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

Aug 25, 2010 (Briefing.com via COMTEX) -- Hourly In Play (R)

Updated: 25-Aug-10 15:00 ET

14:58

APOL NASDAQ 100 (NDX) strength & weakness- Education name leads all percentage gainers nearing the final hour of trading -Technical-

NDX 10 Best % Performers:

APOL, ISRG, SHLD, GRMN, FLEX, BIIB, NVDA, SBUX, COST, BRCM

NDX 10 Worst % Performers:

FWLT, WCRX, JOYG, ADBE, FSLR, SNDK, CHKP, YHOO, CTXS, SRCL

NASDAQ A/D @ 1:1

NASDAQ TRIN +0.45

14:55

HD Dow 30 (INDU) strength & weakness- Home Supply name (HD) continues to lead all percentage gainers nearing the final hour of trading -Technical-

INDU 5 Best % Performers:

HD, PFE, MCD, TRV, INTC

INDU 5 Worst % Performers:

DIS, KO, UTX, CAT, DD

NYSE A/D @ 1:1

NYSE TRIN +1.15

14:51

COMDX CBOT Agriculture and Ethanol and ICE Exchange Sugar Closing Prices

December corn closed 0.5 cents lower at $4.20 per bushel, November soybeans closed unchanged at $9.99 per bushel, Dec wheat closed 27.25 cents lower at $6.805 per bushel, Sept ethanol closed $0.021 lower at $1.85 October world sugar futures closed 0.13 cents lower to 20.03 cents.

14:45

SPY S&P +2.7 extends to short term resistance -Update- -Technical-

The 38% retracement of this week's decline (1081-1039) is at 1055 which also marks equality to the initial leg off this morning's low -- session high 1055. The next level is at 1060 (50% retrace) followed by 1063 (Tuesday's gap bottom/last week's low).

14:39

COMDX NYMEX Energy Closing Prices

Oct crude oil settled higher by 89 cents to $72.52, Sept natural gas dropped 16.9 cents to finish at $3.87, Sept RBOB gasoline gained 1.81 cents to close at $1.8675 and Sept heating oil ended higher by 3.89 cents to $1.9746.

14:37

SPY Stock indices extend push above morning rebound highs -- Dow +13, S&P +1.5, Nasdaq +9.8 -Update- -Technical-

Relative strength has been noted in Housing XHB, Reg Bank KRE, Casino BJK, Finance XLF.

14:23

AGEN Antigenics: The fourth product candidate containing Antigenics' QS-21 in phase 3 clinical development (0.85 +0.07)

Co announced that GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) herpes zoster vaccine candidate, which contains Antigenics' QS-21 Stimulon adjuvant as a key component, has commenced Phase 3 clinical trials for the prevention of shingles. Antigenics is entitled to receive "significant" milestone payments, in addition to royalties based upon sales of any vaccine containing QS-21 that is approved and marketed by its QS-21 licensees or their partners.

13:52

SPY Stock indices edge back near late morning rebound highs -- Dow -14, S&P -2.1, Nasdaq Comp +0.6 -Update- -Technical-

Relative sector strength on this push has been noted in Energy XLE / OIH, Disk Drive, REITs IYR, Networking, Steel SLX, Casino.

13:33

COMDX COMEX Metals Closing Prices

Dec gold finished higher by $6.60 to $1240.00, Sept silver rallied for 58.7 cents to end at $18.965, and Sept copper finished lower by 3 cents to $3.211.

12:40

SLV Global & sector ETF money flows- Silver (SLV) maintains leadership here @ midday; Natural gas (UNG) remains pressured after fresh 52-week lows trade -Technical-

Actively Traded Leading Global, Regional, & Domestic Sector ETFs:

silver- SLV +2.25%, gold/silver metals & mining- GDX +2.25%, GDXJ +2.0%, healthcare- IHF +1.50%, XLV +0.50%, IYH +0.50%, homebuilders & home construction- XHB +1.50%, ITB +1.75%, palladium- PALL +1.0%, sugar- SGG +1.0%, biotechnology- BBH +0.75%, XBI +0.50%, gold- GLD +0.75%, IAU +0.75%, crude/WTI oil- USO +0.50%, OIL +0.50%

Actively Traded Lagging Global, Regional, & Domestic Sector ETFs:

natural gas- UNG -3.75%, cocoa- NIB -2.75%, coal- KOL -2.50%, iShares Taiwan- EWT -2.25%, iShares S Korea- EWY -2.25%, global shippers- SEA -2.25%, oil drillers & energy components- XOP -1.75%, IEO -2.0%, OIH -2.0%, XES -2.0%, iShares S Africa- EZA -2.25%, Vietnam- VNM -2.0%, agribusiness- MOO -1.75%, steel- SLX -1.75%

12:30

ISRG NASDAQ 100 (NDX) strength & weakness- Medical Device name (ISRG) leads all percentage gainers here @ midday -Technical-

NDX 10 Best % Performers:

ISRG, APOL, BIIB, GRMN, RIMM, QCOM, DELL, SBUX, GENZ, SBUX

NDX 10 Worst % Performers:

JOYG, FWLT, WCRX, SNDK, FSLR, YHOO, ERTS, CA, ADBE, NWSA

NASDAQ A/D @ -1.5:1

NASDAQ TRIN +0.65

12:27

HD Dow 30 (INDU) strength & weakness- Home Supply name (HD) continues to lead the percentage gainers here @ midday -Technical-

INDU 5 Best % Performers:

HD, MCD, PFE, MSFT, T

INDU 5 Worst % Performers:

DIS, CAT, GE, BAC, DD

NYSE A/D @ -1.5:1

NYSE TRIN +1.65

12:18

BIDU Baidu.com set a new 4 week low this morning but has bounced back near its 50 sma at 77.50 -- session high 77.50 (77.37 +0.03) -Technical-

Its 50 ema comes into play at 78.11.

12:02

European Markets Closing Prices

European markets are now closed; stock markets across Europe performed as follows: UK's FTSE: -0.9% Germany's DAX: -0.6% France's CAC: -1.2% Spain's IBEX: -1.6% Portugal's PSI: -0.9%

11:50

PSUN Pacific Sunwear Correction: Co beat Q2 consensus by $0.01 (4.11 +0.06) -Update-

Last night we compared Q2 GAAP EPS to the non-GAAP estimate. The co actually reported a Q2 (Jul) loss of $0.22 per share, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.23); revenues fell 10.3% year/year to $218 mln vs the $213.3 mln consensus; comps fell 10%. Co issues in-line guidance for Q3, sees EPS of ($0.09)-(0.16), excluding non-recurring items, vs. ($0.11) Thomson Reuters consensus; with comps -4% to -9%; gross margin, including buying, distribution and occupancy costs, of 24-26%. Co continues to see QoQ improvements in comps with the prospect of reaching a positive comp in Q4... the prior comment has been removed.

11:30

SYK Stryker announces plans to acquire privately held Gaymar Industries for $150 mln (43.04 -0.16)

Co is acquiring privately held Gaymar Industries for ~$150 million in an all-cash transaction. Gaymar specializes in support surface and pressure ulcer management solutions as well as the temperature mgmt segment of the healthcare industry. The transaction is expected to close by October 1, 2010. Upon closing, the transaction is expected to be neutral to Stryker's 2010 and 2011 earnings per share and accretive thereafter.

11:29

INSU Insituform Tech wins contract valued at $7 mln in Honolulu, Hawaii (19.11 -0.28)

Co announced that it has been awarded a contract valued at approximately $7 mln by the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii to rehabilitate nearly 1,400 feet of a 69-inch diameter pipeline beneath Ala Moana Boulevard, one of the main access roads to Waikiki Beach.

11:22

TECHX Small-cap Russell 2000 +0.75, Nasdaq Comp +2.1 and Nasdaq 100 +0.65 reach postive territory for first time today -Update- -Technical-

11:04

TECHX Sector Relative Strength -Update- -Technical-

Sectors that are outperforming the S&P as the market attempts to build on the push off the data related low include: Industrial XLI, Semi SMH, Reg Bank RKH, Retail XRT, Transports IYT, Rail, Coal KOL, Networking IGN.

11:01

AIG American Intl held at its 200 sma on the data related extension, currently back vacillating near its morning bounce high at 33.95 (33.93 -0.34) -Technical-

10:59

SPY Fresh morning rebound highs for stock indices -- Dow -21, S&P -4.4, Nasdaq -4.1 -Update- -Technical-

See 10:26 for chart set-up

10:53

UTA Universal Travel discusses Q2 air-ticketing and package tour segment information (4.90 -0.19)

Co says Q2 air ticketing segment revs increased 82.3% y/y to $6 mln and package tour segment revs increased 123.6% y/y to $27.7 mln. Co continues to be optimistic about its business development as the Chinese tourism industry continues to enjoy high growth rates driven by the increase in per capita disposable income and the benefit of several major tourism events, such as the Shanghai World Expo and the upcoming Guangzhou Asian Games. Additionally, with the integration of the new acquisitions, the Company expects to improve its overall gross margin, especially in the package tour segment.

10:42

PNC PNC Bank continues its recent decline lower intraday as it dips down and begins to probe support off of the $50.00 level (49.79 -0.77) -Technical-

10:40

SLV Global & sector ETF money flows- Silver (SLV) leads all markets & spaces through the 1st hour of trade; Natural Gas (UNG) is notably weak to the energy complex -Technical-

Actively Traded Leading Global, Regional, & Domestic Sector ETFs:

silver- SLV +2.0%, VIX vol index- VXX +1.25%, VXZ +1.50%, gold/silver metals & mining- GDX +1.0%, GDXJ +1.25%, homebuilders & home construction- XHB +0.50%, ITB +1.0%, gold- GLD +0.50%, IAU +0.50%, US Treasuries & fixed income- TLT +1.0%, TLH +0.25%, BWX +0.50%

Actively Traded Lagging Global, Regional, & Domestic Sector ETFs:

natural gas- UNG -4.0%, coal- KOL -3.25%, cocoa- NIB -2.75%, oil drillers & energy- IEO -2.50%, XES -2.50%, OIH -2.25%, XOP -2.25%, iShares S Korea- EWY -2.50%, iShares Taiwan- EWT -2.50%, iShares S Africa- EZA -2.25%, solar power- TAN -2.50%, iShares Spain- EWP -2.25%

10:31

OIH Crude oil ticks to fresh lows at $71.00 following inventory data; now off 32 cents to $71.31

10:29

RIMM NASDAQ 100 (NDX) strength & weakness- Smartphone maker (RIMM) leads all percentage gainers through today's 1st hour of trade -Technical-

NDX 10 Best % Performers:

RIMM, ISRG, DELL, GOOG, ESRX, QCOM, AMZN, ATVI, BIIB, SBUX

NDX 10 Worst % Performers:

SNDK, JOYG, FWLT, CEPH, FSLR, LRCX, XLNX, WCRX, JBHT, ERTS

NASDAQ A/D @ -2:1

NASDAQ TRIN +1.15

10:27

HD Dow 30 (INDU) strength & weakness- Homebuilder supply name (HD) leads all percentage gainers through today's 1st hour of trade -Technical-

INDU 5 Best % Performers:

HD, MCD, JNJ, TRV

INDU 5 Worst % Performers:

CAT, DD, BA, BAC, DIS

NYSE A/D @ -2.5:1

NYSE TRIN +1.95

10:26

SPY S&P 500 -6.3 meets equality objective and stabilizes -Update- -Technical-

The index dipped further after this morning's second round of data but has thus far held near an equality objective near 1040. Intraday watching 1048/1051 for a read on the underlying strength of the bounce attempt (hit 1046 thus far) -- Click for chart.

10:15

URRE Uranium Resources to begin drilling in historic grants Mineral Belt (0.56 0.00)

Co announced that the Company expects to begin drilling on its Section 13 property in Ambrosia Lake in early September. Stewart Brothers Drilling Company of Milan, New Mexico, has been contracted by URI to conduct the drilling. The objective of the drilling activity is to evaluate the suitability of the property for in-situ recovery mining.

10:02

TECHX Opening Point Gainers/Losers -Technical-

Point Gainers: ISRG (+2.39), NFLX (+1.18), OPEN (+1.81), SOMX (+1.14), CM (+1.09), PAY (+1.00), VECO (+0.98)

Point Losers: CMI (-3.17), FSLR (-2.79), CREE (-2.52), ABV (-2.43), CRM (-2.51), MOS (-2.38), JOYG (-2.37), POT (-2.36)

10:01

SPY Stock indices slip to new session lows after housing data -- Dow -87, S&P -10, Nasdaq -20 -Update- -Technical-

09:53

TECHX Stock indices slide to new lows in unison -- Dow -55, S&P -8, Nasdaq Comp -14 -Update- -Technical-

09:50

XHB SPDR Homebuilders displaying some relative strength ahead of data (13.96 unch) -Technical-

The XHB probed its 52-wk low from last Nov at 13.50 yesterday (Tuesday low 13.59) following the weak home data and stabilized. This morning it has held up better than the overall market as it vacillates at steady to slightly higher levels ahead of the New Home Sales at 10 ET. Short term it needs break and hold above congestion/yesterday's high in the 14.15/14.25 area just to begin to improve the bias with an important level above at 14.50 -- LEN, MDC, MTH, PHM, SPF, TOL, HD, LOW, MHK, SHW.

09:48

ASB Ascendia Brands: thinly traded, receives a "Notice of Allowance" from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in connection with its antimicrobial patent application (0.212 +0.0232)

09:46

ECONX Reminder: July New Home Sales due out in ~15 mins at 10:00 ET (Briefing.com consensus 334K; June was 330K)

09:45

RS Reliance Steel extends its recent pullback lower off the open as it nears a test of its July range lows near the $35.00 level (35.07 -0.88) -Technical-

09:42

XLF Financial Select Sector SPDR hovering just above its 52-wk intraday low from July at 13.34 -- session low 13.40 (13.42 -0.09) -Technical-

(Click for chart).

09:36

SPY Early pressure with Nasdaq Comp -10 and S&P -6 breaking slightly under Tuesday lows -- Dow -42 hovering just above -Update- -Technical-

09:34

GLD streetTRACKS Gold Shares and Silver SLV gap up to new two month highs -Technical-

09:26

BIOD Biodel to raise $9.4 mln through registered direct offering, pricing the shares at $3.93 (3.93 )

Co announced that it has entered into definitive agreements with two institutional investors to sell 2,398,200 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase 2,398,200 shares of its common stock. The investors have agreed to purchase the units for a negotiated price of $3.93 per unit, resulting in gross proceeds to Biodel, before deducting placement agents' fees and estimated offering expenses, of ~$9.4 mln. The offering is expected to close on or about August 30, 2010.

09:22

AMZN Amazon.com confirms new generation Kindles are fastest selling Kindles ever (124.53 )

Co announced that more new generation Kindles were ordered in the first four weeks of availability than in the same timeframe following any other Kindle launch, making the new Kindles the fastest-selling ever. In addition, in the four weeks since the introduction of the new Kindle and Kindle 3G, customers ordered more Kindles on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk combined than any other product, continuing Kindle's over two-year run as the bestselling product across all the products sold on Amazon.com. The new Kindles started shipping to customers today--two days earlier than previously announced.

09:13

COMDX Natural gas drops to its worst levels in ~3 months, breaking back below the $4 area, and notching lows at $3.951; now off 8.4 cents to $3.955

09:05

OSIS OSI Systems beats by $0.04, beats on revs; guides FY11 EPS in-line, revs in-line (26.92 )

Reports Q4 (Jun) earnings of $0.47 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.04 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.43; revenues rose 18.8% year/year to $165.3 mln vs the $162.3 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $1.67-1.80, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $1.69 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees FY11 revs of $637-655 mln vs. $648.04 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. "Our Security Division had an outstanding fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 as operating profits more than doubled over the comparable quarter in the prior fiscal year... Heading into fiscal 2011, we are excited about our growth prospects. Our backlog of $240 million as of June 30, 2010 is 18% higher than the prior fiscal year, and represents a new record backlog."

09:03

On the Wires

CPI Aerostructures (CVU) announced that it has received a purchase order from Sikorsky Aircraft for the manufacture of outboard wing assemblies for the SA-338B maritime patrol aircraft. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies (UTX)...Impax Pharmaceuticals, the brand products division of Impax Laboratories (IPXL) announced that it has completed enrollment of its ADVANCE-PD trial. ADVANCE-PD is a multinational Phase III trial of its late-stage product IPX066 in advanced Parkinson's disease patients with motor fluctuations.

09:02

GRMN Garmin is voluntarily recalling ~1.25 mln nuvi personal navigation devices (26.55 )

Co has identified potential overheating issues when the third party supplier's batteries manufactured within this limited date code range are used in certain Garmin devices with the PCB design. It appears that the interaction of these factors can, in rare circumstances, increase the possibility of overheating, which may lead to a fire hazard. This issue has been identified in less than ten cases in total involving certain nuvi models.

09:01

CWS China Wind Systems receives new $4.5 mln contract to supply forged rolled rings (4.42 )

08:57

SPU Skypeople Fruit Juice announces pricing of $25.9 mln common stock offering at $5/share (5.86 )

Co announces the pricing of a public offering of 5,181,285 shares of its common stock at a price of $5.00 per share. Co expects to use the net proceeds from this offering for capital expenditure, including improvements to the Huludao Wonder and Qiyiwangguo facilities.

08:48

TPGI Thomas Properties and Brandywine (BDN) agree to establish partnership for commerce square; Brandywine to contribute $25 mln to partnership (3.02 )

Co and Brandywine Realty Trust (BDN) announce agreement to establish a partnership to own Commerce Square, located at 2001 and 2005 West Market Street in Philadelphia, PA. Currently owned solely by co, the twin 41-story office towers comprise 1.9 million square feet of Class A office space. Brandywine will contribute a total of $25 mln of preferred equity to the partnerships that own One Commerce Square and Two Commerce Square, and will become a 25% limited partner in both properties. Brandywine's preferred equity will be invested $5 mln at closing with the balance invested by 12/31/2012. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and both parties expect a closing in the fourth quarter of 2010.

08:43

SPY Equity futures have stabilized a bit and are currently holding above the post-data lows... SPX futures now -7 vs. fair value, DJ -50 (105.53 )

Treasuries are bid up on the data, sending yields down further (10-year yield is now -0.055 at 2.444%).

08:32

REN Resolute energy enters agreement with Marathon Oil (MRO) to develop acreage in Bakken trend (10.74 )

Co announces that it has entered into an agreement with Marathon Oil Company (MRO) to develop ~19K gross acres (8,425 net to Resolute) in the Bakken trend in McKenzie County, North Dakota. The agreement enables Resolute to increase its net lease holdings in the Bakken trend by almost 35%, to more than 33K net acres in Williams and McKenzie Counties, North Dakota. Under the terms of the agreement, Resolute will earn interests in the acreage by drilling and completing two earning wells. Co expects that both earning wells will be drilled early in the 4Q10. Marathon will serve as contract operator of the earning wells and as operator of the contract lands.

08:32

NED Noah Education announces resignation of 2 directors "for personal reasons", effecitve 8/12/2010 (1.96 )

08:31

COMDX Silver futures spike to their highest levels of the morning; now up 33.2 cents to $18.71

Gold currently sitting just above the flat line at $1237.00, up $3.80.

08:30

IVAN Ivanhoe Energy commences drilling at Yixin-2 in China and provides update on Zitong-1 (1.55 )

Co announces that Sunwing Energy Ltd., co's wholly-owned subsidiary, has started drilling Yixin-2, located in its Zitong gas exploration block in the Sichuan Province of China. This well follows the commencement of drilling of the Zitong-1 well in mid-June 2010. Yixin-2 is being drilled as a twin well of Yixin-1, a well drilled by Sunwing in 2007 that generated significant preliminary gas flow rates. These rates, however, could not be confirmed before the well was shut-in due to a surface equipment failure during the initial hours of the testing program. Yixin-2 will be directionally drilled to allow the second wellbore to be located within 100 metres of the Yixin-1 at total depth.

08:24

FRG Fronteer Gold emerging copper-gold porphyry returns 646.50 metres of continuous copper-gold mineralization (7.04 )

08:24

GG Goldcorp announced that the Los Filos mine is fully certified under the International Cyanide Management Code (40.64 )

Co announced that the Los Filos mine in Mexico has become fully certified under the International Cyanide Management Code for the Manufacture, Transport and Use of Cyanide in the Production of Gold ("the Cyanide Code").

08:08

On the Wires

Accenture (ACN) has signed a three-year application outsourcing contract with Norsk Hydro ASA, one of the world's leading integrated aluminum companies. The agreement covers support and maintenance of two of Hydro's SAP systems globally. Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) and Pfizer (PFE) report that preliminary results from the Phase 3 AVERROES clinical trial of the investigational drug apixaban compared with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, or aspirin) in patients with atrial fibrillation expected to be or demonstrated to be unsuitable for warfarin therapy will be presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2010... Arctic Cat (ACAT) entered into an agreement with TCF Commercial Finance Canada, Inc., in which TCF becomes the exclusive provider of inventory floorplan financing for Arctic Cat's Canadian dealers, effective immediately... VIVUS (VVUS) announced that data on Qnexa will be featured in two poster presentations at the European Society of Cardiology Congress Spotlight: Coronary Artery Disease... Global Ship Lease (GSL) announced that on August 24, 2010 all of its warrants issued in connection with the initial public offering of its predecessor Marathon Acquisition Corp. expired in accordance with their terms and are no longer outstanding.

08:08

AEO American Eagle reports EPS in-line, revs in-line; guides Q3 EPS in-line, comps below consensus (12.49 )

Reports Q2 (Jul) earnings of $0.13 per share, excluding non-recurring items, in-line with the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.13; revenues rose 0.8% year/year to $652 mln vs the $654.6 mln consensus; comps fell 1% vs the +1.0% consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q3, sees EPS of $0.23-0.26, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.26 Thomson Reuters consensus. Gross margin was 36.8% vs 39.3% last yr; merchandise margin fell 210 bps due to higher markdowns. 3Q10 OutlookMonth-to-date August comparable store sales are up ~1%, which is consistent with their plan for the back-to-school selling period. Co expects Q3 comparable store sales to be flat to down in the low single-digits vs the +1.0% consensus. This assumes a more conservative view of traffic following peak back-to-school shopping.

08:05

SYNO Synovis Life Tech reports EPS in-line, misses on revs (15.10 )

Reports Q3 (Jul) earnings of $0.13 per share, in-line with the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.13; revenues rose 17.1% year/year to $17.6 mln vs the $18.7 mln consensus.

08:04

CERP Cereplast entered into a multi-million dollar contract with RI.ME. Masterbatch S.r.l. (3.26 )

Co announced today that it has entered into a multi-million dollar contract with RI.ME. Masterbatch S.r.l., based in Mozzate, Italy, to supply bioplastic resins for use in its masterbatch process for adding colorant to bulk, uncolored resins. The new agreement supports RI.ME.'s commitment to offering its customers sustainable, environmental solutions in the design and production of masterbatches. Under the terms of the contract, Cereplast will supply its Compostable 3000 film grade for use in RI.ME.'s masterbatching processes for the production of items such as carry out bags and compostable trash bags. This film is designed to have an excellent balance of puncture strength, toughness, and can be processed on existing blown film extrusion machines. Cereplast Compostable 3000 is a proprietary patented formulation which includes Ingeo PLA and a copolyester from BASF. Cereplast will begin shipping its bio resins in September 2010 and is currently in discussions to extend the contract on other RI.ME. product lines. The initial contract runs through December, 2011.

08:03

CAVO Cavico Announces Tunnel Breakthrough at the A Luoi Hydropower Project (2.56 )

Co announced that its subsidiaries Cavico Bridge and Tunnel has broken-through the sub-tunnel at the A Luoi Hydropower project. Cavico excavated approximately 1,950 meters, or 6,400 feet, of tunnel from the sub-tunnel No. 1 to sub-tunnel No. 2.

08:03</p>

OB Onebeacon Insurance declares $2.50 per share special dividend in addition to their $0.21 per share regular dividend (14.13 )

08:03

CUR Neuralstem files FDA application for first chronic spinal cord injury stem cell trial (1.80 )

Co announces that it has filed an Investigational New Drug application with the United States Food and Drug Administration to begin a Phase I safety clinical trial for chronic spinal cord injury with its spinal cord stem cells. This multicenter Phase I safety trial will enroll a total of 16 long-term, or chronic, spinal cord injury patients, with an American Spinal Injury Association Grade A level of impairment, one-to-two years post-injury. ASIA A refers to a patient with no motor or sensory function in the relevant segments and is considered to be complete paralysis.

08:02

GRA W.R. Grace announces rare earth surcharge for FCC catalysts and additives (24.51 )

Co announced the implementation of a rare earth surcharge for its fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts and additives for the petroleum refining industry. Effective October 1, 2010, Grace will implement a global rare earth surcharge due to rapidly escalating prices as a result of recently imposed export tariffs and quota restrictions by major producers in the rare earth market. In addition, Grace will increase FCC catalyst prices by 5% to 7%, effective January 1, 2011, or as contracts allow, as a result of inflation in other key raw materials and to support ongoing research and technical service efforts. Grace is providing price guidance in advance to support customer budget preparations for 2011. Grace

08:01

ASIA AsiaInfo signs deal with Mfone in Cambodia (20.26 )

Co announces that it has entered into an agreement with Mfone to develop a Business Intelligence system for the operator.

07:54

DAL Delta Air Lines announces tender offers for pass through certificates and notes (9.96 )

As of the date of the Offer to Purchase, the current aggregate principal amount outstanding of the securities subject to the Any and All Offer is $340,188,659, and the current aggregate principal amount outstanding of the securities subject to the Dutch Auction Offer is $726,662,912, in each case excluding securities held by co. The principal amount of securities to be purchased in the Dutch Auction Offer will be equal to the amount, if any, by which the current principal amount outstanding of securities purchased through the Any and All Offer is less than $300 mln.

07:43

PRGO Perrigo receives FDA clearance to manufacture new infant formula liquid concentrate and ready-to-use products (57.50 )

Co announced it received FDA clearance on August 23, 2010 to manufacture infant formula liquid concentrate and ready-to-use products through its partner Kerry Proteins and Nutritionals located in Sainte Claire, Quebec.

07:37

AVA Avista reaches settlement in Washington electric and natural gas rate requests (20.56 )

Co and all other parties in the company's electric and natural gas rate case filings have reached a settlement agreement that, if approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, would resolve all issues in the cases and result in an overall electric increase of 7.2% in billed rates and a natural gas increase of 3.2% in billed rates. New rates would become effective 12/1/2010. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, annual electric revenues would increase by $29.5 million and natural gas annual revenues by $4.6 million.

07:31

On the Wires

Celera Corporation (CRA) announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a United States Patent relating to methods of determining heart attack risk by detecting the Ile4399Met genetic polymorphism in the protease-like domain of LPA....ZymoGenetics, Inc. (ZGEN) announced enrollment has been completed in the Phase 2b clinical trial with PEG-Interferon lambda and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C virus infection. ZymoGenetics is investigating PEG-Interferon lambda in collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY) for the treatment of HCV infection... Converted Organics (COIN) announced that proxy advisory firms have issued reports recommending that Converted Organics' Shareholders vote in favor of the TerraSphere Systems proposal found in the Special Meeting Proxy materials. The transaction is expected to make a significant positive impact to the combined company and strengthen the collective market-strength of Converted Organics.

07:30

CELG Celgene expects to receive a paragraph IV notification of an ANDA filing for REVLIMID (51.05 )

Co announced that information was posted on the FDA Web site indicating that an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) has been received by the Office of Generic Drugs (OGD) containing a "Paragraph IV" patent certification, for REVLIMID 25 mg capsules. Celgene has not yet received the Paragraph IV notification letter identifying the filer. Celgene intends to vigorously enforce its extensive intellectual property rights for REVLIMID and will file a complaint alleging infringement of Celgene patents after the notification letter is received.

07:27

BLTI Biolase Technology receives Deficiency Letter From NASDAQ; co is below minimum stockholders' equity requirement of $2.5 mln (1.00 )

Co reports that it received a letter on August 18, 2010 from NASDAQ, stating that BIOLASE is not in compliance with the NASDAQ Capital Market's minimum stockholders' equity continued listing requirement of $2.5 mln. As of June 30, 2010, BIOLASE's stockholders' equity was ~($1.3) mln. BIOLASE can submit a detailed plan of compliance by October 4, 2010, advising NASDAQ of the action BIOLASE has taken, or plans to take, that would bring it into compliance with this requirement.

07:26

WIRES On The Wires

Kraton Performance Polymers (KRA) initiated a project assessment, which includes site-selection activities, to identify options for building a new, hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer plant in Asia... AMR Corp (AMR) unit confirms the TWU-represented Maintenance Control Technicians (Technical Specialists) ratified their contract. These employees will realize immediate financial gains, along with more vacation days, holidays and sick time... Flextronics (FLEX) completed phase one of a two-phase build-out in Ganzhou, Jiangxi China to support its Power operations.

07:20

Heineken Holdings N.V. reports 1H10 EPS of EUR 1.34 vs EUR 1 in 1H09; revs +5.2% YoY to 7.5 bln

For the near term, Heineken remains cautious on the development of beer consumption in Europe and the USA due to continued weak consumer spending and planned austerity measures across many countries. Volume in Latin America, Africa and Asia is expected to continue to grow. Price increases in the first half of the year will continue to have a limited positive effect in the second half of 2010. Co expects the organic increase in net profit (beia) for the full year of 2010 to be at least in low double digits.

07:03

PERY Perry Ellis beats by $0.01, misses on revs; raises FY11 EPS, in-line; reaffirms FY11 revs guidance (20.47 )

Reports Q2 (Jul) loss of $0.15 per share, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.16); revenues rose 1.6% year/year to $161.8 mln vs the $163.8 mln consensus. Co issues guidance for FY11, raises EPS to $1.53-1.68 from $1.45-1.60 vs. $1.67 Thomson Reuters consensus; reaffirms FY11 revs of $775-795 mln vs. $783.23 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

07:03

CWTR Coldwater Creek beats by $0.06, beats on revs; guides Q3 EPS in-line; reaffirms FY11 EPS guidance (3.35 )

Reports Q2 (Jul) earnings of $0.02 per share, $0.06 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.04); revenues rose 12.6% year/year to $253.5 mln vs the $233.8 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q3, sees EPS of $0.01-0.04 vs. $0.03 Thomson Reuters consensus. Co says their expected results for the third quarter assume, among other things, a low single digit year-over-year increase in total net sales. Co reaffirms guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $0.08-0.12 vs. $0.06 Thomson Reuters consensus.

07:02

LAYN Layne Christensen acquires interest in South American geotechnical companies (24.67 )

Co announced the acquisition of a 50% interest in Diberil Sociedad Anonima, a Uruguayan company and parent company to Costa Fortuna (Brazil and Uruguay). Co's investment for its 50% interest included the purchase of shares from individuals for $10.1 mln and the purchase of shares directly from Diberil for $4.8 mln resulting in, net of co's interest in Diberil, an economic investment of $12.5 mln. Subsequent to the acquisition, both shareholders contributed $1.25 mln in cash for working capital. In addition, and as part of this transaction, Diberil purchased from co 100% of the stock of Layne GeoBrazil for $4.8 million.

07:01

SOMX Somaxon Pharma announces Silenor co-promotion agreement with Procter & Gamble (PG) (3.37 )

Co announces that co and Procter & Gamble have entered into a co-promotion agreement for Silenor (doxepin), a newly-approved treatment for insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep maintenance. Under the terms of the agreement, Somaxon and Procter & Gamble will co-promote Silenor with a combined 215 sales representatives in the U.S. market. Procter & Gamble's professional health care sales force will promote Silenor to targeted primary care and other high-prescribing physicians. Somaxon's focus will be on specialists and other top-decile physicians who treat insomnia. In addition, Procter & Gamble will promote Silenor to targeted pharmacies and will provide supplemental managed care support services for Silenor. Somaxon has also granted PG a right of first negotiation relating to rights to develop and market Silenor as an over-the-counter medication in the U.S.

06:44

SOHU Sohu.com's subsidiary, Changyou.com (CYOU), signs agreement to purchase an office building in Beijing for $146 mln cash (47.06 )

06:37

S&P futures vs fair value: -0.80. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -3.30.

06:37

Asian Markets

Nikkei...8845.39...-149.80...-1.70%. Hang Seng...20634.98...-23.70...-0.10%.

06:37

European Markets

FTSE...5134.38...-21.40...-0.40%. DAX...5918.95...-16.50...-0.30%.

06:33

ISPH Inspire Pharm announces amendment to Ophthalmic collaboration (4.49 )

Co announces it has entered into an Amended and Restated License, Development and Marketing Agreement with Allergan (AGN), which revises terms related to the PROLACRIA (diquafosol tetrasodium ophthalmic solution) 2% development program and Inspire's right to receive revenues from Allergan based on net sales of RESTASIS (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) 0.05% and any other human ophthalmic formulations of cyclosporine owned or controlled by Allergan. Under the amended agreement, which now runs through December 31, 2020, Inspire is entitled to receive revenues at one global rate based on net sales of RESTASIS(R) and any other human ophthalmic formulation of cyclosporine owned or controlled by Allergan, with no requirement to co-promote RESTASIS. The royalty rate for RESTASIS in the United States remains unchanged for the remainder of 2010. The annual global rate steps down from the 2010 U.S. rate by three percentage points in 2011, a further 0.25 percentage point in 2013, and a final 0.50 percentage point in 2014, remaining at this level through the end of the term in 2020.

06:12

TOL Toll Brothers beats by $0.30, beats on revs (16.19 )

Reports Q3 (Jul) earnings of $0.16 per share, $0.30 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.14); revenues fell 1.5% year/year to $454.2 mln vs the $393.4 mln consensus. The Company's contract cancellation rate (current-quarter cancellations divided by current-quarter gross signed contracts) was 6.2% in the third quarter of FY 2010, compared to 8.5% in FY 2009's third quarter. Co also says based on FY 2010's third-quarter-end backlog and the pace of activity at its communities, the Company currently estimates it will deliver between 560 and 760 homes in its fourth quarter, bringing total deliveries to 2,500 and 2,700 homes in FY 2010. It believes the average delivered price for FY 2010's fourth quarter will be between $560,000 and $570,000 per home. The Company estimates that its cost of sales as a percentage of revenues, before interest and write-downs, for the fourth quarter of FY 2010 will be approximately equal to or lower than FY 2009's comparable period. Based on lower projected revenues for FY 2010's final three months, compared to FY 2009's final three months, the Company expects SG&A expenses will be lower in absolute dollars but higher as a percentage of revenues than in the comparable FY 2009 period. In addition to interest expensed in cost of sales, the Company is likely to continue to have some interest directly expensed for the fourth quarter of FY 2010 because qualifying inventory will be lower than debt.

06:10

GBX Greenbrier Comp announces new railcar and refurbishment orders (9.51 )

Co announces that it has received orders in aggregate value of the new railcar orders and refurbishment work is ~$130 mln. To support these orders, Greenbrier will increase its workforce by 260 workers. The Company is in discussions with its largest marine customer about contracts in backlog due to an industry-wide slowdown in marine demand. This customer represents over 85% of the Company's marine backlog - approximately $75 million as of May 31, 2010. These discussions may result in cancellation, modification or postponement of the orders. Such an event is likely to occur, and any compensation or alternative production the Company receives may not be adequate to replace the lost revenue and margin.

03:29

EEE Evergreen Energy agrees to exchange a portion of its outstanding 2007 convertible debt (1.53 )

Co signs an agreement with certain holders of its 2007 Convertible Notes to exchange and retire ~$3.1 mln in outstanding debt and accrued interest for 981,250 shares of common stock on a post-split basis. This transaction reduces the $27.4 mln of notes due in August 2012 to $24.4 mln. The co is continuing its discussions with other 2007 bondholders to evaluate options for further reducing the remaining balance.

01:50

BERK Berkshire Bancorp to be acquired by Customers USA Bank (4.88 )

Customers USA Bank today announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Berkshire Bancorp and its subsidiary Berkshire Bank. This will be an all common stock transaction valued at tangible book value at the month end prior to closing. The merger is expected to close in the first quarter of 2011 with Customers USA Bank as the surviving institution and will require both regulatory and each Bank's shareholder approval. It is expected that this transaction will be mildly accretive to Customers USA Bank's earnings and will enhance its franchise.

18:15

Futures mixed in electronic trade after Nasdaq moves back into pos territory: S&P 500 futures -0.52 points from fair value of 1050.22; Nasdaq 100 futures +0.97 points from fair value of 1772.53

18:12

GLD December gold just under the unchanged line, currently down 0.90 cents at $1232.50 per ounce (120.36 +0.58)

18:11

USO October crude oil modestly lower in electronic trading, currently -0.18 cents at $71.45 per barrel (31.77 -0.66)

18:00

PCX Patriot Coal announced that Paul H. Vining is stepping down as President & Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately (10.39 -0.75)

Vining has agreed to continue in a senior advisory role at Patriot for a period which could extend through the end of this year. The Co also announced that Charles A. Ebetino, Jr. will assume the position of Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, with responsibility for all of Patriot's mining operations. Mr. Ebetino has served as Patriot's Senior Vice President - Corporate Development since its 2007 spin-off.

17:58

PMC PharMerica announces share repurchase program of up to $25 mln (6.93 -0.34)

17:20

Futures edge lower after hours: S&P 500 futures -1.52 points from fair value of 1050.22 and Nasdaq 100 futures -0.53 points from fair value of 1772.53

17:16

NI NiSource: NIPSCO, OUCC, other parties reach agreement on natural gas rate case settlement (16.68 +0.12) -Update-

NIPSCO will reduce its overall natural gas rates by $14.8 mln, based on a $5 mln reduction for residential customers and a $9.8 mln reduction for commercial and industrial customers. For NIPSCO's 660,000 residential natural gas customers, the reduction equates to a savings of ~$7.50 per year per customer. Rates for commercial and industrial classes will also be lower.

17:13

VAR Varian Medical Systems announces $225 mln accelerated stock repurchase; increases its revolving credit facility (52.08 -1.83)

Co announced that it has entered into an agreement to repurchase $225 mln of its common stock. Concurrently, the co amended its revolving credit facility with Bank of America N.A. to increase its borrowing capacity from $150-225 mln. Co said, This program will be accretive to earnings going forward, but will have a minimal impact on FY10.

17:03

BBX BankAtlantic Bancorp announces termination of offers to purchase and consent solicitations for all non-publicly traded trust preferred securities (1.25 -0.08)

Co announced that it is terminating its previously announced cash offers to purchase, and consent solicitations relating to, its twelve series of non-publicly traded trust preferred securities ("TruPS"), with an aggregate principal amount of $230 mln. Co also announced that it is dismissing the currently pending lawsuit it filed against The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee under an indenture of an issuer of collateralized debt obligations which holds $25.2 mln principal amount of TruPS.

17:02

NXG Northgate Minerals and BNP Paribas sign engagement letter for $100 mln project debt facility (2.83 )

Co announce that it has entered into an engagement letter with BNP Paribas for the purpose of establishing a $100 mln seven-year project debt facility for construction of Northgate's Young-Davidson Mine, located in northern Ontario.

17:01

VECO Veeco announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $200 mln of the Co's common stock over the next year (31.02 -0.09) -Update-

16:45

EPAY Bottomline Technologies awarded U.S. patent for invoice data capture capabilities (13.95 +0.02)

Co announced the issuance of a United States Patent for advanced image data capture technology facilitating the manner in which customers digitize paper invoices, reduce costs and streamline accounts payable processing.

16:32

GNK Genco Shipping & Trading Limited Takes Delivery of Two Drybulk Vessels (15.62 -0.41)

Co also announced that it has reached an agreement to enter into a time charter for the Genco Bourgogne with Setaf Saget SAS for 15-17.5 months at a rate of $19,900/day. Co has signed a novation agreement for Genco Bay's current spot market-related time charter with Cargill International S.A. for an initial duration of 34.5-37.5 months and the spot market-related time charter will have a floor of $8,500 and a ceiling of $13,500 daily

16:31

ORBC Orbcomm announced that Caterpillar (CAT) has renewed its agreement with ORBCOMM for satellite communication services for Product Link (1.98 +0.01)

16:30

AGAM AGA Medical files suit against W.L. Gore alleging patent infringement (14.58 -0.26)

Co filed a patent infringement lawsuit against W.L. Gore & Associates (Gore). Co is alleging that Gore is infringing AGA Medical's U.S. Patent No. 5,994,738 which covers certain transcatheter occlusion products for the treatment of structural heart defects. AGA Medical is seeking damages against Gore and a permanent injunction prohibiting them from manufacturing and selling the Gore HELEX Septal Occluder both in the United States and abroad.

16:30

CSTR Coinstar signs definitive agreement to sell its money transfer business to Sigue Corporation for $41.5 mln (46.45 -0.85)

Co and Sigue Corporation announced the signing of a definitive agreement for Sigue to purchase Coinstar's money transfer business. The aggregate purchase price is expected to be $41.5 million, which will be subject to a post-closing net working capital adjustment. The closing of the transaction is expected next year, subject to certain closing conditions and required regulatory approvals.

16:27

FMR First Mercury Financial extends existing Share Repurchase Program through August 19, 2011 (8.74 -0.01)

Co authorized the extension of existing Share Repurchase Program through August 19, 2011. The Share Repurchase Program authorizes the repurchase of up to 1.0 mln shares of outstanding common stock, which represents ~6 percent of outstanding shares at August 3, 2010. Prior to this extension, the Share Repurchase Program was set to expire on August 20, 2010.

16:12

QKLS QKL Stores provides update to its private label products; encouraged with development of private label business (4.22 -0.08)

Co announced an update to its private label products which are sold in co's existing retail stores. Co continues to focus on the development of its own company-owned, private label store brands which enhance gross profit margin, distinguishes it from its competitors, and improves the brand image of its stores. "With the existence of our new DC, we are now able to ensure that our private label brands are kept in stock at all times at our retail stores. Our private label business sells a wide array of items from far away locations that our customers really enjoy, including vinegar from the Shanxi Province, bedding materials from Nantong located in the Jiangsu Province, stainless steel accessories from Jieyang in the Guangzhou province and plastic products from Huangyan in the Zhejiang Province. We are encouraged with the development of our private label business and believe that the QKL's private label operations will become a major driver of additional sales and margin growth over the next several years."

16:06

PSUN Pacific Sunwear announces agreement to license the MODERN AMUSEMENT brand (4.05 -0.007) -Update-

16:06

ROVI Rovi signs Sky to an extended IPG patent license agreement (41.58 -1.72)

Co announces Sky (British Sky Broadcasting Limited) has extended the term of its existing license agreement with Rovi for interactive program guide patents. The multi-year agreement provides Sky with a license to the Rovi IPG patent portfolio for Sky's pay television service platforms. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

16:06

KBR KBR Inc. awarded two contracts by the Republic of Iraq Ministry of Oil (23.18 +0.50)

Co awarded two contracts by the Republic of Iraq Ministry of Oil through the South Refineries Company. KBR will provide licensing and basic engineering services for the construction of Fluid Catalytic Cracking and Solvent Deasphalting units at the planned grassroots Maissan Refinery in Maissan, Iraq.

16:05

TOPS Top Ships announces preliminary agreement with DVB Bank (0.69 -0.05)

Co announced that it has entered into a preliminary agreement with DVB Bank pursuant to which the co will obtain waivers for covenant breaches until the end of the year 2010 and will restructure the loan relating to the acquisition of the product tankers the M/T Ionian Wave and M/T Hongbo part of which was due to be repaid on July 30, 2010. Following this preliminary agreement, the co has made a partial repayment of $7.7 mln out of which $3.7 mln was funded by cash on hand and $4.0 mln by two unsecured bridge loan financing facilities with unrelated third parties. The preliminary agreement and restructuring of the DVB loans is subject to definitive documentation which is expected to provide, among other things, for repayment of the remaining amount of the DVB bridge loan in quarterly installments through June 2015 and termination of the pledge to DVB of 12.5 mln shares of the co's common stock.

16:05

DY Dycom reports EPS in-line, beats on revs (8.50 +0.09)

Reports Q4 (Jul) earnings of $0.12 per share, in-line with the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.12; revenues rose 4.4% year/year to $281.5 mln vs the $273.8 mln consensus.

16:05

GYRO Gyrodyne Co. of America: Court of claims enters judgment in condemnation case; finding in favor of Gyrodyne of $125 million plus statutory interest (80.37 +1.37)

Co announced that the Court of Claims entered judgment on August 17, 2010 with respect to the Court's recent finding in favor of Gyrodyne of $125 million plus statutory interest. deadline for serving a notice of appeal in this case is September 20, 2010. The gross amount of recovery calculated by the Court in the judgment includes the $26,315,000 advance payment previously made by the State plus interest thereon. Accordingly, the State would be required to pay Gyrodyne $98,685,000 plus statutory interest through the date of payment.

16:03

PSUN Pacific Sunwear drops 5.7% to $3.82 following earnings/guidance (4.05 -0.07) -Update-

16:03

PAY Verifone beats by $0.06, beats on revs; guides Q4 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus (22.42 -0.01)

Reports Q3 (Jul) earnings of $0.36 per share, $0.06 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.30; revenues rose 23.7% year/year to $261 mln vs the $248.8 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for Q4, sees EPS of $0.35-0.36 vs. $0.31 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q4 revs of $258-263 mln vs. $253.09 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

16:02

CERS Cerus signs agreement to acquire INTERCEPT blood system Asian commercial rights from BioOne; BioOne will receive approximately 1.17 mln shares of Cerus' common stock valued at approximately $3.08/share (2.92 -0.06)

Co announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire BioOne Corporation's commercialization rights for the INTERCEPT Blood System for platelets and plasma, subject to approval of the transaction by BioOne's shareholders. Under terms of the agreement, BioOne will receive approximately 1,170,000 shares of Cerus' common stock valued at approximately $3.08 per share, and Cerus will relinquish its equity interest in BioOne.

16:02

NSPH Nanosphere acquires the rights to intellectual properties for $4 mln; settles patent litigation (3.06 -0.02)

Co announced that Nanosphere has acquired certain patents and patent rights of Eppendorf on a global basis for $4 million, while providing a limited license back to service existing Eppendorf customers and licenses previously issued that relate to the purchased patents and patent rights. As part of the transaction, the companies settled a patent litigation dispute.

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