Ford, AmEx, Sara Lee, Microsoft among companies making big moves in the stock market

Ford, AmEx, Sara Lee among big market movers

NEW YORK — Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Monday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market:

NYSE

Ford Motor Co., up 58 cents at $12.84

A Morgan Stanley analyst took an upbeat view of the automaker’s stock because of strong revenue prospects as U.S. auto sales improve.

American Express Co., down $2.73 at $39.05

The Justice Department sued the credit card company for alleged anticompetitive practices while proposing a settlement with two rivals, MasterCard and Visa.

Sara Lee Corp., up 97 cents at $14.40

The New York Post, citing unnamed sources, said the food company turned down an offer from private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.

Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., up 21 cents at $22.01

Shares reflected a $10-per-share dividend from the completion of the $3.4 billion sale of the bottler’s North American operations to Coca-Cola Co.

NASDAQ

Genzyme Corp., up 13 cents at $71.01

France’s Sanofi-Aventis launched an $18.5 billion hostile takeover attempt for the biotech company after its management twice rejected buyout offers.

Microsemi Corp., up $1.19 at $18.30

The chip maker is buying power-management component maker Actel Corp. for about $430 million to expand its product offerings.

Microsoft Corp., down 47 cents at $23.91

A Goldman Sachs analyst downgraded the software company, saying it should raise its dividend and beef up smart phone and tablet offerings.

Huron Consulting Group Inc., down $3.39 at $19.14

The consultancy is selling its disputes and investigations practice to Grant Thornton LLP and cuts its revenue outlook.