The following is a list of companies whose shares had unusual price changes in U.S. exchanges. Stock symbols are in parentheses after company names. Share prices are as of 4 p.m. New York time.
Alcoa Inc. (AA US) rose $2.10, or 6.4 percent, to $35. The world's largest aluminum producer gained after the Times of London said BHP Billiton Ltd. and Rio Tinto Group are planning takeover bids, citing unidentified people. Alcoa spokesman Kevin Lowery and BHP spokeswoman Emma Meade said the companies don't comment on speculation. Rio's chief executive officer declined to comment. Shares were cut to ``equal weight'' from ``overweight'' at Lehman Brothers. Analysts said a takeover is ``unlikely.''
Other aluminum producers also gained. Alcan Inc. (AL US), the world's second-biggest aluminum producer, rose $2.46, or 4.7 percent, to $54.65. Aluminum Corp. of China (ACH US) American depositary receipts, each representing 25 ``H'' shares, rose 59 cents, or 2.3 percent, to $26.45.
Alumina Ltd. (AWC US) American depositary receipts rose $1.79, or 8.5 percent, to $22.97. The Melbourne-based company owns about 40 percent of Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals through a joint venture with Alcoa. Each ADR represents four ordinary shares.
Applebee's International Inc. (APPB US) rose $2.09, or 8.6 percent, to $26.32. The operator of almost 2,000 restaurants in the U.S. and abroad formed a committee to explore the possible sale of the company. It also withdrew its fiscal 2007 forecast, the company said today in a statement. Darden Restaurants Inc. (DRI US), owner of the Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurant chains, added $1.39 to $42.64.
Brinker International Inc. (EAT US) climbed $2.07, or 6.3 percent, to $35.19. The operator of the Chili's and Romano's Macaroni Grill restaurant chains was raised to ``overweight'' from ``neutral weight'' by analyst Howard Penney at Prudential Equity Group Inc. He expects the shares to reach $40 from $32.
Ceridian Corp. (CEN US) rose $2.65, or 8.6 percent, to $33.37. The provider of human resource and payroll services said in a statement that it hired advisers to help examine how to boost the company's value after activist shareholders said management's strategy was flawed. The company didn't say what type of options it may examine.
Compania Anonima Nacional Telefonos de Venezuela (VNT US) American depositary receipts, each representing seven class `D' shares, rose $1.17, or 7.3 percent, to $17.25. Venezuela's government agreed to buy Verizon Communications Inc.'s 28.5 percent stake in CA Nacional Telefonos de Venezuela as President Hugo Chavez seeks control of key industries.
eFunds Corp. (EFD US) fell $2.51, or 9.5 percent, to $24.02. MasterCard Inc., the second-biggest U.S. credit-card company, said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it notified eFunds on Dec. 13 that it would end its service agreement with the company, a processor of debit-card payments for banks and retailers. MasterCard also said that eFunds filed suit over the termination in an Arizona court on Jan. 30.
Expeditors International of Washington Inc. (EXPD US) fell 9 cents to $43.58. The second-largest U.S. manager of freight shipments said fourth-quarter profit was 28 cents a share. That's less than the 31-cent average estimate from 13 analysts polled by Bloomberg.
First Advantage Corp. (FADV US) rose $3.51, or 16 percent, to $25.40. The provider of background-screening services for companies said in a statement that it expects first-quarter profit of as much as 28 cents a share, more than the 27-cent average estimate of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. The shares were raised to ``outperform'' from ``market perform'' at Morgan Keegan.
Fremont General Corp. (FMT US) rose $1.30, or 11 percent, to $13.16. The largest provider of subprime U.S. mortgages through brokers and lenders eliminated ``combo'' programs yesterday amid a decline in investor demand for the loans. Combo programs allow borrowers to use a second loan in lieu of a down payment when buying a home.
Hansen Natural Corp. (HANS US) fell $4.21, or 10 percent, to $37.70. The maker of Monster Energy and other caffeinated drinks was downgraded to ``neutral'' from ``overweight'' at JPMorgan Securities Inc. and cut from the ``Focus List.'' The company was also lowered to ``neutral'' from ``buy'' at Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Himax Technologies Inc. (HIMX US) rose 66 cents, or 14 percent, to $5.47. The maker of liquid crystal displays said in a statement that profit in the quarter ended Dec. 31 rose to $29.4 million, a 73 percent gain over $17 million in the same period a year earlier, as sales rose 17 percent.
iRobot Corp. (IRBT US) fell $2.79, or 15 percent, to $16.30. The maker of robots that vacuum floors and dismantle bombs said in a statement distributed by Business Wire that it forecast 2007 sales of $225 million to $235 million, lower than $253.6 million mean of six estimates compiled by Bloomberg.
Knot Inc. (KNOT US) fell $5.99, or 20 percent, to $24.08. The wedding-services company said in a statement that fourth- quarter revenue was $21.7 million, less than the $22.8 million average estimate of five analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.
Osiris Therapeutics Inc. (OSIR US) fell $2.10, or 10 percent, to $18.45. The maker of products to regenerate connective tissues said its experimental stem-cell treatment worked no better than a placebo in a study of patients with knee problems.
Priceline.com Inc. (PCLN US) rose $4.87, or 11 percent, to $50.80. The online travel agency said in a statement that fourth- quarter profit more than tripled as more consumers used the service to book European hotels. Net income rose to 33 cents a share from 9 cents a year earlier, Priceline said. Excluding certain expenses, profit was 58 cents, ahead of the 39-cent average analyst estimate.
Radyne Corp. (RADN US) fell $1.14, or 11 percent, to $9.45. The maker of equipment to transmit data by satellite and cable networks said in a statement distributed by Prime Newswire that fourth-quarter sales fell to $36.3 million from $36.8 million a year earlier. Analyst David Kang at Roth Capital Partners expected $36.5 million.
R&G Financial Corp. (RGF US) fell $2.02, or 26 percent, to $5.68. The Puerto Rico-based lender said in a statement yesterday that its shares are ``likely'' to be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange because its 2005 annual report may not be filed by an April 3 deadline. The company also said it does not know when it will file statements for 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd. (SNDA US) American depositary receipts, each representing two ordinary shares, rose $1.70, or 7.6 percent, to $24. China's second-biggest online game provider reported net income including a one-time gain was 240.3 million yuan ($31 million), compared with a net loss of 538.9 million yuan a year earlier. The average of seven analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg was for profit of 134.9 million yuan. Sales rose 31 percent to 470.6 million yuan.
Shaw Group Inc. (SGR US) fell $2.24, or 6.6 percent, to $31.50. The construction company for the energy industry said in a U.S. regulatory filing after markets closed yesterday that Ernst & Young would leave as auditor after the filing for the quarter ending Feb. 28.
Waste Connections Inc. (WCN US) rose $2.78, or 6.5 percent, to $45.65. The trash hauler said in a statement that fourth- quarter profit, excluding some items, was 47 cents a share. The average estimate of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg was 44 cents. The company also announced a 3-for-2 stock split, payable on March 13 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 27.
source:www.bloomberg.com
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