Briefing.com: Hourly In Play (R) – 16:00 ET

Jul 20, 2010 (Briefing.com via COMTEX) -- Hourly In Play (R)

Updated: 20-Jul-10 16:00 ET

15:59

CRR Carbo Ceramics announces 11% increase in dividend to $0.20 on a quarterly basis (78.92 +1.49)

15:50

AAPL Near-term & long-term technical levels in play for AAPL in the event of extended hours earnings volatility -Technical-

AAPL @ 252.24 +6.66. LoD @ 240.01. HoD @ 252.90

Chart Support:

244~243 (Jul 1 & 2 double bottom & W pvt pt S1 @ 243.60)

240~239 (Jul 19 & 20 double bottom & Jul low @ 239.60)

237 (W pvt pt S2)

231.50~231 (May 21 low)

228 (W pvt pt S3)

225~223 (Post may 6 'flash crash' low @ 225 & 200-day EMA/SMA @ 223)

217~215 (Weekly 50-day EMA/SMA)

Chart Resistance:

253~255 (20-day EMA & 50-day EMA/SMA)

259 (W pvt pt R1)

260~263 (Jul closing high @ 259.62 & Jul intraday high @ 262.90)

265 (May 13 ~ Jun 3 previous tops)

268 (W pvt pt R2)

274 (all-time closing high @ 274.07)

279 (all-time intraday high @ 279.01)

15:43

Conferences and Shareholder/Analyst Meetings of Interest

Events of interest of interest for tomorrow, July 21, include: CANL, WPCS, CECX, LLEN at RedChip Equities Conference. Fed/Treasury: Bernanke Monetary Policy Report Before Senate.

15:42

Earnings Calendar

Today after the close, of the many companies scheduled to report, some of the bigger names include: AAPL, BSX, GILD, JNPR, STX, SYK, TPX, VMW, and YHOO. Tomorrow before the open, of the many companies scheduled to report, some of the bigger names include: ABT, MO, BLK, KO, FCX, GENZ, MS, NTRS, UTX, LCC, USB, and WFC.

15:40

SLX Global & sector ETF money flows- Steel (SLX) space now leads all sectors nearing today's closing bell; VIX volatility (VXX, VXZ) lags as the indexes trade to highs -Technical-

The Actively Traded Leading Global & Sector ETFs:

steel- SLX +5.0%, SPDRS metals & mining- XME +4.50%, coal- KOL +4.50%, homebuilders & home construction- XHB +3.50%, ITB +3.75%, oil HLDRS & oil and gas services- OIH +3.50%, XES +3.25%, XOP +2.75%, iShares Australia- EWA +3.50%, basic materials- XLB +3.0%, IYM +3.25%, iShares Brazil- EWZ +3.25%, gold miners & junior gold miners- GDX +2.25%, GDXJ +3.0%, Latin America fund- ILF +2.75%, China 25- FXI +2.75%

The Actively Traded Lagging Global & Sector ETFs:

VIX vol index- VXX -5.25%, VXZ -2.75%, pharma HLDRS- PPH -1.0%, ag/grain complex- DBA -0.75%, JJG -0.75%, livestock commods- COW -0.75%, semis- SMH -0.75%, IGW -0.50%, Yen currency shares- FXY -0.50%, SPDRS healthcare- XLV -0.50%, iShares Germany- EWG -0.75%, iShares Italy- EWI -0.50%

15:19

SPY New session highs in final hour action for stock indices -- Dow +45, Nasdaq +12, S&P +8.1 -Update- -Technical-

Relative strength in Housing XHB, Retail XRT, Consumer Discretionary XLY, Materials XLB, Disk Drive, Casino BJK.

15:14

X U.S. Steel sets new high for the session/month of 44.42 in recent trade (44.42 +3.20) -Technical-

Its 50 sma/ema comes into play thereafter at 44.65/45.08.

14:58

URBN NASDAQ 100 (NDX) strength & weakness- Retailer (URBN) continues to lead the index heading into today's final hour of trading; Semis (MRVL, BRCM) remain weak -Technical-

NDX 10 Best % Performers:

URBN, FSLR, SHLD, WYNN, GOOG, FWLT, JOYG, AAPL, NVDA, CERN

NDX 10 Worst % Performers:

FLEX, HOLX, MRVL, ESRX, BRCM, MXIM, QGEN, HSIC, ILMN, AMGN

NASDAQ A/D -55

NASDAQ TRIN +1.05

14:56

WMT Dow 30 (INDU) strength & weakness- Staple name (WMT) continues to lead the industrials heading into today's final hour of trading; Big Pharma (JNJ, PFE, MRK) now lags -Technical-

INDU 5 Best % Performers:

WMT, CAT, GE, HD, AA

INDU 5 Worst % Performers:

IBM, JNJ, PFE, MRK, T

NYSE A/D +1115

NYSE TRIN +0.80

14:40

COMDX NYMEX Energy Closing Prices

Sept crude oil, the new front month, closed higher by 62 cents to $77.52, Aug natural gas finished higher by 8.1 cents to $4.591, Aug RBOB gasoline settled up 2 cents to $2.079 and Aug heating oil ended up 0.84 cents to $2.0254.

14:31

INDXCH Index Change Reminder

Interactive Brokers Group (IBKR) will replace CyberSource (CYBS) in the S&P SmallCap 600 after the close.

14:30

COMDX CBOT Agriculture and Ethanol and ICE Exchange Sugar Closing Prices -Update-

December corn closed 6.25 cents lower at $3.8775 per bushel, November soybeans closed lower by 1 cent at $9.73 per bushel, Sept wheat closed 5.75 cents lower at $5.765 per bushel, Sept ethanol closed $0.005 lower at $1.57, October world sugar futures closed 0.33 cents lower to 17.28 cents.

14:26

SY Sybase: SAP AG obtains European commission approval to acquire Sybase (47.70 -0.55) -Update-

Co announced that it has obtained approval from the European Commission for the acquisition of Sybase, Approval of the acquisition from the European Commission satisfied the final regulatory condition to the cash tender offer for all outstanding shares of common stock of Sybase by Sheffield Acquisition Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SAP, which is scheduled to expire at 9:00 p.m., New York City time, on Monday, July 26, 2010.

14:01

SPY Solid recovery continues with all the averages running into positive territory -- Dow +27, S&P +6.1, Nasdaq +4 -Update- -Technical-

13:54

TGT Target sets new high of 50.86 near its 4 day range top/last week's high at 50.95 (50.86 +0.63) -Technical-

Note that its July peak and 200 sma come into play thereafter at 51.30/51.36.

13:53

RTI RTI Intl Metals announces two long-term titanium fabrication awards with Airbus (24.38 +0.76)

Co announced that it has modified its long-term agreement with Airbus to allow more flexibility in the near-term with Airbus' ordering of titanium mill products. As part of the modification, Airbus has ordered more titanium mill product volume for 2010 than was anticipated at the start of the year. General terms and conditions remain in line with the original agreements. Fabrication awards expected to generate in excess of $150 million of revenue for titanium parts through 2020

13:45

WMT Wal-Mart notches new session high of 50.73 to test its Mid-July peak and 50 sma/ema at 50.69/50.77 (50.73 +1.21) -Update- -Technical-

13:37

AAPL Apple pushes to fresh highs as it lifts up to probe yesterday's high near the $250.00 area (250.38 +4.35) -Technical-

Would note that the co. has earnings out tonight after the close.

13:33

SPY New recovery highs for stock indices -- Dow -43, S&P -1.1, Nasdaq Comp -10 -Update- -Technical-

13:31

COMDX COMEX Metals Closing Prices

August gold finished higher by $10.10 to $1192.00, Sept silver rallied for 18.7 cents to end at $17.73 and Sept copper gained 6.35 cents to close at $3.0015.

13:24

SLX Steel Sector ETF sets new high near its 50 sma and multi-month trendline (56.33 +1.92) -Update- -Technical-

The sector has been a relative strength leader on the move off morning lows with it pushing up near an area of note at its 50 sma and the April-June trendline in the 56.40/56.45 area (session high 56.37) -- Click for chart. CLF +5.9%, VALE +5.6%, TX +4.6%, SID +4.2%, GGB +4%, RTP +4.7%, NUE +2%, PKX +2.5%, RS +1%, ATI +1.9%.

13:06

TECHX Relative sector strength as stock indices vacillating near morning rebound highs -- S&P -3.2, Nasdaq Comp -13 -Update- -Technical-

Sectors displaying relative strength (outperforming the S&P) include: Finance XLF, Telecom IYZ, Housing XHB, Semi SMH, Steel SLX, REITs IYR, Solar TAN.

13:00

BCB Bancorp (BCBP) authorizes repurchase of up to 5.0% of outstanding common stock (7.74 +0.68)

12:53

LCI Lannett receives FDA approval for Phentermine Hydrochloride Capsules (4.61 +0.10)

Co announced that it has received approval from the FDA of its Abbreviated New Drug Application for Phentermine Hydrochloride Blue/White Seed Capsules USP, 30 mg, the generic equivalent of Sandoz's, Reference Listed Drug Phentermine Hydrochloride Capsules USP, 30 mg.

12:40

SLX Global & sector ETF money flows- Metal & Mining space (SLX, XME) continue to be the best performers here @ midday; Semis (SMH, XSD, IGW) remain under pressure -Technical-

The Actively Traded Leading Global & Sector ETFs:

steel- SLX +3.0%, coal- KOL +2.75%, SPDRS metals & mining- XME +2.50%, iShares Brazil- EWZ +2.25%, copper- JJC +2.0%, Latin America fund- ILF +1.75%, iShares Australia- EWA +1.75%, China 25- FXI +1.75%, gold miners & junior gold miners- GDX +1.75%, GDXJ +2.0%, oil HLDRS and oil & gas services- OIH +1.50%, XES +1.25%, emerging mkts= EEM +1.0%, ag/chem- MOO +1.0%

The Actively Traded Lagging Global & Sector ETFs:

semis- SMH -2.50%, IGW -2.25%, XSD -2.0%, iShares Italy- EWI -2.0%, commercial banks- KBE -2.0%, iShares France- EWQ -1.75%, pharma HLDRS- PPH -1.50%, iShares Germany- EWG -1.50%, regional banks- KRE -1.50%, RKH -1.50%, solar power- TAN -1.50%, technology- IYW -1.25%, XLK -1.0%, biotechnology- BBH -1.25%, XBI -1.0%, IBB -1.0%

12:33

SPY S&P -6.5 and Nasdaq Comp -20 pull back to intraday support -Update- -Technical-

The indices have edged back to the 38% retracement of this morning's rebound at 1064 S&P and 2176 Nasdaq Comp in recent trade (50% at 1062 and 2172). A push back above 1066 and 2182 is needed to raise potential for a retest of the morning highs.

12:29

URBN NASDAQ 100 (NDX) strength & weakness- Retailer name (URBN) continues to lead the index here @ midday; Semis (BRCM, MXIM, MRVL) remain the laggards -Technical-

NDX 10 Best % Performers:

URBN, GOOG, NVDA, JOYG, CERN, FSLR, WYNN, FWLT, AAPL, SHLD

NDX 10 Worst % Performers:

FLEX, HOLX, BRCM, XLNX, SNDK, MXIM, MRVL, LLTC, DELL, QGEN

NASDAQ A/D -1080

NASDAQ TRIN +1.50

12:27

WMT Dow 30 (INDU) strength & weakness- Staple names (WMT, KO) continue to lead the industrials here @ midday -Technical-

INDU 5 Best % Performers:

WMT, KO, CAT, HD, AA

INDU 5 Worst % Performers:

IBM, JNJ, PFE, CSCO, DIS

NYSE A/D -480

NYSE TRIN +0.75

12:10

AKAM Akamai Tech hovering near rebound high at 41.95 after early hold near 50 ema at 41.20 -- session low 41.23 (41.90 -0.73) -Technical-

Yesterday's low/today's gap top is at 42.00.

12:06

TJX TJX plans to bring Marshalls to Canada; first stores in spring 2011 with long-term potential of 90-100 stores (41.06 -0.34)

11:51

European Markets Closing Prices

European markets are now closed; stock markets across Europe performed as follows: UK's FTSE: -0.2% Germany's DAX: -0.7% France's CAC: -0.6% Spain's IBEX: +1.3% Portugal's PSI: +0.4%

11:46

GCOM Globecomm Systems awarded multi-year agreement for a U.S. government agency valued at up to $9.0 mln; options bring potential total contract value up to $44.2 mln (7.75 -0.07)

11:29

MOO Global Agribusiness working back toward its June/July peaks at 39.98/40.10 -- session high 39.94 (39.88 +0.53) -Technical-

AGU +1.1%, ADM +0.9%, MON +1.2%, POT +2.3%, MOS +2.9%, SQM +1%, BRFS +1.4%.

11:15

SPY Fresh recovery highs for stock indices -- Dow -69, S&P -4.7, Nasdaq -17 -Update- -Technical-

Relative sector strength on this move has been noted in Energy XLE / OIH, Materials XLB, REITs IYR, Transports IYT, Casino, Steel SLX, Silver SLV, Gold Miners GDX. The S&P has run to and paused near intraday resistance noted in the 10:01 update at 1067/1068 (session high 1067).

11:12

COMDX Crude oil ticks to highs of the session at $77.64; now up 60 cents to $77.50

11:10

LOW Lowe's held at July low in early trade, back vacillating near morning rebound high at 19.93 (19.91 -0.03) -Technical-

The stock fell as low as 19.64 in opening trade to test its 8 month low from early July at 19.64 (session low 19.64), currently back probing its rebound high.

11:09

TECHX Currency Watch -- Continue to hold near technical levels of interest -Update- -Technical-

Substantial moves thus far this month but the Dollar Index, Euro and Euro/Yen continue to pay respect to technical levels of note.

10:52

SRDX SurModics: Edge Therapeutics and SurModics collaborate to develop a drug delivery technology (14.95 +0.03)

Edge Therapeutics announced that it has entered into a feasibility agreement with SurModics. According to the agreement, SurModics will develop a novel biodegradable, site-specific, sustained-release formulation for treatment of delayed complications of ruptured brain aneurysms or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Under the agreement, Edge Therapeutics will lead and fund development and commercialization of NimoGel, as well as provide the scientific suuport. SurModics will provide technical and manufacturing support.

10:43

XHB SPDR Homebuilders continued recovery rally notches new session high (14.36 +0.16) -Technical-

The early slide held near the July/8 month close low at 13.88 (session low 13.91) with the rebound extended to 14.37 in recent action. Short term resistance for XHB is at 14.43 (38% retrace of slide off last week's peak) -- DHI +1.3%, HOV +5.7%, KBH +1.7%, PHM +2.3%, MTH +1.7%, LEN +2.2%, SPF +1.5%, +1.4%, MDC +2.1%.

10:40

XME Global & sector ETF money flows- Metals & Mining space (XME, SLX) lead all sectors through today's 1st hour of trading; Semis (SMH, IGW) lag -Technical-

The Actively Traded Leading Global & Sector ETFs:

SPDRS metals & mining- XME +3.0%, steel- SLX +2.50%, coal- KOL +2.25%, copper- JJC +1.75%, gold miners & junior gold miners- GDX +1.50%, GDXJ +1.50%, iShares Brazil- EWZ +1.50%, base metals- DBB +1.50%, Latin America fund- ILF +1.25%, natural gas- UNG +1.25%, China 25- FXI +1.25%, iShares Australia- EWA +1.25%, oil HLDRS and oil & gas services- OIH +1.25%, XOP +1.25%, homebuilders & home construction- XHB +0.75%, ITB +1.0%

The Actively Traded Lagging Global & Sector ETFs:

semis- XSD -3.0%, IGW -2.75%, SMH -2.75%, iShares Italy- EWI -2.25%, iShares France- EWQ -2.0%, technology- XLK -1.50%, IYW -1.75%, iShares Germany- EWG -1.75%, regional banks- KRE -1.50%, RKH -1.0%, commercial banks- KBE -1.50%, iShares US broker/dealers- IAI -1.50%, biotechnology- IBB -1.25%, XBI -1.25%, BBH -1.25%

10:39

BA Boeing confirms Air Lease Corporation agreement for up to 60 Next-Generation 737s (62.28 -0.90) -Update-

Co announced that new leasing company Air Lease Corporation (ALC) will purchase up to 60 Next-Generation 737-800s. The agreement includes 54 firm orders and six options, with delivery scheduled through 2017.

10:29

URBN NASDAQ 100 (NDX) strength & weakness- Retailer (URBN) leads the index through today's 1st hour of trading; Semis (BRC<, AMAT, ALTR) lag -Technical-

NDX 10 Best % Performers:

URBN, GOOG, JOYG, WYNN, FSLR, FWLT

NDX 10 Worst % Performers:

FLEX, SNDK, XLNX, BRCM, ALTR, RIMM, QGEN, MXIM, AMAT, MCHP

NASDAQ A/D -1150

NASDAQ TRIN +2.00

10:27

WMT Dow 30 (INDU) strength & weakness- Staple names (WMT, KO) lead the industrials through today's 1st hour of trading; Technology names (IBM, CSCO) lag -Technical-

INDU 5 Best % Performers:

WMT, AA, KO, DD, CAT

INDU 5 Worst % Performers:

IBM, CSCO, JNJ, BA, HPQ

NYSE A/D -1015

NYSE TRIN +0.60

10:14

GLD Gold issues beginning to display a little relative strength in recent action -- GLD, GDX, AEM, GG, GFI, RGLD, GOLD, AUY, IAG, ABX, NEM, SA -Technical-

10:08

TECHX 10 - yr Treasury Yield -TNX- sets new low of 2.902, its 52-wk low from early July is at 2.883 -Update- -Technical-

(See The Technical Take for chart).

10:06

STT State Street continued strong reversal off early low, notches another new session high st 38.15 to test its 50 ema at 38.05 (38.15 +0.80) -Update- -Technical-

Note that its July and Mid-June peaks come into play at 38.48/38.54.

10:04

UAUA UAL and Continental (CAL) announce transition agreement in principle with their pilots; expect to close the merger in Q4 2010 (21.92 +0.73) -Update-

The cos announced they have reached an agreement in principle on a transition and process agreement with the pilots of both companies. The agreement provides a framework for pilot operations of the two groups until the carriers' operating certificates are combined.

10:02

NEE NextEra Energy unit entered into a power purchase agreement with Google Energy (52.26 -0.51)

Co's subsiduary entered into a power purchase agreement with Google Energy, LLC. Google Energy will purchase 114 megawatts of clean, renewable energy from NextEra Energy Resources' Story II Wind Energy Center in operation in Story and Hardin counties in Iowa.

10:01

SPY Stock indices extend bounce off low/retracement -Update- -Technical-

As noted earlier the S&P 500 -8.7 and Nasdaq Comp -28 were flirting with the 50% retracement of the July rally and have seen a stabilization and limited bounce thus far. The Dow -100 also held near a similar level at 10011 (session low 10007). The S&P will, however, have to sustain its bounce through the 1067/1068 area in order to begin to improve the very short term weaker pattern.

10:01

FRG Fronteer Development: Drilling along northern extension of deposit intersects 64 metres of 5.27 g/t gold at Long Canyon, Nevada (5.87 +0.07)

Co announces that drilling to the northeast of the current resource area at Long Canyon continues to return broad intervals of high-grade oxide gold. The Nevada gold deposit is now 2.7-km long and remains open for expansion.

09:59

GPRE Green Plains Renewable Energy and BioProcess Algae to break ground on Phase II of algae project (8.84 -0.25)

Co announced plans for Phase II of its Grower Harvester algae project located at Green Plains' Shenandoah, Iowa ethanol plant. Construction on Phase II is set to begin in the next two weeks with plans to scale the technology 20 times larger than the initial Phase I of the project.

09:58

TECHX Opening Point Gainers/Losers -Technical-

Point Gainers: CXO (+3.53), HOG (+3.53), PII (+3.08), SCHN (+2.60), ICUI (+2.17), WLT (+2.17), MA (+2.88), APA (+1.59), AMT (+1.62)

Point Losers: IBM (-6.48), TUP (-4.77), NFLX (3.60), AAPL (-3.51), MANT (-3.07), CRM (-2.59), VMW (-2.58), AVB (-2.48), NUVA (-1.84), CREE (-2.10)

09:46

QQQQ NASDAQ Comp -33.75 flirting with support zone -Technical-

Early weakness has brought the index back to support noted in The Technical Take at 2160/2150 (50% retrace of July rally/congest) -- session low 2159. Initial intraday resistances on a bounce attempt are at 2171 and 2180. Next support is at 2137/2130.

09:42

TECHX Nasdaq 100 -34 and Nasdaq Comp -37 pacing the way down in early trade -Update- -Technical-

Sectors weighing include: Semi SMH -3.4, Disk Drive -2.9%, Computer-Hardware -2.8%, Networking -2.3%, Software -1.7%.

09:39

SPY S&P 500 -14.2 extends opening slide back near 50% retracement of July rally at 1055 -- session low 1056 -Update- -Technical-

09:38

GIS General Mills breaks below 200 sma for first time since last July on gap down start (35.11 -0.28) -Technical-

Currently vacillating slightly above its two month low from June at 34.95 -- session low 35.05.

09:37

PIP PharmAthene announces $3.9 mln registered direct offering (1.55 -0.08)

Co Under the terms of the purchase agreement, PharmAthene will sell an aggregate of 2,785,714 newly issued shares of its common stock at $1.40 per share and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,323,214 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $1.63 per share.

09:35

LGF Lions Gate Entertainment Board of Directors to review Icahn's unsolicited tender offer (6.35 +0.32) -Update-

Co confirms that it has received an unsolicited tender offer from Carl Icahn to acquire up to all of the common shares of Lionsgate for $6.50 per share in cash. The offer is scheduled to expire at 8:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 25, 2010, unless extended or withdrawn.

09:34

MA MasterCard broke under June/range low of 193.76 to set a new 11 month trough but has rebound solidly off its early low of 193.00 (195.83 unch) -Technical-

09:30

STRN Sutron announced that during June 2010 the company's bookings totaled $7,101,518 (6.59 0.00)

Co announced that during June 2010 its bookings totaled $7,101,518. Sutron's bookings for the first six months of 2010 ending June 30 were $15,059,852. When combined with the company's 2009 backlog of $11,908,000, the significant year-to-date bookings are a promising sign of another great year for Sutron.

09:25

AIT Applied Industrial increases quarterly dividend by $0.02/share to $0.17/share (25.95 )

09:20

On The Wires

Vietnam Airlines has again selected International Aero Engines for an order for V2500 engines to power a new fleet of 36 Airbus A321 aircraft. The value to Pratt & Whitney of the order is ~$235 mln. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies (UTX) company... Telephonics Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Griffon Corporation (GFF), announced that its Radar Systems Division has entered into a reseller agreement with Transas Aviation that will create an efficient structure and is expected to expand the range of opportunities for the sale of airborne search and weather radar into the rapidly expanding Russian market.

09:15

VSR Versar awarded $11.8 mln in additional Afghanistan construction management and quality assurance work (2.62 )

09:11

LGF Lions Gate Entertainment: Icahn announces commencement of tender offer for common shares of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. for $6.50 per share in cash (6.03 )

Icahn announced Icahn Group, which collectively hold approximately 37.9% of Lions Gate Entertainment, have commenced a tender offer for UP TO ALL of the outstanding common shares of Lions Gate. The purchase price in the Offer is $6.50 per share in cash. Among other customary conditions, the Offer is conditioned on Lions Gate not entering into any material transaction outside of the ordinary course of business (including any acquisition of assets over $100 million and any issuance of securities other than upon the exercise of currently outstanding options) and all rights issued or issuable under the poison pill adopted by Lions Gate's board of directors on July 1, 2010 being cease-traded or otherwise eliminated. The Offer is not subject to financing.

09:10

CXO Concho Resources to acquire oil & gas assets in the Permian Basin for $1.65 bln (53.33 )

Co announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all the oil and gas assets of Marbob Energy Corporation and certain affiliated entities for $1.65 billion in cash and Concho securities. Concho intends to finance this transaction with a combination of equity and debt. Total consideration paid to Marbob at closing will consist of $1.45 billion in cash, 1.1 million shares of Concho common stock valued at $50 million in the aggregate and a $150 million 8% senior unsecured note issued to Marbob due in 2018.

09:08

PSO Pearson Plc: Autodesk chooses Pearson VUE for computer-based test delivery; terms not disclosed (14.21 )

09:06

RWC Relm Wireless announced its KNG P25 Mobile Radio receives FCC authorization (2.37 )

09:05

RLD RealD Announces Exercise of Underwriters' Option to Purchase Additional Shares in Recent Initial Public Offering (19.85 )

Co announces that, in connection with its initial public offering, the underwriters have exercised, in full, their option to purchase an additional 1,875,000 shares of common stock at the initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, less underwriting discounts, from selling stockholders. No additional shares will be sold by RealD, and RealD will not receive any proceeds from the sale of additional shares by selling stockholders.

09:04

ERI Emrise Corporation announces extension of senior debt maturity to July 31, 2010 (0.52 )

09:03

IRF Intl Rectifier expands stock repurchase program by $50 mln (19.68 )

Co announces that its Board of Directors has expanded the existing stock repurchasing program by authorizing an additional $50 mln, bringing the total to $150 mln. International Rectifier has approximately $50 mln remaining under the $100 mln program authorized by the Board in October 2008.

09:03

EPB El Paso Pipeline Partners increases quarterly cash distribution to $0.40 from $0.38 (30.04 )

09:02

TSS Total System: Tesco Bank selects TSS to support its credit card business in the U.K. (14.28 )

09:02

PRAA Portfolio Recovery Assoc. announces City of Fairhope has contracted with subsidiary of Portfolio Recovery Associates to provide a comprehensive sales/use tax administration program (61.56 )

09:01

CBLI Cleveland Biolabs publishes new study on Curaxins indicating potential antiviral applications (3.45 )

Co announced that a discovery regarding potential antiviral applications for the Curaxin family of molecules was pre-published online in the Journal of Virology. The published study examined the ability of the Company's prototype Curaxin (CBLC102, or quinacrine) and other similar compounds to inhibit a mechanism used by picornaviruses to synthesize their proteins that is essential for their viability. This study provides proof of principle for prospective extension of Curaxins' applications from anticancer to antiviral applications.

09:01

MNKD Mannkind: FDA accepts AFREZZA Complete Response resubmission and sets target action date (6.21 )

Co announces tha tit has submitted and the FDA has accepted, its resubmission of its New Drug Application for AFREZZA and classified it as a Class 2 resubmission. With the Class 2 designation, the FDA set a corresponding Prescription Drug User Fee Act action date of Dec 29, 2010.

08:48

NEOG Neogen beats by $0.01, beats on revs (25.76 )

Reports Q4 (May) earnings of $0.20 per share, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.19; revenues rose 26.5% year/year to $39.1 mln vs the $36.1 mln consensus. Co stated "While the performances of both of our operating divisions benefitted in the year from immediately accretive acquisitions, both groups also achieved solid organic growth. Same-store sales increased 13% in the current year even though many customers continued to face challenges in some of the markets we serve, including the animal protein market."

08:38

MI Marshall & Ilsley misses by $0.07 (7.71 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) loss of $0.33 per share, $0.07 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.26). Asset quality trends demonstrated further stabilization through lower early stage delinquencies, nonperforming loan inflows, and nonperforming loans. Provision for loan and lease losses was $439.9 mln in the second quarter of 2010, down $179.1 mln or 29% vs. the second quarter of 2009. Net charge-offs for the period were $438.3 mln, falling $165.0 mln or 27% compared to the same period last year.

08:38

LAD Lithia Motors acquired Honda of Bend (6.59 )

Co acquired Honda of Bend and agreed to the transfer of Chevrolet and Cadillac brands from Bob Thomas Chevrolet Cadillac. The stores will add $35 mln in estimated annual revenues. Lithia also announced the disposal of its Fresno, California Dodge store to Fresno Chrysler Jeep. The store represented $17 mln in estimated annual revenues.

08:32

OKSB Southwest Bancorp beats by $0.07 (13.42 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.19 per share, $0.07 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.12. At June 30, 2010 the allowance for loan losses was $67.1 mln, up 30% from June 30, 2009 and up 7% from year-end 2009, and represented 2.71% of noncovered portfolio loans versus 2.00% and 2.46% at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Excluding assets subject to loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, nonperforming assets increased to $145.4 mln and 5.81% of portfolio loans and other real estate as of June 30, 2010 from $124.6 mln and 4.87% of portfolio loans and other real estate as of December 31, 2009.

08:32

MDW Midway Gold announces preliminary economic assessment results for Pan Project; demonstrates the robust economics and technical favorability of the Pan (0.42 )

Co reports the results of the Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") for the Company's 100% owned Pan project located in White Pine County, Nevada. This PEA demonstrates the robust economics and technical favorability of the Pan project. Midway expects that drilling planned in 2010 and 2011 may improve the grade and expand the mineral resource. The Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource stands at 38.8 million tons containing 682,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 0.55 g/t, at a 0.14 g/t cutoff.

08:32

ENOC EnerNOC finalizes 10-year, 560 MW contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority (31.85 )

08:31

SDIX Strategic Diagnostics collaborates with Banyan Biomarkers in work to detect traumatic brain injury (1.66 )

Co announced a multi-year collaboration with Banyan Biomarkers, to provide products and services for Banyan's biomarker discovery work in the detection of traumatic brain injury. The partnership calls for SDIX to collaborate with Banyan on the development of antibodies and immuno-solutions that include: -- custom monoclonal and polyclonal antibody development -- cell line banking and cryostorage -- antibody production and purification - in vivo and in vitro.

08:15

ITW Illinois Tool misses by $0.01, beats on revs; guides Q3 EPS in-line, revs in-line; raises lower end of FY10 EPS in-line, narrows rev guidance (42.85 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.83 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.84; revenues rose 20.1% year/year to $4.08 bln vs the $4.02 bln consensus. Base revenues grew 15.1 percent in the second quarter, with North American base revenues increasing 15.8 percent and international base revenues growing 14.2 percent. Notably, international end markets showed no discernable signs of slowing as the second quarter progressed. Acquisitions and currency translation added 3.0 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively, to second quarter revenues. Co issues in-line guidance for Q3, sees EPS of $0.72-0.84 vs. $0.80 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q3 revs of +9-13% to $3.90-4.046 bln vs. $3.97 bln Thomson Reuters consensus. Co issues guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $2.82-3.08 vs. $3.04 Thomson Reuters consensus vs. $2.72-3.08 previously; sees FY10 revs of +11-13% to $15.40-15.68 bln vs. $15.68 bln Thomson Reuters consensus and +10-14% previously.

08:12

ECONX Reminder: Housing Starts and Building Permits data due out in about 18 min at 8:30ET

08:11

GS Goldman Sachs reports Q2 (Jun) results, misses on revs (145.69 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $2.75 per share, excluding the UK bank tax and SEC charge, may not be comparable to the Thomson Reuters consensus of $2.08. Revenues were $8.4 bln compared to THomson Reuters consensus of $8.9 bln, down 36% y/y and 31% q/q. Including the UK bank tax and SEC charge, EPS would be $0.78. Net revenues in Trading and Principal Investments were $6.55 billion, 39% lower than the second quarter of 2009 and 36% lower than the first quarter of 2010. Operating expenses were $7.39 billion, 15% lower than the second quarter of 2009 and 3% lower than the first quarter of 2010. The accrual for compensation and benefits expenses was $3.80 billion for the second quarter of 2010. The ratio of compensation and benefits to net revenues was 43.0% (9) for the first half of 2010, down from 49.0% for the first half of 2009. Non-compensation expenses were $2.99 billion, 44% higher than the second quarter of 2009 and 41% higher than the first quarter of 2010. The increase compared with the second quarter of 2009 was primarily attributable to the impact of net provisions for litigation and regulatory proceedings of $615 million in the second quarter of 2010

08:10

RTN Raytheon expands international electronic warfare business with Egyptian Air Force Contract Win (48.03 )

08:09

KW Kennedy Wilson sells over $19 mln at Los Angeles auctions (9.52 )

Co announced that it offered and sold all 18 condominiums at Silver Spur Court in Rolling Hills Estates, CA for $13 mln at an auction it conducted at the Manhattan Beach Marriott. The co also sold nine condominiums at Vista Del Arroyo in Pasadena, CA for $6 mln at an auction it conducted the same day at the Westin Pasadena.

08:08

CNGL China Nutrifruit provides updates on fruit and vegetable powder product development (3.10 )

Co's research and development team is engaged in developing new fruit and vegetable powder products that can be used as ingredients in a variety of products, including baby food, ready-to-drink mixes, instant soup mixes, snack foods, health-care, cosmetics and other confectionery items. The co's R&D team has developed a wide variety of over twenty powder products, including pumpkin, potato, crab apple, celery, carrot, onion, cucumber, green beans and cilantro. Co expects to begin production of tomato and carrot powder in September 2010. The timing and introduction of the other popular fruit and vegetable powder products will be based on the results of the co's ongoing market research.

08:07

HRS Harris awarded $130 million antenna contract for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R Series Program (43.60 )

08:06

SPW SPX Corp awarded $41 mln contract to provide dry cooling system to Saudi Arabia's largest combined cycle power plant (54.14 )

08:04

NGD New Gold announces 62% increase in gold production in Q2 (4.72 )

Co announces an update on the second quarter performance of the company's three operating assets with 2010 second quarter gold sales of 82,402 ounces at a total cash cost(1) of $490 per ounce, net of by-product sales. Gold production increased 62% to 89,919 ounces from 55,633 ounces in the same period in 2009. Gold sales increased by 56% to 82,402 ounces from 52,890 ounces in the same period in 2009.

08:04

UAUA UAL beats by $0.20, reports revs in-line; first quarterly profit since 2007 (21.18 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $1.95 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.20 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $1.75; revenues rose 28.4% year/year to $5.16 bln vs the $5.12 bln consensus. For the third quarter 2010, the company has capped 80% of its estimated consolidated fuel consumption at a crude-equivalent average price of $79 per barrel. For the remainder of 2010, the company has capped 74% of its estimated consolidated fuel consumption at a crude-equivalent average price of $80 per barrel. The company expects both mainline and consolidated CASM, excluding fuel, profit sharing and certain accounting charges for the full year 2010 to be up 2.0% to 3.0% year-over-year. The company expects consolidated CASM, excluding fuel, profit sharing and certain accounting charges for the third quarter 2010 to be up 3.3% to 4.3% year-over-year.

08:03

WES Western Gas Partners declared Q2 cash distribution of $0.35 per unit, up from $0.34 per unit (23.70 )

08:03

NTLS Ntelos Holdings announces agreement to acquire FiberNet Business from One Communications (18.52 )

The co announces that it has entered into a purchase agreement with One Communications Corp. to acquire its FiberNet business for cash consideration of approximately $170 million. The FiberNet fiber optic network of approximately 3,500 route miles covers all of West Virginia and extends into surrounding areas in Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Kentucky... FiberNet service revenues and adjusted EBITDA for 2009 were approximately $76 million and $25 million, respectively. Capital expenditures for 2009 were approximately $13 million.

08:02

BTU Peabody Energy beats by $0.06, misses on revs; guides Q4 (Dec) EPS in-line; guides FY10 EPS in-line (12.80 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) adjusted earnings of $0.69 per share, $0.06 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.63; revenues rose 9.6% year/year to $1.66 bln vs the $1.68 bln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q4 (Dec), sees adjusted EPS of $0.75-$1.00 vs. $0.99 Thomson Reuters consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees adjusted EPS of $2.60-$3.15 vs. $3.10 Thomson Reuters consensus. Sees Q3 EBITDA of $475-$550 mln.

08:02

RVSN RADVision launches first Apple (AAPL) iPad control application for video conferencing room systems (6.31 )

08:02

AFFY Affymax receives $10.4 mln in settlement of auction rate securities with UBS (6.00 )

08:01

LNN Lindsay Corp increases quarterly dividend by 6% to $0.085 per share (33.09 )

08:01

CRUS Cirrus Logic beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line; guides Q2 revs above consensus (17.49 )

Reports Q1 (Jun) earnings of $0.29 per share, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.28; revenues rose 118.4% year/year to $81.9 mln vs the $81.2 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for Q2, sees Q2 revs of $98-106 mln vs. $86.17 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

07:59

BA Boeing, Avolon announce order for 12 next-generation 737s; valued at ~$921 mln (63.18 )

07:51

MUSA Metals USA misses by $0.10, misses on revs (14.03 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.19 per share, excluding a non-recurring loss on the extinguishment of debt related to the redemption of the Company's Senior Floating Toggle Notes due 2012 of $3.5 million in the second quarter of 2010 as well as a non-recurring charge of $3.3 million related to termination of the Company's advisory agreement with Apollo upon the completion of the Company's initial public offering, $0.10 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.29; revenues rose 25.1% year/year to $335 mln vs the $351.7 mln consensus.

07:50

JNJ Johnson & Johnson reports EPS in-line, misses on revs; lowers FY10 EPS below consensus (59.57 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $1.21 per share, excluding non-recurring items, in-line with the Thomson Reuters consensus of $1.21; revenues rose 0.6% year/year to $15.33 bln vs the $15.64 bln consensus. Co lowers guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $4.65-4.75, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $4.81 Thomson Reuters consensus, down from $4.80-4.90 previously. "The co's guidance now reflects the impact of the voluntary recalls announced earlier this year of certain over-the-counter medicines and the suspension of manufacturing at the McNeil Consumer Healthcare facility in Fort Washington, Pa., as well as unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates." Q2 operational results increased 0.1% and the positive impact of currency was 0.5%. Domestic sales declined 2.8%, while international sales increased 4.1%, reflecting operational growth of 3.0% and a positive currency impact of 1.1%.

07:46

EXAR Exar and Arrow Electronics sign European distribution agreement; terms not disclosed (6.84 )

Co announced it has signed a pan-European distribution agreement with Arrow Electronics (ARW). Arrow Electronics will distribute co's entire product portfolio consisting of solutions from the Datacom and Storage, Power, Communications, and Interface product lines. Arrow Electronics will support a wide range of co's products, such as transceivers and UARTs; a variety of power management ICs, including boost and buck regulators, charge pumps, LED drivers, LDO regulators, and programmable power solutions. In addition to power and interface products, Arrow will distribute communications products supporting SDH, PDH, and OTN data transmission speeds for the networking equipment infrastructure, as well as Datacom and Storage semiconductors and board-level systems including applied service processors, express cards and 10G Ethernet cards.

07:34

AMTD TD Ameritrade beats by $0.02, beats on revs (15.85 )

Reports Q3 (Jun) earnings of $0.30 per share, $0.02 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.28; revenues rose 12.7% year/year to $691.8 mln vs the $683.2 mln consensus. Net new client assets of $8.9 billion, an increase of 29 percent year-over-year, an annualized growth rate of 10 percent of beginning client assets. Gross new accounts of approximately 175,000, virtually flat with the June 2009 quarter.

07:25

On The Wires

TAT Technologies (TATT) announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary expanded its APU Authorized Repair Center Agreement with Honeywell International (HON) to add another type of APU, the GTCP-331-200/250, to the existing GTCP85 Series and the GTCP36 Series APUs... ARM (ARMH) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM) announced a long-term agreement that provides TSM with access to a broad range of ARM processors and enables the development of ARM physical IP across TSM technology nodes.

07:20

CPN Calpine announces intent to offer $750 mln in a 10 year senior secured notes offering (12.81 )

07:19

BIIB Biogen Idec beats by $0.19, beats on revs; raises FY10 EPS above consensus; reaffirms FY10 revs (53.18 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $1.31 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.19 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $1.12; revenues rose 11.0% year/year to $1.21 bln vs the $1.13 bln consensus. Co raises guidance for FY10, sees EPS above $4.70, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $4.57 Thomson Reuters consensus, up from above $4.55 previously; co's rev guidance of griwth in the mid single digits is unchaged. Drug sales: Avonex $628 mln vs. $571 mln consensus, Rituxan $306 mln vs. $366 mln consensus, Tysabri share (partner is ELN) $219 mln vs. $246 mln consensus

07:14

STT State Street reports EPS in-line, beats on revs; guides FY10 EPS in-line (37.35 +0.44)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.93 per share, in-line with the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.93; revenues rose 8.6% year/year to $2.3 bln vs the $2.25 bln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of 'slightly higher than' $3.32 vs. $3.34 Thomson Reuters consensus. Expenses of $1.944 billion in the second quarter increased from $1.364 billion in the second quarter of 2009 due primarily to a securities lending charge. Return on shareholders' equity was 11.0%, down from 13.0%, before the extraordinary loss, in the second quarter of 2009. "I am pleased with the clear signs that our business in the second quarter strengthened compared with the first quarter and overall confirmed our full-year outlook for 2010. AUM fell 7.6% q/q to $1.782 trl. At June 30, 2010, the after-tax, unrealized mark-to-market losses in the investment portfolio were $994 million, down 31% from $1.44 billion at March 31, 2010, and down about 79% from $4.75 billion as of June 30, 2009.

07:13

VIVO Meridian Bioscience misses by $0.02, misses on revs; sees FY10 guidance at low end of previous range (18.02 )

Reports Q3 (Jun) earnings of $0.16 per share, $0.02 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.18; revenues fell 11.3% year/year to $33.9 mln vs the $35.6 mln consensus. Co sees guidance for FY10 at low end of previous guidance of EPS at $0.70-0.80 vs. $0.76 Thomson Reuters consensus; revs of $145-153 mln vs. $148.17 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

07:09

CHGS China Gengsheng Minerals secures new export contract for fracture proppants, valued at ~$1.7 mln (1.26 )

Co announced that it has secured an ~$1.7 million contract for its fracture proppant products with a new distributor to strengthen its export to the U.S. market. Product shipments under this contract are expected to commence during the third quarter of 2010 and continue through the end of the year.

07:08

FXEN FX Energy reports extended test shows Zakowo not economic (3.60 )

Co reported that the extended production test of the recently re-entered Zakowo-1 well in block 246 does not provide support for the cost of additional workover attempts and infrastructure for the overall project. Testing over the last few days did confirm the flow rates from the earlier tests when the well was originally drilled in the 1970's. However the improved tools and procedures available today indicate very low permeability at some distance from the wellbore, meaning the current flow rates are not sustainable.

07:08

PEP PepsiCo beats by $0.02, beats on revs; reaffirms FY10 core constant currency EPS guidance (62.05 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $1.10 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.02 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $1.08; revenues rose 39.7% year/year (+37% in constant currency) to $14.8 bln vs the $14.41 bln consensus. Co reaffirms guidance for FY10, sees +11-13% core constant currency EPS growth; or $4.12-4.19 vs. $4.16 Thomson Reuters consensus.

07:07

PLD ProLogis signs three build-to-suit agreements in Europe (10.25 )

Co signed three build-to-suit agreements in Europe, totaling ~389,000 square feet (36,100 square meters). Together, these developments represent ~$31 mln of total expected investment, and ~$8 mln of land monetization, helping ProLogis meet its 2010 development goals. The company aims to achieve $700 to $800 mln of global development starts and $350 to $400 mln of land monetization during 2010.

07:06

WNI Schiff Nutrition misses by $0.02, beats on revs (7.89 )

Reports Q4 (May) earnings of $0.08 per share, $0.02 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.10; revenues rose 7.9% year/year to $49.3 mln vs the $48.1 mln consensus.

07:06

AMIN American Intl Industries Announces the Assignment of Patent Application for Invention That May Provide Solution for Containing Oil Spills Such As the Deepwater Horizon (BP) Oil Spill (0.95 )

Co announces that Subsea Oil Technologies, 50% owned by AMIN, has been assigned U.S. patent application number 12/822,324 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Containing an Undersea Oil and/or Gas Spill Caused by a Defective Blowout Preventer," filed on June 24, 2010.

07:05

HEW Hewitt Associates to acquire EnnisKnupp; terms not disclosed (46.90 )

07:05

HOG Harley-Davidson beats by $0.18, reports revs in-line; raises margin guidance (23.61 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.59 per share, $0.18 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.41; revenues fell 0.1% year/year to $1.14 bln vs the $1.13 bln consensus. The company reiterated its expectation to ship 201,000 to 212,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles to dealers and distributors worldwide in 2010, a reduction of five to ten percent from 2009. In the third quarter of 2010, the Company expects to ship 53,000 to 58,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Harley-Davidson now expects gross margin to be between 32.5% and 34.0% for the full year, versus the prior estimate of 32.0% to 33.5%. The company continues to expect full-year capital expenditures of between $235 million and $255 million, including $95 million to $110 million to support restructuring activities.

07:03

ASTE Astec Industries beats by $0.06, beats on revs (26.61 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.45 per share, $0.06 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.39; revenues rose 10.8% year/year to $209.2 mln vs the $197.6 mln consensus. The Company's backlog at June 30, 2010 was $139.7 million compared to $133.6 million at June 30, 2009 for a 4.6% increase. Co says "We remain concerned about the lack of action by Congress on a new 6-year highway bill. Our customers will remain cautious and reluctant to make major capital expenditure commitments until a bill is passed in Washington. In general, customers are only purchasing equipment needed for current jobs. Customers continue to purchase components, assemblies and parts for maintaining or increasing production, but a multi-year highway bill should give our customers the confidence to expand their production capacity by purchasing entire plants or installations."

07:03

VIVO Meridian Bioscience acquires manufacturer and distributor of molecular reagents (18.02 )

The co announces that effective today it will have completed the purchase of all the outstanding capital stock of the Bioline group of companies consisting of Bioline Ltd (UK), Bioline GmbH (Germany), Bioline (Aust) Pty (Australia), Bioline Reagents, and Bioline USA for $23.3 million in cash on hand.

07:03

AOS A.O. Smith reports Q2, beats on revs (51.92 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.54 per share, may not be comparable to the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.84; revenues rose 14.8% year/year to $572.5 mln vs the $542.8 mln consensus. Co issues guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $3.05-3.25, which includes a one time charge for flood and may not be comparable to $3.62 Thomson Reuters consensus.

07:02

SPNC Spectranetics announces reimbursement approval for laser-assisted lead extraction in Japan (5.12 )

The co announces that the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan has approved product reimbursement to hospitals for the Spectranetics Laser Sheath (SLS(R) II), which is used for the removal of problematic pacemaker and defibrillator cardiac leads. Through the Company's distribution partner, DVx Inc., the initial phase of the product launch will commence immediately and focus on establishing a limited number of lead extraction training centers.

07:02

OMC Omnicom beats by $0.02, beats on revs (36.03 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.79 per share, $0.02 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.77; revenues rose 5.9% year/year to $3.04 bln vs the $2.95 bln consensus.

07:02

LTRE Learning Tree awarded Pan-European training contract by NATO CIS Services Agency (11.58 )

Under the contract, Learning Tree International will provide commercial training services to an estimated one thousand delegates a year across NATO and NCSA bases in Europe. The training will be delivered through a mixture of on-site courses run at NATO and NCSA sites, local open enrolment courses and through Learning Tree International's fully engaged, live online instructor-led training solution - Learning Tree AnyWare.

07:01

ACOR Acorda Therapeutics announces receipt of $1 mln NIH grant for development of GGF2 in heart failure (31.75 )

If these studies are successful, Acorda and Vanderbilt will be eligible to apply for a second phase C-TRIP grant of at least $7.5 million.

07:01

SGEN Seattle Genetics and Agensys announce initiation of Phase I clinical trial of ASG-5ME for pancreatic cancer (11.75 )

07:00

WBC WABCO Holdings forms new business to remanufacture components for commercial and passenger vehicles; begins in Europe and North America (3535 )

06:56

S&P futures vs fair value: -12.40. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -27.60.

06:56

Asian Markets

Nikkei...9300.46...-107.90...-1.20%. Hang Seng...20264.59...+173.60...+0.90%.

06:56

European Markets

FTSE...5113.42...-34.80...-0.70%. DAX...5943.43...-65.70...-1.10%.

06:55

FEED AgFeed Industries announces agreement to acquire M2P2 for $16 mln (2.90 )

Co announced today that it has reached an agreement in principle to acquire the operations of M2P2 . Co and M2P2 have entered into a non-binding term sheet summarizing the principle terms of the acquisition and expect to complete the transaction later this summer. The aggregate consideration co expects to pay to acquire M2P2 is $16 million, subject to adjustment based upon the book value of M2P2's assets, of which 80% will be paid in cash and 20% in AgFeed common stock.

06:48

On The Wires

Granite Construction Incorporated (GVA) announced that Granite Construction has been awarded a $22 mln contract by the Washington Department of Transportation to replace the Ebey Slough Bridge in Snohomish County. Granite booked the project into backlog during the second quarter of 2010... Socket Mobile (SCKT) announced its new line of wireless barcode scanners designed specifically to work with the Apple (AAPL) iPad , iPhone and iPod touch... Boeing (BA) and Royal Jordanian, the national carrier of Jordan, today signed an order for three 787-8s at the Farnborough International Airshow. The order is valued at ~$500 mln at list prices.

06:44

ATHR Atheros Communications adds PON Technology with the acquisition of Opulan (30.46 )

The co announecs that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Opulan Technologies, a privately held Chinese fabless semiconductor company specializing in solutions for passive optical networking (PON) and broadband access aggregation (MUX). The acquisition further expands Atheros' platform solutions for its networking customers worldwide, and enhances its strong R&D capabilities and customer relationships in Asia. Under the terms of the agreement, Atheros will pay Opulan shareholders approximately $72 million in cash, and may pay additional cash to Opulan shareholders subject to the attainment of earn-out objectives applicable to the acquired business during a 12-month period following the closing date.

06:39

VTG Vantage Drilling announces proposed offering of $960 mln of senior secured notes due 2015 by its subsidiary Offshore Group Investment Ltd (1.09 )

06:37

CYPB Cypress Biosci confirms receipt of unsolicited proposal from Ramius (3.35 )

Co confirmed that it has received an unsolicited proposal from Ramius to acquire the Company for $4.00 per share in cash. Cypress's Board of Directors will review the proposal with its financial and legal advisors. Cypress's stockholders are advised to take no action at this time.

06:35

DLR Digital Realty Trust increases quarterly common stock dividend 10.4% to $0.53 (60.98 )

Co announces that its Board of Directors has authorized quarterly common and preferred stock dividends for the third quarter of 2010. "We are increasing the quarterly common stock dividend by 10.4% to $0.53 per share in anticipation of increased REIT taxable income and distribution requirements for 2010."

06:33

GR Goodrich and Mubadala Aerospace sign agreement to form landing gear MRO Joint Venture in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (66.65 )

The co and Mubadala Aerospace a heads of agreement to establish a joint venture company in the United Arab Emirates to perform maintenance, repair and overhaul work on landing gear. The joint venture company would be the Middle East's first dedicated landing gear service provider once fully operational in 2012. The joint venture is subject to negotiation and execution of the definitive joint venture agreement.

06:31

OSTK Overstock.com announces purchase of O.CO domain name (18.40 )

Co announces it has purchased the domain name O.CO from .CO Internet S.A.S, the official .CO domain registry. Co says the new web address will enhance Overstock.com's brand recognition and retention, align with current marketing initiatives, and make it easier for shoppers to find the company's products and services online. Overstock.com purchased the registration rights to secure the iconic, single-letter domain O.CO and related URLs for $350,000. Once launched, the O.CO website will carry all of the same products and have the same features as Overstock.com.

06:30

RTN Raytheon: U.S. Navy awards $250 mln V-22 contract to Raytheon (48.03 )

The U.S. Navy has awarded co a five-year, $250 mln indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity contract for support of the V-22 aircraft. Tasks under the contract include V-22 avionics systems software, situational awareness software and prototype hardware, and avionics acquisition support for the customer.

06:28

SOLF Solarfun Power obtained RMB6 bln credit facility with Bank of Shanghai (9.29 )

Co announces that Jiangsu Linyang Solarfun, a wholly owned subsidiary of Solarfun, has obtained a credit facility in the amount not exceeding RMB 6 bln, or an equivalent amount of foreign currency, from Bank of Shanghai, Nanjing branch. The contract has a term of 5 years. Specific drawdowns against this facility are subject to internal review and approval by the Bank.

06:26

SUSS Susser expects to report same-store merchandise sales growth for the second quarter of 2010 of approx 3.1% (11.77 )

Co announces it expects to report same-store merchandise sales growth for the second quarter of 2010 of approx 3.1%. Retail average per-store fuel volumes are expected to increase by 1.8% year-over-year. For the first half of 2010, the Company expects to report same-store merchandise sales growth of 2.8% and retail average per-store fuel volume growth of 0.8%.

06:25

PII Polaris Inds beats by $0.07, beats on revs; guides Q3 EPS, revs above consensus; raises FY10 EPS, revs above consensus (59.94 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.75 per share, $0.07 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.68; revenues rose 24.6% year/year to $430.9 mln vs the $404.7 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for Q3, sees EPS of $1.10-1.15 vs. $1.01 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q3 revs of +17-20% YoY to $510.4-523.4 mln vs. $479.84 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $3.80-3.90 vs. $3.62 Thomson Reuters consensus, up from $3.48-3.60; sees FY10 revs of +17-20% YoY to $1.83-1.88 bln vs. $1.74 bln Thomson Reuters consensus.

06:23

WFT Weatherford beats by $0.04, beats on revs (15.06 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.11 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.04 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.07; revenues rose 22.3% year/year to $2.44 bln vs the $2.37 bln consensus. Co says "The second quarter was progress with the United States and Russia singled out as the highest performers. The outlook for North America appears constructive. Client feedback leads us to believe that operators are planning to accelerate activity in international markets."

06:20

UNH UnitedHealth beats by $0.24, beats on revs; raises FY10 EPS and rev guidance above consensus (30.82 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.99 per share, $0.24 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.75; revenues rose 7.4% year/year to $23.26 bln vs the $22.97 bln consensus. Co raises guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $3.40-3.60 vs. $3.33 Thomson Reuters consensus, up from $3.15-3.35 previously; sees FY10 revs of ~$93 bln vs. $92.18 bln Thomson Reuters consensus and $92 bln previously; co sees cash flow from ops. approaching $5 bln.

06:15

WHR Whirlpool beats by $0.51, beats on revs; raises FY10 EPS above consensus; raises FCF guidance (91.36 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $2.64 per share, $0.51 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $2.13; revenues rose 8.8% year/year (+6% ex-FX) to $4.53 bln vs the $4.48 bln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $9.00-9.50 vs. $8.67 Thomson Reuters consensus, up from $8.00-8.50 previously; raises FCF guidance to $550-650 mln from $500-600 mln. "Global unit volume growth combined with our ongoing productivity improvements enabled us to expand our operating margins and accelerate profitable growth."

18:26

CCK Crown Hldgs reports EPS in-line, misses on revs (25.86 -0.04)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.67 per share, excluding non-recurring items, in-line with the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.67; revenues fell 2.2% year/year to $2.01 bln vs the $2.1 bln consensus.

18:02

DELL Dell signs agreement to acquire Ocarina Networks and its storage optimization technology; terms not disclosed (13.44 +0.37)

18:01

ATW Atwood Oceanics announces new CFO, Mark Mey (25.91 -0.16) -Update-

Co announced that effective August 11, 2010, Mr. Mark L. Mey will be elected Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. James M. Holland, the Company's current Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will retire from such positions as of the close of business August 10, 2010, but may continue as an employee of the Company to December 31, 2010, to provide for an appropriate transition. From August 2005 to July 8, 2010, Mr. Mey was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Scorpion Offshore Ltd.

18:00

MANT ManTech COO resigns (40.75 +0.26)

Co announced that Lawrence B. Prior III has submitted, and ManTech has accepted, his resignation as president and chief operating officer. Pending a decision on a successor, ManTech International Chairman and Chief Executive Officer George J. Pedersen will assume the responsibilities of president of ManTech, and the three current Operating Group Presidents will assume the Chief Operating Officer duties for their respective operations.

17:52

RLI RLI Corp beats by $0.48 (52.26 -0.20)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $1.52 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.48 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $1.04. RLI achieved $30.8 mln of underwriting income in the second quarter of 2010 on a 74.7 combined ratio, compared to $25.1 mln of underwriting income on a 79.5 combined ratio in the same quarter for 2009.

17:47

LEN Lennar receives "favorable" tentative court decision (13.82 -0.19)

Co announced that on Friday, July 16, a California court issued a comprehensive tentative decision in favor of Lennar in a long running, widely publicized lawsuit against the Company initiated by a joint venture partner, Briarwood Capital LLC, a company wholly owned by Nicolas Marsch III. The Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Diego, issued the 48 page tentative decision. The court concluded that "The story Mr. Marsch told on direct examination was compelling, but it did not withstand close scrutiny and cross-examination. Ultimately, Mr. Marsch was thoroughly impeached with his own testimony, documents and testimony of other witnesses." The court also found that "Mr. Marsch repeatedly gave false testimony on material issues."

17:47

NGLS Targa Resources announces new $1.1 bln revolving credit facility (26.68 -0.05)

17:47

ESL Esterline announces pricing of $250 mln private placement of sr notes at 7% (46.59 +0.63) -Update-

17:22

STLD Steel Dynamics misses by $0.03, reports revs in-line (14.00 -0.21)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.22 per share, $0.03 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.25; revenues rose 106.1% year/year to $1.63 bln vs the $1.64 bln consensus. "Reduced volume was the main catalyst for the decline in operating income for the steel segment, as operating income per ton shipped increased to $108 versus $99 in the first quarter. Average steel selling prices increased $93 per ton to $829, compared to $736 in the first quarter, while the average scrap cost per ton charged increased $49."

17:14

TUP Tupperware ticking lower in after hours following earnings... currently down ~10% (30.68 +0.32) -Update-

17:09

SOA Solutia will expand its operations in China (13.22 +0.13)

Co will expand its operations in China to include the production of Vistasolar ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulant at its Suzhou, China facility. This investment will include the construction of a new building capable of housing several new EVA production lines and will provide the infrastructure for additional future capacity. The lines will be capable of manufacturing 2.35m wide sheet with the first production line scheduled to be completed by June 2011.

17:08

MOH Molina Healthcare's Nurse Advice Line has been awarded Health Call Center Accreditation from URAC (28.78 -0.21)

17:05

ZEP Zep Enters into $320 mln revolving credit facility and term loan agreement (18.30 -0.04)

Co announced it entered into a $320 mln five-year senior, secured credit facility with its lenders. The credit agreement is comprised of a revolving credit facility that provides for borrowings of up to $245 mln, and a term loan in the initial aggregate principal amount of $75 mln. Under certain terms and conditions, the arrangement may afford additional loan capacity of $30 mln for a total principal amount of up to $350 mln. The credit agreement replaces the co's prior existing $100 mln revolving credit facility and $40 mln receivables security agreement, both of which were scheduled to mature during October 2012.

17:05

GPK Graphic Packaging increases prices on SUS coated unbleached Kraft paperboard (3.36 -0.04)

Co announced a price increase of $50 per ton on its SUS Coated Unbleached Kraft paperboard, effective with shipments on or after August 23, 2010. The increase affects GPI's coated folding carton grades, Pearl-Kote and Omni-Kote, as well as the Aqua-Kote carrier grade.

17:05

RAH Ralcorp Holdings beats by $0.10, misses on revs (54.43 +0.02)

Reports Q3 (Jun) earnings of $1.11 per share, excluding $0.16 in charges related top acquisition costs and Post Foods transition and integration costs, $0.10 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $1.01; revenues fell 3.2% year/year to $962.4 mln vs the $977.4 mln consensus.

17:04

NE Noble Corp misses by $0.18, misses on revs (30.65 +0.35)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.87 per share, ex-items $0.18 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $1.05; revenues fell 21.0% year/year to $709.9 mln vs the $771.2 mln consensus.

17:04

TUP Tupperware misses by $0.04, misses on revs; guides Q3 EPS below consensus; guides FY10 EPS below consensus (43.29 +0.58)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.93 per share, $0.04 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.97; revenues rose 7.7% year/year to $565.1 mln vs the $580 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q3, sees EPS of $0.54-$0.59 vs. $0.66 Thomson Reuters consensus. Co issues downside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $3.51-$3.61 vs. $3.70 Thomson Reuters consensus. The full year local currency sales growth outlook remains the same as the April guidance at up 6 to 8%.

17:01

GRMN Garmin G1000 certified for Cessna CitationJet (29.91 +0.25)

17:01

PFE Pfizer suspends chronic pain studies in Tanezumab clinical trial program; some studies continue in areas of unmet medical need (14.65 +0.09)

Co announced, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the suspension of the chronic low back pain and painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy studies in the clinical program for the investigational compound tanezumab. Investigation of the compound continues in some areas of high unmet medical need, including cancer pain.

17:01

HLF Herbalife receives approval for additional direct-selling licenses in China (49.79 +0.71)

Co announced that China's Ministry of Commerce has granted five additional licenses for the company to conduct its direct-selling business in the provinces of Jiangxi, Liaoning, Henan, Jilin, and Chongqing. All licenses are effective immediately. Additionally, the company's license for Shanghai, which was granted in July 2009, is now active.

17:00

EGN Energen to write off part of Conasauga Shale leasehold (45.43 +0.30)

Co said that it will write off in the second quarter of 2010 unproved capitalized leasehold associated with its deep Conasauga shale acreage. The non-cash charge will total $10 mln after-tax ($16.1 pre-tax), or 14 cents per diluted share. The decision came following an analysis of the flow rate from completions performed this year in the Marchant 22-16 #1 in Bibb County, Alabama. The company performed three acid etchings and two C02 stimulations in five zones spanning some 4,000 feet at depths of approximately 7,500-11,500 feet. Co established a flow rate of 300-400 thousand cubic feet per day at pressures of 120 to 180 pounds per square inch.

16:57

UTX United Tech unit receives ~$132 mln order from China Southern Airlines (ZNH) (66.39 +0.36)

China Southern Airlines (ZNH) has awarded International Aero Engines an order for V2500 engines to power a new fleet of 20 Airbus A320-family aircraft. The agreement includes a long-term IAE aftermarket services agreement. The value to United Technologies Corp.'s Pratt & Whitney of the order and aftermarket agreement is ~$132 mln.

16:57

CNR China Metro-Rural announces agreement related to new project in Dezhou City, Shandong Province; terms not disclosed (1.90 0.00)

Co announced that it has entered into a framework agreement with the People's Government of Dezhou City, Shandong Province for a new project. The new project will include the relocation of existing trade centers, the construction, sale and leasing of new trade center units and other auxiliary infrastructures with focus in agricultural and small industrial products. The total site area of the Dezhou Project is about 7 mln square meters and will be developed in several phases. The development for the first phase of the Dezhou Project is expected to last about 3 years and will comprise a total gross floor area of approximately 5 mln square meters.

16:52

CRWS Crown Crafts issues letter to shareholders urging them to support its slate director candidates (3.89 -0.11)

The co says "ongoing, misleading antics by the Wynnefield Group to advance their own narrow, self-serving, short-sighted agenda are so frustrating and counterproductive."

16:48

MITL Mitel Networks signed a direct partnership agreement with Telstra, Australia's leading telecommunications and information services company (9.40 +0.14)

Mitel will expand its longstanding relationship with Telstra and provide its customers with access to Mitel's portfolio of scalable unified communication solutions, including its line of software, applications and hardware offerings.

16:46

LNCR Lincare discusses new Competitive Bidding Program for items of durable medical equipment; thinks pricing mechanism is "fundamentally flawed" (25.98 -0.69) -Update-

Co confirms that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced the results of a new Competitive Bidding Program for items of durable medical equipment (DME) and related services in nine metropolitan markets commencing in 2011. CMS has announced average savings of ~32% off the current payment rates for those items in the nine markets. "We believe that the pricing mechanism used by CMS to determine the payment rates within each of the nine markets is fundamentally flawed. Rather than contracting with each winning bidder at the actual bid amounts submitted by those providers, CMS sets rates for each item within the bid markets at the median bid prices submitted by the winning providers. We believe that many providers submitted bids at rates that are unsustainably low... Further, CMS has stated that a significant number of contracts were awarded to companies that do not currently provide the contracted equipment and services to patients in those markets. We are concerned that the 32% price reduction is an indication that such providers may not understand the specific state regulations which require clinical support and intervention for patients in conjunction with the equipment provided. We encourage CMS to release all appropriate bid information used to set the median prices for all of the items in each of the nine markets so the bidding process is fully transparent for review by the Congress, patients and caregivers, and providers."

16:39

APPY AspenBio Pharma reports AppyScore ELISA-based pivotal trial results and outlines plans for AppyScore Cassette-based test (0.98 +0.02) -Update-

Co reported results from recently completed AppyScore ELISA-based pivotal clinical trial. The Statistical Analysis Report showed higher sensitivity (96%) and negative predictive value (92%) but lower specificity (16%) than seen in the 2008 ELISA-based study. Also, the report showed a wider range in prevalence of acute appendicitis between sites than had been anticipated. Significant additional data analysis and experiments were undertaken to investigate the variability in prevalence and specificity between the two studies. The overall prevalence of appendicitis was similar to that seen in the previous trial, however inter-site variability was notably larger, with a wider range of patients enrolled with acute appendicitis observed between sites. (stock is halted)

16:38

GFF Griffon announces acquisition of Ames True Temper for $542 mln (11.87 +0.20)

Co announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ames True Temper, from Castle Harlan Partners IV, a fund of Castle Harlan, Inc., for total consideration of $542 million, subject to certain adjustments, plus related transaction fees and expenses. The transaction is expected to be accretive to cash flow and earnings per diluted share in fiscal 2011.

16:35

ANW Aegean Marine Petrol has taken delivery of Karpathos from Qingdao Hyundai Shipyard in China; to be deployed in Greece (20.10 -0.32)

Based success in expanding the double-hull bunkering fleet combined with the recent acquisitions of Verbeke Bunkering N.V. and the Shell Las Palmas terminal, co expects to significantly increase market share for supply of marine fuel... With the delivery of the Karpathos, co plans to redeploy the Aegean X to its market located in West Africa.

16:34

TXN Texas Instruments reports EPS, revs in-line with consensus/guidance; guides Q3 EPS above consensus, revs in-line; raises FY10 cap-ex (25.55 +0.78)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.62 per share, in-line with the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.62 and guidance of $0.60-0.64; revenues rose 42.3% year/year to $3.5 bln vs the $3.52 bln consensus and guidance of $3.45-3.59 bln. Co issues guidance for Q3, sees EPS of $0.64-0.74 vs. $0.64 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q3 revs of $3.55-3.85 bln vs. $3.59 bln Thomson Reuters consensus. Q2 Gross Margin of 54.17% vs 53.5% consensus; capital expenditures: $1.2 billion, up from the prior expectation of $0.9 billion "Our Analog and Embedded Processing businesses turned in double-digit sequential growth, outpacing their respective markets and again confirming their ability to positively impact the financial performance of TI... Orders were strong in the quarter, backlog increased and we expect to grow revenue again in the third quarter."

16:32

IEX IDEX Corp beats by $0.03, beats on revs; guides Q3 EPS above consensus; guides FY10 EPS in-line (29.77 +0.81)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.50 per share, $0.03 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.47; revenues rose 12.5% year/year to $378.5 mln vs the $362.5 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for Q3, sees EPS of $0.46-0.48 vs. $0.45 Thomson Reuters consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $1.85-1.90 vs. $1.85 Thomson Reuters consensus.

16:32

PKG Packaging Corp beats by $0.07, beats on revs (22.92 +0.20)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.38 per share, excluding alternative fuel mixture credits and energy project related asset disposal charges, $0.07 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.31; revenues rose 12.0% year/year to $615.5 mln vs the $593.6 mln consensus.

16:31

AKR Acadia Realty Trust confirms construction has commenced on the first phase of City Point (16.83 +0.41)

16:29

APPY AspenBio Pharma halted, news pending (0.97 +0.02)

16:24

RAND Rand Capital announces sale of Its Innov-X Systems, Securities; estimated proceeds from sale may exceed $5.6 million (3.20 +0.05)

16:17

ZION Zions Bancorp misses by $0.29 (21.42 -0.27)

Reports Q2 (Jun) loss of $0.84 per share, $0.29 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.55). Nonperforming lending-related assets were $2.55 billion compared to $2.79 billion in the first quarter. The provision for loan losses fell for the fourth consecutive quarter to $228.7 million compared to $265.6 million in the Q1. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of net loans and leases increased to 4.11% at June 30, 2010 compared to 4.05% at March 31, 2010. While the net interest margin declined to 3.58% from 4.03% in the first quarter, primarily due to the effects of a subordinated debt conversion, the core net interest margin, which excludes subordinated debt conversions, remained strong at 4.14% compared to 4.26% in Q1. Credit-related impairment losses on CDO securities fell to $18.1 million compared to $31.3 million in Q1. Loan balances declined 2.5% from the first quarter due to continued weakness in loan demand. Noninterest income for the second quarter of 2010 was $109.4 million compared to $107.6 million for the first quarter of 2010. Noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2010 was $430.4 million compared to $389.1 million for the first quarter of 2010.

16:16

BRO Brown & Brown beats by $0.03, beats on revs (19.06 +0.11)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.29 per share, $0.03 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.26; revenues fell 1.1% year/year to $243.7 mln vs the $234.4 mln consensus.

16:13

IBM IBM beats by $0.03, misses on revs; raises FY10 guidance (129.79 +1.76)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $2.61 per share, $0.03 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $2.58; revenues rose 2.0% year/year to $23.72 bln vs the $24.17 bln consensus. Reports Q2 gross profit margin of 45.6% vs Thomson Reuters consensus of 45.8%. IBM sees FY10 EPS of "at least $11.25," up from prior guidance of "at least $11.20", and vs. the $11.27 consensus. IBM signed services contracts totaling $12.3 bln, decrease of 12%. "In the second quarter we again delivered double-digit earnings-per-share growth, increased margins, as well as improving constant-currency revenue performance in our ongoing software, services and hardware businesses, and in all geographies."

16:09

AMZN Amazon.com reports Kindle unit sales accelerated each month in Q2; the new $189 price resulted in tipping point for growth (119.94 +1.45)

Amazon.com announced that Kindle device unit sales accelerated each month in the second quarter--both on a sequential month-over-month basis and on a year-over-year basis. "We've reached a tipping point with the new price of Kindle--the growth rate of Kindle device unit sales has tripled since we lowered the price from $259 to $189... Amazon.com customers now purchase more Kindle books than hardcover books."

16:07

SY Sybase beats by $0.05, beats on revs; Reminder: SAP purchasing co (64.85 +0.02)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.66 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.05 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.61; revenues rose 8.6% year/year to $302 mln vs the $296.6 mln consensus. In light of the pending tender offer from Sheffield Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of SAP America, Inc., to purchase all of Sybase's common stock for $65 per share, the company will not hold a conference call to discuss the second quarter results.

16:07

QLTY Quality Distribution announces promotion of Stephen Attwood to President and Chief Operating Officer and appointment of Joseph Troy as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Office (5.64 +0.02)

16:07

ATHR Atheros Communications beats by $0.03, beats on revs (30.46 +1.19)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.67 per share, $0.03 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.64; revenues rose 112.3% year/year to $238.2 mln vs the $235.7 mln consensus. Non-GAAP gross margin in Q2 was 49.8% of revenue, compared to 49.5% reported in the Q1 and 47.4% in the 2Q09.

16:07

TMNG TMNG Global announces amended and restated its stockholder rights plan (30.46 +1.19)

Co amended and restated its stockholder rights plan to increase the ownership threshold under the Rights Plan from 5% to 15% and delete the provisions of the Rights Plan relating to the Company's net operating loss carryforwards. The Company also amended the Rights Plan to reflect adjustments resulting from the Company's 1-for-5 reverse stock split that was effected on February 7, 2010. In addition, the Rights Plan was amended to also apply to ownership of securities where a holder uses a contract, arrangement or device (including any derivative, swap or similar transaction or instrument) to divest beneficial ownership of the securities to avoid triggering the Rights Plan or to evade the reporting requirements of the federal securities laws.

16:06

FLIR FLIR Systems announces $14.1 mln delivery order from STARA Technologies for U.S. Army (30.32 +0.28) -Update-

16:06

ATHR Atheros Communications confirms it has shipped 500 mln Wi-Fi chipsets (30.46 +1.19) -Update-

16:05

SLH Solera increases quarterly dividend 20% to $0.30 (36.99 +0.34)

16:05

AVCA Advocat announces agreement for development of West Virginia Facility (4.22 -0.13)

Co entered into a lease agreement with a real estate developer pursuant to which the developer will construct, furnish, and equip a 90 bed skilled nursing facility in Milton, West Virginia which the Company will then lease. The lease is for a term of 20 years from the date the facility is completed and fit for occupancy as a skilled nursing facility. Co has the right to purchase the facility beginning on the twelfth month of the initial term of the lease and ending after the sixtieth month of the Lease for a purchase price ranging from 110% to 120% of the total project cost.

16:03

ZIOP Ziopharm Oncology announces initiation of Palifosfamide pivotal study (3.30 +0.05)

Co announced the initiation of the pivotal Phase III clinical trial for palifosfamide (ZymafosTM) in patients with front-line metastatic soft tissue sarcoma. The study is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of palifosfamide administered with doxorubicin compared with doxorubicin administered with placebo, with no crossover between arms. Progression-free survival (PFS) is the primary endpoint for accelerated approval, with overall survival (OS) as the primary endpoint for full approval. Palifosfamide has Orphan Drug status in both Europe and the United States.

16:03

ICUI ICU Medical beats by $0.19, beats on revs; raises FY10 EPS above consensus, revs in-line (34.37 +1.38)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.56 per share, $0.19 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.37; revenues rose 29.0% year/year to $68.9 mln vs the $65.2 mln consensus. Co raises guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $1.85-1.92 vs. $1.79 Thomson Reuters consensus,up from $1.80-1.90 previously; sees FY10 revs of $270-275 mln vs. $270.95 mln Thomson Reuters consensus, up from $265-275 mln previously.

16:02

ATHR Atheros Communications to acquire Opulan Technologies Corp (30.46 +1.19)

Atheros will pay Opulan shareholders ~$72 mln in cash, and may pay additional cash to Opulan shareholders subject to the attainment of earn-out objectives applicable to the acquired business during a 12-month period following the closing date. The transaction is expected to close in Q3 2010. The acquisition has been approved by the board of directors of each company, and a majority of Opulan's shareholders have agreed to approve the transaction.

16:02

FIX Comfort Sys USA extends debt facility; Facility increased to $125 mln and extended to 2014 (9.99 +0.21)

16:01

NKE Nike announces mgmt changes for Greater China and North America (68.61 -0.35)

Co announces Craig Cheek will become VP and GM of Greater China. Cheek replaces Willem Haitink, who will now become Vice President and General Manager of Converse's EMEA (European, Middle East and Africa) business. Haitink will oversee the Converse business outside of the UK. Elliott Hill, an experienced and results-driven leader, will replace Cheek to lead the North American geography.

16:01

LDSH Ladish beats by $0.20, reports revs in-line (25.51 +1.70)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.48 per share, $0.20 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.28; revenues rose 17.4% year/year to $99.4 mln vs the $99.1 mln consensus. "Customer demand looks flat for the next few months, but we know we must continue to prepare for more growth in 2011 and beyond. Our general industrial and aerospace markets have been solid, but jet engine demand has been inconsistent this year. We remain bullish on our long-term opportunities but cautious about predicting the precise rate of recovery. When commercial aerospace markets improve, jet engine requirements will firm up, and we will be ready. Our $520 million of contract backlog at the end of June positions us well for the growth expected in our served markets."

16:01

VITA Orthovita announces presentations of Cortoss clinical study results (1.79 -0.08)

Key findings from the 256-patient clinical study include the following statistically significant benefits for the Cortoss patient group: Early patient outcomes assessed at 3 months: With 86.6% of Cortoss patients and 75.0% of PMMA patients achieving successful pain relief as measured by the Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS) the Cortoss patient group experienced a statistically significant benefit in pain success over the PMMA group. Long-term patient outcomes assessed at 24 months: With 96.7% of Cortoss patients and 88.4% of PMMA patients maintaining or improving their function as measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Cortoss patient group experienced a statistically significant benefit in function success over the PMMA group.

16:01

ODSY Odyssey Healthcare sees Q2 EPS of $0.39-0.41 vs $0.38 Thomson Reuters consensus (26.44 -0.12)

The Company also announced that, during the second quarter, it redeemed at par the remaining $13 million of auction rate securities held by the Company.

16:01

RLRN Renaissance Learning misses by $0.02, misses on revs (14.53 +0.24)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.15 per share, $0.02 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.17; revenues rose 8.8% year/year to $31 mln vs the $31.6 mln consensus. Co says "Despite state budgets remaining weak which will likely affect education funding for at least the next school year, we remain optimistic about our growth prospects."

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