Boeing Co. (BA) fell 3.5 percent to $79.93 before the official open of U.S. exchanges. The second-largest U.S. defense contractor lost a U.S. Air Force contract valued at as much as $35 billion to build 179 aerial refueling tankers to rival Northrop Grumman Corp. (NOC)
Northrop Grumman Corp. rose 3.4 percent to $81.26.
Diebold Inc. (DBD) jumped 62 percent to $39.10 before the official open of U.S. exchanges. United Technologies Corp. (UTX) offered to buy the North Canton, Ohio-based ATM-maker for $2.63 billion, or $40 per share. That's a 66 percent premium to Diebold's closing price of $24.12 on Feb. 29.
United Technologies fell 2.7 percent to $68.64 in Germany.
Ford Motor Co. (F) fell 3.5 percent to $6.30, before the official open of U.S. exchanges. The world's third largest automaker was downgraded to ``sell'' from ``hold'' at Citigroup Inc. because there is a ``low likelihood of Ford's relatively older product lineup holding domestic share in the first half of 2008.''
Pfizer Inc. (PFE) The world's largest drugmaker said it's restating its fourth-quarter earnings to reduce revenue by $195 million and earnings per share by 2 cents. The stock fell 27 cents to $22.28 in regular trading on Feb. 29.
United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS): The world's largest package-delivery company said it reduced its 2007 adjusted earnings by 1.4 percent to $4.11 a share, from $4.17, because of a tax error. The stock fell $1.51 to $70.24 in regular trading on Feb. 29.
Watch BVN, CHT for long breakouts.
Watch CMG, PRU, WLP, MGM, LFC for short breakdowns.
-MM
