Briefing.com: Hourly In Play (R) – 20:00 ET

Jul 19, 2010 (Briefing.com via COMTEX) -- Hourly In Play (R)

Updated: 19-Jul-10 20:00 ET

18:26

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

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

18:02

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

18:01

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

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

18:00

MANT ManTech COO resigns (40.75 +0.26)

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

17:52

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

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

17:47

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

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

17:47

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

17:47

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

17:22

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

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

17:14

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

17:09

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

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

17:08

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

17:05

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

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

17:05

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

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

17:05

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

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

17:04

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

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

17:04

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

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

17:01

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

17:01

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

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

17:01

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

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

17:00

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

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

16:57

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

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

16:57

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

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

16:52

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

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

16:48

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

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

16:46

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

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

16:39

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

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

16:38

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

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

16:35

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

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

16:34

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

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

16:32

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

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

16:32

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

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

16:31

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

16:29

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

16:24

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

16:17

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

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

16:16

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

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

16:13

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

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

16:09

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

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

16:07

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

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

16:07

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

16:07

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

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

16:07

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

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

16:06

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

16:06

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

16:05

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

16:05

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

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

16:03

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

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

16:03

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

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

16:02

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

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

16:02

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

16:01

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

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

16:01

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

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

16:01

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

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

16:01

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

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

16:01

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

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

15:46

Conferences and Shareholder/Analyst Meetings of Interest

Events of interest of interest for tomorrow, July 20, include: Fed/Treasury: Fed's Tarullo Testifies Before Senate on Fin. Reg.

15:40

Earnings Calendar

Today after the close look for the following companies to report: ATHR, BRO, CCK, ELS, IBM, ICUI, IEX, LDSH, LNCR, NE, PKG, RLRN, RLI, STLD, TXN, TUP, and ZION. Tomorrow before the open look for the following companies to report: AOS, ASTE, BK, BIIB, CRUS, FRX, GS, HOG, ITW, JNJ, LAB, MI, VIVO, MUSA, MTG, MICC, NEOG, OMC, BTU, PEP, PII, WNI, STT, AMTD, TXI, UNG, WFT, and WHR.

15:40

SMH Global & sector ETF money flows- Semis (IGW, SMH, XSD) remain the strongest sector nearing the closing bell; Gold Miners & Junior Gold Miners (GDX, GDXJ) continue to display relative weakness -Technical-

The Actively Traded Leading Global & Sector ETFs:

semis- SMH +2.0%, XSD +2.25%, IGW +2.0%, biotechnology HLDRS- BBH +2.0%, Thailand- THD +2.0%, oil HLDRS & oil & gas services- OIH +1.75%, XES +1.50%, Russia- RSX +1.75%, iShares Chile- ECH +2.0%, iShares Taiwan- EWT +1.50%, REITS & real estate- ICF +1.50%, VNQ +1.25%, IYR +1.25%, iShares Italy- EWI +1.50%, SPDRS utilities- XLU +1.50%, iShares Brazil- EWZ +1.50%, solar power- TAN +1.50%.

The Actively Traded Lagging Global & Sector ETFs:

gold miners & junior gold miners- GDX -2.50%, GDXJ -3.0%, VIX vol index- VXX -2.75%, VXZ -1.0%, ag/grain complex- JJG -1.75%, DBA -1.0%, homebuilders & home construction- ITB -1.0%, XHB -0.50%, gold- IAU -1.0%, GLD -1.0%, regional banks- KRE -1.0%, US bonds & fixed income- TLT -0.75%, TLH -0.50%.

15:12

SUG Southern Union priced $500 mln, 5.45%, 10 yr senior notes; priced $350 mln, 4%, 5 yr senior notes (22.52 +0.29)

15:09

SPY New session high for Dow +80 and S&P +8.6, Nasdaq +19 probing early high -Update- -Technical-

Sector leadership on this move has come from Energy XLE / OIH and Finance XLF / RKH.

14:58

APOL NASDAQ 100 (NDX) strength & weakness- Education name (APOL) continue to lead all with Semis (NVDA, XLNX, MRVL, BRCM) also outperforming in the index heading into today's final hour of trading -Technical-

NDX 10 Best % Performers:

APOL, NVDA, NIHD, GILD, XLNX, ALTR, FLEX, BRCM, MRVL, DELL

NDX 10 Worst % Performers:

AAPL, SHLD, BIDU, HSIC, XRAY, ISRG, ESRX, PDCO, SNDK, COST

NASDAQ A/D +205

NASDAQ TRIN +0.60

14:56

INTC Dow 30 (INDU) strength & weakness- Semi name (INTC) maintains leadership in the industrials heading into today's final hour of trading; Financial name (BAC) continues to lag -Technical-

INDU 5 Best % Performers:

INTC, BA, AA, CAT, IBM

INDU 5 Worst % Performers:

BAC, WMT, CSCO, PG, MCD

NYSE A/D +770

NYSE TRIN +0.80

14:51

TECHX Relative Sector Strength as stock indices approach morning highs -Update- -Technical-

Sector displaying relative strength as the stock indices edge back toward morning/session highs this afternoon (outperforming the S&P) include: Energy XLE / OIH, Materials XLB, Finance XLF / RKH, Disk Drive, REITs IYR, Casino, Solar TAN.

14:44

SPY Minor upticks bring midday range highs into play -- Dow +50, S&P +5.1, Nasdaq +13.6 -Update- -Technical-

14:44

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

December corn closed 13 cents lower at $3.9425 per bushel, November soybeans closed lower by 13 cents at $9.8625 per bushel, Sept wheat closed 5 cents lower at $5.8225 per bushel, Dec ethanol closed $0.034 lower at $1.600, October world sugar futures closed 0.50 cents higher to 17.61 cents.

14:38

COMDX NYMEX Energy Closing Prices

Crude oil settled higher by 53 cents to $76.54, natural gas finished down 0.9 cents to $4.511, RBOB gasoline ended up 1.12 cents to $2.0598 and heating oil closed higher by 0.57 cents to $2.017 (all Aug contracts).

13:37

HIL Hill International receives $12 mln contract to support U.S. Department of Energy (47.09 -0.15)

13:33

DIGA Digital Angel seeing significantly higher demand for electronic and visual identification tags in several European Union countries (0.43 +0.03)

Co announced that it is experiencing significantly higher demand for electronic and visual identification tags in several European Union countries as a result of recent animal health and food safety regulations. Co has begun shipping, the Duflex FT, its new fold-over tag with specific retention and read rates, to help its European partners comply with this new legislation. Some highlights include: Countryside Services, subsidiary of Ulster Farmers' Union in Northern Ireland, placed its first order of 500K electronic and visual identification tags for distribution in Ireland and the U.K.; Sales in the U.K. have more than doubled y/y from the first half of 2009; Sales of electronic identification tags have increased dramatically in the Netherlands; First half 2010 revenues doubled year-over-year in Holland. Under regulation from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), all sheep born on or after December 31 2009 in the United Kingdom must have two identifiers, one electronic and one visual. Similar regulation has also been passed in the Netherlands.

13:32

COMDX COMEX Metals Closing Prices

August gold ended lower by $6.20 to $1182.00, Sept silver shed 21.3 cents to finish at $17.575, and Sept copper gained 0.85 cents to close at $2.938.

13:19

PRVT Private Media: Berth Milton returns as CEO of Private Media Group (2.13 +0.09)

Co announced that effective July 19, 2010, Berth Milton has assumed the role of acting CEO of Private Media Group, Mr. Milton, currently Chairman and President, succeeds Ilan Bunimovitz, who was appointed as CEO in April 2009. Mr. Milton previously served as CEO of the Company from its origins as a publisher of a single magazine in 1991 until 2001, and from 2003 until Mr. Bunimovitz's appointment in 2009.

12:40

BBH Global & sector ETF money flows- Biotechnology (BBH) now leads all sectors here @ midday; Gold Miners & Junior Gold Miners (GDX, GDXJ) underperform -Technical-

The Actively Traded Leading Global & Sector ETFs:

biotechnology HLDRS- BBH +1.75%, Thailand- THD +1.50%, Russia- RSX +1.50%, SPDRS utilities- XLU +1.50%, iShares Chile- ECH +1.50%, oil HLDRS and oil & gas services- OIH +1.50%, XES +1.0%, iShares Taiwan- EWT +1.25%, semis- SMH +1.25%, IGW +1.25%, XSD +1.25%, iShares Brazil- EWZ +1.0%, emerging mkts- EEM +1.0%, iShares Italy- EWI +1.0%, iShares S Korea- EWY +0.75%

The Actively Traded Lagging Global & Sector ETFs:

gold miners & junior gold miners- GDX -3.0%, GDXJ -3.25%, US airlines- FAA -3.0%, VIX vol index- VXX -2.0%, VXZ -0.75%, ag/grain complex- JJG -1.75%, DBA -1.0%, silver- SLV -1.50%, regional banks- KRE -1.25%, RKH -1.0%, gold- GLD -1.0%, IAU -1.0%, commercial banks- KBE -1.0%, iShares S Africa- EZA -0.75%, SPDRS metals & mining- XME -0.75%

12:36

RGN Regenerex Biopharam announced a research team reported Tb4 improved neurological functional outcome in rats (0.28 +0.02)

Co announced a research team from the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI, reported that Thymosin beta 4 (Tb4), administered to rats after embolic stroke, improved neurological functional outcome compared to control animals. "Some of these data were previously reported at an International Stroke Conference in March; however, the data published today include more specific information on functional remodeling and potential mechanisms of action related to recruitment and differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells."

12:31

APOL NASDAQ 100 (NDX) strength & weakness- Education name (APOL) continues to lead the index @ midday -Technical-

NDX 10 Best % Performers:

APOL, NIHD, GILD, NVDA, ATVI, CMCSA, MYL, XLNX, QCOM, DELL

NDX 10 Worst % Performers:

AAPL, BIDU, SHLD, HSIC, WYNN, SNDK, XRAY, PDCO, WCRX, ISRG

NASDAQ A/D -190

NASDAQ TRIN +0.55

12:30

SPY Second test of morning rebound highs for stock indices -- Dow +29, S&P +2.8, Nasdaq +71. -Update- -Technical-

12:29

AA Dow 30 (INDU) strength & weakness- Aluminum name (AA) leads the industrials now @ midday; Financials (AXP, BAC, JPM) remain the weakest performers -Technical-

INDU 5 Best % Performers:

AA, IBM, INTC, MSFT, BA

INDU 5 Worst % Performers:

BAC, AXP, JPM, WMT, MMM

NYSE A/D +10

NYSE TRIN +0.85

12:16

GR Goodrich, Lockheed Martin (LMT), and Fokker sign agreements to develop composite landing gear structures for F-35 Lightning II (66.46 -0.24)

Goodrich signed a memorandum of agreement with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics to design and develop polymer matrix composite landing gear drag braces for the F-35 Lightning II. In addition, Goodrich signed a MOA with Netherlands-based Fokker Landing Gear for the supply of PMC drag braces for the F-35's main landing gear.

12:15

TECHX Relative weakness in recent action in Energy/Commodity XLE, OIH, XOP, GDX, KOL -Update- -Technical-

12:01

GE General Electric and Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction of South Korea enter long-term agreement for development of nuclear and fossil steam turbines and generators (14.60 +0.05)

12:00

XOM Exxon Mobil announces multi-year supply agreement With Caterpillar (58.31 +0.34)

ExxonMobil will manufacture and supply Caterpillar (CAT) branded lubricants to Caterpillar factories and dealers worldwide. With this agreement, ExxonMobil continues as the exclusive worldwide supplier for 33 Caterpillar lubricants used in engines, transmissions, hydraulics and final drives.

11:54

HTLD Heartland Express beats by $0.02, beats on revs (15.01 +0.03)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.18 per share, $0.02 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.16; revenues rose 8.9% year/year to $127.4 mln vs the $124.3 mln consensus. Net income decreased by $0.03 per share due to a decrease in gains on disposal of property and equipment and increased depreciation expense primarily attributable to the purchase of new tractors during 2009.

11:54

SPY Stock indices testing morning rebound highs -- Dow +25, S&P +2.1, Nasdaq +7.4 -Update- -Technical-

11:47

European Markets Closing Prices

European markets are now closed; stock markets across Europe performed as follows: UK's FTSE: -0.1% Germany's DAX: -0.3% France's CAC: -0.1% Spain's IBEX: -0.6% Portugal's PSI: -0.2%

11:38

CTT Competitive Technologies announced it expects revenue from its Calmare Treatment for the Q4 of FY10 to be about $1 mln, nearly double that of the prior quarter (2.12 -0.12)

11:30

PHM Pulte Homes COO Steve Petruska announces retirement (8.01 -0.04)

Co announced that, effective August 14, 2010, Steven C. Petruska, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will retire from the Company in conjunction with a new organizational structure. Richard J. Dugas, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer will assume responsibilities for the Company's homebuilding operations as the COO position is eliminated under the new structure.

11:14

CSCX Cardiac Science updates aed customers affected by November 2009 recall; co will replace approximately 24,000 AEDs used by certain first responders (1.17 +0.04)

Company estimates this plan will add between $10 and $15 million to the $18.5 million expense previously accrued for the November, 2009 recall. The Company has executed an updated agreement with Silicon Valley Bank, increasing its line of credit from $5 million to $15 million and will use borrowings from this line, in combination with existing cash resources, to carry out this updated recall plan.

11:13

AAPL Apple attempting to stabilize after testing retracement (242.07 -7.83) -Update- -Technical-

Highlighted the test of last week's low (246.43) in early trade with the decline extended this morning back the 50% retracement of the rally off the flash crash low at 239.13 (session low 239.60). Intraday resistance is near 243 with a more important barrier at 245/246. Initial support below if unable to build on the bounce off the retracement is at 235.86 (three month/May closing low).

11:03

SPY S&P -0.6 and Nasdaq +0.5 pull back near support zones -Technical-

New session lows in recent trade slightly under Friday's troughs has resulted in a slide back near first level supports noted in The Technical Take at 2175/2167 Nasdaq (session low 2171) and 1060/1058 S&P (session low 1061). For this morning watching 1065/1066 S&P for a read on the underlying strength of this move off the low.

11:01

PTV Pactiv Corp invests $14.5 mln in production capacity for new technology molded fiber carryout containers made from sustainable materials (28.60 -0.27)

10:56

XOM Exxon Mobil wholly-owned subsidiary commences cash tender offer for $2.694 bln in debt securities (58.25 +0.29)

10:52

SPY Dow -22 joins S&P -3.7 and Nasdaq -6.7 below Friday lows -Update- -Technical-

10:48

BTIM BioTime clirifies that $35 mln of principal and accrued interest is now owed to BioTime, not to third parties (4.49 -0.10)

Co discovered that a news release originated overseas reported that BioTime assumed $35 mln of debt in acquiring ES Cell International Pte Ltd. ("ESI"), and now owes that debt to outside third parties. That report is not correct. In May 2010, BioTime acquired all of the ESI preferred shares and ordinary shares held by ESI shareholders, and acquired notes in the amount of approximately $35 mln of principal and accrued interest held by one of the ESI shareholders. In other words, the $35 mln of principal and accrued interest is now owed to BioTime, not to third parties. Since ESI is also a wholly owned subsidiary of BioTime, the notes and receivables cancel each other out with no net liability to any third party appearing on BioTime's consolidated balance sheet. While BioTime could elect to simply remove the intercompany indebtedness, we have decided to leave the intercompany obligation in place for future tax planning purposes. BioTime did not incur or assume any indebtedness when it acquired ESI.

10:44

LSE Capital Lease Funding announces three year extension of credit agreement (4.61 -0.07)

10:35

ECH Global & sector ETF money flows- Chile (ECH) leads all regional plays while RBOB Gasoline (UGA) leads the domestic sectors; US Airlines (FAA) lag through today's 1st hour of trading -Technical-

The Actively Traded Leading Global & Sector ETFs:

iShares Chile- ECH +1.50%, RBOB gas- UGA +1.50%, iShares Taiwan- EWT +1.25%, crude/WTI oil- USO +1.25%, OIL +1.25%, Thailand- THD +1.25%, Russia- RSX +1.25%, biotechnology HLDRS- BBH +1.25%, commods. index- GSG +1.25%, iShares Italy- EWI +1.0%, semis- XSD +0.75%, SMH +0.75%, IGW +0.50%

The Actively Traded Lagging Global & Sector ETFs:

US airlines- FAA -3.75%, gold miners & junior gold miners- GDX -2.0%, GDXJ -2.0%, homebuilders & home construction- XHB -1.25%, ITB -1.0%, financials- XLF -1.25%, IYF -1.25%, commercial banks- KBE -1.25%, energy- IEO -1.0%, XOP -1.0%

10:30

SPY S&P -1.4 slips under Friday's low, Dow -2 and Nasdaq +0.9 hovering just above -Update- -Technical-

10:29

APOL NASDAQ 100 (NDX) strength & weakness- Education name (APOL) leads the index through the 1st hour of trading -Technical-

NDX 10 Best % Performers:

APOL, GILD, HIND, CMCSA, QCOM, MAT, AMGN, NVDA, YHOO, CELG

NDX 10 Worst % Performers:

BIDU, AAPL, SHLD, WYNN, STX, SNDK, FWLT, LOGI, HSIC, GENZ

NASDAQ A/D -290

NASDAQ TRIN +0.55

10:28

APD Air Products opens new office in Abu Dhabi and creates new legal entity, Air Products Gulf Gas (68.81 -0.51)

10:28

TECHX Airlines -XAL- extends firmly negative start, continues to pace the way lower -Update- -Technical-

The sector was hit in opening trade in the wake of some disappointment in earnings (DAL -9.5%). Other airlines pacing the way include: LCC -9.1%, CAL -7.4%, AMR -6.5%, UAUA -8.5%, LUV -3.5%, JBLU -3.5%, SKYW -3.2%, RJET -3.6%, AAI -2.1%, CPA -1%, GOL -2.8%, RYAAY -2%.

10:27

INTC Dow 30 (INDU) strength & weakness- Semis name (INTC) leads the industrials through the 1st hour of trading; Financials (BAC, AXP, JPM) lag -Technical-

INDU 5 Best % Performers:

INTC, BA, MSFT, PFE, T

INDU 5 Worst % Performers:

BAC, AXP, JPM, HD, WMT

NYSE A/D -450

NYSE TRIN +1.40

10:18

JPM JP Morgan Chase slides back near last week's low at 38.60 (38.61 -0.39) -Technical-

10:16

HGSI Human Genome: Aegera Therapeutics reports survival data from its Phase 1-2 study of AEG35156 in combination with Sorafenib (23.93 +0.02)

Aegera Therapeutics released survival data from the Phase 1 portion of its Phase 1-2 Study of the novel targeted therapeutic, AEG35156. The interim data, derived from the analysis of the 13 patients treated in the Phase 1 portion of this trial indicates that AEG35156 not only appears to be well tolerated when given in combination with sorafenib but may also prolong progression-free and overall survival when compared to historical data where patients were treated with sorafenib alone. Indeed, median progression-free survival of the Phase 1 patients was about 4 months and overall survival about 10 months. This data compares favorably with the median progression-free survival of 2.8 months and overall survival of 6.5 months noted in the sorafenib Phase 3 registration trial performed in the Asia Pacific region in a similar patient population. In addition to AEG35156, Aegera is working with its partner Human Genome Sciences to progress HGS1029 through early stage clinical development for oncology.

10:16

SPY Stock indices pulling back after modest early gains -- Dow +28, S&P +2.6, Nasdaq +7.3 -Update- -Technical-

Intraday weakness persists in Finance (KBE, KIE, XLF, KRE) with new lows recently established in Housing XHB, REITs IYR.

10:12

AAPL Apple slumps to fresh session low (244.44 -5.55) -Update- -Technical-

Noted the test of last week's low in the 09:39 update at 246.43 with the morning breach extended as low at 244.22 in recent trade. The next level of note mentioned earlier is at its July low at 243.20.

10:11

HITT Hittite Microwave acquires license to IBM Millimeterwave Technology (45.85 0.25)

Co announced it has acquired a license from IBM (IBM) to manufacture and market silicon IC millimeterwave transceivers developed by IBM. Also covered by the license are certain 57-64 GHz IC, package and antenna technology, as well as 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz IC intellectual property. Co also entered into a Joint Development Agreement with IBM related to millimeterwave technology.

10:08

BAC Bank of America approaches early July/11 month low (13.57 -0.41) -Update- -Technical-

Highlighted in the 09:34 update that BAC was flirting with its 11 month close low from early this month at 13.84. The Dow component has extended to slide but thus far has stabilize near the 11 month intraday low noted at 13.50 (session low 13.56). The next level of interest below if a breach is seen is at 13.24 (38% retrace of the 2009-2010 rally).

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