Daily report: Winner, loser and the Top 10

Winner

HP IN TALKS TO BUY EDS

SAN FRANCISCO — Hewlett-Packard Co. is negotiating to buy technology services provider Electronic Data Systems Corp. in a deal that could help the world’s largest personal computer maker snap up more data-management and consulting contracts. Palo Alto, Calif. -based HP and Plano, Texas-based EDS confirmed the talks Monday shortly after The Wall Street Journal reported a deal could be reached as early as today. Citing unnamed people familiar with the matter, the Journal said HP will pay $12 billion to $13 billion — a price that translates to $24 to $26 per share. EDS shares soared $5.27 to finish Monday at $24.13. HP shares dropped $2.49 to close at $46.64 as investors fretted over the deal's logistics.

Loser

ECONOMY PUTS BRAKES ON U.S. TOYOTA PLANT

TOKYO — A senior Toyota executive said Monday that plans for a new auto assembly plant in Mississippi are being delayed by worries about slumping American auto sales and a broader U.S. economic slowdown. The vehicle assembly plant being built in Blue Springs, near Tupelo, Miss., initially was to be up and running by late 2009 or early 2010, said Toyota Motor Corp. executive vice president Mitsuo Kinoshita. That now has been pushed back to mid-2010 after Toyota reviewed the plans and considered the signs of a slowdown in the U.S. market following the subprime mortgage crisis, Kinoshita said.

Today’s Top 10

TRIB’S NEWSDAY DEAL BIG STEP TO EASE DEBT

Deal puts one of Tribune’s largest newspapers in hands of cable operator Cablevision Systems Corp., which like Newsday is based on New York’s Long Island.

SPRINT NEXTEL LOSS MORE THAN DOUBLES

Wireless carrier blamed bad first quarter on lower revenue, various costs and exodus of more than a million monthly subscribers.

CHINESE HEPARIN SHIPPED TO U.S. SAID SAFE

Blood thinner linked to dozens of deaths now safe due to tighter testing and controls, U.S. Health and Human Services secretary Mike Leavitt says.

FUJITSU PROFIT DOWN 40 PERCENT

Japanese electronics maker cited costs to restructure its computer-chip operations in the January-March quarter.

SIRIUS POSTS 28 PERCENT NARROWER LOSS

Satellite radio provider said revenue rose 33 percent in first quarter.

XM LOSS WIDENS NEARLY 6 PERCENT

Radio provider that Sirius is trying to buy reported higher expenses, including royalties paid to artists, in first quarter.

MIXED RESULTS FOR NORTHERN ROCK

Troubled British mortgage lender reported increase in arrears but said it was making “solid progress” with plan to repay multibillion-dollar government bailout.

INDYMAC SWINGS TO LOSS

Mortgage lender said deteriorating credit markets forced it to lower the value of mortgage-backed securities in first quarter.

MBIA LOSES $2.41 BILLION

Bond insurer faced ongoing deterioration in credit markets in first quarter and recorded billions in write-downs.

PMI GROUP REPORTS LOSS

Mortgage insurer, profitable in last year’s first quarter, cited hefty payouts on default claims and charges to write off its investment in bond insurer FGIC.