Briefing.com: Hourly In Play (R) – 22:00 ET

Aug 26, 2010 (Briefing.com via COMTEX) -- Hourly In Play (R)

Updated: 26-Aug-10 22:00 ET

18:31

ABAT Advanced Battery Tech announces battery supply contract for ~$5.7 mln (9% of co's 2009 revs) (3.56 -0.04)

Co announced that on August 24, 2010 it signed a polymer lithium-ion phosphate battery supply contract with Hengmin Opto-electrical Tech, which is based in DongGuan City, Guangdong Province. Hengmin is primarily engaged in lithium-battery pack assembly and power management systems production and sales. The contract amount is valued at ~$5.7 mln and shipment will begin within 30 days.

18:22

Futures are trading lower after hours: S&P 500 futures -2.18 points from fair value of 1045.68 and Nasdaq 100 futures -1.9 points from fair value of 1766.65

18:20

GLD December gold is just above the unchanged line in electronic trading; +$0.10 at $1237.80 per ounce (120.96 -0.40)

18:19

USO October crude oil is lower in electronic trading; currently -$0.30 at $73.06 per barrel (32.62 +0.25)

17:55

BXC Bluelinx: Cerberus Extends Cash Tender Offer for the Outstanding Shares in BlueLinx Holdings Inc. Not Owned by Its Affiliate (3.17 -0.03)

Cerberus ABP Investor LLC ("CAI"), an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. ("Cerberus"), and owner of a 55.37% majority stake in BXC, announced that CAI and Cerberus have extended the expiration date of their cash tender offer (the "Offer") of $3.40 per share for all of the outstanding publicly held shares of BXC not owned by CAI until midnight, New York City time, on Friday, September 10, 2010.

17:43

SONO SonoSite pops 2.4% to $30.32 on light volume following news of FDA clearance for its LumenVu Catheter Guidance System (see 17:39 post) (29.60 -0.73) -Update-

17:39

SONO SonoSite receives FDA clearance for LumenVu Catheter Guidance System (29.60 -0.73)

Co announced that it received FDA clearance for its innovative LumenVu Catheter Guidance System. Designed to aid in the placement of peripherally inserted central catheters, the proprietary LumenVu System combines near-infrared technology with a revolutionary fiber optic stylet, which replaces a traditional guide wire, to allow visualization and real-time tracking of a catheter tip as it advances through a vein.

17:35

ABX Barrick announces redemption of 2.75% convertible senior debentures; co reported the aggregate principal amount of Debentures currently outstanding is $229,170,000 (46.13 +1.00)

17:30

NX Quanex beats by $0.04 (15.61 -0.24)

Reports Q3 (Jun) earnings of $0.29 per share, ex $0.02 in charges, $0.04 better than the First Call consensus of $0.25; revenues rose 37.3% year/year to $225.2 mln vs the $213.2 mln consensus. Expressing the slowdown in terms of sales, the co is now estimating Q4 sales at Engineered Products to be flat compared to the sequential Q3, and in turn, co tightened its guidance to a range of $32-35 mln (from $32-37 mln) for 2010 operating income.

17:07

ANV Allied Nevada drills 177 meters grading 2.58 g/t gold equivalent in the Vortex Zone at Hycroft (22.35 +0.40)

Co provides an update to recent Vortex Zone definition drilling, including highlights from three newly drilled holes at its wholly owned Hycroft mine located near Winnemucca, Nevada. Highlights from the three holes include 177 meters grading 2.58 g/t AuEq (1.22 g/t Au and 78 g/t Ag), 134 meters grading 1.4 g/t AuEq (0.89 g/t Au and 29 g/t Ag) and 173 meters grading 2.18 g/t AuEq (0.84 g/t Au and 77 g/t Ag).

16:38

AMRC Ameresco agrees to acquire Quantum Engineering and Development (10.95 -0.60)

Co announced that it has agreed to purchase Quantum Engineering and Development, Inc, an energy service company active in Oregon and Washington. Quantum is currently serving the Portland, Oregon public schools, the state of Washington, and a number of schools, cities and towns in Washington State. With the acquisition, Ameresco will add Quantum's employees to its current workforce of more than 650

16:37

SLH Solera beats by $0.07, beats on revs; guides FY11 EPS in-line, revs in-line (39.35 -0.44)

Reports Q4 (Jun) earnings of $0.53 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.07 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.46; revenues rose 7.4% year/year to $154.7 mln vs the $152.3 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $2.15-2.22, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $2.22 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees FY11 revs of $640-648 mln vs. $644.62 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

16:30

WTM White Mountains Insurance announces that its Board of Directors authorized it to repurchase up to an additional 600K common shares (299.23 -2.31)

16:30

OVTI OmniVision beats by $0.04, misses on revs; guides Q2 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus (22.13 -0.08)

Reports Q1 (Jul) earnings of $0.39 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.04 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.35; revenues rose 82.9% year/year to $193.1 mln vs the $202.6 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for Q2, sees EPS of $0.46-0.59, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.40 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q2 revs of $220-240 mln vs. $219.90 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

16:30

XETA Xeta Tech announces agreement to acquire Data-Com Telecommunications; terms not disclosed (2.85 +0.25)

Data-Com is a privately held provider of communications equipment, applications and related services.

16:21

CPLA Capella Education names Steven L. Polacek as senior vice president and CFO (66.58 -0.87)

Co through its wholly owned subsidiary Capella University, announced that Steven L. Polacek will join the company as senior vice president and CFO effective Sept. 7, 2010.

16:20

PNM PNM Resources' Texas utility files for general rate increase (11.27 -0.17)

Co's transmission and distribution utility in Texas filed for an annual revenue increase of $20.1 mln, or 10.9%. If approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the proposed new general rates would go into effect in approximately one year. The filing proposes a return on equity of 11.5%, based on a rate base of $448.3 mln and a revenue requirement of $204.3 mln. The filing also proposes a debt-to-equity capital ratio of 50-50. The current ratio used for regulatory purposes is 60% debt and 40% equity.

16:17

IFLG InfoLogix positioned for strategic initiatives in second half of 2010 (4.41 +0.21)

Co's strategic plan for 2010 is to continue to: Reposition the co around Electronic Medical Records, SAP Supply Chain Execution, and Mobility solutions, three sectors of the market where we see new business opportunities. Carefully manage expenses, selectively reduce them wherever possible, and secure additional funding and restructure certain of our current indebtedness to meet our working capital and debt payment obligations.

16:16

XETA Xeta Tech reports Q3 EPS of $0.01 vs. ($0.84); revs grew 22% go $20.9 mln (2.85 +0.25)

The Co expects earnings per share for fiscal 2010 in the range of $0.16 to $0.20. The co said, looking at next fiscal year, with the continued success in its recurring services business, improvements in operating efficiencies, contribution from its active acquisition program, and pent up demand, the co expects to produce revenue in excess of $100 mln and EPS in the range of $0.30-0.40 for FY11.

16:15

DENN Denny's announces that Robert Rodriguez has been appointed to the position of COO, effective no later than Sept 13, 2010 (2.38 +0.04)

16:12

ADUS Addus HomeCare announced the resignation of Francis J. Leonard, Chief Financial Officer (4.80 -0.25)

Co announced the resignation of Francis J. Leonard, Chief Financial Officer. The Company is currently engaged in a search for a new Chief Financial Officer to replace Mr. Leonard, who has agreed to remain with the Company until November 30, 2010 to assist in the transition. Mr. Leonard intends to pursue other professional opportunities. Separately, Addus has initiated a search for the newly created executive position of Chief Operating Officer.

16:11

FBP First Bancorp announces results of preferred stock exchange offer (0.45 +0.05)

In accordance with the terms of the exchange offer, the number of shares of common stock into which each share of tendered preferred stock will be exchanged will be the number determined by dividing the exchange value per share of preferred stock, or $13.75, by the relevant price of $1.18, or 11.6525 shares. No fractional shares will be issued. The exchange offer resulted in $487.1 mln, or 88.54%, of the aggregate liquidation preference of the preferred stock being validly tendered.

16:10

NOVL Novell misses by $0.01, misses on revs (5.64 -0.07)

Reports Q3 (Jul) earnings of $0.06 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.07; revenues fell 7.9% year/year to $199 mln vs $197-199 mln pre-announcement.

16:09

UFI Unifi will seek stockholder approval to affect a 1:3 reverse stock split of its common shares, reducing outstanding shares to ~20 mln from ~60 mln (4.38 -0.03)

16:07

JCG J. Crew beats by $0.07, beats on revs; guides Q3 EPS below consensus; lowers FY11 EPS guidance below consensus (33.43 -0.22)

Reports Q2 (Jul) earnings of $0.53 per share, $0.07 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.46; revenues rose 14.0% year/year to $407.5 mln vs the $403.3 mln consensus; comps -5%; Q2 gross margin of 44.6%% vs the 44.0% consensus Co issues downside guidance for Q3, sees EPS of $0.55-0.60 vs. $0.71 Thomson Reuters consensus. Co lowers guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $2.25-2.35, including a $0.03 benefit from forfeited share-based awards, vs. $2.46 Thomson Reuters consensus, down from $2.35-2.45 previously.

16:07

VPRT Vistaprint announces decision of U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirming dismissal of purported class action lawsuit (30.00 -0.86)

Co announced that on August 23, 2010, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued an opinion affirming the August 2009 decision of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas that dismissed the purported class action lawsuit against co and two third party merchants. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit found that the District Court's "detailed analysis is compelling in explaining that each claim is entirely without merit."

16:06

GEO Geo Group announces retirement of president and COO, Wayne Calabrese (21.08 -0.07)

16:05

SLAB Silicon Labs announces the settlement of its patent infringement lawsuit against Quintic and its Chinese affiliate; parties agreed to a patent licensing and royalty arrangement (38.90 -0.09)

Co announces the settlement of its patent infringement lawsuit against Quintic and its Chinese affiliate. The companies agreed to a patent licensing and royalty arrangement that provides Quintic with a limited license to Silicon Labs' international portfolio of FM radio patents.

16:05

MCRS Micros Systems beats by $0.08, beats on revs; guides FY11 revs in-line (35.42 -0.84)

Reports Q4 (Jun) earnings of $0.49 per share, $0.08 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.41; revenues rose 11.4% year/year to $248.2 mln vs the $244.3 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees FY11 revs of $1-$1.005 bln vs. $999.71 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. Sees FY11 net income between $140-142 mln.

16:04

NZ Netezza beats by $0.03, beats on revs; increases revenue growth guidance (14.92 -0.23)

Reports Q2 (Jul) earnings of $0.09 per share, $0.03 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.06; revenues rose 45.3% year/year to $63.8 mln vs the $53.9 mln consensus. Co says " ... Our performance in the first half of the fiscal year reflected strength in our business across all verticals, and we expect to see this continue. As a result, we are increasing our guidance for the full fiscal year to approximately 30% annual revenue growth. We will continue to invest across the organization during the second half of the year and expect operating margin improvement year over year." (Briefing.com note: current FY10 consensus of $234 mln calls for ~23% YoY growth)

16:03

HTCH Hutchinson promotes David Radloff to VP and CFO, replacing Steve Polacek who resigned to accept a position in another company (2.74 -0.14)

16:03

BEBE bebe stores beats by $0.01, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS in-line (5.60 -0.01)

Reports Q4 (Jun) earnings of $0.02 per share, after taking into account $0.02 per share, net of tax, in impairment, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.01; revenues fell 2.2% year/year to $127.4 mln vs the $123.2 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q1, sees EPS of (0.02)-0.02 vs. $0.00 Thomson Reuters consensus. For Q1, the Co currently anticipates that comparable store sales will be in the low to mid-single digit negative range.

16:02

AXS AXIS Capital CFO, David Greenfield, resigns effective 11/30/2010; reasons not disclosed (30.94 -0.43)

16:01

VNDA Vanda Pharma Initiates Phase III clinical study aimed at resetting the body clock (6.36 +0.01)

Co announced it has initiated a Phase III clinical trial to evaluate tasimelteon in patients with non-24-hour sleep wake disorder, a condition experienced primarily by totally blind individuals that results in abnormal night sleep patterns and chronic daytime sleepiness.

16:01

CALM Cal-Maine Foods Clarifies Previous Statement on Nationwide Shell Egg Recall (31.01 -0.49)

Co issued the following clarification regarding the previously announced voluntary recall of shell eggs supplied from Hillandale Farms of Iowa. This information does not increase the total number of eggs which Cal-Maine purchased from Hillandale Farms, which was previously announced on August 20, 2010. Cal-Maine immediately contacted its customers to ensure that any eggs included in the recall were withdrawn from the marketplace. Cal-Maine has voluntarily recalled specific Julian dates of shell eggs purchased on May 31, 2010, from Hillandale Farms of Iowa and re-packaged by Cal-Maine's Benton County, Arkansas, facility, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Potentially affected eggs that were received by Cal-Maine at this facility total approximately 24,000 dozen. The affected eggs were distributed to food wholesalers and retailers in Oklahoma and Arkansas. Cal-Maine's Benton County, Arkansas, facility received these eggs from Hillandale Farms of Iowa, which were then re-packaged into large loose 5, 15 and 30 dozen units.

15:44

Earnings Calendar

Today after the close look for the following companies to report: ARUN, BEBE, DLLR, IRF, JCG, MCRS, NZ, NOVL, OVTI, and SLH. Tomorrow before the open look for the following companies to report: FRO and TIF.

15:41

JO Global & sector ETF money flows- Coffee (JO) leads all percentage gainers in late trade; Sugar (SGG) the weakest performing commodity while Semis (SMH, IGW) weigh on tech. -Technical-

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

coffee- JO +3.75%, cotton- BAL +2.25%, RBOB gasoline- UGA +2.0%, base metals- DBB +2.0%, copper- JJC +2.0%, agricultures & grains- JJG +1.75%, DBA +0.75%, heating oil- UHN +1.50%, palladium- PALL +1.50%, gold/silver metals & mining- GDX +1.50%, GDXJ +0.25%, commodities- DBC +1.0%, crude/WTI oil- USO +0.75%, OIL +1.0%

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

sugar- SGG -3.0%, semis- SMH -1.75%, IGW -1.50%, XSD -1.25%, biotechnology- BBH -1.75%, XBI -1.50%, IBB -1.25%, natural gas- UNG -1.50%, iShares Mexico- EWW -1.50%, homebuilders & home construction- XHB -1.25%, ITB -1.0%, capital mkts- KCE -1.25%, coal- KOL -1.25%

15:35

ARST ArcSight spikes higher intraday on strong volume (35.60 +7.45) -Technical-

15:31

Events and conferences of interest for tomorrow: Bernanke at KC Fed's Conference 10:00 ET

15:30

PX Praxair unit in Thailand expands carbon dioxide capacity; scheduled to come on stream in the fourth quarter of 2011 (85.72 -0.21)

Praxair (Thailand), a subsidiary of Praxair, will build a new, energy-efficient carbon dioxide plant in Map Ta Phut. With a capacity of 300 tons of liquid carbon dioxide per day, it is scheduled to come on stream in the fourth quarter of 2011.

15:17

SPY S&P -6.6 edging modesttly off afternoon low -Update- -Technical-

A solid move higher off yesterday's low was followed by limited upside this morning and now two distinct intraday moves lower. This puts in the index in a potentially key short term time period as it edges off the recent low. A push back through intraday barriers at 1049 and then the midday range lows (1051/1052) is needed to neutralize the weaker pattern that is potentilly developing off the high.

15:02

TECHX Sector Relative Weakness -Update- -Technical-

Sectors that are underperforming the S&P during the afternoon retreat include: Oil Service OIH, Energy XLE, Finance XLF, Semi SMH, Disk Drive, Airline FAA, Networking, Casino, Solar TAN.

15:02

INDXCH Index Change Reminder

Tyco International (TYC) will replace Smith Intl (SII) in the S&P 500 after the close of trading today.

14:59

SPY Stock indices retreat off early highs/resistance continues -- Dow -84, S&P -9.3, Nasdaq -23 -Update- -Technical-

The Dow has dropped roughly 50 points below its midday range.

14:58

FSLR NASDAQ 100 (NDX) strength & weakness- Solar Power (FSLR) now leads all percentage gainers moving towards the final hour of trading -Technical-

NDX 10 Best % Performers:

FSLR, NTAP, NIHD, VRSN, CTXS, DTV, YHOO, LINTA, DELL, EXPE

NDX 10 Worst % Performers:

SNDK, PDCO, HSIC, VRTX, MRVL, URBN, STX, FLEX, WYNN, BIIB

NASDAQ A/D -2:1

NASDAQ TRIN +2.05

14:55

BA Dow 30 (INDU) strength & weakness- Aerospace & Defense (BA) continues to lead all percentage gainers moving towards the final hour of trading; 27 of 30 components now trade with losses -Technical-

INDU 5 Best % Performers:

BA, HD, MCD

INDU 5 Worst % Performers:

CSCO, IBM, INTC, WMT, MMM

NYSE A/D @ -1.5:1

NYSE TRIN +1.45

14:50

WABC Westamerica Banc announces up to 2 mln share stock repurchase plan, representing ~6.9% of co's outstanding common stock (51.22 -0.22)

14:37

COMDX NYMEX Energy Closing Prices

Oct crude oil settled higher by $0.84 to $73.36, Sept natural gas shed 4.2 cents to finish at $3.829, Sept RBOB gasoline ended higher by 4.08 cents to $1.9047 while Sept heating oil gained 3.69 cents to close at $2.0075.

14:35

COMDX CBOT Agriculture and Ethanol and ICE Exchange Sugar Closing Prices

December corn closed 11 cents higher at $4.31 per bushel, November soybeans closed 16.75 cents higher at $10.1575 per bushel, Dec wheat closed 8.5 cents higher at $6.89 per bushel, Sept ethanol closed $0.052 higher at $1.902 October world sugar futures closed 0.076 cents lower to 19.27 cents.

14:19

LLL L-3 Comms GCS awarded $170 mln, 5-yr contract from U.S. Special Operations Command (68.15 +0.23)

14:19

DAN Dana Holding receives contract to supply Spicer rear axles to Beiqi Foton Motors Co. in China; value of contract not disclosed (10.42 -0.12)

13:32

COMDX COMEX Metals Closing Prices

Dec gold finished flat on the day at $1241.30, Sept copper closed down 5.1 cents to $18.975, while Sept copper gained 9.35 cents to end at $3.3045.

13:24

MCD McDonald's pushes back near its opening session high of 73.69 in recent trade (73.68 +0.49) -Technical-

Its 52-wk high from Monday is at 73.94.

13:20

RIMM Research In Motion drops to new low of 47.10 but able to hold above the 52-wk closing low from Tues at 47.06 (47.26 -0.48) -Update- -Technical-

Tuesday's intraday low comes into play at 6.56.

12:55

SPY S&P -2.6 and Nasdaq Comp -8.5 sets fractional new session lows, Dow -27 still holding abive its late morning pullback low -Update- -Technical-

12:54

GS Goldman Sachs continues to display relative weakness, drops to new session low of 143.04 (143.10 -1.58) -Technical-

Yesterday's five week low comes into play at 142.75

12:52

ADBE Adobe Systems slips to new low of 27.21 to retest last week/Aug low at 27.21 (27.24 -0.24) -Technical-

Intraday weakness sees the stock test the lower end of its near two week range/Aug low in recent action.

12:40

DBB Global & sector ETF money flows- Base Metals (DBB) lead all gainers here @ midday; Sugar (SGG) weak in the commodities complex, Biotechnology (BBH, IBB, XBI) weakest performing domestic sector -Technical-

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

base metals- DBB +2.50%, copper- JJC +2.25%, palladium- PALL +2.25%, cotton- BAL +2.0%, agricultures & grains- JJG +1.75%, heating oil- UHN +1.75%, RBOB gasoline- UGA +1.75%, commodities complex- DBC +1.25%, wind energy- FAN +1.25%, gold/silver metals & mining- GDX +1.25%, GDXJ +1.25%, iShares Australia- EWA +1.25%, coffee- JO +1.25%, crude/WTI oil- USO +1.0%, OIL +1.0%

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

sugar- SGG -1.50%, biotechnology- BBH -1.50%, XBI -1.25%, IBB -1.0%, natural gas- UNG -1.50%, cocoa- NIB -1.25%, VIX vol index- VXX -0.75%, semis HLDRS- SMH -0.75%, iShares Taiwan- EWT -0.75%, homebuilders & home construction- ITB -0.50%, livestock- COW -0.50%

12:31

KOOL ThermoGenesis filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Amended and Restated Certification of Incorporation to effect its previously announced one-for-four reverse stock split (0.50 -0.02)

12:29

FWLT NASDAQ 100 (NDX) strength & weakness- Heavy Construction (FWLT) leads all percentage gainers here @ midday -Technical-

NDX 10 Best % Performers:

FWLT, FSLR, NIHD, LINTA, NTAP, NWSA, DTV, CTXS, EXPE, JBHT

NDX 10 Worst % Performers:

PDCO, CELG, HSIC, GILD, STX, SNDK, VRTX, BIIB, MRVL, CEPH

NASDAQ A/D @ 1:1

NASDAQ TRIN +1.25

12:25

BA Dow 30 (INDU) strength & weakness- Aerospace (BA) continues to lead all percentage gainers here @ midday -Technical-

INDU 5 Best % Performers:

BA, GE, AA, CAT, BAC

INDU 5 Worst % Performers:

CSCO, TRV, MMM, WMT, IBM

NYSE A/D @ +1.5:1

NYSE TRIN +0.80

12:18

ALAN Alanco Technologies announces 1 for 8 reverse stock split - efffective August 27, 2010 (0.17 -0.01)

Co announced that the Board of Directors has elected to effect a 1 for 8 reverse stock split that will be effective Friday, August 27, 2010, when the Company's common stock will begin trading on a post split-adjusted basis under the interim trading symbol "ALAND" for a period of 20 days, after which the Company's trading symbol will return to "ALAN."

11:59

European Markets Closing Prices

European markets are now closed; stock markets across Europe performed as follows: UK's FTSE: +0.9% Germany's DAX: +0.2% France's CAC: +0.7% Spain's IBEX: +1.1% Portugal's PSI: +0.9%

11:40

TSH Teche Holding announces additional 63,000 share stock repurchase plan (29.25 +0.25)

11:21

PTNR Partner Comms appoints Yacov Gelbard as a CEO; Gelbard to replace Avner on 10/1/2010; Glickman, Deputy CEO, to depart co (16.21 +0.03)

11:15

SPY Stock indices reach short term retracements of bounce -- Dow -20, S&P -0.9, Nasdaq Comp -5 -Update- -Technical-

The Dow has reached the 50% retracement of the bounce off yesterday's low at 10021 while the S&P and Nasdaq have thus far held near the 38% levels (1053, 2134).

11:14

VII Vicon discloses in 8-K that, on 8/25/10, co received notice that the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tenn. granted a motion to reopen patent infringement suit filed by Lectrolarm Custom Sys. (3.95 )

11:09

SPY Stock indices continue to retreat from first level resistances noted earlier, slip to new lows in the red -- Dow -30, S&P -1.9, Nasdaq -7.7 -Update- -Technical-

The indices struggled this morning with first level resistances note in The Technical Take and the 09:49, 10:38 update and have pulled back firmly off the highs.

11:05

ICE ICE Futures Europe reports ECX emissions contract records; 0n 8/19, a record 12,000 ECX CER contracts traded on ICE Futures Europe (96.30 +0.68)

Co announced daily volume and open interest records for ICE Futures Europe's ECX emissions contracts. On 19 August, a record 12,000 ECX Certified Emissions Reductions (CER) contracts traded on ICE Futures Europe, including a record 7,060 contracts traded on the screen. Also in August, combined open interest in the ECX CER and EU Allowances futures and options contracts surpassed one bln tonnes for the first time and currently stands at 1,035,091 contracts. Through 25 August, ADV in ICE Futures Europe's ECX emissions futures and options contracts is 25% higher than the year-ago period.

11:04

DV DeVry co-founder, Dennis Keller, has transferred 1.2 mln founding shares of DeVry stock to members of his immediate family effective today as part of his ongoing estate planning (38.30 -0.14)

10:40

JO Global & sector ETF money flows- Coffee (JO) leads all percentage gainers through today's 1st hour of trading; VIX volatility (VXX, VXZ) declines as the indexes hold modest bid -Technical-

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

coffee- JO +2.25%, base metals- DBB +2.0%, solar power- TAN +2.0%, palladium- PALL +2.0%, wind energy- FAN +2.0%, iShares Australia- EWA +1.75%, cotton- BAL +1.75%, copper- JJC +1.75%, heating oil- UHN +1.75%, agriculture & grains- JJG +1.75%, RBOB gasoline- UGA +1.75%, iShares Italy- EWI +1.50%, iShares transportation- IYT +1.75%, commercial banks- KBE +1.75%, casinos & gaming- BJK +1.50%

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

VIX vol index- VXX -1.75%, VXZ -0.25%, biotechnology- BBH -1.50%, IBB -0.50%, XBI -0.75%, cocoa- NIB -0.75%, US Dollar index- UUP -0.75%, natural gas- UNG -1.0%, iShares Taiwan- EWT -0.50%, livestock commods.- COW -0.50%

10:30

UNG Natural gas sells off following inventory data; currently lower 6.1 cents to $3.81

10:29

FSLR NASDAQ 100 (NDX) strength & weakness- Solar Power (FSLR) leads all percentage gainers through today's 1st hour of trade; Biotechnology (CEPH, CELG, GILD) notably weak -Technical-

NDX 10 Best % Performers:

FSLR, FWLT, JOYG, SHLD, ERTS, NTAP, JBHT, CTXS, INTU, PAYX

NDX 10 Worst % Performers:

PDCO, GILD, CEPH, CELG, BIIB, HSIC, MRVL, URBN, VRTX, XRAY

NASDAQ A/D @ +1.5:1

NASDAQ TRIN +0.95

10:28

SPY Second push to upside but S&P +3 continues to struggle with first level resistance -Update- -Technical-

Highlighted the 1061/1063 zone in the 09:49 update with the S&P continuing to have difficulty pushing through this morning (session high 1061) despite the better than expected claims data. The Nasdaq Comp +4.2 (session high 2154) and Dow +11 (session high 10099) are also holding below first level resistances noted in The Technical Take at 2150/2155 and 10100/10115, respectively.

10:27

BA Dow 30 (INDU) strength & weakness- Aerospace (BA) leads all percentage gainers through today's 1st hour of trade; Staples (WMT, KFT) weak -Technical-

INDU 5 Best % Performers:

BA, CAT, BAC, AA, GE

INDU 5 Worst % Performers:

KFT, WMT, IBM, VZ, TRV

NYSE A/D @ +2.5:1

NYSE TRIN +0.75

10:18

ENZ Enzo Biochem announced its Enzo Clinical Labs division has been awarded a license for doing business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (3.68 +0.14)

10:15

GPIC Gaming Partners: Thinly traded GPIC enteres into an RFID License and Transfer Agreement with International Game Technology (IGT) (6.18 )

Co announces that it has entered into an RFID License and Transfer Agreement with International Game Technology (IGT) covering certain high-frequency RFID rights and products including software related to a Chip Inventory System, a newly developed communication platform to integrate RFID data into a variety of casino management systems and a license to certain other RFID related intellectual property and assets. As a result of the agreement, GPI has acquired the ability to develop, manufacture and distribute additional high-frequency RFID products and systems worldwide. Together IGT and GPI will provide for transition of sales, support and service of IGT's current high-frequency RFID customers.

10:14

SPY S&P +5.7 and Dow +33 join Nasdaq Comp +11.9 at new session highs -Update- -Technical-

10:12

CVG Convergys receives a new patent for computerized processing and billing of pre- and post-paid simultaneous events (10.49 +0.20)

10:09

QQQQ Minor new high for Nasdaq Comp +8.6 but it has thus far not been confirmed by the Dow +17 and S&P +3.6 -Technical-

Relative sector strength (outperforming the S&P) this morning has been noted in Materials XLB, Industrial XLI, Reg Bank KRE, Semi SMH, Transports IYT, Solar TAN, Steel SLX, Networking.

10:05

CFN CareFusion announces national commercial launch of AVAmax Vertebral Balloon (22.61 +0.03)

10:00

XLF Financial Select Sector SPDR pauses shy of gap (13.59 +0.04) -Technical-

The XLF established a new 52-wk intraday low yesterday but not a new close low as it rotated higher to break its four session losing streak. This morning it slightly extended the bounce but has thus far stalled shy of resistance at Tuesday's bear gap at 13.64/13.73 (session high 13.62) but no notable pressure has developed. On a closing basis watching to see if it will be able to close above the high of yesterday's 52-wk low bar at 13.60 -- AXP, BAC, BK, GS, JPM, MS, STT, USB, WFC.

09:57

TECHX Opening Point Gainers/Losers -Technical-

Point Gainers: CME (+6.07), JAS (+5.11), HEI (+2.77), FSLR (+2.80), PCP (+1.84), FFIV (+1.95), AAPL (+1.65), RHT (+1.28), CMI (+1.24)

Point Losers: GES (-3.63), ISRG (-2.40), RUE (-2.37), LFC (-1.79), RY (-1.18), SHPGY (-1.12), CELG (-0.97)

09:49

SPY Limited follow through thus far as S&P +3.4 flirts with first level resistance -Update- -Technical-

The premarket tone was favorable after the claims data but the follow through above yesterday's recovery high (1059) has been limited thus far as the index flirts with first level resistance (noted in The Technical Take) in the 1061/1063 area (session high 1060.25). A test but pause near this area, given that it has already run 21 points off yesterday's low, is a possibility but the overall pattern off 1039 is constructive suggesting it would be temporary.

09:36

XLB Materials SPDR provides early leadership, probing chart area of interest (30.79 +0.28) -Technical-

A gap higher start has brought Tuesday's gap bottom, the Mid-Aug reaction low and its 50 sma into play in the 30.83/30.88 (session high 30.84) -- AA, DOW, DD, IP, MON, NEM, NUE, PX, WY, FCX, APD, PPG.

09:35

RPC Radient Pharm shares open sharply higher after co announces target market details for the domestic and international commercialization of its Onko-Sure in vitro diagnostic cancer test (0.51 +0.11)

Shares of RPC are trading higher by ~30% following the open of pit trade this morning after the co announced target market details for the domestic and international commercialization of its Onko-Sure in vitro diagnostic cancer test. Onko-Sure Commercialization Plan As RPC executes its domestic and international Onko-Sure sales plan, the co is focusing on 4 key target markets, that include: 1) US FDA approved use and sales of Onko-Sure as a CRC Monitoring Test in the U.S. & eventually Canada; 2) US FDA approved use and sales of Onko-Sure as a CRC Monitoring Test in various international markets; 3) use and sales of Onko-Sure as a general cancer screening test; and, 4) Health Canada approved use and sales of Onko-Sure as a lung cancer screening and

09:31

MRVL Marvell firmer off the open, pauses just shy of the Aug high from last week at 16.73 -- session high 16.67 (16.60 +0.07) -Technical-

09:28

DVR Cal Dive Intl promotes Brent Smith to Chief Financial Officer (4.83 )

Co announced the departure of Bruce P. Koch, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, effective August 25, 2010 to pursue personal interests. Also, the Company announced that Brent D. Smith, the Company's current Vice President - Finance, has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, effective August 25, 2010.

09:08

On the Wires

Platinum Group Metals (PLG) announces that it has acquired the fixed price right to purchase a large area of surface rights and housing facilities in the area of the planned Project 1 Platinum Mine. A deposit of CAD $1.85 mln was paid to the Vendor on August 26, 2010 for the right to exercise a purchase of the property for CAD $18.57 mln...Enbridge (ENB) announced that it has entered into an agreement with Suncor Energy (SU) to construct a new, 59-mile, 30-inch diameter crude oil pipeline, connecting the Enbridge Athabasca Terminal, which is adjacent to Suncor's oil sands plant, to the Cheecham Terminal.

09:05

ELGX Endologix receives CE Mark approval for expanded line of powerlink products and powerfit aortic extensions (3.76 )

09:05

SKX Skechers USA announces that an independent review Board said that Shape-ups advertising claims are accurate (26.99 )

Co announces that an independent review Board said that Shape-ups advertising claims are accurate, truthful and "prepared with a due sense of social responsibility to consumers and society." This is the second time in recent months that independent panels have made favorable rulings relating to the claims that Shape-ups tone muscle, improve posture and promote weight loss.

09:01

ELX Emulex appoints Jeff Benck as president and COO (8.95 )

08:56

KIM Kimco Realty announces $300 mln 4.3% medium-term note offering for repayment of existing notes; co anticipates prepayment costs of ~$0.03/share (14.61 )

Co announces its public offering of $300 mln medium-term notes due 2018 at a coupon of 4..3%/yr. The net proceeds of approximately $297.1 million will be used to repay a $100 million 5.304% medium-term note due February 2011 and a $150 million 7.95% note due April 2011 in accordance with the optional make-whole redemption provisions of these notes. The company will use the remaining proceeds for general corporate purposes. The company anticipates incurring prepayment costs of approximately $10-$12 million or $0.03 cents per diluted share in connection with the exercise of these redemption rights. The actual prepayment costs will be determined closer to the expected repayment date of September 24, 2010. Co 2010 guidance range with respect to Funds From Operations remains unchanged at $1.14-1.18/share

08:51

ZEUS Olympic Steel acquires facility in Mount Sterling, Kentucky; expected to be operational during the first quarter of 2011 (20.76 )

Co announced that it has purchased a 100,000 square foot facility in Mount Sterling, Kentucky. The facility will perform plate burning, machining, forming, and shot blasting and is expected to be operational during the first quarter of 2011.

08:43

SFL Ship Finance Intl beats by $0.06, misses on revs; raises quarterly dividend 6.1% QoQ to $0.35/share (17.35 )

Reports Q2 (Jun) net operating income of $0.63 per share, $0.06 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.57. Net operating revs $80.8 mln vs the 81.7 mln consensus; raises qrtrly dividend 6.1% QoQ to $0.35 per share.

08:40

On the Wires

New Energy Systems Group (NEWN) announced its plans to launch MeePower, a new brand of advanced battery backup systems and related accessories for smartphones, laptop computers, digital cameras, DVD players, and other portable electronic devices...Novartis AG (NVS) and Nestle S.A. announced that they have completed the purchase and sale of approximately 156 mln shares of Alcon (ACL) for $28.3 bln in cash...Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ) DePuy Orthopaedics voluntarily recalls ASR hip system due to the number of patients who required a second hip replacement procedure, called a revision surgery.

08:39

SPY After initial pop on better than expected initial claims data, futures edge back from pre-mkt highs... SPX futures now +6 vs. fair value, DJ futures +41 (105.94 )

Yield on 10-year treasuries is roughly unchanged at 2.53%.

08:37

COMDX Following econ data, gold and silver futures have pulled back, while crude oil ticked to fresh morning highs

Gold is currently off 80 cents to $1240.50; silver is up 2.4 cents to $19.05, and crude oil is up 96 cents to $73.48.

08:33

HUM Humana CEO Michael B. McCallister elected Chairman of Humana's Board of Directors (48.67 )

Co announced that Chief Executive Officer Michael B. McCallister has been elected chairman of the company's board of directors effective immediately. At its regular bimonthly meeting, the board voted unanimously to elect Mr. McCallister after accepting the voluntary resignation of David A. Jones, Jr., as board chairman.

08:32

BRLI Bio-Reference Labs beats by $0.01, beats on revs (19.19 )

Reports Q3 (Jul) earnings of $0.29 per share, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.28; revenues rose 24.9% year/year to $121.7 mln vs the $114.7 mln consensus.

08:32

HMSY HMS Holdings awarded medicaid utilization review contract by State of New Jersey (52.70 )

Co announces that the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services has awarded a contract to Permedion, Inc., HMS's wholly owned subsidiary, to conduct utilization reviews, medical necessity audits, and Diagnosis Related Group validations of inpatient hospital medical services provided and billed for Medicaid beneficiaries. The contract extends for four years, with two additional one-year renewal options.

08:31

PAR 3Par accepts Dell's offer to acquire it for $24.30/share; to be accretive to Dell by FY12 (26.76 )

Dell (DELL) announced that PAR has accepted its increased offer to acquire PAR for $24.30 per share in cash, or approximately $1.6 billion, net of 3PAR's cash. Dell had previously signed an agreement to acquire 3PAR for $18 per share, with a provision for matching competing bids. Based on current estimates, the transaction is expected to be accretive to Dell non-GAAP earnings by its Fiscal Year 2012.

08:12

On the Wires

HP (HPQ) announced it has acquired Stratavia, a database and application automation company based in Denver. Terms of the deal were not disclosed...Cisco (CSCO) announced its intent to acquire privately-held ExtendMedia...Netflix (NFLX) announced the availability of its free Netflix App for iPhone and iPod (AAPL) touch, allowing Netflix members on plans starting at just $8.99 a month to watch a selection of TV episodes and movies streamed to their iPhone or iPod touch at no additional cost...Shengkai Innovations (VALV) announced that it has won its first key contract in Hong Kong. As of August 16, 2010, Shengkai Innovations has filled 3 commercial orders under the new contract from major power generator in Hong Kong.

08:07

CASY Casey's General tenders 28.2 mln shares at a price of $38 per share in "dutch auction" (29.23 )

Co announces the preliminary results of its modified "Dutch auction" self tender offer. Based on the preliminary count by the depositary for the Offer, a total of approximately 28.2 million shares were validly tendered at the minimum purchase price of $38.00/share, including 14.0 mln shares that were tendered through notice of guaranteed delivery. The final results of the Offer will be determined subject to confirmation by the depositary of the proper delivery of the shares validly tendered and not withdrawn and will be announced on the fourth business day after the close of the Offer.

08:05

ALXA Alexza Pharma has licensed its Staccato nicotine technology to Cypress Bioscience; Cypress to pay Alexza an upfront payment of $5 mln to acquire the worldwide license (2.79 )

Co announced that it has licensed its Staccato nicotine technology to Cypress Bioscience (CYPB). According to the terms of the agreement, CYPB will pay ALXA an upfront payment of $5 mln to acquire the worldwide license for the Staccato nicotine technology. In addition, following the completion of certain preclinical and clinical milestones relating to the Staccato nicotine technology, CYPB will be obligated to pay to ALXA an additional technology transfer payment of $1 million. Alexza will have a carried interest of 10% in the net proceeds of any sale or license by Cypress of the Staccato nicotine assets and the carried interest will be subject to put and call rights in certain circumstances.

08:04

SNY Sanofi-Aventis: FDA accepts for review a supplemental Biologics License Application for use of Menactra for active immunization of infants and toddlers (28.41 )

08:02

MNTA Momenta Pharma confirms U.S. District Court denies sanofi-aventis (SNY) request for preliminary injunction for generic Lovenox (15.68 )

Co confirmed that yesterday, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia denied sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC's request for a preliminary injunction directing the FDA to suspend and withdraw its approval of the Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) filed by the Company's collaboration partner, Sandoz, for enoxaparin sodium injection USP, a generic version of Lovenox. The decision is subject to appeal. "Sandoz commenced shipping of enoxaparin sodium injection following the FDA's marketing approval of Sandoz's ANDA on July 23, 2010." (MNTA is trading at 17.00 in the pre-mkt)

08:02

MPR Met-Pro Corp misses by $0.01, misses on revs (9.17 )

Reports Q2 (Jul) earnings of $0.11 per share, $0.01 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.12; revenues rose 2.4% year/year to $21.4 mln vs the $22.9 mln consensus. New order bookings for the second quarter were up 14% to $22.1 mln compared with $19.4 mln for the second quarter last year. As a result, the co's backlog of orders as of July 31, 2010 totaled $17.7 mln compared with $13.1 mln last year, an increase of 35%. Substantially all of the July 31, 2010 backlog is expected to be shipped during the current fiscal year.

08:02

CYPB Cypress Biosci acquires novel intranasal Carbetocin therapy for autism from Marina Biotech (MRNA); Co to make upfront $750,000 payment to MRNA (3.72 )

Co announced that it has acquired patent rights and technology related to a novel, intranasal formulation of carbetocin, a potential breakthrough treatment for the core symptoms of autism. The therapy, which was developed by Marina Biotech (MRNA), is expected to further strengthen Cypress' CNS pipeline. Under the terms of the agreement, Cypress will make an upfront payment to Marina Biotech of $750,000. Subject to certain late-stage clinical and regulatory milestones, including approval in the United States, Cypress may make up to $27 million in additional payments to Marina Biotech.

08:01

MDT Medtronic receives Health Canada approval for Medtronic Ablation Frontiers Cardiac Ablation System for treatment of atrial fibrillation (31.87 )

07:53

SAI SAIC wins contract to support Army Intelligence Operations (15.18 )

Co wins contract to support Army Intelligence Operations that has a one-year base period of performance, four one-year options, and a ceiling value of $492 mln for all awardees.

07:44

GIGM GigaMedia reports Q2 (Jun) results, beats on revs (2.22 )

Reports a Q2 (Jun) non-GAAP loss of $0.15 per share, may not be comparable to the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.01; revenues fell 71.2% year/year to $10.9 mln vs the $10.4 mln consensus.

07:33

DLLR Dollar Financial announces agreement to purchase a leading internet lending business in Scandinavia (15.06 )

Co announces agreement to purchase a leading internet lending business in Scandinavia. The purchase price of the acquisition is expected to be ~$28.0 mln, with a potential for future earn-out payments depending on the growth of the acquired business over the next two years following the closing of the transaction. The co anticipates the acquisition will be immediately accretive to earnings, and expects to update its earnings outlook for FY11 to include the Folkia business when the transaction is finalized.

07:31

GOK Geokinetics announces project award valued in excess of $110 mln (3.91 )

Co announces project award valued in excess of $110 mln. The project will be for a seamless Ocean Bottom Cable, Transition Zone and land seismic data acquisition survey that is scheduled to commence late in the fourth quarter 2010 and last through early 2012.

07:31

CELG Celgene appoints Jacqualyn A. Fouse as CFO and Senior VP effective 9/27/2010 (51.77 )

Co appoints Jacqualyn Fouse as CFO and Senior VP, effective September 27, 2010. Ms. Fouse will be responsible for all finance operations at Celgene and will report to Robert J. Hugin, CEO of co. Fouse succeeds David W. Gryska, who served as CFO and Senior VP since December 2006 and will be leaving the Company on 11/1/ 2010 to pursue other opportunities. Ms. Fouse joins Celgene from Bunge Limited (BG) where she served as CFO since July 2007. Previously, Fouse served as CFO and Senior VP at Alcon Laboratories from 2002 to 2007, the world's leading eye care company.

07:31

BG Bunge announces resignation of CFO; Andrew Burke to become interim CFO (52.05 )

Mr. Burke joined Bunge in 2002 and has served as co-CEO, Bunge Global Agribusiness and Bunge Product Lines, and as Managing Director, Soy Ingredients and New Business Development. Mr. Burke acted as interim Chief Financial Officer from April to July 2007. Prior to joining Bunge, he was CEO of Degussa Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of the German chemical concern, where he also served as CFO and held a variety of finance and management positions.

07:30

DGLY Digital Ally receives $750K DVM-750 order from existing statewide customer (1.79 )

07:30

CHTP Chelsea Therapeutics announces FDA approval of CH-4051 Phase II Protocol (4.04 )

Co announced confirmation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that its proposed Phase II protocol for CH-4051 in rheumatoid arthritis has been approved by the agency. Chelsea plans to initiate patient screening next month and initiating treatment in October.

07:08

On the Wires

China Information Security Technology (CPBY) announced that it will change its corporate name to China Information Technology, effective as of August 26, 2010. In connection with the name change, its ticker symbol on NASDAQ will change to CNIT... The Michigan Department of Education has named Scientific Learning (SCIL) to its exclusive list of external service providers to whom struggling schools can turn this year for assistance in raising student achievement... Granite City Food & Brewery (GCFB) announced that its current lease negotiations with various landlords are expected to result in approximately $1.0 mln of permanent annual lease reductions.

07:07

SCON Superconductor prices 4 mln shares of common stock offering at $1.50 per share; net proceeds of approx $5.3 mln

Co intends to use this raise to contribute to funding this major initiative as well as to working capital for our ongoing business serving their wireless customers as they continue to invest in performance improvement projects for their networks.

07:04

FRED Fred's reports EPS in-line, revs in-line; guides Q3 EPS in-line, revs below consensus; reaffirms FY11 EPS guidance (26.67 )

Reports Q2 (Jul) earnings of $0.14 per share, in-line with the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.14; revenues rose 3.5% year/year to $449.5 mln vs the $449.8 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for Q3, sees EPS of $0.16-0.19 vs. $0.18 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q3 revs of +4-5% YoY to ~$434.7-438.9 mln vs. $442.01 mln Thomson Reuters consensus, with comps +2-4%. Co reaffirms guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $0.72-0.79 vs. $0.75 Thomson Reuters consensus. Comparable store sales for the quarter increased 2.5% compared with a decrease of 1.3% in the second quarter last year. Gross margin for the quarter increased 20 basis points to 28.0% compared with 27.8% in the same quarter last year

07:03

SCIL Scientific Learning receives approved vendor status with the Michigan Department of Education (4.92 )

Co receives approved vendor status with the Michigan Department of Education. By demonstrating a strong research base, evidence of effectiveness, and alignment to Michigan's standards and assessments, Scientific Learning's products may now be purchased by eligible districts, using the SIG funds.

07:03

NEM Newmont Mining corrects inaccurate claims regarding rights in divestiture shares; Newmont's and Sumitomo Corporation's subsidiaries divested these shares to another Indonesian company (58.74 )

Co released information correcting a number of inaccurate claims by PT Pukuafu Indah, an Indonesian shareholder in PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara. PTNNT owns and operates the Batu Hijau gold and copper mine on the island of Sumbawa. Recently, PTPI issued public statements claiming the right to acquire previously divested shares in PTNNT. Newmont's and Sumitomo Corporation's subsidiaries divested these shares to another Indonesian company as required under PTNNT's Contract of Work with the Indonesian Government and in accordance with a 2009 ruling of an international arbitration panel.

07:02

GTE Gran Tierra Energy confirms additional oil pay at Moqueta-2 well (5.99 )

"We are very pleased with the testing result at Moqueta-2, where oil flowed naturally at higher rates without pumps than Moqueta-1. Compared to Moqueta-1, the oil column is thicker and the oil bearing zones are more productive." Five intervals totaling 18 feet in the Middle Caballos oil bearing interval were perforated and tested from 4,120 feet to 4,157 feet measured depth. Oil flowed without assistance from pumps at 850 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) with a 30/64 inch choke. The oil gravity and watercut were 30 degrees API and 0.1%, respectively.

07:01

ACM Aecom Tech receives $101 mln design-build contract by the Town of Davie, Fla. (22.75 )

Co announces that it has been awarded a US$101-million design-build contract by the Town of Davie, Fla. The project is scheduled for completion during 2013.

06:51

WSR Whitestone REIT prices 2.20 mln share IPO at $12 per share, below previous expectations for 3.33 mln shares at a range of $14-16

06:42

S&P futures vs fair value: +3.50. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: +5.50.

06:42

Asian Markets

Nikkei...8906.48...+61.10...+0.70%. Hang Seng...20612.06...-22.90...-0.10%.

06:42

European Markets

FTSE...5143.93...+34.50...+0.70%. DAX...5922.09...+22.60...+0.40%.

06:30

RGS Regis misses by $0.03, reports revs in-line (17.13 )

Reports Q4 (Jun) earnings of $0.34 per share, $0.03 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.37; revenues fell 5.6% year/year to $590 mln vs the $593.7 mln consensus. "Going forward our focus will be on top-line growth and we are budgeting same-store sales to improve throughout fiscal 2011, with positive comps expected in the second half of the year. Same-store sales for the first fifty-five days of the current quarter are down 1.9 percent in contrast to a decline in consolidated total same-store sales of 2.7 percent for the fourth quarter."

06:29

FMS Fresenius Medical acquires PD business from Gambro; PD acquisition to add ~$60 mln to annual rev and expected to be accretive to earnings (57.76 )

Co announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire Gambro's worldwide peritoneal dialysis business. Gambro has decided to prioritize its investments in the hemodialysis field. Fresenius Medical Care is taking advantage of this opportunity to expand its activities in the homecare market, especially in Europe and Asia-Pacific. Once the acquisition is approved and closed, the acquired operations will add approximately $60 million in annual revenue and are expected to be accretive to earnings in the first year after closing of the transaction.

01:25

TRMA Trico Marine Services' U.S. operations file voluntary Chapter 11 petitions to facilitate financial restructuring (0.26 )

Co announes that its US operations files voluntary Chapter 11. Co's foreign operations not included in filing. Worldwide operations expected to continue without interruption. Co receives commitment for $35 mln of debtor-in-possession financing. Co reaches agreement in principle for $22 mln in financing for Trico Shipping AS.

01:20

ELX Emulex acquires ServerEngines (8.95 )

Co announces acquisition of privately held ServerEngines. The ServerEngines acquisition adds the BladeEngine family of 10Gb/s Ethernet ASICs, which provide a best-of-breed performance, and is architected to meet the cost and footprint requirements for LOM applications, to Emulex's product portfolio.

01:13

POT Potash shareholder rights plan update (145.5 )

Co announces shareholder rights plan. The Rights Plan is intended to ensure that in the context of a formal take-over bid, such as BHP Billiton's unsolicited offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of PotashCorp for $130/share in cash, the Board of Directors of PotashCorp has sufficient time to explore and develop alternatives to enhance shareholder value, including competing transactions which are presently being considered or which might emerge in the future. The Rights Plan enables potential acquirors to make a "Permitted Bid" without the approval of the PotashCorp Board, so long as a bidder adheres to certain requirements consistent with the objectives of the Rights Plan noted above. However, BHP Billiton chose not to make a Permitted Bid despite being in a position to do so.

18:22

Futures are higher after hours: S&P 500 futures +0.62 points from fair value of 1053.78 and Nasdaq 100 futures +2.46 points from fair value of 1788.54

18:04

KONG KongZhong beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line; guides Q3 revs below consensus (6.04 +0.23)

Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.07 per share, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.06. Co issues downside guidance for Q3, sees Q3 revs of $35-36 mln vs. $37.99 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

17:51

BOBE Bob Evans increases quarterly dividend 11.1% to $0.20 from $0.18 (25.45 +0.51)

17:51

NTIC Northern Technologies International announces sales of NTIC stock by Inter Alia Under SEC Rule 10b5-1 trading plan (9.86 -1.69)

Co announced that Inter Alia Holding Co, an entity owned by G. Patrick Lynch, NTIC's President and Chief Executive Officer and a director, as well as three other members of the Lynch family, has commenced sales of NTIC common stock under a pre-arranged trading plan in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Co's insider trading policies regarding stock transactions.

17:14

ELX Emulex completes acquisition of ServerEngines; reaffirms Q1 EPS and revs in-line with consensus (8.95 +0.25)

Co reaffirms Q1 revs of $100-104 mln vs $102.4 mln consensus; reaffirms Non-GAAP EPS of $0.08-0.11 vs. $0.09 consensus

17:10

HEI HEICO beats by $0.07, beats on revs; raises FY10 EPS above consensus, raises revs above consensus (36.23 +1.18)

Reports Q3 (Jul) earnings of $0.44 per share, $0.07 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.37; revenues rose 18.0% year/year to $158.3 mln vs the $151.6 mln consensus. Co raises guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $1.50-1.53 vs. $1.48 Thomson Reuters consensus, up from $1.44-1.48; raises FY10 revs to ~$600 mln vs. $596.81 mln Thomson Reuters consensus, up from $585-595 mln.

17:05

CYBX Cyberonics beats by $0.04, beats on revs; raises FY11 revs in-line (22.27 +0.08)

Reports Q1 (Jul) earnings of $0.25 per share, $0.04 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.21; revenues rose 16.4% year/year to $44.8 mln vs the $43.7 mln consensus. Co raises guidance for FY11, sees FY11 revs of $184-188 mln vs. $186.00 mln Thomson Reuters consensus, up from $182-187 mln. addition, based on the results of the Q1, the co now expects that income from operations will be in the range of $42-45 mln, as opposed to the previously provided range of $41-44 mln.

16:45

SONS Sonus Networks announces facilities restructuring initiative to further reduce costs (2.90 +0.03)

Co announced a restructuring initiative to close its offices in Ottawa, Canada and in Darmstadt, Germany, and to relocate its Freehold, New Jersey facility to a smaller, more cost-effective space in the same area. These actions will result in the reduction of the Co's workforce by 12 employees, or ~1% of employees worldwide. As a result of these actions, Sonus expects to achieve annual cash savings of ~$2.0-2.3 mln. Sonus anticipates incurring charges of ~$3.5-4.0 mln on a pre-tax basis in the second half of FY10 for lease terminations, severance and related costs.

16:33

SMTC Semtech beats by $0.03, beats on revs; guides Q3 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus (16.91 +0.06)

Reports Q2 (Jul) earnings of $0.42 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.03 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.39; revenues rose 70.7% year/year to $113.2 mln vs the $110.8 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for Q3, sees EPS of $0.45-0.47, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.41 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q3 revs growth of ~6-10% sequentially, which calculates to ~$120.0-124.5 mln vs. $116.18 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

16:22

HAIN Hain Celestial beats by $0.02, reports revs in-line; guides FY11 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus (20.65 +0.41)

Reports Q4 (Jun) earnings of $0.26 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.02 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.24; revenues fell 13.9% year/year to $222.8 mln vs the $223.8 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $1.24-1.31 vs. $1.22 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees FY11 revs of $1.025-1.05 bln vs. $992.94 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

16:20

NANX Nanophase Tech and Altana AG Enter into new supply agreement; Co will provide Altana AG with consideration, in the form of cash and discounts on certain subsequent nanomaterial orders, totaling $700,000. (1.19 +0.01)

Co announced that Nanophase and its partner, the German specialty chemical company Altana AG (through its subsidiary BYK Chemie GmbH) have entered into a new non-exclusive supply arrangement and agreed to terminate their existing mutually exclusive relationship. Co stated "Nanophase will begin to sell nanomaterials to the coatings industry more broadly, including to BYK, and BYK will continue to broaden its existing portfolio of nanoparticle containing additives for coatings and plastics." In connection with the termination of the parties' existing mutually exclusive relationship, Nanophase will provide Altana AG with consideration, in the form of cash and discounts on certain subsequent nanomaterial orders, totaling $700,000.

16:16

WAC Walter Investment Mgmt announces definitive agreement to purchase Marix Servicing; terms not disclosed (16.22 +0.05)

Co has entered into a definitive agreement with Marathon Asset Management to purchase Marix Servicing. The co, Marix and Marathon will maintain a close strategic relationship after the closing, including the use by Marathon of Marix for the servicing of residential mortgage assets on an exclusive basis, participation by Marathon on Marix's advisory council and the continuation of pre-existing credit agreements provided to Marix by Marathon through March 2011. After closing, the transaction is expected to be slightly dilutive to Walter Investment's 2010 earnings per share, but is expected to be accretive to earnings per share in 2011.

16:12

HNSN Hansen Medical and division of St. Jude Medical (STJ) plan to commercialize new products integrating products from both cos (1.48 +0.04)

Hansen Medical signed an agreement with a division of St. Jude Medical (STJ) to commercialize new products based on the companies' complementary technologies for treating patients suffering from heart rhythm disorders. The agreement will integrate the EnSite Velocity Cardiac Mapping System from St. Jude Medical with the Sensei X CoHesion 3-D visualization module from Hansen Medical, to provide physicians the ability to visualize, locate and robotically control catheters within the heart to diagnose heart rhythm disorders. Hansen Medical and St. Jude Medical plan to market and sell the integrated electrophysiology (EP) solution in the United States and the European Union.

16:10

ANF Abercrombie's CEO entered into a Rule 10b5-1 trading, plans to sell up to ~1.79 mln shares of common stocks (35.58 +0.62)

Co discloses in 8-K that on 8/23/2010, Michael S. Jeffries, Chairman CEO of co, entered into a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan with a broker to sell shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock that will be acquired upon the exercise of certain of Jeffries' employee stock options which, if not exercised, would expire on various dates in 2/2011 and 2/2012. Jeffries currently intends to sell up to an aggregate of 1,789,490 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan during the period beginning on 9/23/2010 and ending in February of 2012, at which time the Plan will terminate.

16:09

WG Willbros Group says that the Naval Facilities Engineering Command has awarded it 5 separate task orders under its global $350 mln multiple-award IDIQ construction and construction services contract for Petroleum, Oil and Lubrica fuel systems (7.25 +0.05)

16:09

JDSU JDS Uniphase beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 revs in-line (10.23 +0.16)

Reports Q4 (Jun) non-GAAP earnings of $0.15 per share, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.14; non-GAAP revenues rose 19.6% year/year to $398.1 mln vs the $398 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q1, sees Q1 non-GAAP revs of $410-425 mln vs. $415.90 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. "We enter fiscal 2011 with order momentum and an industry-leading product portfolio."

16:07

SCVL Shoe Carnival beats by $0.01, misses on revs; guides Q3 EPS in-line, revs in-line; guides FY11 EPS in-line, revs in-line; co authorizes $25 mln share repurchase program (18.81 +0.57)

Reports Q2 (Jul) earnings of $0.28 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.27; revenues rose 8.2% year/year to $165.4 mln vs the $167.1 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q3, sees EPS of $0.63-0.66 vs. $0.63 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q3 revs of $196-202 mln vs. $196.02 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $1.89-1.95 vs. $1.85 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees FY11 revs of $728-737 mln vs. $728.77 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

16:06

CEPH Cephalon announces Chairman and CEO Dr. Frank Baldino to take medical leave of absence (57.80 -0.20)

Co announced Frank Baldino, the co's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will take a temporary medical leave of absence, effective immediately. During Dr. Baldino's absence, J. Kevin Buchi, the co's Chief Operating Officer, will assume Dr. Baldino's responsibilities. No other details have been provided.

16:06

JAS Jo-Ann Stores beats by $0.18, reports revs in-line; adjusts FY11 EPS to in-line with consensus (36.80 +0.37)

Reports Q2 (Jul) earnings of $0.20 per share, $0.18 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.02; revenues rose 4.7% year/year to $439.3 mln vs the $437.1 mln consensus. Reports sames store sales of 4.4%. Co ajdusts its FY11 EPS guidance, now sees EPS of $3.20-3.35 (vs. $3.23 Thomson Reuters consensus), up from the prior range of $2.95-3.10. Sees same store sales increase of approximately 3.0%-4.0 for the year versus the previously announced range of approximately 2.5%-3.5.

16:05

KBR KBR awarded second contract by BP for West Nile Delta Development (22.69 -0.49)

Co announced that it has been selected by BP to undertake the second stage of concept selection and definition for the onshore terminal and export pipelines for BP's West Nile Delta Development in Egypt. KBR's scope of work under the contract comprises the development of a technical definition package for an onshore terminal that will process 1,000 million standard cubic feet per day of gas and condensate to sales specifications from a number of offshore fields.

16:05

GES Guess? beats by $0.04, reports revs in-line; guides Q3 EPS in-line, revs in-line; guides FY11 EPS below consensus, revs in-line (38.23 +0.78)

Reports Q2 (Jul) earnings of $0.72 per share, $0.04 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.68; revenues rose 10.5% year/year to $577.1 mln vs the $576.4 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q3, sees EPS of $0.55-0.58 vs. $0.57 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q3 revs of $565-580 mln vs. $566.47 mln Thomson Reuters consensus; Operating margin is expected to be around 13.5%. Co issues mixed guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $2.80-2.85 vs. $2.92 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees FY11 revs of $2.35-2.40 bln vs. $2.39 bln Thomson Reuters consensus; Operating margin is expected to be about 16.0%.

16:04

SIGM Sigma Designs beats by $0.02, beats on revs (10.53 +0.26)

Reports Q2 (Jul) earnings of $0.36 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.02 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.34; revenues rose 12.4% year/year to $73.3 mln vs the $70.6 mln consensus. "Our largest increase came from sales in our IPTV media processor segment, representing the bulk of this quarter's growth, and reflecting a fundamentally strong market... Moving forward, we are continuing to pursue major design wins in our current market segments with special initiatives for penetrating the hybrid IP Cable set-top box industry and the increased adoption of Z-Wave based home control solutions."

16:01

CGI Celadon Group announces a 2 mln share buyback (11.29 +0.18)

"At recent stock prices and applicable interest rates, repurchasing our shares would be accretive to earnings, and we believe repurchasing our shares offers a potentially attractive use of capital."

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