Markets: News  

Thursday's biggest gaining and declining stocks

CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Below are some of the most active stocks in U.S. trading on Thursday:

Gainers

Culp Inc. (CFI) was up 4.5% after its board approved the initiation of a dividend, the High Point, N.C.-based company said. Culp anticipates declaring dividends on a quarterly basis, with expected payment dates in October, January, April and July. The first dividend, 3 cents a share, will be paid or about July 16 to holders of record as of July 2.

Dendreon Corp. (DNDN) tacked on another 6.2% following a 14% gain on Wednesday after the Seattle Times reported that the drug maker come up with a partner to help market its European Provenge cancer therapy. There has also been speculation that the company could be an acquisition target.

Edwards Lifesciences(EW) climbed 6.3% Thursday, a day after the medical device maker received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its Sapien transcatheter heart valve for wider use.

General Moly Inc. (GMO) shares rose 22% after the Lakewood, Colo., company said it received a favorable ruling from a Nevada state Court on water rights for its Mt. Hope molybdenum mine.

International Game Technology(IGT) shares rose 14%. Earlier Thursday the company said it is buying back $1 billion of its common shares, including a $400 purchase form Goldman Sachs.

U.S.-listed shares of JA Solar Holdings Ltd. (JASO) jumped 13% after the company said it would buy back about $100 million of its American depositary shares outstanding by Sept. 30.

Quest Software(QSFT) rose 9.2% Thursday after the firm said it's received a proposal for a buyout at $25.50 a share in cash.

Spartech Corp. (SEH) was up 9.6% on news the packaging firm posted a 40% increase in fiscal second-quarter profit.

Decliners

Aegerion Pharmaceuticals(AEGR) fell almost 11%. The firm said

Thursday that it will sell an undetermined number of shares to raise money to run its business.

AOL Inc. (AOL) shares were down 5.7% after the online company prevailed in a proxy battle with activist investor Starboard Value, re-electing all eight of its current board members. Some investors may have preferred to see the Starboard slate address some of AOL's difficulties, including the underperformance of Patch.com.

Credit Suisse Group AG(CSGN) (CS) dropped 9.4% after the Swiss National Bank urged the banking group to increase capital to prepare for an escalation of the euro-area crisis.

Lattice Semiconductor Corp. (LSCC) was down 14% after the chip maker cut its second-quarter revenue forecast on softness in European sales.

Medical Action Industries Inc. (MDCI) shares were down 8.3% after the firm said it swung to a fourth-quarter loss on greater costs.

Nokia (NOK) shares tumbled 16%. Earlier Thursday the firm unveiled sweeping changes to its business, including 10,000 additional job cuts and a broad management shake-up, as the struggling company cut its earnings outlook for the third time in a little over a year. Read full story about Nokia woes, on MarketWatch

Smithfield Foods Inc. (SFD) was down 5.7% after the company reported a 19% decline in fiscal fourth-quarter earnings.