U.S. stock market indexes closed mixed on Thursday. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a record 22,203.48. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index futures lost 2.75 points to 2,495.62 and futures for the Nasdaq Composite index declined to 6,429.08. The dollar index is down 0.37% at 92.06, while the U.S. 10-year bond yields 2.186% and the German 10-year bond yields 0.419%.
Shares of Equifax Inc. (EFX, Financial) lost ground after the global information solutions company said Senior Vice Presidents Jeff Dodge and Doug Brandberg will meet with investors in Minneapolis on Sept. 19 and in Dallas and Houston on Sept. 20. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission said today it is investigating the company’s massive data breach.
In contrast, United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI, Financial) shares gained more than 5% today after the company reported its financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. The company posted adjusted EPS of 72 cents, beating expectations by two cents. Revenue of $2.34 billion missed the consensus estimate by $20 million, but grew 5.9% from the year-ago quarter. Further, the quarterly gross margin inched up 15 basis points to 15.75% and the gross margin for fiscal 2017 increased 31 basis points to 15.41%. Cash flow from operations was $117.7 million and capital expenditures were $16.1 million. Free cash flow reached $101.6 million for the quarter, which increased from free cash flow of $78.7 million in the prior-year quarter. Chairman and CEO Steven L. Spinner said he was optimistic about growth and future opportunities considering the strength of its national supply chain as well as the breadth of its product offerings.
Shares of Autoliv Inc. (ALV, Financial) gained more than 13% after announcing it is considering separating its business segments. This follows Delphi Automotive's (DLPH, Financial) decision to spin off its powertrain business in May.
Disclosure: The author holds no position in any stocks mentioned.
