Feb 08, 2010 (Briefing.com via COMTEX) -- Hourly In Play (R)

Updated: 08-Feb-10 22:00 ET

18:44

AIN Albany Intl --Correction -- Co beats by $0.26 (18.52 +0.03)

Earlier, we incorrectly reported that AIN reported $0.27 per share, excluding charges, which was incorrect. The correct post is... Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.52 per share, $0.26 better than the First Call consensus of $0.26; revenues fell 7.2% year/year to $231.4 mln vs the $218.8 mln dual-analyst est. Co says, "The short-term outlook for sales is complicated by seasonal fluctuations, which had a significant impact on Q4 results. The 20 percent increase in ADS sales accounted for nearly half of our consolidated sales growth for the quarter. The surge appears to have been driven by normal end-of-year seasonal effects. We therefore expect ADS sales in the first half of 2010 to fall back to Q3 levels, and to grow above these levels only when European, and especially German, GNP begins to recover... Turning to the longer term outlook, with the recession seemingly behind us, and our three-year restructuring program at an end, we return to a focus on our cash and grow strategy. As we did before the recession, we view the Company as a portfolio of advanced textiles and materials businesses, which, in combination, generate the cash required to invest in growth, reinvest in the core, continue to pay down debt, and continue to deliver dividends."

18:32

FTEK Fuel Tech announces resignation of Chief Financial Officer (6.86 -0.07)

Co announced the resignation of John P. Graham as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer effective March 5, 2010. Mr. Graham will assume the role of chief executive officer of a privately-held environmental consulting company.

18:21

AMGN Amgen: Denosumab demonstrated superiority over Zometa in pivotal Phase 3 head-to-head trial in prostate cancer patients with bone metastases (57.46 -0.22) -Update-

Co announced that a pivotal, Phase 3, head-to-head trial evaluating denosumab versus Zometa (zoledronic acid) in the treatment of bone metastases in 1,901 men with advanced prostate cancer met its primary and secondary endpoints. Denosumab demonstrated superiority over Zometa for both delaying the time to the first on-study skeletal related event (SRE) (fracture, radiation to bone, surgery to bone or spinal cord compression) (hazard ratio 0.82, 95 percent CI: 0.71, 0.95), and reducing the rate of multiple SREs (hazard ratio 0.82, 95 percent CI: 0.71, 0.94). Both results were statistically significant.

18:19

OTTR Otter Tail Power misses by $0.11, misses on revs; guides FY10 EPS in-line (20.56 -0.13)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.23 per share, $0.11 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.34; revenues fell 22.8% year/year to $258 mln vs the $343.3 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $1.00-1.40 vs. $1.34 consensus.

18:02

HLX Helix ESG announces joint venture with Clough Limited for subsea services in the Asia Pacific region (10.14 -0.40)

Co announces the formation of a joint venture with Australian based engineering and construction company Clough Limited, to provide a range of subsea services to offshore operators in the Asia Pacific region. Services provided by the JV, Clough Helix Pty Ltd, will include subsea well intervention and well abandonment, SURF (subsea infrastructure, umbilical, riser and flowline installation), saturation and air diving and subsea inspection, repair and maintenance services.

18:01

WRB W.R. Berkley beats by $0.04, beats on revs (24.23 +0.50)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.71 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.04 better than the First Call consensus of $0.67; revenues rose 9.0% year/year to $1.18 bln vs the $1.15 bln consensus.

17:56

PPS Post Properties beats by $0.03, beats on revs; guides FY10 FFO in-line (17.76 -0.54)

Reports Q4 (Dec) funds from operations of $0.17 per share, $0.03 better than the First Call consensus of $0.14; revenues fell 1.7% year/year to $68.6 mln vs the $66.9 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees FFO of $0.98-1.12, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $1.06 consensus.

17:46

GAIN Gladstone Investments misses by $0.01 (4.92 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.14 per share, $0.01 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.15. The decrease in Net Investment Income was primarily driven by a reduction of the Company's investment portfolio as a result of the sale of the majority of its senior syndicated loans (primarily to pay off its prior line of credit) during the nine months ended December 31, 2009, partially offset by decreased interest expense on lower outstanding borrowings when compared to the prior year periods.

17:30

CPT Camden Property beats by $0.08, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 FFO in-line; guides FY10 FFO below consensus (37.82 -0.47)

Reports Q4 (Dec) funds from operations of $0.71 per share, $0.08 better than the First Call consensus of $0.63; revenues fell 4.7% year/year to $131.4 mln vs the $132.2 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q1, sees FFO of $0.64-0.68 vs. $0.68 consensus. Co issues downside guidance for FY10, sees FFO of $2.35-2.65 vs. $2.66 consensus.

17:18

SONS Sonus Networks announces that Guru Pai has been appointed Executive Vice President and COO, effective immediately (1.92 -0.05)

Co also announces Wayne Pastore, who has served as Vice President, Finance, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer, has been appointed to the additional role of Interim Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Pastore replaces Richard Gaynor who has resigned to pursue other business opportunities.

17:16

BWY BWAY Holding beats by $0.02, misses on revs; guides Q2 EPS below consensus; guides FY10 EPS below consensus (17.06 -0.94)

Reports Q1 (Dec) earnings of $0.13 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.11; revenues rose 3.1% year/year to $219 mln vs the $241 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q2, sees EPS of $0.29-0.34, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.37 consensus. Co reaffirms downside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $1.42-1.60, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $1.62 consensus.

17:14

UAUA UAL Corp. reports January 2010 operational performance (13.07 +0.29)

The co reports its preliminary consolidated traffic results for January 2010. Total consolidated revenue passenger miles (RPMs) increased in January by 2.4% on a decrease of 2.0% in available seat miles (ASMs) compared with the same period in 2009. This resulted in a reported January 2010 consolidated passenger load factor of 78.5%, an increase of 3.4 points compared to 2009. For January 2010, United reported a U.S. Department of Transportation on-time arrival rate of 83.6%.

17:13

OMI Owens & Minor announces three-for-two stock split and 15% increase in quarterly dividend (42.89 -0.31) -Update-

17:09

BJS BJ Services misses by $0.07, beats on revs (20.33 )

Reports Q1 (Dec) loss of $0.03 per share, $0.07 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.04; revenues fell 34.3% year/year to $931.5 mln vs the $898.3 mln consensus. "We experienced increased service activity and a generally stable to slightly improved pressure pumping pricing environment in the U.S. and Canada markets during the quarter, as capacity utilization improved. Our international pressure pumping business remains strong, and we anticipate that a number of sizable completion tool sales during our fiscal second quarter will lead to improved results from our oilfield services group. We continue to focus on our customers and meeting their needs, as we draw closer to the completion of the merger with Baker Hughes, expected to occur in March."

17:07

FMC FMC Corp President and CEO purchases $1 mln of FMC common stock (53.35 +0.24)

Co reports that Pierre Brondeau, FMC president and chief executive officer, recently purchased $1 million of FMC common stock in open market transactions.

17:03

DBLE Double Eagle Petro extends maturity date on credit facility and reaffirms credit line (4.24 +0.00)

Co announced that it has signed an amended credit agreement with its lenders to extend the maturity date on its credit facility from July 31, 2010 to January 31, 2013. The new agreement reaffirms its current committed credit line of $45 mln, of which the co currently has $31 mln outstanding. The co's borrowing base, determined from the co's current oil and gas reserves and using the existing bank pricing deck, is above $65 mln. The rates and covenants under the amended credit agreement are consistent with the prior credit agreement. The lending group is comprised of Bank of Oklahoma and Key Bank, with Bank of Oklahoma serving as the lead.

17:01

IHO Invitel Holdings A/S announces SEC filing to delist from the NYSE AMEX; expects the filing to be effective on or about February 18 (4.47 +0.014)

17:00

TWTC Time Warner Tcom beats by $0.05, reports revs in-line (15.52 +0.47)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.07 per share, including $0.03 for adoption of accounting for convertible debt, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.05; revenues rose 4.5% year/year to $307.9 mln vs the $308.3 mln consensus.

16:58

OMI Owens & Minor beats by $0.05, misses on revs; guides FY10 EPS in-line, revs in-line (42.89 -0.31)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.76 per share, $0.05 better than the First Call consensus of $0.71; revenues rose 4.2% year/year to $2.04 bln vs the $2.08 bln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $2.90-3.05 vs. $2.94 consensus; sees FY10 revs of ~$8.36 bln - $8.52 bln (growth of 4-6%) vs. $8.5 bln consensus.

16:49

SNS Steak n Shake issues press release in response to Indianapolis Business Journal article (326.65 +1.73)

SNS reports that this week's Indianapolis Business Journal ("IBJ") lead article printed as its headline "Steak n Shake moving HQ." "The headline, along with much information in the article, is misleading. We normally do not comment on published articles, and though we therefore won't address the multitude of errors in this piece, we do wish to set one salient fact straight: Steak n Shake Operations, the restaurant chain of 485 units, will maintain its principal headquarters in Indianapolis. Moreover, Steak n Shake's parent company -- currently named The Steak n Shake Company with plans to change it to Biglari Holdings -- is headquartered in San Antonio, a move which occurred some months ago. (The holding company is the owner of its subsidiary, where operations are primarily conducted.) The majority of Steak n Shake's employees will remain in Indianapolis even though the operating company will also have a presence in San Antonio. The errors in the IBJ article advance the notion that a change in the parent company's name is necessary; any time the parent company takes corporate action (e.g., announcing an acquisition), many erroneously would conclude, as the IBJ reporter did, that the restaurant chain is behind the action. The obvious reason for the alteration in the parent company's name is to avoid confusion between the parent's business activities and those of its subsidiaries."

16:34

LNCR Lincare beats by $0.06, reports revs in-line (38.18 +0.45)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.61 per share, $0.06 better than the First Call consensus of $0.55; revenues fell 2.2% year/year to $405.8 mln vs the $404.3 mln consensus. The co estimates that the 2% decrease in net revenues in 4Q09 was comprised of 13% internal and acquisition growth offset by a 15% negative impact from Medicare reimbursement reductions that took effect in 2009. The co's financial results for Q4 and year ended Dec 31, 2009 were impacted by dramatic reductions in Medicare reimbursement for the co's primary product lines resulting from the implementation on Jan 1, 2009 of previously enacted legislation. The legislation included reductions in Medicare payment amounts of 9.5% for certain items of durable medical equipment, including oxygen, additional regulated Medicare price reductions for stationary oxygen equipment of another 2.3% (for a total reduction of 11.8%) and the implementation of a new reimbursement methodology for oxygen equipment from continuous monthly payment for as long as the equipment is in use by a Medicare beneficiary to a capped rental arrangement whereby payment for oxygen equipment may not extend beyond a period of continuous use of 36 months. In addition, the 2009 results reflect lower reimbursement for certain respiratory medications covered by Medicare. The co estimates that these changes reduced net revenues in Q4 and year ended Dec 31, 2009 by approximately $61.2 mln and $274.7 mln, respectively. The co's revenues and earnings are expected to be impacted in FY10 by a further reduction in Medicare reimbursement for stationary oxygen equipment; the co estimates that net revenues and operating income in 2010 will be negatively impacted by approximately $9.0 mln.

16:32

HIG Hartford Financial beats by $0.11; guides FY10 EPS in-line (23.46 -0.07)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.51 per share, $0.11 better than the First Call consensus of $1.40. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $3.70-4.00, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $3.96 consensus. Book Value per Common Share $38.92 compared to $37.90 in Q3; Continued to gain traction with new business written premium growth of 21% in small commercial and 7% in middle market over the prior year period. Written premiums for The Hartford's property and casualty operations in the fourth quarter were $2.4 billion, compared with $2.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2008. The decline in premium was due to macroeconomic-driven exposure reductions and soft pricing in commercial lines. Combined ratio was 85.1% in Q4 compared to 93% in Q3. Continued to reduce risk in the investment portfolio with more than $1 billion of real estate-related securities sold; Net pre-tax unrealized loss ended the year at $5.0 billion, down from $13.2 billion at December 31, 2008 and $5.8 bln at the end of Q3. Impairments were $434 million, pre-tax, in the fourth quarter of 2009. The majority of the impairments were the result of collateral deterioration on real estate-related assets, primarily CMBS, CRE CDOs and RMBS.

16:32

IWA Iowa Telecom entered into a tentative settlement of the pending shareholder litigation (16.05 +0.03)

Co announced that Iowa Telecom and Windstream (WIN) have entered into a tentative settlement of the pending shareholder litigation concerning the acquisition by Windstream pursuant to the merger agreement signed on November 23, 2009. Co has determined that, in order to eliminate the uncertainty, distraction, burden and expense of future litigation and to permit the merger to proceed without possible delays from litigation, it is in the best interests of Iowa Telecom and its shareholders to enter into a settlement of the pending lawsuits. Iowa Telecom, its directors and Windstream have entered into a memorandum of understanding with counsel for the plaintiffs in the various shareholder lawsuits that provides for a settlement of all of these lawsuits. Pursuant to the proposed settlement, Iowa Telecom and Windstream have agreed to make certain revisions to the disclosure in the proxy statement to be mailed to Iowa Telecom's shareholders in connection with the approval of the merger, which revisions were proposed by counsel for the plaintiffs. No changes in the merger agreement or the terms of the merger will be made, and no payments will be made to shareholders in addition to those provided for in the merger agreement. As previously announced, Iowa Telecom and Windstream expect the closing to occur mid-2010.

16:31

BEN Franklin Resources reported preliminary month-end assets under management of $548.0 billion (96.30 -1.70)

Co reported preliminary month-end assets under management by the company's subsidiaries of $548.0 bln at January 31, 2010, compared to $553.5 bln at December 31, 2009 and $401.7 bln as of Jan 31, 2009.

16:31

GWR Genesee & Wyoming reports traffic volumes for January 2010 (29.10 -0.22) -Update-

Co announces traffic volumes for January 2010. GWI's traffic in January 2010 was 63,862 carloads, a decrease of 6,923 carloads, or 9.8%, compared with January 2009. Coal, coke & ores traffic decreased 3,556 carloads primarily due to lower shipments in GWI's Rocky Mountain and Illinois Regions. Farm & food products traffic decreased 1,780 carloads primarily due to fewer shipments in GWI's Australia Region resulting from temporary shipment delays for the 2009-2010 South Australian grain harvest. Pulp & paper traffic decreased 1,707 carloads primarily due to lower shipments in GWI's Canada and Southern Regions. All other traffic increased by a net 120 carloads.

16:28

WSTL Westell Tech approves new share repurchase program of up to an aggregate of $10 mln of its Class A Common Stock (1.31 +0.08)

16:27

TRGL Toreador Royalty is commencing a public offering of shares of its common stock (10.16 +0.09)

16:26

MEG Media General priced its previously announced private offering of senior secured notes due 2017 (8.22 +0.12) -Update-

Co priced its previously announced private offering of senior secured notes due 2017. The face value of the Notes is $300 million with an interest rate of 11 3/4 %. The Notes were priced at 97.690% of face value, resulting in a yield to maturity of 12 1/4 %.

16:22

AXS AXIS Capital beats by $0.52 (28.69 +0.13)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.83 per share, $0.52 better than the First Call consensus of $1.31. Gross premiums written increased 9% in the quarter to $574 million and increased 6% to $3.6 billion for the year; Net premiums earned increased 8% in the quarter to $714 million and increased 4% to $2.8 billion for the year; Total underwriting income for the quarter of $216 million, unchanged from the prior year quarter. Combined ratio of 77.5% for the quarter and 79.3% for the full year; Net favorable prior year reserve development in the quarter of $120 million, benefiting the combined ratio by 16.8 points; Net investment income in the quarter of $118 million compared to net investment losses of $26 million in the prior year quarter. Net investment income for the year increased 88% to $464 million; The total return on cash and investments portfolio was 1.1% for the quarter and 8.5% for the full year. Due to the recovery in the global financial markets, the asset valuations in investment portfolio improved significantly in 2009. At December 31, 2009, the total net unrealized gains on the available for sale investment portfolio were $99 million, an improvement of $504 million after considering the impact of realized losses recognized in earnings. The improvement in asset valuations was primarily due to unprecedented credit spread tightening on corporate debt and structured credit securities, as well as the strong performance of hedge and credit funds allocation.

16:21

SWI SolarWinds beats by $0.03, misses on revs; guides Q1 EPS in-line, revs above consensus; guides FY10 EPS and revs above consensus (20.04 -0.25)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.19 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.03 better than the First Call consensus of $0.16; revenues rose 32.5% year/year to $33 mln vs the $33.6 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.15-0.16, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.15 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $33.7-34.7 mln vs. $33.52 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $0.72-0.75, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.71 consensus; sees FY10 revs of $159-164 mln vs. $117.12 mln consensus. License revenue was $17.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, representing a 26% increase over license revenue in the fourth quarter of 2008. Maintenance revenue was $15.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, representing a 40% increase over maintenance revenue in the fourth quarter of 2008. Non-GAAP operating income was $17.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, or 53% of revenue, compared to $13.3 million and 53% of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2008. "The fourth quarter of 2009 was a strong quarter for SolarWinds, primarily due to a significant increase in interest and purchasing activity from commercial market customers, globally."

16:21

CIM Chimera Investment misses by $0.02 (3.96 -0.17)

Reports Q4 (Dec) "core" earnings of $0.12 per share, $0.02 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.14. "The fourth quarter demonstrates the evolving nature of our markets and our operations. Operationally, our purchases of significant amounts of deeply discounted securities and the retention of the subordinate securities of our re-securitizations means that a portion of our taxable income will come from the accretion of those discounts. As such, we anticipate that taxable income, which determines the amount of dividends we must pay, will be higher than Core Earnings. In our markets, demand for securities has improved from the depths of the financial crisis as investors take into account realistic performance expectations, new capital comes into the market and the securitization market continues to recover. While new non-government-backed mortgage originations remain well below prior levels, as we look ahead to the new year, we continue to see opportunities in the securities market and we look forward to the new opportunities that will arise when the primary mortgage securitization model becomes operational."

16:19

LCI Lannett misses by $0.04 (4.95 -0.11)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.00 per share, $0.04 worse than the First Call dual-analyst est of $0.04; revenues fell 1.7% year/year to $28.7 mln vs the $29.4 mln dual-analyst est.

16:18

TRID Trident Microsystems reports Q2 results (1.81 +0.11)

Trident Microsystems reports Q2 earnings of ($0.22), which includes the impact of a $2.8 mln write-off of pre-production inventory, vs ($0.18) First Call consensus; revs increased 66% year/year to $31.9 mln vs $32.75 mln First Call consensus. As previously announced, Trident has changed its fiscal year end to December 31. For its new fiscal first quarter ending Mar. 31, 2010, which will include approximately eight weeks of operating results for the newly acquired product lines, Trident is providing the following outlook. Co sees Q1 revs of $85 mln to $90 mln, which may not be comparable to the $33.4 mln First Call consensus. Co also issues Q2 revenue guidance of $140 mln to $160 mln, which may not be comparable to $35 mln First Call consensus.

16:18

SNPS Synopsys to acquire CoWare; terms of the deal are not being disclosed (20.95 -0.22)

Co announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire CoWare, a global supplier of software and services for electronic systems design. When completed, the acquisition will expand Synopsys' portfolio of system-level design and verification products used in wireless, consumer and automotive design. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including HSR (Hart-Scott-Rodino) review, and is expected to close within Synopsys' second quarter of fiscal year 2010. The terms of the deal are not being disclosed.

16:17

CRL Charles River beats by $0.05, beats on revs (35.69 +0.04)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.49 per share, $0.05 better than the First Call consensus of $0.44; revenues fell 5.1% year/year to $295.4 mln vs the $291.2 mln consensus. "Our better-than-expected fourth-quarter performance improves our level of confidence that the market has stabilized, and based on strong preclinical bookings for the first quarter of 2010 and early positive indicators for the second quarter, we believe we are starting to see our clients reinvigorate their late discovery and early development efforts. Therefore, we anticipate improvement in demand for our broad portfolio of essential products and services in 2010, and as the year progresses, sales and earnings growth."

16:17

ANDE Andersons beats by $0.44, beats on revs (28.92 +1.40)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.88 per share, $0.44 better than the First Call consensus of $0.44. "Clearly, our full year earnings were heavily influenced by the results within our agricultural business units," CEO Mike Anderson stated. "The record full year earnings in our grain business, reflects our solid position in this industry. The significant turn around in ethanol margins enabled our ethanol business to report its best ever quarterly results. Our Turf & Specialty Group had a record year. Our Plant Nutrient Group returned to profitability, following the extraordinary loss incurred in 2008," Mr. Anderson added. "Our 2009 Rail and Retail Group results, however, were negatively impacted by the weak economy. Economic conditions such as these confirm that our strategy of purposeful diversification allows us to remain a strong company, even when external factors are significantly impacting one or more of our groups."

16:17

DVAX Dynavax Technologies announced initiation of a large-scale Phase 3 trial for HEPLISAV (1.44 -0.04)

Co announced initiation of a large-scale Phase 3 trial designed to demonstrate the lot-to-lot consistency of commercial vaccine and to complete the safety database for HEPLISAV, the Company's investigational adult hepatitis B vaccine. This study and the ongoing Phase 3 trial in chronic kidney disease patients are directed toward fulfilling licensure requirements in the U.S., Canada and Europe. HEPLISAV has been shown in two pivotal Phase 3 trials to enhance protection more rapidly and with fewer doses than a currently licensed vaccine.

16:15

LNC Lincoln National beats by $0.07, misses on revs (23.50 -0.22)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.90 per share, $0.07 better than the First Call consensus of $0.83; revenues rose 11.6% year/year to $2.4 bln vs the $2.54 bln consensus. As of December 31, 2009, the book value per share of common stock, including accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), was $36.02 compared to $31.15 a year ago. Book value per share, excluding AOCI, was $36.89, compared to $42.09 a year ago. Total gross realized losses in the 2009 quarter on general account investments were $212 million, pre DAC and tax, primarily related to select financial-sector bonds, commercial real estate equity, and residential mortgage backed securities. The variable annuity hedge program had no material net impact on net income in the fourth quarter, with positive hedge performance offset by reserve and model adjustments. Gross annuity deposits were $2.5 billion and net flows were $818 million, both up versus the prior year. Gross deposits and net flows declined from the third quarter of 2009, driven by fixed and indexed annuities, reflecting the low interest rate environment. Consolidated deposits of $4.9 billion were up 3% versus the 2008 quarter. -- Consolidated net flows were up 12% year-over-year to $1.5 billion. Ending account balances increased 20% to $141 billion since last year, driven by another quarter of double-digit growth in net flows and equity market appreciation.

16:14

NLY Annaly Mortgage announces public offering of convertible senior notes (17.88 -0.12) -Update-

The co announces that it intends to make a public offering of $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its convertible senior notes due 2015. Annaly intends to grant the underwriter of the notes a thirty-day option to purchase up to an additional $75.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes solely to cover over-allotments. Annaly expects to use the proceeds of this offering to purchase mortgage-backed securities for its investment portfolio and general corporate purposes.

16:13

HIMX Himax Tech beats by $0.01, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS in-line (2.94 +0.18)

Reports Q4 (Dec) GAAP earnings per ADS of $0.06 per share, incl acquisition-related charges, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.05; revenues rose 43.8% year/year to $178.7 mln vs the $172.7 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q1, sees GAAP earnings per ADS of $0.04-0.06 vs. $0.04 consensus. Moving to its Q1 2010 guidance, co is seeing rather healthy demand in a traditionally low season. Compared to the previous quarter, co expects revenues to remain flat or go up slightly with a slight gross margin decline of less than one percentage point.

16:12

RENT Rentrak misses by $0.03, misses on revs (17.37 +1.61)

Reports Q3 (Dec) earnings of $0.07 per share, ex-items, $0.03 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.10; revenues rose 0.9% year/year to $23.1 mln vs the $23.9 mln consensus. Gross margin was $6.6 mln for the 3Q10, compared with $7.2 mln for the same period last year. The reduction in gross margin principally resulted from increased costs associated with the company's AMI division, specifically $0.9 mln in one-time expense related to data integration services.

16:12

FWRD Forward Air beats by $0.03, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS in-line, revs in-line (21.97 -0.50)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.22 per share, $0.03 better than the First Call consensus of $0.19; operating revenues fell 4.4% year/year to $118 mln vs the $110.6 mln consensus. "Assuming no changes in the current economic environment, we anticipate first quarter 2010 revenues to increase in the range of 6 to 10% over the prior year first quarter, and expect income per diluted share to be between $0.08 and $0.12 per share." This eqautes to in-line guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.08-0.12 vs. $0.09 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $99-102 mln vs. $100.66 mln consensus.

16:11

CRK Comstock misses by $0.08, beats on revs (37.32 +0.24)

Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.15 per share, $0.08 worse than the First Call consensus of ($0.07); revenues fell 10.0% year/year to $90.2 mln vs the $87.5 mln consensus. The loss in the fourth quarter of 2009 is primarily attributable to the low natural gas prices in 2009.

16:10

ERTS Electronic Arts beats by $0.02, reports revs in-line; guides Q4 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus; guides Q1 (Jun) EPS below consensus, revs below consensus; guides FY11 EPS below consensus (17.49 +0.23)

Reports Q3 (Dec) earnings of $0.33 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.31; revenues fell 22.7% year/year to $1.35 bln vs the $1.34 bln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q4, sees EPS of $0.02-0.06 vs. $0.13 consensus; sees Q4 revs of $800-850 mln vs. $850.97 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q1 (Jun), sees EPS of -$0.35-0.40 vs. ($0.04) consensus; sees Q1 (Jun) non-GAAP revs of $460-500 mln vs. $761.73 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $0.50-0.70 vs. $0.74 consensus; sees FY11 revs of $3.65-3.90 bln vs. $4.07 bln consensus.

16:09

PQ PetroQuest Energy ended 2009 with approximately 179 Bcfe of proved oil and gas reserves (5.36 -0.03)

Co announced that it ended 2009 with approximately 179 Bcfe of proved oil and gas reserves. The Company's year-end reserves were net of approximately 3 Bcfe of proved reserves sold during 2009. Approximately 88% of the proved reserves at December 31, 2009 were natural gas, approximately 77% were located in long-lived basins and approximately 62% of the reserves were proved developed. As a result of the new SEC reserve pricing methodology, which averaged $3.87 per Mcf and $61.18 per barrel; along with the expiration of several high value cash flow hedges, the Company expects to record a non-cash ceiling test writedown of approximately $50 - $55 million during the fourth quarter of 2009.

16:08

UFPI Universal Forest reports Q4 loss per share of ($0.03) vs. ($0.03) First Call consensus; revenue decreased 20% y/y to $338.6 mln vs. $324.80 mln consensus (16.77 -0.16)

16:07

NUAN Nuance Communications beats by $0.02, beats on revs (14.91 +0.23)

Reports Q1 (Dec) earnings of $0.29 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.27. "Nuance achieved increased revenue growth in the quarter, enabled by stronger performance across all of its business lines. In the quarter, operating margins improved year over year, even as we increased investments in R&D, advertising and sales personnel" said Paul Ricci, chairman and CEO of Nuance. "Our first quarter performance, on-going investments in sales, channels and products, and our leadership position in key markets position Nuance for sustained growth for the balance of fiscal 2010."

16:07

VSAT ViaSat reports EPS in-line, misses on revs (26.25 -0.17)

Reports Q3 (Dec) earnings of $0.39 per share, excluding non-recurring items, in-line with the First Call consensus of $0.39; revenues rose 4.0% year/year to $156.4 mln vs the $168.8 mln consensus. Co said, at the end of the co's fiscal Q3 2010, WildBlue subscriber metrics included: Approximately 423,000 total subscribers, comprised of 230,000 wholesale subscribers and 193,000 retail subscribers, Average revenue per subscriber of ~$41, which is a blended rate, and subscriber churn was ~2.1% per month.

16:06

GTEC Global Defense Technology & Systems entered into a $50 million revolving credit facility (13.07 -0.59)

Co entered into a $50 million revolving credit facility on February 3, 2010 with SunTrust Bank. The facility matures on January 31, 2013 and provides GTEC with flexibility to fund organic growth and complete strategic acquisitions in line with its growth strategy. The facility replaces GTEC's previous $29 million revolving credit facility with SunTrust Bank.

16:06

PFG Principal Fincl misses by $0.03, misses on revs (22.19 -0.27)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.62 per share, $0.03 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.65; revenues fell 6.3% year/year to $2.37 bln vs the $2.51 bln consensus. Book value including accumulated other comprehensive income per share more than tripled from a year ago to $23.05 as of December 31, 2009, reflecting a $6.3 billion decrease in net unrealized losses. Strong capital and liquidity, with an estimated risk based capital ratio of 415 to 425 percent at year-end; approximately $1.5 billion of excess capital and approximately $6.4 billion of liquid assets.

16:06

NE Noble Corp approved the regular payment of a return of capital (38.94 -0.79)

Co approved the regular payment of a return of capital through a reduction of the par value of the Company's shares in an amount equal to Swiss francs 0.52 CHF per share in four equal installments scheduled for August 2010, November 2010, February 2011 and May 2011. The payments will be made in U.S. dollars based on the CHF/USD exchange rate available approximately two business days prior to the payment date. Although the amount of the return of capital, expressed in Swiss francs, is fixed, the amount of the payment in U.S. dollars will fluctuate based on the exchange rate. The exchange rate as published by the Swiss National Bank on February 5, 2010 was 1.0742 CHF/1.0 USD.

16:05

EVEP EV Energy commenced public offering of 3.0 million of its common units representing limited partner interests (29.54 +0.48)

16:04

ADCT ADC Telecom beats by $0.02, reports revs in-line; guides Q2 EPS in-line, revs in-line (5.38 -0.12)

Reports Q1 (Dec) earnings of $0.02 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of ($0.00); revenues fell 11.4% year/year to $265.6 mln vs the $267.7 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q2, sees EPS of $0.04-0.06, includes non-cash amortization expense of $0.05 per share and excludes potential non-cash charges or restructuring charges that the company cannot estimate at this time, vs. $0.05 consensus; sees Q2 revs of $260-280 mln vs. $275.52 mln consensus. "As we continue to realize the benefits of our improved operations, we expect to drive additional earnings power by maintaining our commitment to creating a more effective and efficient organization," added Switz. "We also are making strategic gains in the marketplace with our focus on the areas of greatest opportunity in fiber and wireless networks worldwide, exhibited in part by the strength of our business in China and a significant sequential increase in wireless sales in the first quarter."

16:04

SYMX Synthesis Energy Systems received the required Shandong Provincial Government approval for the Phase II expansion of the Company's Hai Hua plant (0.95 +0.02)

Co announced that it has received the required Shandong Provincial Government approval for the Phase II expansion of the Company's Hai Hua plant located in Zaozhuang City, Shandong Province, China. This approval will allow SES to expand its current facilities to include production of approximately 50K tpa of monoethylene glycol ("Glycol") and associated by-products. The approval describes certain details of the expansion project including but not limited to its use of land, the main additional facilities required and the utilization of the existing facilities and syngas product for the expansion.

16:03

ARTC ArthroCare announced that the Costa Rican government has granted an extension of the Company's current tax holiday (26.04 +0.46)

Co announced that the Costa Rican government has granted an extension of the Company's current tax holiday. Under the holiday extension, the Company's business profits will not be subject to Costa Rican income tax until January 1, 2016, after which time such profits will be subject to general corporate tax rules then in effect. There have been no other changes to the Company's current tax holiday arrangement with the Costa Rican government. As a condition of the extension, the Company is required to meet certain investment and employment targets by December 2010. The Company believes it will meet all of the requirements in the normal course of its existing business plans.

16:03

SRX SRA Intl beats by $0.05, beats on revs; guides FY10 EPS in-line, revs in-line (16.77 -0.16)

Reports Q2 (Dec) earnings of $0.33 per share, $0.05 better than the First Call consensus of $0.28; revenues rose 11.8% year/year to $413 mln vs the $396.6 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $1.22-$1.29 vs. $1.22 consensus; sees FY10 revs of $1.63-$1.665 bln vs. $1.64 bln consensus. SRX won new business in the second quarter with potential value of $412 mln, if all option years are exercised, representing a book to bill ratio of 1.0.

16:03

QGEN Qiagen beats by $0.02, beats on revs; guides FY10 EPS in-line, revs in-line (20.76 -0.05)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.24 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.22; revenues rose 21.9% year/year to $289.1 mln vs the $267.8 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $0.92-0.98, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.98 consensus; sees FY10 revs of $1.12-1.17 bln vs. $1.16 bln consensus.

16:03

PZN Pzena reports assets under management of $13.7 bln vs $14.3 bln last month and $9.6 bln a year ago (6.49 -0.21)

16:02

VECO Veeco Instruments beats by $0.07, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus (31.05 +0.63)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.41 per share, $0.07 better than the First Call consensus of $0.34; revenues rose 32.7% year/year to $146.4 mln vs the $129.8 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.41-$0.50 vs. $0.37 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $150-165 mln vs. $142.23 mln consensus. "With record backlog of $402 million at the end of December, Veeco begins 2010 with unprecedented momentum. Business patterns in LED remain very strong in the first quarter, similar to what we experienced in the latter half of 2009, with multi-tool system orders being quoted to a large number of customers. Leading global LED manufacturers are showing strong interest in our newly introduced TurboDisc K465i(TM) GaN MOCVD System, which we believe is the best product on the market today. We are increasing manufacturing capacity to satisfy customer demand, with a current plan to ramp capacity to 45 or more tools this quarter and approximately 70 by the second quarter. We believe our Data Storage business, with its dramatically lowered breakeven structure and backlog of $60 million ending 2009, is in excellent position starting 2010. We remain well-aligned with our key customers and plan to introduce new technologies to continue to advance areal densities for thin film magnetic heads. In Metrology, our new product pipeline is the best it's been in years, and the business returned to profitability in both Q3 and Q4 2009. We currently expect all three Veeco businesses to grow revenues and profits in 2010."

16:02

DDR Developers Diversified Rlty announces public offering of 36 mln common shares (8.33 -0.18)

16:01

IVZ Invesco reports assets under management of $412.6 bln vs $423.1 bln last month and $414.2 bln a year ago (18.35 -0.23)

16:01

CIT CIT Group to prepay $750 mln of debt (30.61 -0.14) -Update-

Co announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the voluntary prepayment of $750 mln on its $7.5 bln first lien credit facility. The company will prepay this high cost debt out of its available holding company cash position, which is in excess of $5 bln. The repayment will be made on February 9, 2010 on a pro rata basis among outstanding tranches and will be subject to the applicable 2% payment premium.

16:01

ATML Atmel beats by $0.04, beats on revs (4.80 -0.01)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.04 per share, $0.04 better than the First Call consensus of ($0.00); revenues rose 2.7% year/year to $343.6 mln vs the $338 mln consensus. "We are pleased to have delivered revenue growth and gross profit expansion that exceeded the upper end of our guidance range this quarter, as demand strengthened and factory utilizations improved," said Steve Laub, Atmel's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Microcontroller sales of 8- and 32-bit products, as well as our capacitive touch solutions, grew strongly as we continued to outperform the market. Based on our solid design win momentum and booking activity we are excited about the outlook for 2010, particularly for our microcontroller and touch products."

16:01

QGEN Qiagen acquires exclusive licence for Key PI3K gene (20.66 -0.15)

Co announces it has acquired the global and exclusive licence for biomarker PI3K from Johns Hopkins University to develop real-time-PCR and endpoint PCR assays. Research has shown that variation in the PI3K gene could be a key biomarker for use as a companion diagnostic with certain cancer treatments. The studies suggest that mutations in the PI3K oncogene are predictive for the success of certain treatments of patients suffering from lung, breast, colorectal and other cancers. QIAGEN has an active PI3K assay development and partnering program with pharmaceutical companies to develop and market tests for new cancer drug candidates. Financial details were not disclosed.

16:00

TSS Total System chosen by Cedacri to provide card and payments services (14.40 -0.16) -Update-

16:00

HMN Horace Mann beats by $0.04; guides FY09 EPS above consensus (11.86 +0.41)

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.47 per share, excluding items, $0.04 better than the First Call consensus of $0.43. Co issues upside guidance for FY09, sees EPS of $1.65-1.85 vs. $1.35 consensus. "This projection anticipates: for property and casualty, a moderation in recent auto frequency trends and a continuing high level of property sinkhole losses in Florida; for annuity, continued strong increases in fixed annuity spreads and an 8 to 10 percent increase in the S&P 500 Index; and for life, continued growth in investment income and more normal mortality levels."

15:45

XHB Sector ETF strength & weakness moving towards today's closing bell -Technical-

Actively Traded Leading Sector ETF Plays:

Livestock commods- COW +1.75%, SPDRS homebuilders- XHB +1.5%, Ag commods- DBA +1.25%, Base metals- DBB +1%, VIX vol. index- VXX +1%, Commods- GSG +.75%, DBC +.25%, iShares telecom- IYZ +.5%, India- INP +.25%

Actively Traded Lagging Sector ETF Plays:

Solar power- TAN -3.25%, Gold miners- GDX -3%, Nat gas- UNG -2%, SPDRS metals/mining- XME -1.75%, iShares REITS & real estate0 ICF -1.75%, IYR -1.75%, Financials- XLF -1.75%, IYF -1.5%, Insurers- KIE -1.5%, Coal- KOL -1.5%, Ag/chem- MOO -1.25%, Global shippers- SEA -1.25%, Basic materials- IYM -1.25%, XLB -1%, iShares US broekr/dealers- IAI -1%

15:45

COW Sector ETF strength & weakness moving towards today's closing bell -Technical-

Actively Traded Leading Sector ETF Plays:

Livestock commods- COW +1.75%, SPDRS homebuilders- XHB +1.5%, Ag commods- DBA +1.25%, Base metals- DBB +1%, VIX vol. index- VXX +1%, Commods- GSG +.75%, DBC +.25%, iShares telecom- IYZ +.5%, India- INP +.25%

Actively Traded Lagging Sector ETF Plays:

Solar power- TAN -3.25%, Gold miners- GDX -3%, Nat gas- UNG -2%, SPDRS metals/mining- XME -1.75%, iShares REITS & real estate0 ICF -1.75%, IYR -1.75%, Financials- XLF -1.75%, IYF -1.5%, Insurers- KIE -1.5%, Coal- KOL -1.5%, Ag/chem- MOO -1.25%, Global shippers- SEA -1.25%, Basic materials- IYM -1.25%, XLB -1%, iShares US broekr/dealers- IAI -1%

15:45

COW Sector ETF strength & weakness moving towards today's closing bell -Technical-

Actively Traded Leading Sector ETF Plays:

Livestock commods- COW +1.75%, SPDRS homebuilders- XHB +1.5%, Ag commods- DBA +1.25%, Base metals- DBB +1%, VIX vol. index- VXX +1%, Commods- GSG +.75%, DBC +.25%, iShares telecom- IYZ +.5%, India- INP +.25%

Actively Traded Lagging Sector ETF Plays:

Solar power- TAN -3.25%, Gold miners- GDX -3%, Nat gas- UNG -2%, SPDRS metals/mining- XME -1.75%, iShares REITS & real estate0 ICF -1.75%, IYR -1.75%, Financials- XLF -1.75%, IYF -1.5%, Insurers- KIE -1.5%, Coal- KOL -1.5%, Ag/chem- MOO -1.25%, Global shippers- SEA -1.25%, Basic materials- IYM -1.25%, XLB -1%, iShares US broekr/dealers- IAI -1%

15:42

Earnings Calendar

Today after the close of the many companies scheduled to report, some of the bigger names include: CRL, CRK, ERTS, ESLR, SKH, TWTC, and VMC. Tomorrow before the open of the many companies scheduled to report some of the bigger names include: AGU, AHCI, BJS, BIIB, KO, CTSH, ENER, TAP, NYX, NOOF, PCH, PHM, VSH, and WMG.

15:36

SNV Synovus: S&P puts Synovus 'BB-' counterparty credit rating on Watch Negative (2.48 -0.07)

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said today that it placed its ratings, including the 'BB-' long-term counterparty credit rating, on Synovus Financial Corp. on CreditWatch with negative implications. "The negative CreditWatch listing on Synovus reflects our opinion that continued elevated credit costs will likely challenge the company's profitability and relatively weak capital, at least through 2010," said Standard & Poor's credit analyst Daniel E. Teclaw. Synovus reported its sixth consecutive quarterly loss for fourth-quarter 2009, despite a reduction in net charge-offs. The company's problem assets are heavily concentrated in its residential construction and development and land loans. This $3.4 billion portfolio, 11% of loans, is located in the currently troubled economies of the Southeast U.S., with 18% in Atlanta. The portfolio accounted for 54% of total fourth-quarter charge-offs and still makes up 48% of total nonperforming loans, 36% of which are in Atlanta. Synovus categorized 21.3% of its residential construction and development and land loans as nonperforming at year-end.

15:30

SPY S&P 500 -5.3 and Dow -66 hold on initial retest of morning low, Nasdaq -7.7 holding above its early low -Update- -Technical-

15:14

LFL Lan Airlines S.A. reports Jan system passenger traffic increased 17.6% as capacity rose 11.4% (15.91 -0.27)

15:10

CUB Cubic misses by $0.06, misses on revs (37.09 -0.71)

Reports Q1 (Dec) earnings of $0.51 per share, $0.06 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.57; revenues rose 2.4% year/year to $250.7 mln vs the $263.7 mln consensus. CDS sales increased 15% compared to the first quarter of last year while CTS and MSS sales decreased slightly. Net income decreased for the quarter due to the decrease in operating income from MSS. Other income included net foreign currency exchange gains of $0.4 million in the first quarter of this year compared to a loss of $0.3 million last year. Total backlog for the quarter was virtually unchanged QoQ at $2.17 bln.

15:07

SPY S&P 500 tests/pauses at the 38% retrace of the Fri-Mon rally at 1061.00 -- afternoon low 1061.26 -Update- -Technical-

15:03

SPY Stock indices slide to new afternoon lows in recent trade -- Dow -59, S&P -4.6, Nasdaq -7 -Update- -Technical-

Relative weakness (underperforming the S&P) has been noted in Housing XHB, Finance XLF / RKH, Gold Miners GDX, Steel SLX, Solar TAN, Ag/Chem MOO.

14:58

NIHD NASDAQ 100 (NDX) 100 leaders & laggards moving into the final hour of trading -Technical-

NDX 100 Best % Performers:

NIHD +4.5%, DELL +2.25%, SBUX +2%, ERTS +2%, STX +1.75%, EXPE +1.75%, XRAY +1.5%, FLEX +1.25%, URBN +1.25%, NTAP +1%, INFY +1.25%, CEPH +1%

NDX 100 Worst % Performers:

FSLR -2.25%, FWLT -2%, NWSA -2%, ADBE -1.5%, ORCL -1.25%, FAST -1.25%, ROST -1.25%, BIDU -1.5%, BRCM -1.25%, SHLD -1.25%, SRCL -1.25%, GRMN -1.25%

NASDAQ TRIN @ +.95

NASDAQ A/D @ -335

14:53

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

INDU Best % Performers:

HD +3%, HPQ +1.25%, XOM +.75%, DIS +.75%, MRK +.75%, AA +.75%

INDU Worst % Performers:

BAC -2.5%, AXP -2%, TRV -1.75%, DD -1%, GE -1%, VZ -.75%, MMM -.75%

NYSE TRIN @ +1.2

NYSE A/D @ -20

14:41

COMDX NYMEX Energy Closing Prices

Crude oil ended higher by 70 cents to $71.89, nat gas shed 10.9 cents to finish at $5.406, heating oil settled higher by 0.97 cents to $1.8845 and RBOB gasoline closed up 0.57 cents to $1.8921 (all March contracts).

14:00

XOM Exxon Mobil reaches target depth at first Point Thomson well (64.89 +0.52)

Co announced that it has successfully drilled and cased PTU-15, the first development well for the Point Thomson project on Alaska's North Slope. In addition, a 60-mile ice road has been completed from Endicott to Point Thomson which enables the transport of heavy equipment and materials to the site. ExxonMobil drilled the well to a measured depth of over 16,000 feet. The shore-based rig directionally drilled under the Beaufort Sea to the targeted gas reservoir more than 1.5 miles offshore.

13:32

COMDX COMEX Metals Closing Prices

April gold ended the day higher by $13.20 to $1066, March silver rallied for 27 cents to close at $15.10, and March copper finished up 5.55 cents to $2.913.

13:29

Fitch affirms Venezuela's IDRs at 'B+'; outlook stable

13:13

SPY Stock indices slipping back off high/below midday ranges -- Dow -30, S&P -0.9, Nasdaq +1.8 -Update- -Technical-

Relative sector weakness in recent trade has been noted in Finance XLF / RKH, Energy XLE / OIH, Semi SMH, REITs IYR, Shipping SEA, Gold Miners GDX.

12:59

RX IMS Health stockholders approve merger agreement with affiliates of TPG and CPP Investment Board; expect merger will be completed by the end of Q1 (21.83 0.00)

12:45

XHB Sector ETF strength & weakness here @ midday trading -Technical-

Actively Traded Leading Sector ETF Plays:

SPDRS homebuilders- XHB +2.75%, Base metals- DBB +1.75%, Livesotock commods- COW +1.75%, US airlines- FAA +1.5%, Semis- IGW +1.25%, SMH +1.25%, Ag commods- DBA +1.25%, Commods- GSG +1.25%, US retailers- RTH +1%, XRT +.5%, Oil HLDRS- OIH +1%, India- INP +1%, iShares telecom- IYZ +1%, Clean enrgy- PBW +.75%, Energy- XLE +.75%, IYE +.75%

Actively Traded Lagging Sector ETF Plays:

VIX vol. index- VXX -1.5%, Gold miners- GDX -1.5%, Solar power- TAN -1.5%, Financials- XLF -.5%, IYF -.5%, Nat gas- UNG -.5%, iShares REITS & real estate- ICF -.25%, IYR -.5%, Global shippers- SEA -.25%

12:42

NVAX Novavax reports additional "positive" data from its trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine clinical study in healthy adults (2.14 -0.10) -Update-

Co announced new data from a clinical study that began in May of 2009 among healthy adults 18 to 49 years of age with Novavax's trivalent seasonal influenza Virus-like Particle (VLP) vaccine. In continued evaluation of the May 2009 clinical study, Novavax tested volunteers for NAI against H3N2/Brisbane and B/Florida components of the vaccine before and after immunization. The results showed that 50 to 73% of the volunteers immunized with the Novavax VLP vaccine had a 4-fold increase in the antibody that blocks neuraminidase activity. In contrast, only 1 of 19 volunteers that received the TIV showed a 4-fold rise for NAI. There was no 4-fold rise in volunteers that received placebo.

12:32

SPY Trading volume @ midday near anemic levels & pacing well below Friday's frantic, heavy pace-- See volume charts -Technical-

Trading volume on the two primary stock exchanges is severely lacking the totals from Friday's session suggesting a big reversal from the fund & institutional participation we saw late last week. On the heels of what developed into a round of 'bullish accumulation' for the SPX & COMPQ on Friday, large players have certainly toned down their activity thus far as the markets hold minor/modest gains here @ midday. If the markets continue to drift throughout the afternoon session & into the close with persistent limited volume/participation, than it will certainly not indicate institutional & fund follow-through to the heavy late day bidding we saw Friday.

As of 12:30ET, 440M shares have changed hands on NYSE vs. 624M on Friday, while over on NASDAQ, even lighter totals abound relative to last Friday with nearly 998m shares trading vs. 1.31b.

NYSE 60 min volume chart

NASDAQ 60 min volume chart

12:18

CAL Continental Air retests 50 day ema/sma at 18.05/18.16 -- session high 18.10 (18.09 +0.71) -Technical-

Noted the relative strength in the Airline sector (XAL) in an early update and it has continued to outperform the S&P into midday. The XAL and CAL are currently vacillating near their 50 day as they extend the push off Friday lows -- DAL +2.6% (slightly above 50 day), UAUA +4%, AMR +2.4%, (testing 50 day), LUV +0.5%, JBLU +1.9%, ALK +2.3%, LCC +3% (new 52-wk high), CPA +1.6%, GOL +2%.

12:15

COMDX Natural gas falls to the flat line, giving up all of its overnight gains; now unchanged at $5.515

11:49

UTX United Tech approves 10.4% increase in Q1 dividend to $0.425 per common share (66.17 -0.33)

11:46

SPY S&P 500 pauses near initial resistance zone -Update- -Technical-

Choppy action for the S&P 500 with it holding at first level support noted in The Technical Take (1059/1058) in early action with the minor upside extension hold near first level resistance at 1071/1073 (session high 1071). Important intraday support is at this morning's initial high (1067) and the 1063 level during the current pause. A continued posture above, which the intraday pattern thus far suggests it will, keeps the door open to further upticks -- Click for chart.

11:43

ALE Allete CEO Don Shippar announces retirement; Alan Hodnik named successor (30.82 -0.06)

Co announces Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Don Shippar will retire effective April 30, 2010. The company's board of directors today selected Alan Hodnik, current president of ALLETE, to succeed Shippar as the company's CEO, effective May 1, 2010. Shippar will continue as chairman of ALLETE's board of directors.

11:42

Rumor Round Up

This week got off to a quick start with a few rumors out Monday morning. Renewed takeover chatter circulated on Palm (PALM 9.98 -0.39), however the stock did not have a material reaction. Takeover chatter circulated on Qwest (Q 4.42 +0.01); this likely stems from a Denver Post story out over the weekend that suggested the co was a likely target. In a note, Collins Stewart said that the merger of Sprint Nextel (S 3.59 +0.16) with Metro PCS (PCS 5.93 +0.05) remains the most likely. As mentioned before, while many rumors circulate during the day, and the validity of the source of these rumors can be questionable, the speculation may increase volatility in the near term.

11:36

XLV Seeing some relative sector strength in Healthcare in recent trade -- HUM, HNT, UNH, CI, CVH, WCG -Technical-

11:30

APT Alpha Pro Tech announces additional $2 mln expansion to stock repurchase program (3.56 +0.17)

11:25

UUP PowerShares DB USD Bull ETF slips under Friday's low (23.59 -0.07) -Technical-

Noted the equality target for the Dollar Index and UUP on Friday with a reversal bar formed on the daily chart (see for short term levels of interest). Today the UUP has slipped under Friday's low with a close below (23.61) a weaker sign for the UUP and a positive for Energy/Commodity sectors (XLE, OIH, SLX, GDX, GLD, SLV, KOL).

11:20

DV Education issues displaying sector relative weakness as they sink to fresh midmorning lows -- DV, ESI, APOL, COCO, CECO (60.88 -1.30) -Technical-

11:09

SPY Indices extending push above Friday recovery highs/early session range top -- Dow +12, S&P +4.2, Nasdaq +8 -Update- -Technical-

10:35

UNG Sector ETF strength & weakness thorugh today's 1st hour of trading -Technical-

Actively Traded Leading Sector ETF Plays:

Nat gas- UNG +1.75%, SPDRS hmebuiders- XHB +1.25%, VIX vol. index- VXX +1%, Ag commods- DBA +.75%, Base metals- DBB +.75%, Semis- SMH +.5%, IGW +.75%, Livestock commods- COW +.5%, Oil HLDRS- OIH +.75%, iShares telecom- IYZ +.5%

Actively Traded Lagging Sector ETF Plays:

Solar power- TAN -2.5%, Gold miners- GDX -1.5%, Biotech- BBH -1%, XBI -1%, IBB -.75%, Silver- SLV -.75%, Insurers- KIE -1%, RBOB gas- UGA -1%, Finaicials- XLF -.75%, IYF -.5%, Regional banks- KRE -.75%, RKH -1%

10:30

PEP PepsiCo shares dip back to session & monthly lows with price probing an area of important technical support surrounding 59~58.77 (58.96 -.55) -Technical-

The 58.77 mark is the mid-Dec. high volume swing low in play on a move below 59/200-day EMA support in play here.

LoD now @ 58.95

10:28

DELL NASDAQ 100 (NDX) leaders & laggards moving through today's 1st hour of trading -Technical-

NDX 100 Best % Performers:

DELL +3.5%, STX +2%, EXPE +1.75%, JOYG +2%, ERTS +1.75%, GOOG +1.5%, ALTR +1.5%, AMZN +1.25%, XLNX +1.5%, MRVL +1.5%

NDX 100 Worst % Performers:

FSLR -2.5%, CELG -1.75%, GENZ -1.5%, NIHD -1.5%, NWSA -1.5%, SHLD -1.5%, GILD -1.25%, RIMM -1.5%, SRCL -1.25%, FLIR -1.25%

NASDAQ TRIN @ +.95

NASDAQ A/D @ -320

10:25

HD Dow (INDU) leaders & laggards moving through today's 1st hour of trading -Technical-

INDU Best % Performers:

HD +3%, HPQ +1%, XOM +1%, AA +1%, DIS +.75%

INDU Worst % Performers:

BAC -1.75%, JPM -1.5%, TRV -1.25%, AXP -1%, UTX -1%, GE -1%

NYSE TRIN @ +.85

NYSE A/D @ -325

10:24

DIA S&P 500 -2 and Nasdaq Comp -3.2 edge slightly above Friday bounce highs but Dow -36 did not confirm the move with some minor slippage in recent trade -Technical-

10:20

XHB Relative Sector Strength in recent trade -Technical-

Sectors that are outperforming the S&P on the recent intraday push include: Housing XHB, Semi SMH, Materials XLB, Energy XLE / OIH, Airline, Shipping SEA, REITs IYR, Casino, Solar TAN, Steel SLX.

10:19

AMZN Amazon.com displays relative weakness as it slips to modest gap up lows to probe the 119.00 area (118.89 +1.70) -Update- -Technical-

10:13

SPY Stock indices probing up end of narrow early range-- Dow -22, S&P -0.6, Nasdaq +0.9 -Update- -Technical-

S&P held at initial support noted in the 09:56 update (1059/1058) and is probing the upper end of the early range.

10:10

HD Home Depot extends gap higher start after upgrade to minor new high of 28.89 (28.80 +0.82) -Update- -Technical-

There is a minor barrier at 29.95 with the high from early last week and the Mid-Jan reaction high coming into play in the 29.05/29.06 area.

10:01

FSLR First Solar sinks to opening lows as it nears a test of its Jan range/52-wk low of 109.77-110.00 (112.19 -2.03) -Update- -Technical-

The early Sep low also comes into play in this vicinity near the 112.00 area. If the stock successfully sustains weakness below this range floor, the next primary support area below doesn't come into play until the 100.00 "psych" area.

10:00

JKHY Jack Henry increased its quarterly cash dividend by 12% to $.095 per share (21.60 -0.15)

09:59

X U.S. Steel held near its 200 day sma Friday, vacillating on both sides of Friday's recovery high at 44.83 thus far (44.74 +0.01) -Technical-

09:56

SPY S&P 500 pulls back to initial support at 1059/1058 -- session low 1059.24 -Update- -Technical-

This marks congestion and the 38% retracement of Friday's rally with a secondary area at 1055/1054 (50% retrace, intraday averages, congest) -- Click for chart.

09:56

HOGS Zhongpin reports production at its new Tianjin Plant and expects higher market prices (11.47 +0.13)

Co reported smooth production at its new Tianjin plant for chilled and frozen pork and expects higher market prices. The higher prices are consistent with the rise in demand for chilled and frozen pork as China approaches the start of the Chinese New Year on February 14. China's Spring Festival then will continue for two weeks of celebration, ending this year on February 28. As families and friends gather over these two weeks, demand for pork, China's favorite protein food, is traditionally at its annual peak. The new plant's production capacity is 100,000 metric tons each year, of which 70 percent will be chilled pork and 30 percent will be frozen pork. With this addition, Zhongpin has an annual production capacity of 541,760 metric tons for chilled and frozen pork. "Hog and pork prices have been trending upward over the last two weeks, and we expect this is the turning point of the hog and pork prices in year 2010. Considering all factors, the outlook for Zhongpin continues to be very encouraging for higher sales, profits, cash flow, and return on assets. "

09:45

XLF Financial Select Sector SPDR an early laggard (13.82 -0.12) -Technical-

Initial support for the XLF is in the 13.80/13.75 area (retracements of Friday's late run) -- session low 13.80. A secondary area is at 13.68/13.66 -- JPM -1.9%, BAC -1.6%, AXP -1.4%, TRV -1.3%.

09:42

AMZN Amazon.com firmer after upgrade helping to underpin Internet HHH and Retail RTH (120.38 +2.99) -Update- -Technical-

The stock has gapped up and edged slightly above Thursday's peak at 120.33 and the 38% retracement of the slide of the late Jan high/test of its 50 day sma at 120.70 to test the 121.00 psych level (session high 121.00). Minor resistance above is in the 121.40/121.50 zone followed by 122.75/123.00.

09:37

BIDU Baidu.com pushes higher off the open as it lifts up into last wk's range highs near 451.00 (451.35 +2.70) -Update- -Technical-

09:37

QQQQ Altough the NQ e~Mini & QQQQ ETF were the only majors to dip below the pre~mkt lows, the 5 widely watched NDX 100 components all positive early on -Technical-

AAPL +.75%

AMZN +2.75%

BIDU +.65%

GOOG +.80%

RIMM +.60%

09:36

COMDX Natural gas drops to its lowest levels of the morning at $5.561; now up 5.5 cents to $5.57

09:36

PX Praxair awarded ExxonMobil contract for enhanced oil recovery project (74.65 +0.53) -Update-

Co has signed a contract with ExxonMobil to build, own and operate an air separation unit (ASU) to supply additional nitrogen for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations at ExxonMobil's Hawkins, Texas gas processing plant site. Under the new contract, Praxair will install a new production facility to meet ExxonMobil's requirements for nitrogen. Operations from the new supply network are scheduled for start-up in the second half of 2011. Praxair will produce 85 million cubic feet per day of high-pressure nitrogen and additional quantities of liquid argon.

09:35

EME EMCOR Group announces new expanded revolving credit facility (22.68 -0.33)

Co announced that it has closed on a $550 million revolving credit facility with a syndicate. The credit facility, which matures in February 2013, replaces the existing $375 million credit facility, which was scheduled to mature in October 2010. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the credit facility for general corporate purposes, including repayment of indebtedness under its existing term loan agreement, working capital, capital expenditures, and acquisitions. The credit facility is secured by substantially all the assets of EMCOR and its subsidiaries.

09:34

SPY Stock indices unable to top late Friday rebound highs, slip slightly lower -- Dow -44, S&P -2.9, Nasdaq -6.4 -Technical-

09:31

ABT Abbott Labs submits new automated ovarian cancer test for U.S. approval (53.57 -0.40)

Co announces a new diagnostic tool physicians can use to monitor patients for the most common form of ovarian cancer may soon be available in the United States. Abbott's ARCHITECT HE4 assay uses a simple blood test to help in monitoring for the recurrence or progression of epithelial ovarian cancer. If approved, this important immunoassay would be the first automated HE4 test available in the United States.

09:30

BMY Bristol-Myers: announced a broadening of its collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (23.97 )

KineMed announced a broadening of its collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company in the area of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. This agreement builds on the original collaboration between the two companies begun in June 2009.

09:28

AGYS Agilysys amends unaudited 3Q10 and nine-month results (8.80 )

Co announces that it has amended its unaudited financial results for 3Q10 and nine months ended Dec. 31, 2009, which were previously published in a press release on Feb. 3, 2010. Revenues, gross profit, and operating income were revised lower for both the fiscal 2010 third quarter and nine months ended Dec. 31, 2009 periods by $1.4 mln due to remarketed services in the Technology Solutions Group business. Revenue was adjusted to $219.0 mln from $220.4 mln for the third quarter and $504.6 mln from $506.0 mln for the nine-month fiscal 2010 period. Operating income was adjusted to $8.5 mln from $9.9 mln for the quarter and break-even from $1.4 mln for the nine-months. Net income from continuing operations was adjusted by $1.3 mln to $13.6 mln from $14.9 mln for the quarter and $4.0 mln from $5.3 mln for the nine-month period. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $0.59, and $0.18 for the nine-months.

09:25

CPA Copa Holdings reports that Jan available seat miles rose 3.3% YoY, while Jan revenue passenger miles rose 8.1% YoY (49.93 )

09:20

MNTX Manitex Intl receives $4.0 mln in new orders (2.23 )

Co announces receipt of three orders valued at $4.0 mln for shipment during the first half of 2010. Approximately $2.8 mln of the total is for the company's specialized military forklift products, and $1.2 mln is for the Company's Badger rough terrain and truck cranes.

09:16

NABI NABI Biopharma completes another PentaStaph milestone; to receive $8 mln payment from GSK (4.86 )

Co announces that it has successfully completed the manufacture and transfer of specified materials associated with the sale of the PentaStaph vaccine candidate to GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals. As a result of completing this transfer, Nabi is eligible for and has invoiced GSK $8 mln for successful completion of this milestone due under the agreement governing Nabi's sale of PentaStaph and related assets to GSK. Nabi sold PentaStaph to GSK for a total consideration of $46 mln, including $26 mln associated with accomplishing four milestone tasks. Nabi has earned a total of $13 mln in PentaStaph milestone payments to date. The remaining $13 mln in payments contemplated in the transaction are associated with two milestones that include completion of the Phase I trial and the successful transfer of technology. In addition to the milestone payments earned thus far, Nabi received a cash payment of $21.5 mln when the transaction closed in November 2009 that included $20 mln associated with the transaction close, $1 million associated with the sale of a separate pre-clinical program for a vaccine against S.epidermedis and $0.5 million as reimbursement for license fees and clinical materials previously manufactured for use in the Phase I trial.

09:15

PRSP Prosperity Bancshares to acquire Texas Branches of First Bank (38.96 )

Co announces the signing of a definitive agreement whereby Prosperity Bank will acquire the nineteen Texas retail bank branches of First Bank, a Missouri state-chartered bank. Prosperity Bank will pay a premium for approximately $500 mln in deposits, as well as purchase approximately $100 mln in loans and other assets attributable to the branches. First Bank's Texas locations are all in the Houston and Dallas metropolitan areas and represent a strategic enhancement to Prosperity's presence in these markets.

09:10

On The Wires

Hemispherx Biopharma (HEB) reported a recent study, published in the December 20th issue of Virology by a consortium of researchers at Utah State University and the University of North Carolina, on a newly developed animal model of severe acute respiratory disease syndrome (SARS) which, according to the authors, " ... largely mimicked human disease". SARS emerged in 2002 in the Guangdong province of Southern China as a new infectious respiratory disease characterized by influenza-like symptoms with a very high mortality rate... Cree (CREE) announces that the city of Valdez has joined the Cree LED City initiative; Valdez is in the process of converting all 343 street lights to LED technology... QKL Stores (QKLS) announces the opening of three new supermarkets in 4Q09, which are the 32nd, 33rd, and 34th supermarkets opened by the company. The stores are located in Heilongjiang and Jilin Provinces and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region... Lawson Software (LWSN) announces that Encompass Solutions, a Lawson channel partner in North America, has signed an ERP software contract with The Matrixx Group. Under the agreement, The Matrixx Group selected the Lawson M3 Enterprise Management System.

09:07

NFX Newfield Expl names Lee Boothby, CEO, as Chairman effective upon re-election at company's stockholders' meeting on May 7 (49.80 )

09:02

CHLN China Housing & Land granted oan from Xinhua Trust Investment (3.64 )

Co announced that it has been granted a RMB 150 million (US$22 million) loan from Xinhua Trust Investment. The RMB150 million (US$22 million) loan matures in February, 2012 and is secured by the Company's assets. The loan will be used for the Company's further expansion plans in 2010.

09:02

TUC Mac-Gray Corp announces sale of MicroFridge to Danby Products for ~$11.5 mln

Co announces that it has sold its MicroFridge business to Danby Products, one of the largest appliance marketing companies in North America. The transaction is valued at approximately $11.5 mln. Danby paid Mac-Gray $8.5 mln in cash, and assumed existing liabilities and financial obligations for MicroFridge totaling approximately $3 mln.

09:01

BBEP Breitburn Energy Announces Settlement of All Litigation with Quicksilver and reinstatement of distributions at annual rate of $1.50 beginning with Q1 (13.35 )

Co announced that all litigation between the Partnership and its directors and Quicksilver Resources Inc. ("Quicksilver") has been settled. BreitBurn also announced its intention to reinstate quarterly cash distributions at the rate of $0.375 per quarter, or $1.50 on an annualized basis, beginning with the first quarter 2010 distribution. The Partnership intends to pay this distribution on or before May 15, 2010.

08:54

HEB Hemispherx Biopharma reports researchers found Ampligen protected against death and damage to the lungs in the presence of lethal SARS-CoV (0.68 )

Co reported a recent study published on a newly developed animal model of severe acute respiratory disease syndrome (SARS) which, according to the authors, " ... largely mimicked human disease". Multiple agents with purported antiviral activity were evaluated for activity in this unique mouse model of the human disease, including Ampligen, ribavirin and other experimental agents. The researchers found that, uniquely among the agents tested, Ampligen an experimental therapeutic, " ... protected against death and gross damage to the lungs in the presence of lethal SARS-CoV" and was associated with a reduction in IL-6 concentration in which high levels of the cytokine correlated with the mortality of SARS-CoV infection. Mortality was high, under the conditions tested, for all the other antiviral agents examined, including ribavirin, that have previously been used extensively in humans with SARS without definitive evidence of efficacy (Stockman LJ, et al. PLoS Med 3 (9),e 343). To date, there are no approved agents for treating SARS. Animal experiments do not necessarily predict safety or efficacy in man. Encouraged by these results, Hemispherx is now in discussions with Chinese clinical research organizations to institute clinical antiviral programs in China.

08:42

OSK Oshkosh Truck receives $84 mln award for M-ATV Armor Kits (38.22 )

Co announces that its Defense division received an award valued at more than $84 mln from the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command Life Cycle Management Command to supply more than 625 add-on armor kits for the MRAP All Terrain Vehicle. Under the delivery order, Oshkosh will provide explosively formed penetrator protection kits for the M-ATV. Delivery of the kits is expected to begin in April 2010 and be completed by the end of August 2010. The Oshkosh-supplied kits will include EFP armor, base door armor and a door-assist mechanism.

08:39

GMCR Green Mtn Coffee extends tender offer to acquire Diedrich Coffee (DDRX) (82.60 )

Co announces that Pebbles Acquisition Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of GMCR, has extended its previously announced $35.00 per share cash tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock of Diedrich Coffee (DDRX). In accordance with the terms of the merger agreement among GMCR, Purchaser and Diedrich Coffee, the tender offer has been extended 20 business days (the maximum number of days permitted under the merger agreement) to expire at midnight, ET, on Monday, March 8, 2010, unless further extended. The tender offer previously was scheduled to expire at midnight, ET, on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. All other terms and conditions of the tender offer remain unchanged. As of 4:30 p.m., on Feb. 5, 2010, approximately 2,315,947 shares have been tendered into the tender offer and not withdrawn.

08:38

On The Wires

AsiaInfo Holdings (ASIA) announces that it has signed contracts to upgrade China Mobile's Phase-I Next Generation Business Operation Support System to Phase-II NG-BOSS in Inner Mongolia, Liaoning and Gansu province... Funtalk China Holdings (FTLK) announces that it recently signed a cooperation agreement with China United Network Communications, one of three national wireless operators in China... Seanergy Maritime Holdings (SHIP) announces that, due to market conditions, the Company's Board of Directors has determined to terminate the memorandum of agreement for the intended acquisition of a 2009 Capesize vessel as described in the Company's prospectus dated January 28, 2010.

08:37

TTGT Techtarget reports Q3 results (6.72 )

Techtarget reports 3Q earnings of $0.06 vs $0.06 First Call consensus; revenues decreased 14.4% year/year to $23.1 mln vs $23.01 mln First Call consensus. Online revenue was $18.2 mln compared to $20.4 mln for the third quarter of 2008 and represented 79% of total revenues. Total gross profit margin was 72% compared to 69% for the comparable prior year quarter. Online gross profit margin was 74% compared to 73% for the comparable prior year quarter. Co issues in-line guidance for 4Q09, sees revenue to be within the range of $21.8 mln to $22.8 vs $22.4 mln First Call consensus.

08:35

FHCO Female Health Company reports DecQ results (5.40 )

Co reports Q1 (Dec) loss of $0.03 per share, includes one-time items. Revenue rose 3% yr/yr to $5.5 mln. There are no analyst estimates. Co maintains its FY10 guidance that unit sales should increase by 20-25%, and operating earnings should increase 35-40% over FY09 results, exclusive of restructuring charges. Co says the transition to its second-generation FC2 Female Condom and its favorable impact on profitability is particularly encouraging.

08:33

MGM MGM Mirage announces launch of credit facility amendment and extension transaction; provides update concerning discussions with New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (10.94 )

Co announces that it is seeking amendments to its aggregate $5.55 bln of senior credit facilities which would extend the maturity of a substantial portion of those credit facilities from Oct. 3, 2011 to Feb. 21, 2014. The company has asked its lenders to provide their final approvals of the transaction by Feb. 24, 2010. Lenders approving the proposed amendments would receive prepayments aggregating not less than 20% of their outstanding loans and lending commitments, as well as certain additional interest and fees. The prepayments would increase by 1% for each full percentage by which lender participation in the transaction exceeds 80%, to a maximum of 25%. In connection with the proposed amendment, MGM MIRAGE also provided an update concerning its discussions with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement about the D.G.E.'s May 2009 recommendation to the New Jersey Casino Control Commission that MGM MIRAGE's joint venture partner in Macau be found unsuitable. MGM MIRAGE stated that it is currently involved in constructive settlement discussions with the DGE, which have centered on the Company placing its 50% ownership interest in the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and related leased land in Atlantic City into a divestiture trust for which MGM MIRAGE would be the sole economic beneficiary. While no definitive settlement with the D.G.E. has been reached, the company has asked its lenders to consent to the trust arrangement. Any settlement is subject to both D.G.E. and C.C.C. approval.

08:32

BDX Becton Dickinson announces worldwide voluntary recall of BD Q-Syte Luer access devices and BD Nexiva Closed IV Catheter Systems (74.89 )

Co announces it has voluntarily executed a product recall of certain lots of BD Q-Syte Luer Access Devices and BD Nexiva Closed IV Catheter Systems. Use of the affected devices may cause an air embolism or leakage of blood and/or therapy, which may result in serious injury or death. This field corrective action included notification to customers worldwide by letter. Neither the costs anticipated with the recall, nor the impact on BD's business, are expected to be material.

08:32

SLB Schlumberger announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Paal Kibsgaard as Chief Operating Officer of Schlumberger Limited effective immediately (62.06 )

08:31

IRSN Irvine Sensors receives additional order for 'Clip-On' Thermal Imagers; expects amount of sub-contract will exceed $18 mln (0.27 )

Co announced that one of its existing purchase orders with Optics 1 has been modified to include initial units of Clip-On Thermal Imager systems to be built under a $37.8 million contract recently awarded to Optics 1 by the Naval Surface Warfare Center of Crane, Indiana. The COTIs to be delivered under the new contract are intended for use by special operations forces. Irvine Sensors will be acting as a subcontractor supplying thermal imagers to Optics 1.

08:30

TEVA Teva Pharm acquires marketing rights for oral Laquinimod in the Nordic and Baltic regions (56.76 )

The co and ACTI announce that they have amended the marketing and distribution agreement for oral laquinimod, an investigational treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Under the new agreement, Teva extended its marketing and distribution rights to include the Nordic and Baltic regions, previously held by Active Biotech. Active Biotech will receive a higher royalty rate for sales in these territories compared to the royalty rate set under the original licensing agreement signed in 2004 for sales in the rest of the world.

08:30

MRNA MDRNA reports positive results for its proprietary siRNA delivery technology; data demonstrates the potential for long-term stability of drug products (0.94 )

Co announced that its delivery system formulation demonstrated exceptional stability over a one year period under a variety of conditions. The DiLA2 formulation maintained in vivo knockdown activity with no observed loss in potency over the course of the year-long study when stored under conditions ranging from -80 to 4 degrees Celcius. In addition, neither change in particle characteristics such as size or charge nor loss in siRNA integrity was observed. The Company's proprietary UsiRNA constructs in the DiLA2 formulations have demonstrated superior activity for delivery to hepatocytes in rodent and non-human primates. In addition, these compounds have demonstrated inhibition of mRNA via RNAi and subsequent reduction in tumor burden in the Company's oncology programs in liver and bladder cancer. Long-term stability of the DiLA2 formulation/UsiRNA cargo is an integral part of the development of the Company's drug products and represents further progress in these programs.

08:28

ARTX Arotech anticipates 4Q09 revenue of $21 mln (no estimates) (1.73 )

Co announces anticipated results for the fiscal 2009 fourth quarter. "I am pleased to announce anticipated 2009 revenue numbers for the fourth quarter of $21 mln and for the full year of $75 mln," stated Robert Ehrlich, Chairman and CEO of Arotech. "We expect to be EBITDA positive for the quarter and year, although we anticipate a small GAAP loss for fiscal 2009 as a result of various non-cash charges related to previous acquisitions. Additionally, we expect continued growth across all three business segments in 2010, based on careful analysis of our currently existing contract discussions and backlog, although the sensitive nature of our industries, products and customers makes it difficult to provide a revenue range for 2010. We are seeing new market opportunities in batteries and simulation as evidenced by the recently announced battery orders from various militaries around the world and contracts with federal agencies for our 'Point of Force' simulators."

08:26

CRY CryoLife sends letter to Medafor Board of Directors; says prepared to meet with Medafor to answer any questions they have about offer (6.17 )

Co announces it has sent the following letter to Medafor's Board of Directors: "We urge you to enter into discussions with us in a timely manner as delaying negotiations with us simply delays the creation of value for your shareholders. We believe that CryoLife's resources and financial strength will maximize the potential of Medafor and its hemostatic technology for the benefit of patients and shareholders. Although we prefer to work with you and your advisors to negotiate a mutually agreeable transaction, in the event that you continue to delay or refuse to meet with us, we will be forced to consider all our options. This includes exercising our right to call a special shareholders meeting as provided for under your bylaws."

08:23

MBI MBIA Inc restructured its fixed-income asset management subsidiary (4.80 )

Co announced that it has restructured its fixed-income asset management subsidiary. The firm, now known as Cutwater Asset Management, will operate under the MBIA corporate umbrella as a separate operating company focused on fixed-income asset management. Cutwater is now focused exclusively on its third-party advisory business, maintaining a separate operating structure and reporting its financial results as a stand-alone segment of MBIA Inc. It will continue to manage MBIA's $16.7 billion in proprietary portfolios on a fee-for-services basis. I

08:09

CFSG China Fire & Sec Grp announces contract win of $92 mln (12.06 )

Co announces that it has signed a total solution contract worth approximately $92 mln with Wuhan Iron and Steel Corp for the Fire Protection Retrofitting Project. According to the contract, China Fire will complete the overall retrofitting project of the fire protection facilities for WISCO's 32 plants located in Qingshan, Hubei Province, by the end of 2011.

08:06

On The Wires

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) announces that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has awarded a Notice of Allowance for the "Soutschek and Manoharan" patent, which covers certain chemically modified siRNAs of any length directed to any target, including siRNAs with sterol conjugates for in vivo delivery... Ikanos Communications (IKAN) abd picoChip announce a strategic relationship to advance the integration of smart mobile devices into the home network... ChipMOS (IMOS) announces that it has submitted an application to the NASDAQ Stock Market to transfer its listing to The NASDAQ Capital Market from The NASDAQ Global Select Market... Giant Interactive Group Inc. (GA) announces that it has signed an exclusive agreement with Mail.Ru to operate Allods Online, a free-to-play massively multiplayer online role playing game developed by Astrum Nival... Key Equipment Finance (KEY) and SunPower (SPWRA, SPWRB) announce a new program to fund up to $50 mln in SunPower commercial-scale solar systems.Under the financing program, Key Equipment Finance will offer capital leases and loans to qualified commercial customers and municipal leases to government entities for the construction of SunPower solar power systems.

08:05

AGNC American Capital Agency beats by $0.50 (26.68 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.79 per share, including $0.78 in other income, net of excise tax, $0.50 better than the First Call consensus of $1.29. As of December 31, 2009, the co's net asset value per share was $22.48, or $0.25 higher than the September 30, 2009 net asset value per share of $22.23 and $5.28 higher than the December 31, 2008 net asset value per share of $17.20. Late in 2009, AGNC became increasingly concerned that changes in GAAP accounting commencing in 2010 could motivate a change in behavior by the GSE's whereby the GSE's would repurchase delinquent mortgages considerably faster than prior to the GAAP change. Such a change in behavior, coupled with the significant buildup of delinquent loans backing certain types of GSE securities, created a risk that prepayment speeds could spike in 2010. Despite this heightened exposure, valuations of these securities were extremely favorable as investors focused on the past performance versus the future prepayment uncertainty. As a result, AGNC continued to reduce its exposure to securities backed by higher coupon mortgages, interest only mortgages and other types of mortgages with an increased risk of being repurchased by one of the govt sponsored entities. These securities were generally replaced with new issue or very seasoned securities backed by more generic coupon mortgages that the co expects will provide better prepayment performance as market conditions evolve.

08:05

ITG Investment Tech releases Jan. 2010 trading volumes; average daily volume was 184 mln shares (17.56 )

Co announces that January 2010 US trading volume was 3.5 billion shares and average daily volume was 184 million shares. This compares to 3.4 billion shares and average daily volume of 157 million shares in December 2009 and 4.0 billion shares and average daily volume of 202 million shares in January 2009.

08:05

CXDC China XD Plastics sees Q4 revs $38-41 mln vs $32.70 mln First Call consensus (7.28 )

This represents approximately 90% to 105% increase from its net revenues in the fourth quarter of 2008. Co's gross margin for the fourth quarter is expected to be in the range of approximately 23% to 25%. "With additional capacity of at least 30,000 tons, we are well positioned to continue our rapid growth in 2010 to keep up with the rising demand for automotive plastics from the Chinese market. As we move into 2010, we expect to strengthen our operating cash flows over the fourth quarter of 2009 levels which will greatly enhance our cash position to support our growth in the quarters ahead."

08:04

IDSA Industrial Services expects FY09 EPS of $1.32-$1.37 (no estimates) on revenue of ~$181 mln (9.61 )

Co announces financial guidance for Q4 and fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2009. For the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2009, IDSA expects earnings of between $1.32 and $1.37 per basic and diluted share (no estimates) on revenues of approximately $181 mln. That compares with fiscal year 2008 earnings of $0.43 per share on revenues of $100 mln. The company expects basic and diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter ending Dec. 31, 2009 to be in the range of $0.31 to $0.36 compared to a loss for the quarter ending December 31, 2008 of ($0.69) per basic and diluted share. The loss in the fourth quarter of 2008 included an operating loss of ($0.32) per share and one-time charges of ($0.37) as reported in prior year. IDSA cites significant changes and investment in its business over the past 18 months that have positioned the company to participate in higher margin segments of the metals recycling business.

08:04

SENO Senorx announced that Chairman and CEO Lloyd H. Malchow is taking an indefinite medical leave (7.32 )

Co announced that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Lloyd H. Malchow is taking an indefinite medical leave of absence due to illness, and that John T. Buhler, President and Chief Operating Officer of SenoRx, will serve as acting CEO. Mr. Malchow will continue to serve on the company's Board of Directors and will remain involved in major strategic decisions during his leave of absence. Mr. Malchow has been diagnosed with cancer and will undergo medical treatment during his leave of absence.

08:03

CRED Credo Petroleum updates Bakken activity (8.43 )

Co announces an update on its North Dakota Bakken horizontal drilling project. Completion operations have commenced on the Petro-Hunt 148-94-17D-08-1H well. The 11,150-foot vertical depth well was drilled on a 1,280 acre spacing unit with a horizontal lateral of approximately 9,200 feet. Drilling was completed in December, however, completion operations were delayed due to severe winter weather. The well is being completed utilizing state of the art multi-stage fracture stimulation technology which is yielding excellent results in the Bakken. Credo owns a 10% working interest in the well and the spacing unit. The 17D well is located on the Fort Berthold Reservation where a number of operators are conducting active Bakken and Three Forks drilling programs. The Reservation is located immediately south and west of Parshall Field, and is surrounded on three sides by horizontal Bakken production. Drilling activity on the Reservation is escalating rapidly, and several successful Bakken and Three Forks horizontal wells are producing in the immediate area of the new well. Other operators on the Reservation include EOG, Marathon, Kodiak, Questar and Slawson.

08:02

NVE NV Energy misses by $0.05, beats on revs (11.36 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.02 per share, $0.05 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.07; revenues rose 0.9% year/year to $772.9 mln vs the $701.6 mln consensus. The increased earnings in the fourth quarter 2009, compared with 2008 was primarily due to higher general rates as a result of the general rate case effective July 1, 2009 at our southern Nevada utility, partially offset by severance costs.

08:01

CMP Compass Minerals Intl raised the quarterly dividend by 10% to $0.39 per share (65.87 )

08:00

ARTG Art Technology announces gross proceeds of $100.6 million (3.92 )

Co announces that the underwriters of its public offering exercised their option to purchase an additional 3,750,000 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. are acting as joint book-running managers and underwriters for the offering. On Friday, February 5th, ATG announced a public follow-on offering of 25,000,000 shares of its common stock at $3.50 per share. Taking into account the full exercise of the option to purchase additional shares, total gross proceeds are expected to be approximately $100.6 million. The offering is expected to close on February 10, 2010.

08:00

PNK Pinnacle announces refinancing of credit facility (7.39 )

The co announces it has entered into an amended and restated credit agreement. Terms of this amended and restated credit agreement provide the Company with a $375 million revolving credit facility with a stated maturity date of March 31, 2014. Amounts outstanding under the Company's prior credit agreement were refinanced with this new revolving credit facility. As of February 5, 2010, $110 million was drawn under the new revolving credit facility.

08:00

SYNO Synovis Life Tech receives FDA marketing clearance for Flow Coupler (12.65 )

Co has received Food and Drug Administration 510(k) marketing clearance for its Flow Coupler, an extension of the company's well-established Microvascular Anastomotic Coupler used in several surgical procedures to connect small blood vessels more quickly and with equal or greater reliability than hand suturing. Synovis will begin a limited launch of the Flow Coupler in the United States during its second fiscal quarter with a full release expected during the company's fiscal third quarter.

07:54

On The Wires

Tessera Technologies (TSRA) announces that Samsung Electronics has integrated Tessera's OptiML Focus solution for extended depth of focus capabilities, and OptiML UFL solution for improved low-light performance, into Samsung's new 2.0 megapixel, full HD CMOS image sensor for notebook computer cameras and other applications... Globalstar(GSAT) has signed a joint venture agreement with Arion Communication to maritime customers in Korea. The new joint venture company known as Globalstar Asia Pacific will operate the Globalstar gateway ground station in Korea and provide Simplex and duplex mobile satellite voice and data services including SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger products and services to customers in Korea and the surrounding maritime region... Ampal-American Israel (AMPL) announces that it has been advised by East Mediterranean Gas Co., in which Ampal has a 12.5% interest, that Israel Electric Corporation has informed EMG that IEC has received all of the required approvals for the coming into force of a certain Amendment to the Gas Sale Agreement signed by EMG and IEC on September 17, 2009. The total contracted gas supply to IEC is approximately 42 BCM and the total value of the contract is approximately $6 bln... Nidec (NJ) announces that its consolidated subsidiary, Nidec Electronics Co., Ltd., has agreed with Salee Industry Public Company Limited in Thailand to acquire the shares of SC WADO Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of base plates, that Salee owns, representing 75% of the outstanding shares of SC WADO, for THB 72 mln, and entered into a share purchase agreement with Salee on February 8, 2010... Luxottica Group (LUX) and Essilor Int'l (EI) announce that the two companies have formed a long-term joint-venture for the Australian and New Zealand markets. Under the terms of the agreement, the joint-venture will manage Eyebiz Pty Limited, Luxottica's Sydney-based optical lens finishing laboratory, which, as a result of this alliance, will be majority-controlled by Essilor... Nokia (NOK) announces that it is planning to develop the operating mode of its Salo plant to ensure production is focused fully on the high-value smartphone market, especially in Europe. The plans will result in the introduction of new and highly specialized manufacturing methods and also entail changes to personnel at the facility... Canpotex has reached an agreement with Sinofert on a spot sale of approximately 350,000 MT of Canadian potash at competitive prices. Canpotex is the offshore marketing company owned by Agrium (AGU), Mosaic Canada Crop Nutrition, a subsidiary of The Mosaic Company (MOS), and Potash Corp (POT).

07:50

LFUS Littelfuse reports EPS of $0.53, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 EPS to $0.50-$0.62, revs above consensus (29.19 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.53 per share, including amortization, may not compare to the First Call consensus of $0.50; revenues rose 20.8% year/year to $127.9 mln vs the $128 mln consensus. Co issues guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.50-$0.62 vs. $0.33 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $130-$138 mln vs. $119.43 mln consensus. Capital spending for 2010 is expected to be in the range of $16 to $19 million.

07:45

XPL Solitario Resources to revise previously issued financial statements (2.29 )

Co announces that during the preparation of its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2009, Solitario Exploration & Royalty (XPL) identified an error in its previously reported financial statements. Solitario's management and the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors have discussed this matter with Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman PC, Solitario's independent registered public accounting firm. Based on these discussions, and upon the recommendation of management, on February 4, 2010 Solitario's Audit Committee concurred with management's conclusion that Solitario will need to restate its historical financial statements to record the deferred noncontrolling shareholder payments in the liability section of its balance sheet. The correction of Solitario's financial statements will have no effect on previously reported cash, assets, working capital or cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2008. The correction will have no effect on previously reported revenues or net income in the statement of operations in 2008 or the interim periods ending March 31, June 30 or September 30, 2009.

07:43

SNSS Sunesis Pharma granted Carmot Therapeutics an exclusive license to its proprietary Fragment-Based Lead Discovery technology (0.91 )

Co announced that it has granted Carmot Therapeutics an exclusive license to its proprietary Fragment-Based Lead Discovery (FBLD) technology. Carmot will use the FBLD technology, called "Chemotype Evolution," for identifying promising drug candidates in a broad range of therapeutic areas, including inflammatory, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Sunesis retains full rights to the technology for use in its future internal discovery efforts. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

07:32

LO Lorillard beats by $0.01, beats on revs (74.50 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.52 per share, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $1.51; revenues rose 26.7% year/year to $1.38 bln vs the $1.13 bln consensus. Lorillard' fourth quarter domestic wholesale shipments declined 3.6% compared to the same period in 2008 versus a 7.4% decline in total domestic industry shipments. Newport domestic retail market share increased by 0.46 points over the year ago period to 10.32%. Net sales excluding excise taxes in the fourth quarter of 2009 increased $20 million, or 2.2% from the fourth quarter of 2008 as the result of higher average prices, partially offset by lower net unit sales volume and higher sales promotion costs accounted for as a reduction of sales. Gross profit was $481 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, or 51.6% of net sales excluding excise taxes compared to $493 million, or 54.1% of net sales excluding excise taxes in the fourth quarter of 2008. The decrease in gross profit reflects higher manufacturing costs, higher costs related to the State Settlement Agreements, higher pension expense and the assessment of Food and Drug Administration fees partially offset by higher net sales.

07:31

SNTA Synta Pharma announces STA-9090 results demonstrating potent in vitro and in vivo activity in AML (4.09 )

Co announces that preclinical results presented at the Hematologic Conference, shows that STA-9090, a potent inhibitor of heat shock protein 90, inhibits the Wilms' tumor 1 protein, a key transcription factor that drives disease progression in acute myeloid leukemia as well as certain other leukemias. STA-9090 is currently enrolling patients in two clinical trials in AML and other hematologic cancers.

07:31

NYX NYSE Euronext reports trading volumes (23.02 )

Co announced trading volumes for its global derivatives and cash equities exchanges for January 20101. Derivatives trading volumes in January 2010 were stronger, with European derivatives volumes increasing 32.4% and U.S. options trading volumes increasing 102.4% versus prior year. Cash equities trading volumes were mixed in January 2010, with European cash transactions increasing 4.1% and U.S. cash equities trading volumes declining 23.7% from prior year levels, respectively. Both European and U.S. cash trading volumes, however, increased from fourth quarter 2009 levels.

07:30

HDNG Hardinge: Romi's 'all-cash offer provides immediate liquidity at superior value to Hardinge's stand-alone prospects' (8.07 )

Co comments on the Hardinge Inc. (HDNG) Board of Directors' response to Romi's previously announced all-cash offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Hardinge for $8.00 per share. "We are pleased that Hardinge's Board of Directors intends to evaluate our offer with the assistance of its advisors. We believe that any objective analysis will clearly confirm that our offer is in the best interests of Hardinge's shareholders, offering them immediate liquidity at a superior value to the Company's stand-alone prospects. We look forward to a positive response from the Hardinge Board. In addition to delivering a significant premium to Hardinge shareholders, Romi believes the combination is also in the best interests of Hardinge's employees, customers and partners. The combined company will have the size and scale to invest in strategic opportunities to thrive in an increasingly challenging and competitive industry environment and to expand in emerging markets. "It remains our strong preference to sit down with the Hardinge Board as soon as possible to reach a mutually agreeable transaction. However, if necessary, we are prepared to take our offer directly to the Hardinge shareholders..."

07:25

ETFC E*TRADE announced new pricing (1.46 ) -Update-

Co announced new pricing that eliminates its $12.99 commission tier and account activity fees, and increases simplicity, value, and transparency for current and prospective customers of E*TRADE Securities LLC. Commencing February 8, 2010, all customers of E*TRADE Securities will benefit from $9.99 or less per stock and options trade pricing (plus a $0.75 per options contract fee), while higher volume traders will continue to enjoy the current $7.99 per trade rate. In addition, E*TRADE Securities has eliminated annual IRA account fees; a per share commission formerly applied to market trades larger than 2,000 shares; and, effective in the second quarter of 2010, all account service fees.

07:16

EPCT EpiCept announces stock offering program (2.22 )

Co announces that it has established an at-the-market program through which it may sell, from time to time and at its sole discretion, shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $15 mln.

07:13

AUO AU Optronics reports January 2010 consolidated revenue (10.54 )

Co announces its preliminary consolidated January 2010 revenue of NT$38,225 mln, up by 3.8% from December 2009 and 188.6% year/year. Large-sized panel shipments for January 2010, with applications as desktop monitors, notebook PCs, and LCD TVs, totaled 9.45 mln units, a 3.8% month-over-month growth.

07:09

CNSL Consolidated Comms Illinois announces sale of one division and phase-out of another (16.47 )

Co announces it has reached an agreement to sell its Consolidated Market Response business process outsourcing division to Solix, Inc. The Company also intends to phase-out its Consolidated Operator Services division by mid-year. The CMR sale is expected to close in the first quarter of 2010, and the COS division will be phased-out over the next few months. Terms of the CMR sale were not disclosed. The divisions combined to produce $17.0 mln in revenue for 2009. These actions are expected to have a slightly positive impact to CNSL's adjusted EBITDA going forward.

07:09

NDAQ NASDAQ beats by $0.01, beats on revs (18.80 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.46 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.45; revenues fell 8.4% year/year to $369 mln vs the $364.6 mln consensus. Co grew Nordic derivative volume in the fourth quarter of 2009 to 28.3 million transactions, representing an increase of nearly 18% from prior quarter levels. Driving this growth was the transition to NASDAQ OMX of trading activity previously done on EDX. Co reached new market share highs in the trading of U.S. equity options contracts. The combined market share of NASDAQ OMX PHLX and The NASDAQ Options Market averaged 22% during 4Q09, as PHLX averaged 19% and NOM averaged 3%, an increase of 2% when compared to combined market share of 20% in the third quarter of 2009. Total volume traded on these markets grew 30% in the fourth quarter of 2009 when compared to the same period last year. Co reports improved market share in trading of US equities. Market share for The NASDAQ Stock Market grew to 21% while NASDAQ OMX BX grew to 3%, for a combined share of 24%, up from a combined share of 22% in Q309... "The strong cash flow of our diverse business model recently provided us with an opportunity to refinance our outstanding credit facility at extremely favorable terms... The terms of the new debt provide us with increased flexibility in our capital management decisions while reducing our interest rate exposure. Additionally, the recent upgrades of our debt ratings speak to our sound financial policy and to the fact that we delivered on the promises of our integration efforts and improved the efficiency of our operations. In 2010, our goal is to maintain this financial discipline while delivering growth to our shareholders. For the full year of 2010, our guidance for total operating expenses is to be in the range of $865 million to $885 million, including approximately $50 million in non-recurring costs."

07:07

VTNC Vitran misses by $0.13, beats on revs (8.62 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.14 per share, $0.13 worse than the First Call consensus of ($0.01); revenues rose 7.0% year/year to $165 mln vs the $155 mln consensus.

07:07

COMV Comverge announces $20 million revolving credit facility increase

Co announced that it entered into an amendment on its existing credit facility with Silicon Valley Bank on February 5, 2010, to increase the revolving line of credit by $20 million to a total of $30 million with a new 3-year term that will be available for general working capital needs and issuance of letters of credit.

07:07

LHCG LHC Group signs definitive agreement to acquire Hutcheson Home Health (29.80 )

Co announces that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the assets of Hutcheson Home Health. The primary service area of this joint venture spans six counties in Georgia, which is a Certificate of Need state. The estimated population of the service area is 322,000, with almost 12% over the age of 65. Net revenue for the Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, agency during the most recent 12 months was approximately $3.5 mln. This acquisition is expected to be completed on March 1, 2010, and the 2010 earnings impact will be reflected in LHC Group's full year 2010 guidance, which will be discussed during the Company's 2009 year-end earnings conference call.

07:05

CVS CVS Caremark beats by $0.01, misses on revs (31.07 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.79 per share, excluding non-recurring items and including a $0.01 tax benefit, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.78; revenues rose 7.0% year/year to $25.82 bln vs the $26.22 bln consensus. PBM revenues increased 14.5%, with pharmacy network revenues up 19.1% and mail choice revenues up 6.3%. Retail revenues increased 4.5%, with same store sales up 4.9%. Adjusting the growth rate for the impact of new generics, net revenues would have grown 18.3% in the pharmacy services segment. Pharmacy network claims processed during 4Q09 decreased 5.6% to 151.4 mln, compared to 160.3 mln in the fourth quarter of 2008. This decrease was primarily due to the termination of two large health plan clients effective January 1, 2009 and having three fewer reporting days in 4Q09 compared to the fourth quarter of 2008. This was partially offset by new client starts and the addition of RxAmerica claims for the full 4Q09 as compared to a partial quarter in 2008. Mail choice claims processed during 4Q09 increased 4.4% to 16.7 mln compared to 16.0 mln in 4Q08 primarily as a result of net new client starts. The growth rate of revenues in the retail pharmacy segment is lower than the growth rate of same store sales due to three fewer reporting days in 4Q09, as compared to 4Q08. Pharmacy same store sales rose 7.3% in 4Q09 and were negatively impacted by approximately 290 basis points due to recent generic introductions. Pharmacy same store sales in 4Q09 were positively impacted by approximately 270 basis points due to Maintenance Choice(TM). Front store same store sales increased 0.3% in 4Q09.

07:01

INO Inovio Biomed Cervical Cancer Therapeutic vaccine generates dose-related immune response in clinical trial (1.18 )

Co announces additional interim safety and immunogenicity data from its therapeutic cervical cancer vaccine, VGX-3100, trial. VGX-3100 is a DNA vaccine targeting the E6 and E7 proteins of human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 and is delivered via in vivo electroporation. Similar to previously reported data from the initial lowest dose cohort of this phase I trial, the vaccine was found to be generally safe and well tolerated. While previously reported data showed significant cellular and humoral immune responses, data from this second, intermediate dose group highlighted a significantly increased and dose-related immune response specific to the antigens targeted by the vaccine. Inovio expects full enrollment of all three cohorts in the first half of 2010 and complete immunogenicity and safety data to be reported in Q4 2010.

06:44

S&P futures vs fair value: -3.40. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -2.00.

06:44

Asian Markets

Nikkei...9951.82...-105.30...-1.10%. Hang Seng...19550.89...-114.20...-0.60%.

06:44

European Markets

FTSE...5067.95...+6.20...+0.10%. DAX...5460.68...+26.20...+0.50%.

06:42

SIRO Sirona Dental Systems beats by $0.02, beats on revs; reaffirms FY10 revs guidance (31.57 )

Reports Q1 (Dec) earnings of $0.55 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.53; revenues rose 19.5% year/year to $214.8 mln vs the $201.3 mln consensus. Co reaffirms guidance for FY10, sees FY10 revs at the higher end of $741.52-756.1 mln range vs. $771.38 mln consensus. Chairman, President & CEO, Jost Fischer commented; "We are pleased with our exceptionally strong performance in the first quarter. Sirona's top line growth was driven by our recent innovative product launches and our technologically advanced product portfolio. The bottom line benefited from robust sales growth, margin expansion, expense management initiatives and deleveraging. We are pleased with our results and are confident in the prospects of our business."

06:40

VARI Varian misses by $0.08, reports revs in-line (51.55 )

Reports Q1 (Dec) earnings of $0.41 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.08 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.49; revenues fell 3.4% year/year to $201.2 mln vs the $201.5 mln consensus. "The diversity of our products, the applications we serve and our worldwide distribution position us well. However, we continue to operate in difficult global economic conditions. The uncertainty of these conditions, as well as customers' uncertainty and employee and other disruptions related to the announcement and pendency of our acquisition by Agilent and related divestitures being undertaken in order to obtain regulatory approval of that acquisition, make it difficult for us to project our near-term results of operations. These conditions could further impact our business and have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, we have incurred and will continue to incur legal and other expenses in connection with the pending acquisition by Agilent, which could have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows."

06:34

HAS Hasbro beats by $0.28, beats on revs (30.80 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.09 per share, $0.28 better than the First Call consensus of $0.81; revenues rose 11.7% year/year to $1.38 bln vs the $1.34 bln consensus. At year end, $161.4 million remained available in the current share repurchase authorization. Since the inception of its buyback program in June 2005, the co has repurchased 60.9 million shares at a total cost of $1.5 billion and an average price of $25.28 per share. In the fourth quarter 2009, the Company repurchased 2.1 million shares of common stock at a total cost of $60.8 million and an average price of $29.09 per share. "As we continue to execute our strategy to re-imagine, re-invent and re-ignite our global core brands, we believe we should be able to grow revenues and earnings per share for the full year 2010, including the dilution from our television investments and absent a deterioration in consumer spending, global economic conditions or the value of foreign currencies."

06:34

HAFC Hanmi Financial retains Cappello Capital to explore strategic alternatives (1.73 )

Co annunces its Board of Directors has authorized the Company's management team to explore a broad range of strategic alternatives. Cappello Capital has been engaged as the Company's financial advisor in this process. Jay S. Yoo, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, "We are actively exploring all strategic alternatives to satisfy our regulatory orders and meet our business objectives." There can be no assurance that the review of strategic alternatives will result in the Company changing its current business plan, pursuing a particular transaction or completing any such transaction. The Company does not expect to update the market with any further information on the process unless and until its Board of Directors has approved a specific transaction or otherwise deems disclosure appropriate.

06:20

CHDX Chindex misses by $0.02, misses on revs (12.57 )

Reports Q3 (Dec) earnings of $0.09 per share, excluding tax refund, $0.02 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.11; revenues rose 11.7% year/year to $46.5 mln vs the $47.1 mln consensus.

06:19

SSRX 3SBIO and Panacor Bioscience enter collaboration and license agreement to develop and commercialize Nephoxil for hyperphosphatemia (10.01 )

Co announces a collaboration and license agreement with Panacor Bioscience to develop and commercialize its Nephoxil pharmaceutical product for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in China. Nephoxil (ferric citrate) is a differentiated, iron-based phosphate binder for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in patients with end stage renal disease. Under the terms of the agreement, Panacor Bioscience will grant 3SBio exclusive commercialization rights to Nephoxil in China. Panacor Bioscience will receive an upfront equity investment of US$1 mln and royalties on future product sales. 3SBio will be responsible for the cost of clinical development, registration, manufacturing and commercialization of Nephoxil in China. The agreement is subject to final approval by Taiwan's regulatory authorities, including the Investment Commission of the Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs.

06:17

GWR Genesee & Wyoming beats by $0.03, beats on revs (29.32 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.40 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.03 better than the First Call consensus of $0.37; revenues fell 6.2% year/year to $139.9 mln vs the $132.7 mln consensus. Freight revenues in the fourth quarter of 2009 decreased by $13.1 million, or 13.8%, to $82.1 million, compared with $95.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Freight revenues were increased by $3.2 million due to the appreciation of the Australian and Canadian dollars. Excluding currency, GWI's freight revenues decreased by $16.3 million, or 17.2%.

06:17

HYGS Hydrogenics announces share consolidation (0.33 )

Co announces it will implement a share consolidation of its issued and outstanding common shares in order to comply with the Minimum Bid Price Rule of the Nasdaq Global Market. The consolidation will be effective as of March 12, 2010, and will be implemented with a ratio of one post-consolidation share for every 25 pre-consolidation shares.

06:16

XEC Cimarex announces fourth-quarter oil and gas production volumes averaged 467.6 million cubic feet equivalent per day (50.56 )

Co announces fourth-quarter oil and gas production volumes averaged 467.6 million cubic feet equivalent per day. Average daily equivalent production was comprised of 330.0 mln cubic feet of gas and 22,935 barrels of oil. Fourth-quarter 2009 production grew 6% sequentially from the third-quarter 2009 average of 441.5 MMcfe/d but fell 5% as compared to the fourth-quarter 2008 average of 493.7 MMcfe/d. Production rate fluctuations reflect the reduction and then increase in operated drilling rigs and successful Gulf Coast exploration. Cimarex's fourth-quarter 2008 operated rig count averaged 31, then was reduced to three rigs in the first quarter of 2009 and averaged 12 by the fourth quarter of 2009. Fourth-quarter 2009 realized prices are expected to be in the range of $5.25 to $5.35 per thousand cubic feet of gas and $72.00 to $72.50 per barrel of oil.

06:15

SCLN SciClone Pharma and Sigma-Tau announce additional positive results in clinical study examining ZADAXIN's ability to enhance response to H1N1 vaccine (2.68 )

The co and its partner Sigma-Tau S.p.A., announced additional topline results in a clinical study evaluating the potential of ZADAXIN to enhance immune response to the MF59 adjuvanted H1N1 influenza monovalent vaccine, Focetria from Novartis. According to investigators, ZADAXIN treatment given with the H1N1 vaccine led to a statistically significant (p value=0.04) increase in the percentage of subjects who seroconverted, also when evaluated 42 days after vaccination, compared to those who received the H1N1 vaccine alone. In addition, the improvement in titers seen in ZADAXIN-treated patients was maintained at this later timepoint. "The seroconversion results that we have seen to date in this study are very encouraging and continue to demonstrate the value that ZADAXIN may have in offering the public a more powerful vaccine regimen against the H1N1 virus," said Friedhelm Blobel, Ph.D., SciClone's president and chief executive officer. "It is our hope that ZADAXIN will ultimately provide the enhancement benefits to H1N1 vaccines for patients with compromised or weakened immune systems. If this study continues to show positive data, we may also explore the potential of ZADAXIN to improve the response to vaccines with other flu or virus strains."

06:14

HS Healthspring beats by $0.06, beats on revs; guides FY10 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus (17.14 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.68 per share, $0.06 better than the First Call consensus of $0.62; revenues rose 25.3% year/year to $677.6 mln vs the $661 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $2.25-2.50 vs. $2.21 consensus; sees FY10 revs of $2.85-2.95 bln vs. $2.84 bln consensus. Co reports Medicare Advantage membership of 189,241 and stand-alone PDP membership of 313,045 at December 31, 2009, an increase of 16.8% and 10.8%, respectively, over the 2008 year end. Co expects Medicare Advantage membership to be in the range of 195,000 to 200,000 at the end of 2010. Co estimates PDP membership to be in the range of 410,000 to 420,000 at the end of 2010. Co estimates that Medicare Advantage (including MA-PD) full-year MLR will be in the range of 81.5% to 82.0% for 2010. Co estimates stand-alone PDP MLR to be in the range of 85.5% to 86.5% for the year.

06:11

RRC Range Resources: EV Energy Partners to acquire Appalachian Basin Oil and Gas properties (46.42 )

EV Energy Partners, L.P. (EVEP) announces it, along with certain institutional partnerships managed by EnerVest, Ltd., has signed an agreement to acquire oil and natural gas properties in the Appalachian Basin from Range Resources (RRC). EVEP will acquire a 46.15% interest in these assets for $151.8 mln. The acquisition, which has been approved by the Board of Directors, is expected to close by the end of March 2010 and is subject to customary closing conditions and purchase price adjustments. The acquisition is comprised of wells primarily producing from the Clinton and Medina formations, with substantially all of the proved reserves and production in Ohio. In addition, there is significant upside potential for drilling in the Knox group formation, where EnerVest has extensive drilling experience.

06:10

L Loews Corp misses by $0.01, beats on revs (35.37 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.94 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.95; revenues rose 39.3% year/year to $3.82 bln vs the $3.5 bln consensus. Book value per common share increased to $39.76 at December 31, 2009 as compared to $30.18 at December 31, 2008. The increase during the year was primarily driven by a $3.3 billion (after tax and noncontrolling interests) improvement in the fair value of our insurance subsidiary's fixed maturities investment portfolio reflecting a further narrowing of credit spreads that began in the second quarter of 2009.

06:04

BWP Boardwalk Pipeline beats by $0.07, beats on revs (28.99 )

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.37 per share, $0.07 better than the First Call consensus of $0.30; revenues rose 35.7% year/year to $279 mln vs the $250.1 mln consensus.

04:03

On The Wires

Foster Wheeler AG (FWLT) announces that a subsidiary of its Global Engineering and Construction Group has been awarded a contract to provide project management consultancy services to Singapore LNG Corporation Pte Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary of the Energy Market Authority of Singapore, in support of the development of the LNG terminal to be located on the southwestern part of Jurong Island, Singapore; financial terms weren't disclosed... Advances Semiconductor Engineering (ASX) anounces unaudited consolidated net revenues for January 2010 increased 141.2% year/year to NT$ 8.72 bln; revenues increased 0.3% from December 2009... Ness Technologies (NSTC) announces that it has been awarded a five-year, 42 mln Israeli shekel (approx $11.2 mln) outsourcing contract from Israel's Ministry of Immigrant Absorption.

02:10

GOLD Randgold Resources announces 4Q09 results and update (69.68 )

Co reports FY09 profit of $84.3 mln (2008: $47 mln). 4Q09 profit of $38.7 mln was up 185% quarter-on-quarter and 315% up on the corresponding quarter in 2008. Given the profit increase, the board increased the annual dividend by 30% to $0.17 per share. Attributable group gold production for the year was up 14% at 488 255 ounces. Loulo's production for the year was 351,591 ounces (2008: 258,095 ounces), of which 106,564 ounces came in the last quarter. The Morila joint venture produced 341,661 ounces, slightly higher than forecast due to better than planned recoveries and grade.

02:05

NVAX Novavax terminates negotiations with ROVI Pharmaceuticals for influenza vaccine collaboration (2.22 )

Co announces they have decided to discontinue negotiations in its pursuit of the previously announced collaboration with ROVI Pharmaceuticals to develop Novavax's virus-like-particle-based vaccines against influenza in the country of Spain. This decision is due to the companies' inability to agree on acceptable terms of the proposed collaboration and to obtain the necessary funding commitments for the program. Novavax is free to seek a new partner for its pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccine development efforts in Europe in the future.

01:35

SAP SAP appoints Bill McDermott and Jim Hagemann Snabe Co-Chief Executive Officers (45.96 )

Co announces that the SAP Supervisory Board has reached a mutual agreement with CEO Leo Apotheker not to extend his contract as a member of the SAP Executive Board. Leo Apotheker has resigned as CEO and member of the SAP Executive Board effective immediately.

01:33

CIT CIT Group elects John A. Thain Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (30.75 )

17:06

RGR Sturm, Ruger & Company announces expansion of its stock repurchase program to $10 mln (10.46 +0.02)

16:46

PRX Par Pharmaceutical: Strativa Pharmaceuticals provides an update on Zuplenz (Ondansetron) oral soluble film; the FDA has been unable to perform an inspection; FDA cannot approve the application at this time (25.99 +1.20)

Co announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a complete response letter regarding the new drug application (NDA) for Zuplenz (ondansetron) oral soluble film for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with highly- and moderately-emetogenic chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. Due to an agency-wide restriction on foreign travel in India, the FDA has been unable to perform an inspection of the clinical and analytical sites for a bioequivalence study, and therefore, cannot approve the application at this time. The FDA advised that they will schedule and perform an inspection of these sites as soon as possible. Strativa will continue to work with the FDA on completing these site inspections and finalization of product labeling. No

16:41

TBNK Territorial Bancorp reports Q4 EPS of $0.27 vs. $0.25 First Call consensus (18.03 +0.31)

Total delinquent loans ninety days or more past due and not accruing was $277,000 (representing five loans) at December 31, 2009, compared to $0 at December 31, 2008. Despite the increase in non-performing assets, asset quality remained strong with the ratio of non-performing assets to total assets being 0.11% at December 31, 2009, compared to 0.02% at December 31, 2008. The allowance for loan losses was $1.7 mln at December 31, 2009 compared to $899,000 at December 31, 2008. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans was 0.28% at December 31, 2009 compared to 0.14% at December 31, 2008.

16:37

FIT Health Fitness: Trustmark and FIT announce early termination of Hart-Scott-Rodino Waiting Period (8.77 -0.01)

16:37

VRUS Pharmasset files $150 mixed securities shelf offering in an S-3 filing (21.90 +0.75)

16:30

DGX Quest Diagnostics reaffirms 2010 EPS and revs in-line with consensus (55.60 +0.17)

Co announced that it is scheduled to speak at the UBS 2010 Global Healthcare Services Conference in New York City. The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. During the conference, the co will reaffirm its 2010 guidance for revenue growth of 3-4%, which equates to ~$7.68-7.75 bln vs. $7.71 bln. Co also said operating income is expected to approach 19% of revenues, and diluted EPS of between $4.10-4.30 vs. $4.22 First Call consensus.

16:17

AMAG AMAG Pharma provides Feraheme safety update (37.77 -0.35) -Update-

Co provided a safety update on Feraheme Injection for intravenous use. Since the commercial launch of Feraheme in July 2009, serious adverse events have been reported at a rate consistent with that contained in the U.S. package insert. Of the estimated 35,000 patient exposures to date, 40 serious adverse events have been reported, an approximate rate of 0.1%. No mortality signal has been observed. A single reported death occurred in a patient two days post-Feraheme treatment, which the Company does not believe was the result of Feraheme... Feraheme is indicated for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in adult patients with chronic kidney disease. Feraheme is contraindicated in patients with evidence of iron overload, known hypersensitivity to Feraheme or any of its components, and patients with anemia not caused by iron deficiency. In clinical studies, hypotension was reported in 1.9% of subjects receiving Feraheme, including three patients with serious hypotensive reactions. Serious hypersensitivity reactions were reported in 0.2% of patients. Patients should be observed for signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity for at least 30 minutes following Feraheme injection and the drug should only be administered when treatment for hypersensitivity reactions is readily available. Excessive therapy with parenteral iron can lead to excess storage of iron with the possibility of iatrogenic hemosiderosis. Patients should be regularly monitored for hematologic response during parenteral iron therapy. As a superparamagnetic iron oxide, Feraheme may transiently affect magnetic resonance diagnostic imaging but will not affect X-ray, CT, PET, SPECT, ultrasound, or nuclear imaging. In clinical trials, the most commonly occurring adverse reactions in Feraheme treated patients versus oral iron treated patients were diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, hypotension, constipation and peripheral edema.

16:05

HDNG Hardinge confirmed that it received an unsolicited proposal from Industrias Romi S.A. of Brazil to acquire all of its outstanding shares for $8.00 per share (8.07 )

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