Stocks in the news: Oracle, Google, Sepracor, Costco, Hovanian, Ciena

Some of the companies making headlines today:

Oracle Corp. (ORCL) has one last obstacle before it can complete the $7.4 billion takeover of Sun Microsystems Inc. (JAVA) after the deal has been cleared in the United States. as European Union regulators on Thursday launched an antitrust probe into Oracle's takeover of Sun Microsystems Inc. (JAVA), saying the deal could mean higher prices and limited choice for database software.

Sepracor Inc. (SEPR) is being acquired by Japanese drug company Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co. for about $2.6 billion as the latter aims to expand in the U.S. market. Dainippon will pay $23 per share, a 27.6 percent premium over Sepracor's closing price Tuesday, but as reports came out late during the trading session Wednesday, the stocks was halted at 2:18 PM, up over 26 percent.