Gold gained 1% on Thursday and energy prices surged as U.S. stocks had a strong day. The S&P 500 Index gained 0.7%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.5% and the Nasdaq Composite grew 0.8%.
Several companies were in the market spotlight on Friday morning, including Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG, NASDAQ:GOOGL), Glu Mobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:GLUU) and Endo International plc – Ordinary Shares (NASDAQ:ENDP).
Here’s what you need to know:
Alphabet Inc (GOOGL)
GOOGL shares are being watched carefully, though not on any real news — just anticipation.
CNBC reported on Friday morning that Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) has “received expressions of interest from several technology companies and may receive a formal bid shortly,” according to unnamed sources.
Those sources said Alphabet and Salesforce.com, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) were among the potential suitors.
Twitter is no stranger to buyout talks, with TWTR shares popping on a number of rumors, and even a fake report about a $31 billion takeover back in July 2015.
Traders aren’t jaded, though, bidding TWTR stock some 15% higher in Friday’s premarket trade.
Endo International plc – Ordinary Shares (ENDP)
ENDP shares opened 7% higher on Friday amid news that Rajiv De Silva has stepped down as CEO, president and board member, and has been replaced by Paul V. Campanelli, effectively immediately.
Endo Pharmaceuticals is the maker of brands such as Zydone, Lidoderm and Percocet, as well as a number of generic drugs. Campanelli previously was the president of Endo’s generic and OTC drugs business, Par Pharmaceutical, which ENDP bought out in 2015.
“Given the continued evolution of Endo’s business and Paul’s impressive track record of delivering strong operating results, the Board concluded that Paul is the right leader for Endo at this juncture as we focus on execution and increasing the value of our attractive U.S. Branded, U.S. Generic and International pharmaceutical assets,” Chairman Roger H. Kimmel said in a statement.
The move extends a rally since May that has seen ENDP shares climb roughly 60%.
Glu Mobile, Inc. (GLUU)
Glu Mobile has extended its contract with Kim Kardashian West.
The company announced in an SEC filing that its deal with Kimsaprincess — the company that runs some of the reality star’s products — will run for four more years.
Glu Mobile cited Kardashian West’s likeness and other attributes as being under contract until June 30, 2020 for her hit game Kim Kardashian: Hollywood.
The company may make additional games with the social media personality throughout this period.
GLUU shares were up 1% in Friday’s morning trade.
