Jefferies

Family Dollar has adopted a "poison pill" that could repel any potential hostile takeover attempt by activist investor Carl Icahn. But some analysts say a sale, merger or executive shakeup at the company looks increasingly likely. Icahn said Friday that he has bought 9.4 percent of the company. That means that more than 22 percent of the company's shares are controlled by activist investors, including John Paulson's hedge fund and Nelson Peltz, who tried to buy the company in 2011. 

NEW YORK - Nike Inc.'s stock climbed more than 4 percent before the market opened Tuesday as the clothing and footwear company's fiscal fourth-quarter results topped expectations. An analyst said in a client note that the performance was mainly due to accelerating sales of the chain's sneakers. Taposh Bari of Jefferies & Co. said the industry is in one of the best athletic footwear cycles in more than a decade, with Nike set to capitalize because it is the clear leader in the category. "The robust sales trend gives us confidence in Nike's ability to raise price," the analyst