Ticker Talk:

Online grocer Webvan Group Inc., based in Foster City, Calif., said Tuesday it has signed leases to build distribution centers near Chicago, Dallas, Seattle and Washington. The stock closed flat on Nasdaq at $24.69, but Wall Street analysts apparently were impressed: It was rated “recommend list” at Goldman Sachs and “buy” or “strong buy” at Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown and Thomas Weisel Partners. The stock went public at $15 on Nov. 5. . . . Barnes & Noble Inc., the largest U.S. bookseller, said Tuesday it will repurchase as much as $250 million, or about 15%, of its common shares in the company’s first-ever stock buyback. Barnes & Noble shares rose 50 cents to close at $24.75 on the NYSE, leaving them with a loss of 42% this year.