Amgen Inc.'s stock climbed 14 percent in the last week onspeculation of a takeover by Bristol-Myers Squibb, but Thursday theNew York pharmaceutical giant issued a statement denying therumors, sending Amgen down $4 per share.

Trading in Amgen, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., topped 10 millionshares Thursday, more than six times the normal volume. Thecompany's stock (NASDAQ:AMGN) closed at $66.75, down 6percent.

Speculation of a takeover of Amgen by Bristol-Myers Squibb hasbeen circulating on Wall Street for months. The most recent rumorssurfaced last week and between Feb. 3 and Wednesday Amgenjumped $8.88 per share, or 14.3 percent.

Bristol-Myers Squibb, in a prepared statement, said Thursday the"persistent and widespread speculation . . . should be laid to rest."The New York pharmaceutical company added, "Bristol-MyersSquibb is not, and has not been, in any discussions with Amgenregarding the acquisition of the company." _ Charles Craig

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