On the upside
Shares of Foundry Networks (Nasdaq: FDRY) soared after Brocade Communications (Nasdaq: BRCD) offered $3 billion to buy the network equipment maker.
PepsiAmericas (NYSE: PAS) posted higher 2nd quarter profits and raised its full-year guidance.
Lower oil prices boosted the airline sector. Shares of AMR (NYSE: AMR), UAL (Nasdaq: UAUA) and Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) surged.
On the downside
Wachovia (NYSE: WB) took a $8.8 billion loss due to charges and reserves for bad mortgage loans and slashed its dividend.Shares of American Express (NYSE: AXP) fell sharply after the credit card company reported disappointing results.
Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) posted lower earnings due to weak sales of cell phone chips.
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a
margin of 5 to 4 on the NYSE and by a slim margin on
Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks lost 3 points to 694.
