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Market Update 110217

4:30 pm : After digesting the latest dose of data the major equity averages brushed aside some fainthearted selling to extend their climb to new two-year highs. Natural resource plays led the move for the second straight session.

There was little surprise to the initial jobless claims tally for the week ended February 12. Initial claims increased from 385,000 in the prior week to 410,000, which is in stride with the 408,000 initial claims that had been expected, on average, among economists polled by Briefing.com. Continuing claims were essentially unchanged at 3.91 million.

Consumer prices for January featured a 0.4% increase in the headline number and a 0.2% increase in the core number. The consensus among economists polled by Briefing.com had called for a 0.3% increase in total CPI and a 0.1% increase in core CPI. Prior month increases were 0.4% and 0.1%, respectively, for total and core consumer prices.

The Philadelphia Fed Survey for February surged to a seven-year high of 35.9. Economists had generally expected a reading of only 21.0 after it came in at 19.3 in the prior month.

Leading Indicators for January increased by just 0.1%, which is shy of the 0.3% increase that had been widely anticipated. Indicators for December were downwardly revised to reflect a 0.8% increase.

Data did little to provide direction to morning participants, who were initially inclined to sell. It became clear, though, that there was little conviction behind the selling as stocks gradually turned modest losses into modest gains. The move reflected the broad market's bullish bias, which has helped stocks gain 10 times in the 13 sessions traded so far this month.

Materials stocks (+0.9%) and energy stocks (+0.8%) were leaders in the latest move. The two sectors also outperformed in the prior session and are now up 2.0% and 3.1% week to date, respectively.

There wasn't much news out of the materials sector, but energy plays Apache (APA 120.62, +0.11) and Pride International (PDE 40.55, +0.02) settled near the neutral line after the pair had posted quarterly results this morning. Williams Companies (WMB 30.08, +2.32) was a standout in the space after it announced better-than-expected earnings, an increased dividend, and plans to separate into two stand-alone publicly traded companies.

Semiconductors also made strong gains. NVIDIA (NVDA 25.68, +2.30) led the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index to a 1.4% gain following its latest quarterly report and forecast.

Financials failed to follow the broader market's lead this session. Instead, the sector fell to a 0.1% loss after it failed to push into positive territory on only on a few occasions. Regional banks (-1.3%) and diversified banks (-1.1%) weighed on the sector.

Advancing Sectors: Materials (+0.9%), Energy (+0.8%), Consumer Staples (+0.7%), Telecom (+0.3%), Utilities (+0.3%), Health Care (+0.3%), Tech (+0.2%), Industrials (+0.2%), Consumer Discretionary (+0.1%)
Declining Sectors: Financial (-0.1%)DJ30 +29.97 NASDAQ +6.02 SP500 +4.11 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 1575/1.94 bln/1053 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 1868/881 mln/1126

3:30 pm : Commodities staged broad gains today, but natural gas was an exception following the latest weekly inventory figures.

Gold prices gained 0.6% to close pit trade at $1385.10 per ounce. Silver staged an even stronger gain of 2.8%, which put the precious metal at $31.57 per ounce at the close of pit trade. Along the way silver prices set a 30-year high of $31.58 per ounce. Both metals began their ascent following the release of the latest CPI data, which featured a slightly greater-than-expected increse in the headline number.

Oil prices extended modest gains in the early going to finish pit trade with a 1.6% gain at $86.36 per barrel. At its session high, oil traded at $86.50 per barrel.

Natural gas prices fell 1.3% to close at $3.88 per MMBtu following a slightly smaller-than-expected draw. Prices had been as low as $3.83 per MMBtu.

Among industrial commodities, cotton continued its climb. It eclipsed $2 per pound for the first time ever. DJ30 +33.27 NASDAQ +7.02 SP500 +4.31 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 1529/1.55 bln/1069 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 1937/610 mln/1038

3:00 pm : Stocks remain confined to a narrow trading range. That has kept a cap on gains this session.

Tonight brings the latest quarterly reports from Career Education (CECO 23.12, -0.03) and Nordstrom (JWN 46.20, -0.50). Tomorrow morning brings quarterly results from Campbell Soup (CPB 34.88, +0.36).

The economic calendar is empty for tomorrow.DJ30 +30.20 NASDAQ +6.43 SP500 +3.99 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 1397/1.44 bln/1200 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 1834/558 mln/1108

2:30 pm : Financials recently attempted to put together a gain, but participants refused to allow it. In turn, the sector remains stuck in the red with a fractional loss.

Among the major segments in the financial sector, bank stocks have been weak all session. They are collectively down 0.7%, according to the KBW Bank Index. Consumer finance plays have also succumbed to selling following a House hearing about the Durbin Agreement. They are down 1.1% as a group.

However, insurers have shown strength this session. Specifically, multi-line insurers are up 1.1% and life and health insurers are up 1.0%.DJ30 +24.30 NASDAQ +5.78 SP500 +3.13 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 1487/1.33 bln/1103 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 1913/516 mln/1018

2:00 pm : Stocks have spent the past 30 minutes drifting sideways along session highs. Treasuries are also still up comfortably, such that the yield on the benchmark 10-year Note is a couple of basis points below 3.60% and the yield on the 30-year Bond is only little more than a single basis point above 4.65%.

Treasuries didn't show much reaction to results from a $9 billion auction of 30-year TIPS. The auction produced a yield of 2.19%, a bid-to-cover of 2.54, and an indirect bidder participation rate of 55.2%. DJ30 +29.82 NASDAQ +7.58 SP500 +3.77 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 1428/1.22 bln/1140 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 1885/472 mln/1044

1:30 pm : Stocks have stretched to fresh session highs. Overall gains remain modest, however.

Financials continue their struggle to follow the broader market. In turn, the sector remains mired in the red with a fractional loss. Regional banks remain the primary culprits of the sector's relative weakness.

In contrast, energy stocks have sprinted ahead to a 0.8% gain. The move has been helped by a spike in oil prices, which now sport a 1.5% gain at $86.25 per barrel after they were up only modestly this morning. DJ30 +31.34 NASDAQ +8.62 SP500 +3.99 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 1401/1.12 bln/1128 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 1859/430 mln/1059

1:00 pm : Stocks started the session in the red, but a lack of follow through selling brought buyers back into the fold as participants continue to follow a buy-the-dip philosophy.

Early participants lacked buying interest amid mixed action overseas. Data also proved uninspiring.

The latest initial jobless claims tally increased to 410,000, which is on par with what had been widely expected. Barely budged, continuing claims came in at 3.91 million.

Consumer prices for January increased at a slightly sharper-than-expected clip of 0.4%. Core consumer prices increased at a slightly sharper-than-expected rate of 0.2%.

Shortly after the open the strongest Philadelphia Fed Survey in seven years was released. At 35.9, the Survey's February exceeded expectations, but it failed to take stocks into higher ground.

Leading Indicators for January increased by just 0.1%, which is less than what was widely expected.

After chopping along with modest losses for the first couple of hours stocks were able to make a relatively broad push into positive territory. Gains have been narrow, but enough to set new intraday two-year highs.

Semiconductors have made some of the strongest gains. As a group they are up 1.3%. NVIDIA (NVDA 24.50, +1.12) is a leader in following its latest quarterly report and forecast.

Pride International (PDE 40.50, -0.03) and Apache (APA 121.35, +0.27) posted their latest quarterly results this morning. Shares of APA made a nice move in recent action, but PDE has seen limited movement in the face of a 0.4% gain by the rest of the energy sector.

Barrick Gold (ABX 50.45, +0.73) has bounced to a nice gain on the back of better-than-expected earnings. The stock has also been helped by higher gold prices.

Gold prices are currently up 0.6% to $1383 per ounce. More impressive is that silver prices are up 2.5% to $31.38 per ounce; prices in the continuous contract set a new 30-year high of $31.42 per ounce earlier. Keeping with the commodities theme, cotton futures prices surged more than 3% to eclipse $2 per pound for the first time ever today. DJ30 +6.25 NASDAQ +4.83 SP500 +1.68 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 1334/1.02 bln/1201 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 1814/395 mln/1090

12:30 pm : Energy stocks have collectively worked their way to a 0.4% gain. Although that makes for the strongest gain of any major sector, some of its more notable names haven't made much movement. Specifically, Pride International (PDE 40.50, -0.03) is down fractionally and Apache (APA 120.78, +0.27) is up narrowly after the pair posted their latest quartely reports this morning.

In contrast, financials continue to trade with a fractional loss of 0.1%. Huntington Bancshares (HBAN 7.31, -0.23) and FifthThird Bank (FITB 15.09, -0.30) have been the worst performers in the sector, as measured by percent lost. DJ30 +9.58 NASDAQ +4.13 SP500 +1.43 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 1255/920 mln/1238 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 1707/360 mln/1160

12:00 pm : With a 0.1% loss financials continue to trail the broader market. The sector's loss, though slight, stems from weakness in regional banks (-1.2%) and diversified banks (-0.6%). Their losses today have taken the KBW Bank Index down to a 0.7% loss after it had been at a nine-month high only two days ago.

Outside of stocks, silver prices have been spurred sharply higher. The precious metal recently probed 30-year highs, but has since eased back so that it trades with a 1.8% gain at $31.19 per ounce. Gold is up a strong, but less impressive, 0.7% to $1184 per ounce. DJ30 +6.59 NASDAQ +4.79 SP500 +1.61 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 1242/830 mln/1229 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 1762/320 mln/1078

11:30 am : A recent flurry of buying has taken the broad market into positive territory, but gains are only minimal at this point. Financial issues and telecom stocks have been slow to follow; both sectors are down about 0.1%.

Semiconductors are seeing some of the strongest interest in recent trade. That has the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index up 1.0%. NVIDIA (NVDA 24.50, +1.12) is a leader in the group after it actually started the session in the red. The company's latest quarterly report featured a strong revenue forecast. DJ30 +9.80 NASDAQ +3.93 SP500 +1.57 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 1113/694 mln/1316 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 1605/269 mln/1223

11:00 am : Utilities stocks were out to a strong lead in the early going, but the sector has since pulled back to trade with a narrow gain of just 0.1%. Consumer staples stocks have also poked into positive territory so that they trade with a 0.1% gain, too. Every other sector remains in the red with a modest loss.

While the stock market has stagnated narrowly below the neutral line, Treasuries have benefited from a strong bid. In turn, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Note has dropped to a two-week low.

Recent selling against the greenback has taken the Dollar Index down to a 0.3% loss, which puts it at a session low. That puts the dollar on pace for its third straight decline after setting a three-week high on Monday. DJ30 +6.92 NASDAQ -3.50 SP500 -1.71 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 1069/557 mln/1325 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 1482/218 mln/1311

10:35 am : Commodities are mostly trading higher this morning on weakness in the dollar index. The strength is being led by cotton +3.6% and the grains (corn +1.6%, wheat +1.2% and soybeans +1.2%)

March natural gas pulled back from morning highs of $3.95 per MMBtu in recent trade and was sitting in negative territory ahead of inventory data. Following the data, which showed a draw of 233 bcf versus consensus of a draw of 235 bcf, natural gas fell sharply to new session lows of $3.83 per MMBtu. Currently, it's 1.6% lower at $3.86 per MMBtu.

March crude oil lost steam overnight and fell into negative territory. It touched session lows of $84.38 per barrel, but has since recovered its gains and is now just above the unchanged line at $85.11 per barrel.

Overnight, cotton hit another new all-time high, breaking the $2 level for the first time ever. Strong China imports has been a notable catalyst, but now Australia cut production expectations, which is adding additional price support.

Precious metals have been in positive territory all morning. April gold is 0.4% higher at $1381.60 per ounce currently, while March silver is up 0.9% at $30.89 per ounce.DJ30 -12.45 NASDAQ -2.28 SP500 -1.63 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 974/388.3 mln/1343 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 1310/156.4 mln/1431

10:05 am : Stocks have extended their upward push with the release of some more data.

The Philadelphia Fed Survey for February came in at 35.9, which is far better than the 21.0 that had been expected, on average, among economists surveyed by Briefing.com. The February reading marks a the best score in several years.

Leading Indicators for January increased by 0.1%. They had been broadly expected to increase by 0.3%. Indicators for December were downwardly revised to reflect a 0.8% increase.

Mortgage delinquencies for the fourth quarter came in a 8.2%, down from 9.1% in the prior quarter.

Fed Chairman Bernanke is scheduled to start his testimony before the Senate Banking Committee at any moment.

Advancing Sectors: Utilities (+0.3%)
Declining Sectors: Energy (-0.1%), Materials (-0.1%), Consumer Staples (-0.1%), Health Care (-0.2%), Tech (-0.2%), Telecom (-0.2%), Industrials (-0.2%), Consumer Discretionary (-0.2%), Financials (-0.4%)DJ30 -28.45 NASDAQ -2.97 SP500 -2.99 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 919/202 mln/1270 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 1110/93 mln/1531

09:45 am : Stocks are attempting to pare their opening losses, but the major equity averages remain in the red. Of the major sectors that make up the S&P 500, only utilities are in higher ground.

Utilities currently sport a 0.5% gain. Duke Energy (DUK 18.19, +0.49) has benefited from a strong bid following news that the outfit issued upside guidance, which has overshadowed an earnings miss for the latest quarter.

Meanwhile, energy play Williams Companies (WMB 30.76, +3.00) is up almost 11% after it announced better-than-expected earnings, an increased dividend, and plans to separate into two stand-alone publicly traded companies. DJ30 -23.95 NASDAQ -4.67 SP500 -3.91 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 826/55 mln/1210 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 858/40 mln/1471

09:15 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -3.90. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -9.70. Stock futures suggest that a weak follow-up to a two-year closing high is in order. The question, though, is whether or not the suspected slide will intensify into something more, or if a buy-the-dip mentality will prevail. At this point, trading cues have been somewhat mixed. Although earnings remain generally upbeat, action abroad has seen modest losses in Europe in the wake of modest gains in Asia. As for data, CPI for January picked up a bit more than what had been expected. Initial weekly jobless claims increased in line with expectations. Participants have yet to get their hands on the Philadelphia Fed Survey for February and Leading Indicators for January (10:00 AM ET). Fed Chairman Bernanke is also scheduled for a testimony to the Senate Banking Committee (10:00 AM ET).

09:05 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -4.90. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -9.90. Futures for the S&P 500 are only up slightly from morning lows. Action in Europe has also weakened in the past 30 minutes. Germany's DAX is now down 0.4% at the moment. Automakers Volkswagen, BMW, and Daimler (DAI) have been primary sources of weakness. Commerzbank has provided some support for the second straight session, though. France's CAC has fallen to a 0.3% loss after opening in positive territory. Financial outfits Axa (AXA) and BNP Paribas have been primary sources of weakness. However, Societe Generale has added to its gain in the prior session so that its trades at a new 52-week high. Britain's FTSE is presently off by 0.2% as natural resource plays Rio Tinto (RIO), Xstrata (XTA), Anglo American, and BHP Billiton (BHP) more than offset strength in banking plays HSBC (HBC), Lloyds Group (LYG), and Barclays (BCS).

Japan's Nikkei gained 0.3%. Energy (+1.5%), utilities (+1.2%), and financials (+0.9%) were the strongest sectors, but Canon (CAJ) and Honda Motor (HMC) were individual leaders. Honda was actually a laggard in the prior session. Hong Kong's Hang Seng advanced 0.6% as financial plays HSBC, China Life Insurance, and Industrial & Commercial Bank helped the financial sector advance 0.8%. China Mobile was a laggard and dragged down the telecom sector to a 0.6% loss. Mainland China's Shanghai Composite finished with a gain of merely 0.1%, but rare earth miner Inner Mongolian Baotou Steel surged the daily limit of 10%. Declining issues and advancing issues were almost in perfect balance. China Hainan and China Shipbuilding were atop the list of leading issues while China Life Insurance and Industrial & Commercial Bank were atop the list of laggards. Taiwan's TWSE fell to a 0.3% loss as financials (-1.4%) led a broader decline. The country revised upward its fourth GDP to 6.9% from about 6.5%. Its full year 2010 GDP came in at 10.8% clip. However, the country revised its 2011 GDP forecast downward to 4.9% from 5.0%. In a similar vein, Singapore revised its fourth quarter GDP down to a seasonally adjusted 3.9% from 6.9%. Its full year 2010 GDP was marked down to 14.5% from 14.7%.

08:35 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -2.50. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -6.90. Stock futures are attempting to recover from a brief slip that came in response to the latest dose of data. Initial jobless claims for the week ended February 12 totaled 410,000, which is up from the prior week's tally of 385,000 and slightly greater than the 408,000 initial claims that had been expected, on average, among economists polled by Briefing.com. Continuing claims barely budged at 3.91 million. Consumer prices for January increased 0.4%, which is a bit sharper than the Briefing.com consensus call for a 0.3% increase. Core CPI increased by 0.2%, which is also slightly greater than the 0.1% increase that had been widely anticipated. For the prior month, overall CPI had increased 0.4% and core CPI had increased 0.1%. Still to come are fourth quarter mortgage delinquencies, January leading indicators, and the February Philadelphia Fed Survey at 10:00 AM ET.

08:05 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -1.70. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -5.90. Stock futures drifted into the red from positive territory overnight, but they have since recovered to the neutral line. The tepid tone currently seen comes amid mixed action overseas and another considerable dose of data. The bottom of the hour brings the latest CPI figure and most recent weekly initial jobless claims count. Mortgage delinquency data, leading indicators, and the latest Philadelphia Fed Survey follow at 10:00 AM ET. Fed Chairman Bernanke is also scheduled for a testimony to the Senate Banking Committee at 10:00 AM ET. Corporate news has included better-than-expected earnings from CBS Corp (CBS), Liz Claiborne (LIZ), Strayer Education (STRA), and Barrick Gold (ABX). Waste Management (WM) also beat the consensus earnings estimate, but its top line was a bit light. The company's outlook is in line with that of Wall Street. NetApp (NTAP) posted its own upside surprise, but issued downside guidance. The latest report from NVIDIA (NVDA) featured a strong forecast. Duke Energy (DUK) also issued a strong outlook, despite coming short of the consensus earnings estimate for its latest quarter. Apache (APA) just posted an earnings miss only moments ago.

07:28 am : [BRIEFING.COM] S&P futures vs fair value: -2.30. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -7.10.

07:28 am : Nikkei...10836.64...+28.40...+0.30%. Hang Seng...23301.84...+144.90...+0.60%.

07:28 am : FTSE...6083.29...-2.00...0.00. DAX...7410.00...-4.30...-0.10%.

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InPlay

6:50PM Sims Metal Management reports 1H11 EPS of $0.24 vs 1H10 EPS of $0.21; revs grew 16.6% to $3.95 bln (SMS) 19.18 +0.50 :

6:45PM Builders Firstsource beats by $0.04, misses on revs (BLDR) 2.79 +0.33 : Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.15 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.04 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.19); revenues fell 4.5% year/year to $147.1 mln vs the $154.3 mln consensus. "we are seeing some signs that point to improvements in our business. Recently, we have seen a return of certain customers that we had previously lost due to pricing. The return of these customers is due, in part, to our ability to offer a service-level that we believe is unsurpassed in the industry and which aids the customer in job-site control. Competitive pricing pressure continues, but in certain markets we saw some signs of slight easing towards the end of the year. We were able to increase our liquidity through the recent amendment to our credit facility, and previous efforts to lower our operating expense structure should make us a more efficient company going forward. Even though industry forecasters are predicting that housing conditions are expected to show improvements during 2011, the first six months of 2011 may be difficult, especially on a year-over-year comparative basis, due to the momentum created by the expiration of the federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers during the first half of 2010. We are, however, optimistic about the long-term outlook for our industry."

6:27PM EOG Resources beats by $0.10, beats on revs; raises annual quarterly dividend 3% to $0.16 (EOG) 104.22 +1.23 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.36 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.10 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.26; revenues rose 1.6% year/year to $1.79 bln vs the $1.51 bln consensus. EOG is targeting total co production growth of 9.5% in 2011. Total liquids production is forecast to increase 49%, comprised of 55 percent crude oil growth and 34 percent natural gas liquids growth. In North America, natural gas production is expected to decrease 5% from 2010, reflecting the impact of producing property sales and a weak natural gas pricing environment. Estimated exploration and production expenditures for 2011 will range from $6.4-6.6 billion, including exploration, development and production facilities and midstream expenditures. To offset any funding gap between estimated cash flows and capital expenditures, EOG expects to sell ~$1 billion of natural gas and midstream assets during 2011. With a continued focus on the balance sheet, EOG plans to maintain a net debt-to-total capitalization ratio below 35 percent at both year-end 2011 and 2012.

6:16PM Washington REIT misses by $0.01, misses on revs; guides FY11 FFO in-line (WRE) 30.91 -0.03 : Reports Q4 (Dec) funds from operations of $0.48 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.49; revenues fell 0.9% year/year to $75.1 mln vs the $76.9 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees FFO of $1.96-2.08 vs. $2.01 Thomson Reuters consensus.

5:57PM Lawson Products reports Q4 EPS of $0.01 vs. ($0.01) in last year's quarter; revs grew 13.1% to $80.0 mln (LAWS) 26.60 +0.11 :

5:54PM eLong reports Q4 net income per ADS of ($0.02) vs. ($0.01) in last year's quarter; revs rose 23% to RMB124.1 mln (LONG) 13.30 +0.05 : Co currently expects net revenues for Q1 of 2011 to be within the range of RMB111-RMB121 million, equal to an increase of 10-20% compared to Q1 of 2010.

5:45PM Oil States beats by $0.05, beats on revs (OIS) 75.41 +0.82 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.94 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.05 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.89; revenues rose 31.8% year/year to $696.8 mln vs the $610.5 mln consensus.

5:39PM Zimmer Hldgs reported that clinical advantages of Trabecular Metal Technology demonstrated in new studies (ZMH) 62.25 +0.94 : ZMH announced that results from two clinical studies reinforce the clinical advantages of the Co's proprietary Trabecular Metal Technology. The studies, conducted by researchers at Osaka City University in Osaka, Japan, continued investigations into the osteoconductive properties of Trabecular Metal Material in total knee arthroplasty.

5:38PM Valmont beats by $0.20; sees FY11 EPS Growth of 35-45% (VMI) 97.56 +1.27 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.32 per share, $0.20 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $1.12; revenues rose 50% year/year to $598.7 mln vs the $322.7 mln consensus. Co expects 2011 earnings per share to increase between 35-45%.

5:33PM Borders to close 200 stores, hires DJM Realty to dispose of real estate (BGP) 0.23 : Borders Group, a specialty retailer of books as well as other educational and entertainment items has retained DJM Realty, a Gordon Brothers Group Co, to manage the disposition project of ~200 underperforming stores. Borders which recently filed for Chapter 11 to restructure its operations and debt will continue to remain fully operational and open for business as usual during this process. The engagement of DJM Realty is subject to bankruptcy court approval.

5:29PM Magellan Petroleum enters into an investment agreement with YEP in relation to evans shoal (MPET) 2.47 +0.06 : MPET reports that the co and its strategic investor, Young Energy Prize, S.A. ("YEP"), executed an Investment Agreement on Feb 11, 2011. The Investment Agreement sets forth the material terms of YEP's commitment to fund ~A$85.45 million to complete Magellan Petroleum Australia Limited's ("MPAL"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, acquisition of Santos Offshore Pty Ltd.'s ("Santos") 40% interest in the Evans Shoal field. YEP is expected to use part of the funds to reimburse MPAL for its A$10 mln additional deposit made towards the purchase price of the Evans Shoal interest on Feb 14, 2011 pursuant to the Assets Sale Deed, as amended by the Deed of Variation. The Investment Agreement also addresses some of the main terms of the potential future development of the Evans Shoal field between the Company and YEP. The second PIPE agreement between YEP and the co announced on Aug 9, 2010 has been amended so that the PIPE transaction will close and the co will receive $15.6 mln of proceeds, in the event that MPAL does not complete the acquisition of the Evans Shoal field and as a result forfeits the additional A$10 mln deposit made towards the purchase price of the Evans Shoal interest under the terms of the Assets Sale Deed, as amended by the Deed of Variation.

5:19PM Healthcare Realty Trust announces redemption of senior notes due May 1, 2011 (HR) 21.92 -0.07 : Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated (HR) announced that it intends to redeem all of its outstanding 8.125% Senior Notes due May 1, 2011 in accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the Notes. The Co will use cash on hand and its unsecured credit facility to fund the redemption and expects to record a one-time charge in the Q1 of 2011 of ~$1.9 mln for early extinguishment of debt. This charge is approximately equal to the interest that would otherwise have been paid for April. As a result of the redemption, all interest expense for 2011 related to the Notes will be recognized in Q1 of 2011.

5:11PM Terra Nitrogen reports Q4 EPS of $2.61 vs. $1.22 in last year's quarter; revs rose 45.7% to $142.9 mln (TNH) 122.51 +3.87 :

5:10PM DPL Inc. beats by $0.08; reaffirms 2011 EPS in-line (DPL) 26.61 +0.20 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.62 per share, $0.08 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.54; revenues rose 15.8% year/year to $469.5 mln vs the $247.0 mln consensus. Co reaffirms 2011 EPS of $2.30-2.55 vs. $2.44 consensus.

5:02PM Crucell N.V.: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and CRXL announced that the minimum acceptance condition of JNJ's offer to acquire CRXL has been satisfied (CRXL) 33.40 -0.20 :

5:02PM CF Industries reports Q4 (Dec) results, revs in-line (CF) 147.81 +2.97 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $2.78 per share, may not be comparable to the Thomson Reuters consensus of $2.56; revenues rose 136.8% year/year to $1.2 bln vs the $1.2 bln consensus. "High crop prices, higher projected crop plantings and application rates, and tight inventories of most fertilizers expected to support strong fertilizer prices and volumes for spring, weather permitting."

5:01PM Wausau Paper announces the appointment of Henry Newell to the position of Exec VP and COO effective March 1, 2011 (WPP) 8.20 +0.06 :

4:51PM Exelixis reports Cabozantinib Phase 2 data support the findings that cabozantinib reduces or stabilizes metastatic bone lesions in nearly all patients evaluable by bone scan (EXEL) 9.89 +0.20 : Co reported updated interim data from the cohort of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) treated with cabozantinib (XL184) in an ongoing phase 2 adaptive randomized discontinuation trial. The data support the findings that cabozantinib reduces or stabilizes metastatic bone lesions in nearly all patients evaluable by bone scan, reduces bone pain and narcotic analgesic medication and results in an increase in hemoglobin in patients with anemia. The data also suggest that cabozantinib shows an encouraging early signal of durable clinical benefit in both docetaxel-naive and pretreated patients. Safety data are available for the lead in phase of the study for 100 patients with at least 12 weeks of follow-up. The most common >= grade 3 adverse events (AEs), regardless of causality were fatigue (15%), hypertension (8%), PPE syndrome (5%), back pain (3%), decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, rash, hemorrhage, abdominal pain (each 2%), diarrhea, dyspnea, and cough (each 1%). No cabozantinib-related grade 5 AEs were reported. At least one dose reduction was reported in 51% of patients.

4:51PM Dendreon announces presentation of PROVENGE data at the Genitourinary Cancers Symposium; exploratory analysis suggest post-progression treatment with investigational apc8015f immunotherapy may have extended survival in control arm (DNDN) 33.88 -0.14 : Co announces following data presentations taking place at the 2011 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium: 1) "Subsequent Treatment with APC8015F May Have Prolonged Survival of the Control Arm in Phase 3 Sipuleucel-T Studies," abstract #139. R; 2) "Characterization of Antigen-Specific T cell Activation and Cytokine Expression Induced by Sipuleucel-T." Results from the exploratory analysis show patients treated with APC8015F after their disease progressed had improved survival relative to the patients not treated in the control arm. Following disease progression, the median survival of patients treated with APC8015F was 20.0 months compared to 9.8 months for control patients who did not receive APC8015F. While baseline prognostic factors tended to be more favorable in patients who received APC8015F, treatment with APC8015F remained associated with improved survival after adjusting for these factors. The safety profile of APC8015F was consistent with that observed in the PROVENGE Phase 3 clinical trials.

4:50PM MeadWestvaco sells a 1.1 mln-square-foot, Class A bulk distribution facility located in Charleston, South Carolina that it co-owned with The Rockefeller Group, terms not disclosed (MWV) 30.76 +0.35 :

4:46PM Zimmer's longevity highly crosslinked polyethylene demonstrates long-term clinical success in study presented at AAOS annual meeting (ZMH) 62.25 +0.94 : ZMH announced that results of an independent study presented at the 2011 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting demonstrated long-term clinical success for Longevity Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene.

4:39PM Brown Shoe Acquires American Sporting Goods Corp; BWS expects accretion of $0.10-0.12 (BWS) 14.58 +0.31 : Brown Shoe Co and American Sporting Goods announced that Brown Shoe has acquired ASG, a designer, manufacturer and marketer of athletic footwear, for $145 mln in cash plus assumed net debt. This acquisition broadens Brown Shoe's reach with consumers seeking healthier lifestyles by complementing its fitness and comfort offerings with global performance athletic brands recognized for delivering a strong value proposition through innovative footwear, including Avia, ryka and AND1. For its most recently completed fiscal year, ASG achieved net sales of $232 mln, the majority of which was attributed to its Avia, ryka and AND1 brands, with estimated EBITDA of $29.6 mln BWS expects accretion of $0.10-0.12 per diluted share in 2011, excluding the impact of certain purchase accounting adjustments as well as transaction and integration costs. The transaction will be funded at closing entirely through borrowings under Brown Shoe's revolving credit agreement, which has been upsized by $150 mln to $530 mln by exercising the designated event accordion, while still providing for access to an additional $150 mln accordion.

4:38PM Borders Receives Court Approval for Store Reduction Program (BGP) 0.17 : Co announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has approved its previously-disclosed strategic Store Reduction Program to facilitate its reorganization and repositioning. Borders said that it has entered into agreements with experienced liquidators to conduct an orderly wind down of the 200 underperforming stores that are part of the program. Borders expects these stores to be closed by the end of April. In addition, Borders announced that, as part of this Program, the affected stores could begin promotional sales as soon as this coming weekend. Borders filed to reorganize its U.S. businesses under Chapter 11 on February 16, 2011 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The case number is 11-10614. The company's international franchised operations were not part of the filing.

4:37PM Comstock Homebuilding has begun construction apartment community in the Potomac Falls (CHCI) 1.52 +0.08 : The project is being financed with a five-year, $11.0 million construction/mortgage loan provided by Cardinal Bank of Tysons Corner, Virginia (CFNL).

4:36PM Almaden Minerals report that Windstorm commenced a minimum 3,000 m core drilling program on Almaden's wholly owned Caldera gold project located in Puebla State, Mexico (AAU) 4.51 +0.18 :

4:35PM Pinnacle, Mesaba, Colgan pilots approve ALPA contract (PNCL) 6.76 -0.22 : Pinnacle Airlines (PNCL) has announced that its pilots have ratified a collective bargaining agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA). The single contract covers pilots at all three of Pinnacle's operating subsidiaries - Pinnacle Airlines, Inc.; Mesaba Aviation, Inc.; and Colgan Air. The single contract completes negotiations that were under way at Pinnacle and Colgan prior to Pinnacle's acquisition of Mesaba on July 1, and provides a new contract for pilots at Mesaba that would supersede their present contract. Pinnacle has 1,305 pilots, Mesaba has 1,080 and Colgan has 541.

4:35PM Healthsouth misses by $0.05, reports revs in-line; guides FY11 EPS below consensus (HLS) 24.29 -0.10 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.37 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.05 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.42; revenues rose 7.1% year/year to $520.7 mln vs the $517.4 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $1.75-1.84, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $1.89 Thomson Reuters consensus.

4:34PM Callon Petroleum announced it is redeeming $31.0 mln of its outstanding $138.0 mln 13% Senior Notes due 2016 (CPE) 8.05 +0.25 :

4:33PM Allied World Assurance beats by $0.24 (AWH) 62.31 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $2.24 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.24 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $2.00. The combined ratio was 82.8% in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to 76.2% in the fourth quarter of 2009. The loss and loss expense ratio was 46.7% in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to 42.8% in the fourth quarter of 2009. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the company recorded net favorable reserve development on prior loss years of $73.9 million, a benefit of 21.6 percentage points to the company's loss and loss expense ratio for the quarter. Gross premiums written were $381.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, an 18.6% increase compared to $322.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. As of December 31, 2010, diluted book value per share was $74.29, an increase of 2.6% and 24.7% compared to $72.40 and $59.56, respectively, as of Sept 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

4:32PM Home Properties beats by $0.06, beats on revs; guides FY11 FFO in-line (HME) 55.48 +0.22 : Reports Q4 (Dec) funds from operations of $0.85 per share, $0.06 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.79; revenues rose 10.0% year/year to $137.1 mln vs the $134.6 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees FFO of $3.30-3.46 vs. $3.35 Thomson Reuters consensus.

4:31PM ONEOK elects President and Chief Executive Officer John Gibson, 58, as vice chairman of the board of directors, effective immediately (OKE) 63.08 +1.08 : Co announced that co's board of directors unanimously elected co President and Chief Executive Officer John Gibson, 58, as vice chairman of the board of directors, effective immediately, and as chairman, effective with the retirement of David Kyle as chairman and director. Gibson was elected co's chief executive officer and ONEOK Partners president and chief executive officer in January 2007, becoming president of co in January 2010 and chairman of the partnership in October 2007. He was named president and chief operating officer of ONEOK Partners in April 2006.

4:30PM Bridge Capital increases an existing credit facility with Wi2Wi, Inc. from $1.375 mln to $3.125 mln (BBNK) 9.07 -0.02 :

4:25PM Penn Virginia Chief Executive Officer and President Jim Dearlove announces retirement; Board elects Baird Whitehead to be successor (PVA) 17.14 +0.26 : Dearlove resigns his position as President, but remains a Director and the Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors elected H. Baird Whitehead, who currently serves as Chief Operating Officer, as President and a Director, effective immediately. In May, it is anticipated the Board of Directors will elect Whitehead as Chief Executive Officer to succeed Mr. Dearlove.

4:24PM Lucas Energy reports that its jv partner indicated that the fracture stimulation on the Hagen EF No.2H Eagle Ford well will commence prior to Feb 21 (LEI) 1.98 +0.01 : In related news, Hilcorp Energy Corp, Lucas' joint venture partner, has indicated that the fracture stimulation on the Hagen EF No.2H Eagle Ford well will commence prior to Monday February 21, 2011. Production results from the fracture stimulation will be made available during March. Lucas' management expects to see a meaningful increase in the Company's net production as a result of the two Hagen wells.

4:23PM Kingold Jewelry selected by China Merchants Bank to manufacture investment oriented products, including 24-karat gold coins and bars (KGJI) 2.86 +0.01 : Co announces that it has entered into an agreement with China Merchants Bank Limited to manufacture 24-Karat gold investment related products, such as gold coins and bars, for resale by China Merchants Bank to its customers throughout its expansive retail banking network across China. Co expects gold investment oriented products, as a group, to begin contributing meaningfully to co's overall revenue in the second half of 2011. Co's contract with China Merchants Bank will automatically renew at end of the term in December 2011, absent specific objections by either party. While co will hire additional labor to produce these gold coins and bars, co does not require additional capital expenditures on manufacturing equipment or facilities.

4:20PM On Assignment beats by $0.01, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS, revs above consensus (ASGN) 8.89 +0.11 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.08 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.07; revenues rose 21.3% year/year to $121.2 mln vs the $116.7 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.05-0.07 vs. $0.04 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q1 revs of $120-123 mln vs. $113.88 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

4:20PM Cadence Financial announces retirement of L.F. Mallory, Jr. as Chairman and CEO (CADE) 2.48 -0.01 : Co announced that L.F. Mallory, Jr. plans to retire as Chairman and CEO effective immediately following the consummation of the sale of the co to Community Bancorp through a merger transaction. Following Mr. Mallory's retirement, Mark Abernathy, the co's President, is expected to be elected CEO and Paul B. Murphy, Jr., CBC's President, is expected to be elected Chairman of the Board of co. The merger transaction is expected to close the first week in March 2011.

4:20PM HanesBrands favorably amends credit facility reflecting improved debt rating (HBI) 24.41 -0.28 : Co announced that it has favorably amended its senior secured credit facility, which includes the co's revolving credit facility, to reflect improved debt ratings. The amendment reduces the credit facility's interest rate, extends the facility's maturity date, and increases the flexibility of debt covenants and the use of excess cash flow. Co said, "Due to the strength of our operating results, we have further enhanced our long-term capital structure." In Nov 2010, the co issued $1 bln of 10-year fixed-rate notes, bringing the co's portion of fixed-rate bond debt at favorable rates and long maturities to ~75%. Moody's Investor Services then increased the co's senior secured debt rating to investment-grade Baa3. Reflecting the co's significant reduction in risk, the amendment extends the credit facility's maturity two years until Dec 2015 and reduces the current interest rate on the co's revolver to LIBOR plus 3.25%, down from LIBOR plus 4.5%. The lower rate was already reflected in the co's 2011 guidance on interest expense.

4:20PM MFA Mortgage finances $488.4 million of its non-agency RMBS (MFA) 8.44 +0.12 : Co announces that as part of a re-securitization transaction led by Credit Suisse and completed on February 17, 2011 it sold an aggregate of $1.32 billion in principal value of Non-Agency residential mortgage-backed securities to Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp. In connection with this transaction, third-party investors purchased $488.4 million face amount of variable rate, super senior bonds. The Senior Bonds have a weighted average life of 2.0 years at a CPR of 10% and a pass-through rate of one-month LIBOR + 100 basis points.

4:17PM Rainmaker Sys reported Q4 EPS of ($0.10) vs. ($0.14) in last year's quarter; revs fell 2.2% to $9.2 mln (RMKR) 1.40 +0.04 :

4:12PM Newpark Res beats by $0.06, beats on revs (NR) 6.50 +0.28 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.15 per share, $0.06 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.09; revenues rose 43.5% year/year to $194.5 mln vs the $179.9 mln consensus.

4:12PM Sunstone Hotel beats by $0.02, beats on revs (SHO) 10.62 -0.07 : Reports Q4 (Dec) funds from operations of $0.20 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.02 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.18; revenues rose 8.4% year/year to $184.3 mln vs the $177.9 mln consensus. Comp RevPAR +5.7%.

4:12PM Harleysville Grp reports EPS in-line, beats on revs (HGIC) 36.51 +0.43 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.76 per share, in-line with the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.76; revenues rose 3.7% year/year to $254 mln vs the $244.3 mln consensus. Harleysville Group's overall statutory combined ratio was 101.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to 99.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009.

4:11PM Argonaut Group beats by $0.07, beats on revs (AGII) 36.84 +0.55 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.51 per share, $0.07 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.44; revenues fell 19.1% year/year to $316.5 mln vs the $289.4 mln consensus. For 1Q11 the co says "Catastrophe loss events that have occurred to date in the first quarter of 2011, in particular the Queensland floods and Cyclone Yasi in Australia, will impact Argo Group results for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The pre-tax loss for these events is estimated to be in the range of $15 million to $25 million, net of reinsurance and reinstatement premium. In reaching this estimate, the Company has relied on information currently available from portfolio modeling, assessments of the exposures insured under individual policies and industry-wide estimates. Due to the preliminary nature of the information used to determine this estimate, the ultimate cost to the Company from these events may differ materially from the foregoing estimate..."

4:11PM Sunpower beats by $0.31, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 EPS in-line, revs in-line; guides FY11 EPS and revs above consensus (SPWRA) 17.43 +0.29 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.36 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.31 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $1.05; revenues rose 71.0% year/year to $937.1 mln vs the $931.4 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.15-0.21, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.16 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q1 revs of $475-525 mln vs. $488.61 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $2.00-2.20, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $1.87 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees FY11 revs of $2.8-2.95 bln vs. $2.78 bln Thomson Reuters consensus.

4:11PM Clearwire beats by $0.01, misses on revs (CLWR) 5.21 -0.17 : Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.53 per share, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.54); revenues rose 126.2% year/year to $180.7 mln vs the $192.6 mln consensus. Co states, "Clearwire expects to end 2011 with more than 8.8 mln subscribers, with most of those subscribers coming from its wholesale business... Capital expenditures in 2011 are estimated to be less than $400 mln. Under its current plans, the company now expects to reach positive EBITDA during 2012. However, this is based on a number of assumptions, including final resolution of the wholesale pricing disputes with Sprint and achieving the expected expense reductions."

4:09PM Blue Coat misses by $0.02, misses on revs; guides Q4 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus (BCSI) 30.52 +0.53 : Reports Q3 (Jan) earnings of $0.34 per share, $0.02 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.36; revenues fell 3.3% year/year to $122.9 mln vs the $125.1 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q4, sees EPS of $0.32-0.38, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.38 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q4 revs of $121-128 mln vs. $129.84 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

4:09PM Aruba Networks anounces CFO, Steffan Tomlinson, is leaving the co effective March 31, 2011 to take a position in venture capital (ARUN) 26.68 -0.08 : The co has initiated a search for a replacement.

4:09PM Aruba Networks beats by $0.01, beats on revs (ARUN) 26.64 -0.12 : Reports Q2 (Jan) earnings of $0.14 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.13; revenues rose 49.8% year/year and 13% sequentially to $93.9 mln vs the $87.9 mln consensus. "We continue to see broad demand for our mobility solutions across all major geographies, as evidenced by our record revenues...We believe that the enterprise network is transitioning from a wired centric to a mobility centric architecture...During the quarter, we saw robust growth from the general enterprise and our core verticals, an increase in the number of larger potential deals in the pipeline, and the addition of a record 1,000+ new customers."

4:09PM DDi Corp reports EPS in-line, beats on revs (DDIC) 10.50 -0.61 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.21 per share, in-line with the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.21; revenues rose 55.7% year/year to $65.7 mln vs the $64.9 mln consensus.

4:08PM Green Plains Renewable Energy to acquire ethanol plant from Otter Tail Ag Enterprises for $55 mln (GPRE) 11.56 +0.27 : Co will finance the $55 million acquisition with cash and financing from a group of nine lenders, led by AgStar Financial Services. Co believe this acquisition will be accretive to 2011 earnings."

4:08PM Intuit beats by $0.02, reports revs in-line; guides Q3 EPS in-line, revs in-line; raises FY11 EPS above consensus, reaffirms FY11 revs guidance (INTU) 50.44 +0.32 : Reports Q2 (Jan) earnings of $0.32 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.02 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.30; revenues rose 4.9% year/year to $878 mln vs the $883.6 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q3, sees EPS of $2.22-2.30, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $2.24 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q3 revs of $1.76-1.83 bln vs. $1.82 bln Thomson Reuters consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $2.41-2.48, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $2.41 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees FY11 revs of $3.74-3.84 bln vs. $3.82 bln Thomson Reuters consensus. Intuit increased fiscal 2011 diluted earnings per share guidance to reflect the extension of the research and development tax credit, which will lower the company's effective tax rate. Intuit now expects non-GAAP diluted earnings per share growth of 14 to 18 percent.

4:08PM Chelsea Therapeutics to offer $35 mln in shares of its common stock in a registered public offering pursuant to its existing shelf registration statement (CHTP) 4.24 -0.06 : Deutsche Bank Securities is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering.

4:08PM Brocade beats by $0.02, reports revs in-line (BRCD) 6.02 +0.30 : Reports Q1 (Jan) earnings of $0.12 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.02 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.10; revenues rose 1.3% year/year to $546 mln vs the $543 mln consensus. Brocade reports Q1 non-GAAP gross margin of 62% vs. the 61.7% consensus

4:07PM Anworth Mortgage reports EPS in-line (ANH) 6.96 +0.05 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.21 per share, excluding non-recurring items, in-line with the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.21. "At December 31, 2010, our book value was $6.78 per share, taking into account the quarterly dividend for the fourth quarter which was declared during the fourth quarter."

4:07PM FiberTower receives an early termination notice from a emerging carrier customers to terminate service at ~220 billing locations on Feb 28, and that the customer is reviewing ~50 additional locations for possible early termination by Mar 31 (FTWR) 3.67 +0.03 : The monthly billing revenue generated by the service targeted for February termination is ~$256,000 while the monthly billing revenue generated by locations being evaluated for March termination is ~$88,000. Co does not believe that these early terminations will have a material impact on the company's cash position in 2011.

4:07PM Alnylam Pharma beats by $0.19, misses on revs (ALNY) 9.87 -0.21 : Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.16 per share, including stock based compensation expense, $0.19 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.35), which also include the stock based compensation expense; revenues fell 20.3% year/year to $21.2 mln vs the $22.8 mln consensus. Alnylam expects that its cash, cash equivalents and total marketable securities balance will be greater than $275 million at December 31, 2011. "Alnylam continues to execute on its goals with fiscal discipline, ending 2010 with $350 million in cash, exceeding our original 2010 guidance... We believe we will finish 2011 with greater than $275 million in cash, excluding proceeds from any significant new business development partnerships we may form. We believe this financial profile provides us a strong balance sheet needed to build our business, including execution on our 'Alnylam 5x15' RNAi therapeutic product strategy."

4:06PM CardioNet beats by $0.03, misses on revs (BEAT) 4.44 +0.16 : Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.13 per share, $0.03 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.16); revenues fell 13.8% year/year to $28.7 mln vs the $29.6 mln consensus.

4:06PM Pacific Office Properties appoints Michael Burer Chief Financial Officer (PCE) 2.27 -0.18 : Mr. Burer steps into the Chief Financial Officer position after serving nine years with the co and its affiliates in ever-expanding roles, including Senior Vice President of Finance in which he managed the day-to-day operations of the finance and accounting department and most recently as Executive Vice President, Operations.

4:06PM Red Robin Gourmet beats by $0.07, reports revs in-line (RRGB) 21.12 +0.10 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.12 per share, $0.07 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.05; revenues rose 5.7% year/year to $192.6 mln vs the $191 mln consensus. Co states, "The company is also in the process of identifying $16-$18 mln in annualized savings from a reduction in restaurant costs, which it expects to be realized over the next 12 to 24 months. Deployment of capital will focus on the company's investment in new restaurant development, the investment in an overhaul of its data infrastructure, the repurchase opportunity related the company's stock, as well as future refinancing activities... Seven new company-owned restaurants are currently under construction. One new company-owned restaurant opened in the fiscal first qutr. Two new franchised restaurants are currently under construction, with one of these franchised restaurants expected to open later in 1Q11 and the other in 2Q11. During fiscal year 2011, the company expects to open 10 new company-owned restaurants, one of which opened early in the first quarter of 2011, and franchisees are expected to open three to four new restaurants.."

4:06PM Techtarget misses by $0.02, beats on revs; guides Q1 revs in-line (TTGT) 7.30 +0.40 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.07 per share, $0.02 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.09; revenues rose 15.9% year/year to $26.9 mln vs the $25.9 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q1, sees Q1 revs of $22.5 - $23.5 mln vs. $23.24 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. For the full year 2011, the Company expects online revenue to grow approx 14% and event revenues to be roughly flat compared to 2010. The Company expects adjusted EBITDA to grow approx 33% compared to 2010 and expects adjusted EBITDA margin for 2011 to be approximately 25%.

4:06PM Nordstrom beats by $0.04, reports revs in-line; guides FY12 EPS in-line (JWN) 46.48 -0.22 : Reports Q4 (Jan) earnings of $1.04 per share, $0.04 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $1.00; revenues rose 10.9% year/year to $2.82 bln vs the $2.82 bln consensus. Multi-channel same-store sales increased 7.2% YoY. Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, increased 34 bps compared with last year's fourth quarter. The improvement was mainly driven by the ability to leverage buying and occupancy expenses during the quarter. The company ended the quarter with sales per square foot up 6.0% and inventory per square foot up 3.8% compared with the fourth quarter of 2009. Nordstrom ended the year with inventory turn of 5.6, an all-time high for the co. Co issues in-line guidance for FY12, sees EPS of $2.95-3.10 vs. $3.06 Thomson Reuters consensus, with comps +2-4% vs. +2.8% consensus.

4:05PM Molina Healthcare beats by $0.06, misses on revs; reaffirms FY11 EPS guidance, revs guidance (MOH) 34.46 -0.17 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.58 per share, $0.06 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.52; revenues rose 12.1% year/year to $1.08 bln vs the $1.12 bln consensus. Co reaffirms guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $2.20 vs. $2.20 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees FY11 revs of $4.67 bln vs. $4.68 bln Thomson Reuters consensus.

4:04PM AthenaHealth beats by $0.08, beats on revs (ATHN) 47.64 +0.09 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.28 per share, $0.08 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.20; revenues rose 27.6% year/year to $69.4 mln vs the $67.6 mln consensus. Co also reported 38.8 average Client Days in Accounts Receivable in qtr, compared to 38.5 average Client DAR in the yr ago period. 27,114 active medical providers using athenaCollector at December 31, 2010, 19,197 of which were physicians, compared to 23,366 providers and 15,719 physicians at December 31, 2009

4:04PM Nordstrom to acquire HauteLook, a leader in the online private sale marketplace, for $180 mln in JWN stock (JWN) 46.48 -0.22 : The transaction is expected to be dilutive to Nordstrom in 2011 due to non-cash expenses related to the acquisition.

4:04PM Biomarin Pharm misses by $0.09, misses on revs; guides FY11 revs below consensus (BMRN) 28.26 +0.71 : Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.11 per share, $0.09 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.02); revenues rose 16.6% year/year to $101.6 mln vs the $105.1 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for FY11, sees FY11 revs of $417-452 mln vs. $456.25 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. As of December 31, 2010, BioMarin had cash, cash equivalents and short and long-term investments totaling $402.3 million, as compared to $440.9 million at the end of September 30, 2010.

4:03PM Odyssey Marine signs Shipwreck project agreement; co has received $5.6 mln under this agreement and may opt to receive up to $10 mln total (OMEX) 3.26 +0.01 :

4:02PM VCA Antech beats by $0.03, beats on revs; guides FY11 EPS in-line, revs above consensus (WOOF) 23.75 -0.12 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.24 per share, $0.03 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.21; revenues rose 7.3% year/year to $338.1 mln vs the $331.8 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $1.42-1.52 vs. $1.47 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees FY11 revs of $1.47-1.51 bln vs. $1.46 bln Thomson Reuters consensus.

4:02PM SonoSite beats by $0.16, beats on revs; guides FY11 revs in-line (SONO) 35.05 +0.25 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.52 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.16 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.36; revenues rose 29.0% year/year to $89.3 mln vs the $84.8 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees FY11 revs growth of 13-18% y/y (~$310-324 mln) vs. $312.73 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

4:02PM Merit Medical beats by $0.02, reports revs in-line; guides FY11 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus (MMSI) 15.44 -0.06 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.23 per share, $0.02 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.21; revenues rose 20.3% year/year to $81.2 mln vs the $80.5 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $1.00-1.04 vs. $0.98 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees FY11 revs of $341-350 vs. $340.30 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

4:01PM Intuit reports 1% growth in total TurboTax units through Feb. 12 (INTU) 50.85 +0.73 : Co releases the first of three season-to-date updates for its fiscal year 2011 consumer tax offerings. Through Feb. 12, total TurboTax federal units were up 1% compared to the same period last year. Also through Feb. 12, TurboTax Online units were up 6%, while desktop units decreased 5% compared to the same period last year.

4:01PM Compass Group Chief Executive Officer to take leave of absence, Alan Offenberg will assume the role on an interm basis (CODI) 18.01 0.00 : Co announced today that Joe Massoud, its Chief Executive Officer, has requested, and the Board has approved, a leave of absence to focus his attention on an informal regulatory inquiry that Mr. Massoud has received on matters unrelated to co. Co also announced that its manager, Compass Group Management, has nominated, and that its Board has approved, Alan Offenberg to assume the role of CEO on an interim basis, as well as Mr. Massoud's seat on the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Offenberg has been a partner with Compass Group Management and its predecessor since 1998.

3:46PM Citadel Broadcasting confirms it entered into exclusive negotiations with Cumulus Media (CMLS) regarding $37.00 per share merger proposal (CDELA) 35.00 +5.00 : Citadel Broadcasting Corporation announces it has entered into an agreement providing for exclusive negotiations for a potential merger with Cumulus Media. Cumulus. Under the terms of its non-binding proposal, Cumulus would pay $37.00, in a combination of cash and Cumulus stock, for each Citadel share and warrant. Based upon the proposed cash and stock election formula, the $37.00 per share consideration would on average be capped at $30.00 per share in cash and at $14.00 per share in Cumulus stock at a fixed exchange ratio. As part of the Cumulus proposal, Cumulus has indicated that Crestview Partners and Macquarie Capital are expected to provide up to $500 million in equity financing. Cumulus expects to obtain the remainder of the cash necessary to fund the transaction through debt financing to be led by UBS Investment Bank, together with Macquarie Capital. (see 12:02 comment)

3:30PM Eastman Chem approves additional $300 mln share repurchases (EMN) 96.56 +2.76 : The new stock repurchase authorization is in addition to the remaining amount under the $300,000,000 stock repurchases authorized by the Board in August 2010.

3:21PM Dow +38 sets new session high, S&P +4.5 and Nasdaq Comp +7.7 have yet to confirm but are hovering slightly below their highs (SPY) :

2:55PM Diametrics Medical subsidiary, NextGen Biomed, not to proceed with plan to acquire ClearPath and Innosense (DMED) 4.29 -0.08 : Co announced that its subsidiary, NextGen Biomed, will not proceed with its previously planned acquisition of the shares of ClearPath and Innosense. NextGen and the Target Companies mutually elected to terminate the definitive acquisition agreement. D. Medical does not expect this decision to have any material impact on its core business. "While NextGen will not be taking this particular new path forward, we expect that it will continue to explore the full range of strategic alternatives available to it to maximize shareholder value. In the meantime, we will to continue to invest our resources towards the successful launch of its diabetes treatment and drug delivery products into its five initial target markets - Mexico and the BRIC countries of Brazil, Russia, India and China - commencing in 2011."

2:46PM CBOT Agriculture and Ethanol and ICE Exchange Sugar Closing Prices; Corn +3.2% (COMDX) : March corn finished up 22.25 cents to $7.1275, March wheat rose 13.75 cents to close at $8.5075, March soybeans rose 38.5 cents to close at $14.045, Feb ethanol closed up 0.065 at $2.505, while March world sugar futures closed down 0.51 cents to 31.26 cents.

2:38PM NYMEX Energy Closing Prices (COMDX) : Crude oil settled higher by $1.37 to $86.36, natural gas shed 5 cents to close at $3.873, heating oil ended down 4.48 cents to $2.73, while RBOB gasoline finished off 1.7 cents to $2.5277 (all March contracts). April Brent crude finished lower by $1.28 to $102.50.

2:20PM Stock indices extend steady advance off early lows to another round of fresh highs multi-year highs (SPY) : The Dow +34 has rallied 70 points off the low, S&P is up +4.5, Nasdaq Comp is up +9.

2:01PM FleetCor and Logica sign EUR 300 mln deal to provide a managed fuel cards service for Shell (FLT) 33.62 +2.14 : Logica, partnering with FleetCor Technologies (FLT) announced that they have won a 10-year, EUR 300 mln contract to support Shell's Commercial Fleet fuel cards programme in Europe and Asia.

1:56PM COMEX Metals Closing Prices (COMDX) : After trading to a 5 week high, April gold settled higher by $10 to $1385.10. March silver ended up 94.1 cents to $31.57. It traded to a ~31 yr high at $31.585 earlier in the session. March copper ended up 1.4 cents to $4.484.

1:35PM Brent crude drops a quick 60 cents to lows; now off 94 cents to $102.84 (COMDX) : WTI-Brent spread narrows to -14.08.

1:10PM Dow +17 finally joins S&P +3.2 and Nasdaq Comp +7.2 at fresh session/multi-year highs (SPY) :

1:07PM Humana acquires Immediate Medical Care Centers in New Jersey; this acquisition expands co's footprint to 13 locations in New Jersey (HUM) 61.41 :

1:04PM Relative Sector Strength as stock indices vacillate slightly highs -- Dow +7.3, S&P +1.8, Nasdaq Comp +5 (TECHX) : Seeing relative sector strength in Energy XLE, Oil Service OIH, Silver SLV, Gold Miners GDX, Steel SLX, Coal KOL, Ag/Chem MOO, Copper JJC, Materials XLB.

1:02PM Crude oil through $86 to highs at $86.08; now up 97 cents to $85.96 (COMDX) :

12:55PM Crude oil moves to highs of the session; now higher by 60 cents to $85.59 (COMDX) :

12:49PM China Auto Logistics announces co achieved a key goal in 2010 of expanding its www.cali.com.cn "auto living" portal to 35 cities throughout China, and co is continuing rapid expansion of the portal in the current year (CALI) 3.28 +0.05 :

12:38PM Silver to fresh highs at $31.375; now up 72.1 cents to $31.35 (COMDX) :

12:26PM Lorillard approved a 16% increase in the quarterly dividend on its common stock from $1.125 per share to $1.30 per share (LO) 77.99 +0.15 :

12:22PM Citizens First announces partial repayment of TARP investment (CZFC) 8.22 +0.27 : Co announced that on February 16, 2011 it entered into a letter agreement with the United States Department of the Treasury pursuant to which the Company repurchased 63 of the 250 shares of the Series A Fixed Rate Cumulate Perpetual Preferred Stock... As a result of the repurchase, co will recognize ~$50,000 of unaccreted discount on the repurchased stock as of the date of the repurchase. This repurchase will result in an annual reduction of ~$111,000 of the associated preferred dividends. Capital at the Bank remains unchanged following this transaction. Following the repurchase, the US Treasury will continue to own $6.6 million of its Series A Preferred Stock, as well as a warrant to purchase 254,218 shares of common stock at an initial per share exercise price of $5.18. Co will continue to pay dividends on the remaining shares of Series A Preferred Stock until the Company completes its plan to repurchase all of the remaining shares of Series A Preferred Stock and related warrant, subject to regulatory approval.

12:12PM Express Scripts declines to another new session low of 56.10, probes its 50 ema at 56.06 (ESRX) 56.12 -1.31 :

12:03PM China-Biotics announces it has applied for 5 new patents through its wholly owned subsidiary Growing Bioengineering to the State Bureau of Intellectual Property (CHBT) 11.88 -0.13 :

12:01PM Medtronic reports two-year study continues to demonstrate benefits of Kyphon (MDT) 40.27 +0.07 : Co announced that two-year data from the largest multicenter randomized controlled study of Kyphon Balloon Kyphoplasty for spine fractures indicated that balloon kyphoplasty relieved back pain, increased patient satisfaction and improved mobility and quality of life more than non-surgical care in the treatment of painful spinal fractures. The FREE study of 300 patients at 21 centers in eight countries was published online on [add date here] in The Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.1 The two-year data follows the one-year results published by The Lancet in February 2009.2

11:55AM Relative sector strength in recent trade as stock indices hover at/just under highs -- Dow +10, S&P +2.1, Nasdaq Comp +6 (TECHX) : Copper JJC, Silver SLV, Steel SLX, Coal KOL, Energy XLE, Oil Service OIH, Networking IGN, Transports IYT, Semi SMH.

11:47AM Silver trades to 30-yr highs at $31.265; now up 61.1 cents to $31.24 (COMDX) :

11:43AM Relative strength in Drillers/Oil Service in recent trade -- NE, NBR, DO, RIG, BHI, SLB, ATW (BHI) 70.27 +0.62 :

11:34AM Transocean pushes to fresh highs on a pick up in relative volume as it breaks into month-long high territory back through the $80.00-81.00 area (RIG) 82.28 +1.79 : The mid Jan/52-wk high is overhead at $83.22.

11:30AM Crude oil testing highs; currently up 26 cents to $85.26 (COMDX) :

11:26AM New weekly/multi-hear highs for Russell 2000, S&P 400, S&P 500, Nasdaq Comp (SPY) :

11:24AM Home Depot sets new session high of 38.00, hovering modestly under its Feb and Jan/multi-year highs at 38.09/38.12 (HD) 37.99 +0.13 :

11:20AM Gold, silver to highs (COMDX) :

* Gold up $9.10 to $1384.20
* Silver higher by 41.1 cents to $31.04. Note that silver is close to taking out its 30-yr high, set on Jan 3, at $31.195.

11:18AM New rebound highs with stock indices reaching positive territory -- Dow +4, S&P +0.2, Nasdaq Comp +0.14 (SPY) :

11:13AM MarineMax announces new partnerships with Sea Tow Services International and with Marinalife (HZO) 8.78 -0.04 : Under the terms of the Sea Tow agreement, each person who purchases a new boat from MarineMax will receive a complimentary 95-day Sea Tow Gold Card membership and each person who purchases a used or brokerage boat from MarineMax will receive a complimentary 60-day Sea Tow Gold Card membership. Under the terms of the Marinalife agreement, Rewards Club members will receive access to marina information and reviews, destination guides, port reports and nautical charts; fuel locator and pricing; special offers and downloadable coupons for marinas and fuel, and a one-year subscription to leading boating publications.

11:03AM Bristol-Myers announced today that the FDA has approved Abilify as an adjunct to the mood stabilizers lithium or valproate for the maintenance treatment of Bipolar I Disorder (BMY) 25.62 0.00 :

10:42AM Coca-Cola increases annual dividend by 7% to $1.88 from $1.76 (KO) 63.70 +0.30 :

10:39AM Minor new rebound high for Dow -7.6, S&P -1 tests its bounce high, Nasdaq Comp -1.7 lagging on push off low over last 20 minutes (SPY) : Non-confirmation of new intraday bounce highs suggests that intraday sector leadership is lacking thus far. Energy XLE/OIH have begun to display relative weakness in recent action.

10:30AM Natural gas drops sharply following inventory data; now off 8.9 cents to $3.832 (UNG) :

10:27AM Valspar announced that Gary E. Hendrickson, currently Valspar's president and chief operating officer, will succeed William L. Mansfield as chief executive officer, effective June 1, 2011 (VAL) 38.84 +0.33 :

10:25AM Ryland Group part of the outperforming Housing sector vacillating near last wk/previous nine month high of 19.15 after minor breach-- session high 19.28 (RYL) 19.19 +0.43 :

10:12AM Sector Relative Strength (TECHX) : Sectors that have displayed intraday relative strength (outperforming the S&P) include: Housing XHB, Retail XRT, Oil Service OIH, Materials XLB, Ag/Chem MOO, Casino BJK (LVS, WYNN), REITs IYR.

10:08AM 3M acquires Hybrivet Systems, a provider of instant-read products to detect lead and other contaminants and toxins; terms not disclosed (MMM) 92.80 +0.47 :

10:06AM F5 Networks tests/attempting to stabilize near its 20 day ema at 123.50 -- session low 123.37 (FFIV) 123.90 -1.79 : Stock is down for the third session in a row after failing to take out its 50 sma earlier in the week. The 20 day ema provided support during last week's pullback.

10:04AM Weaker second data point, LEI, results in minor short lived slip off highs -- Dow -18, S&P -1.9, Nasdaq Comp -1.4 (SPY) :

10:01AM CIGNA signed a letter of intent for MedSolutions to become CIGNA's exclusive radiology benefits provider in the United States (CI) 43.15 +0.16 :

10:00AM Stock indices extend lift off supports after data -- Dow -17, S&P -1.9, Nasdaq -1.2 (TECHX) :

9:58AM Central Vermont Public names Larry Reilly President (CV) 22.11 +0.04 : Bob Young announced his planned retirement in July 2010 effective May 3, 2011. Reilly will begin as president and CEO on March 1 and will report to Young, who has been named executive chairman of the company, until May to allow for an orderly transition.

9:58AM Delcath confirms ISO 13485:2003 Certification (DCTH) 10.99 +0.05 : Co has achieved ISO 13485:2003 Certification--an internationally recognized quality standard designed to ensure that medical device manufacturers have the necessary comprehensive management systems in place to safely design, develop, manufacture and distribute medical devices in the European Union (EU). ISO 13485 Certification is a regulatory requirement of the EU's Medical Device Directive, and represents an important step toward attaining European CE Mark approval for the Company's proprietary Hepatic ChemoSAT(TM) Delivery System.

9:54AM Dollar Index slides under day session/overnight low to set a new low for the week (UUP) :

9:53AM Cyclacel Pharma reports data presentation; patients treated with trastuzumab resulted in a reduced rate of clinical benefit and lower survival compared with patients whose cancers did not overexpress cyclin E (CYCC) 1.47 0.00 : Co announced the publication of preclinical data in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demonstrating that cyclin E plays a major role in making Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 positive breast cancer resistant to trastuzumab. Elevated expression levels of cyclin E in HER2+ patients treated with trastuzumab resulted in a reduced rate of clinical benefit and lower survival compared with patients whose cancers did not overexpress cyclin E. Treatment of HER2+ breast cancer cells resistant to trastuzumab with CYC065, Cyclacel's cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, blocked CDK2/cyclin E activity, dramatically slowed tumor growth and killed resistant breast cancer cells.

9:51AM Silver Trust ETF modest early gain, hovering slightly under yesterday/Feb high at 30.27 -- session high 30.21 (SLV) 30.19 +0.23 : Note that its multi-year high from Jan is at 30.44 -- PAAS, SIL, SLW, SSRI.

9:45AM Intel vacillating just above its Jan high/three week range top at 21.94 (INTC) 21.97 +0.22 : Note that its seven month high from Dec is at 22.07 with the July peak/May gap between 22.23 and 22.36.

9:45AM Opening Point Gainers/Losers (TECHX) : Point Gainers: WTW (+14.79), CME (+6.25), CLF (+6.01), TBL (+6.08), WMB (+3.08), RBCN (+2.95), CAB (+2.89), JAH (+2.92), REV (+2.32), NFLX (+2.41), SJM (+2.22)

Point Losers: ITRI (-6.31), NTAP (-5.19), AAPL (-4.53), NFX (-3.65), VCI (-3.12), AEM (-2.71), SPW (-2.77), ECL (-2.74), ECT (-2.82), SPB (-2.40), ENOC (-1.88)

9:44AM Silver to fresh highs; now up 25.1 cents to $30.88 (COMDX) :

9:44AM Stock indices test/stabilize at first level supports (SPY) : Weaker start with the major averages probing first level supports noted in The Technical Take at 2717/2812 Nasdaq Comp (session low 2815), 1332/1330 S&P (session low 1331), 12250/12240 Dow (session low 12253). Intraday initial resistance for the S&P is at 1334.

9:37AM Agnico-Eagle Mines gaps down after earnings miss, hovering near its 50 ema at 73.09 -- session low 73.14 (AEM) 73.22 -3.26 :

9:35AM Cotton futures hit new all-time high, breaks the $2 level for the first time ever (BAL) 106.81 +2.88 : Strong momentum continues in cotton futures on China demand and on recent production cuts in Australia. Cotton futures are 8.8% higher from a week ago and are 44.2% higher from last month. Currently, cotton futures are limit-up (up 7 cents or +3.6%) at $2.0402/lb.

9:33AM NVIDIA bounces back above the flat line after gap down start (NVDA) 23.47 +0.09 :

9:28AM Orbital Sciences beats by $0.13, beats on revs; raises FY11 EPS in-line, reaffirms FY11 revs guidance (ORB) 17.11 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.36 per share, $0.13 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.23; revenues rose 22.6% year/year to $346.1 mln vs the $321.4 mln consensus. Co issues guidance for FY11, raises EPS guidance to $0.80-0.90 vs. $0.84 Thomson Reuters consensus up from $0.75-0.85 previously; sees FY11 revs of $1.30-1.35 bln vs. $1.34 bln Thomson Reuters consensus.

9:28AM Ecolab misses by $0.01, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 EPS below consensus; guides FY11 EPS in-line (ECL) 49.74 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.60 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.61; revenues rose 0.7% year/year to $1.58 bln vs the $1.59 bln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.42-0.45, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.47 Thomson Reuters consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $2.47-2.53, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $2.52 Thomson Reuters consensus. Quarterly earnings are expected to show accelerating gains through 2011, in part as higher first half raw material costs are offset by sales growth, pricing and other margin improvement actions, including savings from the Europe restructuring, which should benefit second half results.

9:19AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* BSD Medical Corporation (BSDM) announced that 21st Century Oncology has purchased the BSD-500 Hyperthermia System.
* Clean Diesel Technologies (CDTI) announced that it has entered into a financing agreement with Faunus Group International. Clean Diesel and certain of its subsidiaries entered into separate Sale and Security Agreements with FGI to provide for a $7.5 million secured demand credit facility, backed by the Company's receivables and inventory.
* Asset Intelligence, a subsidiary of I.D. Systems (IDSY) announced that Knight Transportation (KNX) is expanding its deployment of VeriWise trailer management solutions across its entire trailer fleet.
* International Tower Hill Mines (THM) announced that AngloGold Ashanti Exploration, a subsidiary of AngloGold Ashanti (AU), will exercise its right to maintain a 11.5039% equity interest in the Company through the purchase of 230,764 common shares.
* StemCells (STEM) announced that the fourth and final patient in its Phase I clinical trial in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease has been transplanted with the co's HuCNS-SC cells.
* Versar (VSR) announced it has been awarded two contract modifications from the United States Army Corps of Engineers for ongoing work in Iraq and Afghanistan. The extension valued at $2.7 mln adds three additional months of service to Versar's contract that has been in place since April 2006. The second contract modification was granted to co's unit, ADVENT Environmental. The $1.87 mln modification increased the overall contract value to ~$9 mln.

9:12AM Lakeland Industries completes shares buyback; says upon full effect in Q2 the reduction in outstanding stock should increase EPS by ~4% (LAKE) 8.35 :

9:11AM Apricus Biosciences and FDA initiate PrevOnco SPA Phase III clinical protocol discussion (APRI) 4.07 : Co announces that it is currently in discussions with the FDA relating to the PrevOnco Special Protocol Assessment Phase III protocol submitted by the co in December 2010. In the first response received by co relating to this SPA, the FDA accepted some of the questions submitted by the co and commented on the rest. The co's Clinical Advisory Board will meet in late February to discuss the FDA response and comments, and the co will prepare a response according to feedback. In addition, the co may request a meeting with the FDA to accelerate the FDA's SPA Phase III protocol review process.

9:09AM CDI Corp reaffirms Q4 2010 revs in-line with previous guidance; charges will result in a negative contribution margin for Q4 2010 (CDI) 18.71 : Co announced that its Q4 revenue will be in-line with previously provided guidance (previously reaffirmed guidance on Jan 10 ~$245.4-$254.1 mln vs. $249.20 mln Thomson Reuters consensus). Co will record $3.0 mln of additional operating charges. In addition, co will record a number of other charges and impairments for Q4 2010 totaling $12.4 mln. The co will record an $8.0 mln impairment charge related to a goodwill write-down in AndersElite segment. This goodwill impairment charge is an estimate and will be finalized through a third-party valuation process. Co will also record a $1.0 mln charge for writing off investment in its Kuwait-based joint venture in its Engineering Solutions segment. Additionally, the company had a deferred tax asset of $2.8 mln as a result of AndersElite's net operating losses. Because of a three year cumulative loss at AndersElite, co is required to record a 100% valuation allowance against this deferred tax asset. Notwithstanding this write off, net operating losses can be carried forward indefinitely under current law in the UK and can be used against future profits. Finally, co will record a tax expense of $0.6 mln related to a non-realizable tax asset.

9:08AM Valence Tech won a patent infringement lawsuit regarding the Company's carbothermal reduction technology (VLNC) 1.41 : Co announces that it prevailed in a patent infringement lawsuit regarding the Company's carbothermal reduction technology. The lawsuit was filed against Phostech Lithium, Inc. on January 31, 2007. Per the judgment, Justice Johanne Gauthier ruled in Valence's favor, finding infringement of the Valence primary carbothermal reduction Canadian patent, number 2,395,115. Pursuant to the judgment, Valence is entitled to an injunction, an election of either an accounting of profits or damages, reasonable compensation and costs. The determination of damages and costs will be dealt with in a separate Court proceeding.

9:07AM Group 1 Auto increases quarterly dividends by 10% sequentially to $0.11 per share (GPI) 40.91 :

9:01AM Platinum Group Metals confirms Eskom agreement completed for delivery of 40MVA electricity supply to WBJV Project 1 Platinum Mine (PLG) 2.54 : Co reports the operating co for the WBJV formally accepted a budget quotation from South African power utility Eskom for delivery of a 40MVA service to the site of the Project 1 Platinum Mine. An initial supply of 10MVA will be delivered for construction purposes by way of existing infrastructure. A ramp up to a full 40MVA production level service is scheduled for the last quarter of 2013 after the construction of a new substation and line service. The quotation from Eskom calls for payments totaling ~$15.0 mln at current exchange rates. This amount falls below the budgeted cost for electrical power supply included in the co's eighteen month $100 mln Phase 1 construction budget.

9:01AM Symmetry Medical sees FY10 revs $361.00 mln vs $361.73 mln Thomson Reuters consensus; sees FY11 revs $363-383 mln vs $384.52 mln Thomson Reuters consensus (SMA) 9.75 :

9:01AM I.D. Systems: Knight Transportation orders fleet-wide deployment of trailer management systems from IDSY unit (IDSY) 5.19 : I.D. Systems unit announced that Knight Transportation (KNX), is expanding its deployment of VeriWise trailer management solutions across its entire trailer fleet. Knight will equip its dry vans and refrigerated trailers with a combination of VeriWise products, including VeriWise Track & Trace, VeriWise Dry Van with cargo sensing, and VeriWise Reefer.

9:01AM International Tower Hill Mines receives share ownership top-up notice from AngloGold Ashanti for 230,764 Shares (THM) 9.68 : Co announces that AngloGold Ashanti Exploration will exercise its right to maintain a 11.5039% equity interest in the Company through the purchase of 230,764 common shares.

9:01AM Richmont Mines Inc. announces resources of over 1 million ounces of gold at its Wasamac property (RIC) 4.88 : Co announces a significant increase in the estimated resource base for the Wasamac property, located 15 km west of Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, and less than 10 km east of the Company's Francoeur Mine. Highlights include: Measured and Indicated resources of 5,093,180 tonnes grading 2.51 g/t Au for 411,073 ounces of gold; -- Inferred resources of 11,515,020 tonnes grading 2.72 g/t Au for 1,007,875 ounces of gold at December 31, 2010, versus 285,200 ounces of Inferred resources at December 31, 2009; -- Major 35,000 metre drilling program planned for 2011; -- Regulation 43-101 compliant technical report will be available on SEDAR within 45 days.

8:57AM Brent crude has now rallied close to a point on news that Iran will send two warships through the Suez; currently up 42 cents to $104.20 (COMDX) :

8:54AM Reliance Steel beats by $0.08, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS in-line; increases quarterly dividend 20% to $0.12 (RS) 56.60 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.53 per share, $0.08 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.45; revenues rose 24.4% year/year to $1.58 bln vs the $1.53 bln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.90-1.00 vs. $0.99 Thomson Reuters consensus. Co increases quarterly dividend 20% to $0.12. "Currently, the prices of most all the metals we sell are continuing on an upward trend. We expect pricing, in general, to remain at strong levels at least through the 2011 first quarter. The recent rapid price increases can cause changes in our customers' buying patterns that can make it difficult to determine what real end use demand is doing. While there is certainly some buying ahead of the announced increases we believe that real underlying demand is steadily improving, but not at a large or rapid rate. We expect this slow and steady growth pattern to continue as the year progresses. Given these expectations, 2011 looks like a much better year than 2010... "Our strongest markets during 2010 were in energy, oil and gas; semiconductor and electronics; aerospace; agriculture and our toll processing business which is primarily related to the auto and appliance industries. Non-residential construction was our most difficult area last year."

8:53AM Reliance Steel increases quarterly dividend 20% to $0.12 (RS) :

8:51AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* China Agritech (CAGC) announced the appointment of Xuenong Zhang to its board as an independent director.
* Office Depot (ODP) announced that the Company has been awarded a five year contract for office supplies from the City of Portland, Oregon.

8:47AM Zygo names John P. Jordan CFO, effective immediately (ZIGO) 15.55 :

8:46AM LRAD received over $800K in new LRAD systems and services orders from the U.S. Navy (LRAD) 2.14 :

8:38AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* Perrigo (PRGO) announced that it has entered into an exclusive agreement with AgaMatrix, to sell and distribute blood glucose monitors and test strips in the U.S. store brand channel.
* Boston Scientific (BSX) announced its launch of the PROMUS Element Everolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent System and TAXUS Element Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System in India.
* Cheniere Energy Partners (CQP) announced that its subsidiary, Sabine Pass Liquefaction has entered into a non-binding MOU with Endesa, S.A. and Enel Trade S.p.A. in which Sabine, Endesa, and Enel Trade have agreed to proceed with negotiations to contract up to 1.5 mln tonnes per annum of bi-directional LNG processing capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.
* Hemispherx Biopharma (HEB) announced that the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has issued an order granting final approval of a settlement of the currently pending securities class actions consolidated in the action In re Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc.

8:37AM Valassis misses by $0.12, misses on revs; guides FY11 EPS and revs (VCI) 33.07 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.47 per share, $0.12 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.59; revenues rose 4.3% year/year to $631.2 mln vs the $637.7 mln consensus. Co issues guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $2.76 vs. $2.87 Thomson Reuters consensus, sees revs up mid-single digits, vs. consensus of +4.9%.

8:36AM Toro beats by $0.12, beats on revs; guides Q2 EPS above consensus; guides FY11 EPS above consensus (TTC) 62.69 : Reports Q1 (Jan) earnings of $0.53 per share, $0.12 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.41; revenues rose 15.6% year/year to $383.2 mln vs the $351.4 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for Q2, sees EPS of $1.58 vs. $1.56 Thomson Reuters consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $3.40 vs. $3.30 Thomson Reuters consensus. Co states, "Customer confidence in our markets is continuing to build. Professional customers are beginning to reinvest in their businesses, and we are well positioned with a record level of new products to drive retail demand and increase our market share. While always mindful of the impact of Mother Nature on our business, we are optimistic about the selling season ahead."

8:36AM National Retail Properties reports Q4 (Dec) results, beats on revs (NNN) 24.52 : Reports Q4 (Dec) funds from operations of $0.29 per share, may not be comparable to the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.37; revenues rose 3.3% year/year to $59.4 mln vs the $58.4 mln consensus.

8:35AM IntegraMed reports Q4 results (INMD) 9.85 : Co reports Q4 EPS of $0.08 vs $0.07 Thomson Reuters consensus; revs $64.00 mln vs $59.43 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. "Looking into 2011 and beyond, we see substantial potential for the growth of our fertility and vein clinic businesses. We anticipate improved performance from the eight new vein clinics we opened in 2010 and plan to continue investing in new clinics going forward. In our Attain Fertility Centers business, we expect to benefit from the recent acquisition of Northwest Center for Reproductive Sciences, and we continue to pursue additional acquisition opportunities - both large and small, as our value proposition is further validated by our Attain Fertility Centers out-performance of the overall fertility market. It is that operational excellence, combined with innovative systems, products and management services that attracts new centers to our network. We are actively pursuing acquisitions and are optimistic in our ability to add new fertility partners in the future."

8:31AM Inventure Foods receives approval to move listing to the NASDAQ Global Market effective Feb 18, 2011 (SNAK) 4.12 :

8:13AM Pride Intl reports Q4 (Dec) results, revs in-line (PDE) 40.53 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.40 per share, may not be comparable to the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.42; revenues rose 26.6% year/year to $400.8 mln vs the $401.6 mln consensus.

8:10AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* CSC (CSC) and The University of Kansas Hospital announced the successful development of CareVeillance, a software tool that provides real-time clinical surveillance and reporting for hospitals by continuously monitoring and evaluating clinical information generated during patient care.
* Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (ETP) announced it has entered into multiple long-term agreements with shippers to provide additional transportation services from the Eagle Ford Shale located in South Texas. To facilitate these agreements, ETP will construct a natural gas pipeline, a processing plant and additional facilities at an ~cost of $300 million.
* TeleCommunication Systems (TSYS) announced that it has entered an exclusive arrangement to be the operator of the Cisco (CSCO) Internet Routing in Space.
* AOL Inc (AOL) announced that it is opening a new office in downtown Orlando, Florida.
* Jack Henry & Associates (JKHY) announced that its Jack Henry Banking division has established a strategic alliance with BankMarketingCenter.com.
* JA Solar Holdings (JASO) announced that it has developed a new high-power multi-crystalline solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 18.2%, representing a significant breakthrough in multi-crystalline silicon solar cell technology.
* Electronics For Imaging (EFII) announced that it has acquired Streamline Development. Streamline is the provider of PrintStream ERP/MIS software focused on mailing and fulfillment services for the printing industry. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

8:09AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* CSC (CSC) and The University of Kansas Hospital announced the successful development of CareVeillance, a software tool that provides real-time clinical surveillance and reporting for hospitals by continuously monitoring and evaluating clinical information generated during patient care.
* Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (ETP) announced it has entered into multiple long-term agreements with shippers to provide additional transportation services from the Eagle Ford Shale located in South Texas. To facilitate these agreements, ETP will construct a natural gas pipeline, a processing plant and additional facilities at an ~cost of $300 million.
* TeleCommunication Systems (TSYS) announced that it has entered an exclusive arrangement to be the operator of the Cisco (CSCO) Internet Routing in Space.
* AOL Inc (AOL) announced that it is opening a new office in downtown Orlando, Florida.
* Jack Henry & Associates (JKHY) announced that its Jack Henry Banking division has established a strategic alliance with BankMarketingCenter.com.
* JA Solar Holdings (JASO) announced that it has developed a new high-power multi-crystalline solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 18.2%, representing a significant breakthrough in multi-crystalline silicon solar cell technology.
* Electronics For Imaging (EFII) announced that it has acquired Streamline Development. Streamline is the provider of PrintStream ERP/MIS software focused on mailing and fulfillment services for the printing industry. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

8:08AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* CSC (CSC) and The University of Kansas Hospital announced the successful development of CareVeillance, a software tool that provides real-time clinical surveillance and reporting for hospitals by continuously monitoring and evaluating clinical information generated during patient care.
* Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (ETP) announced it has entered into multiple long-term agreements with shippers to provide additional transportation services from the Eagle Ford Shale located in South Texas. To facilitate these agreements, ETP will construct a natural gas pipeline, a processing plant and additional facilities at an ~cost of $300 million.
* TeleCommunication Systems (TSYS) announced that it has entered an exclusive arrangement to be the operator of the Cisco (CSCO) Internet Routing in Space.
* AOL Inc (AOL) announced that it is opening a new office in downtown Orlando, Florida.
* Jack Henry & Associates (JKHY) announced that its Jack Henry Banking division has established a strategic alliance with BankMarketingCenter.com.
* JA Solar Holdings (JASO) announced that it has developed a new high-power multi-crystalline solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 18.2%, representing a significant breakthrough in multi-crystalline silicon solar cell technology.
* Electronics For Imaging (EFII) announced that it has acquired Streamline Development. Streamline is the provider of PrintStream ERP/MIS software focused on mailing and fulfillment services for the printing industry. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

8:07AM CryoLife beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line; guides FY11 EPS in-line, revs in-line (CRY) 5.09 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.08 per share, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.07; revenues rose 2.1% year/year to $29.2 mln vs the $29.3 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $0.26-$0.30 vs. $0.29 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees FY11 revs of $120-$126 mln vs. $122.29 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. The company expects tissue processing revenues to increase between mid-single and low-double digits on a percentage basis in 2011 compared to 2010, BioGlue and BioFoam revenues to increase in mid-single digits on a percentage basis in 2011 compared to 2010, with revenues from powdered hemostats, including HemoStase and PerClot, to be between $4.0 million and $6.0 million. Research and development expenses are expected to be between $10.0 million and $12.0 million in 2011.

8:06AM Orexigen Therapeutics announces upcoming departure of CFO for personal reasons; appoints Jay Hagan Acting CFO (OREX) 3.40 : Co announces the upcoming resignation of Graham Cooper, SVP, Finance, CFO and treasurer. He has been with co for over four years, has decided to leave the co for personal reasons. He will remain in his current role at co until the reporting of the co's year-end results and the filing the year ended December 31, 2010. The co intends to name Jay Hagan, SVP, Corporate Development and Strategy, as acting-CFO and transition the financial operation responsibilities to him.

8:06AM Cabela's beats by $0.07, beats on revs (CAB) 28.02 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.86 per share, $0.07 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.79; revenues rose 8.4% year/year to $934 mln vs the $907.7 mln consensus. "We saw improvements in every important financial metric. Revenue, margins, operating income, net income and return on capital were all strong. Our strategy to use Cabela's CLUB Visa program to generate higher profits while deepening customer loyalty produced strong results as well."

8:05AM Dr Pepper Snapple beats by $0.03, reports revs in-line; guides FY11 EPS in-line, expects full year reported net sales to increase 3%-5% (DPS) 34.22 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.67 per share, excluding items, $0.03 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.64; revenues rose 4.1% year/year to $1.41 bln vs the $1.4 bln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $2.70-2.78 vs. $2.73 Thomson Reuters consensus; expects FY11 sales to increase 3%-5%, which calculates to roughly $5.81-5.92 bln (vs. $5.85 bln Thomson Reuters consensus). Co now expects capital spending to be approximately 4.5% of net sales.

8:05AM Apache misses by $0.26, reports revs in-line (APA) 120.51 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $2.19 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.26 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $2.45; revenues rose 34.4% year/year to $3.43 bln vs the $3.46 bln consensus. Apache ended 2010 with proved reserves of 2.95 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Globally, fourth-quarter 2010 production increased 24 percent from the prior-year period to average 729,000 boe per day.

8:02AM China New Borun signs 2 letters of intent to provide 6,500 tons edible alcohol per month starting 2Q11 to customers in Sichuan province; accounts for over 15% of co's expanded total production capacity in 2011 (BORN) 11.49 : Co announced that it has signed two letters of intent with parties in Sichuan province. Under the two pre-sale letters of intent, the Company expects to provide 6,500 tons edible alcohol per month starting from the second quarter of 2011 to its customers in Sichuan province, accounting for over 15% of Borun's expanded total production capacity in 2011. This strategic win helps to further expand the Company's customer base in Sichuan province, the largest Baijiu production base in China. With these two newly signed letters of intent, the Company has secured letters of intent totaling over 90% of its total edible alcohol production capacity in 2011.

8:01AM Circor expects to report revenue and adj EPS within low end of guidance (CIR) 43.41 : Co sees Q4 adjusted EPS of $0.52 to $0.53, guided for $0.50-0.63, vs. $0.61 Thomson Reuters consensus and Q4 sales of ~$194 million, guided for $192-202 mln, vs. $198.75 mln Thomson Reuters consensus... The adjusted EPS exclude ~$1.4 million after-tax Leslie bankruptcy and asbestos charges. Co also expects that incoming orders will be ~$212 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, a 22% increase from the fourth quarter of 2009.

8:01AM Autodesk to acquire Blue Ridge Numerics, a provider of simulation software, for ~$39 million in cash (ADSK) 43.84 :

7:55AM China Adv. Construction Materials announces $6.8 million in new high speed rail contracts (CADC) 4.80 :

7:50AM Health Net repurchases 1.2 million shares in january 2011 for $34.3 million (HNT) 30.84 : Co announces that it repurchased 1.2 million shares of its common stock for $34.3 million in January 2011 under its existing $300 million stock repurchase program. As of January 31, 2011, ~$115.5 million remained available for repurchase under this program.

7:43AM Labranche agrees to be acquired by Cowen Group (COWN) a stock-for-stock merger transaction valued at ~$192.8 million (LAB) 4.06 : Cowen Group and LaBranche & Co announced a definitive merger agreement under which Cowen will acquire LaBranche. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Cowen will acquire LaBranche in a stock-for-stock merger transaction valued at ~$192.8 million. LaBranche shareholders will receive upon closing a fixed ratio of 0.9980 of a share of Cowen Class A common stock for each outstanding share of LaBranche common stock. The total Cowen shares to be issued to LaBranche shareholders will represent ~35.1 percent of the combined company and 33.8 percent on a fully diluted basis. The transaction represents a 16% premium to LaBranche's closing price on February 16, 2011.

7:37AM Ariad Pharm misses by $0.11, misses on revs (ARIA) 6.27 : Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.25 per share, $0.11 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.14); revenues fell 74.9% year/year to $0.5 mln vs the $1.4 mln consensus. The co anticipates cash used in operations during 2011 of $53-56 mln. This estimate assumes receipt of a $25 mln milestone payment from Merck for the acceptance by the Food and Drug Administration of a New Drug Application for ridaforolimus in metastatic sarcomas. The co expects that its cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2011 will be $59-62 mln, sufficient to advance the co's programs to the fourth quarter of 2012.

7:36AM Williams Cos beats by $0.17; guides FY11 and FY12 EPS in-line (WMB) 27.76 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.44 per share, $0.17 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.27. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $1.05-1.75 vs. $1.27 Thomson Reuters consensus. Sees 2012 EPS of $1.20-2.30 vs. $1.57 consensus. The slight improvement in the fourth-quarter results was driven by higher natural gas liquid (NGL) and olefin profits, partially offset by a lower net realized price on natural gas production.

7:35AM Waste Mgmt beats by $0.01, misses on revs; guides FY11 EPS in-line (WM) 37.99 : Reports Q4 (Jan) earnings of $0.60 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.59; revenues rose 6.0% year/year to $3.19 bln vs the $3.28 bln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $2.24-2.30 vs. $2.29 Thomson Reuters consensus. Free cash flow is projected to be in the range of $1.25 billion to $1.35 billion, with capital expenditures of between $1.35 billion and $1.45 billion. "The Board of Directors has announced its intent to increase our quarterly dividend by 8%, to $1.36 per share on an annual basis. We expect our dividend payments to total approximately $650 million in 2011, and we expect common stock repurchases of up to $575 million".

7:34AM Liz Claiborne beats by $0.14, beats on revs (LIZ) 5.39 : Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.03 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.14 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.17); revenues fell 7.0% year/year to $703.7 mln vs the $683.6 mln consensus. Co is targeting FY11 adjusted EBITDA in the range of $100-120 million vs adjusted EBITDA of $50 million in 2010. "This reflects the current view of our businesses, as we continue to work through the turnarounds at Mexx Europe and Lucky Brand, speed the roll out of Juicy Couture globally while re-energizing the domestic business, and continue to drive profitable growth at kate spade and with our licensed Liz Claiborne brand at JCPenney. Looking forward, we expect to see sequential improvement in most of our key operating metrics through 2012. In light of where we finished 2010, our forecast for 2011 and our view of current market conditions overall, we currently target adjusted EBITDA for 2012 in the range of $180-220 million. This range reflects the sensitivity in our overall corporate performance to achieving profitability at Mexx Europe... While this target falls short of the goals we laid out in our 2012 threshold framework, we remain focused on achieving the profits and cash flows required to hit those threshold goals as quickly as possible."

7:33AM Hyatt Hotels reports EPS in-line, revs in-line (H) 49.52 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.07 per share, excluding non-recurring items, in-line with the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.07; revenues rose 3.3% year/year to $918 mln vs the $920.8 mln consensus. Adjusted EBITDA was $118 million compared to $104 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, an increase of 13.5%. Comparable owned and leased hotels RevPAR increased 4.1% (4.4% excluding the effect of currency) compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. FY11 cap-ex: $380-400 mln.

7:32AM Trex reports LIFO inventory accounting change from specific goods to Link Chain (TREX) 26.20 : Co announces a change in its accounting for inventories from a Specific Goods LIFO approach to a Link Chain LIFO method. The co believes the change is preferable because the Link Chain LIFO method is based on a single inventory pool vs. more than 30 LIFO pools under the prior method, simplifying the LIFO calculation; provides better matching of sales and expenses by creating fewer LIFO liquidations; and aligns the co's inventory costing method with prevalent inventory practice. The change to the Link Chain LIFO method is effective during the 2010 fourth quarter and affected periods subsequent to December 31, 2006.

7:31AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* AECOM Technology Corporation (ACM) announced that it has been awarded a detailed design contract worth ~US$22 million from the Singapore Land Transport Authority.
* Heckmann Corporation (HEK) announced that it has started construction on a pipeline expansion that will significantly increase its Heckmann Water Resources produced water disposal pipeline capacity in Texas and Louisiana.
* ProLogis (PLD) announced it signed a new build-to-suit development agreement totaling 241,000 square feet and with a total expected investment of ~$19.2 million.
* Rentrak (RENT) announced a multi-year StationView Essentials agreement with Bonten Media Group, Inc., an operator of leading local television stations across eight television markets in the United States.
* BioDelivery Sciences International (BDSI) announced that enrollment of its Phase 3 trial assessing the efficacy and safety of BEMA Buprenorphine for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic pain is on schedule, with over half of the needed subjects enrolled.
* EMCOR Group (EME) announced that its J.C. Higgins subsidiary has been awarded a contract for the installation of the mechanical systems for the Children's Hospital Boston, located in Boston, Massachusetts

7:29AM Ventas beats by $0.02, misses on revs; guides FY11 FFO in-line (VTR) 56.15 : Reports Q4 (Dec) funds from operations of $0.77 per share, $0.02 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.75; revenues rose 12.7% year/year to $268 mln vs the $277 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees FFO of 3.06-3.14 vs. $3.12 Thomson Reuters consensus. Co also announces Board increased the co's first quarter 2011 dividend by 7.5% to $0.575 per share

7:25AM Pinnacle Airlines misses by $0.03, misses on revs (PNCL) 6.98 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.14 per share, $0.03 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.17; revenues rose 39.4% year/year to $291.6 mln vs the $296.9 mln consensus.

7:24AM Universal American Corp beats by $0.23, reports revs in-line (UAM) 20.30 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.45 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.23 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $1.22; revenues rose 14.2% year/year to $1.38 bln vs the $1.38 bln consensus. At the closing of the CVS Caremark transaction, UAM shareholders are now expected to receive ~$13.00 per share to $13.20 per share in cash and one share of NewCo. We project that NewCo will have a total of approximately $630 million of cash at the holding co and statutory capital in its subsidiaries as of June 30, 2011. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of CY11.

7:20AM ION Geophysical awarded final judgment and permanent injunction against sercel in patent infringement lawsuit (IO) 9.87 : Co announces that the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas entered a final judgment and permanent injunction in its patent infringement lawsuit against seismic equipment provider Sercel, Inc. The permanent injunction, which was entered by the Court on February 16, 2011, prohibits Sercel and parties acting in concert with Sercel from making, using, offering to sell, selling, or importing in the United States Sercel's 408UL, 428XL and SeaRay digital sensor units, and all other products that are only colorably different from those products.

7:14AM Pool reports EPS in-line, revs in-line; guides FY11 EPS in-line (POOL) 25.75 : Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.24 per share, in-line with the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.24); revenues rose 4.5% year/year to $241.4 mln vs the $240 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $1.27-1.35 vs. $1.32 Thomson Reuters consensus. Base business sales improved 4% in the quarter compared to the same period in 2009. Gross margin increased 150 basis points to 30.5% in the fourth quarter of 2010 from 29.0% for the same period last year. This margin expansion reflects a benefit from continued improvements in pricing and purchasing discipline.

7:11AM Monotype Imaging beats by $0.04, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS in-line, revs above consensus; guides FY11 EPS in-line, revs in-line (TYPE) 11.59 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.17 per share, $0.04 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.13; revenues rose 17.1% year/year to $29.4 mln vs the $28.6 mln consensus. Co issues guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.12-0.14 vs. $0.12 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees Q1 revs of $28.5-30 mln vs. $28.14 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $0.55-0.60 vs. $0.55 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees FY11 revs of $119-123.0 mln vs. $119.18 mln Thomson Reuters consensus.

7:11AM TRW Automotive beats by $0.48, beats on revs; guides Q1 revs above consensus; guides FY11 revs below consensus (TRW) 59.64 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.72 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.48 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $1.24; revenues rose 9.7% year/year to $3.71 bln vs the $3.48 bln consensus. The positive impact on sales resulting from improved global vehicle production volumes compared to the prior year quarter was partially offset by the negative impact of currency movements. Co issues upside guidance for Q1, sees Q1 revs of ~$3.9 bln vs. $3.81 bln Thomson Reuters consensus. Co issues downside guidance for FY11, sees FY11 revs of $14.9-15.3 bln vs. $15.38 bln Thomson Reuters consensus.

7:10AM Avista misses by $0.03, misses on revs; reaffirms FY11 EPS guidance (AVA) 23.10 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.45 per share, $0.03 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.48; revenues fell 7.2% year/year to $374.4 mln vs the $409.9 mln consensus. Co reaffirms guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $1.60-1.80 vs. $1.77 Thomson Reuters consensus.

7:09AM Weight Watchers beats by $0.08, beats on revs; guides FY11 EPS above consensus (WTW) 44.92 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.64 per share, $0.08 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.56; revenues rose 14.6% year/year to $356.7 mln vs the $321 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $3.50-3.85 vs. $2.77 Thomson Reuters consensus.

7:08AM Timberland beats by $0.31, beats on revs (TBL) 29.50 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.82 per share, $0.31 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.51; revenues rose 26.7% (+28.1% FX adj.) year/year to $491 mln vs the $411.6 mln consensus. Global footwear revenue increased 31.2% YoY to $358.8 million, driven by men's footwear and supported by strong growth in women's and kids' footwear in all three regions. Apparel and accessories revenue increased 16.6% to $125.1 million, reflecting growth in every region, led by strength in Timberland apparel sales in Asia. Global wholesale revenue was up 30.9% to $326.6 million compared to the prior year period, with double-digit growth across all segments.

7:07AM Gentiva Health Svcs beats by $0.04, reports revs in-line; guides FY11 EPS in-line, revs in-line (GTIV) 27.33 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.70 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.04 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.66; revenues rose 50.0% year/year to $465 mln vs the $463.1 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $2.70-2.80 vs. $2.73 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees FY11 revs of $1.90-1.95 bln vs. $1.94 bln Thomson Reuters consensus. Gentiva's 2011 outlook includes the full-year impact of its Odyssey HealthCare, Inc. acquisition and the final rules regarding Medicare home health reimbursement rates for 2011, which were issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on November 2, 2010.

7:06AM Northgate Minerals reports indicated resource of 2.6 mln ounces of gold and 860 mln pounds of copper for Northgate's Kemess underground project (NXG) 2.90 : Co releases its updated NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate for the Kemess Underground Project. The highlights include:

* Indicated Resource of 136.5 mln tonnes containing 2.6 mln ounces of gold and 860.6 mln pounds of copper. This represents an 18% increase in tonnes, a 10% increase in contained gold and a 9% increase in contained copper from the May 2010 resource.
* Identified a 10.3 Mt high-grade sector of the overall resource containing 450,000 ounces of gold and 119 mln pounds of copper grading 1.35 grams per tonne gold and 0.52% copper, respectively.
* Co has engaged an independent mining consulting firm to complete technical studies, which will be incorporated into a NI 43-101 compliant Preliminary Assessment.

7:06AM Lear authorizes $400 mln share repurchase; initiates tnitiates $0.25 per share quarterly cash dividend; declares two-for-one stock split (LEA) 111.13 :

7:05AM Anadigics beats by $0.01, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS below consensus (ANAD) 6.53 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.07 per share, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.06; revenues rose 44.0% year/year to $60.2 mln vs the $58 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of ($0.07)-(0.08), excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.04 Thomson Reuters consensus. "We are seeing indications of greater than normal seasonality in the first quarter of 2011 primarily due to softness in China and through our distribution channels relating to excess inventories, coupled with a continued market correction expected to further impact our Cable and WiMax revenue."

7:04AM Plexus authorizes to repurchase up to $200 mln of its common stock (PLXS) 29.27 : Co announces its Board has approved a new stock repurchase program under which the co is authorized to repurchase up to $200 mln of its common stock. The Board has also authorized the co to fund the stock repurchase program with existing cash and new long-term debt of up to $200 mln. This borrowing transaction is expected to close by the end of the co's fiscal third quarter.

7:03AM Duke Energy misses by $0.02, beats on revs; guides FY11 EPS above consensus (DUK) 17.70 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.21 per share, $0.02 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.23; revenues rose 10.8% year/year to $3.44 bln vs the $3.16 bln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $1.35-1.40 vs. $1.34 Thomson Reuters consensus.

7:03AM Claude Resources reports initial open pit resource at Amisk Gold Project (CGR) 2.45 : Co announces an independent mineral resource statement for mineralization amenable to open pit mining on the 13,600 hectare Amisk Gold Project in northeastern Saskatchewan, Canada. Amisk Gold Project, Saskatchewan, February 9, 2011: indicated 30.15 mln tonnes, inferred 28.65 mln tonnes.

7:02AM Huntsman announces a price increase for all its titanium dioxide pigments by Euros 175 per tonne, effective April 1, 2011 (HUN) 18.83 :

7:00AM Southern Community Finl enters into consent order with regulators; bank's capital position exceeds regulatory requirements (SCMF) 1.48 : Co announces that its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Southern Community Bank and Trust, has entered into a Consent Order with the FDIC and the State of North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks with certain requirements, including reducing problem loans and maintaining current capital levels. Separately, co has elected to defer dividend payments on its preferred stock issued to the U.S. Department of Treasury and interest payments on both outstanding issues of trust preferred securities. Lastly, the co has also elected to defer regularly scheduled interest payments on both issues of junior subordinated debentures, relating to outstanding trust preferred securities, having an outstanding principal amount of $45.9 mln.

6:46AM Inspire Pharm beats by $0.07, beats on revs; guides FY11 revs below consensus (ISPH) 4.22 : Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.05 per share, $0.07 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.12); revenues rose 2.4% year/year to $30.3 mln vs the $28.4 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for FY11, sees FY11 revs of $80-90 mln vs. $92.54 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. Total operating expenses in the range of $110-125 mln, which includes projected stock-based compensation costs of ~$7-12 mln and restructuring costs.

6:42AM Alere beats by $0.05, beats on revs (ALR) 39.74 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.71 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.05 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.66; revenues rose 5.9% year/year to $578.5 mln vs the $550.9 mln consensus.

6:38AM SPX Corp beats by $0.04, misses on revs (SPW) 85.20 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.13 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.04 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $1.09; revenues rose 0.2% year/year to $1.32 bln vs the $1.36 bln consensus. Organic revenues increased 2.8%. The 2010 acquisitions of Anhydro and Gerstenberg Schroeder increased reported revenue by 9.2%, while the impact of currency fluctuations decreased revenues by 1.0% from the year-ago quarter. "As we move into 2011 we are encouraged by many positive trends across our end markets, and remain confident in, and committed to executing, our long term strategy."

6:37AM Strayer Education beats by $0.08, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 EPS in-line (STRA) 128.92 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $2.73 per share, $0.08 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $2.65; revenues rose 16.8% year/year to $172 mln vs the $172.7 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $2.65-2.67 vs. $2.67 Thomson Reuters consensus. Total enrollment at Strayer University for the 2011 winter term increased 4% to 57,608 students compared to 55,106 students for the same term in 2010. Across the Strayer University campus network, continuing student enrollments increased approximately 10% and new student enrollments decreased approximately 20%. Global (out of area) online students increased 10%, while students taking 100% of their classes online (including campus based students) was essentially unchanged.

6:36AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* Today, Doble Group announced that they have joined SuccessFactors' (SFSF) partner program as a SuccessSales partner. Under the terms of the agreement, Doble Group will resell SuccessFactors products and services in the Caribbean and Central America.
* TeleTech Holdings (TTEC) has been chosen by one of North America's largest energy services retailers to provide a fully hosted, cloud-based technology and eLearning solution.
* Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (IART) announced that it has entered into an exclusive worldwide license and development agreement with Stout Medical Group, LP to develop and commercialize an expandable interbody device. The license allows Integra to develop a device that surgeons could implant into the disc space using minimally invasive techniques, enabling surgeons to perform a potentially safer, simpler procedure.

6:35AM Barrick Gold beats by $0.11, beats on revs (ABX) 49.72 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.95 per share, ex-items, $0.11 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.84; revenues rose 24.9% year/year to $2.95 bln vs the $2.74 bln consensus. Q4 production of 1.70 million ounces of gold was in line with expectations at total and net cash costs of $486 and $326 per ounce, respectively. The co expects 2011 gold production to be in a comparable range to 2010 at 7.6-8.0 million ounces at total cash costs of $450-$480 per ounce or net cash costs of $340-$380 per ounce. Higher expected gold cash costs for 2011 primarily reflect lower grades and higher labor costs in South America and Australia. Production is anticipated to increase to 9 million ounces within the next five years and total cash costs are expected to benefit from low cost projects, primarily Pueblo Viejo and Pascua-Lama, as these mines come on stream. Copper production for 2011 is anticipated to be about 300 million pounds at total cash costs of $1.35-$1.45 per pound. Total cash costs are expected to be higher in 2011 compared to 2010, primarily due to increased market prices for sulfuric acid and the processing of lower grades. The co has secured contracts for essentially all of its sulfuric acid supply required in 2011 at prices well below the average current market price. Capital project expenditures for 2011 are expected to be in the range of $2.1-$2.3 bln primarily related to construction activities at Pueblo Viejo and Pascua-Lama.

6:30AM Inspire Pharm announces corporate restructuring and strategic focus on eye care business; estimated to save more than $40 million in 2011 (ISPH) 4.22 : Co announces a strategic corporate restructuring designed to result in the Company focusing activities on its eye care business, allowing it to fully leverage existing commercial capabilities, pipeline assets and related corporate development and licensing opportunities. This strategic restructuring is estimated to result in a more than $40 million reduction in 2011 non-cost of sales operating expenses, excluding restructuring charges, as compared to 2010. This amount is estimated to include ~$10 million of compensation expense savings and up to $30 million in reduced R&D spending. The Company expects to record a restructuring charge of $10-$13 million in the first quarter of 2011, which will include severance costs, termination of ongoing denufosol contracts and activities and the write-off of impaired assets and idle facility charges.

6:19AM Duncan Energy beats by $0.03, beats on revs (DEP) 32.54 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.43 per share, $0.03 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.40; revenues rose 9.7% year/year to $275.6 mln vs the $269.9 mln consensus.

6:18AM Natl Hlth Investors raises first quarter dividend to $0.615, +4.2% from 2010 (NHI) 46.25 :

6:17AM Silvercorp Metals announces positive preliminary assessment for the Silvertip silver-lead-zinc project, British Columbia, Canada (SVM) 12.26 : Co announces it has received an independent Preliminary Assessment Technical Report prepared by Golder Associates Ltd. on its 100% owned Silvertip project, British Columbia, Canada. This PA is based on the mineral resource update for the Silvertip deposit detailed in the NI 43-101 technical report by Mr. Randy Cullen released on February 19, 2010. For a small mine and mill operating seasonally at 500 tonne per day or 72,000 tonne per year, and using the three year average prices, the undiscounted pre-tax NPV is $US122 million, with a pre-tax IRR of 21 per cent. For the upside case the undiscounted pre-tax NPV is US$311 million, with a pre-tax IRR of 49%. The initial capital cost of the project is estimated to be $US49 million with sustaining capital costs over the remaining mine life estimated at $US54.2 million. The payback period is estimated at 4 years for the base case and 2 years for the upside case after reaching commercial production.

6:11AM Amerigon beats by $0.05, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 revs (ARGN) 11.17 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.15 per share, $0.05 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.10; revenues rose 33.8% year/year to $28.9 mln vs the $29 mln consensus. Co issues guidance for Q1, sees Q1 revs up slightly from $28.9 mln in Q4 vs. $31.04 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. "While CCS is currently our only high volume product, we expect the heated and cooled cup holder and heated and cooled mattress will begin to contribute more meaningful product revenues during 2011."

6:08AM Spectranetics reports EPS in-line, revs in-line; guides FY11 revs in-line (SPNC) 4.92 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.02 per share, in-line with the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.02; revenues fell 1.3% year/year to $29.3 mln vs the $29.5 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees FY11 revs of $122.5-126.5 mln vs. $123.12 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. Gross margin is expected to be ~the same as 2010 levels of 71%, but important initiatives designed to improve manufacturing efficiencies in 2012 and beyond will be implemented this year.

6:05AM Acorda Therapeutics misses by $0.08, beats on revs (ACOR) 23.20 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.09 per share, $0.08 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.17; revenues rose 363.9% year/year to $66.8 mln vs the $64.3 mln consensus. The co currently expects AMPYRA FY1 net rev to increase to $205-$230 mln.

6:00AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* PCTEL (PCTI) and Anite Finland announced the integration and support of PCTEL's recently released SeeGull MX scanning receiver to the Nemo Outdoor Drive Test Solution.
* Portland General Electric (POR) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bonneville Power Administration that allows the two utilities to coordinate planning of new electrical substations and transmission facilities and to consider joint development.
* Motorola Mobility (MMI) announced The Carphone Warehouse, Best Buy (BBY) and Dixons Retail in the U.K. as well as Deutsche Telekom A.G. in selected markets will be introducing Motorola XOOM.

5:37AM Corn Products beats by $0.32, beats on revs; guides FY11 EPS in-line, revs above consensus (CPO) 48.60 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.05 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.32 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.73; revenues rose 46.8% year/year to $1.41 bln vs the $1.1 bln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for FY11, sees EPS of $3.60-3.90 vs. $3.73 Thomson Reuters consensus; sees FY11 revs of ~$6 bln vs. $5.73 bln Thomson Reuters consensus. Capital expenditures are anticipated to be between $280-300 mln and will support growth investment across the organization, particularly in South America.

3:14AM Luxottica acquires 2 sunglass specialty chains totaling more than 70 stores in Mexico for EUR 17 mln (LUX) 29.95 : Co announces that it has entered into an agreement pursuant to which it will acquire Stanza and High Tech, two sunglass specialty retail chains totaling more than 70 stores in Mexico. The transaction, which is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2011, involves a purchase price of ~EUR17 mln. It is expected that the combined net sales of the two chains for 2011 could reach EUR15 mln.

2:24AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* Avnet Electronics Marketing, a business group of Avnet (AVT), has signed a global distribution agreement with Samsung Electro-Mechanics one of the world's largest manufacturers of advanced electronics components.
* FXCM (FXCM) an online provider of forex trading and related services worldwide, has opened a second office in Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui East under its FXCM Asia brand.
* Spansion (CODE) announced it has expanded the industry's fastest family of NOR Flash memory devices to deliver substantial innovation to the next generation of applications in automotive, consumer electronics, and gaming.
* Openwave Systems (OPWV) announced it has expanded its technology alliance partnership with F5 Networks to include Openwave Analytics and Openwave Media Optimizer.

2:08AM Omega Health beats by $0.03, beats on revs; guides FY11 FFO in-line (OHI) 22.41 : Reports Q4 (Dec) funds from operations of $0.46 per share, $0.03 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.43; revenues rose 43.9% year/year to $71.1 mln vs the $68.9 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees FFO of 1.80-1.86 vs. $1.84 Thomson Reuters consensus.

2:01AM Nexen beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line (NXY) 24.26 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of CDN$0.42 per share, CDN$0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of CDN$0.41; revenues fell 5.4% year/year to CDN$1.55 bln vs the CDN$1.55 bln consensus.

1:53AM Basic Energy Services beats by $0.08, beats on revs (BAS) 18.59 : Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.05 per share, $0.08 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.13); revenues rose 66.2% year/year to $212.9 mln vs the $209.8 mln consensus. Co has planned a 2011 capital expenditure program of ~$136 mln in 2011, with the majority of spending being directed to fluid services and completion and remedial services segments. "In 2011, we expect demand in our oil-oriented markets to continue to move upward, as oil prices remain above levels necessary to support increased capital spending for workover and drilling programs. Given that outlook, we believe higher utilization levels will continue to drive further improvement in pricing and margins throughout 2011."

1:26AM Borders Group receives court approval for $505 mln of Debtor-in-Possession Financing (BGP) 0.23 : Co announces that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has approved its $505 mln in Debtor-in-Possession financing led by GE Capital, Restructuring Finance. Co will use the funds, to pay vendors, publishers and other suppliers for post-petition goods and services and to operate its day-to-day business.

1:20AM ImmuCell Corporation receives Effectiveness Technical Section Incomplete letter From FDA (ICCC) 3.61 : Co announces that it received an Effectiveness Technical Section Incomplete Letter from the Center for Veterinary Medicine, FDA. Additional clinical studies are not required. The FDA has requested additional information in the areas of raw data, subject eligibility and statistical analyses and has requested that certain treatment outcomes be changed or justified.

1:17AM Chesapeake Energy and CNOOC (CEO) announce closing of Niobrara-Focused DJ Basin and Powder River Basin Project cooperation agreement (CHK) 30.68 : CHK and CEO announce the closing of a project cooperation agreement whereby CEO, purchased a 33.3% undivided interest in CHK's 800,000 net oil and natural gas leasehold acres in the Denver-Julesburg and Powder River Basins in northeast Colorado and southeast Wyoming. The consideration for the transaction was $570 mln in cash. In addition, CEO has agreed to fund 66.7% of CHK's share of drilling and completion costs up to $697 mln, which CHK expects to occur by year-end 2014.

1:11AM Celgene receives positive final appraisal determination from National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence for use in the National Health Service in England and Wales (CELG) 53.92 : Co announces that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued a Final Appraisal Determination recommending VIDAZA within its licensed indication, as an option for the treatment of patients in England and Wales with myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukaemia. NICE determined that VIDAZA, as an innovative, life-extending therapy, is a cost-effective use of NHS resources. NICE's evaluation considered peer-reviewed clinical studies that demonstrated VIDAZA extended the lives of patients with MDS by more than nine months compared to conventional care regimens.


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