WaMu

Washington Mutual reported a nearly $2 billion fourth-quarter net loss as the lender continued to struggle in the face of a meltdown in the mortgage industry and questions about its viability. The company lost $2.19 a share in the period after taking a $1.6 billion charge to write down the value of its home loan business and set aside more provisions to cover the cost of housing-market weakness.

However ...

The stock was up 8.75% on speculation that it is a tempting takeover target