Ticker Talk

Shares of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (CHKP) fell as much as 19% on Thursday when investors apparently confused the company with Checkpoint Systems Inc. (CKP), which said its sales could be hurt by a weakening economy. Check Point, based in Israel, makes programs for securing corporate networks. Checkpoint, based in New Jersey, makes labeling systems for retailers. . . . The Nasdaq Stock Market is pressing ahead with plans to switch to decimal pricing next month even as Wall Street’s main trading group, the Security Traders Assn., urges a delay. Nasdaq plans to begin the switch from fraction prices with 15 stocks March 12 and to finish with the 5,000 or so remaining stocks on April 9, a Nasdaq spokesman said. The STA has warned that Nasdaq could be overwhelmed by price-quote and message traffic.