Tuesday's Financial Winners & Losers

Van der Moolen Holdings (TWGP Quote) plunged 7% after announcing disappointing third-quarter earnings. The Dutch-based specialist trading firm swung to a third-quarter loss of 35.3 million euro, or $45.4 million. That's equal to a $1-a-share loss. Van der Moolen says the loss is mainly due to an impairment charge related to its New York Stock Exchange specialist business. The company also said it expects lower future revenue from its U.S. operation. Shares closed down 42 cents to $5.72.

InterContinental Exchange(ICE Quote) rose a robust 9% in another solid day for stocks of publicly traded exchanges. The ICE is a fast-growing market for the trading of energy futures contracts. The stock likely got a lift from the upcoming IPO for the New York Mercantile Exchange, one of ICE's main rivals. The Nymex IPO is expected to be well-received and should give a lift to other exchange stocks. Shares of the ICE closed at $96.55, up $8.05.

Tower Group (TWGP Quote) rose after the New York-based property and casualty insuer says it will buy Preserver Group in a deal valued at about $68 million. Tower expects the acquisition of the small insurer to help its earnings in the future. The company says it expects to earn between $2.40 and $2.50 a share in 2007. Shares closed up $1.76, or 5.6%, to $33.31. ...