Monday, May 23, 2011

Stocks to watch this morning, including Caterpillar and Sears Holding May 24, 2011

Stocks to watch this morning, including Caterpillar and Sears Holding.

The U.S. Department of Justice gave the go-ahead for Caterpillar Inc.’s largest acquisition ever–a $7.6 billion takeover of Bucyrus International Inc.

Soros Fund Management LLC, the investment vehicle of billionaire investor George Soros, disclosed a 5.7% stake in business-software company MicroStrategy Inc.

Sears Holdings Corp. said Chief Financial Officer Michael D. Collins resigned Friday and appointed William K. Phelan, a senior vice president and controller at the department-store operator, as his temporary replacement.

Perry Ellis International Inc.’s fiscal first-quarter earnings rose 37% as the acquisition of Rafaella women’s sportswear helped boost revenue, though it contributed to lower margins. Adjusted earnings topped expectations. The company also raised its full-year earnings estimate and backed its revenue guidance.

Steven Madden Ltd. acquired privately held footwear company Topline Corp. for $55 million in cash, a deal it said will complement its private-label business.

CoStar Group Inc. unveiled plans to offer at least 3.75 million shares to raise funds for its pending $860 million acquisition of LoopNet Inc.

Flir Systems Inc. said it will pay two former executives $39 million to settle claims over the night-vision goggle maker’s use of infrared technology obtained through a past acquisition.

Fossil Inc. received preliminary court approval of a $8.7 million settlement to resolve three lawsuits alleging the watch and fashion accessories retailer’s 2006 directors breached their fiduciary duties by backdating stock options.

Tech Data Corp.’s fiscal first-quarter earnings climbed 6.8% as the computer equipment and software distributor saw sales growth continue in its European segment, along with positive effects from exchange rates. The results missed Wall Street expectations.

Payment-processing firms VeriFone Systems Inc. and Hypercom Corp. scrapped plans to sell Hypercom’s U.S. point-of-sale business after U.S. regulators last week said the divestiture wouldn’t satisfy antitrust concerns.