Briefing.com: Hourly In Play (R) – 15:00 ET

May 28, 2010 (Briefing.com via COMTEX) -- Hourly In Play (R)

Updated: 28-May-10 15:00 ET

14:59

AAPL NASDAQ 100 (NDX) strength & weakness- Widely held (AAPL) & auto parts play (ORLY) now lead heading into the final hour of trading & month-end -Technical-

NDX 10 Best % Performers:

AAPL, ORLY, SRCL, GRMN, INTU, CHKP, BRCM, AMGN, CEPH, ORCL

NDX 10 Worst % Performers:

LINTA, FLEX, NIHD, JOYG, PCLN, FSLR, SYMC, NVDA, GENZ, EBAY

NASDAQ A/D -1025

NASDAQ TRIN +1.35

14:55

PG Dow 30 (INDU) strength & weakness- Staple names (KO, PG) still lead as we enter the final hour of trading & month-end -Technical-

INDU 5 Best % Performers:

PG, KO, MRK, WMT, TRV

INDU 5 Worst % Performers:

DIS, MMM, CSCO, CAT, BAC

NYSE A/D -870

NYSE TRIN +1.60

14:14

SUMRX Technical Analysis Midday

After a significant +6% rally off fresh 2010 low of 1040 this week, the S&P shows signs of stalling out on today's month-end. Yesterday's close above the 1100-level brought the 200-day exponential and simple moving averages in play at 1101/1104 as near-term resistance, giving traders an excuse for profit-taking if they played the bounce. This morning's action was relatively muted until the midday news of the Fitch downgrading of Spain. The S&P took a hard and fast -1% drop at that time and has been attempting to stabilize around the 1086/1092 area along the 200-sma on a 5-minute timeframe.A closer look at the 5-min chart here, shows a downsloping channel in full effect so far, that should be monitored for key levels this afternoon ahead of a 3-day Memorial Weekend. Next potential support lies around the 1085-area, followed by 1080. Intraday resistance is first along the 20-ema near 1092 followed by the 50-sma near 1095. Majority sectors are "red" across the board led by weakness in Oil Services (OSX -5.28%), Steel (DJUSTL -3.19%), Networkers (NWX -2.70%), Casinos (DJUSCA -2.74%), Semis (SOX -2.47%), Banks (BKX -2.47%), Agriculturals (MOO -2.21%), and Coal (KOL -2.11%). Relative strength is seen among more "defensive" issues like Major Drugs, Stalpes, and Healthcare.

14:03

GLD streetTRACKS Gold Shares break to fresh daily highs as it lifts up into its 2-day high of $119.08 (118.84 +0.16) -Update- -Technical-

12:50

VXX Global & sector ETF movers- VIX (VXX, VXZ) vol index now leads as indices slide while energy & oil drillers (OIH, XLE) continue to lag @ midday -Technical-

The Actively Traded Leading Global & Sector ETFs:

VIX vol index- VXX +2.50%, VXZ +0.75%, US bonds/fixed income- TLT +0.50%, JNK +0.50%, BWX +0.50%, TIP +0.25%, food & beverage- PBJ +0.50%, US Dollar index- UUP +0.25%

The Actively Traded Lagging Global & Sector ETFs:

oil HLDRS- OIH -5.75%, energy & oil exploration & prod.- XES -4.25%, IYE -2.25%, XLE -2.50%, solar power- TAN -3.0%, semis- XSD -2.75&, IGW -2.50%, SMH -2.50%, wind energy- FAN -3.0%, commercial banks- KBE -2.25%, steel- SLX -2.25%, iShares France- EWQ -2.50%, regional banks- KRE -1.75%, copper- JJC -2.0%

12:27

AAPL NASDAQ 100 (NDX) strength & weakness- Widely held (AAPL) & Biotechnology names (AMGN, CEPH) now lead @ midday -Technical-

NDX 10 Best % Performers:

AAPL, SHLD, AMGN, CEPH, GRMN, SBUX, VRSN, VMED, ORLY, QCOM

NDX 10 Worst % Performers:

LINTA, SYMC, FLEX, FSLR, NIHD, STX, NVDA, EBAY, MXIM, YHOO

NASDAQ A/D -835

NASDAQ TRIN +1.25

12:24

KO Dow 30 (INDU) strength & weakness- Staple name (KO) & now Big Pharma names (MRK, PFE) now lead as defensive plays here @ midday -Technical-

INDU 5 Best % Performers:

KO, MRK, PFE, PG, WMT

INDU 5 Worst % Performers:

CSCO, BAC, MMM, BA, DIS

NYSE A/D -500

NYSE TRIN +1.35

12:04

European Markets Closing Prices

European markets are now closed; stock markets across Europe performed as follows: UK's FTSE: -0.1% Germany's DAX: +0.2% France's CAC: -0.3% Spain's IBEX: +1.0% Portugal's PSI: -0.3%

12:01

CCRN Cross Country announced the refinancing of its revolving loan credit facility and extension of the maturity date by approximately three years (8.71 -0.12)

Co also elected to reduce the aggregate principal amount of the revolving credit facility to $50.0 million. The revolving credit facility was undrawn upon the closing of the refinancing.

11:54

CKXE CKX Inc. confirms receipt of acquisition proposal from group led by Simon Fuller (5.13 +0.82) -Update-

The Board of Directors of the co is evaluating the proposal, as well as other potential strategic alternatives for the Company, and has retained Gleacher & Company as financial advisor and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz as legal advisor to assist in this evaluation.

11:53

AAP Advance Auto: Biglari Holdings (BH) exchange offer for ~1.4 mln shares of Advance Auto Parts, Scheduled to Expire on June 1, 2010 (51.33 0.00) -Update-

(Stock is Halted)

11:29

GOLD Randgold Resources announces that Mr Robert Israel, director of Randgold Resources, sold 3,000 shares on 12 May 2010, at $90.07 (86.54 -0.91)

10:35

UNG Global & sector ETF movers- Natural Gas (UNG) continues to lead while Oil Drillers & Energy (OIH, XLE) lags through the 1st hour of trading -Technical-

The Actively Traded Leading Global & Sector ETFs:

natural gas- UNG +1.50%, biotechnology- XBI +1.0%, IBB +0.50%, SPDRS oil & gas exploration- XOP +1.0%, India- INP +0.50%, commods index- GSG +0.50%, SPDRS retailers- XRT +0.50%, SPDRS utilities- XLU +0.50%, food & beverage- PBJ +0.50%, iShares Spain- EWP +0.50%, ISE Revere natural gas index- FCG +0.25%, iShares S Korea- EWY +0.25%

The Actively Traded Lagging Global & Sector ETFs:

oil HLDRS- OIH -3.75%, oil services * energy- XES -2.0%, IYE -0.75%, XLE -0.50%, solar power- TAN -1.25%, Russia- RSX -1.25%, wind energy- FAN -1.0%, ag commods- DBA -1.0%, semis- IGW -0.50%, XSD -0.50%, iShares Hong Kong- EWH -0.75%, iShares France- EWQ -0.75%

10:34

LDL Lydall announced a price increase (8.20 +0.07)

Co announced a general price increase effective with orders shipped on or after July 1, 2010. The price increase covers all products and markets of Lydall Filtration/Separation's global business. Increases will vary by product line and will average between 4% and 8%.

10:28

AAPL NASDAQ 100 (NDX) strength & weakness- Widely held (AAPL) & Casino/Gaming name (WYNN) now lead through the 1st hour of trading -Technical-

NDX 10 Best % Performers:

AAPL, WYNN, AMGN, VMED, SHLD, BRCM, SBUX, ORLY, ILMN, QCOM

NDX 10 Worst % Performers:

SYMC, LINTA, NVDA, FLIR, CSCO, TEVA, BIIB, FSLR, CERN, JOYG

NASDAQ A/D -470

NASDAQ TRIN +1.20

10:25

PG Dow 30 (INDU) strength & weakness- Staple names (PG, MCD) continue to lead through the 1st hour of trading -Technical-

INDU 5 Best % Performers:

PG, MCD, AXP, KO

INDU 5 Worst % Performers:

CSCO, DIS, JPM, MMM, MSFT

NYSE A/D -255

NYSE TRIN +1.40

09:45

ECONX Reminder: U. Michigan Consumer Sentiment data due out in about 10 min 9:55ET

09:44

TECHX Opening Point Gainers/Losers -Technical-

Point Gainers: DECK (+6.60), AAPL (+4.11), NFLX (+2.39), JCG (+1.49), OVTI (+1.29), CF (+1.29), CKXE (+1.28), SEED (+1.09), HEV (+0.70)

Point Losers: BCSI (-5.80), RIG (-3.54), OII (-3.47), DO (-3.32), BHI (-2.61), DJSP (-2.54), ESV (-2.53), SLB (-2.42), NE (-2.35), FFIV (-2.21), RVBD (-2.36)

09:36

OIH Oil Service HOLDRS Trust off to a weak start as prices plunge below yesterday's low of 102.06 (100.01 -4.08) -Technical-

09:31

BCSI Blue Coat gaps down sharply as it hovers just above its early May intraday/6-mth low near $22.60 (22.95 -5.90) -Update- -Technical-

09:10

RDS.A Royal Dutch Shell: East Resources confirms sales agreement with Royal Dutch Shell (53.01 )

09:02

GRH GreenHunter Energy awarded $29.9 mln bond allocation by California Debt Limit Committee (1.14 )

09:02

Asian Markets

Nikkei...9762.98...+123.30...+1.30%. Hang Seng...19766.71...+335.30...+1.70%.

09:02

European Markets

FTSE...5238.48...+43.10...+0.80%. DAX...5972.77...+35.60...+0.60%.

09:01

THM International Tower Hill Mines reports new flotation and column leach results for the Livengood Project, Alaska (7.18 )

This initial follow-up test work produced encouraging flotation concentrates, with an average of 89% of the gold reporting to the concentrate (Table 1). In addition, the initial group of column leach test results at 1/2 inch crush size were received and showed results similar to the earlier bottle role data, thus confirming the leachability of the oxide ores.

08:33

LOW Lowe's declares a 22% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.11/share (25.12 )

08:32

CHSI Catalyst Health Solutions to enter into negotiations for the State of Mississippi PBM contract (38.11 )

Co announced that it will begin contraction negotiations with the State of Mississippi State and School Employees' Health Plan following the State's competitive bid process. Upon successful completion of negotiations, the new contract will be effective January 1, 2011, and will cover ~190,000 plan participants.

08:32

TECHX E~mini index futures on GLOBEX see muted reaction to 8:30 ET econ. data -Technical-

Still seeing slight gains vs. fair value

ES +2.75

NQ +6.00

YM +20

08:31

LIFE Life Technologies completes tender offer for synthetic biology Firm Geneart (50.23 )

08:30

FLEX Flextronics announced Board of Directors authorization for up to $200 mln share repurchase (6.74 )

08:23

JOEZ Joes Jeans opens branded store in Ohio (2.15 )

Co announced that it has opened a store located just north of Cincinnati, Ohio. Co stated " We expect to open our two additional branded outlet stores in the fourth quarter. We also have started construction on our latest full price store at Santa Monica Place in Santa Monica, California and expect to open in early August"

08:02

PPHM Peregrine Pharma announced new median progression-free survival data of 7.4 months from a Phase II trial (3.24 )

Co reported best overall response rate from this trial was 61% (28 of 46 patients) with 11% (5 of 46) of the patients achieving a clinical complete response. These results compare favorably to data from a separate published study showing an objective response rate of 41% with no complete responses in a similar patient population receiving docetaxel alone.

08:00

DECK Deckers Outdoor declares three-for-one stock split (138.96 )

Co announced that the stockholders approved the increase of its total authorized number of shares of common stock and therefore, as previously announced, the co will effectuate a three-for-one stock split of the co's common shares, to be effected in the form of a common stock dividend.

07:56

VVUS Vivus Phase 3 data on VIVUS' Avanafil for erectile dysfunction to be featured at the AUA 2010 annual meeting (12.08 )

Co announced that phase 3 data on avanafil, a next generation oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor therapy being investigated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, will be presented next Tuesday at the American Urological Association 2010 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California. Irwin Goldstein, M.D., clinical professor of surgery at the University of California, San Diego, and director of sexual medicine at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego, will deliver an oral presentation.

07:39

ESV Ensco signs new four year credit facility for $700 mln (38.82 )

07:30

PUK Prudential plc confirms they are in discussions with AIG regarding AIA Group transaction (16.06 )

In a news release issued by Prudential, co notes recent press speculation regarding talks between Prudential and AIG. Co confirms that "discussions regarding the current status of the transaction have taken place between Prudential and AIG (AIG) and are continuing. These discussions may or may not lead to a change in the terms of the combination of AIA Group Limited and Prudential."

07:06

TRMB Trimble and Russian Space Systems sign agreement to form joint venture in Russia (29.33 )

07:01

PVA Penn Virginia announced that it has acquired approximately 10,000 net Marcellus Shale acres for $19.5 mln in cash (21.86 )

07:00

KCI Kinetic Concepts announces FDA clearance of V.A.C. therapy for Venous Insufficiency Ulcers (41.72 )

06:38

KFED K-Fed Bancorp adopts plan to reorganize from two-tier mutual holding company to full stock holding company; co will conduct second-step stock offering (9.85 )

As part of the reorganization, Kaiser Federal Bank will become a wholly owned subsidiary of a new stock corp., Kaiser Federal Financial Group. The currently outstanding shares of the common stock of K-Fed Bancorp, including shares held by the general public and employee stock benefit plans, other than shares held by K-Fed Mutual Holding Co, will be converted into shares of common stock in Kaiser Federal Financial Group, using an exchange ratio designed to preserve current percentage ownership interests.

06:34

S&P futures vs fair value: +1.00. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: +3.30.

06:34

Asian Markets: Nikkei...9762.98...+123.30...+1.30%. Hang Seng...19766.71...+335.30...+1.70%.

06:34

European Markets: FTSE...5238.48...+43.10...+0.80%. DAX...5972.77...+35.60...+0.60%

06:05

On The Wires

Gunderson LLC, a subsidiary of The Greenbrier Companies (GBX) announces that it has implemented a 4-day work week at its marine barge operation, to reduce production rates... BIOLASE Tech (BLTI) enters into $5 mln secured debt facility with MidCap Financial. LLC and Silicon Valley Bank... China Digital TV (STV) enters into a contract with CANTV, a telecom service provider in Venezuela, to install systems and solutions on CANTV's direct-to-home satellite platform... Trimble (TRMB) and Russian Space Systems sign agreement to form joint venture in Russia.

05:52

RDS.A Royal Dutch Shell to acquire East Resources for $4.7 bln in cash (53.01 )

Co agrees to acquire subsidiaries which own substantially all of the business of East Resources for a cash consideration of $4.7 bln, from East Resources, and its private equity investor Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and its advisors Jefferies & Company. East Resources is a privately-owned business with its primary activity focused on the Marcellus shale. East Resources has some 650,000 net acres (2,600 square kilometers) of highly contiguous, operated acreage in the Marcellus, and 1.05 million net acres (4,250 square kilometers) of acreage overall. East Resources has some 60 mmscfe/d (10,000 barrels oil equivalent per day) of production, predominantly in natural gas, with substantial medium-term growth potential. In addition, as part of its on-going acreage build strategy, Shell has acquired ~250,000 net acres (1,000 square kilometers) of mineral rights in the Eagle Ford shale play, in South Texas, in 2010.

05:39

QSII Quality Systems misses by $0.04, reports revs in-line (60.73 )

Reports Q4 (Mar) earnings of $0.45 per share, $0.04 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.49; revenues rose 19.3% year/year to $78.5 mln vs the $78.6 mln consensus. The fourth quarter results were negatively impacted by amortization of acquired intangibles and transaction costs related to the acquisition of Opus Healthcare Solutions. Also impacting the results were decreases in collections from the co's revenue cycle management division due to record snowfall across the East Coast and seasonality.

05:36

AMGN Amgen: Prolia granted marketing authorization in EU (51.43 )

Co announces that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization for Prolia for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at increased risk of fractures, and for the treatment of bone loss associated with hormone ablation in men with prostate cancer at increased risk of fractures.

01:09

On The Wires

Salix Pharmaceuticals (SLXP) prices $300 mln public offering of convertible senior notes due 2015... ZOLL Medical (ZOLL) announces that the LifeVest Wearable Defibrillator was discussed in nine scientific presentations and posters at the Heart Rhythm Society's 31st Annual Scientific Sessions last week... China Recycling Energy (CREG) announces that it has entered a strategic cooperation agreement with Norwegian government in new energy technologies and environmental protection projects.

18:37

SD SandRidge Energy and Arena Resources announce settlement of certain stockholder suits regarding proposed merger (6.41 +0.30)

SandRidge Energy (SD) and Arena Resources (ARD) jointly announced that they have reached an agreement in principle to settle six of the nine stockholder lawsuits styled as class actions that were filed against Arena and its board of directors relating to the proposed merger of Arena with a wholly owned subsidiary of SandRidge. These lawsuits also name SandRidge as a defendant. The remaining three lawsuits were filed in Oklahoma County State District Court and have been stayed.

18:25

ALIM Alimera Sciences announces iluvien post 24-month visual acuity data indicates significant long-term improvement in DME (8.10 -0.11)

Co announced that a new analysis of data from its Phase 3 clinical trials for Iluvien, the company's investigational intravitreal insert being studied for diabetic macular edema, indicates that patient vision continues to improve significantly over 30 months.

18:22

GDP Goodrich Petroleum Discloses Insider Transactions; Josiah T. Austin, a director of the Co and a beneficial owner of ~6.3 mln shares, has sold 3.0 mln shares, or ~48% of his beneficial ownership (12.87 +0.71)

Separately, Patrick E. Malloy, III, Chairman of the Board, Walter G. Goodrich, Vice Chairman and CEO, Robert C. Turnham, Jr., President and COO and Michael Killelea, Senior Vice President and General Counsel purchased $1.3 mln of the Co's common stock, or ~106,000 shares.

18:10

Futures are mixed after hours with S&P 500 futures 0.19 points below fair value of 1102.19 and Nasdaq 100 futures 2.8 points above fair value of 1862.45

18:05

NINE Ninetowns reports second half and full year 2009 financial results (1.57 +0.02)

Total net revenues were RMB51.1 mln (US$7.5 mln), representing a 7% decrease, as compared to RMB54.7 mln (US$8.0 mln) for the second half of 2008. Both basic and diluted net income per ADS (each ADS represents one ordinary share) were nil, compared to a basic and diluted net loss per ADS of RMB4.02 (US$0.59) for the second half of 2008. Total net revenues were RMB93.8 mln (US$13.7 mln), representing a 10% decrease, as compared to RMB104.5 mln (US$15.3 mln) for 2008. Both basic and diluted net income per ADS was RMB0.09 (US$0.01), compared to basic and diluted net loss per ADS of RMB4.85 (US$0.71) for 2008.

18:02

NWN NW Natural reports strong year in 2009 with a solid start to 2010 at annual meeting of shareholders, plans to continue growing nonutility business (43.73 +0.65)

Co at its annual meeting of shareholders today reported that the company delivered record results in 2009 and is on target for 2010. A major highlight of 2009 was lower commodity costs and the associated drop in rates for customers. NW Natural returned about $36 million in gas-cost savings to customers last summer, and then lowered residential rates again in November by about 16% in Oregon and 22% in Washington. Last year's drop in gas prices also benefited shareholders. Earnings per share in 2009 were a record $2.83 based on net income of $75.1 million, an 8% increase over 2008 results for both earnings per share and net income, primarily due to the benefit of lower gas costs and the associated sharing mechanism in Oregon.

17:50

PPDI PPD announces effectiveness of Furiex Pharmaceuticals' registration statement on Form 10 (26.68 +1.02)

Co announced that, in connection with its proposed spin-off of Furiex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the Securities and Exchange Commission has declared effective Furiex Pharmaceuticals' Registration Statement on Form 10. Furiex Pharmaceuticals' common stock is expected to begin trading on a "when issued" basis on May 28, 2010, on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol FURXV (the "V" reflecting the "when issued" status of the stock).

17:32

NX Quanex beats by $0.05; co expect full year sales and earnings to be much improved over 2009 (18.35 +0.75) -Update-

Repors Q2 (Mar) earnings of $0.12 per share, $0.05 better than the First Call consensus of $0.07; revenues rose 76% year/year to $199.4 mln vs the $167.1 mln consensus. Co raised 2010 operating income guidance for Engineered Products to a range of $32-37 mln (up from previous guidance of $25-30 mln) compared to a $141 mln loss (including a $162 mln impairment charge) in 2009. Co raised 2010 operating income guidance for Aluminum Sheet Products to around $27 mln (up from previous guidance of around $20 mln) compared to a $26 mln loss (including a $20 mln impairment charge) in 2009.

17:27

EGOV NIC Inc: Colorado extends eGovernment contract with NIC to continue to manage the state of Colorado's official state Web portal for an additional four years (6.57 +0.09)

17:18

NX Quanex Building Products announced a 33.3% dividend increase to $0.16 and stock buyback program for up to 1 mln shares (18.35 +0.75)

17:15

UNS Unisource Energy: TEP signs agreements for nearly 160 megawatts of renewable power projects (31.07 +1.05)

Tucson Electric Power has agreed to purchase the output of 10 new solar power systems, a landfill gas generation project and a new wind farm that together would generate nearly 160 megawatts, enough renewable energy to power more than 30,000 Tucson homes. TEP has submitted the agreements to the Arizona Corporation Commission for review. The commission's endorsement would allow developers of the systems to proceed with efforts to finalize financing, secure land rights and clear other necessary hurdles in hopes of completing their projects in time to begin providing power in 2011 or 2012.

17:15

REG Regency Centers sells $150 mln of ten-year senior unsecured notes priced at 99.299% (37.11 +1.84)

Co announced that its operating partnership, Regency Centers, L.P., completed the sale of $150 mln of 6.0% ten-year senior unsecured notes under its existing shelf registration statement. The notes are due June 15, 2020 and were priced at 99.299%.

17:11

HIL Hill International awarded two major contracts from WSDOT, valued at ~$4.4 mln (4.48 +0.07)

Co announced the two contracts, which have a total estimated value to Hill of approximately $4.4 million, include: A contract to provide program management services in connection with the SR520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program; and a contract to provide statewide on-call project management services.

17:01

JTX Jackson Hewitt's 2010 prepared tax returns declined 14.4% (1.61 +0.09)

Co reported preliminary tax filing results for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2010. Jackson Hewitt's network of franchised and company-owned offices prepared 2.530 mln tax returns in 2010, versus 2.955 mlntax returns prepared in the prior fiscal year, or a decline of 14.4%. This year-over-year decline in returns prepared was favorable compared to the previously communicated guidance of a decline in the range of 17% to 19% due to better than forecasted performance in the second half of the tax season.

17:00

MAXY Maxygen announces $10 mln stock buyback program (6.07 +0.23)

17:00

WSM Williams-Sonoma authorizes a $60 mln stock repurchase program and increases quarterly cash dividend by $0.02, or 15%, to $0.15 per share (30.01 +1.46)

16:53

CW Curtiss-Wright to acquire Hybricon Corporation for $19 mln in cash (32.30 +0.96)

16:31

GLBL Global Industries announced the appointment of Ashit J. Jain as Chief Operating Officer (5.29 +0.09)

16:30

PMTC Parametric announced that Neil Moses its Chief Financial Officer, has resigned effective November 15, 2010; company has begun a CFO search (17.57 +0.63)

16:21

OVTI OmniVision beats by $0.01, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus (18.22 +0.22)

Reports Q4 (Apr) earnings of $0.18 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.17; revenues rose 76.4% year/year to $157.2 mln vs the $154.6 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.27-0.40, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.22 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q1 revs of $190-210 mln vs. $170.85 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

16:18

DMND Diamond Foods beats by $0.09, beats on revs; raised FY11 EPS in-line (39.40 +0.29)

Reports Q3 (Apr) earnings of $0.30 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.09 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.21; revenues rose 25.0% year/year to $138.7 mln vs the $136.6 mln consensus. Co raised guidance for FY11 in-line, sees EPS of $2.35-2.45 vs. $2.37 Thomson Reuters consensus, up from $2.25-2.35. Co said, "Previously we said that fiscal 2010 combined Q3 and Q4 non-GAAP EPS was expected to be $0.47-$0.50. With this quarter's strong EPS results of $0.30, we now expect to generate second half non-GAAP EPS of between $0.55-0.57, implying the Q4 will be in the range of $0.25-0.27. This implies net income growth of between 30-40% over the comparable prior year period."

16:16

EIX Edison announces bond reoffering of $144.4 mln of tax-exempt bonds (32.29 +0.67)

16:15

VIA Viacom: Thomas E. Dooley, 53, has been promoted to the newly-created position of Chief Operating Officer of Viacom (37.64 +1.52)

16:14

GES Guess? beats by $0.09, beats on revs; guides Q2 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus; guides FY11 EPS below consensus, revs in-line (38.12 +2.49)

Reports Q1 (Apr) earnings of $0.58 per share, excluding $0.04 in charges, $0.09 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.49; revenues rose 22.2% year/year to $539 mln vs the $507.2 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q2, sees EPS of $0.65-0.68 vs. $0.78 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q2 revs of $560-575 mln vs. $592.05 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $2.80-2.85 vs. $2.99 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees FY11 revs of $2.35-2.40 bln vs. $2.36 bln Thomson Reuters consensus. Co said, "Based on the continued strengthening of the US dollar against the Euro, this full year outlook includes a further negative translation and margin impact on diluted EPS of $0.16 for the remainder of fiscal 2011. This is in addition to the $0.12 negative translation impact that the Company had initially expected for the same period."

16:14

ALB Albemarle announced that it will increase global prices for its line of Wellbrom clear brine fluids by 20%; price increases will take effect July 1, 2010 (43.27 +1.82)

16:10

CRWS Crown Crafts acquires Bibsters from Procter & Gamble (PG); result in an annual increase in our net sales of $3 million and will be swiftly accretive to earnings (4.02 +0.27)

16:07

TMRK Terremark Worldwide misses by $0.01, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 revs below consensus; guides FY11 revs in-line (7.46 +0.28)

Reports Q4 (Mar) loss of $0.02 per share, $0.01 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.01); revenues rose 19.7% year/year to $82.5 mln vs the $81.8 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees Q1 revs of $77-79 mln vs. $79.95 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. Co raised guidance for FY11 in-line, sees FY11 revs of $338-343 mln vs. $339.33 mln Thomson Reuters consensus, up from $335-340 mln.

16:07

RKT Rock-Tenn announces a $50 per ton price increase on CartonMate bleached paperboard products; effective with shipments on June 28, 2010 (50.85 +2.58)

16:06

KBR KBR Inc. awarded major task order under Logistics Civil Augmentation Program Contract in Bahrain worth $28 mln (21.63 +1.24)

16:06

LUB Luby's: FINRA Orders Credit Suisse Securities LLC to Buy Back Auction Rate Securities From Luby's, Inc. (4.08 +0.27)

Co announced today that an arbitration panel of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"), in a full and final resolution of the issues submitted for determination, ruled that Credit Suisse Securities (CS) was liable to Luby's, and ordered Credit Suisse to buy back auction rate securities bought through Credit Suisse at par and to pay interest on them at the par purchase price of the auction rate securities at the rate of 6% per annum from and including May 29, 2010 through and including the date the award is paid in full.

16:05

JCG J. Crew beats by $0.11, beats on revs; guides Q2 EPS in-line; guides FY11 EPS above consensus (43.86 +1.73)

Reports Q1 (Apr) earnings of $0.68 per share, $0.11 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.57; revenues rose 19.7% year/year to $413.9 mln vs the $394.2 mln consensus. Gross margin increased to 49.0% of revenues from 42.2% of revenues in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Co issues in-line guidance for Q2, sees EPS of $0.40-0.45 vs. $0.44 Thomson Reuters consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY11, raises EPS guidance to $2.35-2.45 vs. $2.34 Thomson Reuters consensus, up from its previous guidance range for fiscal 2010 of $2.20 to $2.30.

16:04

BCSI Blue Coat reports EPS in-line, revs in-line; guides Q1 EPS in-line, revs below consensus (28.84 +1.31)

Reports Q4 (Apr) earnings of $0.40 per share, excluding non-recurring items, in-line with the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.40; revenues rose 16.7% year/year to $132.6 mln vs the $132.7 mln consensus. Co issues guidance for Q1, sees EPS of 0.35-0.40, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.40 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q1 revs of $121-126 mln vs. $132.10 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

16:02

SEAC SeaChange beats by $0.02, reports revs in-line; guides Q2 EPS in-line, revs in-line (7.78 +0.25)

Reports Q1 (Apr) earnings of $0.10 per share, $0.02 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.08; revenues rose 10.6% year/year to $54.1 mln vs the $53.7 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q2, sees EPS of $0.10-0.14 vs. $0.12 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q2 revs of $53-55 mln vs. $54.33 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. The Company has reinstated its stock buyback program, based on its improved liquidity position, and will repurchase shares as market conditions dictate.

16:01

MEE Massey Energy announces plan to reenter Upper Big Branch Mine on June 2 (33.07 +1.61)

16:01

ESL Esterline Techs beats by $0.14, beats on revs; raises FY10 EPS above consensus (51.37 +2.31)

Reports Q2 (Apr) earnings of $0.98 per share, $0.14 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.84; revenues rose 7.8% year/year to $387.6 mln vs the $374.4 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $3.45-3.65 vs. $3.38 Thomson Reuters consensus, up from $3.20-3.45.

16:01

RCKY Rocky Brands announces follow on orders of military boots (8.35 +0.22)

The co announces that it has received an additional order to produce approximately 45,000 pairs of insulated boots with an approximate value of $3.2 million under the $29 million blanket purchase agreement with the GSA that was announced in August 2009. There is $11.3 million remaining under the $29 million blanket purchase agreement. Also, the Company has received an additional order to produce approximately 8,000 pairs of "Hot Weather" boots with an approximate value of $0.5 million under a contract with the U.S. Military that was announced in July 2007.

16:00

Equity averages extend to fresh highs on volume as we approach the close... Dow +286, SPX +35, Nasdaq Comp +82 -Technical-

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