Late Market Update (MSFT, SNE, DELL, HPQ, APA, MOS)

Shares of Microsoft MSFT are on the move after CEO Steve Ballmer publicized that several companies such as Sony SNE, Acer, Dell DELL, Toshiba TOSBF and Samsung are developing tablet-style devices that will run on Windows 7. Ballmer also confirmed that eBay EBAY, Hewlett-Packard HPQ and DELL are in the process of testing the new Windows Azure cloud-computing application. Apache APA are falling after reports revealed that the company is in talks to buy oil assets of BP PLC (BP) for a minimum of $10 billion. The deal will help BP meet its liabilities towards cleanup of the Gulf spill and provide APA with assets that have growth potential. However, Apache will also land up with higher debt. Mosaic MOS shares slide around 8% after the company disclosed in a federal filing that it may need to close a phosphate rock mine in Florida for an indefinite period. This is because a lawsuit filed by environmental groups may result in the cancellation of the mine's license. Read more from Benzinga's Markets.