Stocks End Mixed After Busy Day

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Delta Air Lines (DAL) issued a statement to employees saying no "potential transaction meets all our principles," The Wall Street Journal reports. It's a sign merger talks with Northwest Airlines (NWA) might be running into trouble.

Toll Brothers (TOL) reported a 61 cent per share loss, vs. earnings of 33 cents a year ago. Revenue for the homebuilder fell 19%, with results including a $245 million pre-tax writedown. Standard & Poor's equity analysts maintain a buy rating on the stock, noting its strong balance sheet.

R.R. Donnelly & Sons (RRD) posted earnings of 80 cents per share, vs. 70 cents a year ago. Also, the firm acquired Pro Line Printing for $122 million.

Autodesk (ADSK) reported lower-than-expected earnings of 52 cents per share, vs. 46 cents a year ago. Revenue rose 20% to almost $600 million, but the software firm expects revenue to fall as much as $24 million next quarter, and total revenue to be from $2.425 billion to $2.475 billion for this year.

Netflix (NFLX) says it now expects more subscribers, revenue and profits in its first quarter earnings report than previously predicted. It raised earnings guidance from a range of 13 to 21 cents to 15 to 22 cents per share.

Dreamworks Animation (DWA) posted earnings of 98 cents per share, vs. a 20-cent loss last year, as revenue jumped 42%. The movie Shrek the Third contributed $179.4 million in revenue, and the firm plans a Shrek Broadway musical in December.

Amgen (AMGN) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) shares were under pressure after reports that their anti-anemia drugs may raise the risk of death and blood clots. An article in this week's Journal of the American Medical Assn. will examine the issue, reviewing 51 clinical studies, Dow Jones reports.

European stocks were mixed Wednesday. In London, the FTSE 100 index fell 0.18% to 6,076.50. In Paris, the CAC 40 Index edged down 0.09% to 4,968.82, and in Germany the DAX index rose 0.17% to 6,997.85.

Asian stocks were higher. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index was up 1.49% to 14,031.30, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 3.24% to 24,483.84.

Treasury market

Treasury prices moved slightly higher Wednesday. Ten-year notes edged up 03/32 to 96-07/32 for a yield of 3.84%, while 30-year bonds rose 08/32 to 95-24/32 for a yield of 4.64%.

Steverman is a reporter for BusinessWeek's Investing channel.