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I wonder if the Srevice Rig side is up for sale.
Iraq Halts Flights to and From Syria
By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press Writer
3 hours ago
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq indefinitely halted all flights to and from Syria and closed a border crossing with Iran as the government prepares for a new security crackdown aimed at crushing violence in the capital and surrounding regions, a member of parliament and an airport official said Wednesday.
The airport official said flights to and from Syria would be canceled for at least two weeks and that service had been interrupted on Tuesday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to reveal the information.
Hassan al-Sunneid, a legislator and member of the parliament Defense and Security Committee, said the move "was in preparation for the security plan. The state will decide when the flights will resume."
The actions were seen as a signal to both countries not to interfere in Iraq's affairs as U.S. and Iraqi forces prepare for the major crackdown on armed groups in the capital.
Syria is believed to be harboring former Baath party officials who support the Sunni insurgency and has been accused of allowing foreign fighters to slip across its border with Iraq. And U.S. officials have complained that Iran smuggles weapons to Shiite extremists who have killed Americans and provides Shiite militia with training and support.
Syrian authorities on Wednesday denied reports arising elsewhere that it had halted Iraqi Airways flights but said it would bar landings by Iraqi airliners lacking safety requirements or those arriving without advance permission.
The official Syrian news agency, SANA, said the measure was agreed to last week by the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority after Syrian technical teams found that some Iraqi planes did not meet safety codes, or that they entered Syrian airspace without notice or permission from Syrian authorities.
Iraqi Airways is now the only airline linking the Syrian and Iraqi capitals.
The U.N. says about one million Iraqis have fled to Syria, which has become the refuge of choice because of its relaxed entry regulations for Arabs, the relatively low cost of living and availability of schools and health care.
Al-Sunneid refused to confirm reports that Syrian border crossings also would be closed, saying only that "more decisions would be taken."
He said the Sheeb border crossing with Iran "also was closed in preparation for the (security) plan."
Iraq said last week that closures of Iranian crossings involved the border checkpoints at Sheeb, in Maysan province, and the Shalamjaa border checkpoint in Basra province. Authorities in Baghdad said the two crossings had been shut down ahead of the Ashoura festivities, the Shiite ceremony in which tens of thousands of pilgrims _ many from Iran _ descend the Shiite holy city of Karbala. The festival reached its climax Tuesday.
Iranian television said Sunday that Iran had closed several border crossings with Iraq ahead of Ashoura, citing a decision by the government in Tehran. It said the crossings were closed to "contain the large number of pilgrims" bound for Karbala without "legal documents."
Meanwhile, car bombs struck mostly Shiite targets in Baghdad on Wednesday, and the bodies of three Sunni professors and a student were found days after they were seized while leaving their campus in a Shiite part of the city.
At least 43 people were reported killed across Iraq, including a U.S. soldier.
Maamoun Abdel-Hadi said he was standing with a friend near his car when a mortar shell fell on the predominantly Sunni neighborhood of Azamiyah in northern Baghdad. The area was hit by nine mortar shells that damaged houses, shops and streets, killing six people and wounding 20, police and hospital officials said.
"We fell on the ground ... I saw four wounded persons lying on the ground and screaming for help. We put them in the car and rushed them to the hospital," Abdel-Hadi said. "We are peaceful people who have nothing to do with any militias or armed groups. What is the guilt of innocent children, women and men who were walking in the street?"
Jamal Ahmed mournfully examined his Mitsubishi car that had been burned in the attack.
"Repairing my car will cost me a fortune, yet I thank God because I am safe and unhurt," he said.
The mortar attack struck about 2 p.m., hours after car bombs hit Shiite targets elsewhere in the capital in what has become a common pattern in the violence plaguing Baghdad.
One car bomb targeted an area near a market in central Baghdad where people can catch minibuses to predominantly Shiite neighborhoods, including the Sadr City slum. Four people were killed and 12 were wounded, police said.
Another car packed with explosives blew up in the religiously mixed neighborhood of Maamoun in western Baghdad at about the same time, killing two civilians and wounding three others, police said.
A car bomb also struck a predominantly Shiite area in eastern Baghdad after the driver parked near a currency exchange office, then walked away, killing two people and wounding 10, police said.
The shop's owner said the attacker came in to ask permission to park the car and exchange some money.
"A seemingly normal person parked this car and told us that he would not be long," said the owner, who identified himself as Abu Talal. "When that person disappeared for more than 20 minutes, we tried to call the police but the car exploded."
Shop owners often insist that motorists get permission before parking their cars due to the frequent car bombings in the capital.
Insurgents have launched several bombings in the capital in recent weeks as they seek to maximize the number of people killed before U.S. and Iraqi troops launch a neighborhood-by-neighorhood sweep of the capital. Iraqi authorities have promised to crack down on Sunni insurgents as well as Shiite militia violence that has spiraled since the Feb. 22, 2006, bombing of a Shiite shrine in Samarra.
HMMMMM.
HAT: TSX.V
10:13 EST Tuesday, January 30, 2007
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(CCNMatthews - Jan. 30, 2007) - Hathor Exploration Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:HAT) is pleased to announce that it has delineated approximately 97 line kilometres of electromagnetic ("EM") EM conductors on its wholly-owned, 49,998 hectare (123,548 acres) Vedette Lake uranium property in the Athabasca basin, Saskatchewan.
On the Vedette Lake property, exploration targets are open-pitable, basement-hosted "root zones" associated with unconformity-style uranium deposits (using the McArthur River, Millennium and Eagle Point uranium deposits as exploration models). The Vedette permit covers the same basement geological setting as the high-grade, eastern Athabasca area uranium deposits that are responsible for about 28% of the world's annual mine production.
Such unconformity-style uranium deposits are often associated with graphitic rock units that are commonly associated with favourable geological structural settings necessary for the formation of this type of deposit. The northeast to north-northeast trending conductors identified by Hathor's recently completed 1,350 line kilometre "AeroTEM III" helicopter-borne, time domain EM survey are the geophysical expressions of such graphitic rocks.
Approximately 40 km of the EM conductors identified on the Vedette Lake permit are associated with the NNE-trending Key Lake Road Shear Zone where basement-hosted uranium mineralization has been reported on the nearby properties of Forum Uranium. In addition, on the Vedette Lake property, the location of uranium and copper-zinc mineralized showings (discovered by intensive prospecting during the late 1970's following the Key Lake discovery and reported in Saskatchewan Industry & Resources "Geological Atlas of Saskatchewan") correspond with some of the EM conductors identified by the recent airborne survey. Follow-up ground geological, geochemical and geophysical exploration will allow Hathor to formulate prospective targets for future diamond drilling.
Saskatchewan Provincial Highway 914, which provides year-around access to the Key Lake uranium mill complex of Cameco Corporation and AREVA Resources Canada Inc., crosses the Vedette Lake property. Key Lake was discovered in 1976 and, between 1983 and 1997, produced over 180 million lbs U3O8 from 3,518,000 tonnes of ore having an average grade of 2.35% U3O8. The Key Lake mill facilities are now used to produce 18.7 million lbs U3O8 annually from the McArthur River mine ores.
For more information on Hathor, its subsidiary Roughrider Uranium Corp. and their projects, please visit the company's website: www.hathor.ca
Micron Enviro Systems Inc. Acquires Additional Significant Contiguous Alberta Oil Sands Sections near Shell/BlackRock (Seal) Producing Property
January 26, 2007
Micron Enviro Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: MENV) (Frankfurt: NDDA --- WKN:A0J3PY---ISIN: US59510E2072) ("Micron") is extremely pleased to announce that it has added considerably to its Alberta Oil Sands assets by acquiring 50% of 2,530 contiguous acres in close proximity to the Shell/BlackRock (Seal) producing property. Shell recently paid $24 per share for BlackRock Ventures. Shell has stated there is exposure to over one billion barrels of oil in place at the Seal property. Bernard McDougall, Micron’s president stated, “We have again displayed our ability to acquire considerable quality Alberta Oil Sands assets. We are committed to growing shareholder value through the development and acquisition of Alberta Oil Sands assets and feel Micron is at a turning point in garnering substantial market awareness in regards to other Oil Sands companies. We have seen the major impact that Oil Sands assets can bring to OTC companies such as Canwest Petroleum (now BQI on Amex) which went from under $0.10 a share to a high of $8.90 due primarily to their Oil Sands assets. We are at the early stages of development which typically provides the best leverage to anticipated future growth. We have also started to focus on strategic marketing in Europe as we have seen a sharp increase in our European shareholder base. Management is very confident that Micron will be able to continue to acquire additional quality Alberta Oil Sands leases in the near future. The board is excited about the future developments of the company primarily because Micron is currently one of, if not the smallest market capitalized companies in the world-class Alberta Oil Sands, which gives Micron tremendous leverage to the one of the largest know resource deposits in the world. ”
Recently, Micron was informed by the operator of the test well on the Leismer Oil Sands Prospect, in the Athabasca Oil Sands of Alberta, that the test well has been completed and initial indications show impressive oil sands thickness. The core, as well as the bore hole imaging tool will be analyzed soon. The seismic is also expected to be completed and analyzed in the coming days, barring any unforeseen issues. The results will then be interpreted and released when the final analysis is complete. The operator stated, "My prognosis is that with the calibrated seismic (to the well), the hole imaging tool (FMI) and the core, we will pinpoint a thick oil sands pod for SAGD production." This prospect lies directly between Petrobank and North American Oil Sands and a review of the initial data indicates that the formation and thickness on Micron’s property are consistent with these companies. (Please refer to the map on the website www.micronenviro.com for more details) Petrobank has stated a potential resource of 1.6 billion barrels and North American Oil Sands with a stated 4.09 billion potential barrels in ground. A recent third party independent report stated that there is potentially $3.7 billion (gross) worth of oil reserves on the total acreage in which Micron has an interest. This number does not take into account the new information on the impressive thickness of the Leismer Oil Sands Prospect or any value to the significant acreage acquired in the last few weeks.
Also, Micron recently acquired an impressive 50% interest in six new contiguous Athabasca Oil Sands sections in Alberta, Canada. These new sections are comprised of approximately 3,800 acres in prime Athabasca Oil Sands Area which is the largest oil sands development region on earth. This new lease is directly beside Paramount Energy Ope and is situated directly above the massive Oil Sands package that the Royal Dutch Shell paid approximately $450,000,000 to acquire.
Micron is an emerging oil and gas company that now has exposure to six separate leases in the Oil Sands of Alberta, Canada, which is the largest Oil Sands region in the world, and has minor production from multiple conventional oil and gas wells. Micron's goal is to become a junior oil and gas producer that focuses on the exploration, discovery and delivery of gas and oil to the North American marketplace. Micron continues to look for additional projects that would contribute to building Micron's market capitalization, including additional Oil Sands projects.
If you have any questions, please call Micron at (604) 646-6903. If you would like to be added to Micron's update email list, please send an email to info@micronenviro.com requesting to be added.
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements which relate to future events. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested herein. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results. Readers are referred to the sections entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's periodic filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be viewed at <http://www.SEC.gov>. For all details regarding working interests in all of MENV's oil and gas prospects or any previous news releases go to the SEC website. A contingent resource is defined as those quantities of petroleum which are estimated, on a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations, but which are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable. The independent report referred to in this news release is not NI 51-101 compliant. You should independently investigate and fully understand all risks before making investment decisions.
Contact Information:
Bernie McDougall
Micron Enviro Systems, Inc.
ir@micronenviro.com
TEL: (604) 646-6903
Fax: (604) 689-1733
www.micronenviro.com
Thank you for your intrest in Micron Enviro Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: MENV) (Frankfurt: NDDA --- WKN: A0J3PY---ISIN: US59510E2072) ("Micron" or the _Company_) at a time that appears to be our potentially most explosive period of growth. We are currently focused on one of the single largest oil and gas producing regions on earth; the massive OIL SANDS OF ALBERTA. Micron is one of, if not the smallest, market capitalized company with multiple leases and operations underway in this world-class oil and gas producing region. We feel this is quite an enviable position for a company of our modest market capitalization, and therefore Micron offers tremendous leverage to one of the world_s largest oil resources. As you can see by the recent activities within the Company, Micron appears to be moving steadfastly towards our goal of becoming a mid-range oil and gas producer. We feel that 2007 will be a turning point in the Company_s growth and we hope our shareholders share management_s enthusiasm for Micron_s short and long term growth.
RECENT ACTIVIES:
ALBERTA OIL SANDS
Micron recently acquired an impressive 50% interest in six new contiguous Athabasca Oil Sands sections in Alberta, Canada. These new sections are comprised of approximately 3,800 acres within the prime Athabasca Oil Sands Area, which is the largest oil sands development region in the world. This new lease is bordered by Paramount Energy Ope and is situated directly above the massive Oil Sands package that the Royal Dutch Shell paid approximately $450,000,000 for.
Recently, Micron was informed by the operator of the test well on the Leismer Oil Sands Prospect, in the Athabasca Oil Sands of Alberta, that it has been completed and initial indications show impressive oil sands thickness. The core, as well as the bore hole imaging tool will be analyzed soon. The seismic is also expected to be completed and analyzed in the coming days, barring any unforeseen issues. The results will then be interpreted and released when the final analysis is complete. The operator stated, "My prognosis is that with the calibrated seismic (to the well), the hole imaging tool (FMI) and the core, we will pinpoint a thick oil sands pod for SAGD production." This prospect lies directly between Petrobank and North American Oil Sands and a review of the initial data indicates that the formation and thickness on our property are consistent with these companies. (Please refer to the map on the website www.micronenviro.com for more details) Petrobank has stated a potential resource of 1.6 billion barrels and North American Oil Sands with a stated 4.09 billion potential barrels in ground. A recent third party independent report stated that there is potentially $3.7 billion (gross) worth of oil reserves on the total acreage in which Micron has an interest. This number does not take into account the new information on the impressive thickness of the Leismer Oil Sands Prospect or any value to the significant acreage acquired in the last few weeks.
As well as the above mentioned prospects, Micron also has interests in three additional Alberta Oil Sands leases. Two of these other sections are located in close proximity to our existing Leismer prospect that is currently being worked on. The other sections are located in close proximity to the Royal Dutch Shell_s $450,000,000 recent purchase. Please refer to the map on the website for locations.
Micron plans to acquire additional land in the Alberta Oil Sands in the future.
The Oil Sands of Canada hold recoverable reserves of 175 billion barrels with a proven reserve life of 480 years and another 130 billion barrels of potential reserves, which is second only to Saudi Arabia's 262 billion barrels. As a comparison, the United States has only 29 billion barrels of recoverable reserves and has decreasing domestic production while its demand is increasing by 1-2% every year. Canada is in an optimal position to supply oil to the U.S. with its favorable political climate, close proximity and being one of the few non-OPEC countries which can grow its oil production. It is expected that over 100 billion dollars will be spent on developing the Alberta Oil Sands in the coming years. At this time only approximately 2% of the initial established resource has been produced to date in the massive Oil Sands of Alberta.
CONVENTIONAL OIL AND GAS:
Micron has minor production from multiple conventional oil and gas wells throughout North America. However, looking forward the Company is going to focus primarily on the development and acquisition of Alberta Oil Sands Leases.
In Conclusion:
Again, I would like to thank you for your intrest in Micron. We feel that 2007 is poised to be a breakout year for Micron as we develop and expand our Alberta Oil Sands projects. The potential explosive growth of our Alberta Oil Sands projects may be realized in the short and long term, as we expect results from our Leismer Oil Sands Prospect in the short-term and plan additional acquisitions in the future. Currently, our stock is trading below its 52-week high despite now having far more Oil Sands assets and being further along on our projects than when the stock was trading at its high. When you couple this with the realization that Micron is one of, if not the smallest market capitalized companies in the Alberta Oil Sands, we feel that Micron offers tremendous leverage to the future growth and consolidation that is occurring in one of the worlds largest oil regions; the Alberta Oil Sands.
If you have any questions, please call Micron at (604) 646-6903. If you would like to be added to Micron's update email list, please send an email to info@micronenviro.com requesting to be added. We send updates via email on a regular basis and urge all of our shareholders to submit their email to keep fully up to date with Micron_s future developments.
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements which relate to future events. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested herein. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to confirm these statements to actual results. Readers are referred to the sections entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's periodic filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be viewed at <http://www.SEC.gov>. For all details regarding working interests in all of MENV's oil and gas prospects or any previous news releases go to the SEC website. A contingent resource is defined as those quantities of petroleum which are estimated, on a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations, but which are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable. The independent report referred to in this news release is not NI 51-101 compliant. You should independently investigate and fully understand all risks before making investment decisions.
Contact Information:
Bernie McDougall
Micron Enviro Systems, Inc.
ir@micronenviro.com
TEL: (604) 646-6903
Fax: (604) 689-1733
www.micronenviro.com
This service is intended for dissemination of company information only. This is not a solicitation to buy or sell securities. Any decision to buy or sell securities should be discussed with a professional in the financial industry.
Undervalued Stock #1 ========== --------- Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) --------- Insider Name: Merrill A. Miller Jr.Insider Position: DirectorInsider Action: 15,000 shrs on 1/22/2007Insider Total Holding: 25,000 shrs -------------------------------------------------------Undervaluation Merits... P/E Ratio = 6.45 (Industry Average 12.82)P/S Ratio = 1.76 (Industry Average 2.69)P/B Ratio = 1.54 (Industry Average 2.79)P/CF Ratio = 3.93 (Industry Average 7.60) Industry: Oil & Gas Operations -------------------------------------------------------Other Merits... Dividend Yield = 0.80% --------- Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK)
NMA forecasts continued gold bull market, record U.S. coal production
By: Dorothy Kosich
Posted: '30-JAN-07 08:00' GMT © Mineweb 1997-2006
RENO, NV (Mineweb.com) --In a survey for the National Mining Association, respected economist and mining policy expert Connie Holmes forecasts that U.S. coal production will set a record this year with gold continuing to enjoy its longest bull market in decades.
During a briefing Monday in Washington, D.C. with reporters, Holmes said that U.S. gold production will remain flat this year “with some small upside potential.” She noted that “this is the longest bull market since gold began to be traded on the world market in the early 1970s.”
“Price increases are being driven by deteriorating political conditions, political unrest, a relatively weak U.S. dollar and concerns regarding the long-term implications of the U.S. trade and budget deficits,” Holmes said. “Additional, demand for gold is outstripping production on a global basis, a situation that will not soon change as China is now legally allowing the sale of gold.”
Holmes also noted that analysts “expect 2007 to be a good year for global copper production” with refined copper output expected to increase by 3.8% this year.” For instance, the International Copper Study Group expects copper usage to be higher in all regions except in Western Europe. Meanwhile analysts believe the global refined copper market will be again in a modest surplus for 2007, “indicating that the demand for copper for inventory build will abate this year.”
While total refined U.S. copper production increased 6.6% in 2006, Holmes forecast that U.S. copper consumption “is expected to drop in 2007 due to the overall weakness in the U.S. economy, particularly in the housing market. Despite an expected decline in consumption, analysts are forecasting an increase in U.S. mined copper production of approximately 1%.”
In the meantime, Holmes disclosed that coal production is expected to set a record in 2007 for the third consecutive year. “Production is driven by the demand for affordable and reliable coal supplies that generate more than 50% of all the electricity that will be used in the United States this year,” she said.
This year, U.S. coal production is expected to total 1.17 billion tons, an increase over the 1.16 billion tons mined in 2006. Production in the West, including the Powder River Basin, is expected to be 685 million tons, a 2.4% increase over last year. Eastern coal production is anticipated to be 485 million tons, down from 491 million tons mined in 2006.
The 28 million tons added to coal consumer stockpiles in 2006 will be augmented by another 15-million ton inventory increase in 2007. “Although power plant inventories at the end of 2006 were higher than at any time since 1999, NMA believes that utilities will build inventories to even higher absolute tonnage levels over the next year to maintain the same level of daily supply and to insulate themselves against unforeseen logistical problems or higher than anticipated burn,” according to Holmes. “Thus, total supply in 2007 will again exceed actual use and export.”
Total U.S. coal exports are expected to decline by nearly 1 million tons or 1.2% to 48.5 million tons this year. Nevertheless, Holmes concluded that “the outlook for coal remains positive for 2007, despite our expectations for slower economic growth.”
Meanwhile, two new coal units are expected to begin producing electricity this year in Iowa and South Carolina. One nuclear plant Brown’s Ferry is expected to return to full operation in 2007.
Holmes predicted that coal production will increase by 45% or over 525 million tons over the next two decades with most of the new production going to electric generators. However, she asserted that more than 1 million tons of coal will go to new markets including coal gasification and coal to liquids.
“These headline figures underscore the undeniable importance of both coal and mineral mining to the U.S. economy and the continued vitality of our industry in a global market for energy and commodities,” NMA President and CEO Kraig Naasz said. “This trend also reminds us of the consequences that are likely to arise from arbitrary restrictions on the production of U.S. coal and minerals.”
Ear on the Street
Air Canada (AC.A : TSX : $18.00)
New Street coverage
TD Newcrest initiates coverage with a "buy", 12-month target price is $25.00
ACE Aviation Holdings (ACE.A : TSX : $33.60)
New Street coverage
TD Newcrest initiates coverage with a "buy", 12-month target price is $43.00
Alexis Nihon REIT (AN.UN : TSX : $19.00)
Cominar REIT raises the cash component of its offer
RBC Capital Markets maintains "outperform", 12-month target price is raised to $19.00
Angiotech Pharmaceuticals (ANP : TSX : $10.32 | ANPI : NASDAQ : US$8.76)
Intensifying competition
TD Newcrest maintains "hold", 12-month target price is US$10.50
Aurelian Resources (ARU : TSX-V : $28.17)
Uncertainty in Ecuador
Blackmont Capital maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $48.35
Cameco Corp. (CCO : TSX : $44.59)
Cigar Lake remediation in line
Desjardins Securities maintains "hold", 12-month target price is $34.00
RBC Capital Markets maintains "top pick", 12-month target price is $67.00
Comaplex Minerals (CMF : TSX : $3.36)
New Street coverage
BMO Capital Markets initiates coverage with a "outperform", 12-month target price is not given
Coastal Contacts Inc. (COA : TSX : $1.15)
Year-end results are basically positive
Canaccord Adams upgrades to "buy", 12-month target price is raised to $1.50
Corriente Resources (CTQ : TSX : $3.00)
Delays at Mirador project in Ecuador
Canaccord Adams maintains "buy", 12-month target price is cut to $6.95
Desjardins Securities maintains "buy", 12-month target price is cut to $6.55
Raymond James maintains "underperform", 12-month target price is cut to $3.00
Enbridge (ENB : TSX : $38.62)
Progress on pipeline project
Canaccord Adams maintains "hold", 12-month target price is $42.00
Gateway Casinos Income Fund (GCI.UN : TSX : $18.67)
Downgrade on price appreciation
TD Newcrest downgrades to "hold", 12-month target price is $17.00
CGI Group (GIB.A : TSX : $8.46 | GIB : NYSE : US$7.19)
To report Q1 on January 30
Canaccord Adams maintains "hold", 12-month target price is $8.00
RBC Capital Markets maintains "sector perform", 12-month target price is $8.00
Gennum Corp. (GND : TSX : $12.97)
Lower than expected Q4
Blackmont Capital maintains "hold", 12-month target price is $14.00
CIBC World Markets maintains "sector perform", 12-month target price is cut to $14.00
GMP Securities maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $16.00
Liponex (LPX : TSX : $2.01)
Positive Phase I/II results lead to fundamental valuation shift
Haywood Securities maintains "sector perform", 12-month target price is raised to $2.50
Lundin Mining (LUN : TSX : $40.82)
Three-for-one share split
CIBC World Markets maintains "sector outperform", 12-month target price is $50.00
MacDonald Dettwiler & Assoc. (MDA : TSX : $49.46)
U.K. government continues support for HIPs
CIBC World Markets maintains "sector outperform", 12-month target price is $55.00
Methanex Corp. (MX : TSX : $30.26 | MEOH : NASDAQ : US$25.67)
Q4 in line
BMO Capital Markets maintains "market perform", 12-month target price is US$27.00
CIBC World Markets maintains "sector underperform", 12-month target price is US$25.00
Raymond James maintains "underperform", 6-12 month target price is US$21.00
RBC Capital Markets maintains "underperform", 12-month target price is cut to US$20.00
Nexen (NXY : TSX : $72.46 | NYSE : US$61.47)
Energy sector takeover target?
Desjardins Securities reduce to "buy", 12-month target price is $75.00
Raymond James maintains "market perform", 6-12 month target price is $68.00
Petro-Canada (PCA : TSX : $44.65 | PCZ : NYSE : US$37.91)
Reports Q4 results and year-end reserves
BMO Capital Markets maintains "market perform", 12-month target price is $58.00
CIBC World Markets maintains "sector ouperformer", 12-month target price is $57.00
RBC Capital Markets rates "outperform", 12-month target price is $53.00
TD Newcrest maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $55.00
Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (POT : TSX : $172.17 | NYSE : US$146.00)
Q4 earnings reported
BMO Capital Markets maintains "outperform", 12-month target price is US$150.00
CIBC World Markets maintains "sector perform", 12-month target price is US$142.00
RBC Capital Markets rates "outperform", 12-month target price is US$165.00
Patheon Inc. (PTI : TSX : $5.21)
Competitors consolidating
CIBC World Markets maintains "speculative buy", 12-month target price is $5.00
Pacific & Western Credit (PWC : TSX : $11.80)
Special dividend declared
Blackmont Capital maintains "hold", 12-month target price is $13.00
Rogers Communications (RCI.B : TSX : $38.24)
Dwindling upside
TD Newcrest downgrades to "buy", 12-month target price is $45.00
Research In Motion (RIM : TSX : $146.96)
Daylight savings patch for Blackberry
Credit Suisse maintains "underperform", 12-month target price is US$75.00
Suncor Energy (SU : TSX : $87.92 | NYSE : US$74.70)
Post weak fourth quarter results
BMO Nesbitt Burns maintains a "outperform", target price cut to $100.00
CIBC World Markets maintains a "sector outperform", target price is $100.00
Credit Suisse maintains a "outperform", target price is $110.00
Raymond James maintains a "outperform", 6-12 month target price is $105.00
RBC Capital Markets maintains a "sector perform", target price cut to $88.00
TD Newcrest maintains a "buy", 12-month target price is $100.00
Trican Well Service (TCW : TSX : $18.94)
BJ services posted disappointing Q4 numbers
Canaccord Adams maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $25.00
Toromont Industries (TIH : TSX : $23.36)
Q4 preview
BMO Capital Markets maintains "outperform", 12-month target price is $27.50
Thomson Corporation (TOC : TSX : $49.38 | NYSE : US$41.89)
Reports Q4 results on Feb 8
TD Newcrest maintains "hold", 12-month target price is raised to $50.50
Zarlink Semiconductor (ZL : TSX : $2.46 | NYSE : US$2.10)
Q3 in line but lower Q4 guidance
Blackmont Capital maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $3.60
BMO Capital Markets maintains "market perform", 12-month target price is $2.50
GMP Securities maintains "buy", 12-month target price is cut to $2.90
Raymond James maintains "outperform", 6-12 month target price is cut to US$2.75
RBC Capital Markets maintains "sector perform", 12-month target price is $2.50
BASIC MATERIALS SECTOR ALERT!
OTCBB: MNCS
RECENT PRICE: $2.75
PUTTING GOOD PEOPLE IN GOOD CARS
THE "BUY-HERE PAY-HERE" STRATEGY
Why "Buy-Here Pay-Here"
Auto Business?
The "Buy-Here Pay-Here" auto business is a $50 billion business that sells pre-owned cars to sub-prime buyers at high margins and high rates. These dealers typically utilize banks, insurance companies, credit unions, or other regulated lenders to provide revolving credit. Most of the time the lenders are regulated and local in nature with a focus on net worth often outside of the portfolio.
After satisfying the lenders, the dealers may often experience financing restraints emanating from the regulators. Consequently, many dealers spend more time holding financing together than on building and managing the operating business.
Those that are able to obtain expansion funding may do so at their peril, with lenders imposing stricter criteria that undermines liquidity and uses existing portfolio equity to subsidize additional growth. The Manchester model addresses these issues, welcomes expansion, eliminates personal guarantees, provides liquidity, and moves financing from Main Street to Wall Street.
Click here, to read more about the Industry
Company Profile
Manchester, Inc. (OTCBB: MNCS) headquartered in Dallas, Texas, seeks to create the preeminent company in the "Buy-Here/Pay Here" auto business; selling and financing used vehicles to credit impaired borrowers. The company intends to sell acquired and newly generated receivable portfolios through a securitization process. On October 6, 2006, Manchester acquired Nice Cars, Inc. and Nice Cars Acceptance Corp. Nice Cars, Inc., headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, operates six automotive sales lots that focus exclusively on the Buy-Here/Pay-Here segment of the used car market.
"We are committed to providing our customers with quality vehicles, flexible financing arrangements and personal service."
Buy- Here/Pay-Here dealerships sell and finance used cars to individuals with limited credit histories or past credit problems. Nice Cars Acceptance is a financial services affiliate of Nice Cars, Inc. that purchases the retail sales contracts of Nice Cars, Inc. and assumes all rights and responsibilities with respect to sales contracts with varying terms, generally ranging from 24- 48 months.
To read more about the Company, visit their website www.manchesterinc.net
Investment Highlights
Investor News
January 8, 2007
MANCHESTER INC Files SEC form 8-K, Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement, Completion of Acquisition or Dispositi
January 4, 2007
Manchester, Inc. Acquires F.S. English Dealership & GNAC Credit Acceptance
November 29, 2006
Manchester Inc. Receives Strong Upgrade by Respected Research Firm Bridge IR Group Inc.
November 20, 2006
SmallCap Sentinel: The Buy Here/Pay Here Strategy
November 17, 2006
Manchester, Inc. Signs Binding Term Sheet to Acquire Americars of San Antonio, Texas
READ MORE NEWS
m Manchester, Inc. has recently received a credit commitment of $300 million to fund its roll up strategy to acquire Buy-Here/Pay-Here auto dealerships nationwide.
m $75 million of that commitment has already been used by Manchester, Inc. to acquire and expand Nice Cars, Inc., a Buy-Here/Pay-Here car sales company and Nice Cars Capital Acceptance Corporation, an affiliate credit acceptance company.
m The most recently filed Form 8-K from Manchester, Inc. contains audited financials of Nice Cars and Nice Cars Capital Acceptance Corporation, which have become a wholly-owned subsidiaries, reflecting vehicle sales in 2005 of about $76 million (up 32.75% from 2004) and Earnings of $6.3 million (up 74.29% from 2004). Estimates for Nice Cars and Nice Cars Capital Acceptance Corporation 2006 full year vehicle revenue come in over $100 million if the last three months match September revenues.
m Manchester, Inc. announced it expects to utilize the remainder of the $300 million credit commitment to execute similar acquisitions that will complement this Nice Cars strategy.
m Beyond the simple model of attaining financing, identifying acquisitions, and operating the business, Manchester, Inc. announced it has advanced opportunities already clearly defined that will springboard net income by compiling interest income on top of the vehicle sales revenue.
m Similar to the method used by Ginnie Mae in packaging Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) for sale to the street, Manchester intends to package and sell and use a portion of the proceeds to pay off acquisition loans and revolve the $300 million credit commitment repeatedly.
Market Information
January 26, 2007
Stock Symbol MNCS
Previous Close $2.75
52 Week High $8.60
52 Week Low $1.60
Average Daily Volume
(3-Month) 168,998
Float 19.73 million
Outstanding Shares 32.79 million
Market Capitalization $90.16 million
Why Manchester, Inc.?
Manchester Inc. provides a significant value proposition to Sellers, including:
m Escape personal guarantees
m Liquidity
m Ability to compete with financing products of competitors
m Ability to expand production from existing facilities
m Participation in growth through stock ownership with no direct exposure to securities matters
m Corporate management and financing matters will no longer be an operating issue
m Ability to utilize higher margin, lower payment products resulting from a securitized product
m Capital gains treatment on the sale of their businesses
m Continued operational security through employment agreements
Manchester Inc.
100 Crescent Court
7th Floor
Dallas, TX 75201
USA
Richard Gaines
Corporate Secretary
Tel: 214-459-3230
Investor Relations
Scott Eckstein
Financial Relations Board
1212 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Tel: 212-827-3766
Fax: 212-445-8436
seckstein@frbir.com
Titanium Corporation's 2006 Annual Report has been added to our website
To view this item, please click on the link below:
http://www.titaniumcorporation.com/i/pdf/2006Q4.pdf
Ear on the Street
Bell Aliant (BA.UN : TSX : $29.51)
Q4 preview
TD Newcrest downgrades to "hold", 12-month target price is $31.00
Bombardier Inc. (BBD.B : TSX : $4.18)
New Street coverage
Desjardins Securities initiates coverage with a "buy", 12-month target price is $4.80
Custom Direct Income Fund (CDI.UN : TSX : $8.46)
Mixed Q4
TD Newcrest maintains "buy", 12-month target price is raised to $10.00
Canadian Oil Sands Trust (COS.UN : TSX : $30.46)
Q4 reported yesterday
Canaccord Adams maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $33.00
bcMetals Corporation (C : TSX-V : $1.42)
A possible counter bid from Imperial
Haywood Securities maintains "sector perform", 12-month target price is raised to $1.40
Canadian Royalties Inc (CZZ : TSX : $3.17)
20% increase of indicated resource estimate at Mesamax
Raymond James maintains "strong buy", 12-month target price is raised to $4.20
Dalsa Corp. (DSA : TSX : $12.49)
To report Q4 on January 31
CIBC World Markets maintains "sector outperform", 12-month target price is $18.00
Ember Resources (EBR : TSX : $2.56)
$15 million equity financing
GMP Securities maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $3.50
Raymond James maintains "market perform", 6-12 month target price is cut to $2.50
E4 Energy (EFE : TSX-V : $1.20)
Operations on track
Canaccord Adams maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $1.70
CGI Group (GIB.A : TSX : $8.31 | GIB : NYSE : US$7.04)
Q1 reported today
Raymond James maintains "market perform", 6-12 month target price is $8.50
TD Newcrest maintains "hold", 12-month target price is $8.50
Iamgold Corp. (IMG : TSX : $10.01)
An illegal work stoppage at Rosebel mine
Blackmont Capital maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $14.00
Newalta Income Fund (NAL.UN : TSX : $24.60)
Closes equity financing
RBC Capital Markets resumes coverage with "sector perform", target price is $28.00
Novadaq Technologies (NDQ : TSX : $7.25)
As expected, announces termination of distribution agreement with Sorin Group
Blackmont Capital maintains a "buy", 12-month target price is $15.00
Newport Partners Income Fund (NPF.UN : TSX : $6.44)
Disappointing since IPO
RBC Capital Markets initiates coverage with a "underperform", target price is $5.75
Novelis (NVL : TSX : $43.85 | NYSE : US$37.04)
In discussions with various parties
Blackmont Capital maintains a "sell", 12-month target price is US$26.00
Desjardins Securities maintains a "hold", target price is US$26.70
Pengrowth Energy Trust (PGF.UN : TSX : $20.30 | PGH : NYSE : US$17.21)
Lower 2007 guidance and 2006 year-end reserves update
Canaccord Adams downgrades to "hold", target price cut to $19.00
CIBC World Markets downgrades to "sector underperform", target price cut to $19.00
RBC Capital Markets maintains a "sector perform", target price cut to $16.50
TD Newcrest maintains a "hold", 12-month target price is $17.00
Purepoint Uranium Group (PTU : TSX-V : $1.71)
New expolration agreement
Blackmont Capital maintains "speculative buy", 12 month target price is raised to $1.60
Richelieu Hardware (RCH : TSX : $24.50)
Fourth quarter results meet estimates
Blackmont Capital maintains "buy", 12 month target price is raised to $29.00
Canaccord Capital maintains "buy", 12 month target price is raised to $26.50
Desjardins Securities maintains a "hold", target price raised to $25.50
TransAlta Corp. (TA : TSX : $26.14)
Q4 results reported
Canaccord Capital maintains "buy", 12 month target price is raised to $32.00
CIBC World Markets rate "sector perform", 12-month target price is $28.00
Desjardins Securities downgrades to "hold", 12-month target price is $28.25
RBC Capital Markets maintains "underperform", 12-month target price is $24.00
TD Newcrest maintains "reduce", 12-month target price is $24.00
Theratechnologies (TH : TSX : $8.65)
Drugs with potential
GMP Securities Securities maintains "buy", 12-month target price is raised to $11.50
20-20 Technologies (TWT : TSX : $6.95)
Q4 results double expectations
TD Newcrest maintains "action list buy", 12-month target price is $8.50
Western Canadian Coal (WTN : TSX : $1.90)
Lower sales estimate
GMP Securities Securities maintains "buy", 12-month target price is reduced to $2.65
Zargon Energy Trust (ZAR.UN : TSX : $24.40)
Looks attractive at current levels
CIBC World Markets upgrades to "sector outperform", target price is $29.50
Farmer Andrew Higham stands in a dry riverbed at Gunnedah, Australia, in this Oct. 14, 2006 file photo. Australian Prime Minister John Howard announced multibillion-dollar (euro) water reforms Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007, aimed at easing Australia's record drought,
DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - U.S. Sen. John McCain, a Republican from Arizona, said on Saturday he was preparing a resolution setting a series of targets for the Iraqi government as a "last chance" effort to reverse U.S. failure.
The Senate resolution would set benchmarks for the Iraqi government to defuse the escalating conflict and create the conditions for a U.S. withdrawal, McCain said at a briefing at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
It calls on the Iraqi government to hold provincial elections, pursue and punish criminal acts, and spend down a $10 billion reconstruction fund designed to provide basic services and education in Iraq.
"I cannot guarantee success but I can guarantee the consequences of failure," said McCain, an outspoken member of the Senate Armed Services Committee who supports President George W. Bush's plan to sent 21,500 troops to Iraq. "This is our last chance in many respects."
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The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted this week to approve a resolution opposing Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq to restore order. The Senate is expected to take it up next week, and Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives say they will follow suit. The resolutions in both houses of Congress are non-binding.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and member of the committee, voiced his support for the McCain resolution at the Davos briefing.
"Economically, we're going to try to hit the economy hard to make it less likely for the militias to prey on people without jobs," he said.
McCain reiterated his support for Bush's plan to send additional troops to Iraq and said he knew the proposal, which has drawn wide criticism, might hurt his possible 2008 presidential bid. "I'm very aware of that and I'm not worried about it," he said.
It would take three to six months after the deployment of the new troops, which is possible in May, to know whether the Iraqi government was making progress in meeting the benchmarks, McCain said.
"It's taken us four years to get into this debacle and it's going to take some time to get us out," he said.
Companies featured in the current edition of the newsletter: ADSX, CYTR, ENZ, GSHF, HYTM, ITUI, LANW, PTCH, OXIS, RTK, SFP, SOG
Last week’s volatile trading activity left traders and investors wondering which direction the market was heading in. Sluggish reaction to generally solid earnings reports coupled with negative reaction to modest economic news has left many investors uneasy. This was reflected in the performances of the key indexes last week. The Dow slipped 78 last week reducing its year-to-date gain to 0.2%. The Nasdaq was also down for the week dropping nearly 16 points and decreasing its gains this month to 0.8%. The S&P 500 dropped 8 points and is up 0.3% for the year. The Russell 2000 fared better than the other indexes, adding nearly 3 points to improve its gain for the year to 0.1%.
Two areas that have helped the indexes move higher, oil and interest rates, moved against many investors last week. Oil prices rose $3.43 per barrel, increasing to $55.42, while the yield on the 10-year note increased 11 basis points to 4.88%. These gains were partially offset by a series of solid earnings reports which generally exceeded expectations. The economic data, sparse as it was, was viewed as significant. December existing home sales were reported to be down 0.8%, but the inventory of unsold homes remained unchanged and for the first time in four months, the year-to-year price change did not fall. New home sales rose 4.8% and the inventory of unsold new homes was also down. This data suggested to many that the housing market may have finally bottomed.
What should investors look for in the upcoming week? With just 33% of the S&P 500 reporting results so far, this week will again see significant earnings-related activity. Monday before the bell will see reports from Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI), Mattel (NYSE: MAT), Phelps Dodge (NYSE: PD), Schering-Plough (NYSE: SGP), Sysco (NYSE: SYY), Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN), and telecommunications provider Verizon (NYSE: VZ). Tuesday’s results will include pre-market announcements from 3M (NYSE: MMM), American Electric (NYSE: AEP), Black & Decker (NYSE: BDK), Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL), Countrywide (NYSE: CFC), Illinois Tool (NYSE: ITW), Kellogg (NYSE: K), Lexmark (NYSE: LXK), Manpower (NYSE: MAN), Merck (NYSE: MRK), PACCAR (Nasdaq: PCAR), Pepsi Bottling (NYSE: PBG), Proctor & Gamble (NYSE: PG), UPS (NYSE: UPS), and Wyeth (NYSE: WYE). Look for announcements from U.S. Steel (NYSE: X), Flextronics (Nasdaq: FLEX), Chubb Insurance (NYSE: CB), Celestica (NYSE: CLS), Allstate (NYSE: ALL), and ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE) after the bell Tuesday. Wednesday before the bell announcements include Alcan (NYSE: AL), Altria (NYSE: MO), Boeing (NYSE: BA), Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG), Eastman Kodak (NYSE: EK), Estee Lauder (NYSE: EL), Hess (NYSE: HES), Hilton Hotels (NYSE: HLT), Ingersoll-Rand (NYSE: IR), Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT), Time Warner (NYSE: TWX), and Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL). After the close, Western Union (NYSE: WU), Sunoco (NYSE: SUN), Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX), Pulte Homes (NYSE: PHM), Owens-Illinois (NYSE: OI), Crown Holdings (NYSE: CCK), and Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) will report. Thursday will be the final day for the heavy volume of reports with pre-market announcements from American Standard (NYSE: ASD), Apache (NYSE: APA), Archer-Daniels (NYSE: ADM), AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN), Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX), Clorox (NYSE: CLX), Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA), CVS Corporation (NYSE: CVS), Exxon Mobile (NYSE: XOM), Goodrich (NYSE: GR), International Paper Company (NYSE: IP), Marathon Oil (NYSE: MRO), Pioneer Drillers (NYSE: PDC), Raytheon (NYSE: RTN), St. Paul Travelers (NYSE: STA), and Valero Energy (NYSE: VLO). Anheuser-Busch will announce earnings during trading hours Thursday. After the bell reports will include Amazon.com (Nasdaq: AMZN), Electronic Arts (Nadaq: ERTS), Genworth Financial (NYSE: GNW), and YRC Worldwide (Nasdaq: YRCW).
Next week will be fairly active on the economic front highlighted by the FOMC Announcement on interest rates on Wednesday afternoon. Expectations are that the Committee will again leave rates unchanged, but, as always, the policy statement will be closely scrutinized. In other development, investors can expect to see January Consumer Confidence announced mid-morning Tuesday. Look for a full morning on Wednesday with pre-market announcements of the Q4 GDP and Chain Deflator and the Q4 Employment Cost Index, followed shortly by the January Chicago PMI, December Construction Spending, and the Weekly Crude Inventories. December Personal Income and Spending as well as the Weekly Initial Unemployment Claims will be announced Thursday morning before the market opens and the January ISM Index will be announced later that morning. January Auto and Truck sales will be released after the close of the market Thursday. Friday’s announcements include January Nonfarm Payrolls, the January Unemployment Rate, January Hourly Earnings, and the January Average Workweek before the bell. Mid-morning announcements for December Factory Orders and the January Michigan Sentiment Index conclude announcements for the day and the week.
The conference schedule for next week will again be on the tamer side. The four-day Bank of America Securities ASF 2007 Conference begins Sunday in Las Vegas. The three-day Wachovia Securities 2007 Healthcare Conference in Boston begins Monday. The two-day Citigroup 2007 Financial Services Conference in New York is scheduled to start Tuesday. Raymond James Growth Airline Conference is Tuesday in New York. The Emerald 14th Annual Groundhog Day Investment Forum in Warwick, Pennsylvania is also scheduled for Thursday.
VeriChip Corp., a majority-owned subsidiary of Applied Digital (NASDAQ: ADSX), a leading provider of identification and security technology, took another step closer to completing its public offering last week, as the company and its underwriters said it plans to offer 4.3 million shares priced between $6.50 to $8.50 in its upcoming initial public offering. After deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, and at the predicted midpoint range of $7.50 per share, the company would receive approximately $26.9 million. In an amended Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company has applied to have it stock listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol CHIP. VeriChip also said in the filing that it intends to use $8 to $10 million of the net proceeds from the IPO over the next 24 months to continue the development of its VeriMed system, with a focus on sales and marketing. VeriChip will be headed by former Applied Digital Chief Executive Scott R. Silverman, who remains Chairman of ADSX. The company plans to use $7 million in proceeds to pay off debt to Applied Digital, for product development and general corporate purposes. Shares ended the week down 8 cents at $1.97.
Hythiam, Inc. (NASDAQ: HYTM), a healthcare services management company that licenses the PROMETA™ physiological protocols designed to treat substance dependence, announced the opening of two new PROMETA Centers last week in San Francisco and New Jersey. Both centers are currently offering HYTM’s PROMETA® protocols as a featured treatment for substance dependence. The recent openings increased the total number of PROMETA Centers to three. Under the terms of agreement, Hythiam will manage the San Francisco PROMETA Center® in exchange for management and licensing fees. The New Jersey facility is owned and managed by the Canterbury Institute and Hythiam will receive a 10% share of the profits made by the Canterbury Institute owned PROMETA Center, as well as fees for services and technology licensing. The Canterbury Institute also plans to open an additional PROMETA Center in Boca Raton, Florida in the second quarter of 2007. The PROMETA Center at Canterbury Institute is located in a 5,000 square foot facility with the capacity to accommodate 1,800 outpatient procedures each year and the new San Francisco PROMETA Center is located in a 4,000 square foot facility with the capacity to accommodate 2,000 outpatient procedures annually. Both new PROMETA Center locations have already begun patient treatment. The company is expanding the number of Centers as a result of the success of its initial venture in the Los Angeles area. HYTM said that Center generated $1.14 million in revenue in its first year of operation. The stock ended the week down 47 cents at $8.78, but still above its 50-day moving average at $8.67, which has served as support since September, 2006.
Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE: ENZ), a developer of innovative health care products based on molecular biology and genetic engineering techniques, recently announced to shareholders attending its annual meeting, that the company was well positioned for future growth as a result of key pioneering patents awarded to the company. It told shareholders that 2006 was a “bellwether” year for the company and described the potential to form important partnerships on favorable terms. During 2006 the company strengthened its management team with the appointment of new presidents for Enzo Life Sciences and Enzo Therapeutic, the declaration of the company as senior party in two interferences by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the acquisition of an additional facility to accommodate increased activity at both Enzo Life Sciences and Enzo Clinical Labs, and the enhancement of the company’s capital resulting from a recent equity offering that strengthened the company’s balance sheet to $114 million with no debt. Shares ended the week down 31 cents at $14.79.
Is small appliance maker Salton, Inc. (NYSE: SFP) likely to combine with Applica? Chances of such a deal increased after its rival appliance distributor announced that the company’s shareholders had approved its acquisition by Harbinger Capital Partners. Harbinger, which owns 15% of SFP’s common stock, suggested the economics of a merger between the two rivals was “compelling.” Given the premium that Harbinger paid to acquire Applica, the pressure to conclude a deal with Salton has likely increased. SFP also announced an agreement last week with weatherman, best-selling author and a host of NBC's "Today", Al Roker to promote the Smart Mill & Brew™ with MSN® Direct. Roker will promote and endorse the first coffee maker to display real-time weather information in North America. The coffee maker incorporates Microsoft Corporation's Smart Personal Objects Technology In other news, Salton also announced the immediate resignation of David Maura as a member of its Board of Directors. Mr. Maura, a Vice President and Director of Investments at Harbinger Capital Partners and affiliates, resigned in light of Harbinger's acquisition of Applica. Salton shares ended the week up 70 cents at $3.08.
New 52-week high: Shares of CytRx Corporation (NASDAQ: CYTR) surged to a new high last week and their highest level since August, 2003 after The Barnes Report, an independent biotechnology newsletter, written by a Research Fellow at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, part of Harvard University, said that it expected CytRx’s RXi majority-owned subsidiary “to compete directly with other RNAi leaders and to be quite successful.” It went on to say that, “a reorganization of the scientific advisory board at RXi speaks volumes about the caliber of the newly announced deal. Pending approval, four new members make RXi’s scientific team the most experienced in all aspects of RNAi and its proposed focus of therapeutic application.” The report concluded that “this is an ultra-focused company with everyone knowing everything there is to know about RNAi, that really highlights the description of a pure-play. I am impressed with the dynamics of the formulation of this company and the speed and the speed and apparent ease the IP issues were worked out with UMass.” The company’s Scientific Advisory Board includes Dr. Craig Mello, the co-winner of the Nobel Prize for the discovery of RNAi and Dr. Tariq Rana, the expert on RNAi stabilization and delivery. Shares ended the week, on heavy volume, up 32 cents to $2.49.
OXIS International (OTCBB: OXIS), a biopharmaceutical company focused on commercializing biomarker research and clinical assays, announced last week that the company had identified a new predictive diagnostic lipoprotein biomarker. The newly discovered biomarker targets certain lipoproteins implicated in the causation of cardiovascular disease and also has the ability to detect early cardiovascular disease. The company is confident that this pioneering approach can be of great value in helping to prevent the estimated 600,000 Sudden Cardiac Death deaths annually in the USA and Europe. By offering a unique insight into an otherwise hidden disease state, this potentially innovative screening could be of value to all individuals irrespective of other risk factors. Traditional biomarkers, such as serum LDL levels, have very limited predictive power, but OXIS believes that this potentially innovative screening could be of value to all individuals irrespective of other risk factors and save a number of lives. The company’s portfolio of predictive biomarkers already includes assays for four different human peroxidase enzymes and OXIS has moved to strengthen its intellectual property to cover this new development. Shares ended the week at $0.26, up 2 cents.
Language Access Network (OTC: LANW), a leader in video language interpretation services, recently announced a new services agreement with Boston Medical Center, which represents the first hospital in Massachusetts to offer the Martti™ translation service to their patients with limited English proficiency and Deaf and hard of hearing patients. Language Access Network will provide video interpretation services in 150 languages, including American Sign Language and the Martti™ service will be available free to patients in Boston Medical Center's Emergency Department 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The stock ended the week down 55 cents at $3.00.
GS CleanTech, a majority owned subsidiary of environmental business development company GreenShift Corporation (OTCBB: GSHF), announced the recent appointment of David Winsness to President and Chief Executive Officer, Greg Barlage to Chief Operational Officer, and John “Whit” Davis to Vice President of Operations. Winsness previously led the company’s commercialization effort. H has spent his professional career as a process engineer in the chemical, food, pharmaceutical and power generation markets. Barlage has 15 years of experience in deep process engineering that includes manufacturing optimization, maintenance, and operations management with leading food products companies. Davis most recently led the deployment of GS CleanTech's existing Corn Oil Extraction System installations at Little Sioux Corn Processors and Glacial Lakes Energy. GS CleanTech also announced early last week the execution of a definitive agreement with Central Indiana Ethanol, LLC to remove appoximately 1.5 million gallons per year of crude corn oil from Central Indiana's distillers dried grains. The crude material will be converted into a biodiesel feedstock using GS CleanTech's proprietary corn oil extraction technology. GS AgriFuels, another majority-owned subsidiary of Greenshift Corporation, announced that its NextGen Fuel division has completed the construction of its first 10 million gallon per year biodiesel production system. The system is now available for qualified customer viewings at NextGen Fuel's contract manufacturer, Warnecke Design Service, Inc., in Van Wert, Ohio and will be delivered to one of NextGen Fuel's clients later this quarter. The stock ended the week up 2 cents at $0.11.
Junior oil and gas producer, Patch International Inc. (OTCBB: PTCH), announced last week that it has filed its initial independent resource reserve report of certain oil sands projects. DeGolyer and MacNaughton Canada Limited was consulted in order to prepare and provide the National Instrument 51-101 compliant report on Patch’s Dover and Firebag Oil Sands Projects. The report estimates the extent and value of the likely and possible recoverable reserves and the net present value of future net revenue attributable to these reserves based on constant and forecast prices and cost assumptions. The detailed area comprises 32 square miles of which Patch currently has earned a 30% working interest with the right to earn an additional 50% and 18 square miles of which the company may earn a 75% working interest. The report was prepared using assumptions and methodology guidelines outlined in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook and in accordance with National Instrument 51-101. At the time of the report, there were no proven reserves assigned to the lands. The Dover Oil Sands Project consists of appoximatley 20,480 acres and the The Firebag Oil Sands Project represents approximately 11,520 acres. Both projects are approximately 40 miles from the Fort McMurry area of central Alberta, Canada. The company’s leases on these lands are valid for 15 years. Late last week, Patch also announced that the company has begun drilling on these recently acquired projects and that cooperative weather has allowed for the pre-construction of leases far in advance of drilling. The company has pre-selected, licensed and surveyed an additional 22 sites that with the potential to provide flexibility to quickly modify the drill order in anticipation of the progressing project. Patch is currently negotiating to bring a second rig into the drill to accelerate this year's drilling program. Shares ended the week down 6 cents at $1.42.
Junior oil and gas producer Strategic Oil & Gas, Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: SOG), recently announced that subject to regulatory approval the company has issued via a private placement approximately 2.8 million units at $1.00 per unit, for total gross proceeds of approximately $2.8 million. Each unit consists of one common share and one warrant. Each warrant will entitle the holder to subscribe for an additional common share at $1.25 for 12 months from closing and for $1.60 for the next 12 months thereafter. The company has recently raised an approximate total of $4.7 million that includes these funds and the previously announced $1.9 million flow-through financing that closed in December, 2006. Certain funds from this private placement will be utilized in meeting anticipated drilling and completion costs in respect to the Strategic’s 2007 drill program. A rig is presently being mobilized with a view to spud this program’s first well around February 1, 2007. Shares ended the week at $0.97.
On the Wires: Rentech Inc. (AMEX: RTK), a developer of alternative energy sources, announced the hiring Dr. Robert L. Freerks as Director of Product Development. With more than 25 years of experience in the development of FT synthetic fuels, synthetic lubricants, oil-based lubricants, oil and fuel additive packages and biofuels Freerks will direct the formation and implementation of Rentech's enhanced product development programs and certification process regarding its Fischer-Tropsch technology. Freerks will also be responsible for the coordination with both governmental and private sector technical committees for approval of the products for commercial use.
SPECIAL SITUATION:
i2Telecom International, Inc. (OTCBB: ITUI) $0.13
Few companies faced with the challenges that i2Telecom® recently encountered have been able to turn their fortunes around. Faced with a capital structure which included a floorless convertible debenture which choked off new capital investment, the company seemed likely to go the direction that many other tiny companies have found...a slow path to oblivion. But recently, private investors have recognized the potential of its technology and intellectual property and financed the company, not only giving it working capital, but enabling it to repay the convertible debenture, eliminating approximately 100 million shares that could have become tradable.
So what are its business prospects? Headquartered in Atlanta, i2Telecom International, Inc. was founded in February of 2002 and currently has 12 full-time employees. It is a provider of Voice-over internet protocol (VoIP) technologies, which are becoming increasingly popular these days, although few companies to date are profitable. The way it works is through the conversion of a voice into a digital signal that travels over internet lines, but if one calls an actual telephone number, the voice is altered into a telephone signal before it reaches its destination. An individual can literally place a call from a computer. The VoIP technologies use protocols to carry voice signals over IP networks and have the potential to save customers and callers substantial amounts in calling costs. One type of savings is due to the utilization of a single network with the ability to carry voice and data. This system can accommodate users to make VoIP to VoIP telephone calls for free from anywhere to anywhere in the world. The digital quality is excellent.
i2Telecom® envisioned employing recent advancements in microprocessor and Digital Signal Processing and creating an increased availability of high-speed internet access to aid small and medium businesses with reduction of costs associated with telephone usage. The 2002 acquisition of a small engineering company SuperCaller Community, Inc. provided the company with an advanced VoIP “microgateway." The idea was to turn an ordinary phone into a tool that would allow users of this microgateway to make calls to virtually any phone in the entire world at the lowest cost possible and with exceptional quality. i2Telecom's microgateway technology is available from dealers in most major countries. This telecommunications company is on the cutting edge of the field and today, with a Super Node in Atlanta and multiple switching facilities, the company provides high quality service to a rapidly expanding global market. i2Telecom’s patents-pending VoiceStick® and InternetTalker® access devices enable any telephone or business phone system (PBX) to access the company’s global network and advanced routing technologies to complete most of the call over the Internet, while paying only for the last leg of the connection.
i2Telecom® is committed to providing customers and clients with the highest level of quality, features and product performance. In 2005, the company was awarded the VoIP Internet Telephony Service Provider Award, Best In Show Miami 2005 and the year prior to that, it received the Internet Telephony Product of the Year Award. The company offers a variety of innovative products one of which is the VoiceStick®. VoiceStick® is simply a softphone on a USB drive. This patent-pending product gives a user the portability of VoIP by enabling the user to call any phone or VoiceStick® customer from anywhere in the world. The software is available for download to a laptop or desktop from the company's website. i2Telecom® also offers theVoiceStick® and Plantronics® headset. The new plug-n-play product is a 1GB memory stick with the VoiceStick® SoftPhone preloaded and the set is complete with the addition of latest Plantronics® earpiece and microphone. An amazing feature of this product is a piece of software called the i2 Bridge®. This allows an individual to register a land line or cell phone number with VoiceStick.com and then use any phone to make low-cost calls through the VoiceStick® service. The key difference here is the fact that one need not be at a computer or somewhere with wi-fi Internet access to for this. As a matter of fact, any phone will do. i2Telecom® services are not limited to just these products and the company also plans to unveil a digital communication portal with full communication capabilities.
Recently, i2Telecom® announced that it had retained the services of Vinson & Elkins and Toler Schaffer in Austin, Texas, to assess its intellectual property rights and recommend an appropriate course of action to protect and enforce such rights. It appears that these high-profile law firms may have been retained to litigate against larger companies who could potentially be infringing on the company's intellectual property, as ITUI was one of the early entrants five years ago in the VoIP space.
While the company's revenue is still small, it is growing. Third quarter revenue of $252,546 was up significantly from the same period in fiscal 2005 when it was $49,851. The increase in revenue was driven by the company's reorganization focusing from product to service offerings. In addition, cost of revenues decreased from $369,492 for third quarter of 2005 to $166,072 for third quarter of 2006, reflecting improving operations. Investors appear to have noticed, as shares have increased 500% since mid-December. Still, with a market capitalization of less than $25 million, if the company is able to attract significant corporate customers to use its technology, it could go much higher.
Gunmen Slay Shiite Official in Baghdad
By Associated Press
Sun Jan 28, 2:07 AM
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Drive-by shooters on Sunday killed a high-ranking Shiite official at the Iraqi industry and mines ministry in western Baghdad, the ministry said.
Eight gunmen in two cars blocked the way of Adil Abdul-Muhssin al-Lami, who served as a general director of the ministry's engineering directorate, as he was traveling in the Sunni-dominated neighborhood of Dakhiliya.
His 27-year-old daughter, who was an engineer at the ministry, a colleague and driver also were killed in the attack that occurred as al-Lami was heading to work.
Insurgents are relentlessly targeting high-ranking Iraqi officials who are seen as collaborators with the U.S. forces.
Last Wednesday, Iraq's higher education minister, a Sunni, escaped an assassination attempt after gunmen opened fire on his motorcade as he was traveling in southern Baghdad, killing one of his guards and seriously wounding another.
Iraq's Deputy PM Chides U.S. and Iran
By KIM GAMEL, Associated Press Writer
39 minutes ago
Iraq's deputy prime minister Barham Saleh gestures during an ...
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq's deputy prime minister on Sunday said Iran and the United States were using Iraq as a "zone of conflict and competition" and jeopardizing efforts to stabilize the country.
Barham Saleh, a Kurd who has ties with both Tehran and Washington, accused the two countries of stepping on Iraq's sovereignty as they jockeyed for advantage.
"Iraqi transition is burdened by many elements of interference in our domestic affairs," Saleh said in an interview with The Associated Press.
He urged Iran and the U.S. to resolve their differences, at least where Iraq was concerned.
"The new Iraq is one that hopes to be at peace with itself and at peace with its neighbors," he said from a gilded chair in the ornate entrance hall of his Green Zone office compound.
"And that definitely requires noninterference in our affairs," he said, declaring that Iran and the United States should see Iraq's well-being and prosperity as a "point of consensus."
The U.S. and Iran, already deeply at odds over Tehran's nuclear program, find themselves in a growing and more public conflict over Iran's involvement in Iraq, where it is accused of training, arming and funding militants fighting U.S. occupation forces.
The Iranian government heatedly blasted Washington earlier this month after U.S. forces raided an Iranian government liaison office in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq and detained five Iranians. U.S. officials said the Iranians were members of a Revolutionary Guard faction that funds and arms insurgents in Iraq.
Top Kurdish officials and authorities in Baghdad complained that the U.S. raid was done without notification and said the Iranians must be freed, asserting they were in the country on legitimate business.
The detentions hit a nerve as Iraq's Shiite-dominated government faces the delicate task of trying to secure Baghdad with the help of American forces while maintaining ties with its neighbors, including U.S. rivals Iran and Syria.
The White House also has revealed that President Bush has authorized U.S. forces in Iraq to take whatever action necessary to counter Iranian agents who are deemed a threat.
Saleh, who served for 10 years as the Kurdistan Regional government representative to the United States, signaled Iraqi impatience with both Tehran and Washington.
His ally and fellow Kurd, President Jalal Talabani has been pressing efforts to encourage a dialogue between the two nations.
"I have to admit Iraq has become a zone of conflict and competition between various regional players and international players," Saleh said. "The tensions are there and undeniably there is a spillover effect that complicates Iraqi political and security transition."
"We are grateful to the United States for the effort on our behalf to overcome tyranny. But at the end of the day we are accountable to our own people, our own constituents who demand of us better security and better services," he said.
As for Iran, he said, good relations with the Shiite theocracy were important for Iraq given the countries sit side by side and that Iran gave shelter to many Iraqi dissidents during Saddam Hussein's Sunni-dominated regime and who now wield power.
But, he said, "The failure of this present political process in Iraq will mean chaos in Iraq and ultimately may well mean restoration of the status quo in the form of tyranny in one way or another."
On other topics, Saleh, who is chairman of the Cabinet economics committee, dismissed concerns that a proposed oil law would allow U.S. and other international oil companies too much influence over Iraq's most important resource.
He denied published reports that the proposal would provide for so-called product sharing agreements that would give international oil firms 70 percent of oil revenues to recover initial investment and subsequently allow foreign drillers 20 percent of the profits, tax free and without restrictions on repatriating profits.
"These reports ... about the terms of PSAs (Profit Sharing Agreements) ... are totally and absolutely wrong," he said, acknowledging that concessions would have to be made to attract much-needed investment from foreign oil companies. Details were still under negotiation.
"At the end of the day Iraqi national management will be there but we need partnership with the outside world as well for technology transfer and the flow of funds," he said.
Better now than Then?
Saddam Cousin Acknowledges Giving Orders
By BASSEM MROUE, Associated Press Writer
3 hours ago
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Saddam Hussein's cousin acknowledged in court on Sunday he had given orders to destroy scores of villages during Baghdad's campaign against the Kurds in the 1980s, while prosecutors introduced two dozen documents it said incriminated members of Saddam's regime in the killing of tens of thousands of Kurds.
Ali Hassan al-Majid, also known as "Chemical Ali" for his alleged use of chemical weapons against the Kurds, said the area "was full of Iranian agents. We had to isolate these saboteurs."
"I am the one who gave orders to the army to demolish villages and relocate the villagers," he said.
Al-Majid is one of six defendants facing charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from Baghdad's military campaign against Iraqi Kurds during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war. More than 100,000 Kurds were killed.
Earlier this month al-Majid said that he gave orders to execute people who entered a prohibited area on the border with Iran and that he did not regret crushing the Kurdish uprising.
"I am not defending myself. I am not apologizing. I did not make a mistake," said Al-Majid, wearing a brown Arab gown and a traditional red-and-white Arab headdress.
A prosecutor on Sunday read from documents showing that dozens of villages were destroyed, thousands of people displaced and children separated from their families.
One document detailed the destruction of 21 villages in the first half of August 1987. Another claimed 38 villages were destroyed in the second half of June that year. A third from military archives and signed by a brigadier general said, "We have demolished all villages with tanks."
Before his execution Dec. 30, Saddam was a defendant in the current trial focusing on the so-called Anfal campaign against the Kurds.
He was sentenced to death following his conviction last year for his role in the separate killing of 148 Shiite Muslims after a 1982 assassination attempt against him in Dujail.
1,500 Policemen Fired in Iraqi Province
By Associated Press
2 hours ago
BAGHDAD, Iraq - The mayor of Baqouba and 1,500 police officers in Diyala province have been fired in a bid to end the raging violence in that region northeast of Baghdad, the provincial police chief said Sunday.
Ghanim al-Qureyshi, who took command of police operations in the violent province after his predecessor was sacked last month, said Mayor Khalid Al-Senjeri, a Sunni Muslim, was dismissed over suspicions he was collaborating with Sunni Arab insurgents.
Last week, the mayor was reported kidnapped by insurgents who blew up his office and stole several new police vehicles in Baquoba, the provincial capital. He was released a few days later.
Al-Qureyshi said the 1,500 policemen were fired because they fled rather than fight when insurgents attacked in Baqouba in November. The chief said he was determined to create a police force free of corruption.
American and Iraqi officials reported last week that their military forces had killed 100 insurgent fighters in a 10-day operation near Baqouba.
In June, al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was killed in a U.S. airstrike on his hideout near Baqouba, and his death was followed by a series of raids that the military said revealed a "treasure trove" of intelligence.
But the situation in Baqouba began to worsen in October when Iraq's predominantly Shiite Muslim army launched a major detention campaign against suspected Sunni insurgents in the city. Angry Sunnis fought back.
Days after the start of the campaign, leaflets of a little-known group called the Mujahedeen of Diyala were found in the streets. They demanded the resignation of the army and police commanders as well as the governor of the province _ all Shiites _ within 30 days.
None of the three resigned by the deadline, and insurgents attacked police, leaving dozens of people dead. The police force nearly collapsed in late November, and the city has been under the authority of the Iraqi army since then.
Analysis: for Iraq, Neighbors Are Key
By JOHN DANISZEWSKI, Associated Press Writer
3 hours ago
A man removes a bloodied schoolbook at a school ...
DAVOS, Switzerland - Iraq's leaders are facing an acid test in coming weeks as the Iraqi and U.S. military launch their new security program to flush out militants and death squads district by district.
But to Iraq's government, the real key to long-term success is its neighbors: Will they begin to give their genuine support, and can Iran and Syria be persuaded _ or pressured _ to end the conduct that Iraq says is giving oxygen to insurgents, militias and death squads inside Iraq?
These were among the themes expressed by a number of Iraqi leaders and foreign policy experts circulating at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week. Among them were Iraqi Vice President Adil Abdul-Mahdi, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and Adnan Pachachi, a former foreign minister and Sunni elder statesman who is now in the parliament.
All were painfully aware that patience for the war is ebbing among the U.S. public, and that they must move quickly to solidify their authority and stamp out violence.
One initiative now being pushed aggressively by the Iraqi leadership is to convene in Baghdad a regional meeting of foreign ministers from Iraq's neighbors, including the Gulf countries, Syria, Turkey and Iran.
They say it will demonstrate that the region is behind their government and recognizes that it must be strengthened, because there is no good alternative to holding Iraq together as a pluralistic, integrated and democratic country, Zebari told The Associated Press.
"We are building a strong case that if you care (and) if you want to help the people of Iraq, the elected, legitimate Iraqi government, you should show some tangible support," said Zebari.
"It will send a good signal to ... ease this tension, this violence, and it will send a message to the insurgents, the terrorists, who will see that Iraq is managing to deal with its neighbors constructively" and that the region is "unified to help this country recover," he said.
Zebari said the series of high-casualty bombings in Baghdad in the past few days was expectable and expected. Sunni insurgents are striking before the new security offensive gets under way.
Forming a regional consensus behind the Iraqi government has become more difficult as fighting inside Iraq has become more sectarian.
Sunni Arab countries, like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, have displayed a hesitant attitude toward Iraq. The death-squad killings of Sunnis, attacks against Arab embassies and diplomats in Iraq, and the hanging of Saddam Hussein have strained the government's image in the Sunni Arab world.
But probably the core problem is the fear that Shiite Iran exercises too much influence over the new Iraqi leadership.
Iraqi leaders here, however, argue that although the political coalition supporting Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is Shiite-based, it is an Arab and Iraqi national government first, and even Shiite members are far too loyal to Iraq to be willing to turn the country into an extension of the Iranian political system.
If Arab states remain standoffish, however, it could drive Iraq closer to Iran, the leaders here warned, on and off the record. That is why they consider it essential that the Arab neighbors of Iraq engage the government directly, and not yield to the temptation to deal directly with Sunni groups within Iraq.
Iran and Syria were said to have already agreed to the meeting, along with at least one Gulf country. But Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa appeared to be holding back _ saying at one open session here that the more important thing was for Iraqi leaders themselves to work to calm sectarian tensions.
Syria is a special case. Under President Bashar al-Assad, Syria is viewed as having failed to close the country's border to jihadists and weapons flowing into Iraq, even while it trades with Iraq and voices support to the Iraqi government.
Some Iraqi leaders believe Syria has given sanctuary to members of Saddam's regime and encouraged chaos in Iraq in hopes that the Baath Party might eventually return to power. The party shares a name, roots and philosophy with Syria's own ruling party.
Iraq has mounted a diplomatic initiative with Damascus in recent weeks, with President Jalil Talabani and other officials visiting Damascus to warn Syria that Iraq knows what Syria has and has not been doing, and encouraging it to change. There are signs that the Syrians are more willing to cooperate, officials believe.
Iran's aim in Iraq is somewhat different. It has agents and clients inside Iraq because it wants the current Iraqi government to survive, and hopes to have a large amount of political influence within it. It also likes having American forces kept pinned down in Iraq, both to help keep Iraq together and also so that U.S. troops cannot easily be turned against Iran.
The Iraqi government would like to convince both Syria and Iran separately and on different levels that these dangerous games cannot continue.
"The stakes are too high really and everybody has pushed the envelope too far. God forbid if Iraq were to break down or to fail, the threat of spillover is imminent to their countries," said Zebari. "That is why everything has really reached to some climax."
The new security offensive in Baghdad also is critical. All the leaders here said they were putting high hopes on its success, in spite of the bloody attacks of the past week. They rate its chances higher than previous efforts to clean up the capital because Iraqis will be in charge, and the government has everything at stake.
Zebari, a Kurd, said that the offensive would be evenhanded across ethnic and sectarian lines.
"This time it is different because U.S. officers would be embedded with all Iraqi units so that is a precaution to prevent ... going astray or to settle their own sectarian differences," said Zebari.
"All neighborhoods would be treated equally. Death squads or Sunni insurgents would be treated equally and on the same basis."
The plan envisions an overall commander who is Shiite, but who is a professional officer from the old Iraqi army, assisted by at least one Sunni deputy.
"We are not expecting that car bombs or suicide bombers will disappear completely," said Zebari. "But I think it will give the people some confidence that the government and the coalition are doing something really serious."
___
Iraq: 250 Insurgents Killed in Battle
By ROBERT H. REID, Associated Press Writer
1 hour ago
BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S.-backed Iraqi troops on Sunday attacked insurgents allegedly plotting to kill pilgrims at a major Shiite Muslim religious festival, and Iraqi officials estimated some 250 militants died in the daylong battle near Najaf. A U.S. helicopter crashed during the fight, killing two American soldiers.
Mortar shells, meanwhile, hit the courtyard of a girls' school in a mostly Sunni Arab neighborhood of Baghdad, killing five pupils and wounding 20. U.N. officials deplored the attack, calling the apparent targeting of children "an unforgivable crime."
Two car bombs exploded within a half hour in the northern city of Kirkuk, killing 11 people and wounding 34, police Brig. Gen. Sarhad Qader said. Three ethnic groups _ Arabs, Kurds and Turkomen _ are in a bitter struggle for control of that oil-rich area.
In addition to confirming the two Americans killed in the helicopter crash near Najaf, the U.S. command announced three combat deaths from Saturday _ one Marine in the Sunni insurgent stronghold of Anbar province and two Army soldiers in the Baghdad area.
Authorities said Iraqi soldiers supported by U.S. aircraft fought all day with a large group of insurgents in the Zaraq area, about 12 miles northeast of the Shiite holy city of Najaf.
Col. Ali Nomas, spokesman for Iraqi security forces in Najaf, said more than 250 corpses had been found. Iraqi army Maj. Gen. Othman al-Ghanemi also spoke of 250 dead but said an exact number would not be released until Monday. He said 10 gunmen had been captured, including one Sudanese.
Provincial Gov. Assad Sultan Abu Kilel said the assault was launched because the insurgents planned to attack Shiite pilgrims and clerics during ceremonies marking Ashoura, the holiest day in the Shiite calendar commemorating the 7th century death of Imam Hussein. The celebration culminates Tuesday in huge public processions in Karbala and other Shiite cities.
Officials were unclear about the religious affiliation of the militants. Although Sunni Arabs have been the main force behind insurgent groups, there are a number of Shiite militant and splinter groups that have clashed from time to time with the government.
Iraqi soldiers attacked at dawn and militants hiding in orchards fought back with automatic weapons, sniper rifles and rockets, the governor said. He said the insurgents were members of a previously unknown group called the Army of Heaven.
"They are well-equipped and they even have anti-aircraft missiles," the governor said. "They are backed by some locals" loyal to ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.
Abu Kilel said two Iraqi policemen were killed and 15 wounded, but there was no word on other Iraqi government casualties.
A U.S. statement said the American helicopter went down while "conducting operations to assist Iraqi Security Forces" in the attack. It said two crew members died and their bodies were recovered. The statement did not give any information on why the aircraft crashed.
It was the second U.S. military helicopter to do down in eight days. Twelve U.S. soldiers died Jan. 20 when a Black Hawk crashed northeast of Baghdad. The Army says it is investigating the cause, but a Pentagon official has said debris indicated it was downed by a missile.
The mortar attack in Baghdad occurred about 11 a.m. at the Kholoud Secondary School in the Adil neighborhood, police and school officials said. The principal, Fawzyaa Hatrosh Sawadi, said students were mingling in the courtyard during a break in exams when at least two shells exploded.
The blasts shattered windows in classrooms, spraying students with shards of glass. Associated Press Television News footage showed pools of blood on the stone steps and walkways. A fin from a mortar shell lay on the ground.
Hours after the attack, grieving parents wept as the bodies of their children were placed in wooden coffins. Police said four of the girls were killed instantly and a fifth died later.
In a joint statement, UNICEF and UNESCO called the attack "yet another tragic reminder of the risks facing Iraq's schoolchildren."
No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but a Sunni organization, the General Conference of the People of Iraq, blamed Shiite Muslim militias with ties to government security forces. The group said in a statement that the mortar shells bore markings indicating they were manufactured in Iran, which U.S. officials accuse of supporting Shiite militias.
Three bombings, meanwhile, struck Shiite districts in Baghdad, killing at least seven people and wounding 61, police said.
The worst incident was a car bomb that killed at least four and wounded 39 at an outdoor market in Sadr City, a sprawling slum that is a stronghold of the Mahdi Army of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, a militia blamed for much of Iraq's sectarian bloodshed.
The mortar attack and bombings appeared to be part of the sectarian reprisal killings that have pushed Iraq into civil warfare over the past year, violence that President Bush hopes to quell by sending up to 21,500 more American soldiers to Baghdad and surrounding areas.
U.S. officials have long accused al-Qaida in Iraq, a Sunni Muslim group, of fanning sectarian hatreds by staging vicious attacks on Shiite civilians. Revenge killings have surged since the bombing of a Shiite shrine in the largely Sunni city of Samarra last Feb. 22.
The two car bombs in Kirkuk exploded within 30 minutes of each other in different parts of the city, 180 miles north of Baghdad. The first blast was at a car dealership, killing six people and wounding 19, said Qader, the police general said. The second went off at a popular restaurant, killing five and injuring 15, he said.
In Baghdad, police said they found 39 bullet-riddled bodies throughout the city Sunday, apparent victims of sectarian death squads. Ten more bodies were recovered floating down the Tigris River 25 miles south of the capital.
Drive-by shooters killed a high-ranking Shiite official at the Industry and Mines Ministry along with his 27-year-old daughter and two other people, police said.
A car bomb exploded near a mosque in the Sunni city of Fallujah, 40 miles west of Baghdad, killing two civilians and wounding four, police said.
The U.S. command announced the arrest of 21 suspected terrorists, including an al-Qaida courier, in a series of raids in Baghdad and Sunni areas north and west of the capital. Three are believed to have close ties to the leadership of al-Qaida in Iraq, the military said.
Oil Law Won't Favor Americans
By KIM GAMEL, Associated Press Writer
19 HOURS AGO
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi officials say a hotly debated proposed oil law will not favor Americans but acknowledge that foreign companies will be allowed to take their profits out of the country _ an incentive to draw foreign investment.
The Oil Ministry has been struggling for months to reach a compromise over draft legislation to govern Iraq's most important industry and pave the way for much-needed investment and know-how to revitalize the devastated infrastructure. But the measure faces strong objections by ethnic Kurds and concern about American influence in the sector.
Published reports in the Middle East said the proposal would provide for so-called product sharing agreements that would give international oil firms 70 percent of the oil revenues to recover their initial investments and subsequently allow them 20 percent of the profits without any tax or restrictions on transferring funds abroad.
"Without a decisive military victory, the U.S. occupation of Iraq seems to be about to grab its oil prize by establishing a new sharing arrangement," the English-language Yemen Observer said Saturday, echoing a frequent criticism that the U.S.-led invasion was aimed in part at capturing Iraq's oil.
Iraqi officials denied that the proposed law would favor Americans but stressed that it would set terms aimed at attracting international funds and know-how to an industry that faces a rampant insurgency and struggled even before the war due to sweeping U.N. sanctions imposed after Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
Trade Minister Abed Falah al-Sudani told The Associated Press that American companies will be among those bidding for contracts under the proposed law and the Iraqis will "take the best offer ... and take into consideration the experience of the company."
He did not specify monetary terms but said "foreign companies will be able to win concessions for a long time," without elaborating.
"Iraq's economy has suffered because of the security situation and the economic laws, but we now want to implement laws that reform the country and reform the economy. These laws will increase the growth of the economy," he said.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has pressed hard for a new oil law to be passed since he came to office on May 20. And President Bush stepped up the pressure on the Iraqis to pass legislation to share oil revenues among all Iraqis in announcing his new Iraq strategy earlier this month.
Iraqi officials also have struggled to overcome strong objections by ethnic Kurds in the oil-rich north who are reluctant to give up regional control.
On Jan. 18, the Oil Ministry said the law was nearly ready to be submitted to the Cabinet and expressed hope it could be ratified by parliament within a month.
But ministry spokesman Assem Jihad said Friday the measure had been delayed by unspecified "differences among some groups." He said the ministry hoped the differences could be overcome so parliament could approve the bill before a monthlong recess Feb. 10.
The distribution of oil revenues and central control over contracts are believed among the key sticking points.
Kurdish lawmaker Mahmoud Othman pointed out that the constitution passed last year provided for a Kurdish federation in the north that would co-manage existing oil fields along with the central government and have full control over new ones. Shiites would control new oil fields in their southern regions _ terms that have drawn objections from the disaffected Sunni minority.
Othman said the Kurds want the final say in signing contracts with foreign oil companies for projects in their area, signaling opposition to plans to give full control over contracts to a central oil committee.
"If they don't amend the law or the current draft or reach a mutual agreement, the Kurdish side will not accept it," Othman said.
Jihad said a Kurdish delegation will visit Baghdad to try to resolve some outstanding issues.
"The Kurds talk about this issue as if they are from another country while they are part of the Iraqi government and parliament. They want bigger share for Kurdistan regarding the oil revenues."
Negotiators also are stuck over taxes and the terms for agreements with international companies, as well as concerns that American and other multinational firms will get a disproportionate share of the profits.
Jihad dismissed claims that the proposed law would allow 70 percent of Iraq's oil to be sold to U.S. or other foreign oil companies but conceded that they would not face restrictions in taking profits outside Iraq.
He said the proposed law would establish that central product sharing agreements, or PSAs, would be negotiated with the companies on an individual basis.
"Some are trying to give a distorted idea about the new law that aims at serving Iraq's interests. Such reports are baseless," he said. "We should differentiate between monopoly and investment."
"The foreign companies can take their profits outside Iraq without any restriction because the aim of the law is to encourage investment," he said.
He said the question of taxes was still being negotiated, adding that the law provides a two-year tax exemption for general investment projects but no decision had been made on whether they should tax oil investments.
"This law protects both the full rights of the investors and of the Iraqi government," he said.
Iraq is believed to be producing around 2.2 million barrels of oil a day and exports about 1.5 million, well below prewar levels of 2.5 to 3 million barrels a day.
Some legislators pointed out that Iraq is desperate and needs all the help it can get.
"Foreign companies are welcome. American companies have the experience and they have people on the ground in Iraq. American companies have the courage to come into the market," said Amrah al-Baldawi, a member of the parliament's economic committee.
___
Associated Press writers Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Sameer N. Yacoub in Baghdad and Yahya Barzani in Sulaimaniyah contributed to this report.
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BYT.TO
Weekly Update January 27, 2007
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Bioscrypt (BYT $0.87)
www.bioscrypt.com
www.a4vision.com
We featured BYT on January 8th at $0.60 and watched the stock hit $1.05 last week on news of an acquisition that will paint an entirely new face on this company - a 3D face to be exact. Bioscrypt has entered into an agreement to acquire A4Vision, Inc., a leading provider of advanced identification systems using innovative three-dimensional facial imaging and recognition technology. Bioscrypt will add this technology to its portfolio of biometric access control products. In theory, we could now see Bioscrypt in 2007/2008 as one of the global leaders in biometric access control. A multi billion dollar market that includes large corporations, airport security, governments, financial institutions, border control & immigration. This is an industry that the investment community has all but ignored for the past couple years but we're speculating that will change over the next 12 to 18 months. With this latest acquisition, Bioscrypt becomes one of the most promising smallcap/microcap companies in the biometric security industry.
MOTOROLA, ELLISON, AND LOGITECH BECOME SHAREHOLDERS
This acquisition of A4Vision is also very important because as a private company, it's investors include huge names like Motorola, Tako Ventures (owned by Larry Ellison - billionaire CEO of Oracle), Logitech (the leading computer peripherals manufacturer), NTT Leasing (financial subsidiary of Japan’s NTT Group), and Singapore Technologies (a leading technology- based multinational conglomerate). This group, will become key shareholders of BYT and will eventually help attract a much larger audience from U.S. and overseas investors.
CYCLING THROUGH OLD SHAREHOLDERS
On this news, the stock saw very strong buying but ran into considerable resistance near a dollar. A lot of old shareholders have been disappointed with the slow progress of biometrics and are "throwing the baby out with the bath water". Once the stock cycles through these old shareholders we will be facing a much stronger shareholder base.
In early May/06 the stock had a strong run from $0.95 to $1.30 but then spent seven months on a downward slope, bottoming in December. Those shareholders have had little liquidity until now and many are only looking backward instead of the strong potential going forward. This obviously prevented the stock from holding the break through $1 and short term it appears will continue to cause elements of resistance.
This stock spent 2004 and 2005 trading in the $1.20 to $3.60 range and after peaking mid 2004, has been gradually moving down as the biometrics industry as a whole, has not taken off as everyone expected. However, as we mentioned several weeks ago, I really believe that cycle is over and 2007 and 2008 could see a significant turnaround. Many existing (old) shareholders of BYT will only look back at the frustrations of buying higher and will sell when good liquidity presents itself. This creates resistance along the way, but the fundamentals are dramatically improving at the same time.
Right now it looks like we need to cycle through these disgruntled shareholders who may be missing the forest for the trees. Bioscrypt's bulletproof biometric technology combined now with one of the most advanced 3D facial recognition technologies in the world, should provide some excellent exposure to the technology and security sector.
MARKET STATISTICS / TERRORISM HEDGE
In a publication dated January 2007, the International Biometrics Group projected that the facial recognition market will represent more than US$1.4 billion or 19 percent of the US$7.4 billion total Non-AFIS market in 2012. Fingerprint matching is predicted to be 25 percent or a US$1.85 billion market in 2012 for a combined market size of more than US$3 billion in five years time.
Frost & Sullivan, an independent market analyst firm, stated in a July 2006 study that the compounded annual growth rate for facial biometric technology will be 27.5 percent and that one of the two primary markets by application for face recognition technology is physical access control/time and attendance. Bioscrypt intends to use its existing sales channel, an indirect partnership model that was instrumental in the company being recognized by Frost & Sullivan as the 2005 Application Market Penetration Leader for the world non-AFIS fingerprint physical access control/time and attendance market, to sell the 3D facial technology to this considerable market.
Combined with threats of global terrorism and various security threats at airports, government agencies, financial institutions, shipping ports, border crossings, and you have significant opportunity for growth.
OUR HEDGE AGAINST NORTH AMERICAN TERRORISM
From a terrorism and homeland security perspective, I believe we now have tremendous exposure to this sector with BYT and GLOI (another company we're following with our premium subscribers). Should American policies lead to increased threats of terrorism (and they likely will), we would run the risk of a collapse in stock prices. However, two specific sectors would benefit dramatically (and immediately), gold and technology and services provided by companies like BYT and GLOI. This provides us with a hedge against any such terrorist attacks (or even their threat in North America).
We'll just need patience. So far it has resulted in short term gains of approx. 50% but with this acquisition, we're looking at an entirely new company. Much the same way old shareholders who lost money should be looking forward instead of back, we may need to do the same thing and overlook the gains made to date.
Below is a good example of how strong the A4vision technology is. This is an excerpt from a post to the Stockhouse bullboard last week and really demonstrates the strength of their technology. The 3D technology of A4's is so accurate, people only need to glance in the direction of the camera and it will process the data in a fraction of a second and compare it to the database.
Pictet is one of the largest private banks in Switzerland:
www.pictet.com
Ingersoll Rand and A4Vision Provide the Future of Access Control for Banks
Oct 10, 2006 - Stuttgart/Geneva, October 10, 2006. As the main contractor, Swiss Interflex AG, a business of the Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies sector, is implementing a biometrics project in Geneva that is one-of-a-kind in the world. Interflex has delivered what Pictet & Cie Banquiers, one of the renowned Swiss banks, wanted most – the installation of an access control system that operates completely without ID cards, keys or PIN technology to enable secure access for about 1,500 employees to the bank’s new building. Eliminating the risk of tokens and keys being lost, stolen or misused, Pictet & Cie Banquiers’ system uses only biometric verification methods in a project that combines components supplied by unique specialists. At present, sub-contractors are installing 3D face and iris recognition systems as well as so-called speed gates at the new building.
A4Vision’s 80 biometric 3D face recognition readers have been applied to physical access and time and attendance recording. A4Vision’s advanced 3D facial recognition system directs structured, invisible light onto a subject’s face to create a facial grid of 40,000 measurable data points. The system performs multiple facial scans and comparisons against a database of stored images and corresponding data, performing accurate identification at sub-second speeds, from which authorized persons are confirmed for access. A4Vision’s 3D facial readers secure entrance areas of the bank in combination with other security components of the installation.
Note:
The acquisition will be completed through the merger of A4 with Bioscrypt’s wholly owned US subsidiary, with the merged company to continue as Bioscrypt, Inc. Pursuant to the merger, certain noteholders and stockholders of A4 will receive an aggregate of up to 9.0 million Bioscrypt common shares and warrants to purchase up to an additional 4.6 million Bioscrypt common shares.
Concurrent with the completion of the merger, institutional investors associated with A4 have agreed to invest between US$6 million and US$8 million. This new group will own, on a fully diluted basis, up to approximately 32% of the pro forma company.
For further due diligence, please visit www.bioscrypt.com and www.a4vision.com
PUMPINP
Friday, January 26, 2007
Endeavour Silver Corp. Lists on the American Stock Exchange Trading Symbol "EXK"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 26, 2007 - Vancouver, Canada -- Endeavour Silver Corp. (EDR: TSX and EJD: DBFrankfurt) announces that its common shares have been approved for listing on the American Stock Exchange ("AMEX") effective at the opening of trading on January 29, 2007. The AMEX listing approval is contingent on the Company being in compliance with all applicable listing requirements on the date that it begins trading and may be rescinded if the Company is not in compliance with such standards.
The Company will trade on AMEX under the symbol "EXK", and continues to trade on the TSX under the symbol "EDR" and the Deutsch Bourse Frankfurt under the symbol "EJD".
Endeavour's Chairman, Bradford Cooke, commented, "We are pleased to see that Endeavour has been approved for trading on the American Stock Exchange. Endeavour already has a strong shareholder base in the USA and listing on Amex can only help to increase our visibility and liquidity within the investment community."
Endeavour Silver Corp. is a silver mining company focused on the aggressive growth of its silver production, reserves and resources in Mexico. Company management believes that the expansion program now underway at the high grade Guanacevi Mines Project in the state of Durango should make Endeavour one of the top primary silver producers in the world.
ENDEAVOUR SILVER CORP.
Per:
/s/ "Bradford J. Cooke"
Bradford J. Cooke
Chairman and CEO
For more information, please contact Hugh Clarke Toll free: 877-685-9775, tel: (604) 685-9775, fax: (604) 685-9744, email hugh@edrsilver.com or visit our website, www.edrsilver.com. The TSX Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.
WN.TO
Weekly.
Daily..
Commerce Resources Corp. (TSXv: CCE) (FSE: D7H) has entered in to an agreement to acquire a 100% interest in two mineral claims adjacent to Commerce’s Fir claims in eastern British Columbia. The claims were purchased for their potential to host additional mineralization, as well as ensuring mineral tenure under area of potential importance for future infrastructure related to mine development.
Mann Lake Drilling Completed and Prospective Structural Corridor Confirmed, Athabasca, Saskatchewan
Vancouver, BC - Consolidated Abaddon Resources Inc. (TSX.V: ABN) (FWB: E2L) and Triex Minerals Corporation (TSX.V: TXM) ("Triex") are pleased to announce that alteration and geochemical anomalies are confirmed by the recently completed, first pass drill program on the Mann Lake uranium property, eastern Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan. The hunt is now on, and follow-up drilling is planned for 2007.
Eastern Athabasca Basin Claims Map:
http://www.consolidatedabaddon.com/i/maps/ABN_Athabasca_Map_11X17.jpg
Previous work on the Mann Lake property is summarized in the September 20th, 2006 Press Release.
The recent five hole Phase 1 drill program tested an easterly to southeasterly trending structural corridor about one kilometre wide, which runs across the central part of the property, and truncates the regional northeasterly grain of conductors, linears, and magnetic features. A ground-based gravity survey completed last winter delineates individual faults in the corridor.
A detailed geophysical map is located at:
http://www.consolidatedabaddon.com/s/Image.asp?i=maps/ABN-MannGeopMap.gif.
Diamond drill hole MN06-002 located on the southern side of the structural corridor encountered pervasively bleached and locally intensely fractured and friable sandstone over approximately 90 metres within the Mfa Formation of the Athabasca Group, immediately above the unconformity, which was intersected at 606 metres
(see http://www.consolidatedabaddon.com/s/Image.asp?i=maps/ABN-MannCores.gif).
On-site PIMA analyses show illite clay alteration throughout this 90 metres interval of altered sandstone. Further, there is increased radioactivity at the unconformity.
Hole MN06-005 is located on the northern side of the structural corridor, and approximately one kilometre to the north of Hole MN06-002. It intersected the unconformity at 631 metres. A four metre wide zone of anomalous Boron (up to 1758 ppm Bo) was encountered in sandstone immediately above the unconformity. An altered basement gneissic rock with abundant clay, chlorite, hematite and calc-silicate minerals about 7.6 metres below the unconformity contains anomalous uranium (up to 73.6 ppm uranium) over a 1.5 metres interval, compared to a background of between 1 and 5 ppm. Quartz veinlets are noted. This zone is coincident with an adjacent interval with up to 631 ppm Bo over 7.2 metres (Please see the chart showing the Borom data as:
http://www.consolidatedabaddon.com/s/Image.asp?i=maps/ABN-MannBoron.gif.
Boron is enriched at the McArthur River uranium mine, and together with illite and chlorite alteration, define an integrated regional hydrothermal corridor between the McArthur River and Key Lake uranium mines (eg. Earle and Sopuck, 1989).
The three holes away from the easterly trending structural corridor did not contain altered or radioactive rock, or geochemical anomalies.
This program confirmed that the discordant structural corridor defined by gravity faults in the central part of the Mann Lake property is prospective for hydrothermal fluids and uranium mineralization, and follow-up drilling is planned in the second half of 2007. This will be done in conjunction with testing one of the two other target areas on the Mann Lake property that remain untested, one related to untested conductors identified northeast of Marean Lake during a 1999 ground TEM survey, and one related to historic surface geochemical anomalies near Mann Lake.
The Mann Lake property is located in the eastern Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan and is approximately 25 km southwest of the McArthur River uranium mine, the largest high-grade uranium deposit in the world. The Mann Lake property is approximately 15 km to the northeast of Cameco Corporation's recently discovered Millennium deposit, immediately east of the northern extent of the B1 Conductor that is spatially associated with the Millennium deposit. The areas immediately east and west of the property are being actively explored, and several new basement-hosted uranium occurrences have been discovered and announced in the past six months.
This first-pass drill program was completed on October 30th, 2006. A total of 3,510 metres were completed in five holes by Hy-Tech Drilling Ltd. of Smithers, B.C. All holes were inclined 80 degree and all were successfully probed with a Mount Sopris 2PGA-1000 poly-gamma probe. A total of 470 geochemical samples were processed at the Saskatchewan Research Council, Saskatoon. Uranium was analyzed by fluorimetry. Numbers reported are for partial digestion of uranium; data for total digestion of uranium are also in hand. Systematic PIMA data were collected on site to evaluate clay alteration signatures.
Triex has the option to earn up to a 70% interest from Consolidated Abaddon in the 3473 ha Mann Lake property (see September 26, 2005 News Release). Triex has informed Consolidated Abaddon that as per the option agreement, it has earned a 51% interest.
Triex has also given Consolidated Abaddon notification of Triex's intent to exercise a second option to earn an additional 9% interest in the Mann Lake property by making a payment of $50,000 and incurring an additional $1,500,000 in property expenditures on or before March 20, 2008.
Ross McElroy, P.Geo, Exploration Manager at Triex, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for program design and quality control of exploration undertaken by Triex in the Athabasca Basin.
David J. Busch, B.A., B.Sc., P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for Consolidated Abaddon, is the Company's qualified person under the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, and has reviewed the data in this News Release.
Consolidated Abaddon Resources Inc. is a Canadian uranium exploration company actively involved with the development of uranium properties in the ATHABASCA BASIN of northern Saskatchewan and the SIMS BASIN of western Labrador.
Property partners include Denison Mines Corp. and Triex Minerals Corp.
For further information on Consolidated Abaddon Resources Inc. (TSX.V: ABN), visit the Company's web site at www.consolidatedabaddon.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
"Jim Pettit"
____________________________
JAMES G. PETTIT
President
For further information contact myself or:
Don Myers
Consolidated Abaddon Resources Inc.
Director
Telephone: 604-687-3376
Toll Free: 800-567-8181
Facsimile: 604-687-3119
Email: info@consolidatedabaddon.com
Titanium Corporation Inc. quarterly update
Operated first concentrator to produce heavy minerals from oil sands tailings
Toronto, Ontario....January 24, 2007...Titanium Corporation Inc. [“Titanium”, TSX-V:TIC] is pleased to provide an update on its operations to develop a new sustainable source of titanium and zircon minerals from Canada’s Athabasca oil sands following the filing of its quarterly financial statements for the period ended November 30, 2006.
TITANIUM CORPORATION HIGHLIGHTS:
Completed on-site, first phase of 2006 Pilot Program on time and within original budget of C$3 million, by successfully operating the first pilot heavy mineral concentrator to produce a heavy mineral concentrate from oil sands tailings in Fort McMurray. Over the past three years, Titanium has built all its pilot facilities on budget and on time.
New Board of Directors Appointments:
Brant Sangster – a leader in Canada’s energy industry; 25-year career as senior executive of Petro-Canada
Gordon Pridham – Investment banking executive with more than 25 years experience including energy and natural resource sectors
Filed a Project Overview Document with Alberta Environment to inform the public and regulators of the scope of Titanium’s Heavy Minerals Recovery Project.
Development programs are progressing on track and Titanium is well capitalized with a cash position of C$22 million.
In the first quarter of 2007, Titanium is engaged in the final phase of the 2006 Pilot Program to initially maximize the recovery of zircon from the oil sand tailings. The heavy mineral concentrate that was successfully produced in Fort McMurray during the on-site phase of the 2006 Pilot Program was shipped to Titanium’s Regina facility and is undergoing processing through separation circuits designed to maximize the recovery of heavy minerals. Titanium will produce final heavy mineral sample products for evaluation by customers and potential partners.
Following the completion and analysis of the second phase of the 2006 Pilot Program, which is expected during the first half of 2007, Titanium will commence a final engineering feasibility study.
Zircon remains in high demand world-wide and continues to experience significant price increases. Zircon increased from US$400 per tonne in 2003 to an average of US$750 per tonne by mid-2006. Asia continues to be the fastest growing market for heavy minerals and Titanium is actively pursuing these markets by fostering strategic relationships with large players in the region who are interested in zircon and titanium.
Titanium Corporation’s financial statements, and MD&A for the first quarter of fiscal 2007, are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on Titanium’s website at www.titaniumcorporation.com .
About Titanium Corporation
Titanium Corporation Inc. is a Canadian company developing a commercial minerals recovery project in the Fort McMurray, Athabasca oil sands region. Through extensive research, including the construction and operation of pilot processing facilities, the Company has developed proprietary processes and technology to recover valuable titanium-bearing minerals and zircon from oil sands tailings. Titanium Corporation’s technology could be applied to existing and planned mined oil sands projects with the objective of creating a new sustainable minerals industry for Canada. Titanium Corporation Inc. shares trade on the Toronto Venture Exchange (TSX.V) under the symbol TIC. For more information, please visit our website www.titaniumcorporation.com.
Disclosure regarding forward-looking information
Note: This press release does not contain forward-looking information. However, we do direct you to our risks and uncertainties statements more particularly described and updated in Titanium Corporation’s Quarterly Management’s Discussion and Analysis filed for the three months ended November 30, 2006, on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Most notably these risks and assumptions include, but are not limited to: changes in the worldwide price of zircon and titanium; risks associated with future plans and objectives; operating or technical difficulties in connection with development activities; development time lines and priorities; legislative, political or economic developments including changes to relevant legislation in Canada; and requirement for additional funding. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. The Corporation assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy and accuracy of this release.
For further information:
Scott Nelson, President & CEO Carolyn Muir, Investor Relations
Titanium Corporation Inc. Titanium Corporation Inc.
403-561-0439 416-955-0715 X 224
"Red Jets" Combat Video Game for the PC to Shipped to Retailers September 20th by Graffiti Entertainment, Game Publishing Subsidiary of Signature Devices
January 24th, 2007 -- Graffiti Entertainment, LLC (www.GraffitiEntertainment.com), the video game development and publishing subsidiary of Signature Devices, Inc. (OTC: SDVI) (www.signaturedevices.com) shipped "Red Jets" a 3D combat jet plane game, to retailers' on September 20th, 2006 with an MSRP of $19.99.
"Red Jets," developed for the PC by Interactive Video Games (www.iavgames.com), is a 3D combat jet plane game inspired by the Cold War conflict and the USSR Air Force in its prime. It features realistic flight physics, detailed cockpit and external views. Players pilot classic Russian jet fighters, such as the MiG-29 Fulcrum, Yak-141 Freestyle, andSu-27 Flanker, with advanced weapons and targeting systems. 20 missions are flown over realistic landscapes rendered from actual satellite maps. In addition, all types of weather conditions, during day and night flights, are visually simulated.
Dimitri Criona, Graffiti Entertainment's Director of Sales says "Ever wonder what it's like to pilot a real jet in at supersonic speeds? Using artificial intelligence (AI), Red Jets" puts the player into the cockpit of a Soviet MIG and other Soviet aircraft. It is a realistic 3D combat simulator featuring several different cold war era Soviet Jet Fighters. We look forward to getting this game on the shelves of the major retailers who specialize in these genres. We are extremely proud of our games and the tremendous entertainment value they represent."
"We are taking advantage of the ever increasing video game market" said Kenneth Hurley, CEO, "According to market research firm NPD Group, U.S. sales of software, hardware and accessories were up 19 percent to $12.5 billion in 2006. Graffiti Entertainment was established to widen our market share in this industry."
Veteran game programmer Kenneth Hurley and several other industry veterans founded Redwood City, CA-based Signature Devices, Inc. in 2002. Signature Devices, Inc. has a long list of noteworthy PC and Xbox game credits including "SAMURAI SHODOWN V" for Xbox, "King of Fighters '94 Rebout" for Xbox, "Farcry" and "Medal of Honor - Pacific Assault," and many others. In addition, its Graffiti Entertainment subsidiary publishes video games from independent developers. This includes "Crazy Frog Racer" for the PC, "Chain of Command: Eastern Front" for the PC, "Red Jets" for the PC, "Back To Stone" for the Nintendo Game Boy® Advance, and "Mazes of Fate" for the Nintendo Game Boy® Advance.
About Graffiti Entertainment LLC and Signature Devices, Inc.:
Based in Redwood City, Calif., Graffiti Entertainment, LLC (www.GraffitiEntertainment.com) is a full service developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for advanced entertainment consoles. Its focus is on creating, developing, and publishing trend setting titles with mass-market appeal. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Signature Devices, Inc., that creates, develops and manufactures advanced information technology, including computer systems, software and electronics products. One of the company's premiere technologies includes a blend of hardware and software for Image generation technology used in video games and simulations. Additional information about the company is available at www.signaturedevices.com.
Contacts:
Investor Relations
IR@SignatureDevices.com
650-654-4800 ext 111
http://www.signaturedevices.com
Commodity relief in sight
By: Barry Sergeant
Posted: '24-JAN-07 15:00' GMT © Mineweb 1997-2006
JOHANNESBURG (Mineweb.com) --In a report to clients, Dresdner Kleinwort reckons that metal prices may continue to decline, having already retraced 15% from peaks seen in May 2006. The main reasons for potential forward weakness are cited as increasing supply, a slowing US economy, and an increase in inventories.
Increasing supply is seen as the main culprit, given the commodities bull market that has been in place since early 2002. Exploration expenditure, which all but came to a halt in the late 1990s, has exploded in the past few years, and, to boot, many old mothballed mines have been restarted. Lots of scrap, also, is not looking like scrap anymore.
The flipside is that the global economy can look forward to substantial relief, on the back of lower commodity prices. The Bank Credit Analyst reckons that the world’s crude oil bill, alone, will fall by over $400bn this year if crude oil prices average $50 a barrel, levels seen of late, after trades of close to $80 a barrel last year. Consumers will welcome the relief, and equity investors need to react in an appropriate manner.
BCA Research states that global expenditure on crude oil was $2 trillion last year, equal to about 4.2% of global GDP (gross domestic product). Based on current crude oil prices, global crude oil expenditure is set to decline to just over 3% of GDP this year. While that is still high compared with the average of the past 20 years, says BCA Research, the decline would be the largest since crude oil prices plunged in 1986.
Analysts at UBS, among a number of others, have reduced crude oil price estimates for 2007, not least on the unwinding of producer hedges and other financial trading. The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil price estimate for 2007 has been reduced from $69 to $60 a barrel
But few analysts reckon that global crude oil outlays will fall to as little as 3% of world GDP in 2007. Given that leading indicators are pointing to a re-acceleration of global growth in the second half of this year, and with global oil supply capacity still constrained, BCA Research forecasts that crude prices will trend higher later this year. UBS has, indeed, raised its forecasts from $62 to $64 a barrel for 2008, and introduced a forecast of $62 a barrel for 2009.
Crude oil prices grab headlines, but Dresdner Kleinwort anticipates that the general metals complex will also witness cooling prices going forward. Analysts argue that demand from China can, at best, prevent the decline in metals prices from turning into a “bust”.
The value of the dollar will continue to play a crucial role. On Tuesday this week, gold bullion prices hopped on a weaker dollar and silver rose to its best level in more than a month. Speculators also clawed into other commodities and metals, not least platinum and palladium, on firm fundamentals. While markets have been described as “constructive” of late, with adequate fund interest still very much there within the metals complex, even speculators are well aware of the dangers.
In the past few days, aluminium, tin, nickel and lead have continued to attract fund buying, posting new highs across the board. But as one metals trader puts it: “It remains to be seen whether the minor metals can hold on to these lofty gains and caution should be the name of the game as even a small correction could send them into a nasty downside spiral”.
International Beat
Nip/Tuck Analysis: Will women choose Botox or boob jobs over gold?
By: Dorothy Kosich
Posted: '25-JAN-07 08:00' GMT © Mineweb 1997-2006
RENO, NV (Mineweb.com) --Prudential Equities suggested this week that Botox and breast augmentation may be competing for consumer dollars against gold jewelry.
Prudential Medical Device Analyst Larry Biegelsen recently suggested to his colleagues that “technological advances in beauty products offer new competition within discretionary income for gold jewelry, much like consumer electronics, prescription drugs and other healthcare.”
Apparently, his analysis was compelling enough to alarm Prudential’s metals analysts, who wrote Tuesday, “Simply put, we worry that Botox, cosmetic surgery, skin treatments and other advances rapidly penetrating the third world could displace more jewelry purchases than flat screen TVs, cell phones, PCs, or legal drugs already do.”
Biegelsen asserted that the company Allergan can basically provide a bundling of “services” and “cross-selling opportunities” from Botox, to facial fillers, to breast implants, that might convince the Americans who spent $12.4 billion on 11.5 million in cosmetic procedures in 2005 to increase their spending. Prudential metal analysts John Tumazos, Paretoch Misra, and Andrew Teng wondered that “if in years to come, Botox and breast enhancements will spill over into the emerging markets of India, China, and the Middle East, current hot spots for gold jewelry consumption.”
As proof of the validity of their hypothesis, the analysts cited The Hindu newspaper which published an interview with Allergan’s Vice President of Global Marketing, who claimed that India is critical to the company’s plans of making Botox a $2 billion product in a few years. Trials are currently being conducted in other emerging market in headache and other urological conditions.
Meanwhile, gold jewelry demand experienced its worst year in 2006 since records were set in 1997. Both Indian and Middle East demand fell with losses of 18% and 22%, respectively. Jewelry demand also declined in the U.S. and Europe, the analysts asserted, “where beauty, technology, healthcare and gold all complete for disposable income. …The decline, which could represent a structural change if the market has been demand by new product introduction (which concurs with our growing thesis), most likely represents a price elastic response, seeing as gold in the U.S. and Europe is a product of adornment rather than investment.”
Ear on the Street
Alcan Inc. (AL : TSX : $58.00 | NYSE : US$49.19)
Higher costs at Gove
Blackmont Capital maintains a "buy", 12-month target price is cut to US$56.00
RBC Capital Markets maintains a "outperform", target price cut to US$64.00
TD Newcrest maintains a "action list buy", 12-month target price is US$62.00
Atrium Biotechnologies (ATB : TSX : $16.10)
Buying AquaCap Pharmaceutical
BMO Nesbitt Burns maintains a "market perform", target price raised to $18.00
Desjardins Securities maintains a "buy", target price raised to $19.50
GMP Securities reiterates "buy", target price raised to $25.50
Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD.B : TSX : $26.58)
Outlook stronger
TD Newcrest upgrades to "action list buy", 12-month target price is raised to $33.00
Advantage Energy Income Fund (AVN.UN : TSX : $13.39 | AAV : NYSE : US$11.35)
Cuts distribution
BMO Nesbitt Burns maintains a "underperform", target price is $12.00
RBC Capital Markets maintains a "sector perform", target price is $10.25
Bronco Energy (BCF : TSX-V : $6.70)
Initial drill results in line with expectations
RBC Capital Markets maintains a "outperform", target price is $10.00
BTB REIT (BTB.UN : TSX-V : $2.30)
Early stage growth
Blackmont Capital initiates coverage with a "buy", 12-month target price is $2.60
Buhler Industries (BUI : TSX : $5.31)
A tough Q1
Blackmont Capital maintains "sell", 12-month target price is $4.90
Canaccord Adams maintains "sell", 12-month target price is $4.50
Raymond James maintains a "underperform", 6-12 month target price is $4.95
BlackWatch Energy Services (BWT.UN : TSX : $4.80)
Distribution cut
Blackmont Capital maintains a "buy", 12-month target price is raised to $5.75
Custom Direct Income Fund (CDI.UN : TSX : $8.45)
Considering strategic alternatives
TD Newcrest maintains a "buy", 12-month target price is $9.50
Calpine Power Income Fund (CF.UN : TSX : $12.75)
Offer for B shares revised
TD Newcrest maintains a "hold", 12-month target price is $12.25
Chariot Resources (CHD : TSX : $0.63)
Promising sample results
Raymond James maintains a "strong buy", 6-12 month target price is $1.30
Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ : TSX : $57.43)
Q4/06 results expected in the first week of March
Credit Suisse maintains a "outperform", target price is $80.00
Cardiome Pharma (COM : TSX : $13.20 | CRME : NASDAQ : US$11.17)
Successfully complete an equity offering
Canaccord Adams maintains "buy", 12-month target price is raised to $20.90
CryoCath Technologies (CYT : TSX : $2.75)
Recovery on track
Blackmont Capital upgrades to "buy", 12-month target price is raised to $4.00
Emera Inc. (EMA : TSX : $22.43)
2007 rate settlement proposal filed by NSPI
CIBC World Markets maintains a "sector underperform", target price is $21.00
RBC Capital Markets maintains a "sector perform", target price is $22.00
FirstService Corp. (FSV : TSX : $27.26 | FSRV : NASDAQ : US$23.09)
Acquisitions expand commercial real estate division
Raymond James maintains a "strong buy", 6-12 month target price is $32.50
TD Newcrest upgrades to "action list buy", 12-month target price is $33.00
Fortis Inc. (FTS : TSX : $27.31)
Current level attractive on relative basis
RBC Capital Markets maintains a "outperform", target price raised to $33.00
Far West Mining (FWM : TSX : $3.81)
Drilling confirms extent of mineralization in the Estrellita target
Blackmont Capital maintains "hold", 12-month target price is $4.75
Husky Energy (HSE : TSX : $75.70)
Q4 preview
Credit Suisse maintains "neutral", 12-month target price is $83.00
Imperial Oil (IMO : TSX : $39.93)
Q4 preview
Credit Suisse maintains "underperform", 12-month target price is $44.00
Liquor Barn Income Fund (LBN.UN : TSX : $8.32)
Acquisitions to fuel growth
Raymond James initiates coverage with a "outperform", 6-12 month target price is $9.50
Loblaw Companies (L : TSX : $50.67)
Will labour cuts benefit EPS?
CIBC World Markets maintains a "sector underperform", target price is $42.00
Credit Suisse maintains a "outperform", target price is $53.00
Desjardins Securities maintains a "hold", target price is $50.00
RBC Capital Markets maintains a "underperform", target price is $46.00
TD Newcrest maintains a "reduce", 12-month target price is $48.00
MGM Energy (MGX : TSX : $5.75)
New Street coverage
BMO Capital Markets initiates coverage with a "outperform", 12-month target price is $7.50
Midnight Oil Exploration (MOX : TSX : $1.87)
To release 2007 capex guidance
GMP Securities maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $4.25
Methanex Corp. (MX : TSX : $33.68 | MEOH : NASDAQ : US$28.49)
To report Q4 today
Raymond James maintains "underperform", 6-12 month target price is US$17.00
Newmont Mining (NMC : TSX : $51.89 | NEM : NYSE : US$43.95)
Reduced grades at Yanacocha and higher labor costs in Australia
RBC Capital Markets maintains "sector perform", 12-month target price is US$52.00
Nexen (NXY : TSX : $71.86)
Q4 preview
Credit Suisse maintains "neutral", 12-month target price is $76.00
Ondine Biopharma (OBP : TSX : $1.48)
Analysts updated model
Canaccord Adams maintains "buy", 12-month target price is cut to $4.50
Petro-Canada (PCA : TSX : $44.64)
Q4 preview
Credit Suisse maintains "outperform", 12-month target price is $68.00
Richelieu Hardware (RCH : TSX : $25.00)
Q4 preview
Blackmont Capital maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $27.50
Shell Canada (SHC : TSX : $45.25)
Q4 preview
Credit Suisse maintains "underperform", 12-month target price is $40.00
Suncor Energy (SU : TSX : $88.92)
Q4 preview
Credit Suisse maintains "outperform", 12-month target price is $110.00
Savanna Energy Services (SVY : TSX : $18.49)
Sold the wireline operations to Halliburton
Canaccord Adams maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $26.00
RBC Capital Markets maintains "top pick", 12-month target price is $27.00
TD Newcrest maintains "hold", 12-month target price is $21.00
Trilogy Energy Trust (TET.UN : TSX : $10.99)
Cuts distribution by 38%
Blackmont Capital maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $12.50
Theratechnologies (TH : TSX : $9.83)
Detailed Phase III data shows strong competitiveness of Th9507
BMO Capital Markets maintains "outperform", 12-month target price is raised to $13.50
TerraVest Income Fund (TI.UN : TSX : $6.47)
Distribution cut by 28%
Raymond James maintains "market perform", 6-12 month target price is cut to $6.50
RBC Capital Markets maintains "underperform", 12-month target price is $6.00
TD Newcrest upgrades to "hold", 12-month target price is raised to $6.00
Talisman Energy (TLM : TSX : $19.20)
Q4 preview
Credit Suisse maintains "neutral", 12-month target price is $23.00
TransCanada Corp. (TRP : TSX : $39.78)
New Street coverage
Desjardins Securities initiates coverage with a "buy", 12-month target price is $43.00
WebTech Wireless Inc. (WEW : TSX-V : $5.60)
New Street coverage
Haywood Securities initiates coverage with a "sector outperform", 12-month target price is $10.50
Whiterock REIT (WRK.UN : TSX : $14.08)
Seeks acquisition or merger proposals
RBC Capital Markets maintains "sector perform", 12-month target price is $14.00
XS Cargo Income Fund (XSC.UN : TSX : $9.27)
Q4 profit warning
CIBC World Markets maintains "sector perform", 12-month target price is cut to $10.00
Yukon Zinc (YZC : TSX-V : $0.31)
Optimized feasibility study on the Wolverine project shows stronger returns
Blackmont Capital maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $0.74
Ear on the Street
Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX : TSX : $34.85 | NYSE : US$29.51)
Barrick Gold valuation multiples contracting
RBC Capital Markets maintains "sector perform", target price cut to US$36.00
Alberta Clipper Energy (ACN : TSX : $4.92)
Leduc play finally has first D&A
GMP Securities maintains "focus buy", target price is $9.00
BCE Inc. (BCE : TSX : $29.72)
Telecom upgrade
Desjardins upgrades to buy, maintains target price at $34.50
Black Diamond Income Fund (BDI.UN : TSX : $7.85)
Future looks bright
Raymond James initiates coverage with "outperform", 6-12 month target price is $9.50
Bradmer Pharmaceuticals (BMR : TSX : $3.30)
Low priced opportunity
Blackmont Capital initiates coverage with a "speculative buy", target price is $7.00
Canadian National Railway (CNR : TSX : $52.76 | CNI : NYSE : US$44.68)
Dividend increased 29%
Blackmont maintains "buy", target price is $59.00
BMO rates "sector outperform", target price is $60.00
RBC Capital Markets rates ""sector outperform", target price is $63.00
TD Newcrest maintains "hold", target price at $58.00
Duvernay Oil Corp (DDV : TSX : $32.63)
Production forecasts
BMO maintains "market perform", target price is $38.75
Raymond James maintains "outperform", target price is $ 47.00
Cossette Communication Group (KOS : TSX : $12.00)
New accounts
BMO upgrades to "outperform", target price is $15.00
MEGA Brands (MB : TSX : $25.20)
Regional variability in toy sales
CIBC maintains "sector outperformer", target price is $32.00
Metro Inc. (MRU.A : TSX : $38.37)
Strong first quarter results
CIBC maintains "sector perform", target price is $39.00
Desjardins maintains "hold", target price is $41.00
RBC ranks "sector perform", target price is $40.00
TD Newcrest maintains "buy", target price at $43.00
New Millennium Capital Corp. (NML : TSX-V : $0.53)
LabMag Project moving forward
Raymond James maintains "strong buy", target price is $1.50
Allon Therapeutics (NPC : TSX : $1.41)
Poised for next level
Blackmont Capital initiates coverage with a speculative buy, target price is $2.50
Neurochem (NRM : TSX : $21.05)
New Street coverage
Blackmont Capital initiates coverage with a "hold", 12-month target price is $22.00
Oilexco Inc. (OIL : TSX : $7.30)
Ptarmigan field discovery confirmed
Haywood ranks "sector outperform". Target price is raised $14.00
Paramount Energy Trust (PMT.UN : TSX : $12.72)
Distribution cut expected
TD Newcrest maintains "hold", 12-month target price is $12.00
QuStream (QVC : TSX-V : $1.60)
CFO resigned
Blackmont Maintains "hold", target price is $2.00
GMP Securities maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $2.40
Shell Canada (SHC : TSX : $45.35)
Royal Dutch raises bid for Shell Canada
RBC Capital Markets maintains "sector perform", 12-month target price is raised to $46.00
Silver Standard Resources (SSO : TSX : $38.46)
Drilling continues at San Luis
Blackmont Capital maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $45.00
sxr Uranium One (SXR : TSX : $15.56)
Higher uranium price forecast
BMO Capital Markets maintains "outperform", 12-month target price is raised to $20.00
Trilogy Energy Trust (TET.UN : TSX : $10.88)
Distribution cut by 38%
BMO Capital Markets maintains "market perform", 12-month target price is $11.00
RBC Capital Markets maintains "sector perform", 12-month target price is $11.75
Tundra Semiconductor (TUN : TSX : $9.51)
The development and availability of Interlaken Interconnect Protocol IP
Blackmont Capital maintains "hold", 12-month target price is $13.00
Zarlink Semiconductor (ZL : TSX : $2.47 | NYSE : US$2.10)
To report Q3 today
Raymond James maintains "outperform", 6-12 month target price is $3.00
Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Wednesday's session are Yahoo Inc., Advanced Micro Devices Inc. and Sun Microsystems Inc.
Abbott Laboratories (ABT : Abbott Laboratories
News , chart, profile, more
Last: 53.38+0.06+0.11%
8:04pm 01/23/2007
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ABT53.38, +0.06, +0.1%) is expected to report earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 74 cents, according to analysts polled by Thomson First Call.
ConocoPhillips (COP : conocophillips com
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Last: 64.97+1.59+2.51%
8:06pm 01/23/2007
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COP64.97, +1.59, +2.5%) is expected to post fourth-quarter per-share income of $1.95.
Corning Inc. (GLW : Corning Incorporated
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Last: 18.84-0.16-0.84%
8:09pm 01/23/2007
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GLW18.84, -0.16, -0.8%) is expected to report earnings per share of 28 cents for the fourth quarter.
EBay Inc. (EBAY : ebay inc com
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Last: 28.62-0.70-2.39%
8:10pm 01/23/2007
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EBAY28.62, -0.70, -2.4%) is expected to post fourth-quarter earnings of 28 cents per share.
First Data Corp. (FDC : First Data Corporation
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Last: 26.14+0.19+0.73%
8:08pm 01/23/2007
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FDC26.14, +0.19, +0.7%) is expected to post income per share of 34 cents for the fourth quarter.
General Dynamics Corp. (GD : General Dynamics Corporation
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Last: 80.89+2.13+2.70%
8:09pm 01/23/2007
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GD80.89, +2.13, +2.7%) is expected to report earnings per share for the fourth quarter of $1.14.
Hershey Co. (HSY : Hershey Foods Corporation
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Last: 52.37+0.07+0.13%
8:10pm 01/23/2007
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HSY52.37, +0.07, +0.1%) is expected to post income per share of 71 cents for the fourth quarter.
McDonald's Corp. (MCD : McDonald's Corporation
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Last: 44.85+0.50+1.13%
8:00pm 01/23/2007
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MCD44.85, +0.50, +1.1%) is expected to report fourth-quarter per-share income of 61 cents.
Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM : QUALCOMM Incorporated
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Last: 38.13-0.38-0.99%
8:00pm 01/23/2007
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QCOM38.13, -0.38, -1.0%) is expected to report earnings of 42 cents per share for the first quarter.
WellPoint Inc. (WLP : wellpoint inc com
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Last: 77.03+0.22+0.29%
8:18pm 01/23/2007
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WLP77.03, +0.22, +0.3%) is expected to post income per share of $1.27 for the fourth quarter.
After Tuesday's closing bell, Yahoo (YHOO : Yahoo! Inc
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Last: 26.96-0.46-1.68%
8:10pm 01/23/2007
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YHOO26.96, -0.46, -1.7%) reported fourth-quarter profit plunged 61% from a year ago, when it booked a large one-time investment gain. The Internet bellwether was also hurt by higher costs for employee stock options. See full story. See After Hours column
Ear on the Street
ATCO Ltd. (ACO.X : TSX : $46.51)
Annual dividend increased by 7.3%
RBC Capital Markets maintains "sector perform", 12-month target price is $48.00
Anatolia Minerals Dev Ltd (ANO : TSX : $4.93)
A significant increase in reserves and resources at Copler
Desjardins Securities maintains "buy", 12-month target price is raised to $7.60
Raymond James upgrades to "outperform", 6-12 month target price is raised to $5.25
RBC Capital Markets maintains "top pick", 12-month target price is raised to $7.25
Addax Petroleum (AXC : TSX : $31.85)
Continues to add to Nigerian reserves
RBC Capital Markets maintains "outperform", 12-month target price is $36.00
Scotia Capital Markets maintains "sector perform", 12-month target price is $35.50
Axmin Inc (AXM : TSX-V : $0.92)
Two new gold zones found at Kofi property
Canaccord Adams maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $1.60
RBC Capital Markets maintains "outperform", 12-month target price is cut to $1.85
CanWest Global Communications (CGS : TSX : $11.78 | CWG : NYSE : US$10.03)
A rare candidate for investors seeking exposure to Canadian media
BMO Capital Markets maintains "outperform", 12-month target price is raised to $13.00
CML Healthcare Income Fund (CLC.UN : TSX : $14.82)
Flight to quality
Blackmont Capital maintains "buy", 12-month target price is raised to $15.50
Cumberland Resources (CLG : TSX : $6.67 | AMEX : US$5.69)
Updated resource estimate expands the Cnnu deposit
Raymond James maintains "strong buy", 6-12 month target price is $7.75
Canadian National Railway (CNR : TSX : $52.80)
Reporting fourth quarter results tomorrow
Blackmont Capital maintains a "buy", 12-month target price is $59.00
Cardiome Pharma (COM : TSX : $12.78 | CRME : NASDAQ : US$10.91)
Financing to raise up to $90 million
RBC Capital Markets maintains "outperform", 12-month target price is cut to $15.00
Canadian Utilities (CU : TSX : $42.53)
5.2% dividend increase more than expected
BMO Capital Markets maintains "market perform", 12-month target price is raised to $42.50
RBC Capital Markets maintains "outperform", 12-month target price is $49.00
Canadian Royalties Inc (CZZ : TSX : $2.60)
No target or rating change as a result of revised metal prices
Blackmont Capital maintains a "buy", 12-month target price is $3.20
Energy Metals (EMC : TSX : $9.27)
A pump test is successful at La Palangana property
Raymond James maintains "strong buy", 6-12 month target price is $11.50
Finning International (FTT : TSX : $47.17)
Wins $230 million contract with Syncrude
TD Newcrest maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $52.00
Highpine Oil & Gas (HPX : TSX : $15.33)
Production increase
GMP Securities maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $26.00
Ivanhoe Mines (IVN : TSX : $10.83)
Positive exploration results from Cloncurry
Raymond James maintains "underperform", 6-12 month target price is $6.50
JDS Uniphase (JDU : TSX : $20.36 | JDSU : NASDAQ : US$17.37)
Pre-announced Q2 show higher than expected sales
GMP Securities maintains "buy", 12-month target price is $22.00
Kimber Resources (KBR : TSX : $2.48)
Analysts change valuation metrics
Blackmont Capital maintains "buy", 12-month target price is cut to $4.25
Continental Minerals (KMK : TSX-V : $1.67)
Analysts revise up metal price forecast
Blackmont Capital maintains "buy", 12-month target price is raised to $8.65
Northern Orion Resources (NNO : TSX : $4.40 | NTO : AMEX : US$3.75)
New Street coverage
BMO Capital Markets initiates coverage with a "market perform", 12-month target price is US$4.25
Nexen (NXY : TSX : $65.79 | NYSE : US$56.20)
A producer for all seasons
Scotia Capital Markets maintains "sector outperform", 12-month target price is $83.50
Progress Energy Trust (PGX.UN : TSX : $11.28)
Prudent distribution cut
Blackmont Capital maintains a "hold", 12-month target price is $11.00
BMO Nesbitt Burns maintains a "market perform", target price is $12.00
Canaccord Adams maintains a "hold", target price raised to $11.50
National Bank Financial maintains "outperform", 12-month target price is cut to $13.75
RBC Capital Markets maintains a "sector perform", 12-month target price is $10.50
Scotia Capital Markets maintains a "sector perform", 1-year target price is $12.50
TD Newcrest maintains a "buy", 12-month target price is $12.00
Jean Coutu Group (PJC) (PJC.A : TSX : $15.28)
Rite Aid shareholders approve transaction
Credit Suisse maintains a "outperform", target price raised to $18.00
RBC Capital Markets downgrades to "sector perform", target price is $16.00
Pacific & Western Credit (PWC : TSX : $11.00)
Creates new software subsidiary
Blackmont Capital maintains a "hold", 12-month target price is $13.00
GMP Securities continues to rate "hold", 12-month target price is $12.00
QLT Inc. (QLT : TSX : $10.07 | QLTI : NASDAQ : US$8.60)
Fourth quarter Visudyne Sales released by Novartis
RBC Capital Markets maintains a "sector perform", target price is US$8.00
Real Resources (RER : TSX : $15.36)
2006 exit volumes below expectations
Scotia Capital Markets maintains a "sector perform", 1-year target price cut to $19.25
Rogers Sugar Income Fund (RSI.UN : TSX : $3.83)
Looking for 2007 margins to exceed estimates
TD Newcrest maintains a "hold", 12-month target price is raised to $4.00
Shoppers Drug Mart (SC : TSX : $51.02)
New occupant in the corner office
RBC Capital Markets maintains a "outperform", target price is $60.00
Second Cup Royalty (SCU.UN : TSX : $9.74)
SSSG in fourth quarter exceeds projections
Scotia Capital Markets maintains a "sector underperform", 1-year target price is $8.75
Shiningbank Energy Income Fund (SHN.UN : TSX : $13.01)
Makes needed distribution cut and provides 2007 guidance
BMO Nesbitt Burns maintains a "market perform", target price is $13.00
CIBC World Markets maintains a "sector perform", target price is $13.50
RBC Capital Markets upgrades to "outperform", 12-month target price is raised to $14.75
Scotia Capital Markets maintains a "sector perform", 1-year target price raised to $14.00
TD Newcrest maintains a "buy", 12-month target price is $14.50
Softchoice Corp. (SO : TSX : $11.00)
Preliminary Q4 shows strong EA sales
Raymond James maintains "outperform", 6-12 month target price is $12.00
Sandvine Corp. (SVC : TSX : $2.70)
Reports fourth quarter results on January 24
Canaccord Adams maintains a "buy", target price is $2.85
Sherwood Copper (SWC : TSX-V : $4.38)
Lowered metal price forecasts
Blackmont Capital Maintains a "buy", 12-month target price is cut to $5.50
Stornoway Diamond (SWY : TSX : $1.13)
Unhappy shareholder makes voice heard through legal action
Raymond James maintains a "strong buy", 6-12 month target price is $1.70
Warnex Inc (WNX : TSX : $0.36)
Pharmacogenetics to be stage for new growth initiative
GMP Securities maintains a "buy", target price is $0.75
Whiterock REIT (WRK.UN : TSX : $13.83)
Potential deal risk
National Bank Financial maintains "sector perform", 12-month target price is cut to $14.00
Xceed Mortgage Corp. (XMC : TSX : $5.85)
Turnaround story exceeding expectations
Blackmont Capital maintains a "speculative buy", 12-month target price is $8.00
Yukon Zinc (YZC : TSX-V : $0.26)
Silver price forecast increase drives target price higher
Blackmont Capital maintains a "buy", 12-month target price is raised to $0.74
Zarlink Semiconductor (ZL : TSX : $2.65 | NYSE : US$2.27)
Market valuation continues to look attractive
Scotia Capital Markets maintains a "sector outperform", 1-year target price is $3.30