported fourth-quarter net income of $561 million, after reporting a loss in the same period a year earlier.

Humana Inc. (HUM) on Wednesday reported a fourth-quarter loss of $401 million, after reporting a profit in the same period a year earlier.

Humana Inc. (HUM) on Wednesday reported a fourth-quarter loss of $401 million, after reporting a profit in the same period a year earlier.

Danish brewer Carlsberg says sales dropped 6 percent in the fourth quarter to 24 billion kroner ($3.5 billion), but that 2016 as a whole had been "a good year." Annual sales fell to 116.9 billion kroner from 120.3 billion kroner in 2015.

Danish brewer Carlsberg says sales dropped 6 percent in the fourth quarter to 24 billion kroner ($3.5 billion), but that 2016 as a whole had been "a good year." Annual sales fell to 116.9 billion kroner from 120.3 billion kroner in 2015.