Check out some of the biggest movers at midday: Accenture — Shares of the global professional services company soared 18% following fourth-quarter results. Revenue of $18.7 billion exceeded the company’s guidance of $17.8 billion to $18.4 billion and the FactSet consensus estimate of $18.3 billion. Earnings per share of $3.29 also exceeded expectations. McCORMICK — The spice company’s third-quarter results beat expectations. McCormick’s adjusted earnings per share were 86 cents, beating the 76 cents expected by analysts surveyed by FactSet. Sales totaled $2.02 billion, compared to the average estimate of $1.98 billion. McCormick shares fell more than 2%. The company is in the process of integrating Unilever’s food business in a transaction expected to be completed by mid-2027. McKesson — The healthcare services provider reaffirmed its fiscal 2027 earnings per share outlook, sending its stock price up 4%. Second quarter results are scheduled to be reported on November 4th. McKesson also extended its partnership with CVS Health to distribute medicines to mail order, specialty pharmacies, retail pharmacies and distribution centers through June 2032. United Therapeutics, Likudia – A federal court in Delaware ruled Wednesday that Likudia’s lung treatment drug infringes a patent held by United Therapeutics. Following this decision, BTIG upgraded United Therapeutics to an acquisition target and downgraded Liqudia to neutral, stating that “a major legal victory is likely to pave the way for a return to growth by 2027.” “We view this ruling as a negative outcome for Likudia, as it is expected to limit its ability to sell Utrepia.” United Therapeutics’ stock rose 6%, while Likudia’s stock fell 15%. Constellation Energy — Shares rose nearly 3% after the energy company announced a 20-year deal with Amazon to help expand capacity at a nuclear power plant in Maryland. Synopsys — Shares rose more than 8% after an investor day outlining the software company’s growth strategy and long-term goals. Synopsys expects 2027 sales to rise 15% from a year ago to $11.1 billion to $11.2 billion, compared with analysts’ expectations of $10.82 billion, according to FactSet. Synopsys also announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI. Sigma Lithium — Shares of the Brazilian lithium producer, which is traded on the Nasdaq, fell 16%. Sigma suspended all industrial production on Wednesday after Brazil’s Federal Court of Appeals postponed for 15 days a review of the company’s legal defense related to a lawsuit brought by a non-governmental organization. Acuity Brands — Shares of the lighting and building management equipment maker fell nearly 4%. Acuity Intelligent Space’s future outlook for net sales growth in the low-to-mid teens was slightly below Wall Street consensus, according to Street accounts. BJ’s Restaurants – The restaurant chain’s stock rose about 5%. Mizuho upgraded BJ’s Restaurants to outperform and raised its price target by $2 to $76 per share. “Based on our strong checks, we are raising our third-quarter (same-store sales) growth forecast to 5.5% from 4.6%, above the consensus of 4.3%,” Mizuho said, adding that it expects further upward revisions through 2027. Vicor — Shares rose nearly 10% after the company raised its third-quarter revenue growth outlook to more than 30% from at least 20%. Vicor raised its expectations due to previously announced royalty increases from its first non-exclusive license to Vertical Power Delivery. CORTEVA — Corteva on Thursday announced the formal spinoff of its Byler Seeds and Genetics business, making Corteva a purely global crop protection company. The separation came after the appellate court denied a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction against the state of California seeking to delay the spin. After the spinoff, Corteva’s remaining stock price plummeted 84%. — CNBC’s Darla Mercado, Paulina Ricos, Michelle Fox and Fred Imbert contributed reporting. Correction: McCormick is in the midst of integrating Unilever’s food business in a deal expected to be completed by mid-2027. In previous versions, transaction characteristics were incorrect.
