Stocks in the news: BHP Billiton, Macy's, Toll Brothers

The following post rounds up the companies making headlines today:

BHP Billiton (BHP) gave a guarded outlook for global commodity demand, sending a worrying signal for weaker rivals, after a slump in metals prices triggered its first profit decline in seven years. BHP is seen well positioned with a strong balance sheet to take advantage of any upturn. The largest mining company in the world lifted its dividend while reporting a 62 percent drop in annual profit.

Toll Brothers (TOL) said its revenue from home building fell 42 percent in the July ending quarter but that orders for new homes rose in the latest quarter from the year-ago period for the first time in roughly four years. It beat analyst revenue estimates. Shares jumped over 9.5 percent in pre-market trade.