HEADLINE STOCKS - U.S. stocks to watch on Jan. 28

(Updates to morning trading)

NEW YORK, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Some U.S. stocks to watch on Monday:

CME GROUP CME.N

NYMEX HOLDINGS INC NMX.N

CME Group is in preliminary discussion to buy Nymex for roughly $11 billion, the companies said in a joint statement.

Shares of Nymex rose 8 percent to $115.73, while CME Group's stock rose 2.4 percent to $643.91.

ALLIANCE DATA (ADS.N)

The transaction, credit and marketing services firm said its buyout by private equity firm Blackstone Corp (BX.N) was in jeopardy. [ID:nN28470506]

Alliance Data shares fell 38.2 percent to $40.52.

MCDONALD'S CORP (MCD.N)

The world's largest restaurant chain operator posted flat U.S. same-store sales in December, even as it said quarterly profit rose due to a tax benefit. [ID:nN28323312]

McDonald's shares fell 7.9 percent to $49.82.

CORNING INC (GLW.N)

The specialty glass maker posted an 11 percent increase in quarterly profit and an optimistic outlook fueled by strength in its display business. [ID:nN28448106]

Shares rose 4 percent to $23.27 on the NYSE.

VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC (VZ.N)