Google Inc. (NDAQ:GOOG) announced Friday that it has agreed to buy online-advertising company DoubleClick Inc. for $3.1 billion in cash, capping takeover talks that reportedly featured interest from other companies including Microsoft. The acquisition will help Google boost its efforts to sell more graphics-based display ads - a market pioneered by the venture-funded DoubleClick.

Merck & Co. (NYSE:MRK) shares jumped on Friday after a greatly improved 2007 earnings forecast hit the markets as well as the dismissal of a class-action lawsuit filed by shareholders over its handling of the recalled Vioxx. There were also rumors that a Texas judge is poised to throw out a key Vioxx case, which could derail another 1,000 Vioxx cases filed in Texas courts.

eBay Inc. (NDAQ:EBAY) is expected to report higher sales and a surge in profit on Wednesday, fueled by growth in its PayPal division and improving selling prices of items sold on its website. Sales are projected to climb 22% to $1.7 billion while profits are expected to come in at 30 cents per share - the higher end of eBay's guidance.

McDonald's Corp. (NYSE:MCD) shares added 2.2% after the company said it expects earnings of 62 cents for Q1, including a one cent gain from foreign currency translation. This tops analyst estimates of 57 cents.

Apple, Inc. (NDAQ:AAPL) shares fell over 2% after the comany said it would delay the release of Leapard, the next upgrade of its Mac operating system, until October.

Comverge (NDAQ:COMV) shares jumped over 16% on their first day of trading on the Nasdaq. The maker of software and related technology is tapping into the so-called "Cleantech" sector aimed at reducing the world's carbon footprint by making electricity transmission grids smarter.

General Electric Co. (NYSE:GE) rose 0.6% after the company's first quarter results came in line with analysts' expectations, while it also reaffirmed its earnings guidance for 2007.

Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (NDAQ:SIRI) and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (NDAQ:XMSR) advanced slightly after the Justice Department said it had requested more information on their planned merger.