NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Shares of Veritas Software charged into positive territory after giving back its Wednesday gains early Thursday morning, after an announcement that the company would acquire all Veritas shares previously held by Seagate Technology.
Shares of domestics merchandise retailer Bed Bath & Beyond climbed 22 percent after the company reported fourth-quarter earnings that beat the consensus estimate on Wall Street.
Shares of telecommunications services provider Viatel Inc. fell 17 percent after the company said it plans to sell $350 million in convertible preferred securities.
Here are some of the biggest market movers in Thursday trading.
Thursday's winners
Luminex Corp. (LMNX: Research, Estimates) up 3-7/8 to 20-7/8.
Warburg Dillon Read priced 4.5 million shares of Luminex at $17 each, the lower end of the estimated $17-$19 range. The Austin, Texas-based company develops technology designed to simplify biological testing for the life sciences industry.
Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY: Research, Estimates) up 10 to 43-1/2.
 Domestics merchandise and home furnishings retailer Bed Bath & Beyond reported fourth-quarter earnings that beat the consensus estimate on Wall Street. Net income for the fourth quarter totaled $48.4 million, or 34 cents a share, an increase of 42 percent over the year-ago total. The 20 analysts polled by First Call had expected a profit of 30 cents a share.
Nabisco Group Holdings Corp. (NGH: Research, Estimates) up 2-3/8 to 11-11/16.
Corporate raider Carl Icahn said he was prepared to buy 100 million shares of Nabisco Group Holdings Corp. as part of his fourth attempt to take over the giant food company. In a letter to board of directors of Nabisco -- known for its Oreo cookies, Ritz crackers and Lifesavers candy -- Icahn offered to
pay $13 per share in a move that would raise his stake to 40 percent.
Veritas Software (VRTS: Research, Estimates) up 1-1/4 to 143-3/4.
Seagate Technology, a computer disk drive maker, said it would be acquired by investor group Silver Lake Partners, in a deal that also provides for the sale of Seagate's 33 percent stake in Veritas Software back to that company. The companies valued the stock and cash deal at $20.2 billion. Shares of Veritas jumped up in after-hours trading Wednesday based on investor enthusiasm, declined after excitement waned, and reversed course once more Thursday afternoon. Shares of Seagate fell more than 8 percent.
Sony Corp. (SNE: Research, Estimates) up 13-1/16 to 268-1/2.
Consumer electronics manufacturer Sony is reorganizing to focus on the growing market for broadband products and communications. As part of the plan, the company is pulling together its three U.S. businesses under a new company called Sony Broadband Entertainment. The company will handle operations of Sony's entertainment, music, and pictures business.
Pulaski Furniture Corp. (PLFC: Research, Estimates) up 5-1/16 to 21-13/16.
Furniture manufacturer and importer Pulaski Furniture Corp. said late on Wednesday it had agreed to be bought by its president and chief executive officer, John Wampler, and its senior management team, for $22.50 a share, or $125 million including debt assumption. Under the agreement, which the company's board has approved, the management group, supported by an affiliate of private equity fund Quad-C management, will commence a tender offer for the outstanding shares within seven business days.
Castle & Cooke Inc. (CCS: Research, Estimates) up 4-3/4 to 16-13/16.
Commercial and residential developer Castle & Cooke Inc. said it has received an offer from David Murdock's Flexi-Van Leasing to buy the 73 percent of Castle & Cooke shares that Flexi-Van Leasing and its associates do not already own for $17 a share in cash. The offer puts the value of the remaining stake at about $213 million.
Primedia Inc. (PRM: Research, Estimates) up 4-13/16 to 31-15/16.
Primedia Inc. said that both Internet venture capital firm CMGI Inc. and cable TV company Liberty Media Group were taking 5-percent stakes in the company as it moved from being a magazine publisher into the Internet, video and electronic commerce.
Thursday's losers
Viatel Inc. (VYTL: Research, Estimates) down 11-3/8 to 50-1/4.
Telecommunications services provider Viatel Inc. said it plans to sell $350 million in convertible preferred securities to raise money for expansion of its network.
Nexell Therapeutics Inc. (NEXL: Research, Estimates) down 2-13/32 to 4-7/32.
Nexell Therapeutics said it plans a 1-for-4 reverse split.
Profit Recovery Group International Inc. (PRGX: Research, Estimates) down 8-3/4 to 17-1/4.
Profit Recovery Group International, a provider of accounts payable and other recovery audit services, said Wednesday it expects first and second quarter revenues and earnings to be lower than analysts consensus estimates. The reduced expectations are primarily associated with a revenue shortfall in PRG's French tax recovery auditing division, due to a series of French government tax workers' strikes during March.
Cabletron Systems Inc. (CS: Research, Estimates) down 21-5/8 to 28-1/4.
Goldman Sachs said analyst Ajay Diwan cut his rating on shares of computer networking systems maker Cabletron Systems Inc. to "market performer" from "market outperformer." After the market closed on Wednesday, Cabletron reported a fourth-quarter profit of 15 cents per share, beating the Wall Street consensus estimate of 14 cents per share. 
-- compiled by Staff Writer Lucy Banduci from wire reports
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