San Jose-based BEA Systems Inc. (BEAS) fell more than 4.5 percent in midday trading Thursday, the largest drop among local stocks tracked by the Examiner. San Mateo’s Franklin Resources Inc. (BEN) showed the next large decline, falling more than 3.9 percent.

Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD), on the other hand, rose more than 3.2 percent, while Pleasanton-based Safeway Inc. rose more than 2 percent.

The markets were down overall Thursday afternoon, with the Dow dropping more than 0.6 percent, the Nasdaq more than 0.8 percent and the S&P 500 more than 1 percent.

Local companies in the news include Network Appliances Inc. (NTAP), which reported a better than expected quarterly profit, according to Reuters. Oracle Corp. (ORCL) CEO Larry Ellison’s remarks that his company would probably not repeat its recently-rejected offer of $17 a share for BEA Systems also gained extensive coverage.