<div><p> Jan. 4 [Bloomberg] -- Shares of the following companies are having unusual moves in U.S. trading. Stock symbols are in parentheses, and prices are as of 11:20 a.m. in New York. </p><p> Coal and metal producers advanced after reports showed manufacturing in the U.S. and China is improving. </p><p> Consol Energy Inc. (CNX) climbed 6.3% to $52.92. Peabody Energy Corp. (BTU) rose 5.8% to $47.83. Massey Energy Co. (MEE) added 5.5% to $44.32. </p><p> Alcoa Inc. (AA) gained the most in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, rising 3.4% to $16.66. AK Steel Holding Corp. (AKS) increased 6.6% to $22.75. U.S. Steel Corp. (X) jumped 5.5% to $58.15. </p><p> Oil refiners gained after Deutsche Bank AG boosted the industry's rating to "neutral" from "underweight," citing rising demand and a likely retreat in oil prices. </p><p> Tesoro Corp. (TSO) rose 6.4% to $14.42. Frontier Oil Corp. (FTO) gained 8.7% to $13.09. CVR Energy Inc. (CVI) climbed 7.9% to $7.40. Delek US Holdings Inc. (DK) jumped 7.2% to $7.30. Valero Energy Corp. (VLO) climbed 5% to $17.59. Sunoco Inc. (SUN) increased 4.6% to $27.30. </p><p> Irish lenders advanced after Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said he aims to resolve the issue of recapitalization of the nation's banks in the first quarter. Bank of Ireland Plc (IRE) surged 14% to $8.72. Allied Irish Banks Plc (AIB) rose 11% to $3.91. </p><p> Alcon Inc. (ACL) dropped 3.1% to $59.25 after sinking as much as 3.9%, the most intraday since Sept. 30. The world's largest eye-care company gained after Novartis AG (NVS) offered to buy the rest of Alcon from Nestle SA (NSRGY) and minority shareholders for about $39.3 billion. Nestle will sell a 52% stake to Novartis for an average of $180 a share. Novartis also offered to pay 2.8 of its own shares for each remaining Alcon share held by the public. Novartis fell 2.3% to $53.17. </p><p> Boeing Co. (BA) advanced 3.2% to $55.85 after rising 3.4% earlier, the most intraday since Dec. 1. The world's second-largest commercial-plane maker was raised to "overweight" from "equal-weight" at Barclays Capital and to "buy" from "hold" at Jesup and Lamont Capital Markets, which cited the stock's "modest valuation" and an expected increase in orders. </p><p> Brinker International Inc. (EAT) fell 3% to $14.47 after sinking as much as 4.8%, the most intraday since Oct. 21. The owner of the Chili's Grill & Bar restaurant chain was downgraded to "neutral" from "buy" at UBS AG. </p><p> Bucyrus International Inc. (BUCY) rose the most in the Russell 1000 Index, jumping 9.5% to $61.73. The maker of mining equipment had its share-price estimate lifted to $73 from $64 at Barclays Plc, which said the company's earnings in 2011 and beyond "could be significantly higher than we previously thought." </p><p> Chesapeake Energy Corp. (CHK) rose 6.4% to $27.53 and climbed as much as 6.5%, the most intraday since Dec. 14. Total SA, Europe's third-largest oil producer, will pay as much as $2.25 billion to buy 25% of Chesapeake Energy's assets in Texas. </p><p> Chevron Corp. (CVX) climbed 2.6% to $78.98 and jumped 2.7% earlier, the most intraday since Nov. 23. The second-largest U.S. energy producer may rise as much as 20% over the next 12 months as crude oil prices climb and the company's global exploration projects proceed, Barron's reported, citing analysts and investors. </p><p> Intel Corp. (INTC) added 2.8% to $20.96 and advanced earlier to $21, the highest intraday price since Oct. 14. The world's biggest chipmaker was raised to "outperform" from "neutral" at Robert W. Baird & Co. on expectation demand from personal-computer makers will continue to strengthen. </p><p> Japan Airlines Corp. (JALSY) rallied 24% to $5.29 after jumping as much as 26%, the most intraday since December 2002. Asia's biggest carrier by sales had a credit line doubled to 200 billion yen [$2.2 billion] at state-run Development Bank of Japan, easing bankruptcy concerns. Separately, AMR Corp.'s (AMR) American Airlines said it's still in talks with the Asian carrier on a possible equity infusion and continuation in the Oneworld alliance. </p><p> Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS) rose 6.8% to $15.95 and added 67.2% earlier, the most intraday since Dec. 14. The casino company controlled by billionaire Sheldon Adelson was raised to "buy" from "neutral" at UBS AG. </p><p> Wynn Resorts Ltd. (WYNN) gained 6.6% $62.05. The casino company founded by Steve Wynn was also raised to "buy" from "neutral" at UBS. </p><p> Morgan Stanley (MS) climbed 4.1% to $30.81 after rising as much as 4.7%, the most intraday since Oct. 22. The sixth-biggest U.S. lender by assets was upgraded at UBS AG and Credit Suisse Group AG, which said the firm's investment- bank division and changes in the business structure will drive growth in 2010. UBS raised its recommendation to "buy" from "neutral," while Credit Suisse upgraded to "outperform" from "neutral." </p><p> Ruth's Hospitality Group Inc. (RUTH) rose 13% to $2.37 and rallied as much as 15%, the most intraday since Sept. 16. The owner of upscale steak houses was raised to "neutral" from "underweight" at Piper Jaffray Cos. </p><p> Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. (SBGI) rose 8.2% to $4.36 and advanced 10% earlier, the most intraday since Nov. 30. The operator of television stations said it expects its fourth-quarter revenue to be about $153.8 million, better than the estimated it provided in November. </p><p> To contact the reporter on this story: Lu Wang in New York at lwang8@bloomberg.net </p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=66856011&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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