Nasdaq OMX Group Inc. (NDAQ) has reported third-quarter results.  The company swung to a GAAP net income of $60 million or 28 cents per share compared to $69 million or 33 cents in the prior quarter and $58 million or 27 cents in the year-ago period. Results included one-time charges counting $25 million in debt conversion expense, $16 million in pre-tax expenses associated with asset retirements, workforce reductions and other non-recurring items, and $5 million in pre-tax merger expenses.  Excluding these charges, pro forma earnings per share came in at 42 cents, in line with the Zacks Consensus forecast. Results were aided by growth in the company’s core businesses and significant progress from new initiatives.  Net revenue (net of liquidity rebates, brokerage, clearance and exchange fees) slipped 4.9% sequentially and 12.5% year over year to $349 million. The decline was primarily attributable to foreign currency ...

Shares of eBay (EBAY) slid 4.8% yesterday morning and failed to recover momentum after the company sold a majority interest in Internet calling services provider Skype.

A group of investors, with the largest being private equity firm Silver Lake, bought the 65% stake for $1.9 billion in cash and $1.25 million in short-term notes. eBay acquired Skype for a total of $3.1 billion in 2005 and subsequently wrote off $1.4 billion in 2007. The valuation indicates that the company made a profit on the deal. It also retained a share in future profits through its 35% stake and a seat on the Skype board.

Skype owns software that employs VoIP technology to offer users free voice and video calls, instant text messaging and file sharing. eBay’s former CEO had acquired the company to facilitate communication between buyers and sellers using its shopping portal. But the strategy failed to

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