[R]2:30PM NY, U.S. Market Movers[/R]

Corn Products International Inc. (CPO: chart) shares climbed 9.5% after the company lifted its outlook and said that its first-quarter profit more than doubled on pricing power in most parts of the world. For thequarter, the company posted net income of $50 million, or 66 cents per share, compared with $23.4 million, or 31 cents per share, in the prior-year period. The company reported revenue of $761.9 million, up 24% from $614.8 million, a year earlier.

Whirlpool Corp. (WHR: chart) said its first-quarter profit dipped 1% due to higher costs for materials and lower demand for appliances in the United States because of the slumping housing market. Earnings edged lower to $117 million, or $1.46 per share, from $118 million, or $1.70 per share in the previous year. Quarterly revenue climbed 24% to $4.39 billion from $3.54 billion in the prior year on strong international results and the addition of Maytag. Excluding the acquisition and the benefits from foreign exchange rates, sales rose about 2%. Shares climbed 11.4%.

Snap-on Inc. (SNA: chart) shares rose more than 14.5% after the toolmaker posted a 76% rise in quarterly profit on increased tool sales. First-quarter net profit was $39 million, or 66 cents a share, up from $22.1 million, or 37 cents a share, a year earlier. Net sales rose almost 20% from last year to $709.7 million, above the $686.6 million analysts had expected.

Everest Re Group Ltd. (RE: chart), insurance and reinsurance company, said its first-quarter net income surged, thanks to favorable underwriting year trends, coupled with the lack of big losses. Everest earned $297.6 million, or $4.59 per share, up 77% from $168.4 million, or $2.57 per share, during the same period a year ago. Operating income, which excludes realized capital gains and losses, was $267.9 million, or $4.13 per share, up 70% from $157.9 million, or $2.41 per share. Shares climbed 6.55%.

Energizer Holdings Inc. (ENR: chart), maker of batteries and Schick razors, shares rose 6.8% after the company said that its second-quarter earnings rose sharply as pricing and market share withstood cost pressures. Net income jumped to $66.6 million, or $1.14 per share, from $50 million, or 78 cents per share, a year ago. The latest quarter included a restructuring charge of $3 million, or 5 cents per share. Sales added 16% to $730.9 million from $629.5 million last year and surpassed Street expectations for $673 million.

International Business Machines Corp. (IBM: chart) said it will raise its quarterly dividend by a third and its stock buyback program by $15 billion. Shares of the company climbed 5%. As a result of the higher share buyback, 2007 earnings per share growth excluding any gain from the recently announced sale of its printer business could be 12% to 14%, which is one to three points more than its previous estimates, IBM said.

McGraw-Hill Cos. (MHP: chart), owner of BusinessWeek magazine and the Standard & Poor''s ratings and index business, said that first-quarter profit nearly doubled on strong results in its financial services and education segments. Net income leaped to $143.8 million, or 40 cents per share, compared with $74.2 million, or 20 cents per share, in the previous year. Revenue for the quarter rose 14% to $1.3 billion from $1.14 billion a year ago. Shares climbed 4.40%.

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. (CME: chart) said that its first-quarter earnings rose 42% on sharply higher volume. For the quarter profit rose to $130 million, or $3.69 per share, compared with $91.4 million, or $2.61 per share, a year ago. Revenue climbed 32% to $332.3 million from $251.7 million in the prior-year period, driven by a jump in clearing and transaction fees to $258.2 million and processing services to $34.8 million. Shares fell 2.12%.

MLF Investments (JLL: chart), formerly partner and member of the board of global management consulting and private equity investment firm Monitor Group, as a new partner, shares declined 3.85%, focusing on adding value to its portfolio companies in the areas of strategy, operations and capital allocation.

ResMed Inc. (RMD: chart) shares sank 10.27% on lower-than-expected fiscal third-quarter results and the recall of about 300,000 sleep apnea devices because of short-circuits problems. The company said that it fell to a loss of $15.4 million, or 20 cents per share, from a year-earlier profit of $26.3 million, or 34 cents per share. Revenue rose 13% to $183 million versus $162.3 million last year.

II-VI Inc. (IIVI: chart) shares droped 22.76% after the maker of optical and electronic instruments gave an outlook for the fourth quarter below analysts'' estimates and cut its full-year revenue view. The company forecasted fourth quarter earnings of 30 cents to 33 cents on revenue of $67.5 million to $69.5 million, which is below analysts'' estimates. The company said it now sees fiscal year 2007 earnings of $1.19 to $1.22 a share on revenue of $259 million to $261 million. It earlier forecast earnings of $1.15 to $1.22 a share on revenue of $263 million to $266 million for fiscal year 2007.

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products Inc. (USAP: chart) said that its first-quarter profit jumped 70%, aided by strong aerospace sales and a lower income tax rate. Quarterly earnings rose to $6.8 million, or $1 per share, from $4 million, or 61 cents per share, in the prior-year period. Sales grew to $56.2 million against $44.9 million in the same period a year earlier. In January, the company projected first-quarter earnings per share of 82 cents to 87 cents on sales of $52 million to $57 million. Shares fell 6.08%.

Express Scripts Inc. (ESRX: chart) shares climbed 9.37% after the pharmacy benefit manger reported a 49% jump in first-quarter profit. The company said it netted $133.7 million, or 97 cents per share, for the quarter ended March 31. Revenue increased 3%, to $4.54 billion. The company raised its earnings outlook to a range of $4.29 to $4.41 per share.

Woodward Governor Co. (WGOV: chart), aerospace manufacturer, shares jumped 18% after the company said its fiscal second-quarter profit nearly doubled, and raised its full-year profit outlook. The company said its net income for the quarter rose to $22 million, or 63 cents per share, from $11.5 million or 32 cents per share, in the same period last year. Revenue grew 23%, to $256.3 million versus $208.9 million a year ago.

Transcend Services Inc. (TRCR: chart) shares surged 31.58% after the provider of transcription and editing services said that its first-quarter net income increased to $1.3 million, or 15 cents per share, compared with $150,000, or 2 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Revenue climbed to $10.4 million versus $8.01 million in the comparabel period last year.

Paccar Inc. (PCAR: chart) shares climbed 10.09% after the company, which makes and markets commercial trucks and parts, said its first-quarter profit rose 7%, as international sales growth offset weak demand for newly mandated, lower-emission engines in the U.S. and Canada. Quarterly earnings increased to $365.6 million, or $1.46 per share, from $342 million, or $1.35 per share a year ago. Results for the most recent quarter included a gain of $21.7 million, or about 9 cents per share based, from the sale of property. Excluding the item, Paccar earned $1.37 per share in the quarter. Revenue grew 2% to $3.72 billion from $3.54 billion last year.

Symbion Inc. (SMBI: chart), which owns and operates short-stay surgical facilities, said it has agreed to be acquired by New York-based private equity firm Crestview Partners LP for about $488 million. The transaction is valued at about $637 million, including the assumption of debt. Symbion reported about 21.7 million shares outstanding at the close of 2006, bringing the stock portion of the deal to $485.7 million.

Synalloy Corp. (SYNL: chart) producer of specialty chemicals, stainless steel pipe and other products, said Friday its first-quarter profit more than quintupled, as higher metals prices offset a decline in chemical sales. Quarterly earnings jumped to $3.5 million, or 56 cents per share, from $698,000, or 11 cents per share, in the prior-year period. Sales rose to $44.4 million from $36.2 million last year.

[R]1:00AM NY, 5:00 PM Frankfurt European stocks closed down, dragged by weak Spanish construction stocks and U.S. data.[/R]
European stock markets finished in the negative on Tuesday, dragged down by sharp declines in Spanish construction stocks and weaker-than-expected U.S. consumer confidence and housing data. In Spain, shares of Sacyr Vallehermo slipped 7.8%, Acciona dropped 5%, Fomento Construction lost 6.8% and ACS fell 4.4%. The weakness among construction stocks was caused spillover from the real-estate sector which was pressured by property developer Astroc Mediterrano, down 10%.