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

Mar 17, 2010 (Briefing.com via COMTEX) -- Hourly In Play (R)

Updated: 17-Mar-10 16:00 ET

15:48

IYR Sector relative strength -Technical-

Sectors displaying some relative strength (outperforming the S&P) as the market averages edge off the lows has been noted in REITs IYR, Finance XLF / RKH, Retail XRT.

15:45

EWT Late day global & sector ETF view -Technical-

Actively Traded Leading Global & Sector ETF Plays:

iShares Taiwan- EWT +2.0%, Coal- KOL +1.75%, iShares S Korea- EWY +1.75%, Semis- XSD +1.75%, SMH +1.25%, IGW +1.50%, Base metals- DBB +1.50%, iShares telecom- IYZ +1.25%, Crude/WTI oil- USO +1.0%, OIL +1.25%, Commercial banks- KBE +1.25%, Insurers- KIE +1.25%, Regional banks- KRE +1.25%, iShares REITS- ICF +1.0%, RBOB gas- UGA +1.25%, China 25- FXI +1.25%

Actively Traded Lagging Global & Sector ETF Plays:

VIX vol index- VXX -3.0%, Nat gas- UNG -1.50%, US airlines- FAA -1.0%, iShares Brazil- EWZ -0.75%, Gold- GLD -0.75%, Steel- SLX -0.50%, Biotech- BBH -0.50%, XBI -0.50%, IBB -0.50%, Ag/chem- MOO -0.50%, Euro currency shares- FXE -0.25%

15:44

Earnings Calendar

Today after the close look for the following companies to report: CLC, GES, MLHR, IHS, NKE, and STRI. Tomorrow before the open look for the following companies to report: CRAI, FDX, GME, MCS, NWY, ROST, SCVL, SMRT, VIP, and WGO.

15:43

ECBE ECB Bancorp announces Q1 dividend of $0.07, down from $0.1825 (11.50 +0.14)

"The reduction in the dividend will permit us to retain additional earnings and will add to the company's current strong capital position and support our continued organic growth as well as any opportunity to grow through acquisitions. The dividend announced for first quarter 2010 is reflective of historical dividends as a percentage of earnings paid to our shareholders for the past 20 years prior to the economic downturn and recession of recent years. Going forward the Board of Directors has indicated it plans to review the dividend on a quarterly basis and adjust it appropriately based on future earnings and economic conditions."

15:39

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

May corn closed higher by 7.25 cent to $3.74 per bushel, May soybeans closed higher by 14 cents at $9.59 per bushel, May wheat closed higher by 9 cents to $4.96 per bushel, June ethanol closed higher by $0.046 cents at $1.59, May world sugar futures closed 0.09 cents lower to 18.33 cents.

15:24

GILT Gilat Satellite announces agreement to acquire Raysat Antenna Systems (5.80 -0.05)

Co announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Raysat Antenna Systems, (provider of Satcom On The Move antenna solutions. The consideration for the acquisition is $25 million in cash and is expected to be completed within four to six months. Upon completion of the acquisition, RAS's U.S. operation will operate under Spacenet Integrated Government Solutions (SIGS), a U.S.-based subsidiary of Gilat. The acquisition is not expected to have a significant effect on Gilat's 2010 outlook with respect to earnings.

15:23

SPY Stock indices extend pullback off afternoon/52-wk highs -- Dow +25, S&P +3.4, Nasdaq +6.8 -Update- -Technical-

An intraday support for the S&Pin the 1162 area has been tested in recent trade.

15:09

TOL Toll Brothers has purchased ~3,000 home sites in the last 4 months (20.41 -0.02)

Co has stepped up its land buying activities. In the last four months, the Company has purchased or put under control approximately 3,000 home sites via mortgage note purchases and direct acquisitions of real estate. Most recently, co purchased Hasentree in Wake Forest, North Carolina, the area's premier residential golf course community. The seller was a financial institution. Toll Brothers acquired the community's remaining 318 home sites, its Tom Fazio designed golf course, walking trails and 13,000-square-foot Family Activity Club. The Company plans to immediately resume work on the community and has also placed other properties in the area under contract.

15:07

AJG Arthur J. Gallagher acquires Winn & Company Insurance Brokers; Terms of the transaction were not disclosed (25.54 +0.05)

15:01

TRI Thomson Reuters acquires expert witness provider Round Table Group (37.14 +0.23)

Co acquired Round Table Group, a leading provider of expert witness consulting services to litigators. Round Table Group will be aligned with the litigation businesses within the US Core Legal division, and will be led by Allison Guidette, vice president and general manager of Litigation.

14:58

GRMN NASADQ 100 (NDX) leaders & laggards moving into today's final hour of trading -Technical-

NDX 100 Best % Performers:

GRMN +5.75%, LINTA +2.75%, DELL +2.25%, CELF +2.25%, CERN +2.0%, FAST +2.0%, NVDA +2.0%, NIHD +1.75%, MICC +1.75%, INFY +1.75%, PCAR +1.75%

NDX 100 Worst % Performers:

CTXS -3.50%, VRTX -2.50%, SNDK -1.50%, APOL -1.50%, BIDU -1.50%, SYMC -1.25%, GILD -1.0%, DTV -1.0%, URBN -1.0%, WYNN -1.0%, JBHT -1.0%, ILMN -1.0%

NASDAQ TRIN @ +0.95

NASDAQ A/D @ 660

14:56

SPY Stock indices extending intraday slide off afternoon/52-wk highs -- Dow +48, S&P +6.1, Nasdaq +10.5 -Update- -Technical-

14:53

AA Dow 30 (INDU) leaders & laggards moving into today's final hour of trading -Technical-

INDU 30 Best % Performers:

AA +5.75%, CAT +1.50%, DD +1.50%, XOM +1.50%, BAC +1.50%, JPM +1.25%, CVX +1.0%

INDU 30 Worst % Performers:

MRK -0.50%, PFE -0.50%, UTX -0.25%, IBM -0.25%, DIS -0.25%

NYSE TRIN @ +0.85

NYSE A/D @ +1460

14:46

MMR McMoRan Expl announces apparent high bids on 17 blocks on the shelf of the Gulf of Mexico (16.36 +0.22)

Co announced the results of its participation in the Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 213 held by the Minerals Management Service on March 17, 2010. McMoRan submitted apparent high bids on 17 of 19 blocks on the Shelf totaling $9.4 million. Apparent high bids are subject to a review process before they can be awarded. If granted, the lease acquisitions would add ~75,000 gross acres to McMoRan's leasehold inventory, which currently approximates one million gross acres, including 140,000 gross acres associated with the ultra-deep gas play.

14:43

TECHX NASDAQ COMPQ & NDX 100 lead the relative weakness category vs. peers this afternoon as they slide to new afternoon lows in aggressive fashion -Technical-

COMPQ +13.50

INDU +61

SPX +7.80

14:39

COMDX NYMEX Energy Closing Prices

Crude settled higher by $1.23 to $82.93, nat gas shed 5 cents to close at $4.297, heating oil gained 2.34 cents to finish at $2.1377 and RBOB gasoline ended up 3.4 cents to $2.309 (all April contracts).

14:38

TECHX Trading volume analysis with chart-- NYSE & NASDAQ pacing ahead of yesterday's total thus far as the indices all trade in new YTD/52 wk. high territory -Technical-

Total exchange trading volume at this point in the session is tracking ahead of yesterdays pace as all major stock market indices move into new 52 wk. high territory in unison, with the INDU average the final index to confirm earlier today. Today's price/volume pattern relationship comes on the heels of yesterday's 'bullish accumulation' pattern on both NYSE & NASDAQ, mostly seen after the FOMC announcement was digested in late afternoon trading. At this point, we are witnessing follow-through accumulation by mutual funds & hedge funds with prices rising on higher volume.

As of 2:30p.m. ET, nearly 597.5M shares have traded on NYSE vs. 560M yesterday, a nearly +6.5% increase, while over on NASDAQ, 1.55B shares have changed hands vs. 1.45B yesterday, an increase of nearly +7.25%

NYSE 60 min trading volume chart

NASDAQ 60 min trading volume chart

14:29

COMDX Crude oil rallies into the close to put in session highs, at $83.09, with about 1 min left in pit trade; currently higher by $1.20 to $82.90

14:26

WFC Wells Fargo: Wachovia Bank confirms it settled previously disclosed compliance matters (30.65 +0.37)

Wachovia Bank confirms that it has entered into agreements with the U.S. Department of Justice and banking regulators concerning previously disclosed compliance matters that occurred prior to its acquisition by Wells Fargo. The agreements address Wachovia's Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering compliance program and primarily relate to customer accounts held by Mexican money exchange houses in Wachovia's Global Financial Institutions and Trade Services division between 2004 and 2007. As part of the agreements, Wachovia will pay a total of $160 million. Wells Fargo learned about these matters before acquiring Wachovia and established reserves in prior periods that will fully cover the settlement amounts.

14:13

ITT ITT Industries awarded $125 mln U.S. Army Contract (53.68 +0.47)

Co has been awarded a contract to provide supply, food service, transportation, public works, community service, medical, safety, environmental, fire, and postal operations support at Camp As Sayliyah and other facilities in Qatar. The award is for a one-year base period with options for four additional years and has a total value of approximately $125 mln with all options exercised.

14:01

MACE Mace Security sells Lubbock, Texas car wash for $750,000 (0.95 0.00)

Co announced that it has sold a car wash facility located in Lubbock, Texas. With the sale, the co currently has seven remaining car washes. The sales price for the Lubbock car wash was $ 750,000 with the co netting $ 733,000 in cash after closing costs.

13:54

F Ford Motor: Moody's upgrades Ford Motor and Ford Credit; both on review for further upgrade (13.82 +0.32)

13:37

IBM IBM notches minor new session high of 128.93, hovering modestly under its early March peak at 129.09 (128.85 +0.18) -Technical-

13:33

COMDX COMEX Metals CLosing prices

April gold ended higher by $2.30 to $1124.80, May silver closed up 10.1 cents to $17.455 and May copper gained 5.3 cents finish at $3.418.

13:31

CHG CH Energy's central Hudson conducting self-assessment phase of storm response (41.43 +0.02)

Co conducting a formal and comprehensive self-assessment to enhance the effectiveness of its storm emergency plan and to identify opportunities where performance may be improved in future emergencies. Service was interrupted to 90,000 customers at first and then 150,000 customers at peak; in total more than 200,000 customers were impacted by more than 5,000 individual outage incidents. The utility preliminarily estimates the incremental cost to restore electric service to the more than 200,000 customers was approximately $20 million, based on estimates and vendor invoices received to date. Nearly 80 percent of these costs relate to the mutual aid crews that played a vital role in the timely restoration of electric service.

13:31

ID L-1 Identity Solutions awarded contract valued at $6.5 million provides secure enrollment process and more durable identification cards (9.40 +0.14)

Co is enhancing the security of health and welfare programs administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services by providing a new ABIS (Automated Biometric Identification System) solution for faster and more accurate capture and matching that decreases identity-related fraud. L-1 also is producing a more durable benefit card that extends the life of the credential. The six-year contract from the Connecticut Department of Social Services is valued at $6.5 million. The contract was awarded in Q4 2009 and the solution will be deployed in 2010.

13:30

YHOO Yahoo! to acquire Citizen Sports (16.60 +0.26)

Co announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Citizen Sports, a co that brings the world of sports to fans' favorite social networking sites and mobile devices through innovative applications. This acquisition will strengthen Yahoo!'s social strategy of enriching, aggregating and distributing social content from across the entire Web, and offering a highly customizable social experience. Yahoo! expects to complete this acquisition in the second quarter of 2010. Financial terms were not disclosed.

13:22

SPY After several hours of very confined trade the stock indices have inched up to fractional new highs -- Dow +57, S&P +7.7, Nasdaq +15.9 -Technical-

13:10

DEJ Dejour Enterprises records two new discoveries at Woodrush (0.35 -0.01)

Co announces new oil and gas discoveries at its 75% owned Woodrush project in the Peace River Arch, NE British Columbia. Two wells were drilled based on the preliminary interpretation of a new 3D seismic program acquired and processed during this winter's drilling season. The first discovery (A-A91-H/94-H-02) was drilled to 4000', encountered 8 meters of good quality (14% porosity) Gething Sand. The well was perforated on March 12, and flowed for four hours at rates as high as 950 thousand cubic feet per day during clean up operations. operations. Gathering lines to the production facility are being laid with production to commence prior to month end at a production rate anticipated by management to be in excess of 1 mln cubic feet gas per day. Management believes that this new gas discovery will be subject to a net 2% royalty under the new BC Government royalty incentive program for the first 12 months of production. The second well (A-1-I/94-H-02) was also drilled to 4000' over a separate feature north of Dejour's Halfway discovery in well (D-91-H). This well encountered five meters of highly porous (21-24%) sand in the halfway section with a log calculated oil saturation of 80%. Logs on this well also indicated the presence of a productive Gething section above the Halfway sand. Casing is now being set and the well is anticipated to be completed and tested in the Halfway later this week. Results of the well test will be forthcoming.

13:02

S Sprint Nextel and Axeda announce alliance for global M2M solutions using the Sprint 3G network and the Axeda Platform (3.62 +0.16) -Update-

12:52

European Markets Closing Prices: FTSE: 5641.9 +21.5 +0.4%, DAX: 6022.0 +51.0 +0.9%, CAC: 3957.9 +18.9 +0.5%, Portugal's PSI: +1.9%, Spain's IBEX: +1.0%

12:45

KOL Midday global & sector ETF view -Technical-

Actively Traded Leading Global & Sector ETF Plays:

Coal- KOL +2.75%, iShares Taiwan- EWT +2.25%, iShares S Korea- EWY +2.0%, Insurers- KIE +2.0%, Semis- XSD +1.75%, IGW +1.50%, SMH +1.25%, China 25- FXI +1.75%, SPDRS metals & mining- XME +1.75%, Casinos- BJK +1.50%, Commercial banks- KBE +1.50%, iShares Hong Kong- EWH +1.25%, Emerging mkts- EEM +1.25%, Regional banks- KRE +1.25%, iShares Telecom- IYZ +1.0%

Actively Traded Lagging Global & Sector ETF Plays:

VIX vol index- VXX -3.0%, Nat gas- UNG -1.25%, Biotech- XBI -0.50%, IBB -0.50%, BBH -0.75%, Gold- GLD -0.50%, US airlines- FAA -0.50%, SPDRS healthcare- XLV -0.25%

12:44

MGM MGM Mirage confirms settlement agreement approved in New Jersey MGM MIRAGE to sell interest in the Borgata Hotel & Casino (12.38 +0.08) -Update-

Co confirms that the New Jersey Casino Control Commission approved the settlement agreement between the co and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement under which the co will sell its 50% ownership interest in the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and related leased land in Atlantic City. Co owns the Borgata through a 50-50 joint venture with Boyd Gaming (BYD) whose interest is not affected by the settlement. Under the terms of the settlement, co will place its interest in the Borgata and related leased land in a divestiture trust. The settlement mandates the sale of the trust property within a 30-month period. During the first 18 months, co will have the right to direct the trustee to sell the trust property. If a sale is not concluded by that time, the trustee will be responsible for selling co's interest in the Borgata and related leased land during the following 12-month period. Co will be the sole economic beneficiary of the trust and will be permitted to reapply for a New Jersey gaming license beginning 30 months after the completion of the sale.

12:40

COMDX Gold trades to its lowest levels of the session at $1121.00; now down 70 cents to $1121.80

12:26

TWTC Time Warner Tcom announces early tender results and receipt of consents from a majority of holders of its 9 1/4% senior notes due 2014 (18.42 +0.28)

Co announced that its subsidiary, tw telecom holdings, has received and accepted for purchase approximately $366.5 mln aggregate principal amount of the co's outstanding 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2014 validly tendered by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 16, 2010, and has received consents from holders of approximately 91.6% of the Notes as of the Consent Date. is today revising the terms of the tender offer such that holders who tender their notes after the consent date and prior to the tender expiration time of 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on March 30, 2010 will receive tender offer consideration of $1,030.83 for every $1,000 of principal amount of notes tendered, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Pursuant to the tender offer, such holders will not have withdrawal rights with regard to their tendered Notes. tw telecom also is simultaneously announcing that the co is irrevocably calling for redemption on March 31, 2010 all Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of the tender offer at the redemption price of $1,030.83 for every $1,000 of principal.

12:07

DE Deere pushes to new session high of 59.75 probes last week's high of 59.78 (59.72 +0.80) -Technical-

Note that its March peak/52-wk close high from Jan is modestly above at 59.95 with the Jan/52-wk intraday high at 60.16.

11:52

DIA Minor new session high for Dow +46 and S&P +6.9, Nasdaq +13 has not yet confirmed -Update- -Technical-

11:40

DMC Thinly traded Document Security Systems reported earlier that it was awarded new European and Canadian digital prism technology patents (4.00 +0.08)

Co has been issued nine new patents covering seven European Countries and Canada. All patents are associated with DSS's new digital "Prism" authentication and anti-counterfeiting technology. In addition to "Smart Cards," Prism also can protect labels, packaging, documents, currency and vital records.

11:28

Rumor Round Up

Today saw the first slow down in rumor activity in a long time. At the open Map Pharma (MAPP 16.70 +0.08) spiked as a rumor circulated that the co could be a takeover tgt. MAPP shares were not able to hold onto their gains. It was rumored that Hanmi Financial (HAFC 2.55 +0.00) could be taken private; however HAFC shares did not react materially to the rumor. 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.

11:20

QQQQ New session high for Nasdaq Comp +13, S&P 500 +6.5 and Dow +51 -Technical-

Relative sector strength on this move has been noted in Semi SMH, Finance XLF / RKH, Housing XHB, Industrial XLI, Rail, Gold Miners GDX, REITs IYR.

11:09

KG King Pharms announces US Department of Justice $42.5 mln Settlement (12.38 -0.11)

Co announced that its subsidiaries, Alpharma and Alpharma Pharmaceuticals, have finalized a civil settlement with the United States Department of Justice and the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland resolving a previously disclosed investigation into Alpharma's sales and marketing activities. As part of the overall resolution of the investigation, Alpharma also agreed to enter into separate civil settlement agreements with states that decide to participate in the settlement. The settlement does not constitute an admission by Alpharma or King of any liability or wrongdoing. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Alpharma has agreed to pay federal and state authorities $42.5 mln plus accrued interest, the full amount of which has been reserved.

11:04

GS Goldman Sachs shares test the YTD closing high @ 177.67 with traders also watching the YTD intraday highs just above @ 178.75 (177.70 +1.51) -Technical-

HoD now @ 177.75

11:00

CIDM Cinedigm Digital Cinema announces agreements with Starplex Cinemas for Phase 2 deployment program (1.59 +0.04)

Co announced Starplex Cinemas will participate in its Phase 2 digital cinema deployment program by transitioning 102 screens from analog to digital cinema projectors. Starplex will become Cinedigm Certified in 8 locations and will use Cinedigm's proven technology solutions.

11:00

AMIN American Intl Industries subsidiary receives $700,000 cash settlement (1.04 +0.01)

Co announced that a settlement has been reached and a payment of $700,000 has been received by Delta Seaboard Well Service, a subsidiary of American International Industries. The settlement was a result of litigation brought by Delta against certain of its insurance companies for their failure to obtain appropriate insurance coverage and misrepresentation of the coverage it did obtain for Delta. This settlement is related to prior litigation between Delta and Fort Apache Energy, Inc.

10:55

COMDX Crude oil drops quickly back towards flat line; currently higher by 12 cents to $81.82

10:51

MITI Micromet closes $80.5 mln offering; sold a total of 11.5 mln shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $7.00 per share (7.49 -0.10)

10:47

QQQQ Tight range trade near highs over last hour for stock indices -- Dow +36, S&P +5, Nasdaq +10.9 -Technical-

10:42

STO StatoilHydro to start a process to list its energy and retail business on the Oslo Stock Exchange (23.26 +0.06)

Co has decided to start a process to list its energy and retail business on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Further to the announcement made on the 3rd of February 2010, Statoil's Board of Directors has approved the proposal to create a stand-alone Energy & Retail (E&R) business through an initial public offering (IPO) on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The IPO will take place at the earliest in the fourth quarter of 2010 or at a time when the capital market is deemed favourable for such an offering. Statoil intends to remain a majority shareholder of E&R at the time of the initial public offering and listing. The size and time horizon of Statoil's future ownership in E&R will be tailored to support and develop company value both for E&R and for the Statoil Group.

10:39

KFT Kraft Foods plans to reduce sodium by an average of 10% across its North American portfolio over the next two years (29.55 -0.13)

10:39

SMH Semiconductors Hldrs continue to pace the way higher (27.90 +0.24) -Technical-

The SMH lagged the overall market off the Jan high and again on the move off the late Feb lows. It paced the way higher yesterday and it once again providing leadership this morning. Top performing components include: LSI +11.7%, AMD +1.6%, ATML +1.2%, MU +1.2%, NVLS +1.2%, TER +1.7%.

10:37

PED Petroflow Energy announces reserve changes (0.27 -0.01)

Co received its independent oil and gas reserve report for the year ended December 31, 2009 from Haas Petroleum Engineering Services. Due to the uncertainty regarding the status of the farmout agreement between Petroflow and Enterra Energy Trust, the Company's proved undeveloped (PUD) and Probable reserves within the Area of Mutual Interest (AMI) as defined in Petroflow's farmout agreement with Enterra have not been included. As a result of the exclusion, a reduction of ~$40.9 mln PUD and Probable (at escalated pricing) reserves has been removed from the Company's report. Under Canadian GAAP reserve reporting, no impairment is required. Petroflow's 2009 year end total proved net present worth discounted at 10% per annum before income taxes using escalated pricing is ~$213.9 mln as compared to a total proved net present worth discounted at 10% of ~$400.2 mln for the year ended December 31, 2008, as previously reported. Proved and Probable reserves using escalated pricing had a future net present worth discounted at 10% per annum of ~$234.3 mln.

10:35

KOL 1st hour global & sector ETF view -Technical-

Actively Traded Leading Global & Sector ETF Plays:

Coal- KOL +2.0%, iShares S Korea- EWY +1.75%, iShares Taiwan- EWT +1.75%, Semis- XSD +1.75%, IGW +1.25%, SMH +1.0%, Insurers- KIE +1.50%, China 25- FXI +1.50%, SPDRS metals & mining- XME +1.25%, Base metals- DBB +1.25%, RBOB gas- UGA +0.75%, iShares Hong Kong- EWH +1.0%, Energy- XLE +1.0%, IYE +1.0%, REgional banks- KRE +1.0%, Emerging mkts- EEM +1.0%

Actively Traded Lagging Global & Sector ETF Plays:

VIX vol index- VXX -3.0%, Nat gas- UNG -1.0%, Biotech- BBH -0.75%, IBB -0.25%, US airlines- FAA -0.50%, SPDRS healthcare- XLV -0.25%, Yen currency shares- FXY -0.25%, SPDRS retailers- XRT -0.25%, Euro currency shares- FXE -0.25%

10:31

OIH Crude oil ticks towards highs following release of inventory data; now up 88 cents to $82.58

10:28

GRMN 1st hour NASDAQ 100 (NDX) leaders & laggards -Technical-

NDX 100 Best % Performers:

GRMN +3.75%, ADBE +2.25%, MICC +2.25%, NVDA +1.75%, DELL +1.50%, YHOO +1.50%, ADSK +1.50%, ORCL +1.50%, MSFT +1.25%, XLNX +1.25%

NDX 100 Worst % Performers:

CTXS -3.25%, ESRX -1.25%, APOL -1.0%, WCRX -1.0%, BBBY -1.0%, WYNN -0.75%, DISH -0.75%, GILD -0.75%, DTV -0.75%, MRVL -0.75%, AMGN -0.75%

NASDAQ TRIN @ +1.05

NASDAQ A/D @ +525

10:26

FDX FedEx slips back off high after filling the Dec gap (89.31 +0.66) -Technical-

The top of its Dec gap is at 89.75 (intraday low) with the close at 89.95 (today's high is 89.95).

10:24

AA 1st hour Dow 30 (NIDU) leaders & laggards -Technical-

INDU 30 Best % Performers:

AA +4.0%, XOM +1.50%, TRV +1.25%, MSFT +1.0%, CVX +1.0%, JPM +0.75%, BAC +0.75%

INDU 30 Worst % Performers:

WMT -0.50%, BA -0.50%, IBM -0.25%, MRK -0.25%, KO -0.25%

NYSE TRIN @ +0.60

NYSE A/D @ +1290

10:24

POT Ag chem issues continuing to display opening relative weakness here -- POT, AGU, MON, MOS, CF, IPI (126.66 -0.36) -Update- -Technical-

10:12

HON Honeywell reverses back into the red after short lived breach of its Jan high at 43.21 -- session high 43.37 (42.96 -0.07) -Technical-

10:11

OMNI OMNI Energy Srvs sees FY10 EPS of $0.09-0.21 (1.88 -0.03)

Co is correcting its previously announced 2010 guidance. On March 15, 2010, co provided guidance for 2010 and also filed 8-k disclosing that OMNI would be making a presentation. In its press release, OMNI reported 2010 guidance as it relates to earnings per share on a fully diluted basis of a range from $0.14 to $0.16, while in its investor presentation materials OMNI provided guidance that the earnings per share on a fully diluted basis would range from $0.12 to $0.24. OMNI is correcting this inconsistency and announcing 2010 guidance for earnings per share on a fully diluted basis to a range of $0.09 to $0.21. All other aspects of the earnings release are unaffected by this correction.

10:02

CVX Chevron edges above 50-day sma, vacillating slightly under its March high at 74.91 -- session high 74.81 (74.78 +0.80) -Technical-

It stalled near this moving average early in the month as it reached 74.91 but it has cleared in recent action.

10:02

ENZ Enzo Biochem announces supply and distribution agreement with Cancer Genetics (6.25 +0.08)

Co announced a supply and distribution agreement between Enzo Life Sciences and privately-owned Cancer Genetics, a leading producer of nucleic acid products used in genomic research. This agreement covers Enzo's proprietary fluorescent dye labels for increasing signal intensity in labeling nucleic acids. The non-exclusive agreement enables Enzo Life Sciences to incorporate its proprietary labeling to increase specificity for CGI's nucleic acid material that it purchases and supplies to the research market. The Enzo labeling in essence affords the CGI probe greater visual sensitivity and the potential for improved clinical value and patient outcomes.

10:01

FUQI Fuqi Intl attempts to hold the 12.00 level off the open as it pushes back toward gap down highs near the 12.50 area (12.40 -6.55) -Update- -Technical-

10:01

NEXM NexMed announces the ability of its NexACT Technology to deliver insulin and Taxol subcutaneously in a depot-like fashion (0.49 +0.01)

Co announced that pre-clinical results from the research and development group at its Bio-Quant subsidiary have successfully demonstrated the ability of the NexACT technology to deliver insulin and other large molecule drugs such as Taxol subcutaneously, in a depot-like fashion (or slow release) over a 24 hour period from a single injection. Specifically, rodents that received insulin injections incorporating the NexACT technology showed bio-equivalency to Lantus(R) in controlling glucose levels in the blood. Further studies in rodents showed that NexACT was able to deliver Taxol subcutaneously in levels similar to those previously observed in NexACT-based oral Taxol formulation without any apparent toxicity. Lantus, a product of Sanofi Aventis (SNY), is a commonly prescribed insulin injection for treating diabetes.

10:00

MDT Medtronic completes pre-market approval submission to FDA for Arctic Front cardiac CryoAblation catheter system (45.17 +0.05)

Co announced it has completed Pre-Market Approval (PMA) submission in consideration for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the Medtronic Arctic Front(R) Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter System, which is designed for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), an irregular quivering of the upper chambers of the heart that starts and stops on its own.

09:58

DIA New session high for Dow, testing the Jan/52-wk peak at 10729 -- session high 10728 -Update- -Technical-

09:54

UUP Dollar Index testing day session/overnight highs after holding at support -Technical-

See The Technical Take for Dollar Index chart.

09:49

KIE SPDR KBW Insurance gaps up to new yearly high, providing early leadership -Technical-

The KIE has gapped higher and extended with top performing components led by: HIG +5% and PFG +1.7%, PRU +1.7%. Also firmer are: XL +1.4%, AFL +1.1%, AMP +1.1%, CB +0.9%, GNW +0.9%, MET +1.2%.

09:48

TECHX Opening Point Gainers/Losers -Technical-

Point Gainers: BLK (+12.73), ABII (+12.40), RTP (+5.68), MEE (+2.92), WLT (+2.23), PLCM (+2.46), WLT (+2.17), MLM (+2.02), UFS (+1.65), MICC (+1.74), MDCO (+1.81), LLEN (+1.46), JACK (+1.50)

Point Losers: FUQI (-7.11), BIDU (-4.11), VIVO (-3.49), CAGC (-1.80), UVE (-1.20), CSKI (-1.20), FTBK (-1.14), TOO (-1.05), SHPGY (-1.03)

09:46

NDAQ NASDAQ acquires Nord Pool ASA; Financial terms were not disclosed (20.44 +0.20)

09:41

GYMB Gymboree minor early run pauses modestly below its six month high from last week at 51.94 -- session high 51.84 (51.71 +0.07) -Technical-

The initial slip off the opening high has been able to hold above support in the 51.50 area. Resistance above is at its 52-wk peak from Sep at 52.31.

09:38

MEE Massey Energy extends its gap up open higher as it breaks above its Jan-Mar range/52-wk high of 51.24 (52.80 +2.08) -Update- -Technical-

Note that co. is currently on call.

09:37

KBH KB Home edges to new high for the week of 17.80, last week's six month peak is at 17.90 (17.77 +0.21) -Technical-

Note that the Sep gap comes into play at 17.97/18.13.

09:32

DIA Dow firmer off the open, approaches its 52-wk close/intraday highs from Jan at 10725/10729 -- session high 10718 -Technical-

09:31

ICOP ICOP Digital announces live streaming patent awarded to ICOP (0.37 +0.02)

Co announced that on March 16, 2010, ICOP was issued patent number US 7,680,947 B2 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark office for a technology used in their live streaming application, ICOP LIVE . This important differentiating technology provides the delivery of real-time situational awareness, for mobile video and audio, to first responders. Specifically, the patent is directed to an apparatus for sharing and communication of video and other surveillance related multimedia data by live streaming of video and other data from an emergency response unit to a variety of devices and other emergency response units.

09:30

COIN Converted Organics ships liquid organic fertilizer to agriculture market distributor (0.97 -0.01)

Co shipped its LC 1-1-1 liquid organic fertilizer to Liberty Acres Fertilizer Corporation, a leading single-source fertilizer company that services the East Coast agriculture market from five strategically-located distribution centers in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Liberty Acres, a division of B.B. Hobbs Company, Inc., supports the fertigation needs of fresh fruit and vegetable growers from Florida to Delaware who utilize drip irrigation systems.

09:27

IDRA Idera Pharma announces acceptance of IMO-2125 abstracts for presentation at EASL annual meeting (4.95 )

Co announces that two abstracts related to its Toll-like Receptor 9 agonist, IMO-2125, were accepted for presentation at the 45th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver in Vienna, Austria, April 14-18, 2010. IMO-2125 is being evaluated for potential applications in chronic hepatitis C virus infection. The accepted abstracts include an oral presentation of interim results from a Phase 1 clinical trial which evaluated IMO-2125 in null-responder HCV patients and a poster presentation of gene expression profiles in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with IMO-2125

09:20

MJN Mead Johnson Nutrition increases dividend to $0.225 from $0.20; Announces $300 mln share repurchase authorization (51.11 )

09:16

ATEC Alphatec announces stockholder approval of 24 mln share issuance related to the acquisition of Scient'x Groupe SAS (6.63 )

09:14

YRCW YRC Worldwide reports improving first quarter shipment trends (0.44 )

Co announces improving first quarter shipment trends for its YRC National Transportation and YRC Regional Transportation segments. Shipment volumes in the latter part of December and early January were impacted by the extensions to our note exchange. Severe winter weather during January and February further hindered shipment growth and impacted our costs and productivity. However, shipment growth in March, month to date, is at levels which exceed normal seasonal patterns, as total shipments per work day for both YRC National and YRC Regional increased 10% compared to the same period in February.

09:11

LNET LodgeNet priced a 2.16 mln share common stock offering at $6/share (6.59 )

09:09

ACUR Acura Pharma: FDA Schedules joint advisory committee meeting for Acurox for April 22nd (5.45 )

Co and King Pharmaceuticals, (KG) announced that the FDA has publically announced the scheduling of an April 22, 2010 Advisory Committee meeting to discuss the New Drug Application for Acurox (oxycodone HCl and niacin) Tablets and the results of studies evaluating the addition of niacin for the purpose of reducing the misuse of oxycodone. The scheduled meeting will be a joint meeting of the Anesthetic and Life Support Drugs and the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committees.

09:05

STEM StemCells granted broad patent for pluripotent rat stem cells and genetically engineered rats (1.21 )

Co announced that the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office has granted patent number GB2451523 with broad claims covering true (germline competent) rat stem cells and genetically engineered rats derived from these cells. The patented technology is expected to have significant utility to academic and pharmaceutical industry researchers by enabling them to create novel rat models for the study of human diseases. Both mice and rats are used by scientists to model various human diseases. However, rat models are more frequently used by pharmaceutical companies because the physiological characteristics of rats make them better suited for assessing drug efficacy and toxicity.

09:05

S&P futures vs fair value: +3.00. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: +1.30.

Stock futures in the U.S. are still slightly higher this morning. In Europe, Britain's FTSE is up 0.4% at the moment. Mining stocks are strong as BHP Billiton (BHP), Xstrata, and Rio Tinto (RTP) sport gains. Shares of RTP were actually downgraded by analysts at Societe Generale. In economic news, employment data for the U.K. came in better than expected, which has bolstered the British pound. The pound was also helped by the details of minutes from the last Bank of England meeting, during which policymakers voted unanimously to keep monetary policy unchanged. Germany's DAX is currently up 0.8%. Siemens (SI) is a leader for the second straight session. Reports indicated that the engineering giant plans to revamp its information technology unit to prepare it for a possible sale or public offering. In France, the CAC is currently up 0.5%.. ArcelorMittal (MT) is outperforming, but Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) has slipped amid news that the World Health Organization is conducting a probe into a vaccine from Sanofi. In Asia, the MSCI Asia Pacific Index advanced 1.5% to an eight-week high, while Japan's Nikkei tacked on 1.2% to hit at an eight-week closing high. The Bank of Japan eased policy in move thought to be an attempt to prevent the yen from rising. The central bank doubled the amount available under its short-term lending program to 20 trillion yen from 10 trillion yen. In corporate news, Elpida Memory was a strong performer after the Nikkei business daily said Elpida is expected to return to a hefty profit for its current fiscal year. Tokyo Electron and Advantest (ATE) were also strong. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng climbed 1.7%. Property stocks were strong performers. Banks were also strong in the wake of the FOMC's decision to stand pat on interest rate targets. In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite closed 1.9% higher.

09:04

LGN Lodgian receives audit report with going concern explanation (2.52 )

Co announced that the audit report of its independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, included in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, while expressing an unqualified opinion regarding the company's audited financial statements, identified matters which raise substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern. The company's announcement does not represent any changes or amendment to its 2009 financial statements or to its Form 10-K which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2010. As disclosed in the Form 10-K, the audit report raised substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern because approximately $55.7 million of the company's mortgage debt is scheduled to mature in 2010. This mortgage debt cannot be extended without the approval of the loan servicers. The largest facility, the Merrill Lynch Fixed Rate Pool 1 indebtedness with a current principal balance of $33.9 million, matures on July 1, 2010. To address this pending maturity, the company is pursuing opportunities to refinance the maturing mortgage debt. However, in light of the current state of credit markets generally and the real estate credit markets specifically, the company cannot currently predict the outcome of these efforts.

09:03

NABI NABI Biopharma initiates second phase III study for NicVAX as an aid to smoking cessation and long-term abstinence (5.89 )

Co announced that it has initiated the second of two pivotal Phase III clinical trials for NicVAX (Nicotine Conjugate Vaccine), the company's innovative and proprietary vaccine to treat nicotine addiction and prevent smoking relapse. The FDA has agreed with Nabi on the study design, protocol and end points through a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA). The SPA forms a basic foundation to support approval of a New Drug Application. The Company also received scientific advice from the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) that confirms and supports the trial protocol.

09:03

CHTP Chelsea Therapeutics reports findings from Northera 24-hour blood pressure monitoring study (3.76 )

Co announces reported findings from Study 305, a study evaluating the effect of Northera, an investigational agent being studied for the treatment of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, on patients' 24-hour blood pressure profile. Study 305 evaluated the blood pressure effects of Northera by comparing two 24-hour continuous BP monitoring periods in 18 patients with symptomatic NOH enrolled in Chelsea's ongoing Phase III Study 301. Blood pressure readings were initially recorded for 24 consecutive hours while patients were off drug during the washout phase of Study 301. These were then compared to similar readings recorded following Study 301 while patients were on active drug treatment during open-label extension studies.

09:01

BMY Bristol-Myers says FDA accepts New Drug Application for once-daily fixed dose combination of Onglyza and extended release Metformin for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults (25.99 )

Co and AstraZeneca (AZN) announce that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted for review a New Drug Application for an investigational fixed dose combination of ONGLYZA (saxagliptin), a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, and metformin HCl extended-release tablets as a once-daily treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults. Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca submitted the NDA with the U.S. FDA for saxagliptin/metformin HCl extended-release tablets on December 29, 2009.

09:01

NVDA NVIDIA announces extension of its stock repurchase program (17.75 )

Co announced an extension of its existing stock repurchase program, under which it may purchase up to $2.7 billion of its common stock through May 2013. Prior to this three-year extension, the program had been set to expire in May 2010. Since initially authorizing its stock repurchase program in August 2004, NVIDIA has spent $1.46 billion to repurchase 90.9 million shares of its common stock.

08:44

TOO Teekay Offshore announces pricing of 4.4 mln common unit follow-on offering at $19.48 per unit (20.50 )

08:36

On The Wires

McDermott International (MDR) announced that a subsidiary of J. Ray McDermott has been awarded its first SURF project in the Asia Pacific market since its strategic push into this high growth area... Alkermes (ALKS) announced the initiation of a multidose phase 1 clinical study of ALKS 37, an orally active, peripherally-restricted opioid antagonist with potential to block the effects of opioid agonists on gastrointestinal motility, commonly referred to as opioid-induced constipation.. NexMed (NEXM) announced that it raised $1.4 million in gross proceeds from refinancing the mortgage on its manufacturing facility in New Jersey... Onstream Media (ONSM)announced that HomeDecShow has signed a MarketPlace365 Promoter Agreement to develop a virtual tradeshow and business community for the home, textiles, gifts and decorative accessory industry worldwide.

08:31

OXPS OptionsXpress reports retail darts of 28,000, 8% lower than Feb 2009 (17.24 )

Co reported retail daily average revenue trades (DARTs) of 28,000 -- 8% lower than February 2009, 17% lower than January 2010 -- Institutional daily average revenue trades (DARTs) of 15,400 -- 1% lower than February 2009, 16% higher than January 2010 -- Net new customer accounts of 1,700. Ending customer accounts of 354,900 -- 10% higher than February 2009, slightly higher than January 2010 -- Ending client assets of $7.1 bln -- 49% higher than February 2009, 4% higher than January 2010 -- Ending margin balances of $177 mln -- 37% higher than February 2009, 3% higher than January 2010

08:31

TECHX E~mini index futures see little price change following the release of Feb. PPI data -Technical-

S&P 500 (ES) @ 1156.75 +2.00

NDX 100 (NQ) @ 1930.50 +2.00

INDU 30 (YM) @ 10636 +12

08:31

INTU Intuit reports 10 percent growth in TurboTax units through March 13 (34.6 )

Co released the second of three season-to-date updates for its fiscal year 2010 consumer tax products. Through March 13, total TurboTax federal units increased 10 percent over the same period last year.

08:28

PGR Progressive reports February results (17.37 )

Co reports net premiums up 11% YoY; net premiums earned up 3% YoY; net income down -22% YoY

08:20

IGC India Globalization Capital commissions second quarry for commercial use (1.27 )

Co announced that it has commissioned its second quarry for commercial production in Maharashtra, India. The quarry is located on 22 acres of private land and mined under a license. Combined capacity of the two operational quarries is projected between 10 mln and 11 mln metric tons of rock aggregate, representing potential revenue of approximately $40 mln, based on current pricing, over five to seven years.

08:16

ECONX Reminder: PPI data due out in about 14 min at 8:30ET

08:10

On The Wires

LoopNet (LOOP) announced that it has completed a strategic investment in AuctionPoint, a provider of broker-friendly online commercial property auction solutions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed... Regulus Therapeutics announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has allowed claims in U.S. Application Serial No. 11/977,506 covering methods of antagonizing miR-181a to regulate immune response. Regulus founding companies are Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) and Isis Pharmaceuticals (ISIS).

08:06

EMN Eastman Chem: Arsenal Capital Partners announces definitive agreement to sell Genovique Specialties to Eastman Chemical (62.22 )

Arsenal Capital Partners announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with EMN to sell its portfolio company Genovique Specialties Corporation, a global provider of benzoate plasticizers. As a result of these and other initiatives, the co attained improved profitability. Genovique today has annual revenues of $135 mln with manufacturing sites in North America, Europe and Asia.

08:05

ABII Abraxis BioScience announces that ABRAXANE meets primary endpoint in Phase 3 trial for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (39.85 )

Co announces that its randomized registrational Phase 3 clinical trial comparing ABRAXANE (protein-bound paclitaxel) with Taxol (paclitaxel) injection, both in combination with carboplatin, met the study's primary endpoint by demonstrating that ABRAXANE showed a significant improvement in overall response rate as compared to Taxol, in the first-line treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, as assessed by independent radiologist review. This trial is the subject of a special protocol assessment with the FDA, which means that the design, clinical endpoints and statistical analyses of the trial have been previously agreed upon by the FDA. Specifically, the FDA agreed that the demonstration of a statistically superior response rate of the ABRAXANE and carboplatin combination over the Taxol and carboplatin combination would be sufficient to submit a supplemental new drug application for approval of ABRAXANE in combination with carboplatin for first line NSCLC.

08:05

ETFC E*TRADE reports monthly activity for February 2010; provides updates to its loan delinquencies (1.69 )

The co releases its Monthly Activity Report for February 2010 and provided intra-quarter loan portfolio delinquencies. The Company ended the month with more than 2.6 million U.S. brokerage accounts - including gross new brokerage accounts of 29,897 and net new brokerage accounts of 7,761 during the month. Total accounts ended the month at approximately 4.4 million. Daily Average Revenue Trades ("DARTs") from U.S. operations for February were 138,728, a decrease of 20 percent from January and 15 percent from the year ago period. U.S. net new brokerage assets were positive $0.6 billion in the month, totaling $1.2 billion year-to-date. During the month, customer security holdings increased by five percent, or $5.5 billion, and brokerage-related cash grew by $0.3 billion to $20 billion. Customers were net buyers of approximately $0.3 billion in securities in February. Bank-related cash and deposits declined by $0.3 billion. The Company also updated delinquency statistics in its loan portfolio. For the Company's entire loan portfolio, total special mention delinquencies (30 to 89 days delinquent) declined by less than one percent from December 31, 2009 to February 28, 2010 while total "at risk" delinquencies (30 to 179 days delinquent) declined by three percent for the same period.

08:05

AKNS Akeena Solar to provide installation services for Lowe's (1.04 )

Co announces it will provide residential installation services for Lowe's (LOW) customers in 21 California stores. The announcement comes just a few months after Andalay AC solar panels first hit the shelves as part of Lowe's Energy Center, making them the first grid-connected solar power systems to be sold by a major retailer.

08:02

SMTS Somanetics beats by $0.09, beats on revs; guides FY10 revs in-line (17.48 )

Reports Q1 (Feb) earnings of $0.16 per share, $0.09 better than the First Call consensus of $0.07; revenues rose 17.0% year/year to $13.1 mln vs the $12.3 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees FY10 revs of $56-57 mln vs. $56.18 mln consensus.

08:02

WLP WellPoint sees FY10 EPS of at least $6.00 vs $6.11 First Call consensus; sees revs of ~$59 bln vs $58.19 bln First Call consensus (61.97 )

The outlook assumes that the Company is able to obtain rate increases that are actuarially sound, and does not include the possible impact of federal health care reform. During this call, the officers expect to provide details of the Company's full year 2010 financial guidance, which includes the following items: Net income is expected to be at least $6.00 per share; Year-end medical enrollment is expected to be 33.3 million members; Operating revenue is expected to total approximately $59.0 billion; The benefit expense ratio is expected to be approximately 84.3%; Underlying Local Group medical cost trend is expected to be in the range of 8.0%, plus or minus 50 basis points; The SG&A expense ratio is expected to be approximately 14.4 percent; Operating cash flow is expected to be approximately $1.1 billion, including tax payments of $1.2 billion related to the sale of the Company's NextRx pharmacy benefit management companies and an unfavorable impact of $300.0 million related to the run-off of certain business lines that were exited at the end of 2009.

08:01

MBRK MiddleBrook Pharma announces expanded IncreaseRx promotion for MOXATAG (0.34 )

Co announces that it has entered into an agreement with DoctorDirectory.com, the Company's promotion partner for MOXATAG Tablets, 775 mg, to expand its previously announced IncreaseRx promotion program. The expanded IncreaseRx promotion program for MOXATAG will incorporate physicians previously detailed by the Company's field sales force.

08:01

MGM MGM Mirage closes $845 mln senior secured notes offering (12.30 )

Co announces that it closed the private offering of $845 mln of its 9% senior secured notes due March 2020. The notes were issued at par with a four-year no call feature.

08:01

CLUB Town Sports Intl announces that Robert Giardina has replaced Alexander Alimanestianu as President and CEO (3.90 )

08:00

PFE Pfizer reports study shows Prevenar 13 is Immunogenic in young children previously vaccinated with Prevenar (17.26 ) -Update-

Co reports: According to results from a Phase III safety and immunogenicity study presented today, Prevenar 13* (Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, [13-valent, adsorbed]) was shown to be immunogenic and generally well tolerated in healthy young children who had received at least three prior doses of Prevenar* (Pneumococcal Saccharide Conjugated Vaccine, Adsorbed). "Prevenar has significantly reduced the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in young children in areas where it is routinely used. The data from this Phase III study showed that children up to 5 years of age previously vaccinated with Prevenar had an increased immune response against all 13 serotypes included in Prevenar 13," says Robert W. Frenck, Jr., M.D., the study's coordinating investigator and professor of pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. In addition, data from the study showed that Prevenar 13 was generally well tolerated. The most commonly reported adverse reactions were injection-site reactions, fever, irritability, decreased appetite, and increased and/or decreased sleep. Most local reactions were mild and lasted approximately two days.

08:00

MDT Medtronic receives FDA approval for integrated system for diabetes management (45.12 )

Co announces it has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the MiniMed Paradigm REAL-Time Revel System, the next generation of the industry's only integrated diabetes management system (insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose monitoring and diabetes therapy management software). The system incorporates new innovative C.G.M. features including predictive alerts that can give early warning to people with diabetes so they can take action to prevent dangerous high or low glucose events. New features in the insulin pump enable patients to tailor insulin delivery to meet their personal needs. Patients who are sensitive to insulin, such as children with diabetes, now have the opportunity to deliver insulin in smaller increments (0.025 units per hour.)

07:56

BLL Ball Corp expects to commence a public offering of approximately $450 mln in aggregate principal amount of senior notes (54.48 )

07:51

LINTA Liberty Media subsidary QVC announces proposed senior secured notes offering (14.15 )

Co announced its intention to offer $250 mln in aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes due April 15, 2017 and $250 mln in aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes due October 15, 2020. The Notes will be senior secured obligations of QVC and will be secured by a first-priority lien on the capital stock of QVC and the other assets securing QVC's senior secured credit facilities and existing 7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2019.

07:33

ATU Actuant beats by $0.03, beats on revs; guides Q3 EPS in-line, revs above consensus; guides FY10 EPS in-line, revs above consensus (19.55 )

Reports Q2 (Feb) earnings of $0.19 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.03 better than the First Call consensus of $0.16; revenues rose 0.1% year/year to $294.2 mln vs the $286.5 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for Q3, sees EPS of $0.24-0.29, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.26 consensus; sees Q3 revs of $310-320 mln vs. $309.14 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $0.87-0.97, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.90 consensus; sees FY10 revs of $1.225-1.250 bln vs. $1.21 bln consensus. "We are encouraged by the improving trends in many of our end markets, especially those served by our early cycle businesses. Our Energy segment, which was the last to feel the brunt of the economic slowdown, has seen year-over-year core sales percentage declines in the low-to-mid teens in each of the last three quarters. While we expect to see sequential core sales improvement over the next few quarters in the Energy segment, it will be modestly less than in our prior guidance. This is being offset by improvements in other segments. Overall, we expect improving sales trends in all four segments during the back half of fiscal 2010, which will be partially muted by the unfavorable impact of recent US dollar strengthening. From an earnings standpoint, our investors should see strong second half year-over-year growth, the combined benefit of higher sales and a reduced cost structure."

07:31

OPMR Optimal Group enters into support agreement with management of WowWee group for offer of $2.40/share (1.60 )

Co announced that it has entered into a support agreement with a corporation established by Richard Yanofsky, President of WowWee Canada, and Peter Yanofsky, President of WowWee USA, for the purpose of making an offer to acquire, by way of a take-over bid to Optimal Group shareholders, all of the outstanding Class "A" shares of the co, including shares issuable upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of options and warrants, at a price of US$2.40 per share in cash. WowWee Canada and WowWee USA, are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Optimal Group. The offer represents a premium of approximately 50% over the closing price of the Class "A" shares of US$1.60 on the NASDAQ, on March 16, 2010. Under the terms of the support agreement, Optimal Group may solicit, respond to and consider competing third-party proposals until closing of the offer.

07:14

GU Gushan Environmental Energy announces granting of share options (1.08 )

Co announces that the Board of Directors has granted share options to 93 individuals, including officers, employees and four directors of the co totaling 5,120,000 ordinary shares (2,560,000 American Depositary Shares ("ADS")) at an exercise price of $0.61 per ordinary share (as adjusted to $1.22 per ADS) of the co on March 16, 2010. The options will vest one third on each of the first, second, and third anniversaries from the date of grant. The options will expire ten years from the date of grant.

07:14

SSN Samson Oil & Gas provides an operational update on several projects that are underway (0.54 )

The Gene #1-22H is scheduled to be fracture stimulated on March 29th. As previously reported, this well has been drilled as a 5,500 foot horizontal in the middle Bakken Formation and has been cased with external casing packers in the zone of interest. The road access and well site civil works are close to being completed on the Ripsaw #1. It is anticipated the Black Creek Drilling Inc. Rig #2 will be mobilizing to the well location on March 22nd, with a spud to follow one to two days later. The Ripsaw well is evaluating a Yegua Formation channel indentified seismically and known to be gas productive in offsetting wells. The prospect has potential resource of 1.0 Bcf.

07:12

On The Wires

ION Geophysical (IO) announced that its cableless land seismic acquisition system, FireFly, will be used by Apache Corporation to acquire data on two separate projects in the Mendoza region of Argentina... Urban Outfitters (URBN) announced that Tedford Marlow, President, Urban Outfitters Brand, will retire and be succeeded by Steve Murray on April 12, 2010... Scripps Networks Interactive (SNI) has reached an outsourcing agreement with Passion Distribution that will have the London-based company license programming globally on behalf of Scripps Networks International. Passion Distribution will license programs from the Food Network, HGTV and DIY Network to entertainment channels throughout the world, starting with 13 new titles and shows that will be unveiled at the MIPTV trade show April 12-16 in Cannes, France... Acacia Research Corporation (ACTG) announced that its Medical Monitoring and Paging LLC subsidiary has entered into a license agreement with General Electric (GE) covering a patent directed to medical monitoring and paging technology. This agreement resolves the parties' dispute that was pending in the District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

07:08

GRMN Garmin announces proposed change in place of incorporation and $1.50 one-time per share dividend (35.30 -0.29)

The co announces that its board of directors has unanimously approved moving the place of incorporation of the company from the Cayman Islands to Switzerland. Garmin does not expect that the redomestication will have any material impact on its financial results. Garmin also announces that its board of directors has approved the payment of a 2010 annual cash dividend in the amount of $1.50 per share, a one-time increase from $0.75 per share. The dividend is payable to shareholders of record on April 15, 2010 and will be paid on April 30, 2010. The one-time increase of the annual dividend to $1.50 per share is reflective of the company's strong cash position and expected ongoing cash generation in 2010.

07:03

TAT TransAtlantic Petroleum Provides Operations Update and Conference Call; Selmo Oil Field Production recently topped 2,000 barrels of oil per day (3.25 )

Co announces Oil Field Production in the Selmo oil field recently topped 2,000 barrels of oil per day with production expected to exceed 2,200 bopd in the next several weeks. The Company commenced its in-fill drilling program at Selmo in the third quarter of 2009 and will spud its seventh in-fill well (S-61) in the next few days. The co's sixth in-fill well (S-52) is currently being completed. Thrace Basin On the Edirne license, the co has drilled the Yolboyu-1, a 6,500-foot exploratory well targeting deeper gas potential to the south of the existing 3D seismic survey. Based upon initial evaluation of the first logs, the well appears to have encountered pay. Paleozoic Trend in Southeast Turkey On the Arpatepe license, where the co holds a 50% interest, the co acidized the Arpatepe-1 well in early March 2010 to clean up perforations and eliminate damage incurred during the original completion of the Bedinan sandstone. The well is now flowing approximately 500 bopd with essentially no water. In the next several weeks the Company expects to acidize the Arpatepe-2 well to clean up perforations and eliminate damage incurred during the original completion. The Arpatepe-3 well, which was spud in late December, is expected to reach total depth soon. On License 4174, the Company has cored a section of the Dadas shale in the Gosku-1 well, and has resumed drilling. The Company expects to encounter the Bedinan sandstone and reach total depth soon. The co also holds an interest in a third well that is currently being drilled in the Paleozoic Trend.

07:03

AEHR Aehr Test Systems receives order for its new advanced burn-in and test system (2.38 )

Co announces it has received an order for its new Advanced Burn-in and Test System from a leading Japanese semiconductor integrated device manufacturer. The system is configured for burning-in and testing advanced logic devices. The system is expected to ship during the second half of calendar 2010.

07:03

VIVO Meridian Bioscience sees FY10 EPS of $0.70-$0.80 (vs $0.93 consensus), down from previous range of $0.90-$0.95; now sees revs between $145-$153 mln (vs $165.1 mln consensus) (23.75 )

Co announces that it is revising downward its previous sales and earnings guidance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. This action is being taken as a result of weaker than expected operating results for the second quarter ending March 31, 2010, based on preliminary results to date. Separately, Meridian announced that it will file a 510(k) for FDA marketing clearance next week in connection with its illumigene C. difficile product. For fiscal 2010, net sales are now expected to be between $145-$153 mln (vs $165.1 mln consensus), compared to the previous guidance range of $160-$165 mln. Diluted EPS is expected to be between $0.70-$0.80 (vs $0.93 consensus), compared to the previous guidance range of $0.90-$0.95... Based on operating results to date, second quarter net sales are expected to be between $30-$33 mln (vs $38.2 mln consensus) and diluted EPS between $0.13-$0.15 (vs $0.22 consensus). Meridian does not provide sales and earnings guidance on a quarterly basis.

07:02

PLX Protalix BioTherapeutics initiates a Phase I clinical trial of Acetylcholinesterase for biodefense indications (6.95 )

Co initiated a phase I clinical trial of PRX-105, the Company's plant cell expressed pegylated recombinant human acetylcholinesterase product candidate in development for biodefense indications. The trial is designed to study the safety of PRX-105 by administering a bolus intravenous injection of PRX-105 in healthy volunteers. The FDA and the Israeli Ministry of Health have each accepted the Company's exploratory Investigational New Drug application to commence the phase I clinical trial of PRX-105. Pre-clinical studies have previously indicated that PRX-105 successfully protects animals exposed to organophosphate nerve gas agent analogs, in both the prophylactic and post-exposure settings. In addition, the safety of PRX-105 has been demonstrated in a well-controlled study in rodents performed under good laboratory practices.

07:02

BRKR Bruker Corp.: BEST Subsidiary RI Research Instruments awarded major contract for two superconducting accelerator modules for Pohang Accelerator (14.63 )

Co announced the award of a 4.2 mln Euro (~$5.7 mln USD) contract with the South Korea-based Pohang Accelerator Laboratory for the supply of two superconducting accelerator modules. This contract covers the engineering, manufacturing, integration, testing, delivery and installation of two 500 MHz superconducting accelerator modules for the upgrade of PAL's third generation synchrotron light source, the Pohang Light Source.

07:01

FSII FSI Intl receives ORION single wafer cleaning system order from major semiconductor manufacturer for development of FEOL cleaning processes (3.22 )

Co received an order for an FSI ORION system with ViPR technology from a semiconductor manufacturer based in Asia. Co expects to ship this evaluation FSI ORION single wafer cleaning system to this customer during its fiscal 2010 third quarter.

07:01

GB Wilson Greatbatch unit Receives 510(k) Clearance of OptiSeal (20.23 )

Greatbatch Medical, a part of the Greatbatch (GB), announced that it has received regulatory clearance for its next generation valved peelable introducer used in the delivery of leads and catheters into the venous system. OptiSeal Valved PTFE Peelable Introducer achieved regulatory clearance on Monday, March 15, 2010, representing the first 510(k) regulatory approval under the Greatbatch Medical brand. It is also approved in Canada and CE marked for distribution in Europe.

07:00

ICFI ICF International awarded a $34.4 million contract from a major utility to support construction of electrical facilities (23.38 )

07:00

CUB Cubic Cubic receives $30 mln contract to supply small arms trainers to Saudi Arabian National Guard (36.15 )

07:00

HGSI Human Genome announces results of randomized Phase 2 trial of Mapatumumab in Non-small cell lung cancer; results showed no difference in disease response or progression-free survival for the combination that included mapatumumab vs. the control group (31.71 )

Co announced the results of its randomized Phase 2 trial of mapatumumab (HGS-ETR1) in combination with the chemotherapy agents paclitaxel and carboplatin as first-line therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The results showed no difference in disease response or progression-free survival for the combination that included mapatumumab vs. the control group, and showed that mapatumumab was well tolerated in this study. HGS expects to present the results in full at an appropriate scientific meeting later in 2010.

06:55

SQM Sociedad Quimica y Minera Board of Directors agreed to propose to lower the dividend policy from 65% to 50% of net income at the co's next annual shareholders meeting (38.62 )

06:41

S&P futures vs fair value: +3.60. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: +3.00.

06:41

Asian Markets

Nikkei...10846.98...+125.30...+1.20%. Hang Seng...21384.49...+361.60...+1.70%.

06:41

European Markets

FTSE...5654.23...+33.80...+0.60%. DAX...6015.55...+44.60...+0.80%.

06:38

ACTL Actel sees Q1 revs up sequentially four percent to eight percent; up from two percent to six percent previously (13.90 )

Co announces first quarter 2010 revenues are expected to be up sequentially four percent to eight percent. The previous guidance was up two percent to six percent. (This calculates to ~$51.68- $53.68 mln vs $51.7 mln single analyst est) Gross margin is expected to be at the previous guidance of 62%. Operating expenses are anticipated to come in at approx $27.5 mln, which excludes an estimated $2.1 mln of stock-based compensation expense and $0.6 mln associated with the acquisition of Pigeon Point Systems. The previous guidance was approx $27.0 mln. Other income is expected to be about $0.5 mln, which is unchanged from previous guidance. The non-GAAP tax rate for the quarter is expected to be about 30%, which is unchanged from the previous guidance.

06:29

On The Wires

Scripps Networks Interactive (SNI), has reached an outsourcing agreement with Passion Distribution that will have the London-based company license programming globally on behalf of Scripps Networks International.... CryptoLogic Limited (CRYP) has extended its long-standing relationship with William Hill PLC with a new multi-year deal to license a suite of its most popular branded casino games... Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM) announces it has filed an application with the Indian Government to bid in India's upcoming auction for BWA (Broadband Wireless Access) spectrum in the 2.3 GHz band to facilitate the deployment of TD-LTE... Suntech Power Holdings (STP) will supply solar panels for what will be the biggest solar power plant in Taiwan. Owned and operated by the Taiwan Power Company, and developed by Fortune Electric Co., Ltd., the new 4.7MW solar plant in Young'an, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, will nearly double the island's current installed solar capacity of about 5MW.... U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey S. White denied the motion for a preliminary injunction in the Roundup Ready sugarbeet case late today. This decision allows growers to continue planting Roundup Ready sugarbeet varieties across the United States this spring. "This ruling provides clarity that farmers can plant Roundup Ready sugarbeets in 2010," said Steve Welker, Monsanto Company's (MON) sugarbeet business manager.... Black Hills (BKH) announces that its electric utility subsidiary, Black Hills Power, has completed a seven-year power purchase agreement with the City of Gillette, Wyo., that replaces a previous agreement and provides an option to purchase 23 percent of Wygen III, a 110 megawatt coal-fired generation facility that is nearing completion and expected to begin commercial operations on April 1, 2010.

06:28

USAT USA Tech files registration statements for public offering and subsequent rights offering (1.50 )

Co announces that it has filed two registration statements with the SEC. The first registration statement relates to a proposed public offering of up to $3 mln of USAT common stock and related three-year warrants. The second registration statement relates to a proposed rights offering of USAT common stock and related three-year warrants. The proposed rights offering would be commenced as soon as practicable following the closing of the proposed public offering.

06:27

CPF Central Pacific Financial names new executive Chairman of the Board (1.64 )

Co announces the appointment of John Dean, as Executive Chairman of the Board of Central Pacific Financial and Central Pacific Bank, acting subject to regulatory approval. Effective immediately, executive management of the Bank will report to Dean. Ronald Migita, age will be retiring as President and CEO and stepping down as Chairman of the Board of CPF and CPB upon the appointment of Dean, and will remain a director of the holding company and bank.

06:23

GPI Group 1 Auto prices $100 mln of convertible senior notes (31.52 )

Co announces the pricing of its previously announced offering of $100 mln aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2020. The Convertible Notes pay interest semiannually at a rate of 3.00% per annum and are convertible into cash and, if applicable, shares of the Company's common stock based on the applicable conversion rate at such time.

06:21

FPO First Potomac Realty announces the pricing of its underwritten registered public offering of 5.5 mln common shares of beneficial interest at a public offering price of $14.50/share (15.15 )

06:20

GBCI Glacier Bancorp announces the pricing of the firm commitment underwritten public offering of 8.94 mln shares of its common stock at $14.75 per share, for a gross offering of approx $132 mln (15.28 )

06:19

EEE Evergreen Energy raises approx $9.3 mln through a registered direct offering (0.28 )

Co announces it entered into definitive agreements with institutional investors in a registered direct offering of its Series C Convertible Preferred Stock with gross proceeds of approximately $9.3 mln. Evergreen expects to receive net proceeds of approximately $5.0 mln, excluding transaction costs. Approximately $4.3 million of the gross proceeds will be placed into an escrow account as a make-whole provision, which amounts will be released to pay the dividend and make-whole payment.

06:17

MDCO The Medicines Co announces decision in PTO and FDA litigation (8.26 )

Co announces the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia issued an order in the Company's lawsuit against the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the FDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Company's lawsuit seeks to set aside the denial of the Company's application pursuant to the Hatch-Waxman Act to extend the term of United States Patent No. 5,196,404, the principal U.S. patent that covers Angiomax. The Court set aside the PTO's denial of the Company's patent term extension application and sent the matter back to the PTO for reconsideration. The Court further ordered that the PTO take the actions necessary to ensure that '404 patent does not expire pending resolution of the court proceedings.

06:16

VHC VirnetX Holding awarded $105.75 mln judgment against Microsoft (5.59 )

Co announces that the Jury has awarded VirnetX a $105,750,000 judgment against Microsoft (MSFT) for infringing two VirnetX patents. The Jury also found that Microsoft's patent infringement was willful. VirnetX will request injunctive relief at a later date. VirnetX expects Microsoft to appeal this decision and will vigorously defend its rights in any appeal. "We are extremely pleased with the Jury's decision, Receiving a nine figure award is tremendous and verifies our belief that our patents are foundational and important. We look forward to the appeals process as further validation of our patents. With this landmark decision behind us, we can now fully concentrate on our licensing program, Secure Domain Name Registry, essential 4G security patents, and Gabriel Connection Technology Beta." The patents determined to have been infringed in this case were U.S. Patent No. 6,502,135 B1, entitled "Agile Network Protocol for Secure Communications with Assured System Availability" and U.S. Patent No. 7,188,180 B2, entitled "Method for Establishing Secure Communication Link Between Computers of Virtual Private Network."

06:10

SPLS Staples offers A$5.60 a share for Corporate Express Australia (23.63 )

Co announces an offer for all of the shares it does not already own in Corporate Express Australia Limited. Staples is the majority shareholder of Corporate Express Australia, holding 58.6% of the Company's issued share capital. "The Offer provides the minority shareholders of Corporate Express Australia with a compelling opportunity to realize a significant premium to the current share price," said Ron Sargent, Staples chairman and CEO. "This allows us to more effectively address the Australian market and create greater value for our customers and associates." Staples is offering shareholders cash consideration of A$5.60 a share (the "Offer Price"). Shareholders will receive the dividend of A$0.125 a share announced on 2 March 2010 and expected to be paid on 14 April 2010, with no reduction in the Offer Price. This gives a total value of A$5.725 a share. Corporate Express Australia is proposing to pay a special dividend of up to A$0.78 a share, subject to a ruling by the Australian Tax Office. The special dividend will be declared and become payable upon the Offer being declared unconditional. The Offer Price will be reduced by the amount of this special dividend.

06:05

EBAY eBay: PayPal to double its presence in Asia by end of 2010 (25.79 )

PayPal announced that it plans to double the number of employees in Asia Pacific from 1,000 currently to more than 2,000 by the end of the year. The company plans to add more than 100 new jobs at its international headquarters in Singapore.

06:02

PRXL PAREXEL announces that it has completed a large and complex pharmacogenetics-based early phase study (23.88 )

Co announces that it has completed a large and complex pharmacogenetics-based early phase study. The study was conducted in a healthy volunteer population of poor metabolizers of Cytochrome P450 2D6, an important enzyme involved in the metabolism of drugs. The study monitored the QTc interval following administration of a neurological treatment, which has been shown to have a higher drug exposure in poor metabolizers of CYP2D6.

06:00

CLRT Clarient announces new data indicate effectiveness of Clarient's Ovotax test for ovarian cancer (2.65 )

Co announces data from a new study shows that Clarient's Ovotax assay may effectively predict which ovarian cancer patients will respond favorably to taxane therapy and could, therefore, be spared the potential side effects of this rigorous and sometimes toxic chemotherapy agent. The study was presented yesterday at the national meeting on Women's Cancer of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists by Janelle Fauci, M.D. of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The study, titled "Expression of TLE3 Predicts Response to Taxane Therapy in Ovarian Carcinoma," included 293 carcinoma samples. Ovotax is a single antibody immunohistochemistry test created to detect the expression of TLE3 in an ovarian tumor and thereby indicate whether the patient will respond favorably to taxane therapy. "The findings from this study represent another important step towards personalized medicine and care in women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Hopefully, we can use this information to individualize cancer care and break away from a 'one size fits all' mentality. This study contributes significantly to this new paradigm."

18:28

Futures are lower after hours with S&P 500 futures 0.05 points below fair value of 1154.75 and Nasdaq 100 futures 2.23 points below fair value of 1930.23

18:22

USAT USA Tech files registration statements for public offering and subsequent rights offering (1.50 -0.03) -Update-

Co announced that it has filed two registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The first registration statement relates to a proposed public offering of up to $3 mln of USAT common stock and related three-year warrants. The second registration statement relates to a proposed rights offering of USAT common stock and related three-year warrants. The proposed rights offering would be commenced as soon as practicable following the closing of the proposed public offering. The offering price of the proposed public offering would be determined prior to the effective date of the registration statement. The subscription price of the proposed rights offering would not be greater than the offering price of the proposed public offering and would be determined prior to the effective date of the registration statement. Assuming the proposed rights offering would be fully subscribed, the amount raised in the rights offering would be up to $12 mln, less the amount raised in the prior public offering. USAT plans to use the proceeds from the offerings for general corporate purposes, including working capital and providing financing for the manufacture of ePort cashless payment products anticipated to be used by its customers participating in its JumpStart Program. (See 17:20 post -- co files a mixed securities shelf offering).

18:18

CIT CIT Group reports Q4 results; All equity of predecessor CIT was eliminated and the fair value of new common equity was determined to be $41.99 per share (36.29 -0.52) -Update-

Co announced, including FSA and reorganization items, the co reported net income of $3.2 bln in the Q4. Excluding those items, the co reported a Q4 pre-tax loss of $1.0 bln due to low levels of net finance revenue, reflecting high borrowing costs, and high credit costs, particularly in Corporate Finance... Total commercial net charge-offs for the Q4 were $385 mln, 4.77% of average finance receivables, with over half in the print, media, gaming, energy, small business lending and commercial real estate sectors in Corporate Finance. Non-accrual loans for the commercial segments (before FSA) were $2.6 bln, representing 8.80% of finance receivables at December 31, 2009. The Q4 provision ffoor credit losses was $835 mln, which increased the allowance for loan losses to $1.8 bln prior to its elimination through FSA . Total assets at December 31, 2009 were $60.0 bln, including finance and leasing assets of $46.1 bln. Total cash at year end was $9.8 bln, which included ~$6.7 bln of corporate and operating cash, $1.7 bln of cash at CIT Bank, and $1.4 bln of restricted cash. CIT's consolidated Tier 1 and Total Capital Ratios were 14.2 % at December 31, 2009. Co said, "In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP), the co adopted fresh start accounting at December 31, 2009 and adjusted the carrying value of assets and liabilities to estimated fair values at or near the emergence date. Total assets were reduced by $8.0 bln (12.0%) to $60.0 bln and total liabilities were reduced by $2.0 bln (4%) to $51.6 bln. A net asset discount of $3.5 bln will be accreted into income over time. All equity of predecessor CIT was eliminated and the fair value of new common equity was determined to be $8.4 bln, or $41.99 per share. FSA resulted in a pre-tax charge of $6.1 bln in Q4.

18:09

VGZ Vista Gold reports 2009 EPS of ($0.05) vs. ($0.29) in the prior year's quarter (1.97 -0.04) -Update-

18:06

INT World Fuel Services Corp Chief Operating Officer enters into pre-arranged stock trading plan (28.29 -0.78)

Co announced that its president and chief operating officer, Michael J. Kasbar, has entered into a pre-arranged, non-discretionary stock trading plan. Under the newly adopted plan, beginning on May 7, 2010 and ending on December 31, 2010, Mr. Kasbar may exercise up to 94,360 stock options and convert up to 616,910 stock-settled stock appreciation rights and sell the shares that he acquires from such exercise and conversion

18:06

JRJC China Finance Online misses by $0.06, beats on revs; guides FY10 revs in-line (7.97 +0.18)

Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.13 per share, $0.06 worse than the First Call consensus of ($0.07); revenues rose 2.7% year/year to $15 mln vs the $14.2 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees FY10 revs of $56-62 mln vs. $61.12 mln consensus. Non-GAAP net income, which is defined as net income excluding stock-based compensations, for the 2010 year is anticipated to be between $2 mln and $4 mln. The Co intends to achieve positive free cash flow of over $8 mln in 2010, excluding potential M&A activities. Management has decided to discontinue quarterly guidance effective immediately and will periodically update the 2010 annual guidance. The Co currently expects to increase the registered user accounts to 20 mln by year end 2010, up 43% from 14 mln at the year end of 2009, and up 82% from 11 mln at the year end of 2008, respectively. Co said, "The most difficult two years are now behind us. With the strong advancement of the Chinese economy, the rapid growth of disposable income and individuals' savings, and individual investors' on-going investment interest, we see a promising 2010 ahead of us. With the IPO activities, or massive daily trading volume, or the newly introduced index futures investment products as well as potential shorting and margin mechanisms coming into play, we are very pleased to see Chinese stock exchanges are emerging as a major force in the global financial markets. Being the market leader with superior brand name, sustainable resources and highly-scalable operations, China Finance Online is well positioned to benefit from this favorable macro trend in the long run." "We also anticipate that 2010 will be a better year, as more government regulation of those unlawful copycats will help improve the overall competitive landscape."

17:59

ANTP Phazar reports Q3 results of ($0.07) vs. ($0.10) in the prior quarter; revs rose 30% to $2.0 mln (3.84 +0.07)

17:33

MDU MDU Resources subsidiary announces agreement to purchase Green River Basin production assets (21.65 +0.05)

Co announced that it signed a purchase and sale agreement on March 15, 2010, to acquire producing natural gas properties located in the Green River Basin in Sweetwater and Carbon counties in southwest Wyoming. Based on estimates by Fidelity's reservoir engineers, the acquired properties include 63 billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe) of proven reserves of which 51 Bcfe is proved developed producing. In addition, the acquisition includes an additional estimated unproven reserve potential of 67 Bcfe to 190 Bcfe based primarily on infill drilling opportunities. Net production as of the effective date of the transaction was approximately 14.5 mln cubic feet equivalent per day, 92 percent of which was natural gas. Approximately 63 percent of the daily production will be from wells operated by Fidelity. The purchase price for the properties is $113 mln, or $1.80 per thousand cubic feet equivalent of proven reserves, subject to accounting and purchase price adjustments customary with acquisitions of this type.

17:32

CPT Camden Property Trust announces creation of equity share offering program of up to $250 mln (41.87 +1.20)

CPT announced that the co has created an equity share offering program through which it can sell common shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $250 mln. The common shares will be offered through Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Credit Suisse Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, who will be acting as sales agents.

17:30

FTBK Frontier Fincl resumes trading (4.24 +0.25) -Update-

17:28

DENN Denny's selected as full service operator of choice for Pilot Travel Centers (3.11 -0.02)

Co announced that it has been selected as the full-service restaurant operator of choice for Pilot Travel Centers. Up to 140 Flying J Travel Centers across North America could have their full-service restaurants converted to Denny's. Denny's expects to begin the Flying J conversions in the second quarter of 2010 and to have a majority of the conversions completed by year end. On an annualized basis these conversions are expected to add an estimated 7% to 8% to Denny's system-wide sales. Denny's franchisees will convert and operate most of the Flying J locations with the Company planning to convert and operate approximately fifteen of the restaurants. As previously communicated the capital outlay is expected to be approximately $525,000 per conversion. The parties expect existing employees will generally remain in place.

17:25

UVE Universal Insurance reports Q4 EPS of $0.07 vs. $0.18 from the prior year's quarter (6.27 +0.01)

17:24

NGPC NGP Capital Resources announces intent to restate 2007, 2008 year end financial statements; request for extension of filing deadline (8.63 -0.37) -Update-

17:23

FUQI Fuqi Intl lowers Q4 EPS and revs below consensus (19.00 +0.07) -Update-

Co lowers Q4 revs guidance to $175-180 mln vs $187.6 mln First Callconsensus, down from prior $182-191 mln; lowers Q4 EPS to $0.24-0.28 vs. $0.58 consensus, down from $0.55-0.60. Co said, "We estimate slightly lower sales in Q4 as some of our customers delayed orders to coincide more closely with the Chinese New Year holiday which occurred in mid-February. We also estimate that our gross margin was impacted by a higher product mix of lower margin wholesale products such as commemorative Chinese New Year gold bars which we estimate resulted in wholesale gross margin performance below our historic range. Fulfilling such orders can increase our market share and enhance brand awareness with new and existing customers, both of which are important for the long-term development of our wholesale business. As we evaluate the 2009 Q4 performance of our retail business, we continue to be pleased with its expansion. Our retail segment for Q4 2009 is expected to be in the range of $15.5-16.5 mln compared to $6.0 mln in the prior year period. Fourth quarter 2009 retail gross margin is expected to be in the range of 27-28%. General order demand in both our wholesale and retail businesses remains solid for 2010 and we are placing a strong emphasis on maximizing our overall margin performance and the growth of our retail business as we progress through the year."

17:20

FUQI Announces Delay in Filing of Form 10-K for 2009

17:20

FUQI lowers Q4 revs guidance to $175-180 mln vs $187.6 mln consensus, down from prior $182-191 mln; lowers Q4 EPS to $0.24-0.28 vs. $0.58, down from $0.55-0.60

17:19

FUQI lowers Q4 revs guidance, below consensus

17:17

LAZ Lazard: Estate of Bruce Wasserstein and related trusts to sell 7,869,311 shares of common tock in a secondary offering (37.59 +0.45) -Update-

Co announced that the Estate of Bruce Wasserstein and certain related trusts, together with certain current and former managing directors of Lazard Ltd, have agreed to sell 7,869,311 of their shares of Lazard Ltd Class A common stock in an underwritten public offering. LAZ will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares in the offering. Approximately 97% of the shares in the offering are being sold by the Estate of Mr. Bruce Wasserstein and certain related trusts.

17:16

PSB PS Business Parks acquires asset in Rockville, Maryland, for $60.0 mln (53.49 +1.12)

Co acquired Shady Grove Executive Center, a 350,000 square foot multi-tenant office business park located in Rockville, Maryland, in a cash transaction for $60.0 million. The park, which is 80% leased to 17 tenants in three separate four and five story buildings, will accommodate multiple tenants in a variety of sizes. With the acquisition of Shady Grove Executive Center, PS Business Parks' portfolio in Maryland is comprised of approximately 2.2 million square feet of multi-tenant office and flex space.

17:14

STSA Sterling Financial of Spokane, Wash., provides update on plan to improve capital position (0.77 -0.02)

Co said it is in active negotiations with several private equity investors, its major creditors and its regulators about various strategic alternatives designed to put Sterling on a sound financial footing and to allow it to recapitalize and grow its business. As part of that plan, Sterling requested and received a letter from the U.S. Treasury expressing conditional support for a plan to convert the Sterling preferred stock that Treasury holds into Sterling common stock. In addition, Sterling said it has received several non-binding proposals from private equity firms, and has entered into a non-binding letter of intent with one firm to provide additional capital to recapitalize Sterling. In its letter, Treasury set forth several conditions for its approval of the conversion of the Treasury-owned securities to common equity. Among other things, Sterling must obtain the consent for the repurchase of Sterling's TruPS by a substantial portion of the holders of those securities; must raise at least $650 mln of additional capital through the issuance of new common equity; and must execute a definitive agreement for that conversion with Treasury.

17:10

FTBK Frontier Financial revises results to reflect additional loan loss provisions, valuation adjustments and OTTI impairments; FDIC sees bank as "critically undercapitalized" (4.24 +0.25) -Update-

For the three months and year ended December 31, 2009, the co reported revised net losses of $70.2 mln, or ($14.89) per diluted share, and $295.1 mln, or ($62.61) per diluted share, respectively, vs a net loss of $33.9 mln, or ($7.19) per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2009, and a net loss of $258.8 mln, or ($54.91) per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2009. The revised results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2009, reflect an additional $30.0 mln to the provision for loan losses, an additional $3.5 mln valuation adjustment on other real estate owned and a $4.3 mln (pre-tax) other-than-temporary impairment loss on available for sale securities. The FDIC concluded its visitation of Frontier Bank and determined that an additional provision for loan losses of $30.0 mln was necessary to replenish the allowance for loan losses and an additional $3.5 mln valuation adjustment was necessary to properly reflect the carrying value of other real estate owned at December 31, 2009. Additionally, we sold two available for sale equity securities, which were in unrealized loss positions at December 31, 2009, at a loss subsequent to year end. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, due to the close proximity of the sale to year end, these securities were deemed OTTI at December 31, 2009. Collectively, these adjustments reduced Frontier Bank's Tier 1 capital to $59.8 mln, which resulted in a Tier 1 Leverage Capital ratio of 1.65%, thus designating Frontier Bank as "critically undercapitalized" for purposes of Prompt Corrective Action as of December 31, 2009. Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act's PCA capital requirements, depository institutions that are "critically undercapitalized", in addition to being subject to a number of additional restrictions, must be placed into conservatorship or receivership within 90 days of becoming critically undercapitalized, unless the institution's primary Federal regulatory authority determines and documents that "other action" would better achieve the purposes of PCA. If Frontier Bank is placed into conservatorship or receivership, the corp would suffer a complete loss of the value of its ownership interest in Frontier Bank. These events raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

17:09

MEE Massey Energy says operating results for the first two months of 2010 were below its internal operating forecast; Q1 2010 results are currently anticipated to also be below forecasted operating results (50.22 +0.97)

Co announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Cumberland Resources Corporation and its affiliated companies for $960 million in a combined cash and stock transaction. Cumberland is one of the largest privately held coal producers in the United States with 2009 produced coal revenue of $550 million generated from the production and sale of 7.8 million tons of high quality Central Appalachian coal. Massey will acquire Cumberland free of debt. Co believes this acquisition is an excellent fit for Massey. Our analysis shows it will be accretive to earnings per share beginning this year and we believe it will add significant shareholder value." In conjunction with the acquisition announcement, Massey announced that although it has only preliminary data with respect to projected first quarter results, operating results for the first two months of 2010 were below its internal operating forecast and that the full first quarter 2010 results are currently anticipated to also be below forecasted operating results. The shortfall to the operating plan in the first two months was largely the result of continuing weather related disruptions of coal production and shipments. Massey does not intend to update this forecast and actual results for the first quarter of 2010 may be affected by factors other than what is discussed above. Going forward, Massey plans to maintain its established practice of providing guidance on an annual basis in conjunction with its quarterly earnings releases.

17:07

DW Drew Industries acquires rights to new RV components including innovative wall slide (24.19 -0.08)

Co reported that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lippert Components, completed the previously announced acquisition of certain intellectual property and other assets from Michigan-based Schwintek. The purchase included several products for which patents are pending, including an innovative wall slide-out mechanism, an aluminum cylinder for use in leveling devices for motorhomes, and a new tent camper device. The purchase price consists of $20 mln paid at closing from available cash, plus an earn-out which is expected to aggregate $10-15 mln over the next 3-5 years, depending on future unit sales of these products in excess of pre-established hurdles

17:05

AIR AAR Corp beats by $0.01, misses on revs (25.64 +0.20)

Reports Q3 (Feb) earnings of $0.36 per share, excluding $0.10 unfavorable impact from customer bankruptcy, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.35; revenues fell 8.6% year/year to $309.6 mln vs the $342.3 mln consensus. Co said, "The uptick in sales to commercial customers has been slow to materialize although we began to see a gradual increase in demand from these customers in late February that has continued. As the commercial markets recover, we will benefit from our industry leading supply chain and MRO positions. Additionally, our strong financial position will enable us to pursue opportunities across our markets."

17:01

ZHNE Zhone Technologies renews $25 mln credit facility that provides working capital financing of up to $25.0 mln to support borrowings and letters of credit (2.40 -0.05)

Stock is currently trading under the "ZHNED" ticker

16:59

FTBK Frontier Fincl halted, news pending (4.24 +0.25)

16:58

AIG American Intl: ILFC announces proposed offering of senior notes due September 2015 (33.61 -0.71) -Update-

International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of American International Group (AIG), announced its intention to offer, subject to market and other conditions, a benchmark offering of Senior Notes due September 2015 in a private placement to be conducted pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. ILFC intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of existing indebtedness. The Notes will be unsecured and will not be guaranteed by ILFC's parent, any of ILFC's subsidiaries or any third party.

16:54

GHL Greenhill to acquire Australian-based Caliburn Partnership (82.42 -1.11)

Co announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Caliburn Partnership Pty Ltd. ("Caliburn"), a leading independent financial advisor in the Australasian market. Caliburn has advised on more than A$170 bln of transactions since its founding, and had revenue for its fiscal years ended June 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007 of A$68.0 mln, A$80.9 mln and A$80.8 mln, respectively. The transaction is expected to close in early April. GHL will acquire 100% ownership of Caliburn in exchange for 1,099,875 shares of GHL common stock (with a value of $91 mln based on today's closing price) issued at closing plus a new convertible preferred stock ("Performance Stock") that pays no dividend and will convert into additional shares of GHL common stock in three and five years if certain revenue levels are achieved. A further 659,925 shares of GHL common stock would be issued upon conversion of the Performance Stock on the third anniversary of the closing of the transaction if Caliburn has achieved average revenue of A$50 mln per annum during this three-year period, and a further 439,950 shares of GHL common stock would be issued upon conversion of the Performance Stock on the fifth anniversary, if Caliburn has achieved further average revenue of A$50 mln per annum during the two year period prior to that date.

16:48

FNFG First Niagara prices $300 mln, 6.75% senior notes offering (14.44 -0.03)

Co priced an underwritten offering of $300 mln of 6.75% senior unsecured notes due March 19, 2020. The co expects to use a portion of the net proceeds to redeem the co's $150 mln in 12% senior notes maturing September 10, 2014 that were issued in September 2009 to National City Bank, a subsidiary of PNC Financial Services Group. That facility was negotiated in connection with the 2009 sale of certain National City branches in Western Pennsylvania to First Niagara. The agreement allows First Niagara to prepay PNC in whole or part prior to maturity without penalty. Proceeds from the debt offering will also be used to pay down an existing $50 million line of credit and for general corporate purposes.

16:46

LPNT LifePoint Hospitals announces 10b5-1 plan to facilitate share repurchase of up to $70 mln in common stock (34.90 +0.51)

16:38

ADAT Authentidate Holding reports U.S. Court of Appeals affirms in part the dismissal of shareholder class actions (1.03 +0.01)

Co announced that the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has issued an order affirming in part and vacating and remanding in part the March 2009 decision of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which had granted the company's motion to dismiss with prejudice shareholder class actions filed between June and August 2005 against the company and certain current and former directors and former officers.

16:37

X U.S. Steel announces pricing $600 mln on 7.375% senior notes offering due 2020 (62.67 +1.98) -Update-

Co announced the pricing of its public offering of $600 mln aggregate principal amount of 7.375 % senior notes due 2020. The notes were priced at 99.125% of the principal amount. The Notes will pay interest semi-annually in arrears at a rate of 7.375% per year and will mature on April 1, 2020, unless earlier repurchased, and will pay interest on April 1 and October 1 of each year beginning October 1, 2010.

16:33

HIG Hartford Financial announces plan to return U.S. Treasury Investment (27.26 +0.44)

Co announced that, after consultation with the Office of Thrift Supervision, it is conducting a public offering of equity and debt securities as part of a plan to fully repurchase the $3.4 bln of The Hartford's preferred shares issued to the U.S. Treasury under Treasury's Capital Purchase Program (CPP). The offerings announced today will consist of $1.45 bln of common stock and $500 mln of mandatory convertible preferred stock, represented by depositary shares. The debt offering related to the repurchase of the government's preferred stock will consist of $425 mln of senior notes. In addition, the company will pre-fund the repurchase of its senior debt maturing in 2010 and 2011 through the issuance of an additional $675 mln of senior notes.

16:32

MMC Marsh McLennan Agency acquires Thomas Rutherfoord; Terms of the transaction are not disclosed (24.49 +0.26)

Marsh & McLennan Agency, a subsidiary of insurance broker Marsh, announces it has acquired Thomas Rutherfoord, the country's 32nd largest brokerage co and 14th largest independently owned co in the U.S. The acquisition makes Marsh & McLennan Agency the country's 13th largest insurance agency with annual revenue of $171 million. Terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

16:31

CYTK Cytokinetics announces that James Sabry, who has been serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors, is resigning (3.30 +0.03)

Following Dr. Sabry's resignation, the Board of Directors elected L. Patrick Gage, as Cytokinetics' Chairman of the Board of Directors. These changes are effective immediately.

16:17

MRH Montpelier Re reports initial loss estimate from the Chilean earthquake and other first quarter catastrophes (17.43 +0.25)

Co announced a preliminary estimate of losses from the recent Chilean earthquake, European windstorm Xynthia and the Australian hailstorms. Montpelier currently estimates its pretax net loss from the Chilean earthquake will be $75 mln to $100 mln, net of reinstatement premiums. Montpelier currently estimates its combined pretax net losses from European Windstorm Xynthia and the Australian hailstorms will be less than $10 mln, net of reinstatement premiums.

16:16

TXCC TranSwitch entered into a new credit facility agreement for up to $5 million with availability determined by outstanding accounts receivable (3.02 -0.14)

16:15

CIEN Ciena sells $375 mln 4% in convertible senior notes due 2015 (15.98 +0.23)

16:13

TOO Teekay Offshore announces public offering of 4.4 mln common units and acquisition of FSO (19.62 -0.55)

Co announced that it plans to offer 4.4 mln common units, representing limited partner interests, in a public offering. Teekay Offshore expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase an additional 660,000 common units to cover over-allotments, if any. The Partnership expects to use a portion of the net proceeds from the public offering to repay the approximately $60 million of outstanding debt under its unsecured subordinated debt facility with Teekay Corporation, and expects to use the remaining net proceeds, together with cash on hand, to finance the purchase of a floating storage and offtake (FSO) unit, the Falcon Spirit.

16:11

AGNC American Capital Agency declared Q1 cash dividend of $1.40 per share, unchanged from prior qtr (27.31 +0.54)

16:10

MTLK Metalink Ltd (MTLKD) announced request for voluntary delisting from the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (1.50 -0.09)

16:06

RUE rue21 beats by $0.02, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS above consensus; guides FY10 EPS above consensus (34.10 +1.01)

Reports Q4 (Jan) earnings of $0.32 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.30; revenues rose 30.5% year/year to $155.4 mln vs the $149.7 mln consensus. Comparable-store sales increased by 8.6% over 4Q08. Operating margin increased to 8.3% for 4Q09 from 6.4% for 4Q08, driven primarily by gross margin expansion of 340 bps. Co issues upside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.16-0.18 vs. $0.15 consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $1.08-1.13 vs. $0.90 consensus. The company currently expects a mid-single digit comparable store sales increase in the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

16:06

HRP HRPT Properties Trust announces proposed public offering of 20,000,000 common shares (7.66 +0.15)

HRP expects to use the net proceeds to repay amounts outstanding under its $750 mln revolving credit facility and fund general business activities, including possible future acquisitions. It is contemplated that the underwriters will also be granted a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 3,000,000 shares to cover over allotments, if any.

16:05

WRLS Telular now expects to sell between 24,000 and 28,000 Telguard units for the current quarter ended March 31, 2010 (4.62 +0.13)

Co now expects to sell between 24,000 and 28,000 Telguard units for the current quarter ended March 31, 2010, and 12,000 to 20,000 Telguard units per quarter for the Q3 and Q4. This is a decrease from a previous estimate of 30,000 to 40,000 units per quarter for the remainder of fiscal 2010 as previously reported. Despite the adjustment, Telular expects fiscal 2010 net income and net income before non-cash items to grow over fiscal 2009 net income and net income before non-cash items of $1.9 million and $4.7 million, respectively, as the solid base of recurring service revenue continues to grow. The reduced guidance is the direct result of a change in pricing terms within agreements between ADT and its network of authorized dealers who sell and install security equipment and represent ADT in the sale of monthly monitoring services. The new service pricing terms mandated by ADT to its authorized dealers require a monthly surcharge for those systems that include a Telguard unit. As a result, it is much less likely that the authorized dealers will choose Telguard products over other options. The impact on Telular's financial results will be less significant than the impact on Telular's sales volume because Telular's service revenue from ADT was lower margin revenue than that of other security dealers.

16:05

CXM Cardium Therapeutics reports Q4 pro-forma EPS of ($0.02) vs. pro-forma ($0.07) in the prior year's quarter; revs rose 334% to $0.18 mln (10.46 -0.02)

16:04

EM Emdeon beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line; guides FY10 EPS in-line, revs in-linel announces acquisition (16.64 +0.56)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.20 per share, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.19. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $0.90-0.94 vs. $0.91 consensus; sees FY10 revs of $1.00-1.06 bln vs. $1 bln consensus. Co also announces the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Healthcare Technology Management Services, a management consulting company focused primarily on the healthcare payer market. HTMS consultants have provided consulting services for payer organizations with a special focus on technology and operations for more than 20 years. The acquisition is subject to certain closing conditions and is expected to close this month. Consideration for the transaction will be $11 million at closing, to be paid $8.5 million in cash and $2.5 million in restricted Emdeon Class A common stock, with additional contingent payments of $0 to $14 million in cash based upon the financial performance of the acquired business for the three year period following the closing.

16:02

MMLP Martin Midstream Partners announces $200 mln private placement of senior notes due 2018 (31.43 -0.24)

MMLP intends to use the net proceeds of this offering to repay existing long-term indebtedness.

16:02

DDR Developers Diversified Rlty prices $300 million of senior unsecured notes (12.39 +0.45)

The co announces the pricing of $300 million of senior unsecured notes in an underwritten public offering. The offering consists of $300 million of 7.50% notes due April 2017. The notes are being offered to investors at a price of 99.995% with a yield to maturity of 7.50%. Interest on the notes will be paid semi-annually on October 1 and April 1. The offering is expected to close on or about March 19, 2010, subject to customary closing conditions.

16:01

AMTD TD Ameritrade reports monthly metrics (18.80 unch)

The co announces company metrics for February 2010. Monthly activities included: An average of 347,000 client trades per day in February 2010, up 13 percent from February 2009 and down 18% from January 2010. From March 1, 2010 through March 12, 2010, the Company averaged 369,000 trades per day. Approximately $324.0 billion in total client assets as of Feb. 28, 2010, up 54% from February 2009 and up 3% from January 2010. Average spread-based balances of $52.4 billion, up 100%t from February 2009 and up 2% from January 2010. Average fee-based balances of $58.1 billion, down 1% from February 2009 and down 1% from January 2010. "So far this quarter, we have continued to see low intra-day volatility and interest rates that have remained at near-zero levels. Consequently, March quarter earnings are shaping up much like the December quarter," said Bill Gerber, executive vice president and chief financial officer. "That said, we remain pleased with the progress of our growth strategy and continue to see strong organic growth." (Q4 EPS was $0.23; Q1 First Call Consenus is $0.28)

16:01

VRTX Vertex Pharm announces acceptance of Telaprevir and VX-222 abstracts for presentation at EASL annual meeting (43.71 +0.47)

Co announces that multiple abstracts related to the hepatitis C virus protease inhibitor telaprevir and the HCV polymerase inhibitor VX-222 were accepted for presentation at the 45th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver. The accepted abstracts include an oral presentation of results from Study 107, which evaluated telaprevir in HCV patients with well-characterized prior response to HCV therapy, including those with prior null response, partial response, viral breakthrough or relapse. Additionally, an abstract related to results from a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of VX-222 in treatment-naive genotype 1 HCV patients was accepted for oral presentation.

16:01

COV Covidien announces $1 bln share repurchase program (50.37 -0.18)

16:00

PDCO Patterson Companies announces that its Board of Directors has approved initiating a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share (30.57 +0.19)

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