Briefing.com: Hourly In Play (R) – 13:00 ET

Feb 11, 2010 (Briefing.com via COMTEX) -- Hourly In Play (R)

Updated: 11-Feb-10 13:00 ET

12:50

KOL Midday sector ETF view -Technical-

Actively Traded Leading Sector ETF Plays:

Coal- KOL +4.25%, SPDRS metals & mining- XME +3.50%, Gold miners- GDX +3.25%, Steel- SLX +3.0%, Base metals- DBB +3.0%, Silver- SLV +2.50%, SPDRS homebuilders- XHB +2.50%, China 25- FXI +2.25%, India- INP +2.25%, Emerging mkts- EEM +2.0%, iShares Brazil- EWZ +2.0%, Semis- SMH +2.0%, IGW +2.0%, Gold- GLD +2.0%

Actively Traded Lagging Sector ETF Plays:

VIX vol. index- VXX -1.50%, US bonds- TLT -0.50%, BND -0.25%, Euro currecny shares- FXE -0.50%, REgional banks- KRE -0.25%, RKH -0.25%, Livestock commods- COW -0.25%

12:48

AET Aetna: Moody's reviews Aetna's ratings (A3 senior debt) for possible downgrade (28.80 +0.15)

Moody's Investors Service placed Aetna's ratings under review for possible downgrade following the company's earnings release for fourth quarter 2009 and initial 2010 earnings guidance. Commenting on the review for possible downgrade, Moody's said that while Aetna's business profile remains strong with a strong national brand, diverse membership base and limited exposure to government products (Medicare Advantage and Medicaid), there are concerns that the lower earnings results reported in 2009 and projected for 2010 would continue beyond the next year. The net after-tax margin for 2009 was 3.7% and is projected to be lower in 2010, compared to an average net after-tax margin of over 6% for the five years prior. A similar analysis of the company's combined medical loss ratio (MLR) shows an MLR above 85% for 2009 with the guidance for 2010 implying an MLR at the same level, compared to the historical average of below 80%. The rating agency stated that given the uncertainties regarding the economic climate and the future path of healthcare reform, Aetna's multi-year re-pricing strategy to restore underwriting margins closer to historical levels presents a number of risks as regulatory changes and/or an unexpected increase in medical cost trend could undermine Aetna's efforts.

12:39

SPY Trading volume analysis-- Exchange trading volume diverges here at midday with NYSE pacing heavier than yesterday while NASDAQ lags-- See volume charts -Technical-

Here @ midday, trading volume remains rather subdued as the indices hold firm gains well off 1st hour lows. Yesterday witnessed some of the lightest trading volume totals YTD as the inclement weather along the Eastern seaboard was mostly to blame. Today, NYSE volume is tracking higher than yesterday's midday total while NASDAQ actually comes in a bit under yesterday's even as the index (COMPQ, & NDX 100) display the relative strength versus the INDU & broader measure SPX.

As of 12:30ET, nearly 452M have change hands on NYSE vs. 428M yesterday, while over on NASDAQ, 1B shares have traded vs. 1.02B yesterday.

NYSE 60 min volume

NASDAQ 60 min volume

12:33

AGNC Volume Alert -- American Capital Agency drops to fresh lows on a pick up in volume, decling over $0.70 during past 6 mins as it breaks below its Jan-Feb range low (25.23 -1.19) -Technical-

Stock currently coming into its Oct-Nov range low of 25.00, with the 200-day ema below at 24.70.

12:18

UUP Dollar Index intraday retreat from resistance helps to underpin -Update- -Technical-

Noted in the 10:55 update that the Dollar Index was probing resistance at the high for the week at 80.53 (session high 80.50). It stalled at this barrier and rolled over which as the 5 min chart highlights, was followed by a strong intraday run in the stock indices.

11:51

HPQ Hewlett-Packard notches new high of 48.82, probing high for the week at 48.84 (48.78 +0.76) -Update- -Technical-

Last week's high, which marks the high for the month, is slightly above at 48.89.

11:48

Rumor Round Up

Today marketed the first extremely busy rumor morning we have seen in a long while. At the open Jazz Pharma (JAZZ 9.32 +0.10) saw a spike in price and volume following takeover rumors, with the rumored acquirer being Teva Pharma (TEVA 58.33 +1.46). AMAG Pharma (AMAG 37.55 +0.80) shares spiked following an Amgen (AMGN 58.27 +0.79) for AMAG rumor. AMAG has been having trouble trading through the $37.60 area, and has been trading sideways since. Novatel Wireless (NVTL 7.24 +0.11) saw a spike in price and volume following a rumor that AT&T (T 25.27 +0.15) could be interested in the co. As mentioned before, while many rumors circulate during the day, and the validity of the source of these rumors can be questionable the speculation may increase volatility in the near term.

11:47

IYR Relative sector strength as the indices run to fresh highs -- Dow +87, S&P +7.9, Nasdaq +20 -Technical-

Outperforming the S&P on the rally include Energy XLE / OIH, Commodity Index, Materials XLB, Steel SLX, Ag/Chem MOO, Gold Miners (Dollar Index pulling back off highs) along with REITs IYR, Shipping SEA, Solar TAN.

11:36

SPY Stock indices jump to new session highs, S&P +3.6 thus far fails to confirm breach of yesterday's peak -- Dow +49, Nasdaq +13 -Update- -Technical-

The S&P held above intraday support at 1062 noted in the 10:27 update and has run higher but it has thus far not been able to breach yesterday's peak at 1073

11:30

QQQQ NASDAQ 100 Trust leads the recent surge as large cap tech. stocks are firm along with some technical action on the intraday chart (43.40 +.38) -Update- -Technical-

AAPL, AMZN, BIDU, GOOG, & RIMM all into positive territory here as the NQ e~mini futures & corresponding QQQQ ETF break a sloping trendline that has defined the intra-week trend/direction.

11:28

SWM 200-Day Alert -- Schweitzer-Mauduit continues to aggressively slip lower as it sinks down for a test of its 200-day ema at 53.11 (53.60 -16.53) -Update- -Technical-

Would note that the stock has not tested this specific moving average since April of last year.

11:24

COMDX Gold trades to fresh highs at $1089.20; now higher by $12.40 to $1088.70

Silver and gold are also moving higher, but are not trading at their best levels. Silver is currently higher by 14 cents to $15.44 while crude oil is off 2 cents to $74.50.

11:17

BABY Creekridge Capital signs agreement with Natus Medical to provide leasing (13.00 -0.25)

Co announces that Creekridge Capital LLC, a nationwide independent healthcare and technology vendor leasing company, has signed an agreement with Natus Medical to provide financing for the complete line of Natus products.

11:17

SMH Semiconductors Hldrs Trust testing session high and early week peak at 25.60/25.62 (25.60 +0.26) -Technical-

11:14

QQQQ Market averages attempting to lift, Nasdaq Comp +1.7 sets minor new rebound high -- Dow +5, S&P -0.5 -Technical-

11:02

MA MasterCard edges above yesterday's peak at 227.86, this week's high and its five day range top is at 228.65 (228.12 +1.22) -Update- -Technical-

10:57

SWM Schweitzer-Mauduit sinks to fresh gap down lows as it nears a test of the 60.00 area (60.74 -9.50) -Technical-

10:55

UUP Dollar Index pushes to new session high -Technical-

The Dollar Index continues to work higher this morning with it recently probing the high for the week at 80.52 (session high 80.50). The Feb/seven month intraday comes into play at 80.68.

10:52

COMDX Crude oil moves to fresh lows at $73.72; now lower by 73 cents to $73.79

10:47

OPK Opko Health announces development of blood test for Alzheimer's disease (2.03 +0.29)

Co announced the development of a simple diagnostic blood test for Alzheimer's disease. The test, designed to detect elevated levels of antibodies unique to Alzheimer's disease, was approximately 95% accurate in initial testing.

10:37

XLF Financial Select Sector SPDR not participating thus far (13.83 -0.08) -Update- -Technical-

The sector has not participated in the overall markets recovery attempt with the XLF pulling back near support at its early low of 13.79 in recent trade -- JPM -0.8%, WFC -1.3%, GS -0.6%, MS -1%, BAC -0.35, BK -0.7%, STT -0.9%, USB -1.1%.

10:35

KOL 1st hour sector ETF view -Technical-

Actively Traded Leading Sector ETF Plays:

Coal- KOL +2.50%, SPDRS metals & mining- XME +2.0%, Gold miners- GDX +1.25%, iShares transports- IYT +1.25%, Steel- SLX +1.25%, SPDRS homebuilders- XHB +1.25%, China 25- FXI +1.0%, Nat gas- UNG +1.0%, India- INP +0.75% iShares basic materials- IYM +0.50%, VIX vol. index- VXX +1.25%

Actively Traded Lagging Sector ETF Plays:

Regional banks- KRE -1.0%, RKH -1.0%, Wind energy- FAN -1.0%, iShares REITS- ICF -1.0%, Euro currency shares- FXE -0.75%, Livestock commods- COW -0.75%, RBOB gas- UGA -0.75%, Insurers- KIE -0.75%, Financials- XLF -0.50%, IYF -0.50%

10:33

XHB SPDR Homebuilders set new high for the week (15.58 +0.19) -Update- -Technical-

Noted relative strength on the early bounce in the XHB with the recent extension breaking above this week's trading range top at 15.51 (session high 15.61). Intraday supports are at the recent range top and the 15.42/15.35 area. Resistances above are at 15.66 and the 15.89/15.93 zone (congestion/Feb high) -- MTH +1.5%, LEN +7%, MDC +1.7%, PHM +2.4%, SPF +2.7%, TOL +2.1%, HOV +1.9%, KBH +2.2%, DHI +1.9%.

10:33

PLX Protalix BioTherapeutics announces data from the Phase III trial demonstrates that taliglucerase alfa is well tolerated and clinically effective in treating Gaucher disease (7.55 +0.36)

Co announces that additional data from the Company's pivotal Phase III clinical trial of taliglucerase alfa in patients with Gaucher disease was presented at the Annual Meeting of the Lysosomal Disease Network: WORLD Symposium 2010 in Miami, Florida, during an oral session titled, "Novel Enzyme Replacement Therapy for Gaucher Disease: Phase III Pivotal Clinical Trial with Plant Cell Expressed Recombinant Glucocerebrosidase - taliglucerase alfa." The oral presentation was made by Hanna Rosenbaum M.D., Director of Hematology Day Care Unit, RAMBAM Medical Center, Haifa, Israel, and study investigator. "I believe the data from the Phase III trial demonstrates that taliglucerase alfa is well tolerated and clinically effective in treating Gaucher disease," said Dr. Hanna Rosenbaum. Taliglucerase alfa significantly reduced mean spleen volume after nine months compared with baseline in both treatment groups. The 60 U/kg group demonstrated a statistically significant mean reduction in spleen volume of 38.0% and the 30 U/kg group demonstrated a significant mean reduction in spleen volume of 26.9%. In addition, the primary endpoint was achieved in both treatment groups after only 6 months of therapy.

10:28

ATVI NASDAQ 100 (NDX) leaders & laggards moving through today's 1st hour of trading -Technical-

NDX 100 Best % Performers:

ATVI +7.5%, NVDA +3.75%, STLD +3.0%, FSLR +3.0%, WYNN +2.5%, MRVL +2.25%, JOYG +2.0%, TEVA +1.75%, NRG +1.5%

NDX 100 Worst % Performers:

FLIR -7.0%, EXPE -6.75%, APOL -3.25%, XRAY -2.0%, LOGI -1.75%, FWLT -1.50%, URBN -1.25%, INTU -1.0%, SRCL -0.75%

NASDAQ TRIN @ +.55

NASDAQ A/D @ -260

10:27

SPY S&P 500 tests/pauses at intraday resistance -Update- -Technical-

The index staged a solid intraday rebound near support but has paused near resistance noted in the 09:37 update at 1068. A posture above 1065 and 1062 during this pause will keep the door open to intraday follow through. Next short term resistance of interest is at 1074/1075.

10:24

MMM Dow (INDU) leaders & laggards moving through today's 1st hour of trading -Technical-

INDU Best % Performers:

MMM +1.0%, AA +1.0%, HPQ +0.50%, CAT +0.50%, INTC +0.50%

INDU Worst % Performers:

GE -0.75%, MSFT -0.50%, JPM -0.50%, T -0.50%, DIS -0.50%

NYSE TRIN @ +1.15

NYS A/D @ -15

10:22

OXGN OXiGENE announces restructuring to focus resources on key programs and provides business update (1.22 -0.09)

Co announces a restructuring plan designed to focus resources on the company's highest-value clinical assets and reduce its cash utilization. Key aspects of the restructuring and its effects on the Company's current clinical trials are as follows: OXiGENE will continue to advance its high-priority Phase 2 ZYBRESTAT trial in non-small cell lung cancer (FALCON study), with updated safety and efficacy results anticipated for presentation at the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in June 2010. OXiGENE plans to stop further enrollment in the Phase 2/3 FACT clinical trial in anaplastic thyroid cancer, but will continue to treat and follow all patients who are currently enrolled. The OXi4503 Phase 1b trial in patients with hepatic tumors will continue with an interim analysis expected in mid-2010. The Phase 2 FAVOR study of ZYBRESTAT in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), a form of macular degeneration, will continue with an interim analysis expected in the first half of 2010. Future development decisions concerning the OXi4503 program and the ZYBRESTAT for ophthalmology program will be made following these analyses and additional review by OXiGENE's management and board of directors. In addition, the Company is reducing its workforce by 20 employees or approximately 49%. The co is offering severance benefits to the terminated employees, and anticipates recording a charge of approximately $600,000, primarily associated with personnel-related termination costs, which will be recognized in the first quarter of 2010. Substantially all of the charge is expected to represent cash expenditures. Beginning in the second quarter of 2010, the Company expects the reduction to generate annual expense savings of approximately $2.6 million.

10:20

EW Edwards Lifesciences: German Appellate Court affirms Edwards Lifesciences' transcatheter valve patent not infringed by CoreValve (85.64 -0.17)

Co announces that the Appellate Court of Dusseldorf, Germany, has affirmed a lower court decision that CoreValve does not infringe Edwards' German patent for its transcatheter heart valve technology. The ruling has no effect on sales of the Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter valve in Germany or any other country.

10:18

PM Philip Morris International beats by $0.02, beats on revs; guides FY10 EPS in-line (48.06 +1.24)

As mentioned earlier co reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.81 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.79; revenues rose 9.7% year/year to $6.72 bln vs the $6.49 bln consensus. Co also announces new $12 bln share repurchase program. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $3.75-3.85 vs. $3.82 consensus.

10:15

GDX Mkt Vctrs Gold Miners set new high of 43.02, hovering modestly under this week's peak and its 200 day sma at 43.11/43.28 (42.83 +0.48) -Technical-

ABX, NEM, AEM, AU, FCX, GFI, GG, HMY, KGC.

10:14

XHB Sector Watch -Update- -Technical-

Broad based bounce after probing support (see 10:12 for chart) with sector leadership coming from Housing XHB, Semi SMH, Energy XLE / OIH, Steel SLX, Gold Miners GDX, Casino, REITs IYR.

10:12

SPY S&P held near support and after a pause has pushed to a fresh rebound high -Update- -Technical-

The index held above important support noted in The Technical Take and has extended (Click for chart).

10:09

TLT iShares 20+ yr Treasuries ETF sinks to session & monthly lows with price breaking down to the 90.00 mark ahead of the 30-yr auction due @ 1:00ET (90.06 -.25) -Technical-

$16B in 30 years coming to market with yields at the highest levels since Jan. 14, now @ 4.655%.

TLT LoD now @ 90.02</p>

10:04

CSX Rails provide some leadership -Technical-

Noted relative strength in Rails in an earlier update and have seen some upside extension in recent trade -- CSX +3.8%, UNP +2.2%, NSC +2.4%, KSU +3.3%.

09:56

AAPL Apple slides to new session low of 194.40 but thus far holding above yesterday's trough at 194.26 (194.97 -0.15) -Update- -Technical-

09:54

TECHX Sector relative strength on bounce as stock indices hold above yesterday lows -Update- -Technical-

Seeing relative strength (outperforming the S&P) on the bounce attempt in Rail, Airline, Shipping SEA, Casino, Solar TAN, Housing XHB.

09:53

CGC Capital Gold and Nayarit Gold enter into business combination agreement (3.50 -0.02)

The co and Nayarit Gold jointly announced that they have entered into an agreement with respect to a proposed business combination in an all-share transaction subject to the completion of satisfactory due diligence, receipt of Nayarit and Capital Gold shareholder approval, receipt by Nayarit of a fairness opinion, regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of certain other conditions. The transaction is expected to close in May 2010. Capital Gold is a gold production and exploration company with operations in Mexico. Nayarit is a Canadian mineral exploration company with a NI 43-101 resource estimate and a preliminary economic analysis on its flagship property in Nayarit, Mexico. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions, all of the Nayarit common shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the business combination shall become exchangeable into the common stock of Capital Gold on the basis of .134048 shares of Company common stock for each one (1) Nayarit Common Share.

09:51

AIG American Intl climbs higher off the open as it lifts up into yesterday's momentum high of 27.64 -- 50-day ema overhead near 28.05 (27.65 +0.61) -Update- -Technical-

09:47

SPY Stock indices slide to new session lows, holding thus far above yesterday's lows -- Dow -53, S&P =6.8, Nasdaq -12.6 -Update- -Technical-

09:45

TECHX Sector Pressure -Technical-

Sectors that are weighing on the early action are being led by: Networking -1.9%, Utility UTIL -1.5%, Defense -1.2%, Healthcare -1.1%, REITs IYR -1%, Housing XHB -1%, Telecom IYZ -0.9%, Reg Bank KRE -0.9%, Insurance KIE -0.9%, Auto Parts -0.9%.

09:43

PEP PepsiCo shares move higher on earnings with price probing both the underside of the 50-day SMA & the current Feb. high in place @ 61.40 (61.32 +.94) -Update- -Technical-

PEP HoD now @ 61.38 & + 1.4% vs. SPX -0.45%

09:37

SPY S&P 500 attempting to stabilize after short lived minor breach of 1064 support -- S&P -3, Dow -20, Nasdaq -5.2 -Update- -Technical-

Important intraday resistance to clear is at 1067/1068.

09:37

GRC Gorman-Rupp Company reports EPS in-line, misses on revs (23.26 -0.24)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.22 per share, in-line with the First Call consensus of $0.22; revenues fell 23.2% year/year to $62.2 mln vs the $64 mln consensus. Net sales during the quarter continued to be negatively impacted by the global recession. The decline in shipments for the quarter was across most of the markets the co serves, with the largest declines in the construction, industrial, municipal, fire protection and original equipment markets. Backlog of orders was $93.7 million at December 31, 2009 compared to $107.8 million the year before, with the largest decline coming from the original equipment market.

09:22

BSDM BSD Medical announces registered direct offering of common stock and warrants in aggregate amount of $2 million (1.91 )

Co announces that it entered into a securities purchase agreement with two institutional investors for the sale of 1,176,471 shares of its common stock in a registered direct offering at $1.70 per share. In addition, warrants to purchase 882,354 shares of common stock in the aggregate will be issued to the investors. The warrants are exercisable beginning six months and one day after closing, expire 5 years after becoming exercisable and have an exercise price of $2.04 per share. Gross proceeds of the offering, before deducting placement agent fees and other estimated offering expenses payable by BSD Medical Corporation, are expected to be approximately $2 million.

09:12

MFA MFA Mortgage: Earnings Color (6.99 ) -Update-

MFA reported Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.27 per share including impairment losses, and gains in line with the First Call consensus of $0.27 which according to First Call impairment charges have been included in estimates in the past. Net interest income increased 43.5% y/y to $75.2 mln. During 4Q09, MFA's portfolio spread, which is the difference between MFA's interest-earning asset portfolio (including cash balances) net yield of 5.23% and its 2.50% cost of funds, was 2.73%. During Q4, MFA's MBS net spread, which is the difference between MFA's MBS net yield of 5.57% and its cost of funds, was 3.07%. At Dec. 31, 2009, Agency MBS and related receivables totaled $7.7 bln, Non-Agency MBS and related receivables were $1.4 bln and cash and restricted cash was $721 mln. Our original earnings report has been removed.

09:12

SPY E~mini index futures tick to fresh GLOBEX/pre~mkt. lows in recent trade -Technical-

Seeing some selling pressure come into the market following the 8:57 comment & nearing the opening bell as ES -2.0, NQ -1.50, & YM -10 all trade in negative territory here.

Some of the selling pressure coming from GLD, GDX, USO, XLF, & IYF sectors.

09:11

On The Wires

China Green Material (CAGM) announces that the company was awarded a contract by Zhengzhou Synear Food to supply Synear with packaging containers for its frozen food products. Under the terms of the agreement, Synear will source up to US$6.0 mln of products from CAGM during 2010... Exeter Resource (XRA) has obtained an interim order from the British Columbia Supreme Court providing for a special meeting of shareholders required to approve the spin-out of its Argentine assets into a new company to be known as Extorre Gold Mines Limited.

09:08

EXPE Expedia beats by $0.01, beats on revs; announces inauguration of quarterly dividend; declares $0.07 quarterly dividend (22.24 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.30 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.29; revenues rose 12.4% year/year to $697.5 mln vs the $689.7 mln consensus. Co announces inauguration of a dividend policy, declares a quarterly dividend of $0.07. Revenue as a percentage of gross bookings (revenue margin) was 13.8% for the fourth quarter, a decrease of 163 basis points compared to the fourth quarter of 2008, primarily due to a reduction in traveler fees, partially offset by a favorable foreign currency impact. The year-over-year decrease in revenue margin in the fourth quarter was steeper than the decrease reported in the third quarter of 2009, primarily due to a lower decrease in average airfares, which affect gross bookings to a greater extent than revenue. Gross bookings increased 3% (5% excluding the estimated impact from foreign exchange) in 2009 compared with 2008, driven primarily by 18% growth in transactions, substantially offset by lower prices for airline tickets and hotel room nights. Domestic bookings increased 1% and international bookings increased 5% (11% excluding foreign exchange).

09:07

EMS Emergency Medical Services beats by $0.04, reports revs in-line; guides FY10 EPS above consensus (51.85 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.67 per share, excluding $0.08 benefit, $0.04 better than the First Call consensus of $0.63; revenues rose 10.2% year/year to $654.3 mln vs the $660.5 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $3.00-3.10 vs. $2.95 consensus.

09:03

API Advanced Photonix continues supplying custom products for Navy with $2.4 million follow-on order (0.57 )

Co announces that it has received a $2.4 million follow-on order from a major defense prime contractor to deliver products within a 26-month time frame beginning May 2010. The Company expects most of the revenue to be recognized evenly over the next two fiscal years.

09:03

THM International Tower Hill Mines receives share ownership top-up notice from AngloGold Ashanti (5.98 )

Co announces that AngloGold Ashanti Exploration Inc., a subsidiary of AngloGold Ashanti, has exercised its right to maintain its 13.2907% equity interest in the Company. AngloGold's equity interest had been diluted by virtue of the Company's issuance of shares since May 19, 2009, principally due to the exercise of incentive stock options, broker options and in connection with the purchase the interest of Redstar Gold in the Company's North Bullfrog project. As a consequence of AngloGold's election to exercise its "top-up" right, the Company will sell to AngloGold, on a private placement basis, an aggregate of 67,965 common shares at a price of CAD 5.38 per share for gross proceeds of CAD 365,899.54.

08:56

JAV Javelin Pharmaceutic says third party reexamination of its' Phase III trial data for Ereska yields statistically significant primary endpoint (1.19 )

Co announces that a reexamination conducted by a third party of pain score measurements from its Phase III study of Ereska showed that top line results for its primary endpoint were statistically significant. Previously, Javelin had reported that the top line results for its primary endpoint were not statistically significant. The previously disclosed top line results, based upon data captured by an external vendor, had inconsistencies whose presence was verified by a third party biostatistics company engaged by Javelin that thoroughly reexamined the trial's conduct and the initial primary analysis. The third party's correction of these inaccuracies yielded today's results. As previously disclosed, global patient satisfaction scores for Ereska were also statistically superior to placebo. All other secondary endpoints, while numerically superior to placebo, did not achieve statistical significance. Ereska, a nonopioid analgesic, was generally well tolerated in the trial. The Company plans to meet with the FDA to review the trial's results and discuss Ereska's registration program.

08:55

GLT Glatfelter Co beats by $0.12, beats on revs (13.11 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.33 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.12 better than the First Call consensus of $0.21; revenues rose 0.9% year/year to $301.1 mln vs the $296.1 mln consensus. For Specialty Papers, the company expects shipping volumes to increase approximately 4% in the first quarter of 2010 compared with the fourth quarter of 2009 and selling prices are expected to be stable to slightly higher in the same comparison. The company expects higher pulp and energy costs in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the fourth quarter of 2009 that will more than offset the impact of selling price increases. In the Composite Fibers business unit, the company anticipates shipping volumes in the first quarter of 2010 to be in line with the fourth quarter of 2009. Selling prices are expected to be slightly lower and input costs, primarily woodpulp, are expected to increase slightly compared with the fourth quarter of 2009.

08:52

ECL Ecolab misses by $0.01, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 EPS below consensus; guides FY10 EPS below consensus (43.78 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.55 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.56; revenues rose 5.5% year/year to $1.56 bln vs the $1.56 bln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.36-0.40, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.44 consensus, with modest sales growth (consensus calls for 7% YoY slaes growth). Co issues downside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $2.17-2.25, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $2.26 consensus.

08:47

CHBT China-Biotics: Earnings color (13.25 )

Last night we reported that CHBT's Q3 EPS of $0.34 and compared to the $0.32 two analyst estimate, this was incorrect. The previous comment has been removed... The $0.34 two analyst estimate excludes non-cash gains from changes in the fair value of convertible bonds and embedded derivatives; excluding these items, CHBT reported Q3 EPS of $0.21 vs the $0.34 two estimate average. The $0.32 reported GAAP EPS compares to the $0.22 two est average. Revs rose 47% YoY to $23.3 mln vs the $20.6 mln two est avg. "Commercial production at our Qingpu production plant is scheduled to begin by the end of February and we continue to expect to reach approximately 50% capacity utilization by the end of calendar year 2010. With rising demand from the dairy and animal feed manufacturers, and movement by the government to encourage the use of probiotics, China continues to be a very favorable environment to grow our bulk and retail probiotics business in 2010 and beyond."

08:46

SPWRA Sunpower to acquire SunRay (19.11 )

Co announces that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire SunRay Renewable Energy. The total consideration for the acquisition is approximately $277 million, including $235 million in cash and $42 million in a letter of credit and promissory notes. SunPower has sufficient cash to close the transaction and does not intend to raise equity capital to finance the acquisition. The company will provide specific financial guidance regarding the positive impacts of the transaction during its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2009 earnings conference call in March. The parties anticipate closing the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, in the first half of 2010.

08:42

YRCW YRC Worldwide enters into note purchase agreement for $70 million in new capital (0.67 )

Co announces that it has entered into definitive agreements with investors who have agreed to purchase $70 million in new unsecured convertible notes in a private placement. The company will use the proceeds from the issuance of these new notes to satisfy its remaining 2010 note obligations, with any excess proceeds available to be used for general corporate purposes. The new notes have a term of four years with an interest rate of 6%, which is initially payable in shares of the company's common stock. The new notes will be convertible into shares of common stock at an initial conversion price of $0.43.

08:42

AKNS Akeena Solar misses by $0.02, misses on revs; sees in-line QoQ increase in revs (1.14 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.11 per share, $0.02 worse than the First Call consensus of ($0.09); revenues fell 35.8% year/year to $7 mln vs the $7.7 mln consensus. Management anticipates revenue levels in the first quarter of 2010 slightly above the fourth quarter of 2009 (consensus calls for a 5.8% QoQ increase) due to the negative impact of inclement weather on installations and seasonality of distribution sales, especially on the East Coast. Mgmt projects achieving quarterly EBITDA (excluding non-cash stock-based compensation) breakeven in the fourth quarter of 2010 at a revenue level of approximately $18 million with about a quarter of the revenue from distribution. Installations for the quarter amounted to approximately 856 kilowatts, compared to approximately 1,410 kilowatts in the same quarter last year and approximately 1,027 kilowatts in the third quarter of 2009. Backlog as of December 31, 2009 was $9.4 million.

08:37

MNTA Momenta Pharma beats by $0.02, beats on revs (14.68 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.34 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of ($0.36); revenues rose 93.1% year/year to $5.6 mln vs the $4.2 mln consensus.

08:37

BRK.B Berkshire Hath reports preliminary election results for the elections made by Burlington Northern Santa Fe (74.42 )

"According to data available to Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, the exchange agent, as of the election deadline, BNSF stockholders made cash elections with respect to 108,054,170, or 40.85%, shares, while stock elections were made with respect to 114,692,846, or 43.36%, shares. "No election" was made, or deemed to have been made, with respect to all other shares of BNSF. These results, which are being announced at the request of the NYSE, are extremely preliminary and are subject to final determination. These results are also subject to proration and reallocation so as to achieve as closely as practicable the 60/40 cash-stock split, as more fully described in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Merger. If the BNSF shareholders approve the Merger at the special meeting of BNSF shareholders to be held today, Berkshire and BNSF plan to close the Merger on Friday, Feb 12, 2010."

08:36

ARE Alexandria RE beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line; guides FY10 FFO below consensus (57.34 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) funds from operations of $1.09 per share, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $1.08; revenues fell 8.1% year/year to $114.4 mln vs the $115.4 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for FY10, sees FFO of $4.42 vs. $4.46 consensus.

08:35

ICE IntercontinentalExchange gasoil futures contract surpasses 300,000 contracts (96.65 +0.97) -Update-

Co announced a new daily volume record for the ICE gasoil futures contract. On February 10, 343,672 gasoil futures contracts traded on ICE Futures Europe, representing the second consecutive daily volume record for gasoil futures, and the first in excess of 300,000 contracts. A gasoil open interest record of 670,822 contracts was established on February 8.

08:33

WWE World Wrestling misses by $0.03, misses on revs (16.26 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.15 per share, $0.03 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.18; revenues fell 6.5% year/year to $117.3 mln vs the $123.8 mln consensus. The WWE business outlook targets average annual earnings growth of 15% to 20% over the 2009-12 period.

08:31

SPY E~mini index futures see some uptick in price action, still holding modest gains following econ. data -Technical-

ES +5.25 or +0.50%

NQ +7.75 or +0.35%

08:31

PAAS Pan Am Silver announces proven and probable reserves increase to 234 mln ounces (21.70 +0.17)

Co announces result of its 2009 year end silver reserves and resources update. In 2009, the co's exploration programs added 36.8 mln contained ounces of proven and probable silver reserves at its operating mines. Co increased its proven and probable silver reserves by approximately 5% to 234 million ounces as at December 31, 2009. The largest reserve increase was at the La Colorada mine, where the co added over 16 mln ounces of silver from the discovery of an extension of the NC2 vein, the mine's main source of sulphide ore. At December 31, 2009, La Colorada's reserves had grown by 67% to 30.4 million ounces (net of 2009 production) from 18.2 million ounces at the end of 2008.

08:30

EZCH EZchip reports Q4 results (13.98 )

EZchip reported Q4 earnings of $0.58 per share, may not compare to the First Call consensus of $0.09; revs increased 34% year/year to $12.9 mln vs $11.35 mln First Call consensus.

08:29

SYNT Syntel beats by $0.21, beats on revs; guides FY10 EPS in-line, revs in-line (32.55 +0.09)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.86 per share, $0.21 better than the First Call consensus of $0.65; revenues rose 12.5% year/year to $117.8 mln vs the $106.4 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $2.15-$2.45 vs. $2.42 consensus; sees FY10 revs of $430-$460 mln vs. $444.77 mln consensus.

08:25

COMDX Gold and silver spike to their best levels of the morning; gold now higher by $10.50 to $1086.80 and silver is up 19 cents to $15.49

08:13

On The Wires

Ryder System (R) announces that it has signed a joint venture partnership with Cargo Services Far East Limited, an Asia-based logistics solutions provider specializing in export consolidation services... Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) announces tender offer for up to $400 mln of its outstanding debt... Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) has been selected by General Dynamics Land Systems to supply LRS-2000 Rate Sensor Assembly units for the Stabilized Commander's Weapon Station on the U.S. Army M1A1 Abrams tank. The firm, fixed-price contract is valued at $18 mln.

08:13

ECONX Reminder: Initial Claims and Continuing Claims data due out in about 17 min at 8:30ET

08:12

IPCC Infinity Prpty & Casualty beats by $0.01, beats on revs; guides FY10 EPS below consensus (39.21 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.01 per share, ex $1.52/share of favorable development on prior accident period loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $1.00; revenues rose 12.3% year/year to $224.8 mln vs the $219.9 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $2.35-$2.75 vs. $3.92 consensus. The guidance assumes gross premium growth between 5.0% and 7.5% as compared with the prior year, and an accident year combined ratio, which excludes favorable development on prior accident period loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, between 97.0% and 98.0%.

08:07

PEP PepsiCo misses by $0.01, reports revs in-line; reaffirms FY10 EPS guidance (60.38 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.90 per share, $0.01 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.91; revenues rose 4.5% year/year to $13.3 bln vs the $13.26 bln consensus. For fiscal 2010, the company is targeting an 11 to 13% growth rate for core constant currency EPS off of its fiscal 2009 core EPS of $3.71 (would peg FY10 EPS at $4.12-4.19 vs the $4.16 consensus, however, consensus includes currency). This guidance assumes the company will close the bottling transactions by the end of February. The earnings guidance also reflects roughly 8 to 9 percent growth from "base" PepsiCo, with additional growth coming from a combination of financial and accounting accretion from the bottling transaction plus year-one synergies (totaling about 5 points of growth) partially offset by strategic investment spending. As a result of its recent integration planning efforts, the company is now targeting pre-tax annualized synergies from the proposed bottler acquisitions of approximately $400 million once fully implemented by 2012, with one-time costs of about the same amount. Synergies to be realized in 2010 are expected to total approximately $125 to $150 million. The company is still in the process of completing its integration planning. The details of these and other efficiencies relating to the company's beverage business will be discussed at its analyst meeting scheduled for March 22 and 23, 2010

08:06

BWA Borg Warner beats by $0.20, beats on revs; guides FY10 EPS in-line, revs in-line (36.23 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.42 per share, $0.20 better than the First Call consensus of $0.22; revenues rose 28.6% year/year to $1.2 bln vs the $1.08 bln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $1.40-1.70 vs. $1.63 consensus; sees FY10 revs of $4.56 bln - $4.71 bln (15-19% growth y/y) vs. $4.78 bln consensus. "We are optimistic about 2010, but also cautious as we contemplate the range of possible outcomes around the world. The recovery that we have seen in North America over the last two quarters is the foundation of our optimism. Based on a number of indicators, we expect production rates reached in the second half of 2009 in North America to extend into 2010. Furthermore, we believe that there may be potential upside to that scenario. We are also excited about our Asian businesses where higher production levels and new program launches in China, India, Korea and Japan are expected to drive growth for our company. Our caution for 2010 is primarily related to Europe where visibility has improved from a year ago but is still limited due to uncertainty surrounding consumer demand, the impact of expiring government-sponsored incentive programs and other market dynamics."

08:04

JRN Journal Commun beats by $0.02, beats on revs (3.22 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.14 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.12; revenues fell 16.5% year/year to $112.2 mln vs the $105.9 mln consensus. Steven J. Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Journal Communications, commented that, " For the first quarter of 2010, while our visibility remains limited, we anticipate that publishing and printing services revenues will be down compared to the prior year period reflecting continued challenges with advertising revenue. Broadcasting revenues are expected to be up compared to the prior year period primarily due to Olympic and political television advertising."

08:01

ASF Administaff reports EPS in-line, revs in-line (22.85 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.15 per share, excluding $0.26 due to a higher than expected health care plan deficit, in-line with the First Call consensus of $0.15; revenues fell 7.1% year/year to $395.9 mln vs the $395.3 mln consensus. Separately, Administaff announced that its board of directors has authorized an expansion of its share repurchase program by an additional 1,000,000 shares.

08:01

GWW WW Grainger reports Jan sales; says daily sales increased 12% YoY (99.65 )

Co reports sales results for the month of January 2010. Daily sales increased 12% versus January 2009. Results for the month included a 5% point positive contribution from acquisitions, a 2 percentage point benefit from the timing of the New Years' holiday and a 2 percentage point contribution from foreign exchange. Excluding acquisitions, holiday timing and foreign exchange, daily sales for the company increased 3 percent. January 2010 had 20 selling days versus 21 in January 2009.

08:00

CVVT China Valves Tech signs letter of intent to acquire Shanghai Pudong Hanwei Valve Co (10.81 )

Co announces that that it has signed a letter of intent to purchase 100% equity ownership in Shanghai Pudong Hanwei Valve, a valve manufacturing enterprise with several patents for high-tech valve specifications in the petrochemical and bioengineering industries. Consideration for the acquisition is approximately RMB 137 million (approximately $20 mln). The Company expects to close the acquisition in the first quarter of 2010.

07:48

On The Wires

QIAGEN N.V. (QGEN) and Celera Corporation (CRA) announce an agreement under which QIAGEN will distribute a Celera molecular multiplex assay. The assay is the next generation version of QIAGEN's ResPlex II assay for detection of respiratory pathogens. Multiplex assays allow testing for a multiple number of different pathogens in a single run. Financial details were not disclosed. Under the terms of the agreement, QIAGEN has the exclusive worldwide rights to distribute this multiplex test kit, which will be manufactured by Celera... Chelsea Therapeutics International (CHTP) announces that a new investigator-led phase II clinical study of Droxidopa, an oral synthetic precursor of norepinephrine, in combination with carbidopa has been initiated in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder... Alliance Data Systems (ADS) announces that it has signed multi-year renewal agreements with Budgetcar, Inc., a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, Inc., as a national sponsor and reward supplier in Alliance Data's Canadian AIR MILES Reward Program.

07:47

ELOS Syneron Medical misses by $0.02, misses on revs (9.07 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.13 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.02 worse than the First Call consensus of ($0.11); revenues rose 1.4% year/year to $14.4 mln vs the $15.8 mln consensus. Gross margin of 70.6%, up from 54.7% in the fourth quarter 2008 and 67.0% in the third quarter 2009. Gross margin increased for the fourth consecutive quarter, driven by stable selling prices and increased sales from the Company's new higher margin consumable products. YoY average days sales outstanding reduced by 154 days to 97 days as of December 31, 2009.

07:45

TRAD TradeStation misses by $0.01, misses on revs; guides Q1 EPS below consensus, revs in-line; guides FY10 EPS in-line, revs in-line (7.19 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.07 per share, $0.01 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.08; revenues fell 24.6% year/year to $31.2 mln vs the $31.8 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.05-0.07 vs. $0.09 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $32-34 mln vs. $33.63 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $0.27-0.46 vs. $0.46 consensus; sees FY10 revs of $138-157 mln vs. $142.81 mln consensus. Q4 DARTs fell 35% YoY to 79,179. The primary reason for the year-over-year differences was lower brokerage commissions and fees caused mainly by lower daily average revenue trades (DARTs). Lower DARTs were caused, the company believes, primarily by reduced market volatility and market volumes in the 2009 fourth quarter as compared to the 2008 fourth quarter. Brokerage commissions and fees for the 2009 fourth quarter were $27.8 mln, as compared to 2008 fourth quarter brokerage commissions and fees of $37.1 mln. Brokerage commissions and fees are the largest component of the company's net revenues. In the 2009 fourth quarter, the company purchased 480,690 shares of its common stock pursuant to its stock buy-back plan for a total purchase price of $3.7 mln. Since buying under the plan began November 13, 2006, through December 31, 2009 the company has purchased 5,150,255 shares for a total purchase price of $46.9 mln.

07:40

QNST QuinStreet prices 10.0 mln share IPO at $15.00 per share, below the expected $17-19 range

07:39

NPO Enpro Industries reports Q4 (Dec) results, misses on revs (24.60 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.60 per share, may not be comparable to the First Call consensus of $0.51; revenues fell 7.6% year/year to $223.2 mln vs the $242.2 mln consensus. Steve Macadam, president and chief executive officer, commented that, "The pace of recovery in our markets is uncertain, but we believe modest growth is likely during the first half of the year,". "An increase in volume and the advantages of the cost reduction and efficiency programs we implemented last year should benefit our performance during that period and improve our results compared to the first half of 2009. The short cycles of most of our businesses make the second half of the year more difficult to foresee, but we are confident that we have positioned our operations to capture new opportunities as they arise throughout the year.

07:36

CATM Cardtronics beats by $0.02, beats on revs; guides FY10 EPS in-line, revs in-line (12.12 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.17 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.15; revenues rose 5.6% year/year to $124.8 mln vs the $121.6 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $0.75-$0.85 vs. $0.85 consensus; sees FY10 revs of $520-$530 mln vs. $522.62 mln consensus.

07:35

TRAD TradeStation reports monthly business metrics; DARTs decreased 18% y/y (7.19 )

Co reports business metrics for the month ended January 31, 2010. Year over year, TRAD's DARTs decreased 18%, total client assets increased 28%, average equities client credit balances increased 29%, and average equities client margin balances increased 60%.

07:34

FLIR FLIR Systems reports EPS in-line, beats on revs; guides FY10 EPS below consensus, revs in-line; Sr V.P. to replace retiring CFO (29.67 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.38 per share, in-line with the First Call consensus of $0.38; revenues rose 3.1% year/year to $311.6 mln vs the $303.7 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $1.48-1.53 vs. $1.55 consensus; sees FY10 revs of $1.2-1.3 bln vs. $1.22 bln consensus. The backlog of firm orders for delivery within the next twelve months was approximately $563 mln at December 31, 2009, a decrease of $45 mln during the quarter, and a decrease of $100 mln, or 15% compared with backlog at December 31, 2008. Backlog in the Government System's division was $433 mln, down $54 mln during the quarter, as U.S. procurement activity slowed due partly to late approval of government budgets. Backlog in the Commercial Vision Systems division was $103 mln, up $10 mln during the quarter due primarily to strong demand for its cores and components and security and surveillance product lines. Backlog in the Thermography division was $27 mln, down $1 mln during the quarter. FLIR announced today that Stephen M. Bailey, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, intends to retire at the end of May, 2010. Mr. Bailey has served in his present position since 2000, and effective June 1, 2010, will be succeeded by Anthony L. Trunzo, who has served as the Company's Senior Vice President for Corporate Strategy and Development since 2003.

07:33

PGN Progress Energy reports EPS in-line, beats on revs; guides FY10 EPS in-line (37.93 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.50 per share, in-line with the First Call consensus of $0.50; revenues rose 6.8% year/year to $2.31 bln vs the $2.08 bln consensus. Co issues reaffirms guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $2.85-$3.05 vs. $3.00 consensus. Co states, "The still-sluggish economy will make 2010 another challenging year, and the recent regulatory decision in Florida exacerbates that challenge. But we are working in a focused, constructive way to meet our short-term priorities while also creating long-term value for our customers and shareholders..."

07:31

SCG SCANA Corp misses by $0.01, misses on revs; guides FY10 EPS in-line (34.63 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.62 per share, $0.01 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.63; revenues fell 15.9% year/year to $1.09 bln vs the $1.56 bln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $2.85-3.05 vs. $2.96 consensus.

07:30

CADX Cadence Pharma receives Complete Response Letter from FDA for Intravenous Acetaminophen NDA (10.28 )

The co announces that the FDA has issued a Complete Response letter to its New Drug Application (NDA) for intravenous (IV) acetaminophen. In the Complete Response letter, the FDA only indicated that deficiencies were observed during the FDA's facility inspection of Cadence's third party manufacturer, which was completed on February 5, 2010. The FDA did not cite any safety or efficacy issues, nor did it request any additional studies to be conducted prior to approval. The Company's third party manufacturer intends to respond promptly to the observations, and Cadence plans to request a meeting with the FDA to ensure that the deficiencies have been adequately addressed to meet the requirements for NDA approval.

07:30

GRM Graham Packaging prices 16.67 mln share IPO at $10.00 per share, with-in the $10-11 expected range

07:27

GNRC Generac prices 18.75 mln share IPO at $13.00 per share, previous terms called for 20.3 mln shares to be priced at a range of $15-17 per share

07:26

U.S. foreclosure activity decreases 10% in January according to RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Market Report

RealtyTrac released its January 2010 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows foreclosure filings -- default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions -- were reported on 315,716 U.S. properties during the month, a decrease of nearly 10% from the previous month but still 15% above the level reported in January 2009. The report also shows one in every 409 U.S. housing units received a foreclosure filing in January. REO activity nationwide was down 5% from the previous month but still up 31% from January 2009; default notices were down 12% from the previous month but still up 4% from January 2009; and scheduled foreclosure auctions were down 11% from the previous month but still up 15% from January 2009. "January foreclosure numbers are exhibiting a pattern very similar to a year ago: a double-digit percentage jump in December foreclosure activity followed by a 10% drop in January," said James Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac. "If history repeats itself we will see a surge in the numbers over the next few months as lenders foreclose on delinquent loans where neither the existing loan modification programs or the new short sale and deed-in-lieu of foreclosure alternatives works."

07:14

ALXA Alexza Pharma announces AZ-004 (Staccato Loxapine) PDUFA goal date of October 11, 2010 (2.62 )

Co announces it has accepted the AZ-004 NDA for filing and has indicated a Prescription Drug User Fee Act goal date of October 11, 2010. Alexza filed the AZ-004 NDA on December 11, 2009 and is seeking marketing approval for the rapid treatment of agitation in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

07:13

FE FirstEnergy reports 4Q09 results; reaffirms FY10 guidance

FirstEnergy reports 4Q09 earnings of $0.77 vs $0.73 First Call consensus; revs decreased 6% year/year to $3 bln vs $3.67 bln First Call consensus; Co reaffirms guidance for FY10 sees EPS of $3.50 to $3.70 vs $3.71.

07:13

WATG Wonder Auto Tech beats by $0.01, beats on revs; guides Q1 revs above consensus (9.60 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.23 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.22; revenues rose 82.8% year/year to $62.4 mln vs the $59.9 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for Q1, sees Q1 revs of $58 mln vs. $56.66 mln consensus.

07:13

IDXX IDEXX Labs announces its Board has authorized the repurchase by the co of up to an additional 4 mln shares of its common stock under its ongoing share repurchase program (50.41 )

07:10

PTEN Patterson-UTI beats by $0.02, misses on revs (16.52 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.06 per share, excluding pretax charges of $10.5 million ($7.0 million after tax, or $0.05 per share) from drilling assets retirements and $2.1 million (or $0.01 per share) from discontinued operations related to our drilling and completion fluids service business, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of ($0.08); revenues fell 59.8% year/year to $213.6 mln vs the $216.4 mln consensus. "Average revenue per operating day for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $16,770, compared to average revenue per operating day of $16,800 for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Average direct operating costs per operating day for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $10,870, compared to $10,630 for the three months ended September 30, 2009. As a result, average margin per operating day in the fourth quarter of 2009 was $5,900, compared to $6,170 for the third quarter of 2009."

07:10

LH Laboratory Corp beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line; guides FY10 EPS in-line, revs in-line; announced $250 mln share buyback (70.97 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.16 per share, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $1.15; revenues rose 4.1% year/year to $1.17 bln vs the $1.17 bln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $5.35-$5.55 vs. $5.43 consensus; sees FY10 revs growing approx 2.5%-4.5% YoY, which calculates to roughly $4.81-$4.91 bln (vs. $4.93 bln consensus). Co also announced a $250 mln share buyback.

07:09

JASO JA Solar beats by $0.03, beats on revs; raises FY10 shipment forecast (4.66 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.14 per share, $0.03 better than the First Call consensus of $0.11; revenues rose 23.5% year/year to $238.4 mln vs the $213.5 mln consensus. Fourth quarter shipments of 231MW, above the company's revised guidance of 210MW, representing an increase of 30.5% sequentially and 278.7% year-over-year Gross margin was 20.5% in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with 16.7% in the third quarter of 2009 and 1.0% in the fourth quarter of 2008. Based on robust customer demand for JA Solar's products and additional customer wins, the co is raising its outlook for the full year of 2010. The co currently expects shipments to exceed 900MW for 2010, compared with prior guidance in the range of 750MW to 800MW. Shipments in the first quarter of 2010 are expected to be in the range of 215MW to 225MW. "We continue to see strong demand from our existing customers as well as from new customers, and expect strong shipments for full year 2010 based on robust orders from a diversified customer base across multiple geographies.

07:09

GPI Group 1 Auto misses by $0.01, beats on revs (30.26 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.43 per share, $0.01 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.44; revenues rose 1.5% year/year to $1.15 bln vs the $1.12 bln consensus.

07:08

SKYW SkyWest misses by $0.07, reports revs in-line (14.40 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.34 per share, $0.07 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.41; revenues fell 18.7% year/year to $604.4 mln vs the $608.1 mln consensus.

07:07

VIA.B Viacom beats by $0.22, misses on revs (28.55 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.09 per share, $0.22 better than the First Call consensus of $0.87; revenues fell 3.4% year/year to $4.1 bln vs the $4.22 bln consensus. Co says, "Viacom's results over the past year have been extraordinary and illustrate the value of a well planned strategy and execution. Despite the economic challenges, we performed extremely well across our media networks and motion picture operations. As a result of the quality of our operations and wealth of creative talent throughout the Company, we are well positioned for success not only today but long into the future."

07:07

AN AutoNation beats by $0.02, beats on revs (18.23 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.29 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.27; revenues rose 8.4% year/year to $2.82 bln vs the $2.67 bln consensus.

07:05

VFC V.F. Corp beats by $0.15, reports revs in-line; guides FY10 EPS in-line, revs below consensus (72.44 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.62 per share, excluding $1.02 in impairments, $0.15 better than the First Call consensus of $1.47; revenues rose 0.2% year/year to $1.92 bln vs the $1.9 bln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $5.60-5.70 vs. $5.69 consensus, with revs up 2-3% YoY, we calculate this to be FY10 revs of $7.29-7.36 bln vs the $7.48 bln consensus. Outdoor & Action Sports: Fourth quarter revenues in our Outdoor & Action Sports coalition grew 8%, with operating income and margins each reaching record levels for the period. Global revenues of The North Face and Vans brands grew 7% and 14%, respectively. Total coalition revenues in our Americas businesses rose 4%, while international revenues were up 9% in constant dollars, led by exceptionally strong growth in Asia. Total direct-to-consumer revenues for our Outdoor & Action Sports coalition rose 21% in the quarter. VF's gross margins expanded by 380 basis points to a record 46.3% in the quarter.

07:05

CBB Cincinnati Bell misses by $0.01, beats on revs; guides FY10 revs in-line (2.80 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.10 per share, $0.01 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.11; revenues fell 3.3% year/year to $345.2 mln vs the $333.2 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees FY10 revs of $1.3 bln vs. $1.32 bln consensus. Commenting on Cincinnati Bell's outlook for 2010, chief financial officer Gary Wojtaszek said, "In 2010, we will be very focused on growing our data center business and further capitalizing on the successful organic growth the company has experienced over the past few years and plan to bring our products and services to other Fortune 500 customers around the country. We believe investment in this industry provides the highest rate of return for our shareholders and enables the company to expand its geographic and competitive footprint beyond the Cincinnati area."

07:03

NTZ Industrie Natuzzi, S.p.A announces 2010 goals; total net sales of approximately EUR 600 mln (3.40 )

Co announces that the Board has approved the Company's 2010 strategic and financial plan. The Company's 2010 goals are as follows: Total Net Sales of approximately EUR 600 million; Return to a positive EBIT margin Natuzzi's Board of Directors has approved the 2010 Budget, which reflects the current financial and economic uncertainty, but also incorporates the improvement in total net sales and order flow during the last few months. This new 2010 budget will substitute the previous 3-Year Business Plan which was approved at the end of 2008. The target 2010 forecast of Total Net Sales of approximately EUR 600 million, (a 17% increase as compared to 2009) and a return to a positive EBIT margin, is expected to be achieved through the Company's Brands:

07:01

NOVA Novamed reports EPS in-line, beats on revs (3.75 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.08 per share, in-line with the First Call consensus of $0.08; revenues rose 10.1% year/year to $39.8 mln vs the $39 mln consensus. Co said, $25.5 million in cash flow from operations in 2009 and capital expenditures of $3.7 million, this left us with just over $21.8 million of free cash flow. With this free cash flow we reduced our long-term debt by over $20 million. In 2010 we plan to seek out attractive acquisition candidates and will continue to use our free cash flow to delever in the meantime."

07:01

AXG Atlas Acquisition announces entry into agreements relating to securing stockholder approval of business combination with select staffing (9.85 )

Co announces that it had been advised that, as of 5:00 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, February 10, 2010, James N. Hauslein and Gaurav V. Burman, founding Atlas stockholders, and the Sorensen Family Trust, the principal beneficial owner of Koosharem, LLC, a California limited liability company that does business as "Select Staffing," had entered into agreements providing for their transfer of an aggregate of approximately 360,000 shares of Atlas common stock and the counterparties' agreement to vote an aggregate of approximately 1,800,000 shares of Atlas common stock in favor of the proposed Select Staffing business combination and all related proposals.

07:01

AYE FirstEnergy and Allegheny Energy to merge in stock-for-stock transaction; AYE shareholders to receive $27.65/share (21.02 )

FirstEnergy (FE 41.46) and co announce that both companies' boards of directors have unanimously approved a definitive agreement in which the companies would combine in a stock-for-stock transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, Allegheny shareholders would receive 0.667 shares of FirstEnergy common stock in exchange for each share of Allegheny they own. Based on the closing stock prices for both companies on February 10, 2010, Allegheny shareholders would receive a value of $27.65 per share, or $4.7 bln in the aggregate. FirstEnergy will also assume approx $3.8 bln in Allegheny net debt. The transaction is anticipated to be accretive to FirstEnergy earnings in the first year following the close. The companies expect to complete the transaction within 12-14 months.

07:00

CLB Core Labs proposes 2-for-1 stock split, pending shareholder approval on May 13 (120.59 )

06:59

TDC Teradata beats by $0.08, beats on revs; guides FY10 above consensus (28.61 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.45 per share, $0.08 better than the First Call consensus of $0.37; revenues rose 0.6% year/year to $496 mln vs the $478.2 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $1.54-1.64 vs. $1.48 consensus. Teradata expects revenue to increase approximately 7-9% vs consensus of 6.96%.

06:55

SLW Silver Wheaton acquires life of mine silver and gold production from Augusta's Rosemont Project

Co announces that it has agreed to acquire an amount equal to 100% of the life of mine silver and gold production from Augusta Resource Corporation's (AZC) Rosemont Copper Project located in Pima County, Arizona. Rosemont is forecast to be a low-cost, long-life and large-scale copper-molybdenum-silver project that could account for approximately 10% of US copper output once in production, projected by 2012. Silver Wheaton will pay Augusta upfront cash payments totaling US$230 mln to acquire an amount equal to 100% of all payable silver and gold produced from Rosemont, for the lesser of US$3.90 per ounce of silver and US$450 per ounce of gold or the prevailing market price per ounce of silver and gold delivered. The upfront payments will be made on an installment basis to partially fund construction of the mine and will commence once certain milestones are achieved, including the receipt of key permits and securing the necessary financing to complete construction of Rosemont. Augusta anticipates that key operating permits will be received in the fourth quarter of 2010 allowing mine construction to commence shortly thereafter.

06:51

EEP Enbridge Energy Partners to further expand East Texas Gas Gathering System into Haynesville Shale (48.48 )

Co announces plans to expand its East Texas Gas Gathering System by constructing three lateral pipelines into Haynesville Shale producing areas in East Texas together with an additional large diameter lateral from Shelby County to Carthage, Texas. The Haynesville Shale expansion is expected to increase the Partnership's takeaway capacity from Shelby, Nacogdoches and San Augustine counties to 900 million cubic feet per day. The project, to be constructed at an estimated cost of $141.8 mln, includes approximately 50 miles of 16-inch to 24-inch diameter pipe, all in Shelby, Nacogdoches and San Augustine counties, as well as an additional 38-mile, 24-inch lateral from Shelby County to Carthage. The project may also include a treating facility and additional compressor units to boost capacity out of the area.

06:48

VICL Vical reports Q4 results (2.87 )

Vical reports Q4 earnings of ($0.14) vs ($0.13) First Call consensus; revs fell 3% year/year to $2.56 mln vs $3.45 mln First Call consensus

06:44

MAR Marriott beats by $0.06, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS in-line, revs in-line; guides FY10 EPS in-line, revs in-line (26.40 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.32 per share, $0.06 better than the First Call consensus of $0.26; revenues fell 12.1% year/year to $3.38 bln vs the $3.21 bln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.15 to $0.21 vs. $0.18 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $2.35 bln to $2.45 bln vs. $2.46 bln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $0.82 to $0.94 vs. $0.89 consensus; sees FY10 revs of $10.8 bln to $11.2 bln vs. $10.86 bln consensus.For the first quarter, the company assumes worldwide comparable systemwide hotel REVPAR declines 5 to 7 percent on a constant dollar basis. For North American comparable systemwide hotels, the company assumes REVPAR declines of 7 to 8 percent and for comparable systemwide hotels outside North America, REVPAR could decline 2 to 3 percent on a constant dollar basis. For full year 2010, the company expects hotel occupancies to improve, although the pace of such improvement is difficult to predict. The company continues to expect that both domestic and international comparable systemwide REVPAR comparisons to the prior year will turn positive sometime in 2010. For worldwide comparable systemwide hotels, the company assumes full year 2010 REVPAR will be down 2 percent to up 2 percent on a constant dollar basis with performance strengthening over the year. North American comparable systemwide REVPAR could be flat to down 3 percent in 2010, while REVPAR at comparable systemwide hotels outside North America could be flat to up 5 percent.

06:42

S&P futures vs fair value: -1.00. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -1.30.

06:42

Asian Markets

Nikkei...Holiday......... Hang Seng...20290.69...+368.50...+1.90%.

06:42

European Markets

FTSE...5166.72...+34.90...+0.70%. DAX...5533.50...-2.90...-0.10%.

06:41

LF Leapfrog beats by $0.22, beats on revs; guides FY10 revs in-line (3.73 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.46 per share, $0.22 better than the First Call consensus of $0.24; revenues rose 36.9% year/year to $188.6 mln vs the $167.9 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees FY10 revs to increase 10% to 20% compared to 2009 which calculates to ~$417.78-455.76 vs. $426.22 mln consensus. Co says "We expect significant sales and earnings growth to continue in 2010 and beyond. Our products are being very well received by consumers, our cost of doing business is dramatically lower, and our Learning Path and product portfolio strategy are producing sales results with substantially lower marketing outlays. We have three million connected customers today and expect to have six to seven million after the 2010 holiday season. Through the Learning Path we are able to communicate with and engage LeapFrog product users with customized play experiences and market to them in a personalized manner. We're already seeing results of sales from product 'graduation' initiatives launched from the Learning Path, more software-based content sales due to our Learning Path recommendation engine, and higher tie ratios of software to hardware sales," Co also expects 2010 Gross margin to be roughly flat compared to the gross margin of 42% that was achieved in 2009; Leveraging of operating expenses, which are expected to grow at a rate significantly less than the rate of net sales growth; and to achieve positive operating income and net income. For the first quarter of 2010, they expect net sales to be significantly above the full year growth rate of 2010 since they are entering the year with very lean retailer inventory.

06:33

CRZO Carrizo Oil & Gas provides operations update, achieves record production and updates guidance (22.28 )

Co announces total production for the fourth quarter of 2009 was a better than expected 8.7 Bcfe or an average of 94.4 MMcfe/day, representing the highest quarterly rate in the company's history. This rate is a 20% increase over the same period in 2008 and a 6% increase over the third quarter of 2009 rate of 89.2 MMcfe/day. A shorter lag between well completion and connection to pipelines was largely responsible for the higher than expected production. During the fourth quarter, the company drilled 9.2 net Barnett Shale wells, frac'd 15.9 net wells, and put 7.8 net wells on production. Carrizo finished the year with a backlog of 32.7 net horizontal Barnett Shale wells drilled but waiting on completion or pipeline connection. As of the date of this release, Carrizo has drilled three of the five vertical wells scheduled to be drilled on its West Virginia Marcellus Shale leasehold, with the fourth currently drilling and the fifth waiting on permitting. These evaluation wells have been logged and cased for future completion. Carrizo also provided an update to its capital expenditure and production guidance for 2010. The company currently plans to invest approx $170 mln in capital expenditures during the course of the year. The 2010 capital expenditure plan is currently comprised as follows: $130 mln dedicated to Barnett Shale drilling and completion activities, $31 mln to be spent on the Marcellus Shale, including the drilling of nine horizontal wells, and the remaining $9 mln to be invested in activities in other areas.

06:33

STRA Strayer Education beats by $0.02, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 EPS below consensus (210.09 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $2.32 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $2.30; revenues rose 28.8% year/year to $147.2 mln vs the $146.7 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $2.56-2.58 vs. $2.62 consensus. Total enrollment at Strayer University for the 2010 winter term increased 21% to 55,106 students compared to 45,697 students for the same term in 2009. Across the Strayer University campus network, new student enrollments increased 16% and continuing student enrollments increased 22%. Global (out of area) online students increased 39%, while students taking 100% of their classes online (including campus based students) increased 19%. The total number of students taking any courses online (including students at brick and mortar campuses taking at least one online course) in the 2010 winter term increased 20% to 39,448. The Company announced today that it will open four new campuses for the 2010 spring term, two of which are in new markets. The four new campuses are located in New Orleans, Louisiana; Austin, Texas; and two in Miami, Florida, representing the Company's second and third campuses in the Greater Miami area. Including the three new campuses successfully opened for the 2010 winter term in Lawrenceville and New Brunswick, New Jersey and in Little Rock, Arkansas, the Company has now opened seven of the 13 new campuses planned for 2010. For 4Q09 , bad debt expense as a percentage of revenues was 4.3% compared to 3.8% for the same period in 2008. Days sales outstanding, adjusted to exclude tuition receivable related to future quarters, was 14 days at the end of the fourth quarter of 2009, unchanged from 2008.

06:17

On The Wires

ReneSola Ltd (SOL) announces that it has signed an OEM agreement to provide 600 megawatts of solar modules to a major global solar company over a period of three years. According to the terms of the contract, ReneSola will provide 200 MW of solar modules annually for three years commencing in 2010... Destination Maternity Corporation (DEST), announces that Standard & Poor's Ratings Services raised both its corporate credit rating on Destination Maternity to 'B' from 'B-', and its issue level rating on the Company's Term Loan to 'BB-' from 'B'. Also, S&P attached an outlook of "stable" to its credit rating of the Company... Netlist (NLST) announces that it has amended its September 2009 patent infringement suit against Inphi Corporation to include recently issued U.S. Patent Nos. 7,636,274 and 7,619,912 in addition to Netlist's U.S. Patent No. 7,532,537, which was asserted in Netlist's original complaint.

06:14

HOS Hornbeck Offshore misses by $0.01, reports revs in-line; guides FY10 EPS below consensus (20.22 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.32 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.33; revenues fell 27.0% year/year to $88.3 mln vs the $88.4 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $0.81-1.73 vs. $2.48 consensus. Co expects total EBITDA for FY10 of $160.0-200.0 mln. Contract backlog for new generation OSV vessel-days at 56% for 2010, up from 40% as of 3Q09.

06:12

MAC Macerich misses by $0.01 (30.57 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) funds from operations of $0.90 per share, $0.01 worse than, the First Call consensus of $0.91; revenues fell 17.2% year/year to $201.2 mln vs the $200 mln consensus.

06:06

MOS Mosaic announces sale of minority interest in Fosfertil S.A. (57.42 )

Co announces it has granted an option to purchase its minority stake in Fertilizantes Fosfatados and Fertifos Administracao e Participacao S.A. to a subsidiary of Vale S.A. Mosaic also granted an option to purchase its Cubatao operations in Brazil to Vale (VALE). The purchase price for Mosaic's approx 20% minority stake and the Cubatao operations is in excess of $1 billion. The sale is subject to Vale closing its previously announced purchase of Bunge Group's fertilizer business in Brazil, including its interest in Fosfertil. The sale of the Cubatao operations is expected to follow the closing of the sale of Mosaic's stake in Fosfertil and Fertifos. Both transactions are subject to a number of additional conditions.

06:06

TKLC TEKELEC beats by $0.05, beats on revs; guides FY10 EPS above consensus, revs in-line (14.85 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.28 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.05 better than the First Call consensus of $0.23; revenues rose 3.0% year/year to $123.5 mln vs the $111.5 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $1.10-1.15, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $1.06 consensus; sees FY10 revs of $470-480 mln vs. $475.50 mln consensus. The Company had orders of $162.4 million for the quarter, up 1% from the fourth quarter of 2008, and the second consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth. As of December 31, 2009, backlog was $373.6 million compared to $336.7 million as of September 30, 2009 and $412.1 million as of December 31, 2008. Non-GAAP operating margins from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2009 were 25%, up from 21% for the fourth quarter of 2008.

06:02

PLNR Planar Systems selected to provide thin film electroluminescent technology to Dytecna Systems Engineering for military vehicle displays (2.64 )

06:01

TKLC TEKELEC announces Bill Everett, executive vice president and chief financial officer, plans to retire from the company on March 31, 2010 (14.85 )

Co announces Bill Everett, executive vice president and chief financial officer, plans to retire from the company on March 31, 2010. Mr. Everett will serve as a consultant and be available to the company for a period of several quarters following his retirement in order to facilitate the transition of his duties and responsibilities to his successor and to perform work on other projects.

04:47

MDT German appeals court says CoreValve devices from Medtronic don't infringe Edwards Lifesciences' Andersen patent (42.15 )

Co announces that an appeals court in Germany has found that the CoreValve transcatheter aortic valve system doesn't infringe Edwards Lifesciences' (EW) German Andersen patent, which is set to expire in May 2011. The appellate court's decision upholds a lower court's ruling and enables uninterrupted access to the leading transcatheter heart valve in Germany.

04:38

PTNR Partner Comms announces that objections to application for dividend distribution in amount of NIS 1.4 bln have been withdrawn (21.02 )

Co announces that, following the immediate report filed by Partner Comm. on February 8, 2010, the co announces in accordance with the honorable Court's decision dated February 10, 2010, that the objections that were submitted to the Court with respect to the co's application to approve a dividend distribution in the amount of NIS 1.4 bln submitted to the Court on December 31, 2009, have been withdrawn, and that the Distribution Application will be brought for the Court's approval following 7 days from the date hereof.

03:04

JDSU JDS Uniphase to acquire network solutions test business from Agilent (8.26 )

Co announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Network Solutions communications test business of Agilent (A), including the unit's Long Term Evolution, or 4G, network verification and deployment products, for $165 mln in cash.

02:28

STV China Digital TV reports EPS in-line, beats on revs; guides Q1 revs below consensus (6.36 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.10 per share, in-line with the First Call consensus of $0.10; revenues fell 18.6% year/year to $13.7 mln vs the $13.1 mln consensus. The year-over-year decrease in net revenues was primarily due to a decrease in revenues from smart card sales. The quarter-over-quarter increase was largely due to an increase in smart card sales but partially offset by the decline in system integration revenue. Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees Q1 revs of 11.6-12.5 mln vs. $12.57 mln consensus. Based on information available on February 10, 2010, China Digital TV expects smart card shipments for the first quarter of 2010 to be 2.25-2.45 mln.

02:22

CLB Core Labs beats by $0.05, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS in-line, revs above consensus (120.59 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.25 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.05 better than the First Call consensus of $1.20; revenues fell 9.7% year/year to $181.6 mln vs the $172.2 mln consensus. For 4Q09, Core's Reservoir Description operations, which focus on international crude-oil-related projects, posted sequentially higher quarterly revenue but modestly lower year-over-year quarterly revenue and operating income. Large-scale core analysis and reservoir fluids projects continued in the deepwater areas offshore West Africa and Brazil, as well as in the offshore and onshore areas in the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Co issues guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $1.20-1.25, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $1.22 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $180.00 mln vs. $172.58 mln consensus. The midpoint of this guidance would result in operating margins of approximately 26%. In general, the Company believes that activities, workflows, and operating margins outside North America will increase 5% to 10% in 2010 and that North American activity levels will increase in response to moderately increasing natural gas prices. In addition, the North American rig count is increasing. Co's Board proposes 2-for-1 stock split; projected record date is 5/13/2010.

02:13

Graham Packaging prices 16,666,667 share IPO at $10.00/share

Shares will trade under ticker "GRM".

02:10

BMR BioMed Realty reports EPS in-line, revs in-line; guides FY10 FFO in-line

Reports Q4 (Dec) funds from operations of $0.31 per share, excluding non-recurring items, in-line with the First Call consensus of $0.31; revenues rose 6.3% year/year to $88.2 mln vs the $88.9 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees FFO of $1.23-1.33, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $1.29 consensus.

02:08

XRAY Dentsply misses by $0.01, beats on revs; guides FY10 EPS below consensus (33.79 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.48 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.49; revenues rose 11.9% year/year to $568.7 mln vs the $555.7 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $1.90-2.00 vs. $2.01 consensus.

02:04

AMKR Amkor corrects EPS guidance for 1Q10 (6.34 ) -Update-

Co announces that the press release issued at 4:05 EST on 2/10 reporting 4Q09 results inadvertently misstated estimated EPS for 1Q10. The correct estimate of 1Q10 net income is in the range of $0.17 to $0.22 per diluted share ($0.20 consensus). Guidance for net sales and gross margin for 1Q10 is not affected by this correction.

01:59

On The Wires

Chevron (CVX) announces that a consortium led by its Venezuelan subsidiary has been selected to negotiate its participation in a project composed of three blocks in the Orinoco Oil Belt of eastern Venezuela... Quality Systems (QSII) announces it has entered into an agreement to acquire Opus Healthcare Solutions; transaction is expected to be accretive in QSII's FY11, ending March 31, 2011.

18:35

R Ryder announces new $100 mln share repurchase program (33.21 -0.19)

18:13

HOLI HLS Systems reports in-line; reaffirms FY10 revs in-line with consensus, reaffirms net income (11.96 +0.01)

Reports Q2 (Dec) earnings of $0.16 per share, in-line with the First Call consensus of $0.16; revenues fell 12.1% year/year to $46.2 mln vs the $51.8 mln consensus. Co reaffirms FY10 revs of $185.9-192.2 mln vs. $188.6 mln consensus. Co also reaffirms FY10 net income of $30.3-31.4 mln.

18:07

DVA DaVita reports EPS in-line, revs in-line (60.82 -0.38)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.06 per share, in-line with the First Call consensus of $1.06; revenues rose 7.3% year/year to $1.57 bln vs the $1.58 bln consensus. Co says, "Currently we still expect our operating income for 2010 to be in the range of $950-1,020 million and we also expect our operating cash flows for 2010 to be in the range of $675-725 mln."

18:05

HIW Highwoods Prop beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line; guides FY10 FFO in-line (27.53 -0.16)

Reports Q4 (Dec) funds from operations of $0.60 per share, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.59; revenues fell 0.6% year/year to $113.7 mln vs the $114.4 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees FFO of $2.34-2.49 vs. $2.41 consensus.

17:53

BCR C.R. Bard: NEJM publishes trial results demonstrating Bard FLAIR endovascular stent graft is superior to balloon angioplasty for failing dialysis grafts (81.01 -0.35)

Co announced the publication of trial results by The New England Journal of Medicine showing the Bard FLAIR Endovascular Stent Graft maintains the patency of dialysis access grafts more effectively than balloon angioplasty alone. The FLAIR Endovascular Stent Graft is the only implant approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the treatment of stenoses at the venous anastomosis of ePTFE or other synthetic arteriovenous access grafts.

17:53

PL Protective Life beats by $0.45 (17.22 +0.42)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.51 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.45 better than the First Call consensus of $1.06.

17:45

PNC PNC completes TARP repayment (51.28 +0.22)

Co announced that it has redeemed $7.6 bln of Series N preferred shares held by the United States Treasury under the Troubled Asset Relief Program's Capital Purchase Program.

17:42

EGP EastGroup reports EPS in-line, revs in-line; guides FY10 FFO below consensus (35.32 -0.22)

Reports Q4 (Dec) funds from operations of $0.75 per share, in-line with the First Call consensus of $0.75; revenues fell 2.5% year/year to $42.8 mln vs the $43 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for FY10, sees FFO of $2.75-2.95 vs. $2.97 consensus.

17:36

BSX Boston Scientific rebuts HeartRhythm article (8.29 +0.06) -Update-

Co rebutted an article published in the journal HeartRhythm. The article reported a case summary of a patient who had been implanted subcutaneously with a Cognis cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator. The article suggested a weakened header bond was responsible for the abnormal sensing and pacing impedance experienced by the patient. BSX issued the following statement: "We find it unacceptable that HeartRhythm rushed this manuscript to publication and speculated on the cause of the problem without requesting from us a detailed engineering analysis of the explanted device. Our analysis found that while the bond between the header and the case was weakened, the device functioned normally and a weakened header bond was not the cause of the abnormal sensing and pacing impedance observed in this patient. "X-ray analysis and electrical testing verified that the header wires were neither fractured nor otherwise damaged, and the seal between the header and the case was secure with no evidence of body fluid under the header. In short, there is no mechanism to link the noise observations to a weakened header bond. "Noise observations during the initial implant were not header-related. In fact, the authors themselves stated: 'It is possible that the initial noise observed on the RV pace/sense channel was due to an RV lead abnormality and not to the header abnormality.' None of the leads implanted in the patient were manufactured by Boston Scientific. "Including this most recent case, only three instances of weakened header bonds have been observed in a context of more than 90,000 COGNIS and TELIGEN devices implanted subcutaneously. The overall rate of events for this device family compares very favorably to the performance of similar devices and is well within accepted performance ranges. "We have implemented manufacturing process improvements to strengthen the header bond on these devices, allowing physicians to implant devices in either a subpectoral or subcutaneous position. We have received approval from U.S. and European regulatory authorities for the devices with the strengthened header bond and have been shipping these devices. We expect to complete the transition to these devices by next month."

17:33

PNCL Pinnacle Airlines: Colgan Air releases January performance data (8.00 ) -Update-

Co reports Jan 2010 Available seat miles of 170,849, down 4.9% from Jan 2009, reports Jan 2010 revs passenger miles of 81,412, down 9.2% YoY, Jan load factor of 50.7%, from 46.5% from Jan 2009.

17:32

PNCL Pinnacle Airlines releases January performance data (8.00 )

Co reports Jan 2010 Available seat miles of 791,614, up 2% from Jan 2009, Jan 2010 revs passenger miles of 339,312, down 4.9% YoY, Jan load factor of 69.5%, from 66.1% from Jan 2009.

17:27

LFT Longtop Financial beats by $0.09, beats on revs; guides Q4 EPS below consensus, revs above consensus; guides FY10 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus (33.23 +1.32)

Reports Q3 (Dec) earnings of $0.53 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.09 better than the First Call consensus of $0.44; revenues rose 66.3% year/year to $54.7 mln vs the $48.8 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for Q4, sees EPS of $0.26 vs. $0.27 consensus; sees Q4 revs of $40.0 mln vs. $38.51 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $1.39, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $1.31 consensus; sees FY10 revs of $166 mln vs. $158.75 mln consensus.

17:14

CBM Cambrex misses by $0.14, misses on revs; guides FY10 revs in-line (5.27 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.09 per share, $0.14 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.05; revenues fell 11.2% year/year to $57.9 mln vs the $60.2 mln dual-analyst est. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees FY10 revs at a decline of 5% to an increase of 1%, which equates to ~$236.9-251.8 mln vs. $243.90 mln consensus.

17:08

LEN Lennar completes transactions with the FDIC to acquire ~$3.05 billion of real estate loans (15.61 +0.01)

17:08

ATR AptarGroup beats by $0.07, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS above consensus (35.08 -0.34)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.54 per share, excluding $0.02 in charges, $0.07 better than the First Call consensus of $0.47; revenues rose 8.7% year/year to $495.6 mln vs the $466.6 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.48-0.53 vs. $0.47 consensus. The co is announcing that in 2010 it is undertaking a strategic realignment of its businesses under three market-focused business segments. Co commented on the strategy, "We have always been driven to better serve our customers by enhancing our understanding of their needs and the changing markets in which they operate. The new structure will also broaden and accelerate the development of innovative new products with a global focus on market applications and consumer preferences. This realignment will take some time to complete and we expect to be fully operating under the new structure beginning in 2011."

16:57

HT Hersha Hospitality Trust closed on the acquisition of three newly opened hotels (3.67 +0.02)

Co announced that it has closed on the acquisition of three newly opened hotels in Times Square, New York City. In addition to the previously announced Hampton Inn and Candlewood Suites, co was able to negotiate more favorable terms with the unaffiliated sellers to also acquire the Holiday Inn Express Times Square, on which it had a right of first offer. The total purchase price for the three Times Square properties was $165.0 million, which includes 1,451,613 units of limited partnership interest in the Company's operating partnership that were issued to the sellers.

16:50

SWIR Sierra Wireless misses by $0.09, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 EPS below consensus, revs above consensus (11.76 +0.01)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.09 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.09 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.18; revenues rose 8.4% year/year to $144 mln vs the $144.7 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.11, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.15 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $150 mln vs. $140.89 mln consensus. "In January of 2010, we achieved another world first in launching the first ever 3G/4G mobile hot spot with Sprint. Achievements like this underscore our commitment to developing new, differentiated AirCard products supporting leading edge air interface technologies for our key operator partners. Looking forward, we have good visibility to Q1 revenue growth and believe we are uniquely positioned in our target markets with the industry's broadest product line, strongest global presence and unmatched innovation capability. Furthermore, we believe that our target markets of M2M and mobile computing present compelling growth opportunities and we are investing to bolster our leadership position."

16:39

TRAK DealerTrack sees FY10 EPS of $0.51-0.57 vs $0.69 First Call consensus; sees revs $240-246 mln vs $245.70 mln First Call consensus (17.26 -0.15)

The guidance assumes that for 2010 new car sales will be 11.5 million units and used car sales will be 13.5 million units with consistent levels of indirect financing to 2009. The guidance also includes the expected ongoing impact of the Chrysler and General Motors bankruptcies and related franchise terminations, including the Saturn wind down. Also included in the guidance is the impact of the GMAC agreement. The co also schedules a conference call for February 10, 2010 at 6:00 pm EST to discuss an important strategic relationship with GMAC Financial Services. Under the long-term agreement, GMAC will be listed as a financing option on the DealerTrack credit application processing network. The call will be hosted by Mark O'Neil, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Eric Jacobs, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer.

16:38

HGR Hanger Orthopedic beats by $0.02, beats on revs; guides FY10 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus (16.62 -0.06)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.37 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.35; revenues rose 10.6% year/year to $205.1 mln vs the $202.7 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $1.27-1.29 vs. $1.22 consensus; sees FY10 revs of $815-825 mln vs. $812.48 mln consensus. Co expects to improve operating margins by 20-40 basis points and to generate cash flow from operations of $60-70 mln. During 2010 the co will be relocating its corporate headquarters from Bethesda, Maryland to Austin, Texas and the cost of this move will be reported as a separate component of income from operations. The co expects to incur severance and relocation cost of ~$10.0-12.0 mln, as well as, lease exit cost of ~$3.0-5.0 mln.

16:35

SWM Schweitzer-Mauduit beats by $0.18, beats on revs; guides FY10 EPS in-line (70.23 +1.70)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.96 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.18 better than the First Call consensus of $0.78; revenues rose 6.6% year/year to $188.5 mln vs the $175.6 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of at least $4.60 vs. $4.82 consensus.

16:34

ARGN Amerigon comments on W.E.T. Automotive lawsuit (8.91 +0.60) -Update-

The co responds to legal action filed this week by the Windsor, Ontario, Canada-based subsidiary of Germany-based W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG (W.E.T.). Amerigon President and Chief Executive Officer, Daniel R. Coker, stated that Amerigon believes W.E.T.'s claims are without merit and appear to be a response to the patent infringement action filed by Amerigon against W.E.T. in November 2009. In November, Amerigon sued W.E.T. alleging that W.E.T. has infringed and continues to infringe upon four patents owned or licensed by Amerigon. The Amerigon patents at issue, which relate to thermoelectric systems and technologies, includes United States Patent Nos. 4,923,248; 5,626,021; 7,587,901; and RE38,128, all of which were asserted in the lawsuit against W.E.T. Amerigon's management and its legal team have reviewed the legal action filed by W.E.T. and believe that Amerigon's technology and patents will be protected.

16:31

RA RailAmerica reported that its total freight carloads for the month ended January 31 were 67,444, up 4.6% YoY (11.55 +0.14)

Co reported that its total freight carloads for the month ended January 31, 2010 were 67,444, up 4.6% from 64,455 in January 2009. These results exclude the discontinued Ottawa Valley Railway (OVR) operation. The co had increased shipments in January 2010 in seven out of twelve commodity groups compared to January 2009. Much of the increase was due to shipments of Agricultural Products, Chemicals, and Metallic Ores and Metals. The delayed harvest in the Midwest favorably impacted the Agricultural Products category. A general increase in economic activity positively impacted Chemicals and Metallic Ores and Metals. Continued softness in construction affected the Forest Products and Non-Metallic Minerals and Products carloads. In the Central U.S. a reduction in coal shipments resulted in decreased carloads compared to the prior year.

16:25

WINN Winn-Dixie Stores to distribute shares currently held in reserve (9.16 -0.32)

Co announced that it expects to distribute approximately 6.5 million shares, which are currently held in reserve to settle outstanding unsecured pre-petition bankruptcy claims. The distribution is based on the Company's determination that its bankruptcy share reserve contains more shares than will be necessary to resolve the remaining unsecured pre-petition claims against the Company. The Company will not receive any proceeds from this distribution and there will be no impact on the Company's financial statements. Because the shares to be distributed have been included in the Company's shares outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per share (EPS) since emergence from Chapter 11, the distribution will not impact the Company's reported EPS.

16:24

CME CME Group confirms it will take 90% stake in joint venture owning Dow Jones Indexes Business (276.35 -6.83) -Update-

The co and Dow Jones & Company confirmed that they have signed a definitive agreement in which CME Group will take a 90% ownership interest and Dow Jones will take a 10% ownership interest in a new joint venture that will own the Dow Jones Indexes, which includes The Dow Jones Industrial Average and approx 130,000 index properties. Pending approval by regulators and completion of customary closing conditions, the transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2010. Dow Jones & Company will contribute the Dow Jones Indexes business, valued at $675 mln, to the joint venture. CME Group will contribute certain market data services, valued at $607.5 mln, to the joint venture. The venture also will raise approx $613 mln in third-party debt which will be used to pay a $607.5 mln distribution to Dow Jones. Terms of the agreement provide for the joint venture to license the Dow Jones name for the new index services business on a long-term basis. Ownership of the Dow Jones brand, including trademarked names, will remain with Dow Jones. The managing editor of The Wall Street Journal will continue to participate in decisions regarding constituent stock selection for the Dow Jones Industrial Average and other index products. Building on the strong brand and market expertise of both CME Group and DJI, the partnership will also expand the global reach of its index creation, calculation services and market data businesses across complementary asset classes, including cash, derivatives and customized OTC markets.

16:24

TRH Transatlantic Hldngs reported net income of $2.04 vs. $1.83 First Call consensus; net premiums written declined 7% y/y to $960 mln (48.37 +0.41)

Co states. "We enter 2010 excited about our future and the new opportunities that continue to emerge due to the breadth of our underwriting expertise, value-added service and well-established global franchise. On balance, reinsurance rates remained within acceptable levels through the just completed January 1 renewal season and exhibited greater stability than rates in the primary markets. In this environment, we are maintaining underwriting vigilance and discipline and we continue to manage our capital levels consistent with anticipated market opportunities and our targeted risk adjusted returns. Our recent capital management initiatives have included the sale of $350 million principal amount of 30 year senior notes and commencement of a $200 million common share buyback program."

16:23

ATVI Activision Blizzard beats by $0.05, misses on revs; guides Q1 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus; guides FY10 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus; announces $1 bln buyback (10.09 +0.04)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.49 per share, $0.05 better than the First Call consensus of $0.44; revenues fell 5.0% year/year to $1.56 bln vs the $2.23 bln consensus. ATVI also announced a $1 bln share repurchase program. Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.02 vs. $0.08 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $525 mln vs. $740.91 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $0.70 vs. $0.73 consensus; sees FY10 revs of $4.4 bln vs. $4.84 bln consensus. The co also announced a $1 bln share repurchase program. "On a non-GAAP basis, we expect to deliver a year of record net earnings and operating margins and are taking another step towards our long-term objective of operating margins of 30% or more. In calendar year 2010, we expect our net earnings and operating margin growth will be driven by our product slate that includes Blizzard Entertainment's Starcraft II and the World of Warcraft expansion pack, Cataclysm, as well as a diversified lineup based on Activision Publishing's best-selling franchises including Call of Duty, Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk, together with other well-known titles such as True Crime, Spider-Man and Bakugan."

16:23

INFI Infinity Pharmaceutical initiates clinical development of its fourth drug candidate and announces 2009 financial results (6.05 -0.06)

Co announced that it has commenced clinical development of its fourth internally discovered drug candidate, IPI-940, a novel inhibitor of the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase, or FAAH. In addition, Infinity announced progression of its oncology programs consistent with its 2010 guidance, and 2009 financial results. "We believe we are well positioned to show the impact that all four of our clinical candidates can have in patients' lives... Infinity is financially strong, with a cash runway into 2013. We remain focused on using this strength to continue building Infinity's product pipeline through investment in internal and potential external opportunities." Infinity is developing IPI-940 under its strategic alliance with Purdue Pharmaceutical Products and Mundipharma International Corporation Limited... Co also reported Q4 EPS of ($0.30) vs. the ($0.42) consensus, and said based on its 2010 R&D and business objectives, the co anticipates a cash burn of between approximately $25-35 million during 2010 and estimates a year-end cash and investments balance of between $95-105 million. This amount does not include any amounts that Infinity may draw under the $50 million line of credit available from Purdue Pharma L.P. This financial position enables Infinity to achieve key development milestones and evaluate external opportunities to strategically enhance its pipeline.

16:23

PRE PartnerRe beats by $1.06, beats on revs (74.24 +0.32)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $3.87 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $1.06 better than the First Call consensus of $2.81; revenues rose 29.1% year/year to $1.55 bln vs the $0.8 bln consensus. "We had an exceptional year in 2009, achieving an operating return on beginning equity of 22% and GAAP book value per share growth of 32%. The Company also recently announced a 6% increase in the annual common dividend per share, marking the 17th consecutive year the Company has increased its dividend since inception. These results form part of PartnerRe's long track record of success, which has seen the Company grow its GAAP book value per share plus dividends at a compounded rate of 13% over the last 5 years."

16:21

DLR Digital Realty Trust reports leasing activity for the fourth quarter and full year 2009 (46.69 -0.07)

The co announces the results of its leasing activity for both the fourth quarter and full year 2009. For the full year 2009, lease signings represent over $472 million in total cash contract value... For the quarter ended December 31, 2009, the Company commenced leases totaling approximately 91,000 square feet of space. This includes nearly 53,000 square feet of Turn-Key Datacenter space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $173.00 per square foot, approximately 20,000 square feet of Powered Base Building space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $29.00 per square foot, and approximately 18,000 square feet of non-technical space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $22.00 per square foot... For the quarter ended December 31, 2009, the Company signed leases totaling approximately 156,000 square feet of space. This includes approximately 116,000 square feet of Turn-Key Datacenter space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $126.00 per square foot, approximately 30,000 square feet of Powered Base Building space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $26.00 per square foot, and approximately 10,000 square feet of non-technical space leased at an average annual GAAP rental rate of $31.00 per square foot.

16:20

PROJ Deltek beats by $0.02, beats on revs (7.85 +0.95)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.15 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.13; revenues fell 1.9% year/year to $70.3 mln vs the $65.9 mln consensus.

16:18

PAA Plains All Amer beats by $0.10, beats on revs (51.85 -0.66)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.80 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.10 better than the First Call consensus of $0.70; revenues rose 23.2% year/year to $6.08 bln vs the $5.01 bln consensus.

16:17

MPET Magellan Petroleum appoints new Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (1.64 +0.01)

The co announces the appointment of William Begley, Jr. as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Treasurer. Daniel Samela has resigned as CFO, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer, but will remain with the Company and continue to serve as Vice President - New Ventures.

16:16

PVA Penn Virginia beats by $0.08, beats on revs (24.99 +0.26)

Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.01 per share, excluding the effects of the non-cash change in derivatives fair value, $0.08 better than the First Call consensus of ($0.09); revenues rose 4.9% year/year to $236 mln vs the $217.2 mln consensus. "For 2010, we have hedged approximately 55 percent of our estimated natural gas production, at average floor and ceiling prices of $6.09 and $8.19 per MMBtu, respectively. During 2009 and through January 2010, we raised over $510 million from the issuances of debt and equity securities and the sale of non-core assets, including a portion of our position in PVG. As a result, we have substantially improved our financial liquidity, with $300 million of unused availability on our revolving credit facility and over $100 million of cash on hand. We expect our strong hedge and liquidity positions to facilitate future growth in our focused, resource play-driven operations."

16:16

O Realty Income beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line; guides FY10 FFO in-line (4.27 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) funds from operations of $0.47 per share, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.46; revenues fell 0.5% year/year to $81.8 mln vs the $81.8 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees FFO of $1.86-1.92 vs. $1.88 consensus.

16:14

PRCP Perceptron reports Q2 sales of $11.8 mln vs. $19.9 mln a year ago; EPS of ($0.05) vs. $0.12 a year ago (3.50 +0.04)

"Our second quarter financial results continued to improve over recent quarters," reported Jack Lowry, Perceptron's Chief Financial Officer. "Our bookings and backlog were the best we have experienced in more than a year. We have continued to keep our costs low and benefit from the restructuring actions we implemented in fiscal year 2009. We continue to face difficult comparisons with the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2009 however, because we did not experience the significant weakness that affected the automotive industry until the second half of fiscal 2009."

16:14

PVG Penn Va GP Hldgs reports Q4 net income per share of $0.32 vs. $0.28 First Call consensus; total revenue increased 19.6% y/y to $194.9 mlnvs. $209 mln two analyst estimate (15.44 -1.26)

16:14

EDMC Education Mgmt beats by $0.14, beats on revs; guides Q3 EPS in-line; guides FY10 EPS above consensus (18.10 +0.19)

Reports Q2 (Dec) earnings of $0.53 per share, excluding expenses incurred during Q2 of FY10 in connection with its IPO and the related repurchase of $316 mln of its senior subordinated notes, $0.14 better than the First Call consensus of $0.39; revenues rose 25.5% year/year to $655.5 mln vs the $642.3 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q3, sees EPS of $0.36-0.39 vs. $0.36 consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $1.28-1.32, excluding the expenses related to the IPO and debt repurchase, vs. $1.12 consensus. At the start of the current January quarter, total enrollment at its schools was over 139,400 students, a 22.4% increase from the same time last year. Same-school enrollment (schools with enrollment for one year or more) increased 21.4% to over 138,300 students. The number of students enrolled in fully online programs increased 54.9% to ~34,800 students. Average student enrollment for fiscal 2010 is expected to grow ~21% over fiscal 2009.

16:12

ARRS Arris beats by $0.05, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS in-line, revs in-line (9.69 -0.01)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.32 per share, $0.05 better than the First Call consensus of $0.27; revenues rose 2.6% year/year to $300 mln vs the $292 mln consensus. Gross margins for the qtr were 44.8%. Co issues in-line guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.18-$0.22 vs. $0.22 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $253-$273 mln vs. $272.93 mln consensus.

16:12

ALL Allstate beats by $0.08 (28.60 -0.13)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.09 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.08 better than the First Call consensus of $1.01; revenues rose 22.7% year/year to $8.06 bln vs the $8.08 bln consensus; this reflected lower realized capital losses, which decrease revenues, than the prior year quarter. Partially offsetting this were decreases in net investment income of 19.0% and property-liability premiums of 2.3%. Allstate's Property-Liability business produced a combined ratio of 93.2 in 4Q09 compared to 96.4 in the prior year quarter, resulting from continued margin strength in the auto business and actions taken to reduce expenses, partly offset by the impact of catastrophe losses on the homeowners business. The underlying combined ratio was 88.1 for the year, in line with the outlook of 87 to 89 established at the beginning of 2009. Management's outlook for the 2010 underlying combined ratio is 88 to 90. Book value per share was $30.84 at December 31, 2009 compared to $23.47 at December 31, 2008 and $32.29 at September 30, 2009. The decline during 4Q09 was related to an increase in unrealized net capital loss, after adjusting for DAC and taxes. The reduction in pre-tax unrealized net capital losses was more than offset by a decrease in the DAC adjustment due to updated assumptions for Allstate Financial fixed annuity investment performance. The updated assumptions anticipate continued credit losses in certain asset classes within the portfolio in 2010 and 2011, primarily residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities.

16:12

PRU Prudential misses by $0.04, reports revs in-line (48.88 +0.52)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.07 per share, $0.04 worse than the First Call consensus of $1.11; revenues rose 15.6% year/year to $6.79 bln vs the $6.86 bln consensus. Assets under management amounted to $667 billion at December 31, 2009, compared to $558 billion a year earlier. Net income of the Financial Services Businesses attributable to Prudential Financial, Inc. amounted to $1.788 billion for the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to a net loss of $1.656 billion in the year-ago quarter. At December 31, 2009, gross unrealized losses on general account fixed maturity investments of the Financial Services Businesses amounted to $4.389 billion, including $3.135 billion on high and highest quality securities based on NAIC or equivalent ratings. Gross unrealized losses include $1.293 billion related to asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages. Gross unrealized losses on general account fixed maturity investments of the Financial Services Businesses at December 31, 2009 include $2.446 billion of declines in value of 20% or more of amortized cost, of which $2.179 billion represents such declines in value for three months or more. Gross unrealized losses on general account fixed maturity investments of the Financial Services Businesses amounted to $11.251 billion at December 31, 2008. Net unrealized gains on general account fixed maturity investments of the Financial Services Businesses amounted to $998 million at December 31, 2009, compared to net unrealized losses of $6.567 billion at December 31, 2008.

16:11

FBCM FBR Capital Markets reports 4Q results (5.54 +0.03)

FBR Capital Markets reports 4Q09 earnings of $0.26 vs $0.17 First Call consensus; revenues before net investment income/loss increased 156% year/year to $122.2.mln vs $109.30 mln First Call consensus. Richard J. Hendrix, President and Chief Executive Officer of FBR Capital Markets, commented that "Our fourth quarter performance was driven by leadership in capital raising for the US banking industry and demonstrates the positive operating leverage in our model. While we are cautiously optimistic about the capital markets environment in 2010, we are confident in our team of professionals and our collective ability to deliver for clients and shareholders as we focus on execution during this year."

16:11

EQIX Equinix beats by $0.10, beats on revs; guides Q1 and FY10 revs

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.44 per share, $0.10 better than the First Call consensus of $0.34; revenues rose 33.7% year/year to $242.6 mln vs the $238.1 mln consensus. Co issues guidance for Q1, sees Q1 revs of $245-247 mln vs. $247.56 mln consensus. Co issues guidance for FY10, sees FY10 revs of $1.050-1.075 bln vs. $1.08 bln consensus.

16:10

SCOR ComScore beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 revs in-line; guides FY10 revs above consensus (13.02 +0.09)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.05 per share, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.04; revenues rose 7.0% year/year to $33.8 mln vs the $33.7 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q1, sees Q1 revs of $34.2-36 mln vs. $34.41 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY10, sees revs growing approx 21%-25% YoY, which calculates to roughly $154.6-$159.6 mln vs. $144.73 mln consensus. "We are optimistic about 2010 and will continue to manage expenses as tightly as possible. We anticipate adjusted EBITDA margin for the full year 2010 in line with the company's 2009 EBITDA margin performance."

16:09

BELM Bell Micro reports the SEC completed investigation and that no enforcement action has been recommended (4.61 +0.07)

Co announced that it received notice from the Securities and Exchange Commission that the investigation concerning the company's accounting and financial reporting matters has been completed and that no enforcement action has been recommended.

16:08

MAS Masco is combining its two cabinet companies (14.48 +0.05)

Co is combining its two cabinet companies, Masco Retail Cabinet Group and Masco Builder Cabinet Group, to form a new organization, Masco Cabinetry. The new organization will have the ability to offer trade partners and consumers a broad portfolio of cabinets and countertops spanning a wide range of price points and styles. Over the next few months, the leadership team will work through strategic and tactical plans to ensure a seamless transition to the new organization.

16:08

LPSN LivePerson beats by $0.02, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS in-line, revs above consensus; guides FY10 EPS in-line, revs above consensus (5.96 -0.09)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.09 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.07; revenues rose 26.5% year/year to $24.8 mln vs the $23.6 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.06-0.07 vs. $0.07 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $25-25.2 mln vs. $24.25 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $0.30-0.32 vs. $0.31 consensus; sees FY10 revs of $105-107 mln vs. $103.37 mln consensus. "We had a great quarter, with all facets of the business contributing to top line growth," said LivePerson CEO Robert LoCascio. "Revenue and earnings for both the quarter and year have surpassed our expectations, driven by a balanced mix of geographic expansion, new account acquisition and existing account penetration. Our sound sales strategy coupled with strong cost management across the organization place us in a solid position to continue driving growth in 2010 and beyond."

16:08

TLEO Taleo beats by $0.06, reports revs in-line (19.97 +0.22)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.23 per share, $0.06 better than the First Call consensus of $0.17; revenues rose 5.2% year/year to $50.5 mln vs the $50.5 mln consensus. Cash flow from operations was $20.6 mln and free cash flow was $19.2 mln.

16:07

NSR Neustar beats by $0.01, beats on revs; guides FY10 revs in-line (22.56 +0.43)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.37 per share, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.36; revenues rose 5.3% year/year to $134.2 mln vs the $128.1 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees FY10 revs of $520-535 mln vs. $524.72 mln consensus.

16:07

OSUR OraSure Tech reports Q4 (Dec) results, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS below consensus, revs in-line

Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.17 per share, including items, may not be comparable to the First Call consensus of ($0.09); revenues rose 21.5% year/year to $20.9 mln vs the $19.6 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for Q1, sees EPS of ($0.06)-($0.07) vs. ($0.05) consensus; sees Q1 revs of 19.0-19.5 vs. $19.03 mln consensus... Results for the year ended December 31, 2009 included a $3.0 mln pre-tax impairment charge related to the net book value of previously capitalized payments under a Hepatitis C ("HCV") patent license agreement and $1.5 mln in expense associated with the settlement of patent infringement litigation with Inverness Medical. Results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 also include the litigation settlement expense. Results for the year ended December 31, 2008 included a $4.9 mln pre-tax gain related to a lump sum payment received as a result of the settlement of patent infringement litigation during the year. Excluding the impact of these items, the Company's pre-tax loss, on a non-GAAP basis, would have been $4.0 mln and $2.0 mln for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2009, respectively. These results would compare to a pre-tax loss on a non-GAAP basis of $13.6 mln and $5.7 mln for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2008.

16:06

KBR KBR Inc. awarded contract by Woodside to execute a basis of design study for the company's Browse Liquefied Natural Gas Development (17.60 -0.23)

Co will execute the study for a 12 million tons per annum (MTPA) liquefaction facility, as well as the associated infrastructure and marine facilities. The anticipated duration of the study is nine months. The award of the basis of design study follows the recent award to KBR of a front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for Woodside's Pluto LNG trains 2 and 3.

16:05

DGI DigitalGlobe to modify its Service Level Agreement with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (22.03 +0.30)

Co announced that it has signed a contract to modify its Service Level Agreement with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, or NGA. The modification restructures the option for NGA to extend the term of the SLA. The original option, if exercised, provided for a single nine-month extension of the term from April 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010. The modified option grants NGA the option to extend the SLA for three months on the same terms, from April 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010 with six additional options, each for a one-month period, with the last option term expiring on December 31, 2010. NGA requested the modification and the company believes this modification provides increased flexibility for NGA as the EnhancedView procurement continues.

16:05

FOOD Vaughan Foods will not appeal NASDAQ notice of bid (0.70 +0.05)

Co received notice from the NASDAQ listing qualifications department that its common stock has failed to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share over a period of 30 consecutive trading days, as required by NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2).

16:05

KONA Kona Grill misses by $0.02, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus (3.20 +0.08)

Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.18 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.02 worse than the First Call consensus of ($0.16); revenues rose 7.5% year/year to $20 mln vs the $20 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of ($0.19)-(0.12) vs. ($0.10) consensus; sees Q1 revs of $19.4-20.4 mln vs. $20.73 mln consensus. The co anticipates opening one new restaurant in Baltimore, MD in the second half of 2010. The Company expects its available cash and cash flow from operations will enable it to complete construction of the Baltimore, MD restaurant. The Company will only consider additional leases based upon significant economic opportunity and the availability of affordable debt capital or sufficient cash flow from operations.

16:04

GSIC GSI Commerce reports Q4 (Dec) results, beats on revs; guides Q1 revs above consensus

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.38 per share, may not be comparable to the First Call consensus of $0.51; revenues rose 9.8% year/year to $430.2 mln vs the $411.3 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for Q1, sees Q1 revs of $260 mln vs. $256.42 mln consensus. Loss from operations is expected to be $19.5 million; Non-GAAP income from operations is expected to be $10.0 million. For FY10 co expects income from operations is expected to be $21.4 million. -- Non-GAAP income from operations is expected to be $135.0 million. This compares to the previous comfort level expressed by the company of $130.0 million and includes start up expenses for a new business in the company's consumer engagement segment. (b) -- Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $60.0 million.

16:04

ELON Echelon beats by $0.08, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus

Reports Q4 (Dec) GAAP loss of $0.09 per share, $0.08 better than the First Call consensus of ($0.17); revenues rose 5.4% year/year to $38.8 mln vs the $33.9 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees GAAP EPS of (0.35)-(0.32) vs. ($0.18) consensus; sees Q1 revs of $15-17 mln vs. $30.16 mln consensus.

16:04

LOOP Loopnet beats by $0.01, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS below consensus, revs above consensus (9.57 -0.05)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.07 per share, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.06; revenues fell 13.3% year/year to $18.3 mln vs the $18 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.04-0.05 vs. $0.06 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $18.1-18.3 mln vs. $17.97 mln consensus.

16:02

SCOR comScore announces acquisition of ARSgroup (13.02 )

Co announces that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the ARSgroup, a leading communications research agency specializing in the measurement of advertising persuasion for TV and multi-media campaigns. Co notes that the all-cash acquisition will strengthen their position in the areas of measuring advertising and its effectiveness in TV, online, print and integrated cross media platforms and provide comScore with a staff of high caliber researchers that have experience working with the world's great brands. comScore anticipates closing the transaction in March 2010 and expects ARS to fuel incremental growth for comScore in 2010.

16:02

EQIX Equinix opens new data centers in Frankfurt and Dusseldorf; announces further German Expansion (93.01 0.00)

Co announced the opening of new International Business Exchange data centers in Frankfurt and Dusseldorf, together with plans to expand its existing Frankfurt-2 (FR2) center. Elsewhere, in the north of the city, the planned $18 million expansion of the FR2 IBX will add 2,500 square meters (27,000 square feet) of data center space, with capacity for approximately 660 cabinets. The FR2 IBX expansion will be completed in phases, between April and September 2010.

16:01

TMK Torchmark Corp beats by $0.03; guides FY10 EPS in-line (44.37 +0.09)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.47 per share, $0.03 better than the First Call consensus of $1.44. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $6.05-$6.25 vs. $6.10 consensus.

16:01

WIRE Encore Wire misses by $0.14, beats on revs (19.14 -0.16)

Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.08 per share, $0.14 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.06; revenues fell 1.7% year/year to $177.1 mln vs the $165.8 mln consensus. "We understand that this is a cyclical industry and therefore we designed and manage our cost structure and balance sheet accordingly. Our low cost structure and strong balance sheet have enabled us to withstand difficult periods in the past, and we believe we will emerge stronger than most when market conditions improve. We thank our employees and associates for their tremendous efforts and our shareholders for their continued support during these challenging times."

16:00

FTI FMC Tech signs multi-year frame agreement with Cobalt International Energy (55.41 +0.07)

Co announces that it has signed a multi-year frame agreement with Cobalt International Energy (CIE) to provide subsea systems, including production trees, manifold hardware and distribution systems.

16:00

BOOT LaCrosse Footwear announces plans for new Danner factory (17.36 )

Co announced its plans to move into a new Danner factory in Portland. The facility will be located in an industrial building approximately one mile from the co's headquarters. The new factory will be ~59,000 square feet. The new facility's lease is scheduled to begin during the second quarter of 2010 for a term of approximately five years, with options to extend the lease for up to 15 more years.

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