UPDATE 1-Anadarko shares up as 2nd-qtr profit tops Street

(Reuters) - HOUSTON, July 31 - Shares of independent oil and
gas producer Anadarko Petroleum Corp. climbed on
Tuesday, a day after the company reported better-than-expected
quarterly earnings and raised its annual production forecast.




Houston-based Anadarko's shares initially rose more than 5
percent, but fell back a bit and were trading up 4.4 percent,
or $2.20 at $52.30 on the New York Stock Exchange at midday.


Read more at Reuters.com Market News

UST Option Trading Surges on Speculation Altria Will Buy Tobacco Producer

(Bloomberg) -- Trading in options to buy UST Inc.
shares jumped to the highest since December on speculation the
largest U.S. smokeless tobacco producer may be acquired by Altria
Group Inc., parent of the world's largest cigarette maker.

The number of call-option contracts traded in UST rose to
7,317, or 20 times the average during the prior 20 trading
sessions. UST shares added 97 cents to $53.74 in 2:07 p.m. New
York Stock Exchange composite trading.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News