Aflac, Amylin, J. Crew, Mattel, Merrill: U.S. Equity Preview

By Jeff Kearns

Aug. 27 (Bloomberg) -- The following companies may have unusual price changes in U.S. markets. Stock symbols are in parentheses after company names, and prices are as of 8 a.m. in New York, unless stated otherwise.

Aflac Inc. (AFL US): The world's largest seller of supplemental health insurance said Goldman Sachs Group Inc. agreed to help facilitate a buyback of $825 million of its common shares. The shares climbed 1.5 percent to $54.38 in extended trading.

AMR Corp. (AMR US) fell 4.3 percent to $9.20. Citigroup Inc. recommended that investors sell shares of the parent of American Airlines, the world's largest carrier, and said ``significant risks remain'' for U.S. carriers.

UAL Corp. (UAUA US) dropped 5.8 percent to $10.50. Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL US) slid 3.5 percent to $7.66.

Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AMLN US) lost 11 percent to $3.04. Amylin and Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY US) said in an e-mailed statement yesterday that four more people taking the diabetes drug Byetta died, bringing the toll to six.

J. Crew Group Inc. (JCG US) slumped 11 percent to $23.76. The clothing retailer run by former Gap Inc. Chief Executive Officer Millard Drexler predicted annual earnings lower than a previous projection on ``softness'' in its stores because of the economy and extra costs to fix Internet and catalog shipping systems, which disrupted sales.

Mattel Inc. (MAT US): The world's biggest toymaker was awarded $100 million in copyright-infringement and contract damages for its claims that MGA Entertainment Inc.'s Bratz dolls are based on the work of a former Mattel designer. Mattel has sought as much as $1 billion in damages. The shares declined 3.7 percent to $19.50 in extended trading yesterday.

Merrill Lynch & Co. (MER US) rose 1.7 percent to $24.50. Temasek Holdings Pte, Singapore's $130 billion sovereign wealth fund and Merrill's biggest shareholder, said it plans to raise its stake in the world's biggest brokerage.

Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV US): The largest U.S. low-fare carrier said it won't meet an Aug. 29 deadline to pay a record $10.2 million fine to the Federal Aviation Administration for flying jetliners without required inspections. The stock slipped 0.2 percent to $14.77 in regular trading yesterday.

Waste Management Inc. (WMI US): The U.S. trash hauler said it received a second request from the U.S. Justice Department's antitrust division for information regarding its proposed acquisition of Republic Services Inc. Waste Management shares increased 0.3 percent to $34.94 in regular trading yesterday.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jeff Kearns in New York at jkearns3@bloomberg.net.