By Lu Wang

BLOOMBERG NEWS

Shares of the following companies are having unusual moves in U.S. trading this morning.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF US) rose 6.7 percent to $39.21 and climbed earlier to $39.44, the highest intraday price since September 2008. The U.S. retailer reported third-quarter earnings excluding some items of 30 cents a share, beating the average analyst estimate by 48 percent.

Agilent Technologies Inc. (A US) rose 5.1 percent to $28.82 and added 5.2 percent earlier, the most intraday since Aug. 18. The world's biggest maker of scientific-testing equipment reported fourth-quarter earnings that beat some analysts' estimates and signaled a slump in sales may be over.

Assured Guaranty Corp. (AGO US) rose 17 percent to $21.20 for the biggest gain in Russell 2000 Index. The municipal-bond insurer backed by Wilbur Ross had its insurance financial strength rating cut to Aa3, from Aa2 by Moody's Investors Service. The one-level reduction would still allow Assured to write new muni insurance, benefiting the stock, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Dollar General Corp. (DG US) gained 9.4 percent to $22.97 on the first day of trading. The discount retailer controlled by private-equity firm KKR & Co. raised $716 million in an initial public offering, selling shares at the low end of the range it sought.

Esco Technologies Inc. (ESE US) fell 13 percent to $32.41 and dropped as much as 16 percent, the

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (GT US) rose 4.9 percent to $14.41 after jumping s much as 8.6 percent, the most intraday since Sept. 14. The largest U.S. tiremaker was raised to "buy" from "neutral" by Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which cited a "much more favorable supply/demand balance in 2010" and "sizable earnings improvement."

Goldman Sachs cut Federal-Mogul Corp. (FDML US), the auto supplier controlled by billionaire Carl Icahn, to "neutral" from "buy," citing underperformance caused by "deterioration in auto sector fundamentals." The shares fell 5 percent to $12.37.

J.C. Penney Co. (JCP US) added 4.9 percent to $30.84 after climbing 7.2 percent earlier, the most intraday since Aug. 7. The third-largest U.S. department store chain raised its annual profit forecast to as much as $1.08 a share from a previous prediction of 90 cents a share maximum it previously predicted, citing better-than-expected results for the year so far.

Juniper Networks Inc. (JNPR US) rose 4.1 percent to $25.72 and climbed 5.2 percent earlier, the most intraday since Oct. 29. The second-largest maker of networking equipment was raised to "outperform" from "market perform" at Oppenheimer & Co.

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (LXRX US) advanced 14 percent to $1.58 after jumping 19 percent earlier, the most intraday since Sept. 15. The biotechnology company said its investigational new drug, LX1031, positive results in clinical trials in treating non-constipating irritable bowel syndrome.

Liberty Global Inc. (LBTYA US) fell the most in the Russell 1000 Index, slumping 9.1 percent to $20.99. The cable company controlled by billionaire John Malone agreed to buy Unitymedia GmbH for about 2 billion euros ($2.98 billion), gaining access to markets in 10 of Germany's 20 largest cities.

Lime Energy Co. (LIME US) sank 22 percent to $4.95 and tumbled as much as 23 percent, the most intraday since Dec. 1. The provider of energy efficiency engineering reduced its sales forecast to $73 million at most for the current fiscal year.

Maxygen Inc. (MAXY US) jumped 12 percent to $5.65 and gained 13 percent earlier, the most intraday since May 12. The biopharmaceutical company is offering to buy back 6.56 million shares, or 17 percent of the total outstanding, for a range of $5.30 to $6.10. The offer will end on Dec. 11.

Merge Technologies Inc. (MRGE US) fell 17 percent to $3 and declined 19 percent earlier, the most intraday since May 13. The medical software maker said it's offering 9 million shares at $3 each, raising money to repay debt.

Nordstrom Inc. (JWN US) fell 3.9 percent to $33.15 after sinking as much as 6.1 percent, the most intraday since Aug. 14. The U.S. department-store chain with more than 100 namesake locations said its gross margin, or the proportion of sales left after the cost of goods sold is deducted, will increase by 0.20 percentage point in 2009, trailing the 0.34 point estimate of Deutsche Bank AG's Bill Dreher.

PetSmart Inc. (PETM US) rose 2.8 percent to $25.40 and increased 5.2 percent earlier, the most intraday since Oct. 15. The largest U.S. pet-store chain was raised to "buy" from "neutral" by Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which said it anticipates improving margins will help boost earnings.

Rino International Corp. (RINO US) rose 13 percent to $26.59 and jumped earlier to $27.83, the highest intraday price since July 2007. The provider of water treatment systems for steelmakers said third-quarter profit increased to 68 cents a share from 39 cents a year earlier as sales grew.

Silicon Storage Technology Inc. (SSTI US) surged 17 percent to $2.18 and rallied 18 percent earlier, the most intraday since March 12. The maker of memory chips agreed to be bought by Prophet Equity LP for $2.10 a share.

Sunoco Inc. (SUN US) lost 2.2 percent to $26.62 after dropping earlier to $25.86, the lowest intraday price since Sept. 4. The largest refiner in the U.S. northeast was cut to "sell" from "neutral" by Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and added to its "conviction sell list." Sunoco's "ongoing restructuring is not on-track to yield a materially improved company," Goldman analysts wrote in a note.

Telestone Technologies Corp. (TSTC US) jumped 16 percent to $11.71 and surged earlier to $13.19, the highest intraday price since June 2004. The Chinese maker of wireless gear said third- quarter profit increased to 41 cents a share, from 11 cents a year earlier, as sales more than doubled.

Walt Disney Co. (DIS US) rose the most in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, climbing 4.6 percent to $30.39. The world's largest media company reported fourth-quarter profit rose 18 percent, exceeding analysts' estimates, on higher fees from pay TV operators that carry its ESPN sports programming.

Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. (YGE US) advanced 9.7 percent to $13.20 after jumping as much as 11 percent, the most intraday since July 24. The Chinese manufacturer of solar power cells and modules increased its shipment forecast for 2009 and predicted margins would increase next year.