Friday's Winners & Losers: Blackstone

Updated from 12 p.m. EDT

The Blackstone Group(BX) was among the NYSE's winners Friday, as shares jumped 13.1% after the investment firm began trading as a public company.

The company priced its shares at $31 a share Thursday night, raising more than $4 billion. The pricing came in at the top end of its proposed range. Blackstone plans to use proceeds from the offering to repay debt, invest in its existing businesses, expand into new businesses and for general corporate purposes. Morgan Stanley and Citi led the underwriting syndicate. Blackstone shares were up $4.06 to $35.06.

Taser International(TASR) rose 6.3% after the stun-gun maker announced another dismissed lawsuit. The company said that a Texas plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the case pursuant to a court order. "Taser International has been incredibly fortunate to have the legal team that our general counsel Doug Klint has assembled," the company said. Taser shares closed up 80 cents to $13.43.

Shares of Novamerican Steel(TONS) jumped 9.5% after the steel company agreed to be acquired by Symmetry Holdings(SHJ) for $585 million, or $56 a share, in cash. The price represents a 13% premium to Novamerican's closing price of $49.51 on Thursday. Shares closed up $4.72 to $54.23.

Blockbuster(BBI) fell 2.4% after the video rental company said that its chief financial officer would leave by the end of the year. Larry Zine will depart from the company on Dec. 31. Assuming that Zine remains with the company until the end of the year, he would be entitled to receive a retention bonus of $200,000, his current salary, and a lump sum payment of about $1.2 million, which was previously agreed upon. Shares closed down 11 cents to $4.43.

Shares of Ameron(AMN) rose for a second straight day after the maker of engineered products boosted its dividend by 25%. Shareholders of record on July 26 will receive the quarterly dividend of 25 cents a share on Aug. 14. "The increased dividend reflects Ameron's strong financial position, favorable long-term outlook and the ability to sustain this dividend payout level," Ameron said. Shares closed up $2.89, or 3.2%, to $92.84.

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