U.S. Equity Preview: Amtran, EBay, EchoStar Communications
New York, Feb. 27 (Bloomberg) -- The following is a list of companies whose shares may move in U.S. markets Monday, March 1. U.S. Equity Preview includes news that broke after the markets closed. Friday's closing prices are included. The stock symbol is in parentheses after the company name.
Air Express International Corp. (AEIC): The air freight company said it sold 30 percent of Equant NV, an international data network service provider, for a gain of $7.9 million before taxes. The after-tax gain will be about $4.7 million, or 14 cents a share, in the first quarter. Air Express fell 1 3/16 to 17 9/16.
Amtran Inc.(AMTR): The holding company for American Trans Air Inc., the 11th-largest U.S. airline, agreed to acquire Chicago Express Airlines Inc., a closely held airline that provides commuter services for ATA at Chicago-Midway Airport. Amtran rose 5/16 to 22 1/8.
EBay Inc. (EBAY): The Internet auction house said the U.S. government last month asked it to provide records and information related to an investigation of possible illegal transactions on its Web site. Ebay also won a temporary restraining order against a dealer who is allegedly using its popular Web site to sell banned software and CD-ROMs. EBay rose 34 1/2 to 334.
EchoStar Communications Corp. (DISH): The No. 3 U.S. satellite-television operator, approached Primestar Inc. about buying some of its assets for $600 million, topping a bid made by rival DirecTV Inc. EchoStar said it's interested in offering $100 million more than DirecTV's bid, including assumed debt, for PrimeStar's high-power satellite assets and its medium-power satellite operations because of a cash crunch brought on by high customer turnover and rising costs and losses. DirecTV is owned by Hughes Electronics Corp. (GMH) and Primestar's owners include TCI Satellite Entertainment Inc. (TSATA), Time Warner Inc. (TWX), Comcast Corp. (CMCSA), MediaOne Group Inc. (UMG), Cox Communications Inc. (COX) and closely held Newhouse Broadcasting Corp. EchoStar rose 3/4 to 49.
Glacier Water Services Inc. (HOO): The provider of drinking water through vending machines said it took a $971,000 charge for costs associated with the removal of about 1,450 machines at under-performing locations. The company said it had a fourth- quarter loss of 90 cents a share, compared with net income of 3 cents a year earlier. Glacier rose 1/8 to 23 1/8.
IntelliQuest Information Group Inc. (IQST): The technology market research company said it is in discussions with parties who are potentially interested in buying all or part of the company. The company also said net income for the fourth quarter was 4 cents a share, compared with a 7-cent loss a year earlier. IntelliQuest fell 3/8 to 10 7/8 before trading was halted.
MiniMed Inc. (MNMD): The maker of high-tech products to treat diabetes won the approval of an expert government panel for its continuous blood-sugar monitor for diabetics, moving the device a step closer to sale in the U.S. The advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel voted unanimously to recommend that the company be allowed to market the device, designed to measure glucose levels more precisely than the current method of testing blood obtained by pricking a finger. MiniMed fell 3 to 85 1/4.
National City Bancshares Inc. (NCBE): The bank holding company with operations in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois and Ohio said profit from operations for the fourth quarter was 30 cents a share, less than the 39 cents it earned a year earlier. National City rose 3/8 to 30 1/4.
00:06:32 02/27/1999
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