HomeFed Corp. stock spurted up $4.50 Tuesday...

HomeFed Corp. stock spurted up $4.50 Tuesday to close at $44 per share, a 52-week high, in New York Stock Exchange trading. The stock was propelled by favorable comments by analysts at several securities brokerages in recent days, a HomeFed spokeswoman said.

The well-capitalized parent of Home Federal Savings & Loan is perceived on Wall Street as well-positioned in light of the $166-billion S & L rescue bill expected to be signed by President Bush this week, the spokeswoman said. HomeFed has also been described as a possible takeover candidate.