Wall Street Rumors - April 9, 2008

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Boeing Announces Further Delays To 787 Dreamliner Program

Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) acknowledged on Wednesday that its troubled 787 Dreamliner program is running a total of 15 months behind schedule, six months later than it had previously predicted.

Circuit City Sales Slide Amid Pricing Pressures

Circuit City Stores Inc. (NYSE: CC) swung to a fiscal fourth-quarter profit amid cost cutting and a smaller write-down of its international segment, even though same-store sales slumped 10% in the holiday quarter.

Ameriprise Settles N.H. Case Over Forged Customer Signatures

Ameriprise Financial Inc. (NYSE: AMP) settled a civil case with New Hampshire regulators alleging that the company’s financial advisers forged at least 96 customers’ signatures.

WaMu’s Hedge: CEO Called In Dimon & Co.

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., which has emerged as the go-to bank for the financial industry, got spurned by Washington Mutual Inc. (NYSE: WM) just weeks after receiving an urgent call for help from the struggling competitor.

Motorola Taps Dorman as Chairman

Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT) said Wednesday former AT&T Chairman and Chief Executive David Dorman will become chairman when former CEO Ed Zander steps down as chairman at Motorola’s May 5 annual meeting.

Goldman’s Illiquid Assets Increase

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) reported a surge in illiquid assets in the latest quarter as more mortgage-related assets were transferred to hard-to-value status amid the credit crisis.

Citi Nears Deal to Sell Debt to Buyout Firms

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C), taking a big step to reduce its holdings of troubled corporate debt, is close to unloading about $12 billion of leveraged loans and bonds in a deal with a group of private-equity firms, according to people familiar with the matter.

Legg Mason Wades Into the Yahoo Fray

A major Yahoo Inc. (NasdaqGS: YHOO) shareholder said Microsoft Corp. (NasdaqGS: MSFT) “blundered” last weekend by threatening a hostile Yahoo takeover at a lower price.

Legg Mason Inc. (NYSE: LM) portfolio manager Bill Miller in an interview Tuesday said his firm is prepared to support an effort by Yahoo to remain independent, should Microsoft lower its offer.