HEADLINE STOCKS-Some U.S. stocks to watch on Feb. 20
NEW YORK, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Some U.S. stocks to watch on Friday:
CITIGROUP (C.N)
BANK OF AMERICA (BAC.N)
Shares of the two banks plunged in premarket as traders fears that they would be nationalized. [ID:nN20138934]
Citigroup shares dropped 12 percent to $2.21 while Bank of America was down 7.4 percent to $3.64.
LOWE'S COS (LOW.N)
The home improvement retailer reported a sharp drop in fourth-quarter profits, and a drop of 9.9 percent in same-store sales. [ID:nN19536764]
The stock tumbled 5.8 percent to $16 in premarket trade.
TESORO CORP (TSO.N)
The petroleum refining company reported adjusted fourth-quarter earnings that beat expectations, through revenue fell steeply and was below consensus. [ID:nN19539281]
The stock closed Thursday at $16.20.
TRW AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS (TRW.N)
The manufacturer of automotive safety equipment swung to a loss in its fourth quarter and forecast a decline of at least 25 percent in 2009 revenue. [ID:nN19537642]
The stock closed Thursday at $2.38.
PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL (PRU.N)
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL GROUP (AIG.N)
Prudential is looking to buy two Japanese life insurance firms put up for sale by AIG, according to people familiar with the matter, who said the deal was set to close next week.
Prudential, along with Canada's Manulife Financial, is expected to place final bids for the firms next week. The final prices could be $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion, one of the sources said. [ID:nT243631]
Shares of Prudential closed Thursday at $19.02 while AIG shares slid 2 cents to 57 cents in premarket trade.
CV THERAPEUTICS CVTX.O
The biotech company on Friday rejected a buyout offer from Astellas Pharma, saying the proposal undervalued the company and its growth potential. It said it would remain "receptive to opportunities to further enhance shareholder value."
In January, Astellas offered to buy the company for $16 a share, or about $1 billion. [ID:nBNG435146]
Shares of CV slid 1 cent to $15 in premarket trade.
RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS INC (RRGB.O)
The casual dining restaurant chain posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter results helped by a rise in restaurant-level operating profit. [ID: nBNG66994]
Shares of the company closed at $13.16 Thursday on Nasdaq. They rose 14.67 percent after market close to $15.09.
CAREER EDUCATION CORP (CECO.O)
The operator of for-profit colleges and trade schools, posted better-than-expected quarterly profit, helped by higher operating margin.
Shares of the company closed at $19.66 Thursday on Nasdaq. They rose 12.46 percent after market close to $22.11.
VCA ANTECH INC (WOOF.O)
Animal healthcare company VCA Antech Inc (WOOF.O) posted a
better-than-expected quarterly profit, helped by higher animal
hospital revenue that was boosted by acquisitions.
[ID:nBNG443223]
Shares of the company closed at $20.56 Thursday on Nasdaq. They rose 9.44 percent after market close to $22.50.
WRIGHT MEDICAL GROUP INC (WMGI.O)
The orthopedic medical device maker's quarterly sales rose 16 percent but it cut its 2009 view for the second time in three months, taking investors by surprise. [ID:nBNG444247]
Shares of the company closed at $21.13 Thursday on Nasdaq. They fell 17.89 percent after the market close to $17.35.
VOLCOM INC (VLCM.O)
Surfing-inspired apparel maker Volcom Inc (VLCM.O) posted
lower-than-expected quarterly earnings, as costs increased, and
also forecast first-quarter earnings below analyst estimates.
[ID: nBNG431977]
Shares of the company closed at $8.56 Thursday on Nasdaq. They fell 9.35 percent after the market close to $7.76.
UNITED ONLINE INC (UNTD.O)
Internet service provider United Online Inc (UNTD.O) posted
surprise quarterly loss, hurt by impairment charges and weak
consumer spending.
Shares of the company closed at $4.69 Thursday on Nasdaq. They fell 6.18 percent after the market close to $4.40. (Reporting by Ryan Vlastelica; Editing by James Dalgleish)
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