WR Grace is the latest asbestos-related name to take a fall due to litigation. The company announced a surge of lawsuits this year and says it will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. A total of $10 to $15 million traded between 40 and 50.
In par news, telecommunications names are continuing to be unloaded due to weakness in the high-yield sector and market saturation. Nextel Communications traded at 98 1/2 to 99 3/4. McCleod USA traded at 99, and SpectraSite Communications traded at 97 7/8. All names are down, and traders say it's hard to gauge where the floor is.