Movers: Google, Citigroup, eBay, Yahoo, Peabody Energy

After the market close Thursday, Google (GOOG) reports third quarter EPS of ed $4.92 per share [excluding costs for stock compensation], 17 cents above the consensus forecast. Revenue rose 34% to $4.04 billion — about $20 million below the average analyst estimate. The stock moved up about 8% in after-hours trading.

Citigroup (C) posts $0.60 third quarter loss, vs. $0.44 EPS a year ago, on 23% revenue drop. Notes results include $4.4 billion in net pre-tax write-downs in Securities and Banking, $4.9 billion in net credit losses, $3.9 billion net charge to increase loan loss reserves. S&P maintains hold.

eBay (EBAY) posts $0.46, vs. $0.41, third quarter non-GAAP EPS on 12% rise in net revenue. To reflect current business trends, impact of acquisitions, impact of reorganization of co.’s workforce now expects net revs of $8.525-$8.675 billion with GAAP EPS of $1.32-$1.34 [includes restructuring charge] and non-GAAP EPS of $1.69-$1.71. JP Morgan downgrades to neutral from overweight.

Yahoo (YHOO) rises 1.24 to 12.99 after CNBC reports that Microsoft (MSFT) CEO Steve Ballmer says MSFT acquiring YHOO could still make economic sense.

Peabody Energy (BTU) posts $1.38, vs. $0.20, third quarter EPS from continuing operations on 59% revenue rise. It says during the quarter, operating cash flows reached a new high of $462 million, and the company repaid more than $100 million in debt. Raises 2008 EBITDA targets to $1.75-$1.85 billion and EPS target to $3.00-$3.25.

Cell Genesys (CEGE) terminates VITAL-1 Phase 3 clinical trial of GVAX immunotherapy in patients with asymptomatic metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer. The decision is based on results of previously unplanned futility analysis conducted by the study’s Independent Data Monitoring Committee, which indicated that the trial had less than a 30% chance of meeting its predefined primary endpoint of an improvement in survival.

United Technologies (UTX) posts $1.33, vs. $1.21, third quarter EPS on 7% revenue rise. Based on strong performance in the first three quarters of the year, raises bottom end of EPS guidance to $4.90 from $4.80; now expects 2008 EPS in the range of $4.90-$4.95. Continues to expect cash flow from operations less capital expenditures to meet or exceed net income for the full year.

Sherwin-Williams (SHW) rises 6.54 to 55.96 after the paint maker posts better-than-expected $1.50, vs. $1.55, third quarter3 EPS despite 3.3% sales rise. The Street was looking for $1.27. For 2008, it expects sales will be slightly higher than 2007, it raises 2008 EPS forecast to $3.97-$4.17. S&P reiterates hold.

Merrill Lynch (MER) posts $5.56 third quarter loss per share from continuing operations, vs. $2.99 loss a year ago, on 31% drop in adj. net revenue. It says third quarter results impacted by net write-downs of $5.7 billion resulting from previously announced sale of U.S. super senior ABS CDOs, termination and potential settlement of related hedges with monoline guarantor counterparties; write-downs of $3.8 billion mainly from severe market dislocations. S&P maintains hold.

UBS AG (UBS) and the Swiss National Bank reach an agreement to transfer up to US$60 billion of currently illiquid securities and other assets from the company’s balance sheet to a separate fund entity. UBS confirms it will raise CHF6 billion of new capital through mandatory convertible notes, and says this cap future potential losses from these assets. Also, earnings-wise, the company says it recorded a net profit attributable to shareholders of CHF296 million in third quarter. S&P keeps hold.

Credit Suisse Group (CS) says it has reached an agreement on a consent decree with the Swiss federal banking commission regarding future capital targets and leverage requirements. The company has raised some net CHF10 billion by the sale of its treasury shares, by issuing new credit shares through mandatory convertible bonds and by issuing non-dilutive hybrid tier 1 capital. CS expects a net loss of CHF1.3 billion for third quarter. S&P maintains hold.

Nokia (NOK) posts 21% lower third quarter operating profit on 5% sales drop. Says its mobile device market share for third quarter was 38% vs. 39% year-ago. Says market share decline was driven primarily by lower market share in Middle East & Africa, Greater China, North American and Europe.

Hershey Company (HSY) posts $0.54, vs. $0.27, third quarter GAAP EPS on 6.4% sales rise. Posts $0.64 third quarter EPS from operations; Street was looking for $0.64. Sees lower end of $1.85-$1.90 2008 EPS from operations on 3%-4% sales rise.

Southwest Airlines (LUV) posts $0.09, vs. $0.21, third quarter EPS [excluding special charges, other special items] despite 12% revenue rise. Street was looking for $0.07.

Continental Airlines (CAL) posts $2.14 third quarter loss, vs. $2.15 EPS, as higher fuel costs offset 8.8% revenue rise. Posts $1.32 loss, excluding special items. Street was looking for $1.55 loss.

Briggs & Stratton (BGG) posts $0.04 first quarter loss, vs. $0.42 loss, on 25% sales rise. Sees $0.81-$1.01 fiscal year 2009 EPS, which reflects impact of increased portable generator sales in the first quarter that were not in its initial projections for the year.

A.O. Smith (AOS) posts better-than-expected $0.70, vs. $0.79 [including $0.10 non-recurring tax benefit], third quarter EPS despite 8.9% revenue rise. Street was looking for $0.56. Based on strong performance in third quarter, despite difficult economic environment it’s facing in the fourth quarter, increases and narrows 2008 EPS guidance from $2.70-$2.85 to $2.80-$2.90.

UnitedHealth Group (UNH) posts $0.73 [adjusted], vs. $0.95, third quarter EPS as lower operating costs offset 7.9% revenue rise. Says results reflect growth in memberships across almost every category. Sees $0.77-$0.80 fourth quarter EPS.