Check out the companies making headlines before the bell. Kenvue – The consumer health company jumped more than 8% after it was revealed that activist investor Starboard Value took a large stake in the Johnson & Johnson spinoff . People familiar with the matter said that the activist is looking for Kenvue to lift its share price. Boeing – Shares added 3.3% after the aircraft maker and its machinists’ union reached a new contract proposal that could end a month-long strike. The ratification vote on the proposal, which includes a 35% wage increase, is expected Wednesday. Warby Parker – The eyeglass retailer advanced nearly 5% on the heels of a Goldman Sachs upgrade to buy from neutral. Goldman said the company can outperform as fundamentals improve and margins see stronger growth. Humana , Cigna – Shares of both companies moved in opposite directions after Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that Cigna resumed merger talks with Humana. The talks are in early stages, according to Bloomberg sources. Humana gained more than 4% while Cigna fell a similar amount. UPS – Shares fell nearly 2% after a downgrade to underweight from equal weight at Barclays. The bank said it sees risks to the package delivery company’s earnings as well as competition from Amazon. JD.com – U.S. traded shares of the Chinese e-commerce firm fell more than 1%, mirroring a decline in Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index. The JD.com weakness came despite an upgrade to buy from hold at Loop Capital Markets. Southwest Airlines – Shares dipped more than 1% before the market open. Elliott Investment Management is in early-stage talks with Southwest Airlines to reach an agreement for representation on the airline’s board, CNBC reported, citing people familiar with the matter. ASML – Shares fell more than 1% after Bernstein lowered its price target on the Dutch semiconductor equipment stock. The bank said it sees a “challenging” outlook for 2025. — CNBC’s Alex Harring, Samantha Subin, Jesse Pound, Hakyung Kim and Michelle Fox Theobald contributed reporting.
