Closing Bell: Merger talk, oil drop, dollar gain

Posted May 12th 2008 4:18PM by Jon Ogg
Filed under: After the Bell, Earnings Reports, Deals, XM Satellite Radio (XMSR), Clear Channel Commun (CCU), Research in Motion (RIMM), ImClone Systems (IMCL)

Crude surpassed $126.00 before retreating down by $1.85 to $124.11 late in the day. Many are citing that the interest in owning the dollar is also partly to thank for today's gains. Below are the unofficial closing bell prices for major index levels:

DJIA 12,879.24 (+133.36; +1.05%)
S&P 500 1,403.50 (+15.22; +1.10%)
NASDAQ 2,487.86 (+42.34; +1.73%)
10YR-TBond 3.775% (+0.008%)
52 WEEK LOWS
ANALYST CALLS

AnnTaylor Stores Corp. (NYSE: ANN) rose today after it forecast that first quarter profit will exceed projections. Additionally, the women's apparel store reported its plans to drop its older women fall line but push the opening of its Loft outlets. Shares were up 16% at $28.50 in the final minutes of trading.

Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (NYSE: CCU) jumped today after the possibility that a settlement between the private equity buyers and six financing banks may go through to allow the buyout by Bain Capital and THL Partners. The terms are supposedly reduced from $39.50 per share to $36.00 per share. Trials between the banks and the buyers were supposed to begin today. Shares were up nearly 10% at $32.89 in the final minutes of the day.

Cumulus Media Inc. (NASADAQ: CMLS) shares plunged after terms for a buyout by Merrill Lynch Private Equity Group and the company could not be agreed upon for the $1.3 billion valued transaction. Shares were down almost 24% at $4.42 in the final minutes today on the news.

ImClone Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ: IMCL) dipped today after suffering a downgrade by Morgan Stanley. Shares were down over 6% at $41.87 in the final minutes today on the news.

Research In Motion Ltd. (NASDAQ: RIMM) rose today after announcing changes to its BlackBerry, making it more competitive with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL)'s iPhone. Shares were up over 7% at $142.45 in the last minutes of the day.

XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: XMSR) reported a wider loss today compared to a year ago. It posted a loss of $129.3 million or $0.42 EPS and on reports of subscriber growth. Shares rose 4% to $12.30 in late day trading.

Tags: aapl, ann, AnnTaylor, ccu, cmls, cumulus media, CumulusMedia, imcl, ImClone, inthenews, rimm, xmsr