Stone Energy, Diamond Foods, Exar are big movers

[December 30, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market:

NYSE

Chesapeake Midstream Partners LP, up $1.40 at $28.52

The operator of natural gas gathering systems said that it has agreed to acquire Chesapeake Energy Corp.'s pipeline business.

Hill International Inc., up 15 cents at $5.23

The construction management company was awarded a $3.3 million contract to manage the construction of a new stadium in Iraq.

Stone Energy Corp., up 99 cents at $26.37

Rodman & Renshaw raised its target price on the oil and gas company to $36 saying a recent acquisition will help the company grow.

Brookdale Senior Living Inc., up 27 cents at $17.24

A JMP Research analyst initiated coverage of the senior living community operator with a "Market Outperform" rating.

Nasdaq

First Niagara Financial Group Inc., up 27 cents at $8.72

A Jefferies analyst initiated coverage of the Buffalo, N.Y.-based banking and financial services company with a "Buy" rating.

Diamond Foods Inc., up $2.11 at $31.51

Rumors swirled that hedge fund manager David Einhorn may have acquired a stake in the food company that makes Emerald Nuts.

Fushi Copperweld Inc., up 9 cents at $7.55

The wire manufacturer said that its chairman and co-chief executive officer offered to take the company private for $9.50 a share.

Exar Corp., down 21 cents at $6.46

The chipmaker lowered its revenue outlook for the fiscal third quarter citing weaker economic conditions in Asia and Europe.

[Associated Press]

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