Stocks in the news: Palm, UBS, Boeing, KB Home

The following post rounds up the companies making headlines today:

Palm Inc (PALM) posted a wider loss for its fiscal fourth quarter Thursday after the close, but it was narrower than analysts' expectations. It said demand for its just-unveiled Pre smartphone exceeded expectations, although these were not included in the quarter. The Pre competes with Apple Inc's (AAPL) iPhone and Research in Motion's (RIMM) and the company hopes it would help it return to profitability. Shares jumped over 11 percent in pre-market trade.

UBS AG (UBS) raised about 3.8 billion Swiss francs ($3.5 billion) by selling 293.3 million shares for 13 francs apiece. UBS also said it expects a second-quarter loss. UBS is the European bank with the biggest losses from the credit crisis and the fund raise was needed to bolster its balance sheet as well as client and investor confidence. Shares declined over 4 percent ahead of the bell.