GM, Orbitz, Avis are market movers

[February 17, 2012]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market:

NYSE

General Motors Co., up $2.24 at $27.17

The automaker said that strong China and U.S. sales helped the it turn a profit of $7.6 billion in 2011, its largest ever.

Advance America, Cash Advance Centers Inc., up $2.53 at $10.44

The payday lending company was bought by Mexican financial services company Grupo Elektra in a deal worth about $780 million.

Orbitz Worldwide Inc., down 33 cents at $2.93

The online travel company said fourth-quarter revenue fell and it expects first-quarter revenue to be short of analysts' forecasts.

Nasdaq

Healthways Inc., down 73 cents at $7.21

The wellness program administrator posted a larger fourth-quarter loss after taking more than $183 million in impairment charges.

Avis Budget Group Inc., down $2.01 at $12.58

The rental car company said in a regulatory filing that its first-quarter adjusted earnings will likely fall from last year.

Tandy Leather Factory Inc., up 20 cents at $5.20

The leather retailer and wholesaler said that it will pay a special one-time dividend of 25 cents per share to its stockholders.

Itron Inc., up $8.12 at $48.23

The maker of energy and water meters posted fourth-quarter earnings that beat expectations and announced a $100 million acquisition.

Jingwei International Ltd., up 66 cents at $2.11

The Chinese company, which provides software and data mining services, said it accepted a proposal to become a private company.

[Associated Press]

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