Early movers: CMCSA, PFE, AZN, GE & more

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Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell:

Comcast (CMCSA)-The NBCUniversal parent has struck a series of deals with Charter Communications (CHTR) that will see it divest 3.9 million subscribers . The deals would be implemented following the close of Comcast's $45 billion deal to buy Time Warner Cable (TWC), which still needs the approval of regulators.

AstraZeneca (London Stock Exchange: AZN-GB)-Pfizer (PFE)acknowledged that it made a nearly $100 billion bid for its rival in January, and continues to pursue a deal even after two bids were rejected.

Furiex Pharmaceuticals (FURX)-The drug maker is being acquired by Forest Labs (FRX) for $1.1 billion in cash, as Forest bolsters its offerings of gastrointestinal treatments. Forest said this deal would not impact the timing of its transaction to be acquired by Actavis (ACT).

Susser Industries (SUSS)-The convenience store operator is being acquired by pipeline company Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) for $1.8 billion in cash and stock.

Corning (GLW)-The company earned 31 cents per share for the first quarter, beating estimates by one cent Revenue, however, was slightly shy of estimates, though it rose 26 percent from a year earlier. Corning's "Gorilla Glass" is used in smartphones made by Apple (AAPL) and Samsung.

LabCorp (LH) - The medical laboratory operator reported first quarter profit of $1.51 per share, missing estimates by seven cents. The company said its results were impacted significantly by severe weather.

Roper Industries (ROP)-The company beat forecasts by eleven cents with first quarter profit of $1.46, with revenue beating Wall Street's forecasts as well. Roper also increased its full-year guidance.

General Electric (GE)-The industrial giant's bid for France's Alstom (Euronext Paris: ALO-FR) is running into resistance , with France saying it would block any deal it considers "unfit", and with reports that Siemens (XETRA:SIE-DE) may step in as a possible bidder. Meanwhile, GE CEO Jeff Immelt said that a meeting today with French President Hollande and his economy minister was "open, friendly, and productive."

ArcelorMittal (Euronext Amsterdam: MT-NL)-The steel giant is among a number of metal companies being sued by German rail operator Deutsche Bahn for alleged price fixing. The charges involve pricing of railroad ties.

JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM'D)-The bank's global investment banking chairman James Elliott will retire in June, according to multiple reports. Elliott has been with JPMorgan since 1997.

American Airlines Group (AAL)-A judge has approved the November settlement between the Justice Department and the two airlines that merged to create American Airlines. The department had originally objected to the merger of AMR and U.S. Airways, saying it would result in higher airfares, but the two sides hammered out a settlement that involved the sale of takeoff and landing slots in New York, Washington, and five other cities.

Mylan (MYL)- The company's improved takeover bid for Swedish specialty drug maker Meda (Stockholmsborsen:MEDA.A-SE)has been rejected, with Meda saying it prefers to remain a standalone company.

Merck (MRK)-The drug giant is near a deal to sell its consumer healthcare unit for about $14 billion, according to Reuters. Germany's Bayer (XETRA:BAYN-DE)and Britain's Reckitt (London Stock Exchange: RB.-GB)are said to be the front runners in the bidding to buy the unit.

Microsoft (MSFT)-Microsoft will unveil plans this week to create original TV shows exclusively for its Xbox, according to the Wall Street Journal.

-By CNBC's Peter Schacknow

Questions? Comments? Email us at marketinsider@cnbc.com

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