Stocks to Watch: Exxon, Chevron, Merck

NEW YORK -- Exxon Mobil(XOM) , the world's biggest oil company, is expected by analysts Friday to report fourth-quarter earnings of $2 a share on revenue of $117.25 billion.

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Wall Street analysts expect Chevron(CVX) to post fourth-quarter earnings of $3.04 a share on revenue of $68.64 billion.

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Drugmaker Merck(MRK) is expected by analysts to post earnings of 81 cents a share in the fourth quarter on revenue of $11.48 billion.

Mattel(MAT) , the toy company, is seen earning $1.15 a share by analysts in the fourth quarter on revenue of $2.29 billion.

Dell(DELL) , the PC maker, is close to an agreement to sell itself to a buyout group led by founder and CEO Michael Dell and private-equity firm Silver Lake Partners, Reuters reported, citing two people familiar with the matter.

A deal could possibly be announced as soon as Monday, Reuters reported.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb is seeking a buyer for a collection of brands in Mexico and Brazil that could fetch as much as $750 million, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

-- Written by Joseph Woelfel

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