Comcast, Microsoft, Smithfield Foods, Xyratex, Saks are among big market movers Thursday
By APThursday, October 1, 2009
Comcast, Microsoft, Smithfield Foods big movers
NEW YORK — The following stocks were among those that moved substantially or traded heavily Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange:
NYSE:
Smithfield Foods Inc., down $1.18 at $12.62
The nation’s largest hog producer and pork processor said its CEO sold 100,000 shares this week for personal financial reasons.
Constellation Brands Inc., up 82 cents at $15.97
The wine and spirits maker said it hopes its new distribution system will boost profits, continuing the trends of its second quarter.
Teradyne Inc., down 45 cents at $8.80
The chip maker raised its third-quarter guidance due to improving conditions in the industry and said it will end temporary salary reductions.
Rockwood Holdings Inc., down $3.97 at $16.60
A rival cut lithium prices, leading an analyst to downgrade the specialty chemicals producer to “neutral” from “outperform.”
Saks Inc., down 46 cents at $6.36
A JPMorgan analyst downgraded the luxury department store chain and said its stock was properly valued.
NASDAQ:
Xyratex Ltd., up $1.80 at $11.31
The U.K.-based data storage company reported it earned $7.8 million in the third quarter, better than analysts expected.
Comcast Corp., down $1.21 at $15.67
The cable TV provider is exploring whether to buy a controlling stake in NBC Universal, increasing its ownership of shows and movies.
Microsoft Corp., down 84 cents at $24.88
A Goldman Sachs analyst took the software maker off its “Conviction Buy” list and said it may suffer from weak quarterly results.
