Rumored Gold Find Lifts BHP

Editor's Note: In this feature from Stockpickr, we highlight lists of stocks that have been upgraded by analysts or are experiencing activist situations or some other market moving events.

Rumors of the Day: A number of published reports speculate that BHP Billiton(BHP Quote) is close to announcing a major gold find at its Olympic Dam mine in South Australia. The stock gained $3.48, or 4.8%, to $76.01.

ValueClick(VCLK Quote) gained 7% on takeover speculation. StreetInsider.com said potential suitors include Microsoft(MSFT Quote), Time Warner's(TWC Quote) AOL unit, Yahoo!(YHOO Quote) and Google(GOOG Quote). The stock became a popular play for takeover speculators earlier this year, after Microsoft bought aQuantive and Google swallowed DoubleClick. Shares were up $1.40 to $21.88, below its 52-week high of $36.70.

Today's Hot List: Shares of PetroChina(PTR Quote) were rallying 7.3% after the company won regulatory approval in China for an initial public offering on the Shanghai stock exchange. The stock jumped $12.18 at $179.40.

Arris Group(ARRS Quote) bought rival networking company C-Cor(CCBL Quote) for $730 million in cash and stock. The offer of $13.75 a share represents approximately a 39% premium to C-Cor's closing price Friday. Arris was sinking $2.43, or 17%, to $11.83, while C-Cor rocketed $2.07, or 21%, to $11.95.

Analyst Downgrades: Bear Stearns downgraded biomedical instrument maker Beckman Coulter(BEC Quote) to peer perform from outperform. The stock is up 21% on the year and is approaching the firm's $75 price target. Bear said above-average sales growth is already priced in. Shares lost 64 cents at $72.45.

Analyst Upgrades: Cowen upgraded Ariba(ARBA Quote) to outperform from underperform. The upgrade sent shares 70 cents higher at $10.92.

Latest Activist Situations: In an amended regulatory filing on consumer goods maker Lancaster Colony(LANC Quote), Barington Capital disclosed its intention to nominate three board members at the company's annual shareholder meeting slated for Nov. 19. The stock was 25 cents lower at $37.81.