Merrill Lynch rebounded to end the day higher as financial stocks gained, even after a Goldman Sachs Group analyst cut his rating on Merrill Lynch to "Sell" and added the company to Goldman's "Conviction Sell List."

Nokia Corp., down $1.69 at $20.62

The cell phone handset maker said its global market share is likely to drop during the current quarter because of competitors' pricing.

UST Inc., up $13.55 at $67.55

Altria Group, which owns the Marlboro cigarette brand, denied a report that it's in talks to acquire the maker of smokeless tobacco.

Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., up $1.03 at $16.20

A Sandler O'Neill analyst said the firm, said to be shopping a stake in itself, will survive the credit crisis, and affirms a "hold" rating.

Quiksilver Inc. up $1.07 at $8.26.

The lifestyle sportswear company said after the market close Thursday that it swung to a profit during its fiscal third quarter.

Safeway Stores Inc., down $1.05 at $26.15

Morgan Stanley downgraded the grocery operator to "underweight" and set a price target of $22 amid worries over its high-end strategy.

BP Plc, down 23 cents at $54.03

The oil company and its sector fell to a 52-week low intraday as crude sagged amid concerns a weak U.S. economy would slow demand.

SanDisk Corp., up $4.18 at $17.64

Samsung Electronics is looking to acquire the computer memory card maker, according to a report the two wouldn't confirm or deny.

(c) 2008 Providence Journal. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.