M&A Talk Moves Stocks
Editor's Note: In this feature from Stockpickr, we highlight lists of stocks that have been upgraded by analysts or are experiencing activist investor situations or some other market-moving events.
: China's
Citic Bank
is
interested in buying a stake
in
Bear Stearns
(BSC)
. Bank President Chang Zhenming confirmed the Chinese bank's interest during a Communist Party Congress in Beijing today, according to a report by
Bloomberg
. Bear President Jimmy Cayne has been rumored to be courting suitors to draw a cash infusion for the beleaguered brokerage firm. Shares of bear were climbing $3.19, or 2.6% to $123.88 in recent trading Tuesday.
AT&T
(T) - Get Report
has hired Goldman Sachs to explore a deal to acquire
EchoStar
(DISH) - Get Report
. Reports
TheStreet.com
: "The move adds more fuel to the deal developments
first reported
last month ... and comes as Citigroup issued an analyst note saying it expects that AT&T will pay $65 a share to buy EchoStar's TV business." AT&T traded in and out of t he red, while DISH jumped 4.3% to $ 51.15.
:
Saks
(SKS)
traded higher Tuesday after Cramer speculated on
Monday night's "Mad Money"
that the luxury retailer could be for sale. Cramer was citing trade magazine
Women's Wear Daily
. The rumors sent Saks shares 6.7% higher to $19.98.
Johnson & Johnson
(JNJ) - Get Report
reported
third-quarter earnings
of $1.06 a share, 7 cents higher than the consensus estimate. Quarterly revenue rose to $14.97 billion from $13.29 billion in the same period a year earlier and higher than the consensus of $14.84 billion. J&J boosted its full-year profit outlook to $4.10 to $4.13 a share, before items. Wall Street's estimate is $4.06. Shares of the health care company dropped 0.9% to $65.04.
: Bear Stearns downgraded
General Motors
(GM) - Get Report
from peer perform to underperform, saying estimates look high, following the automaker's settlement with the UAW. GM is also highly levered to a slowing U.S. economy. GM's stock fell 3.7% to $39.60 in recent trading.
: JP Morgan raised its rating on
Agilent Technologies
(A) - Get Report
from neutral to overweight and added the stock to the Focus List, with a $46 price target. The scientific-equipment maker remains a potential takeover target. Shares are up 9 cents at $ 38.27.
: StreetInsider.com's 13D Tracker points to a regulatory filing on
The Children's Place
(PLCE) - Get Report
in which Ezra Dabah, the retail chain's former Chairman/CEO and a 17.9% shareholder is considering teaming up with outside sources to make a buyout offer for the struggling company. Dabah, who resigned from his position as CEO last month but still serves as director, has
hired Bear Stearns
as a financial advisor. The retailer of children's apparel sunk 3.3% to $23.91 in recent trading Tuesday.
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