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GDP Up 7.2%; Biggest Jump Since '84
1Tax cuts and low interest rates fueled the third quarter's surge in economic growth. Consumer spending and housing construction led the broad-based gains. Economists forecast a 6% gain. Business investment, which had been impeding the rebound, ran up a sharp 15.4%. It was the best gain since 2000's first quarter.
October IPOs Finish Strong
2 There were 10 IPOs in Oct., including 5 last week. The year-to-date return on 2003 IPOs is 38%, the best since '99, says Renaissance Capital. On Friday, Union Pacific trucking spinoff Overnite jumped 17% to 22.16 in its first day after pricing at the top of its already-raised $17-$19-a-share range. Educational financial services firm First Marblehead shot up 38% to 22.15.
HMO Deals Surprise Street
3Anthem is buying health insurer WellPoint Health Networks for $14.2 bil, or $23.80 in cash and 1 share of Anthem per WellPoint share. WellPoint's Q3 net rose 18% to $1.63, 8 cents over views. Anthem's Q3 net grew 7% to $1.38 vs. estimates for $1.33. UnitedHealth Group will pay $2.95 bil for Mid Atlantic Medical.
BofA Bids For FleetBoston