"We believe Apple is about to change the narrative and get investors, analysts, customers and the media finally talking about new products again- starting with a software/services/Mac event on June 10th and a likely iPhone/iPad event in September," analysts led by Ben Reitzes said in a note to clients. **MBIA INC, $14.10, up 43.4 pct** BANK OF AMERICA CORP, $12.74, up 4 pct.
The business software maker said it agreed to be acquired by a private equity group led by Bain Capital and Golden Gate Capital Corp for about $6.9 billion. **BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC, $166,483.7, up 2 pct;, $110.90, up 2 pct. **ARKANSAS BEST CORP, $13.51, up 28 pct.
**MBIA INC, $14.10, up 43.4 pct** BANK OF AMERICA CORP, $12.74, up 4 pct. Bond insurer MBIA and Bank of America have reached a settlement in their ongoing legal disputes, and BofA will pay MBIA $1.6 billion in cash, a source familiar with the matter said.
The business software maker said it agreed to be acquired by a private equity group led by Bain Capital and Golden Gate Capital Corp for about $6.9 billion. **BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC, $166,483.7, up 2 pct;, $110.90, up 2 pct. **ARKANSAS BEST CORP, $13.51, up 28 pct.
*Global Hunter cuts to reduce from neutral. Reuters Station users, click. 1568. Reuters Station users, click. 4899.
*Q1 adjusted non-GAAP earnings per share $0.16 excluding items. *Q1 loss per share $0.96 including items. *Increases quarterly cash dividend by 2 percent to $0.725 per share.
*Wal-Mart climbs after earnings, Safeway soars. NEW YORK, Feb 21- U.S. stocks fell for a second day on Thursday and gauge of investor concern hit its highest in two months after reports cast doubt over the health of the U.S. and euro-zone economies.
*Wal-Mart climbs after earnings, Safeway soars. NEW YORK, Feb 21- U.S. stocks fell on Thursday and were on track for their biggest two-day decline since November as weak data suggested expectations for economic growth were overly optimistic.
*Initial claims rise, CPI flat. NEW YORK, Feb 21- U.S. stocks declined on Thursday as a ream of weak economic data did little to assuage some investors' concerns that the Federal Reserve may rein in its economic stimulus measures and amid uncertainty over ongoing budget talks in Washington.
*Linn shares rise 4 pct, Berry up 18 pct. Feb 21- U.S. oil and gas producer Linn Energy LLC will buy Berry Petroleum Co for $2.5 billion in stock, raising its output by about a third and boosting its oil reserves in Texas, California, Colorado and Utah. Linn's shares rose 4 percent to $38.52 in early trading.
*Wal-Mart shares volatile after earnings. NEW YORK, Feb 21- U.S. stocks were set to dip at the open on Thursday, indicating the S&P 500 would extend declines after its biggest percentage drop in three months a day earlier, as data continued to show a slowly improving economy.
U.S. stock index futures continued to trade in negative territory Thursday, a day after the S&P 500 logged its worst one-day selloff in 2013, following a disappointing jobless claims report and as consumer price index remained unchanged in January.
*Wal-Mart shares edge up after earnings. NEW YORK, Feb 21- U.S. stock index futures fell on Thursday, indicating the S&P 500 would extend declines after its biggest percentage drop in three months a day earlier, ahead of data on the labor and housing markets.
Feb 21- Oil and gas producer Linn Energy LLC will buy Berry Petroleum Co for $2.5 billion in stock, boosting its reserves of lucrative oil and raising total output by about a third. Berry shareholders will receive 1.25 shares of LinnCo LLC, a company set up by Linn to raise money for acquisitions and other purposes.