Friday's Winners & Losers: Tween Brands

Updated from 2:52 p.m. EDT

Shares of Tween Brands (TWB Quote) were among the NYSE's winners Friday, climbing 8.8% after the children's clothing seller announced an accelerated buyback plan.

The retailer said it will buy back up to $175 million of its outstanding stock, including the immediate repurchase of 5.2 million shares at $27.55 apiece. As a result of the buyback, as well as a moderate lift from third-quarter to-date results, the company boosted its full-year earnings projection to $1.84 to $1.98 a share.

Last month, Tween Brands shares were battered after the company cut its full-year earnings target to $1.80 to $1.95 a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial have an average estimate for earnings of $1.85 a share. The stock climbed $2.41 to close at $29.96.

Monsanto (MON Quote) shares rose 1.6% after the seed and agriculture company announced an agreement with Dow Chemical(DOW Quote) to market a corn hybrid. Under the agreement, the companies will create a seed offering that combines eight different herbicide tolerance and insect-protection genes into the hybrid. Shares of Monsanto closed up $1.13 to $73.50.

Shares of Hovnanian (HOV Quote) jumped 9.7% as word spread that the homebuilder is offering big discounts this weekend, which could help move inventory. As well, CEO Ara Hovnanian told Bloomberg that he believes the housing market is "very near" a bottom. Shares earlier hit a fresh 52-week low but closed up 97 cents to $11.

Among losers, shares of Cardinal Health (CAH Quote) slipped 4.8% after the health care products company backed its earnings targets but warned of slower growth in its supply-chain drug segment. For the year, the company continues to see earnings of $3.95 to $4.15 a share, in line with analysts' average estimate of $4.10.

Cardinal, however, said its supply chain pharmaceutical segment is expected to grow in line with its long-term profit goal of 7% to 10%. Previously, the company said growth would be at the top end of this range. Shares closed down $3.29 to $64.67.

National CineMedia (NCMI Quote) declined 6% after the company's stock was downgraded by Morgan Stanley. The firm cut National Cinemedia, a movie-theater advertising concern, to underweight from equal weight. Shares closed down $1.44 to $22.67.

Macy's(M Quote) advanced as renewed, but again unsubstantiated, takeover chatter filtered through the trading desks. The department-store owner's stock had risen earlier this summer on speculation it was a buyout target. Macy's closed up 3.2% at $30.18.