Stocks in the News: Apple, JPMorgan, Bank of America

The following is a round-up of news likely to affect stock prices today:

Intel (INTC) late Tuesday reported its earnings just about quadrupled to $2.4 billion, or 43 cents per share, beating analysts' estimates of 38 cents per share. Intel's revenue jumped 44% to $10.3 billion, ahead of forecasts for $9.8 billion, as not only consumers but corporate spending on technology have resumed. Shares jumped over 4% ahead of the bell.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) just reported a first-quarter net income of $3.3 billion, or 74 cents a share, compared to net income of $2.1 billion, or 40 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Total net revenue was $27.7 billion. Analysts had expected the company to report a profit of 64 cents per share on $26.47 billion in revenue. Shares were 1.8% higher in premarket trading.

Apple Inc. (AAPL) just announced that because of a surprisingly strong U.S. it has decided to postpone the international launch of iPad by one month, until the end of May. It will announce international pricing and begin taking online pre-orders on Monday, May 10. Apple said in a statement it has delivered more than 500,000 iPads during its first week.

Yum Brands Inc. (YUM) is expected to report earnings of 53 cents per share with revenue of $2.26 billion when it reports results after the market close Wednesday. W.W.Grainger (GWW) will also be reporting after the close.

Daimler AG (DAI) said Wednesday that it expects to resume paying a dividend this year as its sales increase. While in 2009 the carmaker reported a €2.6 billion net loss and an operating loss of €1.5 billion, it says it is positioned for a strong post-crisis rebound.

CSX Corp. (CSX) reported a higher first-quarter profit of $306 million, or 78 cents a share, on 11% higher revenue of almost $2.5 billion as the railroad operator pointed to the continued recovery of the economy. Shares rose 1.2% before the bell.

Bank of America Corp. (BAC) on Wednesday named Charles Noski, 57, previously the CFO of Northrop Grumman Corp. (NOC), as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective May 11. Shares added 1.5% to their value in premarket.

General Mills Inc. (GIS) expects to record a charge of $34 million, or 10 cents per share, for its fiscal fourth quarter due to the the health care reform legislation passed recently. Excluding the impact of this change, GIS reaffirmed its guidance for the fiscal year.

Linear Technology Corp. (LLTC) said its fiscal third-quarter profit more than doubled to $100.6 million, or 44 cents a share as its revenue rose by more than 50% to $311.3 million in the year-ago period. Shares were 1.3% before the bell.

Morgan Stanley (MS) expects to lose $5.4 billion, or 61%, of its $8.8 billion global fund from 2007, Bloomberg reported, citing a person familiar with the situation. Shares traded 1.3% higher in premarket action.

ASML Holding NV (ASML) swung to first-quarter profit from a year-earlier loss as sales leaped, but shares dropped 1.5%.

Baxter International (BAX) shares are up in premarket trading after its blood drug Gammagard has shown considerable promise in treating Alzheimer's disease, according to a study unveiled by researchers on Tuesday. Shares rose 3.3% ahead of the bell.

Simon Property Group Inc. (SPG) sweetened its previous $9 per share offer to buy out its struggling rivalGeneral Growth Properties Inc. (GGP) on Wednesday, trying to best a group of investors that includes Brookfield Asset Management. Wednesday's offer amounts to $10 a share, Simon said.