February 2010 Archives

Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET) will now cover NuVasive Inc.'s (Nasdaq: NUVA) XLIF spinal surgery procedure. Shares of Aetna edged up 2 cents to close at $29.99 while NuVasive stock leaped $10.31 to close at $40.00.

American International Group Inc. (NYSE: AIG) reported a fourth quarter loss of $8.9 billion or $65.51 per share. Shares of the insurer tumbled $2.74 to close at $24.77.

While fourth quarter earnings fell for Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG) to 24 cents per share from 39 cents per share last year, the advertising company cut expenses and expects economic conditions to stabilize in 2010. The stock price rose 68 cents to $7.43.

Crocs Inc. (Nasdaq: CROX) narrowed fourth quarter losses to 13 cents per share from a loss of 42 cents per share in the year ago period as revenue rose, but the colorful plastic shoemaker also announced the retirement of company president and chief executive John Duerden. The stock price fell 96 cents to $6.82.

Dynegy Inc. (NYSE: DYN) widened fourth quarter losses to 47 cents per share from a penny per share a year earlier as revenue tumbled. The stock price lost 15 cents to close at $1.52.

Palm Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM) blamed disappointing demand for cutting its revenue outlook for the third quarter as well as the full year. The stock price tumbled $1.56 to close at $6.53.

GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) chief financial officer Catherine R. Smith resigned to join Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s (NYSE: WMT) international division. Shares of GameStop fell $1.52 to $17.34 while Wal-Mart stock eased a penny to $53.91.

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (NYSE: DPS) swung to a profit for the fourth quarter of 44 cents per share from a loss of $2.44 per share last year. Shares of the beverage company climbed $2.47 to $31.12.

Century Aluminum Co. (Nasdaq: CENX) narrowed fourth quarter losses to 28 cents per share from $14.14 per share in the year ago period but missed expectations sending the stock price down $1.32 to close at $11.42.

Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) disappointed with lower fourth quarter earnings of $2.24 per share compared with $2.35 per share last year that fell short of estimates. Shares of the offshore contract drilling services firm tumbled $4.66 to close at $79.85.

H&R Block Inc. (Nasdaq: HRB) warned that fiscal 2010 earnings will fall short of estimates as more consumers prepare their own taxes sending the stock price tumbling $2.83 to $16.90.

Although Stec Inc. (Nasdaq: STEC) reversed year ago losses to post a fourth quarter profit of 50 cents per share, earnings fell short of estimates and the company warned of losses in the first quarter. Shares of the memory solutions company plunged $3.28 to $10.14.

Tenet Healthcare Corp. (NYSE: THC) disappointed with fourth quarter earnings and revenue that fell short of estimates. The company earned 4 cents per share compared with a loss of 7 cents per share in the year ago period. Shares of the healthcare services company lost 54 cents to close at $5.04.

RadioShack Corp. (NYSE: RSH) reported higher fourth quarter earnings of 60 cents per share compared with 48 cents per share last year but accessory sales were weak. The stock price fell $1.52 to close at $19.11. 

The Wall Street Journal reported that private equity firm Apollo Management may purchase a stake in Zale (NYSE: ZLC) sending the stock price soaring 40 cents to $2.41.

While Brocade Communications Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: BRCD) swung to a first quarter profit of 11 cents per share from a loss of 6 cents per share last year, revenue fell short of estimates and the company forecast disappointing revenue growth for the year prompting downgrades. Shares of the networking solutions company plunged $1.57 to $5.39.

Unconfirmed reports surfaced that orders for Research In Motion Ltd.'s (Nasdaq: RIMM) Blackberry Storm were being cancelled or cut sending the stock price down $1.35 to close at $69.68.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) offered to acquire Millipore (NYSE: MIL) for approximately $6 billion. Shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific lost $1.12 to close at $48.10 while Millipore stock jumped $16.01 to close at $87.35.

Barclays downgraded Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YGE) sending the stock price down 74 cents to close at $11.71.

Shares of Commercial Metals Co. (NYSE: CMC) climbed $1.43 to $16.52 over rumors that the company may be the target of an acquisition.

Oppenheimer analyst Scott Schneeberger downgraded H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) saying that many consumers will prepare their own taxes instead of using a professional in light of the challenging economic times. The stock price fell 94 cents to $20.18.

Aruba Networks Inc. (Nasdaq: ARUN) narrowed second quarter losses more than expected to 5 cents per share from a loss of 8 cents per share a year earlier as revenue climbed. The stock price climbed $1.27 to close at $12.18.

RAIT Financial Trust (NYSE: RAS) reversed year ago losses of $7.78 per diluted share to post a profit for the fourth quarter of 24 cents per diluted share sending the stock price soaring 44 cents to close at $1.65.

Bargain hunters snapped up shares of XenoPort Inc. (Nasdaq: XNPT), whose stock price dropped yesterday after the Food and Drug Administration failed to approve the company's restless leg syndrome treatment Horizant. The stock price surged $1.71 to close at $8.38.

The creation of a Wholesale Applications Community by wireless carriers offering apps for smartphones lifted shares of Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) 20 cents to $3.51.

EnergySolutions Inc. (NYSE: ES) chief executive Steve Creamer resigned and will be replaced by president Val John Christensen. Shares of the nuclear services company tumbled $1.48 to $6.31.

MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM) narrowed losses for the fourth quarter to 98  cents per share from $4.15 per share last year but the results fell short of analyst estimates. The stock price fell 83 cents to close at $10.80.

Avis Budget Group Inc. (NYSE: CAR) narrowed fourth quarter losses to 47 cents per share from $1.20 per share in the year ago period but warned of continued weakness in the first half of 2010 sending shares of the car rental company down $1.92 to close at $11.39.

UBS analyst Neil Currie said that Rite Aid Corp. (NYSE: RAD) may be a good acquisition target for some competing pharmacies sending the stock price up 18 cents to $1.57.

The Food and Drug Administration sent XenoPort Inc. (Nasdaq: XNPT) and GlaxoSmithKline plc (NYSE: GSK) a Complete Response letter with more questions about their restless leg syndrome treatment Horizant. Shares of Xenoport plummeted $13.06 to $6.54 while GlaxoSmithKline stock lost 34 cents to $39.02.

Immunomedics Inc. (Nasdaq: IMMU) received a patent for its human antibody treatment lifting the stock price 40 cents to close at $3.45.

Inverness Medical Innovations Inc. (NYSE: IMA) disappointed by swinging to a fourth quarter loss of 4 cents per share compared with income of 14 cents per share a year earlier due to charges. 

La-Z-Boy Inc. (NYSE: LZB) reversed year ago losses of $1.25 per share to post a greater than expected profit for the third quarter of 21 cents per share. The stock price climbed $1.32 to close at $12.96.

Pacer International Inc. (Nasdaq: PACR) reversed year ago losses of $1.83 per share to post a better than expected profit for the fourth quarter of 29 cents per share. The stock price climbed 75 cents to $3.78.

Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: CYCC) reported that its seliciclib was effective in treating breast cancer that had become resistant to hormone therapy sending the stock price up 27 cents to $2.67.

Sequenom Inc. (Nasdaq: SQNM) introduced its test to determine the gender of a fetus using its SEQureDx technology. The stock price rose 74 cents to close at $5.26.

Needham downgraded STEC Inc. (Nasdaq: STEC) from Strong Buy to Hold sending the stock price tumbling $1.47 to close at $13.55.

Barclays plc (NYSE: BCS) reported fourth quarter earnings that surged more than tenfold beating analyst expectations. The stock price soared $2.35 to close at $19.03.

US Airways Group Inc. (NYSE: LCC) reported that flights in December were on time 75.2% of the time sending the stock price up 60 cents to $6.92.

Shares of Compellent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: CML) continued to fall by plummeting $6.01 to $15.77 after reporting fourth quarter earnings that fell short of expectations last week.

While Ingersoll-Rand Plc (NYSE: IR) reversed year ago losses of $10.27 per share to post a profit of 42 cents per share for the fourth quarter, the results fell short of analyst estimates and the manufacturer forecast disappointing first quarter earnings that missed expectations by a wide margin. The stock price dropped $2.65 to close at $31.26.

Senomyx Inc. (NYSE: SNMX) priced its offering of over 7.1 million common shares at $2.80 per share sending the stock price tumbling 67 cents to close at $2.50.

Oppenheimer analyst Brian Nagel upgraded Pier 1 Imports Inc. (NYSE: PIR) and lifted his price target on the home accessories retailer saying that sales are improving sending the stock price up 60 cents to close at $6.06.

Labopharm Inc. (Nasdaq: DDSS) priced its offering of approximately 11.7 million units at $1.70 per unit with each unit composed of one common share and a warrant to purchase half a common share sending the stock price tumbling 41 cents to $1.60.

Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT) announced that it will separate into two companies in 2011, one focused on consumers while the other will target business clients. The stock price rose 45 cents to $7.10.

Private equity firms Berkshire Partners, Advent International and Bain Capital offered approximately $1.1 billion in cash to acquire SkillSoft (Nasdaq: SKIL). The stock price climbed $1.07 to $10.83.

Shares of MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM) rose 98 cents to close at $11.38 ahead of its earnings release next week.

Schweitzer-Mauduit International (NYSE: SWM) swung to a fourth quarter profit as sales rose but the paper and tobacco products company also announced a patent infringement lawsuit against four companies. The stock price plummeted $23.58 to close at $46.65.

FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) will acquire Allegheny Energy Inc. (NYSE: AYE) in an all stock deal valued at approximately $4.7 billion to create a new company with over 6 million customers and $16 million in revenue each year. Shares of FirstEnergy fell $1.87 to close at $39.59 while Allegheny stock climbed $2.53 to close at $23.55.

Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX) reported a loss for the fourth quarter of 71 cents per share compared with a loss of $1.59 per share in the year ago period and announced restructuring plans that include the elimination of up to 1,300 jobs. Shares of the medical device maker lost 71 cents to $7.58.

Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU) posted a modest profit for the fourth quarter but revenue fell and the telecommunications company tempered expectations for its turnaround plan. The stock price fell 39 cents to $2.79.

While Activision Blizzard Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) widened fourth quarter losses to 23 cents per share from 5 cents per share a year earlier, the results topped estimates due to strong sales of its "Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" game. The company also announced a new annual dividend of 15 cents per share and a plan to repurchase up to $1 billion worth of stock. Shares of the game publisher rose 98 cents to $11.08.

American International Group Inc. (NYSE: AIG) introduced a new ranking system to determine incentive payments to employees. The stock price surged $3.78 to close at $26.92.

Dean Foods (NYSE: DF) blamed greater operating expenses for sharply lower fourth quarter earnings of 27 cents per share compared with 42 cents per share a year earlier and warned of a challenging first quarter. Shares of the food and beverage company tumbled $2.45 to close at $15.19.

While Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) narrowed fourth quarter losses to 34 cents per share from 57 cents per share last year, the results missed expectations sending the stock price down 30 cents to $3.35. 

Micron Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MU) will acquire rival Numonyx in an all stock deal valued at approximately $1.27 billion. Shares of the semiconductor maker fell 70 cents to $8.38.

Genzyme Corp. (Nasdaq: GENZ) and Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ISIS) reported that a phase 3 clinical trial of their cholesterol treatment mipomersen met study goals but the stock prices fell. Genzyme lost 33 cents to $54.54 while Isis tumbled $1.58 to $9.46.

Atmel Corp. (Nasdaq: ATML) widened fourth quarter losses to 17 cents per share from 5 cents per share in the year ago period due to write-downs. The stock price fell 47 cents to close at $4.33.

News that Germany was crafting a rescue plan for debt laden Greece lifted shares of National Bank of Greece (NYSE: NBG) 84 cents to close at $4.26.

While Electronic Arts Inc. (Nasdaq: ERTS) narrowed third quarter losses to 20 cents per share from $2 per share in the year ago period, the video game publisher forecast current quarter results well below analyst estimates prompting a downgrade. The stock price fell $1.71 to $15.78.

Japan Airlines rejected overtures by Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) to switch alliances to SkyTeam and will continue its partnership with American Airlines (NYSE: AMR) through Oneworld. Shares of Delta climbed $1.05 to $12.30 while American Airlines stock rose 69 cents to $8.01.

United Airlines parent UAL Corp. (Nasdaq: UAUA) reported higher January unit revenue and traffic sending the stock price soaring $2.08 to $15.15.

Borders Group Inc. (NYSE: BGP) majority shareholders William Ackerman said that it was very unlikely for the bookstore operator to file for bankruptcy sending the stock price up 10 cents to close at $1.26.

A newspaper article reported that Loyds Banking Group (NYSE: LYG) is in discussions to sell its Integrated Finance unit. The stock price lost 23 cents to close at $2.92.

The Food and Drug Administration will select an advisory panel to review Cell Therapeutics Inc.'s (Nasdaq: CTIC) lymphoma treatment pixantrone due to safety concerns. The stock price plummeted 34 cents to 72 cents.

Fourth quarter earnings for Hasbro Inc. (NYSE: HAS) surged to $1.09 per share from 62 cents per share last year to beat expectations on higher sales. Shares of the toy company soared $3.92 to $34.72.

CVS Caremark Corp. (NYSE: CVS) reported higher fourth quarter earnings of 74 cents per share compared with 65 cents per share in the year ago period that topped analyst estimates. The stock price rose $1.95 to $33.02.

Goldcorp Inc. (NYSE: GG) completed its acquisition of Canplats Resources, which includes the significant gold and silver resources of the Camino Rojo project. The stock price soared $2.29 to close at $35.51.

Credit Suisse analyst Satya Kumar upgraded MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. (NYSE: WFR) sending the stock price up 89 cents to close at $12.49.

Phase Forward Inc. (Nasdaq: PFWD) blamed impairment charges for swinging to a fourth quarter loss. The stock price plunged $3.83 to $11.01.

Fourth quarter earnings for Power-One Inc. (Nasdaq: PWER) more than doubled to 5 cents per shares from 2 cents per share a year earlier as sales climbed. The stock price rose 59 cents to $3.69.

Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (NYSE: APD) offered approximately $5.1 billion in cash to acquire Airgas Inc. (NYSE: ARG). Shares of Air Products tumbled $4.97 to $68.72 while Airgas stock leaped $16.71 to $60.24.

Caisse de Depot sold over $10 million worth of Patriot Coal Corp. (NYSE: PCX) stock sending the stock price tumbling $2.23 to close at $14.30.

Roth Capital initiated coverage of Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: CYCC) with a Buy rating sending the stock price soaring 32 cents to close at $2.30.

SummerStreet Research Partners analyst Carol Werther downgraded AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: AMAG) citing possible severe allergic reactions in kidney disease patients to the company's iron replacement drug Feraheme. The stock price plummeted $7.13 to close at $38.12.

MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. (NYSE: WFR) swung to a fourth quarter loss of 3 cents per share from a profit of 31 cents per share a year earlier sending the stock price down $1.64 to $11.99.

Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq: AFFX) reversed year ago losses of $4.65 per share to post an unexpected profit for the fourth quarter of 4 cents per share as revenue rose. The stock price leaped $1.69 to $7.36.

Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) will send all dealerships in the United States $75,000 to assist with the recall and repair of 2.3 million vehicles. Shares of the automaker tumbled $4.69 to close at $73.49.

Fourth quarter earnings for Acme Packet Inc. (Nasdaq: APKT) more than doubled to 14 cents per share from 6 cents per share in the year ago period due to its acquisition of Covergence last year. The stock price surged $2.92 to close at $13.59.

Fourth quarter earnings for Western Union Co. (NYSE: WU) slipped to 32 cents per share from 34 cents per share last year sending the stock price down $1.59 to $17.26.

Exide Technologies (Nasdaq: XIDE) reported lower third quarter earnings of 23 cents per share compared with 24 cents per share in the year ago period as sales fell. The stock price plunged $2.10 to $5.82.

Home Diagnostics Inc. (Nasdaq: HDIX) will be acquired by Japanese medical device maker Nipro for approximately $215 million. The stock price leaped $5.39 to $11.44.

Ivanhoe Energy Inc.'s (Nasdaq: IVAN) first appraisal well in Ecuador reached total depth with physical testing beginning this week. The stock price climbed 53 cents to close at $3.60.

While Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE: SU) reversed year ago losses to post a fourth quarter profit, the results fell far short of expectations sending the stock price down $1.74 to close at $30.99.

D. R. Horton Inc. (NYSE: DHI) reported its first quarterly profit in nearly three years. First quarter earnings surged to 56 cents per share from a loss of 20 cents per share in the year ago period. Shares of the homebuilder climbed $1.18 to 13.09.

Ann Taylor Stores Corp. (NYSE: ANN) announced that fourth quarter earnings will top estimates and far outpace last year's results sending the stock price soaring $2.05 to $15.4

Leap Wireless International Inc. (Nasdaq: LEAP) is exploring strategic options including the sale of the company or a merger with one of its competitors sending the stock price up $1.73 to close at $14.92.

Art Technology Group Inc. (Nasdaq: ARTG) will offer 25 million common shares in order to raise capital. The stock price dropped 46 cents to close at $4.02.

Bank of Florida (Nasdaq: BOFL) widened fourth quarter losses to $1.55 per share from 78 cents per share in the year ago period as loan loss provisions nearly doubled but the stock price rose 13 cents to $1.34.

While Gannett Co. Inc. (NYSE: GCI) reversed year ago losses of $20.65 per share to post a profit for the fourth quarter of 56 cents per share, advertising revenue tumbled sending the stock price down $1.34 to $14.81.

While Gannett Co. Inc. (NYSE: GCI) reversed year ago losses of $20.65 per share to post a profit for the fourth quarter of 56 cents per share, advertising revenue tumbled sending the stock price down $1.34 to $14.81.