- (GRB)/.11
CenterPoint Energy Inc. (CNP): The owner of Houston's electricity system agreed with Arkansas regulatory staff on terms for a natural-gas rate increase in that state. CenterPoint shares fell 9 cents to $16.36 yesterday.
General Motors Corp. (GM) added $2.60, or 7.6 percent, to $37.02 in trading before the open of U.S. exchanges. The largest U.S. automaker reached a tentative contract agreement with the United Auto Workers, ending a two-day strike and winning a retiree health-care fund that offloads about $50 billion in future obligations.
Ford Motor Co. (F), which also want new accords with UAW, gained 36 cents, or 4 percent, to $8.70 in trading before the open of U.S. exchanges.
Greatbatch Inc. (GB US): The maker of power sources used in medical supplies reduced its full-year profit and sales forecasts. Greatbatch shares lost 90 cents to $32.10 yesterday.
MetLife Inc. (MET): The largest U.S. life insurer increased its stock buyback program by $1 billion. MetLife shares rose 4 cents to $68.56 yesterday.
Monsanto Co. (MON) rose $1.16, or 1.4 percent, to $82 in trading before the open of U.S. exchanges. The world's biggest seed producer was rated ``buy'' in new coverage at Jefferies & Co. ``Market share gains in the U.S. corn market supported the shares in 2007 and should contribute in 2008,'' analyst Laurence Alexander wrote in a research note.
Radian Group Inc. (RDN): The mortgage insurer whose acquisition by rival MGIC Investment Corp. (MTG) was aborted earlier this month has the resources to survive losses from subprime mortgages, according to Standard & Poor's, which stopped considering Radian for a possible credit downgrade.
Red Hat Inc. (RHT) rose $1.01, or 5.3 percent, to $19.90 in Germany. The world's biggest seller of Linux operating-system programs said profit rose 64 percent after sales of new products topped analysts' estimates.
Watch NOK, GME, ARJ, CAF for long breakouts.Watch EDS, HOG, Homebuilders (LEN, CTX, BZH, MTH etc) for short breakdowns.
-MM
