Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ALXN) : The biotechnology company may stall unless it can expand beyond dependence on its Soliris treatment for rare blood disorders, Barron’s reports in its March 26 edition. The Cheshire, Connecticut-based company’s shares are up 31 percent this year, compared with 77 percent last year and 65 percent in 2010.
Apollo Global Management (APO) (APO US): The private-equity firm may need to increase its offering price for Great Wolf Resorts, Barron’s “Trader” column said, without citing anyone. New York-based Apollo offered $5-a-share on March 13 for Great Wolf, which closed in March 23 trading at $5.59-a-share.
Armstrong World Industries Inc. (AWI) increased 3 percent to $58.50. The Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based maker of floors, ceilings and cabinets said it plans to pay a special cash dividend of $8.55 a share.
Citigroup Inc. (C) gained 0.4 percent to $37.30. The third-largest U.S. bank by assets expects an impairment charge of $700 million as the lender reduces an investment in Istanbul- basedAkbank TAS. (AKBNK) The sum is about $1.1 billion before taxes, the New York-based lender said in a regulatory filing.
Copa Holdings SA (CPA) : The Panama City-based carrier is among Latin American airlines that may gain as the region becomes an increasingly popular destination for business and tourist travel, Barron’s reported. The company has code-share, marketing ties to United Continental Airlines (UAL) and passenger traffic is up 22 percent in 2012 through February.
Deere & Co. (DE) rose 1.4 percent to $81.97. The Moline, Illinois-based farm-equipment maker may rise to $100 in 12 months as the company takes advantage of opportunities in South America and Central Europe, Barron’s reported. The company has had seven straight quarters of record earnings and plans to build seven plants around the world, according to Barron’s.
International Game Technology (IGT) : The world’s biggest maker of slot machines may be poised to gain 20 percent as more U.S. states move to add casino resorts, Barron’s reported. The Reno, Nevada-based company plans a $100 million stock repurchase this fiscal year.
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (LGF) rose 7.9 percent to $15.68. The film and television studio behind TV’s “Mad Men” and the Tyler Perry movies pulled in about $155 million in opening weekend ticket sales for its “Hunger Games” film.
Verisk Analytics Inc. (VRSK) : The Jersey City, New Jersey-based information-services company will buy MediConnect Global Inc., a provider of systems and services for medical- record analysis, for $348.6 million.
Vivus Inc. (VVUS) rose 3.2 percent to $22. The biopharmaceutical company said that a marketing authorization application had been accepted by the European Medicines Agency for the review of avanafil, its investigational drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Weatherford International Ltd. (WFT) : The Geneva-based oilfield-services and equipment provider named John Briscoe, who joined the company in August, as chief financial officer.
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