Avis, Jakks, Hartford Financial are market movers

[September 15, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market:

NYSE

• Avis Budget Group Inc., up 74 cents at $12.48
  
  The car rental company said it is no longer interested in buying its rival Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group.

• Hartford Financial Services Group Inc., up 83 cents at $18.18
  
  A Sterne Agee analyst upgraded the insurance provider's stock to "Buy" saying the stock is "extremely attractive" in the long-term.

• Solutia Inc., down 54 cents at $15.54
  
  The specialty chemicals maker lowered its adjusted earnings expectations for the full year because of slower-than-expected demand.

• El Paso Electric Co., down $1.91 at $31.41
  
  A Jefferies analyst downgraded the utility company's stock after a city council voted to try to force it to lower its rates.

• Ralcorp Holdings Inc., down $6.03 at $79.11
  
  ConAgra Foods threatened to withdraw its offer to buy the cereal maker if it doesn't engage in dialogue about the purchase.

• Oshkosh Corp., up $1.37 at $19.54
  
  The vehicle maker unveiled a new combat military vehicle that's fuel efficient and lets troops navigate through rugged territory.

Nasdaq

• Jakks Pacific Inc., up $3.57 at $19.57
  
  Investment management firm Oaktree Capital Management proposed to take the toy maker private for about $544 million in cash.

• Majesco Entertainment Co., down 34 cents at $2.32
  
  Shares of the video game publisher, known for its Zumba Fitness game, slid even though it posted earnings that beat expectations.

[Associated Press]

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