By Elizabeth Campbell and Whitney Kisling
Oct. 23 (Bloomberg) -- The following companies may have unusual price changes today in U.S. trading. Stock symbols are in parentheses, and share prices are as of 8:20 a.m. in New York, unless otherwise specified.
Alliance Data Systems Corp. (ADS US) rose 6 percent to $50 in late trading yesterday. The credit-card processor boosted its forecast for 2008 earnings by 5 cents a share to $4.40 a share. Analysts, on average, expected the company to earn $4.37, according to a Bloomberg survey.
Allstate Corp. (ALL US): The largest publicly traded U.S. home and auto insurer suspended share repurchases after investment losses and claims from Hurricane Ike caused the first unprofitable quarter since Katrina hit in 2005. The stock gained 3.1 percent to $29.11 in late trading yesterday.
Altria Group Inc. (MO US): The largest U.S. tobacco company posted third-quarter profit of 46 cents a share, exceeding the average analyst estimate by 3.8 percent, on higher prices for cigarettes including the top-selling Marlboro brand. The company also reaffirmed its full-year forecast of $1.63 to $1.67 a share. Altria rose 14 cents to $19.32.
Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN US) fell 13 percent to $43.58. The world's largest Internet retailer said its full-year sales and operating income would be lower than it originally projected.
Amgen Inc. (AMGN US) gained 4.6 percent to $52. The world's largest biotechnology company said third-quarter profit rose more than fivefold as sales of its anemia drugs increased. The company forecast full-year earnings of at least $4.45 a share, topping the average estimate of $4.37 by analysts in a Bloomberg survey.
Black & Decker Corp. (BDK US): The power-tool maker forecast fourth-quarter earnings of 70 cents to 90 cents, below the average estimate of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. The company also lowered its forecast for 2008 earnings by 5 cents. Black & Decker tumbled 5.2 percent to $46.89.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMY US) added 2.7 percent to $18. The maker of the anti-clotting drug Plavix reported third-quarter quarter earnings, excluding some items, of 46 cents a share, topping the average analyst estimate by 4 cents.
Dow Chemical Co. DOW US) gained 5.1 percent to $23.25. The largest U.S. chemical maker reported third-quarter profit of 60 cents a share, beating the average analyst by 4 percent because of price increases on plastics and other products.
F5 Networks Inc. (FFIV US) rose 7.7 percent to $21.30 in late trading yesterday. The maker of products that manage companies' computer networks forecast first-quarter earnings that topped some analysts' estimates and said it plans to buy back as much as $200 million of its shares.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS US): The New York-based securities firm that plans to convert into a bank may cut about 3,200 jobs, or 10 percent of its workforce, said a person briefed on the plans who declined to be identified. The shares dropped 1.8 percent to $112.99.
GSI Commerce Inc. (GSIC US) climbed 11 percent to $10.45. The builder of e-commerce Web sites reported a third-quarter loss of 16 cents a share that was narrower than expected. The company was also raised to ``buy'' from ``hold'' at Jefferies Group Inc.
Seagate Technology (STX US) fell 2.3 percent to $7.82. The world's biggest maker of hard-disk drives posted an 83 percent drop in first-quarter profit and forecast earnings that missed analysts' estimates after the slowing economy reduced demand for computers.
Level 3 Communications Inc. (LVLT US): The operator of fiber-optic phone networks posted a third-quarter loss of 8 cents a share, beating the average analyst estimate by 5.9 percent, and said sales in its core communications services will continue to grow in the fourth-quarter. The shares gained 8.9 percent to $1.34.
Raytheon Co. (RTN US): The world's largest missile maker reported third-quarter profit from continuing operations of $1.01 a share, topping the average analyst estimate by 5.1 percent, and said profit gained on increased sales of radar and missile systems. The shares rose 7 cents to $44.22.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (HOT US): The third-largest U.S. lodging company forecast 2008 and 2009 profit that trails analysts' estimates as corporations and consumers reduce travel spending. The shares slid $1.20, or 6.3 percent, to $18.
Thomas & Betts Corp. (TNB US): The manufacturer of electrical components forecast 2008 earnings of $5.35 to $5.45 a share, above the average estimate of analysts compiled by Bloomberg, and said ``solid demand'' in industrial markets will help in the fourth quarter. The shares gained 45 cents, or 2.1 percent, to $22.27.
United States Parcel Service Inc. (UPS US): The world's largest package-delivery company posted third-quarter profit of 96 cents a share, beating the average analyst estimate by 8.4 percent. The shares climbed 2.8 percent to $47.70.
Xerox Corp. (XRX US) slid 4 percent to $7.66. The world's largest maker of high-speed color printers forecast profit this quarter that trails analysts' estimates.
To contact the reporters on this story: Elizabeth Campbell in New York at ecampbell11@bloomberg.net; Whitney Kisling in New York at wkisling@bloomberg.net
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