HEADLINE STOCKS - U.S. stocks to watch on March 31

NEW YORK, March 31 (Reuters) -

MERCK & CO (MRK.N)

SCHERING-PLOUGH CORP SGP.N

An expert panel on Sunday said patients should use statin and other proven drugs rather than Vytorin, the cholesterol drug jointly developed by the two companies. For details, see [ID:nN30342354].

Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers on Monday lowered their price targets on the two companies.

Shares of Merck fell 4.5 percent to $42.50, while Schering-Plough shares dropped 12.7 percent to $17, before the opening bell.

LEHMAN BROTHERS LEH.N

The U.S. investment bank said it had sued Japanese trading house Marubeni Corp (8002.T) on Monday for $352 million, claiming it had been swindled. [ID:nT254231]

Shares closed at $37.87 on the New York Stock Exchange.

IAC/INTERACTIVECORP (IACI.O)

A Delaware court ruled in favor of IAC InterActiveCorp Chief Executive Barry Diller in a legal dispute with controlling shareholder Liberty Media Corp. [ID:nN28450294]

Shares rose 8.3 percent to $22.20 in extended trade on Friday.

ANSYS INC (ANSS.O)

ANSOFT CORP ANST.O

Engineering simulation software maker Ansys said on Monday that it would acquire Ansoft for about $832 million in cash and stock to broaden its simulation capabilities. [ID:nN31367991]

Shares of Ansoft closed at $23.42 in Friday Nasdaq trade, while Ansys closed at $37.92.

PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL (PM.N)

ALTRIA (MO.N)

The spin-off of the Philip Morris International by its parent, Altria, will benefit investors in both companies, particularly the new Altria, business weekly Barron's said on Sunday. [ID:nN30338905]

Philip Morris shares closed at $51.06 on Friday, while Altria closed at $73.83, both on the New York Stock Exchange.

MOTOROLA INC'S MOT.N

Motorola's decision to spin off its handset division will not raise a share-buying opportunity for investors and will not improve chances of a turnaround at the unit, Barron's said on Sunday. [ID:nL31313338]

Motorola shares closed at $9.21 on the NYSE.

FISERV (FISV.O)

The supplier of bank technology will see its earnings rise this year despite the troubles in the banking industry, Barron's said on Sunday. [ID:nN30406568]

Shares closed at $47.76 on the Nasdaq.

JOS A. BANK CLOTHIERS INC (JOSB.O)

Inventories at the retailer are building up while comparable-stores sales growth has been trending down, Barron's said on Sunday, and warned bargain-hunting investors not to buy the stock. [ID:nN30339019]

Shares closed at $21.93 on the Nasdaq.