Stocks in the news: Avocent, Pepsi Bottling, General Mills

Some of the companies making headlines today:

Emerson (EMR) agreed to acquire Avocent Corporation (AVCT) for an all-cash tender offer of $25 per share, or approximately $1.2 billion. The purchase is expected to close around January 1, 2010, pending regulatory approvals and Avocent stockholders approval. AVCT shares jumped over 20 percent in pre-market trading.

Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) reported a slightly higher-than-expected quarterly profit on Tuesday, as price increases and easing commodity costs helped offset falling sales volume. Shares were 1.3 percent higher ahead of the bell.