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Avon, Hartford, Mylan, Omnicare, Symantec: U.S. Equity Movers

By Elizabeth Campbell and Whitney Kisling

Oct. 30 (Bloomberg) -- The following companies had unusual price changes in U.S. trading. Stock symbols are in parentheses, and share prices are as of 4 p.m. in New York.

Allied Waste Industries Inc. (AW US) increased the most since Oct. 13, rising 17 percent to $10.19. The trash hauler that agreed to be bought by competitor Republic Services Inc. (RSG US) said third-quarter profit rose more than fourfold because of higher prices and fuel surcharges. Earnings before some items were 28 cents a share, exceeding analysts' estimate by 2 cents.

Republic Services gained 17 percent to $23.67.

Assurant Inc. (AIZ US) had the biggest drop since shares began trading in February 2004, losing 25 percent to $25.35. The home insurer that sells policies as foreclosures rise reported a third-quarter loss on declines in the value of its investments and costs for two U.S. hurricanes. Profit excluding investment losses was 70 cents a share, less than the 88-cent average analyst estimate.

AstraZeneca PLC American depositary receipts (AZN US) rose 6.9 percent to $42.49, the highest since Oct. 3. The U.K.'s second-largest drugmaker raised its full-year earnings forecast after third-quarter net income beat the average analyst estimate by 12 percent as the company trimmed costs and expanded product sales outside the U.S.

Avon Products Inc. (AVP US) fell the most in nine years, losing 15 percent to $22.57. The world's largest door-to-door cosmetics seller cut its profit-margin forecast for the year because of a slowdown in North American sales and the strengthening of the U.S. dollar. The company also posted third- quarter profit excluding some items that missed the average analyst estimate.

Bruker BioSciences Corp. (BRKR US) retreated 29 percent to $3.66 for the biggest decline since March 2001. The maker of X- ray and research equipment posted third-quarter profit excluding some items that missed the average analyst estimate by 5.2 percent, and said margins have been below goals for the first nine months of the year.

Cigna Corp. (CI US) fell the most in six years, sliding 22 percent to $15.58. The U.S. insurer that specializes in employer- sponsored medical benefits posted third-quarter profit that missed the average analyst estimate by 16 percent because of shrinking health-plan membership and falling values of stocks held by its annuities business.

Colgate-Palmolive Co. (CL US) added 7.1 percent to $64.23, the highest since Oct. 20. The world's largest maker of toothpaste said third-quarter profit rose 19 percent on overseas sales and higher prices.

Conceptus Inc. (CPTS US) rallied the most since December 1998, surging 53 percent to $14. The maker of a female- sterilization method posted third-quarter profit and sales that beat the average analyst estimate, and said demand for its Essure procedure is strong.

CTC Media Inc. (CTCM US) fell 19 percent to $7.17 for the biggest slide since shares went public in May 2006. The controller of Russia's fourth-biggest television network by market share cut its full-year revenue and earnings forecasts because of a slowdown in the advertising market.

CVS Caremark Corp. (CVS US) rose 11 percent to $29.32, the highest since Oct. 21. The second-largest U.S. drugstore chain said third-quarter profit increased 6.7 percent, matching analysts' estimates, as sales of store-branded products rose.

Deutsche Bank AG (DB US) rose the most since Sept. 18, rallying 19 percent to $37.54. Germany's biggest bank reported a surprise third-quarter profit after new accounting rules eased requirements for marking down investments. The company also said it doesn't need to raise capital.

DSP Group Inc. (DSPG US) gained 24 percent, the most since Oct. 13, to $6.40. The company whose chips are used in cordless telephones reported third-quarter profit of 27 cents a share excluding some items, beating the average analyst estimate of 22 cents, according to Bloomberg data.

Elan Corp. ADRs (ELN US) slid 11 percent, the most in a week, to $6.81. A patient taking Ireland's biggest drugmaker's multiple sclerosis treatment Tysabri contracted a life- threatening brain illness.

Biogen Idec Inc. (BIIB US), Elan's partner for Tysabri, lost 3.9 percent to $40.30.

Expedia Inc. (EXPE US) declined the most since May 2006, slipping 15 percent to $10.15. The world's biggest online travel agency reported third-quarter profit fell 4.8 percent as the slowing economy led to fewer bookings.

First Solar Inc. (FSLR US) surged 24 percent to $144.07 for the steepest gain since Feb. 13. The largest U.S. maker of solar- power modules reported third-quarter profit of $1.20 a share, beating the average analyst estimate of $1, on increased demand for its thin-film technology. The company also forecast 2009 sales in line with analysts' estimates.

Foundry Networks Inc. (FDRY US) climbed the most in three months, advancing 15 percent to $14.93. Brocade Communications Systems Inc. (BRCD US) lowered its acquisition price for the networking-equipment maker, signaling it will be able to finance the deal. Brocade will pay $16.50 in cash for each share of Foundry's common stock, down from $19.25.

Brocade, the largest maker of switches for data-storage networks, gained 6.8 percent to $3.77.

Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd. (GNK US) rose 20 percent to $18.12, the biggest gain since its initial public offering in July 2005. The transporter of iron ore and coal reported third- quarter profit gained almost fourfold on higher shipping rates and a larger fleet.

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (HIG US) fell the most in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, tumbling 52 percent to $9.62. The Connecticut-based insurer that got an investment from Germany's Allianz SE this month, reported its first unprofitable quarter in five years, saying the third period was the ``most challenging in Hartford's history.''

Huntsman Corp. (HUN US) added 6.1 percent to $13.65, the highest since Aug. 22. Apollo Global Management LLC may renegotiate Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc.'s purchase of the Salt Lake City-based chemical maker after banks refused to fund the original deal, three people with knowledge of the matter said.

Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE US) increased the most since November 2005, surging 41 percent to $87. The second- largest U.S. futures market said it will buy Clearing Corp., its partner in a plan to guarantee trades in the $55 trillion credit- default swap market.

JDS Uniphase Corp. (JDSU US) slid 8.5 percent, the most in two weeks, to $5.49. The maker of phone equipment for companies such as AT&T Inc. (T US) posted a loss excluding some items that was wider than analysts' estimates and said sales in its testing unit fell.

Lear Corp. (LEA US) lost 10 percent to $2.16. The world's second-largest maker of automotive seats reported a third-quarter loss, excluding some items, of 88 cents a share, worse than the average analyst estimate of a 10-cent a share loss.

Legg Mason Inc. (LM US) climbed 23 percent to $20.76, extending yesterday's 30 percent gain. The Baltimore-based money manager said it will cut about one-third of the jobs at Legg Mason Capital Management after assets declined 53 percent this year.

LHC Group Inc. (LHCG US) rallied the most since its IPO three years ago, increasing 32 percent to $33.03. The provider of home-based health care increased its sales and earnings forecast for the full year after reporting revenue and profit that beat the average estimates of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

Mylan Inc. (MYL US) jumped 17 percent, the most since Oct. 13, to $8.17. The biggest U.S. maker of generic drugs reported third-quarter profit before one-time items that was more than double the average analyst estimate, according to Bloomberg data. Mylan said profit gained on the sale of the blood pressure drug Bystolic and revenue form acquisitions.

Omnicare Inc. (OCR US) rallied 25 percent to $27.49, the biggest gain since at least 1981. The biggest provider of pharmacy services for U.S. nursing homes raised its earnings forecast for the year after posting third-quarter profit that beat the average analyst estimate, helped by a July acquisition of Advanced Care Scripts Inc. and ``strong drug price inflation.''

Owens-Illinois Inc. (OI US) rose the most since February 2004, adding 21 percent to $23.33. The world's largest maker of glass containers reported third-quarter earnings, excluding some items, increased 18 percent from the same quarter last year, citing improved price and product sales, according to a statement distributed by PR Newswire.

PC Mall Inc. (MALL US) rallied 54 percent to $4.10, the biggest climb since March 20. The Internet retailer of personal computers and peripherals announced a share buyback program of up to $10 million.

Prudential Financial Inc. (PRU US) slipped 18 percent to $28.87, the lowest since March 2003. The second-biggest U.S. life insurer declined to put a value on its excess capital amid analysts' questions about the company's credit rating.

Sauer-Danfoss Inc. (SHS US) declined the most since shares began trading a decade ago, plunging 24 percent to $10.50. The maker of mobile hydraulic systems cut its earnings forecast for the year, citing ``turbulent market economies.''

Staples Inc. (SPLS US) increased the most since January 2001, gaining 16 percent to $18.42. The largest U.S. office- supplies retailer forecast third-quarter profit that exceeded some analysts' estimates and reiterated its long-term earnings projections.

Other office suppliers jumped. Office Depot Inc. (ODP US), the second-largest office-supplies retailer, rallied the most in 19 years, adding 49 percent to $3.12.

OfficeMax Inc. (OMX US), the third-biggest, climbed 46 percent to $7.07. The company said its third-quarter results will be delayed because of an analysis of a charge tied to Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and predicted ``no adverse impact'' on its operations or liquidity from the firm's bankruptcy.

Symantec Corp. (SYMC US) fell the most since November 2005, tumbling 18 percent to $12.20. The biggest maker of security software forecast profit and sales that missed analysts' estimates, citing the credit crisis and a stronger U.S. dollar that weighed on overseas sales.

Visa Inc. (V US) added 7 percent to $54.25, a two-week high. The world's largest credit-card company beat analysts' estimates on gains in debit-card use. Chief Executive Officer Joe Saunders said in a conference call that Visa's debit business rose in the ``double digits'' in the quarter that ended in September.

Waste Management Inc. (WMI US) added 6.2 percent to $31.44, the highest since Oct. 20. North America's largest trash hauler reported third-quarter profit increased 12 percent on higher prices. Earnings excluding asset sales and costs resulting from labor action were 63 cents a share, beating the average analyst estimate of 61 cents, according to Bloomberg data.

Whiting Petroleum Corp. (WLL US) soared 25 percent to $51.40 for the biggest climb since its initial public offering in November 2003. The explorer and producer of oil and natural gas reported 15 percent more third-quarter profit than analysts estimated, according to Bloomberg data.

To contact the reporters on this story: Elizabeth Campbell in New York at ecampbell11@bloomberg.net; Whitney Kisling in New York at wkisling@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: October 30, 2008 16:52 EDT

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