AEROSPACE

Alliant Techsystems Inc. Near $412-Million Deal With Hercules: The company’s announcement that it expects to reach an agreement Monday to acquire the aerospace operations of Hercules Inc. sent the stocks of both companies soaring. Hercules leaped $8.125 to $115 on the New York Stock Exchange, while Alliant was up $3.25 to $32.75, also on the NYSE. Alliant supplies defense storage systems to the government and other organizations. Hercules makes specialty chemicals, food products and solid fuel systems for the aerospace industry. The purchase price consists of $300 million in cash, less $14 million paid by Alliant in July when it signed a letter of intent, and 3.86 million new shares of Alliant stock valued at $29 a share.