Stocks in the news: MetLife, McDermott, Intel, Nvidia

MetLife Inc. (MET) issued profit forecasts for the fourth quarter and 2010 that could beat average Wall Street expectations. Fourth-quarter operating earnings per share are now expected to be between 90 cents and 95 cents, compared to the average analyst forecast of 91 cents a share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

McDermott International Inc. (MDR) said Monday that it plans to split into two publicly traded companies within a year. The company expects to spin off Babcock & Wilcox and rename the remaining company J. Ray McDermott. Shareholders will own 100% of the two companies. Shares rallied over 11% in pre-market trading.