Houghton Mifflin Stock Surges in Return to Public Trading

Book lovers can once again buy stock in "Curious George," "The Lord of the Rings," and even "Webster's New World Dictionary." After more than a decade of tumultuous private ownership, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co. returned to public trading Thursday on the Nasdaq exchange, with shares closing up 32 percent at $15.86. The swell renewed optimism that the Boston book publisher is turning the page on its 2012 bankruptcy. The 181-year-old company had priced its initial public offering at $12 per share on Wednesday, below the expected range of $14 to $16.