Comcast, Microsoft, Smithfield Foods big movers

Comcast, Microsoft, Smithfield Foods, Xyratex, Saks are among big market movers Thursday

• By The Associated Press
• On 6:13 pm EDT, Thursday October 1, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) -- The following stocks were among those that moved substantially or traded heavily Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange:

NYSE:

Smithfield Foods Inc., down $1.18 at $12.62

The nation's largest hog producer and pork processor said its CEO sold 100,000 shares this week for personal financial reasons.

Constellation Brands Inc., up 82 cents at $15.97

The wine and spirits maker said it hopes its new distribution system will boost profits, continuing the trends of its second quarter.

Teradyne Inc., down 45 cents at $8.80

The chip maker raised its third-quarter guidance due to improving conditions in the industry and said it will end temporary salary reductions.

Rockwood Holdings Inc., down $3.97 at $16.60

A rival cut lithium prices, leading an analyst to downgrade the specialty chemicals producer to "neutral" from "outperform."

Saks Inc., down 46 cents at $6.36

A JPMorgan analyst downgraded the luxury department store chain and said its stock was properly valued.

NASDAQ:

Xyratex Ltd., up $1.80 at $11.31

The U.K.-based data storage company reported it earned $7.8 million in the third quarter, better than analysts expected.

Comcast Corp., down $1.21 at $15.67

The cable TV provider is exploring whether to buy a controlling stake in NBC Universal, increasing its ownership of shows and movies.

Microsoft Corp., down 84 cents at $24.88

A Goldman Sachs analyst took the software maker off its "Conviction Buy" list and said it may suffer from weak quarterly results.

Buzz up!