GAP
+$2.59 (27%) to $12.10
Shares of the clothing retailer had their biggest percentage advance since at least 1980. The company said fiscal third-quarter profit advanced as it reduced markdowns on several items. Citigroup raised its rating on the shares to “buy” from “hold.”
DELL
-$0.51 (5%) to $9.30
Stock of the personal computer manufacturer slumped to its lowest level since 1997. It reported fiscal third-quarter sales that trailed Wall Street projections, prompting several analysts to reduce their share-price estimates for the company.
MICROSOFT
+$2.15 (12%) to $19.68
Shares of the world’s largest software manufacturer jumped after Oppenheimer & Co. analysts raised their rating on the stock to “outperform” from “perform.” Nonetheless, shares are 46 percent below their 52-week high; in the late 1990s, they topped $53.
