Citigroup, Humana, Loews, UAL, UnitedHealth: U.S. Equity Movers

By Rita Nazareth

Feb. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Shares of the following companies are having unusual moves in U.S. trading. Stock symbols are in parentheses, and prices are as of 9:35 a.m. in New York.

Financial shares rallied after federal officials said the U.S. stands “firmly behind” the banking system and has a “strong presumption” for banks to stay private.

Citigroup Inc. (C US) advanced 18 percent to $2.31. The recipient of $45 billion in U.S. government aid is in talks with federal officials that may increase state ownership of the bank, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the situation it didn’t identify. Bank of America Corp. (BAC US) surged 14 percent to $4.33. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM US) rose 6.8 percent to $21.25.

ArcelorMittal (MT US) fell 4.8 percent to $21.35. The world’s biggest steelmaker was cut to “neutral” from “buy” at UBS AG, which said global steel production is increasing “too fast.”

Expedia Inc. (EXPE US) rose 7.1 percent to $8.29. The world’s biggest online travel agency was raised to “buy” at Bank of America Corp., which said “bookings could stabilize.”

Humana Inc. (HUM US) fell 12 percent to $35.60. The second- biggest provider of U.S.-funded health insurance said the 2010 preliminary rates for the U.S. Medicare Advantage program would have a “significant adverse impact” on premiums and benefits for plan members should the proposal take effect without changes.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH US) lost 5.2 percent to $26.54.

Loews Corp. (L US) rose 6.1 percent to $21.38. The holding company may rally to almost $30 during the next year if financial markets stabilize and the value of its assets recovers, Barron’s reported, without citing anyone.

UAL Corp. (UAUA US) added 13 percent to $6.12. United Airlines’ parent company was raised to “buy” from “neutral” at Bank of America Corp., which said the carrier may be profitable this year.

Walter Industries Inc. (WLT US) gained 7 percent to $19.93. The coal producer was raised to “outperform” from “market perform” at Friedman Billings Ramsey Group Inc., which said that China’s investments in resources may prevent prices for the fuel from falling more.

To contact the reporter on this story: Rita Nazareth in New York at nazareth@bloomberg.net.