ORANGE COUNTY

PIA Stock Jumps on First Day: PIA Merchandising Services Inc. stock climbed 11% Friday in the Irvine company’s first day of trading on the Nasdaq market. The stock of the company, which checks products and displays in stores, closed at $15.50 per share, up $1.50 from its initial offering price. About 2.25 million shares changed hands, roughly equal to the 2.3 million shares made available in Thursday’s offering. The offering had been priced at $14 each Thursday through underwriters led by PaineWebber Inc., the middle of the anticipated price range. The stock opened at $15 per share Friday and rose as high as $16 before settling at its closing price. The company checks about 22,500 grocery stores and 7,500 drugstores nationwide to make sure merchandise is displayed properly. Clients include Colgate-Palmolive Co. and Ralston-Purina Co.