Stockpickr Lists: Ventana Soars on Possible Buyout

Editor's Note: In this feature from Stockpickr, we highlight lists of stocks that have made new highs or lows or seen other unusual activity.

Biggest % Gainers: Ventana Medical Systems(VMSI) soared 48% Tuesday, after Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche said it wanted to buy the company for $75 a share. The medical instrument and supply maker's shares soared $24.69 to $76.43 at Tuesday's close.

Rising on Unusual Volume: Ventana's rise was fueled by trading almost 18 times the stock's average.

52-Week Highs: Ventana's close also was a 52-week high.

Biggest % Losers: W Holdings(WHI) sank 37%, after the operator of Westernbank Puerto Rico said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that one of its larger asset-based loans is "impaired." The bank said collateral is valued at least $80 million below the value of the loan. It also said it hasn't yet determined its ultimate financial impact. The stock closed down $1.87 to $3.14.

52-Week Lows: W Holdings' close also was a 52-week low.

Latest Activist Situations: William Ackman's Pershing Square Capital disclosed it held a 1.9-million-share stake in Legg Mason(LM) at the end of the quarter ended March 31. Pershing Square disclosed the stake Tuesday. The asset manager's shares closed up $2.39, or 2.5%, to $99.13.

Forum of the Day

When should one sell Apple(AAPL)? Some say it would be wise to reduce one's position prior to the iPhone launch on Friday, karen offen says.

Do You Know the Answer?

Is Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold(FCX) a good buy right now? What's causing it to dip?, badgerinvestor asks.

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