Shares of Lowe’s Companies Inc. (NYSE: LOW), a home improvement retailer, are up sharply in early trading today. At last check, LOW shares were trading 2.87% higher at $32.26 on volume of 139,251. The stock hit an intra-day high of $32.84 in early trading today.
Shares of Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD), an Atlanta, Georgia-based home improvement retailer, are also up sharply in early trading today. At last check, HD shares were trading 3.25% higher at $61.99 on volume of 256,646. The stock hit an intra-day high of $63 in early trading today.
Shares of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), a diversified worldwide entertainment company, are marginally lower in early trading today. At last check, DIS shares were trading 0.24% lower at $49.96 on volume of 39,861. The stock fell to an intra-day low of $49.84 in early trading today.
DIS shares are lower in early trading today even as the company announced that it will acquire Lucasfilm Ltd. in a stock and cash transaction. Lucasfilm is owned by George Lucas, who is the company’s founder and Chairman. The transaction has been valued at $4.05 billion based on the closing price of Disney stock on October 26, 2012.
Commenting on the development, Robert A. Iger, Chairman and CEO of Walt Disney, said that Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas. Iger said that the transaction combines a world-class portfolio of content including Star Wars, one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time, with Disney’s unique and unparalleled creativity across multiple platforms, businesses and markets to generate sustained growth and drive significant long-term value.
Shares of Generac Holdings Inc. (NYSE: GNRC), a designer and manufacturer of a range of generators and other engine powered products for the residential, light commercial, industrial and construction markets, are seeing a huge rally in trading today.
At last check, GNRC shares were trading 18.92% higher at $33.69 on above average volume of 834,329. The stock hit a 52-week high of $33.55 in early trading today.
GNRC shares are soaring after the company today reported strong third-quarter financial results. For the third quarter ended September 30, 2012, GNRC reported net sales of $300.6 million, representing an increase of 25.6% over the same period in the previous year. The company’s adjusted net income for the quarter rose to $54.1 million from $50.6 million reported for the same period in the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter rose to $76.3 million from $61.6 million reported last year.
Aaron Jagdfeld, President and CEO of Generac Holdings, said that the events of the last few days continue to demonstrate for home owners and business owners the importance of having a backup plan for their power needs.
Shares of The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), an Englewood, Colorado-based company engaged in money management and payment services, are sinking in early trading today. At last check, WU shares were trading 26.16% lower at $13.24 on above average volume of 4.98 million. The stock fell to a 52-week low of $12.59 in early trading today.
Western Union shares are sinking in early trading today after the company reported its third-quarter financial results. For the third quarter of 2012, WU reported revenue of $1.4 billion, representing an increase of 1% over the same period in the previous year. The company’s operating margin for the quarter was 25.7%. Western Union reported earnings of $0.45 per share, compared to $0.38 per share reported for the same period in the previous year.
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