Dillard's, Ford, PNC, Spectra, Walt Disney: U.S. Equity Preview

By Lu Wang

Oct. 26 (Bloomberg) -- The following companies may have unusual price changes in U.S. trading tomorrow. Stock symbols are in parentheses, and share prices are as of 8 p.m. in New York on Oct. 24, unless otherwise specified.

Dillard's Inc. (DDS US) fell 7.2 percent to $3.10. The department-store chain may have its debt rating cut by Moody's Investors Service, which cited the company's ``continuing weak operating performance.''

Ford Motor Co. (F US): The second-biggest U.S. carmaker may sell Volvo to Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW GY) to raise cash, the Sunday Times reported, citing people it didn't identify.

General Motors Corp. (GM US): A merger of GM and Cerberus Capital Management LP's Chrysler LLC is a good idea because it would eliminate excess production capacity, Barron's reported, citing John Casesa, managing partner of Casesa Shapiro Group.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ US): J&J and Schering-Plough Corp.'s (SGP US) experimental inflammatory disease drug improved joint and skin symptoms in people with arthritis, who told researchers they also felt and functioned better with the medicine.

Pfizer Inc. (PFE US): The drugmaker's experimental pill for rheumatoid arthritis helped relieve joint swelling and pain with side effects similar to older treatments that are taken as shots, a study found.

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (PNC US) fell 1.2 percent to $58.19. Pennsylvania's biggest bank may have its debt rating reduced by Standard & Poor's after agreeing to buy National City Corp. (NCC US).

Spectra Energy Corp. (SE US): The second-biggest U.S. pipeline company by market value said it plans to expand two natural-gas lines in its Transportation North operations in northern British Columbia.

Thoratec Corp. (THOR US) plunged 51 percent to $12.35. The company said five people died while using its mechanical heart that is smaller than a D-cell battery and urged doctors and patients to check the devices for damage.

Walt Disney Co. (DIS US): The company's ``High School Musical 3: Senior Year'' opened as the top film at U.S. and Canadian theaters with $42 million in sales, making it the best- ever debut for a movie musical.

To contact the reporter on this story: Lu Wang in New York at lwang8@bloomberg.net