Merger mania hit new heights on Wednesday.
First, Comcastsurprised with a $66 billion offer to acquire Dow component Disney.
Second, it turns out PeopleSoftwas right: the Justice Department has big problems with Oracle’sbuyout offer.
And last but not least, Eastman Kodak, another Dow component, was rumored to be weighing a bid for SanDisk.
The year-long stock market rally has raised stock valuations to the level that some companies just can’t resist spending that extra equity on acquisitions, witness Juniper’sblockbuster merger with NetScreentwo days ago.
The broader market surged on an upbeat assessment of the economy and interest rates from Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan.
The Nasdaq gained 14 to 2089, the S&P 500 rose 12 to 1157, and the Dow surged 123 to 10,737. Volume rose to 1.7 billion shares on the NYSE, and 2.2 billion on the Nasdaq. Advancers led 23-9 on the NYSE, and 19-12 on the Nasdaq. Upside volume was 79% on the NYSE, and 63% on the Nasdaq. New highs-new lows were 448-6 on the NYSE, and 266-2 on the Nasdaq.
After the close, Sonusrevealed accounting problems. Brocadebeat estimates, and Computer Sciencesmissed estimates.
During the day, Pricelineand Orbitzsurged on better than expected earnings.
Novatelsoared 33% on its earnings report, and Micromusegained 18% on its results.
Sycamorelost 6% after missing estimates, and Monster Worldwidefell 5% on a warning.
Sungained 4% on the return of co-founder Andy Bechtolsheim.
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