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Aug 29 (Reuters) - Some U.S. stocks on the move on Thursday:
WALL ST EDGES LOWER AFTER DATA; SYRIA EYED
Stocks edged lower at the open as traders awaiteddevelopments in Syria, and as stronger-than-expected U.S.economic data lent weight to the possibility of a wind-down soonin the Federal Reserve's stimulus program. The Dow Jonesindustrial average fell 0.03 percent, the S&P 500 lost 0.08 percent and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.12percent.
** VODAFONE GROUP PLC, $31.84, up 8.2 pct (9:59 a.m.ET)
** VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC, $48.07, up 3.2 pct
Vodafone said on Thursday it was in talks withVerizon to sell its 45 percent stake in their U.S. joint ventureVerizon Wireless for what a Bloomberg report said would be about$130 billion.
** FACEBOOK INC, $41.56, up 2.5 pct (9:57 a.m. ET)
Some of Mark Zuckerberg's mutual fund backers delivered atough message on compensation for the leaders of the company.
Fidelity Investments, led by its $98 billion Contrafund, wasamong those voting against the pay of the social media company'stop leaders in a non-binding contest at its annual meeting inJune, its first since going public.
** GUESS INC, $30.47, up 11.6 pct (10:00 a.m. ET)
The company's second-quarter results beat Wall Streetestimates, helped by recovering sales in North America, andbucked a broader trend of falling sales for apparel retailers.
** US AIRWAYS, $15.77, up 2.8 pct (10:00 a.m. ET)
** AMERICAN AIRLINES, $3.22, up 5.6 pct
American Airways, US Airways and the U.S. Justice Departmentsaid on Wednesday they were open to settling a court fight overwhether the two companies should be allowed to merge, but therewas no sign of an imminent agreement.
* BOEING CO, $104.34, up 1 pct (10:01 a.m. ET)
Canada's WestJet Airlines Ltd said on Thursday ithas reached a preliminary agreement to purchase 65 737 MAXaircraft from Boeing. Boeing said the pending order is valued at$6.3 billion at current list prices.
** STEMLINE THERAPEUTICS INC, $36.19, up 7 pct(10:01 am ET)
Jefferies began its coverage on the drugmaker with a "buy"rating citing the potential of its lead experimental cancer drugSL-401. The drug is entering a pivotal mid-stage trial nextyear. The brokerage also set a price target of $60 on theStemline's stock.
** NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES INC, $14.95, up 3.8 pct(10:01 a.m. ET)
Deutsche Bank analysts raised their price target on thecompany's stock to $25 from $15, saying analysts areunderestimating the potential of the company's experimentaldrug, Elagolix, in treating uterine fibroids. The drug isalready in a late-stage study as a therapy for endometriosispain. Elagolix is also in mid-stage studies with patients havinguterine fibroids.
Roth Capital analysts initiated coverage on Neurocrine'sstock with a "buy" rating and a price target of $14.40, citingsimilar reasons.
** JA SOLAR HOLDINGS CO LTD, $7.58, down 4.9 pct(10:02 a.m. ET)
The company posted a smaller quarterly loss as it shippedmore solar panels to newer markets such as Japan. Its net lossnarrowed to $21.6 million, or 58 cents per American depositaryshare (ADS) in the second quarter, from $72.1 million, or $1.91per ADS, a year earlier.
** WILLIAMS-SONOMA INC, $55.80, down 2 pct (10:02a.m. ET)
The upscale home furnishings chain on Wednesday reported adrop in quarterly gross margin on bigger discounts and itsoutlook pointed to weaker sales trends in the back half of theyear.
** ARENA PHARMACEUTICALS INC, $6.35, down 5.1 pct(10:03 a.m. ET)
The company said a patient being treated with the company'sexperimental lung drug experienced a heart rhythm disorder,raising concerns over the drug's safety.
** SIGNET JEWELERS LTD, $67.06, down 4 pct (10:03a.m. ET)
The company reported higher second-quarter sales on Thursdayas shoppers spent more per visit at its Kay Jewelers and Jaredstores in the United States, but business at its British storesslipped.
** PERCEPTRON INC, $10.62, up 23.5 pct (10:04 a.m.ET)
The company, which sells non-contact measurement andinspection products to the automotive and manufacturingindustries, reported a 62 percent jump in fourth-quarter revenueand said orders almost doubled, helped by higher demand fromEurope.
** THE FRESH MARKET INC, $49.27, down 9.2 pct (10:05a.m. ET)
The specialty grocer on Wednesday reported second-quartersales lower than analysts' estimates and lowered its fiscal 2013profit forecast.
UBS on Thursday downgraded its rating on the company's stockto "neutral" from "buy," according to Theflyonthewall.com
** CAMPBELL SOUP CO, $43.11, down 3.6 pct (10:05a.m. ET)
The world's largest soup maker reported a 9 percent rise inadjusted profit, helped by acquisitions and strengthening U.Ssales of condensed soups and broth. (UPDATE)
** EGAIN CORP, $12.16, up 12.4 pct (10:05 a.m. ET)
The call center software maker reported better-than-expectedresults for the fourth quarter on Wednesday, boosted by higherrevenue across businesses.
The company's revenue from its largest business -subscription and support - rose 42 percent to $8.9 million inthe quarter. Brokerage Needham and Co raised its price target onthe stock to $14 from $12.
** CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS INC, $5.34, up 8 pct(10:06 a.m. ET)
The waste management company reported better-than-expectedresults for the first quarter due to higher waste volumes. Thecompany also forecast full-year revenue largely above analysts'estimates.
** CORINTHIAN COLLEGES INC, $2.42, down 7.2 pct(10:06 a.m. ET)
The for-profit education provider reported a 3 percent dropin fourth-quarter revenue and said student sign-ups fell morethan the company had expected, mainly due to fewer sign-ups forits online programs. Corinthian said it expected the slide inonline new student enrollments to continue in the currentquarter.
** GENESCO INC, $63.05, down 9.3 pct (10:06 a.m. ET)
The footwear retailer, known for its Journeys brand,estimated second-quarter results below analysts' forecast, hurtby challenging sales environment, and the company slashed itsadjusted profit outlook for the current year.
** CONOCOPHILLIPS, $66.10, down 1 pct (10:07 a.m.ET)
The global exploration and production company submitted thehighest bid on a single tract on Wednesday for drilling rightsin the western Gulf of Mexico lease sale, which attracted thesecond-lowest number of bids since 1983, regulators said. (Compiled by Mridhula Raghavan; Editing by Joyjeet Das)
Vodafone (VOD)
