Futures indicate a higher open for stocks. M&A news is leading this morning's headlines as MSFT has agreed to acquire AQNT for $66.50/sh, an 85% premium from yesterday's closing price. In addition, GE is reportedly near a deal to sell its plastics unit for ~$11 bln. On the Earnings front, retailers KSS and JWN reported better than expected earnings and raised fiscal year guidance. It's also worth noting China said today it will widen the Yuan trading band, while increasing deposit and lending rates.
Notable pre-market Calls include Upgrades: PCLN, VZ and REP at Citi, NYX at JP Morgan; Downgrades: JNPR at Citi, MO at Matrix, VCLK at Needham... On the Earnings calendar, no cos are confirmed to report today... On the Economic calendar, preliminary May Michigan Sentiment (consensus 86.5) will be released at 10:00ET.
Gapping up on strong earnings/guidance: INTU +11.0%, FMCN +6.8%, RDY +5.6%, TOPT +4.4%... M&A: AQNT +78.3% (to be acquired by Microsoft for $66.50/share... up in sympathy: DGIT +9.4%, VCLK +9.0%, THK +8.1%, VSCN +6.2%, MCHX +4.2%, ONSM +3.3%), TONE +32.0% (to be acquired by CapitalSource for $34.46/share)... Other news: CHIP +17.8% (profiled in BusinessWeek Online), OMR +41.7% (Deep-sea explorers discover possible richest shipwreck treasure in history - Fox News), TRMP +14.8% (announces status of strategic review), APKT +3.8% (upgraded to Buy at Cantor), BWLD +3.4% (to acquire Las Vegas franchised restaurants, announces 2 for 1 split), CY +2.9% (bullish comments from Cramer).
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