Yahoo (YHOO) falls 4.87 to 23.80 after Microsoft (MSFT) announces that it has withdrawn its proposal to acquire Yahoo. S&P reiterates hold on Yahoo, while Citigroup downgrades to sell from buy.
Google (GOOG) is up 11.57 to 592.86 after Microsoft withdraws bid for Yahoo.
Countrywide Financial (CFC) is down 0.63 to 5.35 after Friedman Billings downgrades to underperform from market perform. On Friday, S&P Ratings lowered CFC's debt to junk status, after Bank of America (BAC) said in a filing that there is no assurance that any of CFC's debt will be redeemed, assumed or guaranteed. S&P reiterates hold.
American Capital Strategies (ACAS) is down 2.13 to 29.88 after the WSJ reports that ACAS has been placing full value on various loans it has made even as other investors who hold the same debt already have slashed the values. Now, a new accounting rule governing the use of market values for financial assets could force ACAS to bring its valuations down, and that could lead to big write-downs. UBS Financial downgrades to sell from neutral.
Boeing (BA) reportedly has additional delays on its new 787 Dreamliner.
UAL Corp. (UAUA) is intensifying merger talks with US Airways Group (LCC) Ater being spurned by
Continental (CAL). A deal could emerge as soon as 10 days: WSJ.
Marvel Entertainment (MVL) posts $0.58, vs. $0.54 a year ago, first quarter EPS as lower total costs and expenses, and fewer shares outstanding offset a 26% drop in sales. Raises 2008 guidance to $1.35-$1.55 on revenue of $370-$400 million from $1.30-$1.50 EPS on revenue of $360-$400 million. S&P raises 2008 EPS estimate to reflect the Iron Man impact, stronger licensing revenue; maintains hold.
Sprint Nextel (S) is up 0.56 to 8.45 after WSJ reports Deutsche Telekom is weighing a bid to buy Sprint Nextel that could catapult the company's T-Mobile unit to the No. 1 position in the U.S. S&P maintains hold.
HMS Holdings (HMSY) posts lower-than-expected $0.12, vs. $0.11 a year ago, first quarter EPS on 21% revenue rise. Reaffirms guidance for $170 million 2008 revenue and EPS of $0.73.
Alpha Natural Resources (ANR) posts $0.39, vs. $0.13 a year ago, first quarter EPS on 17% revenue rise.
Continental Resources (CLR) posts $0.52, vs. $0.34, first quarte EPS on 88% revenue rise. As a result increased drilling and enhanced oil recovery activity, expects to exit 2008 with a daily production rate of approximately 43,000 boepd, an increase of 42% over average daily production for the first quarter of 2008.
Hewitt Associates (HEW) posts $0.43, vs. $0.12 a year ago, second quarter EPS on 8% revenue rise. Sees $1.85-$1.95 fiscal year 2008 EPS, mid- to high-single digit revenue growth. Notes guidance excludes expected total fiscal year 2008 real estate portfolio review related charges of about $35-$45 million.