BUZZ-U.S. Stocks on the Move-Amazon, Ford, Microsoft, P&G

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U.S. stocks advanced on Friday, buoyed by gains in Microsoft (NasdaqGS: MSFT - news) and Procter & Gamble after their quarterly results and as it steps towards expediting the development of vaccines for Ebola eased concerns over its possible spread in the United States. The Dow Jones industrial average was up 0.56 percent at 16,771.7, the S&P 500 was up 0.53 percent at 1,961.08 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 14.12 points, or 0.32 percent, to 4,466.91.

** FORD MOTOR CO (NYSE: F - news) , $13.73, -4.65 pct

The U.S. automaker's third quarter profit dropped due to the cost of introducing F-150 pickup truck.

Ford said earnings were also hit by lower wholesale vehicle volumes and recall costs, as well as supplier parts shortages.

"No compelling new reason to either buy or sell the stock," Morgan Stanley (Xetra: 885836 - news) analyst Adam Jonas wrote in his note to clients.

For a graphic on Ford's earnings, click (http://link.reuters.com/bej33w)

** AMAZON.COM INC, $290.05, -7.39 pct

At least 20 brokerages cut their price targets on the e-commerce giant's stock, while Cowen and Co downgraded it to "market perform" from "outperform".

"If the stock continues to get hit, we could even end up in a situation with activists calling for significant changes at Amazon," Macquarie Equities Research analysts wrote in a note.

Up to Thursday's close, the stock had fallen about 21 percent this year.

Third quarter profit and revenue, as well as net sales forecast for the fourth quarter - the crucial holiday season - missed average analyst estimates.

Amazon's shares were the top percentage loser on the S&P 500, and was the biggest drag on the index.

** PROCTER & GAMBLE CO, $85.73, +3.00 pct

The consumer goods giant said it would exit its Duracell battery business, likely through a splitoff into a separate company, as it looks to focus on faster-growing brands. .

The company, which earlier this month completed a management reshuffle as part of plans to revive sagging sales growth and win back market share, said it forecast a stronger dollar this quarter.

For a graphic on Procter & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive and Kimberly Clark, click (http://link.reuters.com/syh33w)

The stock was the biggest pull on the S&P 500.

** PFIZER INC (NYSE: PFE - news) , $29.06, +1.61 pct

The U.S. drugmaker is to continue buying back stock, with the board authorizing a new $11 billion share repurchase plan, deflating expectations that it will make a new bid for AstraZeneca Plc (NYSE: AZN - news) .

Separately, a U.S. district court ruled in favor of the company in a patent lawsuit it filed against Mylan Inc (NasdaqGS: MYL - news) , alleging patent infringement on its cancer drug, Sutent, Pfizer said on Thursday.

** GRUBHUB INC (NYSE: GRUB - news) , $36.14, -2.82 pct

Brokerages revised price targets and shareholders sold shares after the company reported third quarter results.

Sources said 3 million shares were sold at $36.75 - a 1.1 percent discount to Thursday's $37.19 closing price - by an unidentified seller. The company had reported a more than five-fold jump in quarterly profit as more consumers used its online service to order meals.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS-PB - news) analyst Heath Terry said the company was well positioned to take share of the $77 billion takeout and delivery market in the United States, but cut his target to $42 from $44, "to reflect multiple compression across the sector."

** LAYNE CHRISTENSEN CO, $6.26, -23.28 pct

The construction and drilling company estimated third quarter revenue below analysts' expectations on Thursday, as unprofitable legacy contracts and higher costs hurt its heavy civil business.

D.A. Davidson cut its price target to $8 from $10 on the stock that was the top percentage loser on the Nasdaq.

** DRYSHIPS INC (NasdaqGS: DRYS - news) , $1.525, -23.75 pct

The drybulk shipping company priced its offering of 250 million shares at $1.40 per share, below the stock's Thursday close of $2. The company said it would use the proceeds to repay part of its $700 million debt.

Dryship shares were the most traded on the Nasdaq.

** CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC (NYSE: CQB - news) , $14.26, +3.63 pct

The banana producer said it would start takeover talks with Brazil's Grupo Cutrale and Safra Group after its shareholders voted against its proposed merger with Irish rival Fyffes Plc (Other OTC: FYFFF - news) .

** CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORP, $21.46, -1.51 pct

Chesapeake Oilfield Services, a unit of Chesapeake Energy (Other OTC: CHKDP - news) , said on Friday it would withdraw its plans for an initial public offering.

** DECKERS OUTDOOR CORP (NYSE: DECK - news) , $84.63, -3.94 pct

The outdoor footwear and apparel retailer forecast on Thursday third quarter revenue growth and profit below analysts' estimates.

** AGRIUM INC (Toronto: AGU.TO - news) , $93.57, +8.32 pct

Activist hedge fund ValueAct Capital disclosed a 5.7 percent stake in the Canadian fertilizer producer, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

** SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY CO (NYSE: SWN - news) , $31.59, -4.99 pct

The oil and gas producer on Thursday reported an adjusted profit below Wall Street expectations, hurt by lower natural gas prices and higher costs.

** FLOWSERVE CORP (NYSE: FLS - news) , $64.84, -2.29 pct

The company, which makes valves and pumps for the oil and gas industry, reported a lower-than-expected quarterly profit, hurt by delays in projects and deferred product inspection.

At least two brokerages cut their price targets on the stock by as much as $7 to $78. The stock has a median price target of $80.

** HUB GROUP INC (NasdaqGS: HUBG - news) , $33.96, -12.95 pct

The freight management company's stock was among the top percentage losers on the Nasdaq after the company's third quarter profit missed the average analyst estimate, hurt by lower intermodal revenue and higher costs.

KeyBanc cut its price target on the stock to $45 while BMO Capital Markets and Macquarie cut their price targets to $38. The stock has a median price target of $45, down $3.5 in the past 30 days.

** GIGAMON INC (NYSE: GIMO - news) , $13.53, +16.74 pct

The network traffic management software maker reported better-than-expected third quarter revenue.

The stock was the biggest percentage gainer on the New York Stock Exchange.

** PANDORA MEDIA INC (NYSE: P - news) , $19.62, -15.14 pct

At least eight brokerages cut their price targets by as much as $7 to as low as $26 on the operator of the leading Internet radio service's stock, which has a median price target of $32.

The company had reported a lower-than-expected increase in listeners in the third quarter.

The stock was the top percentage loser on the New York Stock Exchange.

** BJ'S RESTAURANTS INC, $41.52, +25.06 pct

At least six brokerages, including Morgan Stanley and Jefferies, raised their price targets on the restaurant chain operator's stock.

The casual dining restaurant operator on Thursday said third quarter comparable restaurant sales grew 0.3 percent - the first increase after falling four quarters. Sales were driven by a 0.7 percent increase in guest traffic, which more than offset a lower average check.

The stock was the third-biggest percentage gainer on the Nasdaq.

** LEAR CORP (NYSE: LEA - news) , $91.2, +6.59 pct

The maker of auto seats and electrical power systems reported a better-than-expected rise in quarterly profit and raised its 2014 earnings forecast, reflecting robust vehicle production in North America and Europe.

** KLA-TENCOR CORP, $76.14, +7.24 pct

At least four brokerages raise their price targets on the chip and wafer maker's stock after the company reported better-than-expected quarterly revenue and increased its share repurchase program.

The stock was the second-biggest percentage gainer on the S&P 500.

** VITAE PHARMACEUTICALS INC (NasdaqGM: VTAE - news) , $10.6095, +22.65 pct

The biotechnology company said on Thursday its experimental drug to treat Alzheimer's disease was found safe and well-tolerated across all dose levels tested in early-stage trials.

The stock was the second-biggest percentage gainer on the Nasdaq.

** QIWI PLC (NasdaqGS: QIWI - news) , $27.12, -10.47 pct

Goldman Sachs cut its rating on the payment processor's stock to "sell" from "buy", citing revenue growth and compliance risk. "We see risks to growth in the financial services, e-commerce and money remittance businesses," Goldman Sachs analysts wrote in a note.

** EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORP (NYSE: EW - news) , $117.47, +11.67 pct

The medical device maker said its quarterly net earnings rose 23 percent on strong sales of heart valves, prompting the company to raise its full year earnings forecast.

The stock was the top percentage gainer on the S&P 500.

** JUNIPER NETWORKS INC (NYSE: JNPR - news) , $19.305, -5.00 pct

The network gear maker forecast weaker-than-expected profit and revenue for the current quarter as telecom operators, its main customers, postpone spending until the dust settles on several big mergers.

The stock was the second-biggest percentage loser on the S&P 500.

** SYNAPTICS INC (NasdaqGS: SYNA - news) , $62.73, -14.39 pct

The touchscreen chip maker reported lower-than-expected first quarter revenue and adjusted profit, hurt by weak demand from smartphone makers, sending its shares down 8.5 percent in extended trading. (Compiled by Shailaja Sharma in Bangalore; Editing by Joyjeet Das)