Options Wonderland

[3xBuBu]

Market Update: 110314
4:30 pm : Stocks may have settled in the red, but the loss was only about half as bad as what it could have been.

Widespread weakness dropped the stock market to a midday loss of more than 1%. The negative bias among participants was primarily the result of selling pressure abroad. In its first full session of trade since a massive earthquake hit the country late last week, Japan's Nikkei plummeted 6% in its worst single session slide in more than two years. In order to promote liquidity, Japan's central bank announced plans to increase its asset purchase plan to 10 trillion yen from 5 trillion and to make another 15 trillion yen available for the banking system. Even though action in Japan was extremely weak, stocks in Hong Kong and Mainland China actually mustered modest gains.

Europe's major bourses all fell on sharply as participants there considered that a weekend vote by Europe's officials to increase the bailout package for fiscally strained eurozone countries to 440 billion euros from 250 billion euros would be footed mostly by the continent's major economies. However, Greece's Athex rallied 5%.

The idea of a more fiscally stable eurozone overall helped euro advance against the greenback. It was quoted with a 0.7% gain at about $1.400 at the end of the trading day.

There weren't any real broad market drivers for domestic participants today, but even as stocks were beaten down to fresh one-month lows they still fought off some of the selling pressure in afternoon trade. That helped the major averages finish the day with relatively modest losses.

Energy stocks stood out as the only sector that settled in higher ground. Their 0.4% gain was led by refiners, which were initially pushed higher amid another pullback in oil prices. Oil prices managed to overcome a 2% loss to settle the day flat modestly above $101 per barrel.

Solar energy stocks booked some of the best performances for the day. Their gains were underpinned by notions that demand will be spurred amid the challenge facing Japan following explosions at many of the country's nuclear facilities in the wake of the earthquake.

Such consideration kept pressure on electric utilities stocks, which finished trade with a 1.4% loss.

Advancing Sectors: Energy (+0.4%)
Declining Sectors: Utilities (-1.4%), Telecom (-1.1%), Consumer Discretionary (-1.1%), Financial (-1.0%), Industrials (-0.8%), Consumer Staples (-0.8%), Health Care (-0.5%), Tech (-0.4%), Materials (-0.2%)DJ30 -51.24 NASDAQ -14.64 NQ100 -0.4% R2K -0.6% SP400 -0.5% SP500 -7.89 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 782/1.78 bln/1837 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 952/963 mln/2021

3:30 pm : It was a mixed session for commodities. Grains (+0.3%) led all advancers, while industrials (-1.4%) led all decliners.

April crude oil finished just above unchanged at $101.19 per barrel. It successfully erased overnight losses, where it put in lows at $98.47. The Middle East was once again the focus of the market today after reports that Saudi Arabia, as well as the UAE, were sending troops into Bahrain. April natural gas closed up 0.7% to $3.91 per MMBtu. Futures sold off in afternoon trade and closed off close to 15 cents off its highs.

It was an uneventful session for the precious metals. April gold ended higher by 0.3% to $101.19 per ounce, while May silver shed 0.2% to finish at $35.84 per ounce. DJ30 -84.24 NASDAQ -18.25 SP500 -11.02 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 781/1.4 bln/1814 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 890/661.4 mln/2077

3:00 pm : Stocks are drifting off of afternoon highs. That has left the S&P 500 to continue trading with a 1% loss.

The many negative headlines of the past week have compelled many investors and traders to take action. In turn, share volume is strong this session.

With only an hour left in today's regular session, attention starts to turn to tomorrow's agenda. Economic items slated for tomorrow include the Empire Manufacturing Survey for March, February import prices, and Treasury International Capital Flows for January. The headline item will be the FOMC rate decision, which is expected to remain unchanged, but participants will surely comb over the verbiage of the accompanying statement for insight into the latest economic developments and plans from the Fed. DJ30 -99.04 NASDAQ -21.02 SP500 -12.58 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 720/1.31 bln/1878 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 765/600 mln/2173

2:30 pm : Stocks have resumed their climb from session lows. The effort has the major equity averages at their best levels since this morning.

Oil prices have also continued to trim losses. The energy component recently turned positive, but it is now back to $101.20 per barrel to trade flat. Buying in both oil and the broader market has been enough to help the energy sector poke into positive territory so that it now trades with a 0.1% gain.

Not only do energy stocks make up this session's best performing sector, but they also represent the best performing sector for the year. So far, the energy sector is up almost 10% in 2011. A 4.0% year-to-date gain by industrials makes it the next best performing sector of 2011. DJ30 -84.01 NASDAQ -18.49 SP500 -11.06 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 747/1.19 bln/1818 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 762/550 mln/2173

2:00 pm : The stock market's recent attempt to lift off of session lows has run into resistance. That has left stocks to continue trading with sizable losses, although the stock market is still above its worst level of the day.

Oil prices have been paring losses this afternoon. The energy component had been just beneath $99.50 per barrel in electronic trade this morning, but contracts are now quoting oil prices at $100.80 per barrel, which makes for only a 0.4% loss.

Oil's rebound is helping the energy sector make a push toward the neutral line. The energy sector is now down just 0.2%. Tech, down 0.7%, makes up the next best performing sector. DJ30 -106.87 NASDAQ -22.40 SP500 -13.54 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 671/1.12 bln/1893 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 678/510 mln/2260

1:30 pm : Stocks recently made a modest move up from their session lows, but they still have a long way to go before they can fully offset this session's loss. Even more ground has to be made up before the stock market can get back above its 50-day moving average.

Nonetheless, the stock market's recent uptick has caused Treasuries to slip some. In turn, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Note is now at 3.35% after it had been down to about 3.33%, which made for a new one-month low. DJ30 -125.34 NASDAQ -24.67 SP500 -15.08 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 697/1.05 bln/1849 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 691/475 mln/2233

1:00 pm : Despite a positive finish to trade last week, the tone of today's trade has been decidedly negative. That has caused the stock market to drop to a new one-month low.

Stocks staggered a bit in the early going, but eventually rolled over as participants opted to pull some of their money. The negative bias comes after many major foreign markets moved lower. Japan's Nikkei was by far the worst performer; it dropped 6% in its first full session of trade since the massive earthquake that rocked the country late last week.

In order to promote liquidity, Japan's central bank announced plans to increase its asset purchase plan to 10 trillion yen from 5 trillion and to make another 15 trillion yen available for the banking system.

Following news that the earthquake has compromised many of Japan's nuclear facilities alternative energy plays, like solar energy stocks MEMC Electronic Materials (WFR 13.64, +1.62) and First Solar (FSLR 146.55, +6.81), are up sharply. They are some of the few stocks that have managed to make gains this session.

Widespread weakness in the broader market has left the three major U.S. equity averages to trade at new monthly lows. Buyers have been largely unwilling to step back in, thus far.

The dollar recently fell to fresh session lows, where it trades with a 0.5% loss against competing currencies. Rather trade as a safe haven, the greenback is down against the euro following a weekend vote by Europe's officials to increase the bailout package for fiscally strained eurozone countries to 440 billion euros from 250 billion euros. DJ30 -118.22 NASDAQ -26.23 SP500 -15.73 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 557/960 mln/1980 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 597/440 mln/2323

12:30 pm : Semiconductor stocks had been up with a collective gain of 1% in the early going, but broader market weakness has since dragged down the group so that it trades with a 0.2% loss. Still, that is considerably less than the broader market's 1.2% loss.

Energy stocks have also managed to limit losses. As a group, energy stocks are down a relatively tame 0.4%. The sector's relative strength stems from favor for refiners as oil prices continue to trade lower. Refiners are collectively up 1.9%.DJ30 -128.48 NASDAQ -28.91 SP500 -15.61 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 539/875 mln/2000 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 561/401 mln/2340

12:00 pm : The stock market continues to trade near its session low, but a few stocks have successfully staged strong gains. This session's best performers carry a common theme: alternative energy. As such, MEMC Electronic Materials (WFR 13.54, +1.52) and First Solar (FSLR 145.66, +5.92) are up sharply. Their strength comes as participants consider the potential for companies engaged in activities related to solar energy following the problems at Japan's nuclear facilities, which were compromised by the massive earthquake that hit the country late last week.DJ30 -116.98 NASDAQ -28.48 SP500 -15.09 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 585/775 mln/1926 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 571/355 mln/2295

11:30 am : About 90% of the names in the S&P 500 are now in negative territory. That has left stocks to drop another leg lower, so that the S&P 500 at its worst level in more than one month.

Despite the stockmarket's downturn, the dollar really hasn't caught much of a bid from safety seekers. Instead, the greenback is trailing a basket of major foreign currencies by about 0.3%, which is where it has been for virtually the entire session. DJ30 -126.32 NASDAQ -31.56 SP500 -16.14 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 516/650 mln/1967 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 539/295 mln/2327

11:00 am : Stocks have fallen to session lows as weakness becomes increasingly widespread. Half of the major sectors in the S&P 500 are now down with losses in excess of 1%.

Utilities made up the worst performing sector in the early going, but they have managed to pare some of their losses so that the sector is now down 1.4% for the day. Still, that ties the financial sector's current 1.4% loss -- no other sector is down as much.

Volatility has heated up amid this session's stiff selling. Specifically, the Volatility Index is up almost 9%. DJ30 -92.56 NASDAQ -22.80 SP500 -12.52 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 657/495 mln/1776 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 659/225 mln/2156

10:35 am : Despite weakness in the dollar index, broad weakness continues in commodities as the CRB Commodity Index is down for a fifth consecutive session from recent highs hit on March 7.

Crude oil is extending losses for a fifth day and the most active contract (April) has pulled back almost 5% from contract highs of $105.44 per barrel, also hit on Mar 7. In current activity, crude has erased most of its losses, but remains modestly lower and is now down 0.9% at $100.30 per barrel.

April natural gas is extending gains for a second straight session, up over 4% in two days. In current trade, the energy component is showing gains of 2.8% at $4.00/per MMBtu.

Precious metals are higher in today's session, but are mixed from last Monday (April gold -0.4% since last Monday, May silver +0.2%). Currently, April gold is up 0.4% at $1428.30 per ounce, while May silver is slightly higher at $35.97 per ounce.

In the CRB Index, 14 of its 19 components are trading lower, led by sugar (-4.6%), cotton (-3.4%) and lean hogs (-1.6%).DJ30 -87.49 NASDAQ -19.71 SP500 -10.97 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 806/347.3 mln/1563 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 773/164.2 mln/1960

10:00 am : Semiconductor stocks have extended the advance that they made this past Friday. Prior to last Friday's trade the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index had been on pace for a weekly loss of almost 8%, but it bounced 1% on Friday. The Semiconductor Index is up another 1.0% today.

Renewed strength among semiconductor stocks has helped the Nasdaq cut its loss so that it now sits just below the neutral line. Meanwhile, the broader market remains under stiffer pressure. DJ30 -36.41 NASDAQ -1.29 SP500 -4.86 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 634/165 mln/1643 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 660/94 mln/2019

09:45 am : Stocks are under pressure in the early going. They had started to pare their opening gap down, but pressure has picked back up to take the broader market another leg lower.

Utilities stocks are under the most pressure at the moment. The sector's 1.8% loss has been led by weakness among electric utilities (-2.0%), which have been implicated by concerns about Japan's nuclear plants, which have been compromised by the massive earthquake that hit the country late last week. DJ30 -50.33 NASDAQ -9.51 SP500 -6.17 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 434/52 mln/1753 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 426/44 mln/2009

09:15 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -7.30. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -12.10. Stock futures continue to suggest that today's session will start with a sizable loss. The weak mood among morning traders mostly stems from concerns about the implications of a massive earthquake in Japan late last week, as well as the consequences of demolished nuclear facilities in the wake of the quake. Those themes left Japan's Nikkei to plummet 6.1% in its worst single session slide in more than two years, even though Japan's central bank made the decision to increase its asset purchase plan to 10 trillion yen from 5 trillion and to make another 15 trillion yen available for the banking system, so as to promote liquidity. Europe's major bourses have also mostly moved lower. Officials voted to increase the bailout package for fiscally strained eurozone countries to 440 billion euros from 250 billion euros. Stocks in countries that are most likely to benefit from this decision have benefited from the news, though.

09:05 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -7.00. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -12.90. Oil prices remain under pressure. As such, generic futures contracts currently price the energy component at $99 per barrel in the first few minutes of pit trade. That translates to a 2.1% loss. In contrast, natural gas prices are up a sharp 2.3% to $3.98 per MMBtu. Precious metals are also mixed. Specifically, gold prices were last quoted 0.2% higher at $1425 per ounce, but silver is off by 0.1% at $35.89 per ounce. General weakness in the commodity complex has the CRB Commodity Index down 0.7%, which puts it on pace for its fifth straight loss. During the course of those five sessions, the CRB has fallen almost 4%.

08:35 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -6.70. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -12.10. Premarket trade continues to be characterized with weakness. There is also pressure in Europe. During the weekend leaders of the European Union agreed to expand their bailout program to a full 440 billion euros, up from 250 billion. The revised plan is intended to allow the purchase of bonds on the primary market and also provide easier credit terms to Greece. Greece's ASE has rallied about 6% in response to the news. Spain's IBEX has bounced 1.7%. However, Germany's DAX is down 1.3% as its declining issues outnumber its advancers by 4-to-1. RWE AG, Muenchener Rue, and Allianz (AZ) have been the heaviest drags. Deutsche Bank (DB) has put together a nice bounce after trading downward during recent sessions. France's CAC is currently down 0.6% as energy giant Total (TOT) becomes imbued by weakness associated with falling oil prices. Discretionary play LVMH Moet Hennessey has also been a source of weakness. Financial outfits BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, and Credit Agricole have been strong performers, though. Britain's FTSE is off by 0.3%. Vodafone (VOD) has been under heavy pressure. BP Plc (BP), BHP Billiton (BHP), and HSBC (HBC) have also been hit hard, but related issues like Rio Tinto (RIO), Xstrata, and Standard Charter have put together gains.

Overnight action in Asia was highlighted by a 6.1% drop in Japan's Nikkei -- its worst single-session loss in more than two years. The Bank of Japan announced plans to inject 15 trillion yen, or a bit more than $180 billion, into the Japanese banking system so as to promote liquidity in the wake of the earthquake crisis. The country's central bank also held its benchmark interest rate at 0.10% and raised its asset buying program to 10 trillion yen from 5 trillion yen. Only a handful of stocks managed to put together gains. Housing related plays like Daiwa House and Sekisui House were atop that short list. Mainland China's Shanghai Composite mustered a 0.1% gain in the face of Japan's drop. It was led by China Shenhua and Inner Mongolia. PetroChina (PTR) and Bank of China proved to be sources of weakness. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng advanced 0.4%. It was led by Tencent Holdings, which spiked more than 3%. Industrial & Commercial Bank and CNOOC (CEO) also offered leadership. Sun Hung Kai Properties was weak, though, as were China Mobile and Cheung Kong.

08:05 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -7.20. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -14.90. Stock futures are under stiff pressure this morning. Stocks had actually headed into the weekend on a positive note as the major equity averages shook off news of a massive earthquake in Japan, but sentiment has soured as the death toll in Japan climbs and the country reports problems with its nuclear facilities. Japan's Nikkei plummeted 6.2% in its first full session since the events took place. In its latest meeting, Japan's central bank left its target lending rate unchanged, but increased its asset buying program to 10 trillion yen from 5 trillion yen. Although Japan's market was extremely weak, Asia's other major averages mustered gains. Europe's major bourses are down amid varied pressure. Oil prices continue to come under selling pressure; the energy component is currently down 1.5% to $99.65 per barrel in electronic trade. Corporate news flow is light this morning, but there have been a couple of noteworthy merger and acquisition items, including the purchase of Lubrizol (LZ) by Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) for $135 per share. Kirby (KEX) will acquire K-Sea Transportation (KSP) for $8.15 per share. The bids reflect premiums of about 28% and 26%, respectively, over last week's closing prices.

06:46 am : [BRIEFING.COM] S&P futures vs fair value: -2.00. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -5.60.

06:46 am : Nikkei...9620.49...-633.90...-6.20%. Hang Seng...23345.88...+96.10...+0.40%.
http://finance.yahoo.com/marketupdate/update

6:35PM Windstream prices private offering of $450 mln of Its 7.75% senior notes due 2021 (WIN) 12.70 -0.15 : WIN announced the pricing of a private placement of $450 million aggregate principal amount of 7.75% Senior Notes due October 1, 2021, at an issue price of 99.116% to yield 7.875%. The offering is expected to settle on Mar. 28, 2011, subject to customary closing conditions. WIN expects to increase the maximum amount of 8.625% Senior Notes due 2016 it is seeking in its previously announced tender offer to $1,100 million from the original amount of $600 million. Windstream expects to use the net proceeds of the offering, together with the net proceeds of its previously announced offering of 7.50% Senior Notes due 2023 and borrowings under its revolving line of credit or cash on hand, to pay the consideration in connection with the tender offer, together with accrued and unpaid interest on 2016 Notes tendered and accepted in the tender offer, as well as related fees and expenses.

6:26PM Willis Group Holdings prices $800 mln senior notes offering (WSH) 39.21 +0.39 : WSH announced pricing of $300 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior unsecured notes due March 15, 2016 and $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.75% senior unsecured notes due March 15, 2021. Willis expects the offering to close on March 17, 2011, subject to customary closing conditions. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to repurchase or redeem any and all of the $500 million in aggregate principal amount of 12.875% senior notes due 2016, and for general corporate purposes. The joint book-running managers for the offering are Barclays Capital Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.

6:25PM American Oriental misses by $0.04, misses on revs (AOB) 2.25 -0.04 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.04 per share, $0.04 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.08; revenues fell 16.6% year/year to $83.4 mln vs the $109.8 mln consensus.

6:24PM Vaalco Energy misses by $0.11, beats on revs (EGY) 7.51 -0.20 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.15 per share, $0.11 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.26; revenues rose 17.2% year/year to $38.2 mln vs the $34.6 mln consensus.

6:00PM EasyLink reports Q2 Non-GAAP EPS of $0.17 vs. $0.07 in last year's quarter; revs rose 132% to $47.4 mln (ESIC) 4.14 +0.08 :

5:55PM ZAGG beats by $0.01, beats on revs (ZAGG) 8.11 +0.47 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.13 per share, $0.01 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.12; revenues rose 157.0% year/year to $29.3 mln vs the $21.2 mln consensus.

5:40PM FTI Consulting to acquire substantially all European operations from LECG Corp (FCN) 36.14 +0.10 : FTI Consulting (FCN), the global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance their enterprise value, announced that it expects to acquire from LECG Corporation (XPRT) the majority of its remaining European operations. The agreement with LECG Corporation is subject to definitive agreements as well as the satisfaction of closing conditions. FTI Consulting has also entered into definitive agreements with certain key employees that will become effective immediately upon the closing of the agreement with LECG Corporation.

5:34PM Western Refining launches amendment of term loan credit agreement (WNR) 15.99 +0.69 : Co announced that it launched an amendment and restatement of its current term loan credit agreement. The amendment and restatement will modify certain terms and conditions of the existing term loan, including the extension of the maturity to March 2017. Closing of the amendment and restatement is expected to occur by the end of March 2011, subject to market and other customary conditions.

5:31PM Rogers agrees to purchase 3.2 mln Class B non-voting shares for cancellation in private purchase (RCI) 34.67 -0.26 : Co announced that it has agreed to purchase for cancellation 3,200,000 of its outstanding Class B Non-Voting shares ("Class B shares"), or approximately 0.73% of the Class B shares outstanding at February 28, 2011, pursuant to a private agreement between Rogers and an arm's-length third party seller (the "Private Purchase") for an aggregate purchase price of $100,231,680, which is at a discount to the current market price of the Class B shares.

5:30PM RailAmerica reported that its total freight carloads for the month ended Feb 28, 2011 down 5.5% (RA) 16.41 +0.18 : RA reported that its total freight carloads for the month ended February 28, 2011 were 63,347, down 5.5% from 67,041 in February 2010. The co had decreased shipments in February 2011 in nine out of twelve commodity groups compared to February 2010. Carloads were negatively impacted by weather, which resulted in temporary disruptions of service at certain railroads.

5:30PM FXCM reports retail customer trading volume in Feb fell 3% compared to Jan and 1% lower than February 2010 (FXCM) 12.58 -0.04 : Co announced certain key operating metrics for February 2011 for its retail foreign exchange business. Monthly activities included: February 2011: Retail customer trading volume (1) of $250 billion in February 2011, 3% lower than January 2011 and 1% lower than February 2010. An average of 295,153 retail client trades per day in February 2011, 4% lower than January 2011 and 10% lower than February 2010. Active accounts (2) of 139,167 as of February 28, 2011, an increase of 774 or 1% from January 2011, and an increase of 19,127 or 16% from February 2010.

5:29PM Griffon announces pricing of senior unsecured notes offering (GFF) 12.57 +0.44 : Co announced the pricing of $550 million aggregate principal amount of its senior notes due 2018 in an unregistered offering through a private placement. The notes will pay interest semi-annually at a rate of 7.125% per annum. The notes will be senior unsecured obligations of Griffon and will be guaranteed by certain of its domestic subsidiaries. The sale of the notes is expected to be consummated on March 17, 2011, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

5:28PM GOL recorded a 4.5% year-on-year increase in demand on its total route network in February, accompanied by a load factor of 71.2% (GOL) 12.95 -0.07 :

5:27PM CompuCredit Holdings announces tender offer to purchase up to 13,125,000 shares of its common stock (CCRT) 6.27 -0.11 : Co announced that it has commenced a cash tender offer (the "Tender Offer") for up to 13,125,000 shares of its outstanding common stock, no par value per share (the "Common Stock"), at a purchase price of $8.00 per share. Specific terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are included in the Offer to Purchase, dated March 14, 2011, and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal, each filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

5:20PM Manulife Financial confirms limited financial exposure to Japan earthquake (MFC) 17.26 -0.62 : Co confirmed that it does not expect the property & casualty reinsurance claims related to Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami to exceed $150 million after-tax, and, as such, this is not expected to be material to full year results. Co also announced it has confirmed the safety of all employees and agents in Japan. In addition, all systems, networks and operations are functioning, ensuring undisrupted customer service.

5:13PM CPI Aerostructures and Sovereign Bank amend credit agreement (CVU) 13.60 +0.07 : Co announced that it entered into a fourth amendment to its credit agreement with Sovereign Bank, dated as of Aug 13, 2007, as amended. This amendment modifies the credit agreement's definition of Debt Service Coverage Ratio so that the change in estimate adjustments described in CPI Aero's Jan 20, 2011 press release will not result in a financial covenant violation during the fiscal year ended Dec 31, 2011. Sovereign Bank has waived CPI Aero's non-compliance with the credit agreement's financial covenants for the fiscal year ended Dec 31, 2010. Further information concerning the amendment can be found in CPI Aero's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec 31, 2010.

5:11PM HP Board announces new dividend goals, increases regular quarterly dividend by 50% to $0.12 (HPQ) 41.49 -0.16 : Co announced the amount of future dividend increases will be determined annually, but HP currently intends for the year-over-year percentage increase to be in the double digits. All future dividends are subject to approval by HP's board of directors. Additionally, the co's board of directors has authorized a 50% increase in the amount of its regular quarterly dividend to $0.12 per share. The increase in the amount of the dividend will be effective when the HP board of directors declares HP's next dividend, which is expected to occur in May. The co's previously announced dividend payable on April 6 for stockholders of record on March 16 will not be increased and will remain at $0.08 per share.

5:03PM Kraft Foods CFO to leave the co mid-year 2011 (KFT) 31.36 -0.34 : KFT announced that Timothy R. McLevish, 55, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will leave the company mid-year 2011 to pursue opportunities in general management. McLevish will be fully engaged in reporting the company's first quarter financial results. He will officially shift his CFO responsibilities to David Brearton, 50, currently Executive Vice President, Operations, after the company files its first quarter financial statements.

4:59PM Investors Real Estate Trust misses by $0.02 (IRET) 9.38 -0.01 : Reports Q4 (Dec) funds from operations of $0.14 per share, $0.02 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.16; revenues rose 5.0% year/year to $60.2 mln vs the $60.7 mln consensus.

4:54PM Arch Capital Group Ltdp reported Q1 results will be negatively impacted by earthquake (ACGL) 91.21 +0.67 : ACGL announced that the Co's 2011 first quarter results will be negatively impacted by the New Zealand earthquake, which occurred in February 2011, in the range of $35 million to $70 million, net of reinsurance and reinstatement premiums. This preliminary loss estimate is based on industry insured losses ranging from $6 billion to $12 billion.

4:51PM KEMET operations not affected by Japan earthquake and Pacific Tsunami (KEM) 13.43 +0.40 : Co announced that its operations have not been affected following Friday's magnitude 8.9 earthquake and resulting tsunami that left towns and villages in Japan devastated.

4:48PM GeoEye beats by $0.05; guides Q1 and FY11 in-line (GEOY) 37.47 -0.76 : Reports Q4 (Dec) non-GAAP earnings of $0.42 per share, $0.05 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.37; revenues rose 12.7% year/year to $82.5 mln vs the $80.8 mln consensus. Co sees Q1 EPS of $0.37-0.45 vs. $0.42 consensus, sees revs of $86-90 mln vs. $87.1 mln consensus; sees FY11 EPS of $1.70-2.00 vs. $1.88 consensus, sees revs of $360-380 mln vs. $366.3 mln consensus.

4:42PM Uranium Energy reports Q2 (Jan) ($0.10) per share, $0.08 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.02) (UEC) 3.92 -0.93 :

4:38PM Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. announced the commencement of an underwritten registered public offering of 4.4 mln common units representing limited partner interests (FGP) 27.16 +0.33 : Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. intends to grant the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 660,000 common units to cover over-allotments, if any. BofA Merrill Lynch, J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo Securities are acting as joint book-running managers of the offering.

4:37PM Texas Instruments said its manufacturing site in Miho, Japan, about 40 miles northwest of Tokyo, suffered substantial damage during last Friday's 8.9 magnitude earthquake (TXN) 34.56 +0.17 : Co estimates it will reinstate production in stages, beginning with several lines in May and returning the factory to full production in mid-July, which translates to full shipment capability in September. This schedule could be delayed if the region's power grid is unstable or if further complications prevent the re-start of equipment. TI is moving quickly to shift production to other fabs and so far has identified alternate manufacturing sites for about 60 percent of Miho's wafer production. Work is underway to increase this percentage by moving the production of additional products. The Miho fab produced about 10 percent of TI's output as measured by revenue in 2010, of which more than a third was DLP and the remainder of which was Analog. TI expects to incur previously unexpected expenses in the first and second quarters for cost of recovery. In addition, the company expects some loss of revenue in the first quarter and more lost revenue in the second quarter. TI expects to describe financial impact in detail at the time of its first-quarter earnings report on April 18. TI's fab in Aizu-wakamatsu, about 150 miles north of Tokyo, also was damaged in the earthquake, though equipment there already is being re-started and full production is estimated by mid-April, assuming a stable power supply. The company's third fab in Hiji, about 500 miles south of Tokyo, was undamaged and is currently running at normal capacity.

4:35PM China MediaExpress trading status changed by NASDAQ to 'additional information requested' from the co from 'halted' (CCME) 0.63 +0.01 :

4:34PM First Cash issues upside Q1 guidance and raises FY11 guidance; to sell its Illinois payday lending operations (FCFS) 32.90 +0.15 : Co issues upside guidance for Q1 (Mar), sees EPS of $0.47-0.49, excluding items, vs. $0.44 Thomson Reuters consensus. Co raises guidance for FY11 (Dec), sees EPS of $2.12-2.20, which excludes the projected 2011 earnings from the Illinois payday lending stores being sold, prior $2.02-2.10, vs. $2.08 Thomson Reuters consensus. The increase is the result of stronger than expected quarter-to-date results, positive trends expected over the balance of 2011 and a recently completed acquisition of six pawn stores located in Indiana and Missouri. In addition, co has entered into an agreement to sell its Illinois payday lending operations, and may use proceeds from the sale, along with operating cash flows, to buy back shares of Company stock under its existing repurchase authorization... Co is announcing its intention to resume buybacks of its common stock under its current share repurchase authorization which provides for additional repurchases of up to ~1,360,000 shares of common stock.

4:33PM Pinnacle Airlines reports CEO Phil Trenary to step down (PNCL) 5.63 -0.26 : Co reports Philip Trenary, President and CEO of Pinnacle Airlines has decided to resign his position effective March 24 to pursue other interests outside the company. Pinnacle Board of Directors Chairman Donald J. Breeding will assume the role of Interim CEO until a search can commence and a permanent replacement is found.

4:32PM Churchill Downs reports EPS in-line, beats on revs (CHDN) 39.71 -0.53 : Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.12 per share, excluding non-recurring items, in-line with the Thomson Reuters consensus of ($0.12); revenues rose 46.6% year/year to $137.2 mln vs the $120.5 mln consensus.

4:24PM LPL Investment unit will consolidate UVEST Financial Services Group onto its self-clearing platform (LPLA) 33.46 +0.16 : LPL Financial will consolidate UVEST Financial Services Group onto its self-clearing platform. The consolidation is expected to commence in June and to be completed by the end of this year.

4:21PM Argan sells the assets of Vitarich Laboratories (AGX) 8.45 +0.06 : Co announced that it has sold substantially all of the assets of Vitarich Laboratories, Inc. (VLI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Argan to NBTY Florida, Inc. (NFI). Under the Agreement, NFI made an initial closing payment of $800,000 and placed $2.3 mln in escrow whose payment is subject to collection of certain accounts receivable by June 30, 2011 and the sale, use or consumption of inventory prior to December 12, 2011. The Agreement also provides for NFI to assume responsibility for payment of certain trade payables and accrued expenses of VLI.

4:19PM Sun Bancorp announces commencement of public offering of ~$75 mln in common stock (SNBC) 3.88 -0.13 : Sun Bancorp (SNBC), the parent co of Sun National Bank, announced the commencement of an underwritten public offering of ~$75 million of its common stock. The co expects to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including a contribution to the capital of Sun National Bank to support its organic growth, to fund losses, if any, from potential asset disposition strategies, including loans sales, to repay indebtedness or for acquisitions.

4:15PM Lattice Semi confirms no material disruptions to their foundry facilities in Japan (LSCC) 6.16 -0.03 : Co confirmed that, based on preliminary discussions with its supply chain partners, its suppliers have not reported any significant damage to their foundry facilities in Japan. "Our primary concern is for the safety of our employees in Japan, which we have confirmed, along with the safety of our customers, foundry partners and suppliers. Despite the severity of the earthquake and tsunami, we expect only some slowdowns in certain foundry operations while transportation and power are restored and the facilities are checked for damage. We do not currently expect any material impact on our revenue or on customer deliveries and lead times. Lattice maintains sufficient inventories to fill all present customer requirements. During our year ended January 1, 2011, Japan accounted for 13% of our total revenue."

4:14PM Qlik Tech promotes Les Bonney to COO (QLIK) 22.93 -0.42 : co announced that Les Bonney has been promoted to its newly created Chief Operating Officer position. Mr. Bonney will continue to report to QlikTech CEO Lars Bjork and will continue to have responsibility for all global sales and field operations for the company.

4:14PM China Agritech dismisses Ernst & Young Hua Ming as auditor (CAGC) 6.88 : Co announced that the Board of Directors, based on the suggestion of the Audit Committee, has dismissed Ernst & Young Hua Ming as the independent auditor starting from March 14, 2011. The dismissal of Ernst & Young Hua Ming was made after thorough consideration by the Audit Committee, and the Board of Directors of the Company. The decision to dismiss the auditor was the result of Ernst & Young (China) Advisory Limited Beijing Branch Office entering into a SOX 404 service agreement including performing the test of the internal controls from 2008 to 2010. Recently, the public and the management team have raised doubts about this service agreement's impact on Ernst & Young Hua Ming's independence to act as the Company's auditor. Co actively seeking a new auditor to finish the audit work for 2010 and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission with the least delay possible. (stock is halted)

4:12PM AmerisourceBergen reaffirms 2011 EPS of $2.31-2.41 vs. $2.41 Thomson Reuters consensus; CEO to Retire (ABC) 36.62 -0.40 : Co announced that Chief Executive Officer R. David Yost will retire from the Co on July 1, 2011. The AmerisourceBergen Board of Directors has named Steven H. Collis to succeed Yost, also effective July 1, 2011. Collis is currently President and Chief Operating Officer, responsible for all AmerisourceBergen business units including AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation (ABDC), AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group (ABSG), AmerisourceBergen Consulting Services (ABCS), and AmerisourceBergen Packaging Group (ABPG). Before being promoted to his current position in November 2010, Collis was Executive Vice President AmerisourceBergen and President of ABDC, the Co's largest subsidiary with revenues over $60 billion.

4:08PM Antares Pharma reports Q4 in-line (AIS) 1.64 -0.01 : Reports Q4 (Dec) ($0.02) per share, in-line with the Thomson Reuters dual-analyst est of ($0.02); revenues rose 27.1% year/year to $3.3 mln vs the $3.4 mln consensus.

4:06PM Illumina to Offer $800 mln Convertible Senior Notes (ILMN) 64.27 -0.28 : Co announced its intention to offer, subject to market and other conditions, approximately $800 million principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes due 2016. The notes will be convertible under certain circumstances. Upon conversion, holders will receive, at Illumina's discretion, cash, shares of Illumina's common stock or a combination thereof. Illumina also expects to grant the initial purchasers an option to purchase up to $120 million of additional notes. Illumina expects to use up to $425 million of the net proceeds from this offering to purchase shares of its common stock in privately negotiated transactions concurrently with this offering. The company also intends to use between approximately $260 million and $390 million of the net proceeds of the offering to fund conversions of its currently outstanding convertible notes. Illumina intends to use the balance of the net proceeds for other general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions and additional purchases of its common stock.

4:03PM Covanta initiates regular quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share; increases share repurchase authorization by additional $50 mln; reaffirms FY11 financial guidance (CVA) 16.55 -0.21 : Co previously guided for guidance for FY11 EPS of $0.40-0.55 vs. $0.51 Thomson Reuters consensus.

4:02PM Pure Cycle Enters Into Oil and Gas Lease With Anadarko (APC) at Sky Ranch; co will receive a bonus payment of ~$1.268 mln and 20% royalty on gross sales proceeds (PCYO) 4.01 -0.31 : Co announces it has entered into an oil and gas lease with Anadarko E&P Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum Company, on the mineral estate owned by the Company at its Sky Ranch property. Co will receive a bonus payment of ~$1,268,000 and will receive a royalty of 20% on the gross sales proceeds from oil and gas developed from the property.

4:02PM Polypore announces additional expansion of lithium-ion battery separator capacity for Electric Drive Vehicles (PPO) 54.30 -0.02 : Co announces that it has approved additional capital expenditures of approximately $65 mln to expand its lithium-ion battery separator capacity for Electric Drive Vehicles (EDVs). This capacity, which is scheduled to begin ramping up in late 2012, is being added to the co's facility currently under construction in Concord, North Carolina. When this capacity expansion reaches full production levels in 2013, the co will have increased lithium-ion battery separator capacity by more than 200% from 2H10.

4:02PM KBR Inc. to provide aniline technology license to inner Mongolia Connell Chemical Industry (KBR) 34.04 +0.27 : Co announces it has been awarded a contract by Inner Mongolia Connell Chemical Industry to provide licensing, basic engineering and related training and field services for its grassroots aniline plant in TongLiao, Inner Mongolia Province, China. The aniline technology is offered by KBR through a licensing alliance with DuPont. KBR will license the leading process for Connell's 360,000 metric tons per annum aniline plant.

4:01PM Impax Labs reports IPX066 demonstrates efficacy and safety in ADVANCE-PD Phase III study in treatment of advanced Parkinson's Disease (IPXL) 22.07 0.00 : Co announced statistically significant, positive, top-line results of the ADVANCE-Parkinson's Disease Phase III clinical study of the safety and efficacy of IPX066 versus immediate-release (IR) carbidopa-levodopa in advanced PD patients experiencing motor fluctuations. IPX066 is an investigational extended release CD-LD product. The ADVANCE-PD results demonstrated that IPX066 produced significantly improved control of motor symptoms as compared to IR CD-LD in multiple clinical measures in subjects with advanced PD. The primary endpoint of this comparison study of IPX066 to IR CD-LD was the percentage of "off time" during waking hours. IPX066 demonstrated a 37% improvement from baseline for IPX066 vs. a 17% improvement from baseline for IR CD-LD (p<0.0001). "Off time" is the functional state when patients' medication effect has worn off and there is a return of Parkinson's symptoms.

4:01PM Invesco Mortgage Capital declared a dividend of $1.00 per share for 1Q11; dividend will be paid on April 27, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 22, 2011 (IVR) 23.33 -0.09 :

4:00PM Titan Machinery to acquire Schoffman's agriculture dealership located in Redwood Falls, MN; terms not disclosed (TITN) 26.67 +0.14 : The dealership's most recently reported fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, Schoffman's Inc. generated revenues of approximately $16 million.

3:44PM Further afternoon upticks for stock indices -- Dow -51, S&P -7.3, Nasdaq Comp -11.5 (SPY) :

3:34PM China MediaExpress announces resignation of independent auditor and CFO, effective immediately; Q4 earnings release and 10-K to be delayed (stock halted) (CCME) 11.88 0.00 : Co announces that the Company's registered independent accounting firm, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu has formally resigned its engagement by the Company as of March 11, 2011. Following the receipt of the DTT resignation letter, on March 13, 2011, the Company received notice of the resignation of Jacky Lam from his position as Chief Financial Officer and director of the Company, effective immediately. As a result, CME will delay its fourth quarter earnings release and will not file its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 by March 16, 2011, its original due date. (Stock halted)

3:29PM Exelon says plants are safe following Japan earthquake (EXC) 42.42 -0.74 : "Our plants are safe, particularly given the different seismic patterns in our regions and the absence of tsunami-type events where we have operations. Still we watch, we learn, and we will work with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other policymakers, as well as industry colleagues, on what, if anything, should be done to apply what can be learned from this unprecedented situation."

3:17PM Crude trades to fresh highs at $101.40 in electronic trade; now up 21 cents to $101.37 (COMDX) :

3:14PM Stock indices working up toward afternoon rebound highs -- Dow -76, S&P -10, Nasdaq Comp -16 (SPY) :

3:12PM Stream Global Services will reduce its workforce in its Sergeant Bluff, Iowa service center by approximately 246 employees, effective May 15, 2011 (SGS) 3.09 -0.02 :

2:44PM Afternoon S&P -12 bounce stalls at short term resistance (SPY) : Noted in the 13:13 update that the index needed to clear 1291 and 1294 on a sustained basis to begin to improve the weaker near term patterns. It hit 1291 at 13:15 and paused with follow through to 1294 at 14:20. Some slippage has been noted over the last 25 minutes. For the afternoon watching 1291 and 1288 levels as initial supports with resistance above 1294 at 1299/1300.

2:38PM NYMEX Energy Closing Prices (COMDX) : Crude oil settled up 3 cents to $101.19, natural gas gained 2.5 cents to close at $3.914, heating oil ended up 3.18 cents to $3.0608, while RBOB gasoline shed 3.20 cents to finish at $2.9557 (all April contracts).

2:34PM CBOT Agriculture and Ethanol and ICE Exchange Sugar Closing Prices (COMDX) : May corn finished up 2.75 cents to $6.67, May wheat rose 1.75 cents to close at $7.205, May soybeans gained 6.5 cents to close at $13.41, April ethanol closed higher by 0.011 cents at $2.46, while May world sugar futures closed down 1.07 cents to 27.79 cents.

2:12PM Fresh rebound highs for stock indices -- Dow -91, S&P -11, Nasdaq Comp -18 (SPY) : Energy/Commodity (XLE, OIH, XLB, KOL, GDX) and to a lessor extent Tech (Semi SMH, Disk Drive) have provided leadership on this move.

2:12PM April WTI turns positive with ~20 min left in pit trade; now up 3 cents to $101.19 (COMDX) :

1:45PM Ceradyne confirms Yamanaka Ceradyne offering products to help contain radiation; Yamanaka Ceradyne was not directly affected by the earthquake (CRDN) 45.26 +0.25 : Ceradyne, through Yamanaka Ceradyne it has offered its neutron absorbing enriched boric acid as well as nuclear waste containment materials such as BORTEC, BORAL and Boron Carbide in order to help contain radiation from the damaged nuclear reactors. Ceradyne's Japanese partner, Yamanaka Ceradyne, located in the southern Japanese cities of Kyoto and Shiga, was not directly affected by the earthquake.

1:40PM Cameco confirms conference call today at 3:00pm ET; will address questions related to Japan (CCJ) 32.57 -4.81 : Co says participants should be aware that the situation is developing and limited information is available.

1:37PM Nissan Motor issues statement on status of Japanese earthquake and impact; (NSANY) 17.62 -1.38 : All Nissan Americas manufacturing facilities remain operational and will continue normal production schedules until further notice. In total six of Nissan's facilities in Japan have reported some damage to their buildings or equipment, including Iwaki Plant (Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture), Tochigi Plant (Kawachi County, Tochigi Prefecture), Yokohama Plant (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture), Oppama Plant (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture), Zama Operations Center (Zama City, Kanagawa Prefecture) and Honmoku Wharf (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture). The Nissan's Tochigi and Iwaki plants will suspend operations until March 18. Nissan's Oppama, Kyushu, Shatai and Yokohama plants will suspend operations until March 16.

1:31PM COMEX Metals Closing Prices (COMDX) : April gold ended higher by $3.30 to $1425.10, May silver shed 9 cents to end at $35.845, while May copper closed off 1.6 cents to $4.1915.

1:20PM Crude oil ticks up ~25 cents; now off 72 cents to $100.44 (COMDX) :

1:14PM B Communications purchased 14.59 mln of Bezeq's outstanding ordinary shares (BCOM) 30.81 -0.80 : Co has notified its subsidiary, Bezeq - The Israel Telecommunication, that it purchased 14.59 mln of Bezeq's outstanding ordinary shares on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. The purchases bring B Communications' ownership interest in Bezeq to ~31.37% of its outstanding shares.

1:13PM Stock indices edging off lows in midday trade -- Dow -110, S&P -13, Nasdaq Comp -22 (SPY) : Choppy trade after the late morning low left the stock indices technically extended intraday but it took another hour and a non-confirmation of the new low from the Nasdaq Comp to get the recovery attempt, that the technicals suggested to watch for, moving to the upside. Intraday resistance for the S&P on this move is at 1291 and 1294. Without a sustained push back through it will remain vulnerable short term.

1:13PM Verizon adds truTV HD to FiOS TV; will be available to all FiOS TV customers by March 16 (VZ) 35.06 -0.78 :

1:03PM Praxair will double the capacity of its Memphis air separation complex (PX) 97.65 -0.32 : Co will double the capacity of its Memphis, Tennessee, air separation complex to produce oxygen and nitrogen in order to supply Nucor Corporation (NUE) and Valero Energy (VLO). Praxair recently completed construction of a pipeline capable of serving multiple customers in the Riverport area. A new plant is expected to start up in the third quarter of this year. As part of this planned expansion, Praxair will add 400 tons per day of new liquid production capacity to serve the growing requirements of customers in this region.

1:03PM Chemtura to increase price of polymer antioxidants and rubber additives (CHMT) 16.42 +0.27 : Co announces that it is raising the price of the products supplied by the Polymer Antioxidants and UV stabilizer business, primarily as the result of a significant and sustained increase in key materials costs, increased volatility and limited availability of key raw materials. Effective on all deliveries after March 15, 2011, or as contract terms allow, the price of the Polymer Antioxidants and Rubber Additives will be increased by up to 10%. These increases are in addition to the previously announced increases.

12:51PM Minor new low for Dow -139 and S&P -17 (SPY) : Semi SMH has held up better on a relative basis keeping the Nasdaq Comp -29 from confirming the new lows. Also seeing some sector relative strength in Energy XLE, Oil Service OIH as they did not set new lows along with Solar TAN, Software IGV, Finance XLF.

12:30PM S&P -15 and Nasdaq Comp -29 hovering near lows but have not yet confirmed the new Dow -129 low (SPY) : Interest in a midday bounce attempt has remained very limited but the hold, thus far, keeps the potential divergent intraday posture near gap support (S&P at 1287) noted earlier (11:19, 11:35) intact.

12:19PM Dow -138 sets new session low, S&P -16 and Nasdaq Comp -32 holding just above their morning lows (SPY) :

12:08PM CONSOL Energy reaches clean water agreement with U.S. EPA and West Virginia DEP (CNX) 50.10 +1.49 : The agreement was entered into voluntarily between CONSOL Energy, the DoJ, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection . Working with the regulatory authorities, the co was able to outline to implement additional clean technologies and best practices at its operations. The agreement will allow CONSOL Energy to treat mine water discharges from four mines on the order of 3,500 gallons per minute, removing 95-98 percent of the pollutants through the use of a state of the art centralized Reverse Osmosis/Zero Liquid Discharge (RO/ZLD) facility. CONSOL Energy is making an investment of $200 million as part of this commitment.

11:57AM Zimmer Hldgs slides slightly under its early month low at 60.60 -- session low 60.53 (ZMH) 60.53 -1.15 :

11:53AM Kaman awarded $23.8 mln joint programmable fuze order raising last 12 months order total to $150 mln (KAMN) 32.04 -0.11 :

11:45AM Repligen resumes trading (RGEN) 3.88 +0.23 :

11:44AM Sector Relative Strength as S&P -14 attempts to hold at gap support (TECHX) : Noted earlier that the S&P was probing its early Feb gap at 1287 with some intraday technical indicators in a divergent position. This suggested potential for a stabilization attempt with some relative sector strength noted in Semi SMH, Energy XLE, Oil Service OIH, Solar TAN, Silver SLV, Gold Miners GDX, Finance XLF in recent trade.

11:37AM Google approaches its 200 ema at 568.96 -- session low 569.62 (GOOG) 569.62 -7.09 : Note that an extension target based on the Jan decline off the Feb high and the 38% retracement of the Aug-Jan rally are in the same zone at 570/568.

11:35AM Another round of minor new session lows for stock indices -- Dow -130, S&P -16, Nasdaq Comp -32 (SPY) : The S&P is still holding near its early Feb gap at 1287 (session low 1287) with some short term intraday indicators in a divergent position.

11:30AM Hartford Financial high volume slide back toward its 200 ema at 25.75 and a stabilization attempt -- session low 25.88 (HIG) 26.20 -1.39 :

11:23AM HiSoft Tech announces all employees safe and facilities undamaged in Japan earthquake (HSFT) 20.72 -0.80 :

11:22AM Walt Disney pulls back near its four week low from late Feb/gap top at 41.60 -- session low 41.69 (DIS) 41.76 -1.17 : Note that its 50 ema/sma and the bottom of the Feb gap are between 41.31 and 41.18.

11:19AM S&P -16 pulls back to gap support from early Feb at 1289/1287 -- session low 1287 (SPY) :

11:14AM Repligen reports positive Phase 3 clinical trial results for RG1068 in pancreatic imaging; all three radiologists achieved a clinically and statistically significant improvement in sensitivity (RGEN) 33.33 -0.32 : Co reported today positive top-line results from a Phase 3 study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RG1068, synthetic human secretin, to improve magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pancreas in patients with pancreatic disease using endoscopy (ERCP) as a diagnostic reference. The study's co-primary endpoints were achievement of a statistically significant improvement in sensitivity of detection of abnormalities with a loss in specificity of less than 7.5% by two of the three central radiologists reading the MRI images. In this study, all three radiologists achieved a clinically and statistically significant improvement in sensitivity with minimal loss in specificity. In addition, the RG1068-MRI images showed highly significant improvements on image quality, and confidence in the diagnostic findings, when compared to MRI alone. There were no serious adverse events (SAEs) or unscheduled days of hospitalization associated with the RG1068-MRI procedures compared to 55 SAEs and 236 days of unscheduled hospitalization associated with the ERCP procedures. "We intend to request a meeting with the FDA to review these results and to discuss our plan to file a New Drug Application." (Stock halted)

11:11AM Relative Sector Weakness as stock indices slide to new low -- Dow -109, S&P -14, Nasdaq Comp -28 (TECHX) : Sectors that are underperforming the S&P as the market hovers near new lows include: Finance XLF, Reg Bank KRE, Disk Drive, Computer-Hardware, Biotech IBB, Discretionary XLY.

11:11AM Ampal-American Israel provides EMG update; currently working to repair leak (AMPL) 1.93 +0.14 : Co announced that it was advised by East Mediterranean Gas, in which Ampal has a 12.5% interest, that, further to Ampal's announcement yesterday (March 13), while resuming commercial gas supply by GASCO (the Egyptian gas transport company) to EMG and its Israeli customers, a leak was discovered when the gas pressure exceeded 60 bars. The GASCO field team is currently working to repair the leak in its system. Consequently, commercial gas supply to Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria as well as to major Egyptian cement industries and power gas consumers in the Sinai Peninsula awaits completion of repair.

11:01AM Communications Systems announces that Jeffrey Berg, the Company's President and CEO, will retire from active management on May 19, 2011 (JCS) 14.18 +0.03 : Berg will be succeeded by William Schultz who currently serves as co's Executive Vice President of Operations. These moves are part of a planned succession.

10:55AM Gold pulling back toward unchanged; now up $2.00 to $1423.80 (COMDX) :

10:51AM S&P -9.1 and Nasdaq Comp -15 hold near support, limited bounce thus far (SPY) : Highlighted supports in The Technical Take at 2695/2686 for the Nasdaq Comp (session low 2693) and 1292/1291 S&P (session low 1292) and have seen a stabilization in these zones in recent action. Intraday the S&P needs to sustain a rebound back through 1297 and 1299 in order to improve the negative action off Friday's late day high.

10:41AM April WTI crude oil pulls back toward the $100 area; now off $1.11 to $100.07 (COMDX) :

10:32AM Willis Group announces that it has commenced a registered offering of senior unsecured notes (WSH) 39.16 +0.34 : The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to repurchase or redeem any and all of the $500 million in aggregate principal amount of 12.875% senior notes due 2016, and for general corporate purposes. The joint book-running managers for the offering are Barclays Capital Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.

10:24AM Camtek selected as advanced Tem Sample preparation solution provider for new customer (CAMT) 3.66 -0.14 : The Xact system is expected to be installed in the first quarter of 2011.

10:14AM S&P -8.1 does not confirm new Nasdaq session highs, stalls at 38% retrace of Fri-Mon decline and turns lower (SPY) :

10:08AM Molex reports its employees in Japan were safe and that none of its three facilities were damaged in the earthquake that struck Japan (MOLX) 25.96 -0.04 :

10:04AM S&P MidCap 400 +2.9 joins Nasdaq 100 +3 in positive territory (MDY) :

10:03AM SoundBite Communications and NCO expand relationship (SDBT) 2.61 +0.01 : SoundBite brings its multi-channel communications solutions to the relationship. The offering broadens the existing relationship between the two companies and enables NCO to offer complete set of customer contact strategies to its clients. The expanded offering will service new and existing markets including retail, financial services, utilities, telecom, and healthcare.

10:02AM FICO announces Shop Direct Group, the UK's largest online and home shopping retailer, is implementing FICO TRIAD Customer Manager and FICO Decision Optimizer, along with FICO decision models and optimization methodology (FICO) 27.88 +0.15 :

10:01AM Cinedigm Digital Cinema and B&B Theatres Operating Co announce that CIDM's UniqueScreen Media will be B&B Theatres' exclusive agent for in-theatre and web-based advertising services; terms not disclosed (CIDM) 1.60 0.00 :

10:01AM AT&T U-verse TV and Starz Entertainment expand affiliation deal, add online rights for subscribers (T) 28.25 -0.20 : Co Starz Entertainment, announced that the companies recently extended and expanded the AT&T U-verse TV affiliation agreement for Starz Entertainment's premium channels, HD, and on-demand services. Financial terms and other deal specifics were not disclosed.

10:00AM Relative Sector Strength (TECHX) : Sectors that are outperforming as the stock indices extend the push off early lows include: Solar TAN, Coal KOL, Semi SMH, Networking IGN, Disk Drive, Technology XLK, Pharma PPH (PFE +3.2%), Biotech IBB, Gold Miners GDX, Silver SLV.

9:56AM Wireless Ronin has received initial dealer orders for RoninCast for Automotive iShowroom to be deployed within Chrysler Group's FIAT studios in the U.S. (RNIN) 1.15 +0.03 :

9:56AM New session high for Nasdaq 100 near flat line, Nasdaq Comp -7 trims early decline -- Dow -54 and S&P -7 have not confirmed the move (QQQQ) :

9:50AM Opening Point Gainers/Losers (TECHX) : Point Gainers: LZ (+28.46), FSLR (+6.12), PKX (+5.58), EWV (+5.03), AGQ (+4.03), GPOR (+4.03), AAPL (+2.92), IOC (+3.07), LULU (+2.90), ASH (+2.42), KEX (+2.26), SINA (+2.29), TSL (+1.86)

Point Losers: HIT (-8.83), SHAW (-6.94), CCJ (-6.67), TM (-4.23), ETR (-3.83), JSC (-3.74), BWC (-3.50), NLR (-3.47), URA (-3.38), OPEN (-2.53)

9:46AM Crude Oil down for fourth session in a row but bounces off support (TECHX) : The continuous futures contract is currently down for the fourth day in a row bringing the slide off the March high to as much as 8.48 (-7.9%). However, it has held near its 20 day ema and the 38% retracement of the Feb-March run and recovered (Click for chart).

9:39AM Stock indices weak off open but hold above Friday's lows and bounce -- Dow -42, S&P -4.9, Nasdaq Comp -8.2 (SPY) :

9:38AM Relative strength in Refiners -- TSO +6.1%, ALJ +5.7%, VLO +3.6%, FTO +2.6%, HOC +2.6%, MRO +1%, SUN +0.8% (TECHX) :

9:36AM JDS Uniphase displays relative strength after upgrade, probes its three day range high at 22.25 (JDSU) 22.01 +0.75 :

9:27AM Kandi Technologies receives Italian order for 1,000 pure electric vehicles (KNDI) 3.89 :

9:25AM Montpelier Re reports initial loss estimate from the 2011 New Zealand Earthquake of ~$ 75 mlnand Australian Catastrophe Events of up to $15 mln (MRH) 18.34 : Co announces a preliminary estimate of losses from the February earthquake in New Zealand and the January floods and Cyclone Yasi in Australia. The co currently estimates its pretax net loss from the February New Zealand earthquake will be $75 mln, net of reinstatement premiums. The co estimates its net losses from the January Australian events will be up to $15 mln. The co has commenced its estimation process for expected claims relating Japan's earthquake, but believes it is too early to issue a loss estimate at this time.

9:23AM April WTI pushes to its highest levels of the morning following the open of pit trade; now down 94 cents to $100.22 (COMDX) :

9:23AM Hasbro signs a strategic development agreement with Jagex Limited to jointly create a new online game based on the Transformers brand (HAS) 46.86 :

9:20AM FirstEnergy enters into definitive agreement on sale of Fremont Energy Center for ~$485 mln (FE) 38.45 : Co announces it entered into a definitive agreement to sell the Fremont Energy Center to American Municipal Power. The facility would be purchased by AMP for ~$485 mln, based on 685 MW of output. The transaction would close on or about July 1, 2011. The cos signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the transaction in February 2011. The purchase price would be incrementally increased, not to exceed $16 mln, to reflect additional output and transmission export capacity up to its nameplate capacity of 707 MW.

9:20AM Camelot Information Sys does not expect impact from Japan Earthquake on overall business (CIS) 15.42 :

9:17AM USEC Inc. issues response to situation in Japan; says monitoring the situation closely and will continue to work with industry partners to ensure that all necessary support and assistance is provided (USU) 5.16 :

9:17AM NovaGold Resources enters into an agreement to sell its alluvial gold properties comprising 11,500 acres of fee-simple United States patented mining claims near Nome, Alaska (NG) 12.74 : The claims are held by co's wholly-owned subsidiary, Alaska Gold Company. Nome Gold Alaska Corp. will pay Alaska Gold Company US$21 million in three installments, and will also provide a letter of credit for US$4 million as an environmental reclamation bond.

9:16AM China Agritech: NASDAQ halts trading on shares; cites 'additional information requested' from the co (CAGC) 6.88 :

9:10AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* Spire Corporation (SPIR) announced it will provide the Ravensburg company, MAGE SOLAR with a PV module assembly line to be established in Dublin, Georgia.
* Broadening the Company's international reach, Canon (CAJ) U.S.A. announced the installation of 178 digital radiography systems integrated with Canon brand CXDI-50G and CXDI-55G Digital Radiography Systems in various hospitals throughout Mexico through its local distributors, including Casa Plarre S.A. de C.V.
* Epicor Software Corporation (EPIC) announced that Argentine company Longvie S. A. has selected the Epicor 9 next-generation enterprise resource planning solution.
* SciQuest (SQI) announced that the University of Bath will deploy SciQuest as part of a new eMarketplace.
* SEI (SEIC) announced that it has secured long-term contract extensions with several existing mutual fund clients to provide full-service operational outsourcing through the company's Advisors' Inner Circle Fund series trust offering.
* RioCan Real Estate Investment Trustand Tanger Factory Outlet Centers (SKT), through their exclusive joint venture, announced that they have entered into a purchase and sale agreement to acquire a 35 acre parcel of land to build the first Tanger Outlet Center in the Greater Toronto Area.
* IBM (IBM) announced new software and the creation a new consulting practice dedicated to the emerging category of "Smarter Commerce," which is focused on helping companies swiftly adapt to rising customer demands in today's digitally transformed marketplace.
* Airgas (ARG) introduced a new modular, high-pressure manifold for laboratory gases. The new Airgas manifold uses a proprietary method that requires no welding or brazing to connect to primary gas manifolds using multiple cylinders for laboratory gases.

9:03AM China Shen Zhou Mining announced in further response to recent report questioning its public disclosures, it has formed special committee and retained law firm as special counsel in the United States (SHZ) 4.12 : Co further stated that, except for the typographical error regarding one of the geographic coordinates of the Qingxing mine from a previous 10-K to the 2009 10-K (as is explained in its shareholder letter of March 10), the periodic reports the Company filed with the SEC are accurate. The Company confirmed that it is completing its 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 as planned and the 10-K will be filed on time. The Company also repeated that it prepared a detailed response to the report in a letter to stockholders dated March 10, 2011.

9:02AM FormFactor updates business status after Japan Earthquake and Tsunami; operations in Hiroshima are not damaged and are ready to resume operations; co does not believe Q1 guidance will be impacted (FORM) 8.68 : Co announces that it has completed a status review of its employees, its Japan operations, and its suppliers following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Manufacturing and repair facility in Yokohama and its repair operations in Hiroshima are not damaged and are ready to resume operations consistent with the power usage guidelines of the Japanese power industry. Based on the co's current assessment, co's key Japan-based suppliers have not experienced any significant damage to their facilities and are resuming operations consistent with the power usage guidelines in their respective areas. The co believes its Livermore manufacturing facility has the capacity to offset any potential manufacturing constraints that may be realized by its Japan operations. As a result, the co does not believe the Q1 guidance is impacted.

9:01AM Natural gas spikes to highs following open of pit trade; now up 10.9 cents to $3.998 (COMDX) :

9:01AM Monsanto announced a new agreement to collaborate on the advancement of dicamba tolerant cropping systems (MON) 67.51 : The companies have granted reciprocal licenses, and BASF has agreed to supply formulated dicamba herbicide products to Monsanto.

9:01AM StemCells announces it initiated neural stem cell trial in spinal cord injury (STEM) 0.81 : Co announced the initiation of a Phase I/II clinical trial of its proprietary HuCNS-SC human neural stem cells in chronic spinal cord injury. This trial is now open for enrollment, and will accrue patients with both complete and incomplete degrees of paralysis who are three to 12 months post-injury.

8:52AM USA Tech signs a securities purchase agreement with institutional investors to purchase $10.7 million of common stock in a private placement (USAT) 2.58 : Co agrees to sell an aggregate of 5.2 mln shares of its common stock at $2.064 per share and warrants to purchase up to 3.9 mln additional shares in the aggregate of its common stock. The warrants will be exercisable commencing on the 6 month and 1 day anniversary of the closing date at an exercise price of $2.6058 per share and will have a five-year term commencing on the initial exercisability date. Chardan Capital Markets LLC acted as sole placement agent to USA Technologies, Inc. for this transaction. The proceeds of the offering would be used primarily to support the expansion of co's JumpStart program under which co generated over 32,000 new connections in calendar year 2010.

8:49AM Teck Resources revises coal sales guidance for the 1Q11: expects coal sales in in the range of 4.6 - 4.9 million tonnes vs avg of 5.3 mln tonnes in Q1 sales for the past six years (TCK) 52.45 : Co announces revised coal sales guidance for the first quarter of 2011. Sales have been affected by unusually difficult winter weather conditions, which have caused higher than normal rail delays due to avalanches, as well as an unusual number of locomotive power failures and train length restrictions due to cold weather. These weather related delays, together with two recent non-weather related derailments, and other mechanical issues have affected rail transport. In addition, operations at Neptune Terminals and Westshore Terminals have been affected by issues including high winds and mechanical failures. These issues have cumulatively affected coal transportation, restricting sales. Co now expects coal sales in the first quarter to be in the range of 4.6 - 4.9 million tonnes. This compares to an average of 5.3 million tonnes of sales in the first quarter of each of the last six years. It is too early to assess any potential impact from the recent earthquake in Japan.

8:46AM Itron reorganizes co's segments to deliver simple, focused operations for greater growth and efficiency (ITRI) 53.45 : Co announces a reorganization into 2 primary segments, Water and Energy. Co believes the new structure better enables co to meet its near- and long-term goals by strategically aligning global operations with the markets it serves. Co also states this move will significantly improve operational efficiencies through a range of near- and long-term actions, including unifying back-office IT and financial systems, allowing co to automate processes for faster decision making, while building upon global systems that will dramatically lower operating expenses over time.

8:46AM CPI Aerostructures announces that the U.S. Air Force has released a new order for a variety of spoilers and wing tips valued at ~$7.9 mln (CVU) 13.53 : Co announces that the U.S. Air Force has released a new order under CPI Aero's C-5 TOP contract for a variety of spoilers and wing tips valued at ~$7.9 mln. This award brings the total new year-to-date awards for CPI Aero from all customers to $30.0 mln, compared to $4.5 mln for the same period of 2010.

8:44AM Shaw Group issues statement on events in Japan; co states it does not believe there will be an impact on its nuclear projects currently under construction in the US and China (SHAW) 38.41 :

8:43AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* United States Steel (X) announced that its tubular products subsidiary, U. S. Steel Tubular Products, has entered into an agreement with Surface Enhancement Technologies to permit U. S. Steel Tubular Products to be the exclusive tubular products manufacturer to utilize Low Plasticity Burnishing.
* IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) announced the introduction of the first Brent Crude cracks to U.S.-refined products on ICE Futures Europe.
* Gilat Satellite (GILT) announced the introduction of the MLT-1000 military satellite modem.
* Harsco Corporation (HSC) announced its receipt of two additional railway track maintenance equipment orders from China metro transit system operators totaling close to $11 million.

8:38AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* Marina Biotech (MRNA) announced enrollment of the first patient in the Dose Escalating Phase of its Phase Ib/IIa clinical trial, Safety and Tolerability of An RNAi Therapeutic in FAP or START-FAP, with CEQ508 intended for the treatment of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis.
* Mellanox Technologies (MLNX) announced that search company Blekko selected Mellanox's Vantage 6048 10 Gigabit Ethernet switches as the core backbone for its data center fabric and search infrastructure.
* Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation (ETN) announced it has agreed to acquire Internormen Technology Group, a hydraulic filtration and instrumentation company. The company, which is based in Altlussheim, Germany, has sales and distribution subsidiaries in India, China, Brazil and the United States. Internormen employs ~360 people and had 2010 sales of more than $55 million.

8:34AM CPEX Pharmaceuticals: Mangrove Partners proposes fully-financed dividend recapitalization to Board (CPEX) 27.14 : Mangrove Partners, owners of 149,373 shares representing approximately 5.71% of the outstanding shares of CPEX, announced that it has sent a term sheet for a fully-financed dividend recapitalization to CPEX's Board of Directors to be implemented through a backstopped rights issue. Mangrove Partners estimates the consideration to shareholders at $34.73 per share, composed of a $28.00 per share special dividend, a tradable right, and ongoing ownership in the stock of CPEX. The financing commitments for the recapitalization are subject to the completion of customary confirmatory due diligence and definitive documentation, a process that Mangrove Partners believes could be completed in as little as two weeks with full cooperation from CPEX.

8:33AM Providence Service Corp refinanced its existing credit facility with new senior secured credit facility (PRSC) 15.06 : The new credit facility is comprised of a $100 mln, five year term loan facility and a $40 mln, five year revolving credit facility. Additionally, the Company may request the amount of the term loan facility and/or revolving credit facility be increased by an aggregate amount of up to $85 mln, with either additional commitments from lenders under the senior credit facility or new commitments from other financial institutions. Providence may not be able to access additional funds under this option as no lender is obligated to participate in any such increase under the senior credit facility. In addition to refinancing the existing debt obligations, the proceeds of the new senior secured credit facility may be used to fund ongoing working capital requirements, make capital expenditures such as acquisitions, repay Providence's 6.5% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 and for other general corporate purposes.

8:33AM Solutia reports no injuries and no damages in Japan Earthquake (SOA) 22.01 : Co confirmed the safety of all employees and their families in the region over the weekend, and the co is working to assess and support their needs during this tragedy. No damages were reported at Solutia's manufacturing facility in Kashima. The facility lost power during the quake, and operations there have been temporarily suspended. Co's other sites in Asia and around the globe remain fully operational and were not threatened by Friday's earthquake or subsequent tsunami advisories.

8:33AM Chevron provides update at annual meeting; says downstream steadily progressing restructuring and asset rationalization plans (CVX) 99.93 : Co says that over the next few years, its full attention will be on completing major natural gas development projects in Australia, which will deliver Chevron's next wave of significant growth... Looking forward, Kirkland described the portfolio that will be the growth engine for Chevron. "We continue to advance our major capital projects and we are on track to meet key project milestones." Kirkland also discussed the extensive new acreage that was added to the portfolio in the past year. "Longer term, our early, low-cost entries into new acreage will generate opportunities for further organic growth. We believe this differentiates us from many of our competitors and will provide superior financial results."

8:32AM Pansoft Company Ltd announces Japan joint venture unaffected by earthquake (PSOF) 4.65 :

8:32AM Ebix beats by $0.09, beats on revs (EBIX) 28.13 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.42 per share, $0.09 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.33; revenues rose 12.1% year/year to $35.1 mln vs the $34.3 mln consensus. An estimated 99.5% plus of Ebix's clients from 2009 renewed their business with Ebix in the year 2009, meaning that Ebix did not lose a single customer across the world that accounted for more than 0.5% of Ebix's revenues in the year 2010.

8:31AM Swisher Hygiene has acquired the hygiene and chemical business of Logico Associates and Nebraska Hygiene for total consideration paid for of $250,000 in cash and the issuance of a maximum of 338,326 shares of Swisher Hygiene common stock (SWSH) 5.93 :

8:27AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* Ivanhoe Mines (IVN) announced that Ivanhoe and BHP Billiton Ltd (BHP) have discovered a new zone of shallow copper-molybdenum-gold mineralization ~10 kilometres north of the Ivanhoe Mines Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mining complex currently under construction in southern Mongolia.
* Calix (CALX) announced that Broadband Stimulus award winner Bristol Virginia Utilities has selected the EXA Powered Calix C7 Multiservice Access Platform along with the 700GX/GE family of ONTs to expand its existing fiber access network across an eight-county region of southwestern Virginia.

8:21AM General Electric releases annual report; co states it see signs of economic strength every day (GE) 20.36 :

8:09AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* Capital Gold (CGC) announced that ISS Proxy Advisory Services and Glass Lewis have both published reports recommending that co's stockholders vote "FOR" the merger with Gammon Gold (GRS).
* Intel (INTC), through its standalone business entity Intel Mobile Communications, announced that it has acquired most of the assets of SySDSoft, a privately held software company based in Cairo and hired approximately 100 of the company's electrical engineers and computer scientists.
* Merge Healthcare Incorporated (MRGE) announced the expansion of its existing software relationship with Fysicon. Fysicon will customize Merge solutions to improve its specific portfolio of image management products for the BeNeLux market.
* OSI Systems (OSIS) announced that its security division, Rapiscan Systems, has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate to develop two separate systems as part of S&T's CanScan Program. Rapiscan Laboratories, the R&D arm of Rapiscan Systems, secured the competitively bid contract worth up to ~$29 million with a combined initial funding obligation of $3.6 million for the first phases of the two development efforts.
* MYR Group (MYRG) announced it has entered into a contract with Dominion to rebuild approximately 96 miles of 500 kilovolt transmission line in Virginia and West Virginia.
* Regal Entertainment Group (RGC) announced that The IMAX (IMAX) Experience will soon be available at three additional locations.
* Kingtone Wirelessinfo (KONE) announced that it has signed a three year contract with Xi'an Interactive Space Media to provide 3G wireless solutions on Interactive Taxi Cab Displays in Xi'an, Shaanxi province.
* Power-One (PWER) has commenced shipping inverter products from its Shenzhen, China manufacturing and design facility. Production is located in the same manufacturing park as Power-One's existing factory for its traditional power conversion products. The new facility will have the capacity to produce 1 GW of central inverters by the end of 2011.

8:04AM Neutral Tandem misses by $0.11, reports revs in-line; guides FY11 revs in-line (TNDM) 16.95 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.18 per share, $0.11 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.29; revenues rose 42.7% year/year to $63.8 mln vs the $64.2 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY11, sees FY11 revs of $256-268 mln vs. $262.85 mln Thomson Reuters consensus. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, for fiscal year 2011 is expected to be between $91-95 mln. Billed voice minutes for fiscal year 2011 are estimated to be between 130-137 billion minutes. Capital expenditures for fiscal year 2011 are expected to be between $20-24 mln. Q4 Billed minutes increased 25.3% to 29.9 billion minutes for the three months ended December 31, 2010, compared to 23.8 billion minutes for the three months ended December 31, 2009.

8:03AM TII Network Technologies it has acquired 100% of the stock of Frederick Fiber Optics purchase price was not disclose; acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings in the third quarter (TIII) 3.26 : Co announces it has acquired 100% of the stock of Frederick Fiber Optics. The purchase price consists of an initial cash payment made from cash on hand and incentive payments based on the achievement of certain performance objectives over the next two years. The purchase price was not disclosed. F2O manufactures a wide variety of high performance fiber optic cable assemblies, wall and rack mounted fiber distribution panels, and miscellaneous fiber accessories and services. Headquartered in Frederick Maryland, F2O is a profitable, fast growing company with sales in excess of $2 million. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings in the third quarter.

8:02AM Longwei Petroleum announces letter of intent to purchase 100,000 metric ton fuel storage facility (LPH) 1.99 : Co announces that it has entered into a letter of intent to acquire a fuel storage depot in northern Shanxi Province with a 100,000 metric ton storage capacity. Longwei paid a deposit of RMB 140 million (approximately US $20 million) at the signing of the letter of intent toward the full purchase price of RMB 700 million (approximately US $106.5 million). The Company expects the facility to contribute approximately $300 million to revenues and $40 million to net income during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012.

8:02AM AFLAC: Aflac Japan corporate offices fully operational; Expected Impact on Japan Sales Minimal; Co Affirms 2011 Operating EPS Target; at the low end of 8-12% operating earnings growth for 2011 (AFL) 55.55 : Co announces that its operations in Japan are up and running and ready to assist policyholders following the recent earthquake in the Tohoku area. While the hardest-hit areas were Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, less than 5% of Aflac Japan's new sales and in-force premiums are derived from these prefectures. Co expects Aflac Japan sales will only be minimally impacted by these events. Co's earnings guidance for the year remains unchanged, however will likely be at the low end of the 8-12% range for operating earnings per diluted share growth in 2011, excluding the impact of currency.

8:01AM Xilinx raises quarterly dividend to $0.19/share from $0.16/share; reiterates sales guidance for quarter (XLNX) 32.33 : Co has increased the quarterly cash dividend from $0.16 to $0.19 per outstanding share of common stock... Co also reiterated its sales guidance for the March quarter of fiscal 2011. March quarter sales are expected to be flat to up 5% sequentially, consistent with the co's previous guidance (flat to +5% QoQ to ~$567.2-595.6 mln vs. $579.63 mln Thomson Reuters consensus). This guidance assumes that the Company's shipments to customers in Japan are not affected by the recent events there. The Company is still in the process of assessing the situation in Japan.

7:57AM Hyperdynamics provides results of independent resource evaluation of deep water portion of Offshore Republic of Guinea Concession (HDY) 5.60 : Co announces the results of a new resource evaluation conducted by Netherland, Sewell on the deep water portion of the co's oil and gas concession offshore Republic of Guinea. NSAI conducted an assessment of the prospective recoverable oil resources in selected deep water leads that resulted in an aggregate of "Best Estimates" for all assessed leads of 3.7 bln barrels of potentially recoverable unrisked prospective oil resources. Applying the risk factors assigned by NSAI to the "Best Estimates" of each of the seven leads, the risked resources are ~400 mln barrels of oil. Co still plans to spud its first exploration well in the fourth quarter of 2011. Co operates the concession with a 77% participating interest, with the remaining 23% held by Dana Petroleum plc.

7:47AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* Alon Holdings Blue Square-Israel (BSI) announced that its indirect majority owned subsidiary, Alon Cellular, was informed by the Israeli Ministry of Communications that it had received a mobile virtual network operator license.
* Cimatron Limited (CIMT) announced that its customer Dongfang Turbine Company has purchased additional licenses of CimatronE and GibbsCAM for the production of turbine blades.
* Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities issued an interlocutory order on the standard of review to be applied in the review of mergers involving Massachusetts utilities in Docket 10-170, Joint Petition for Approval of Merger between NSTAR (NST) and Northeast Utilities (NU). The Order modified the Standard of Review with respect to mergers from a "no net harm" standard to a "net benefits" standard meaning that the companies must demonstrate that the proposed transaction provides benefits that outweigh the costs.

7:43AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* Partner Communications Company (PTNR) announced the appointment of Offer Peri as Chief Executive Officer of 012 Smile Telecom Ltd. as of April 1, 2011.
* PROLOR Biotech (PBTH) announced that it is relocating its corporate office and R&D facility to a new, significantly larger building located a short distance from its current site in the Weizmann Science Park in Nes Ziona, Israel.
* Transcept Pharmaceuticals (TSPT) announced the first patient has been enrolled in a Phase 2 clinical study to evaluate TO-2061 as an adjunctive treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder in patients who have responded inadequately to currently approved treatments.

7:38AM Windstream proposes private offering of $500 mln of Senior Notes due 2021 (WIN) 12.85 : Co announces that it intends to offer in a private placement $500 mln aggregate principal amount of senior notes that will mature in 2021 and bear interest at a fixed rate. If the offering is successfully placed, co expects to increase the maximum amount of 8.625% Senior Notes due 2016 it is seeking in its previously announced tender offer. Co expects to use the net proceeds of the offering, together with the net proceeds of its previously announced offering of 7.50% Senior Notes due 2023 and borrowings under its revolving line of credit or cash on hand, to pay the total consideration in connection with the tender offer, as well as related fees and expenses.

7:32AM China Armco Metals confirms orders totaling $20 million (CNAM) 2.74 : Co announces it has delivered two new iron ore orders to customers serving iron and steel producers in China, in addition to two new orders secured for recycled steel. Through March, 2011 co's trading business has completed and delivered two orders for iron and chrome ore with existing customers in China that include a combined volume of 8,000 tons with an aggregate value of ~of $14.4 mln. The Company's also secured two new orders for its metal recycling business with existing customers to produce and sell a combined volume of 10,000 tons of recycled steel, with an aggregate value of ~of $5.4 million.

7:31AM Extreme Networks appoints Jim Judson as Interim CFO effective immediately (EXTR) 3.55 : Co announces that it has retained Jim Judson for the position of Interim CFO, effective immediately. Additionally, co is continuing with its national executive search for the permanent CFO role. Recently, Mr. Judson served as Interim CFO for Omnicell (OMCL).

7:31AM Knight Capital Group announces equities and foreign exchange volume statistics for the month of February 2011 (KCG) 12.74 : Knight's equities volumes were as follows: Average daily U.S. equities dollar volume traded in February 2011 was $29.0 billion, down approximately 1.4% from $29.5 billion in January 2011 and up approximately 9.4% from $26.5 billion in February 2010. Average daily U.S. equities trade volume in February 2011 was 3.9 million, down approximately 1.6% from 4.0 million in January 2011, and up approximately 4.2% from 3.7 million in February 2010. Average daily U.S. equities share volume in February 2011 was 6.3 billion, up approximately 5.6% from 6.0 billion in January 2011, and down approximately 30.5% from 9.1 billion in February 2010.

7:15AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* Biodel (BIOD) announced that it has selected two new formulations of recombinant human insulin for clinical testing and is accelerating clinical development plans of these mealtime insulin drug candidates.
* Microsemi Corporation (MSCC) announced that its SoC Products Group has received recertification from STACK International after an extensive audit verifying the company's commitment to supplying FPGAs of the highest quality to its customers.
* The U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren has awarded a follow-on task order, under its contract with a subsidiary of Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM), to implement Phase 3 of the Distributed Tactical Communications System program.
* Odyssey Marine Exploration (OMEX) and its subsidiary OVH executed agreements to expand a search and provide marine archaeological excavation and related services to certain client companies of Robert Fraser & Partners. The contract provides for cash payments totaling ~U.S. $2.0 million to co plus additional payments based upon revenue derived from the project.
* Interpublic Group's (IPG) Jack Morton Worldwide is announcing that it is opening an office in Singapore, effective March 14, to be led by Charles Robinson, who formally led the Production team for Jack Morton's Hong Kong office. Charles will assume the title of Director of Operations, Singapore and report to Ben Taylor, President of Jack Morton's Asia-Pacific operations.
* Dehaier Medical Systems (DHRM) announced that it has signed a distribution agreement with Shanghai Haopu Medical Instruments to become a regional distributor of eVent Medical's inspiration ventilator in the Chinese market.
* Ritchie Bros. (RBA) conducted a record-breaking auction in Dubai, United Arab Emirates last week selling $57 mln of heavy equipment and trucks, the highest gross auction proceeds ever generated from a Dubai auction.
* Athersys (ATHX) announced the initiation of patient enrollment, and dosing of the first patient for a Phase II clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of administration of MultiStem, co's allogeneic cell therapy product for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. This Phase II clinical trial is part of a strategic global collaboration between Athersys and Pfizer (PFE) to investigate MultiStem for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
* Elster (ELT) announced that it will work with Science Applications International (SAI) to deliver a comprehensive hosted Smart Grid solution that will empower utilities with a variety of advanced functionalities across electric, water and gas infrastructures.

7:06AM Eli Lilly to acquire the animal health business of Janssen Pharmaceutica, a Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) unit; terms not disclosed (LLY) 34.86 :

7:03AM Labopharm appoints new Pres and CEO; Board is conducting review considering all available strategic options (DDSS) 0.62 : Co announces that Mark D'Souza, the Corporation's current CFO has been elected President and CEO of co and a member of the board of directors. D'Souza replaces James Howard-Tripp as President and CEO. Howard-Tripp will also step down as Board member effective today. Co also announced that the board of directors of the Corporation in conjunction with its management have undertaken a complete review of the business including consideration of all available strategic options.

7:02AM Family Dollar raises Q2 EPS guidance; reports +5.1% comps (FDO) 51.27 : Co issues upside guidance for Q2 (Feb), sees EPS of $0.97-0.98, prior guidance $0.92-0.97, vs. $0.95 Thomson Reuters consensus. Comparable store sales for the quarter increased 5.1%. Although January sales were negatively impacted by winter storms, February sales benefited from early spring-like weather. Sales during the quarter were strongest in the Consumable and Seasonal categories. The Company had 6,888 stores as of February 26, 2011, including 61 new stores opened in the second quarter.

7:02AM RAIT Invtmt Trust commences public offering of $100 mln Convertible Senior Notes due 2031 (RAS) 3.16 : Co announces it has commenced a public offering of $100 mln aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes due 2031. RAIT currently intends to use the net proceeds from the Notes offering to repay certain indebtedness and for general trust purposes including working capital.

7:01AM Tianli Agritech signs a Letter of Intent to purchase the assets of AnPuluo Farm at a projected purchase price ranging from $1.9-2.1 mln (OINK) 4.90 : Co announces that it has signed a Letter of Intent to purchase the assets of AnPuluo Farm, a 20,000 annual head production hog farm in Enshi City, which is located within the Hubei province. The Company expects to close the transaction within 45 days at a projected purchase price ranging from $1.9 million to $2.1 million. With the additional capacity resulting from the Company's 10th farm acquired in December, 2010, and assuming the completion of this acquisition, Tianli projects that its average 2012 production capacity will be approximately 150,000 hogs.

6:58AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* ENGlobal (ENG) announced that it has been awarded a three-year alliance contract to provide multidisciplinary engineering, procurement, and construction management services for a global manufacturer of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, and plastics. The preferred provider alliance is worth up to $15.0 million in services revenue over the life of the contract.
* Sharps Compliance (SMED) announced that it was selected to provide its medication disposal envelopes to Rite Aid (RAD).

6:56AM AMB Property provided an update on its properties in Japan; confirms local team is accounted for and uninjured (AMB) 34.95 : Majority of the company's properties in the Tokyo submarket experienced minor cosmetic damage and a few have experienced buckling in paved truck court areas. AMB expects that its facility located along the coastal area of Sendai in the Miyagi Prefecture has been more severely impacted, but access to it has not yet been granted and a full assessment is pending. Co's preliminary estimated exposure from insurance deductibles is less than $10 million, of which 40% is estimated to apply to fund properties and 60% is estimated to apply to REIT properties.

6:43AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) announced that the co will seek a secondary listing of its ordinary shares on the Professional Segment of NYSE Euronext in Paris.
* Inovio Pharmaceuticals (INO) announced that its partner, ChronTech Pharma, has initiated a Phase IIb clinical study of its ChronVac-C DNA vaccine for hepatitis C virus, delivered by Inovio's proprietary electroporation DNA vaccine delivery technology, in combination with standard of care.
* SL Green Realty (SLG) announced that it has entered into a contract to sell 28 West 44th Street in Midtown Manhattan for $161 mln, or $448 per square foot, to a joint venture of APF Properties and a Prudential Real Estate Investors managed fund.
* IBM (IBM) announced the first stage of a $22.5 million project to create an electronic healthcare records system for the province of Manitoba has gone live, providing clinicians with unprecedented access to their patients' lab results, dispensed drug records and immunization histories.
* Points International (PCOM) partnered with Saudi Arabian Airlines to provide members of its Alfursan frequent flyer program more flexibility with their Reward Miles.
* Ashford University, an academic institution owned by Bridgepoint Education (BPI), announced it will offer a new Bachelor of Arts in Consumer & Family Financial Services

6:31AM Genesee & Wyoming reports traffic in Feb: 72,687 carloads, an +7,819 carloads, or +12.1%, YoY (GWR) 53.93 : Co reports traffic in February 2011 was 72,687 carloads, an increase of 7,819 carloads, or 12.1%, compared with February 2010. Co's traffic in the first quarter of 2011 through February was 155,422 carloads, an increase of 25,398 carloads, or 19.5%, compared to the first quarter of 2010 through February. Co's traffic in February 2011 was negatively impacted by winter weather in North America and flooding in Australia. In Australia, Cyclone Carlos temporarily washed out a section of track at the northern end of the Adelaide to Darwin rail line resulting in a track closure for 8 days. The railroad reopened in late February.

6:22AM ECA Marcellus Trust files Shelf Registration Statement registering 3,480,800 common units (ECT) 28.97 : The Shelf Registration Statement has been filed but is not yet effective.

6:21AM A-Power Energy wins $30.5 mln contract to build biomass power plant in China (APWR) 4.70 : Co announces that on March 8, 2011 it signed a definitive contract with a total value of RMB 200.7 mln (~$30.5 mln) to develop a biomass power plant consisting of two 15 megawatt power generation units for the Xin County Guangchao Biomass Power Generation. The project is expected to begin shortly and be completed by mid 2012.

6:18AM Pansoft Company extends share-repurchase program to up to $1 mln over next 3 months (PSOF) 4.65 : Co announces that the Company has extended the stock repurchase program announced in October 2010 for an additional indefinite period. On October 29, 2010, Pansoft announced that its Board of Directors had authorized a share repurchase program, under which the Company could acquire up to $1 million of its common shares over the following 3 months. Through January 28, 2011, Pansoft repurchased 69,400 common shares, for a total value of ~$296,915, through open-market repurchases. These purchases represent an average price of $4.28 per share. Co extends the program for an indefinite period.

6:17AM Gulfport Energy beats by $0.03, beats on revs (GPOR) 25.37 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.32 per share, $0.03 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.29; revenues rose 50.6% year/year to $37.5 mln vs the $32.8 mln consensus. For FY11, co sees oil equivalent of BOE 2.2-2.4 mln BOE; projected year-over-year production increase of 16%; total budgeted capital expenditures $127-133 mln.

6:11AM SuccessFactors acquires Jambok (SFSF) 35.39 : Co enters into a definitive agreement to acquire Jambok, the SaaS social learning company that draws on the consumer world's popular web 2.0 tools like YouTube and Facebook, to offer even easier next generation on-the-fly mobile video creation, sharing, discovery and social networking that enables informal social learning within the workforce.

6:11AM Puda Coal receives transitional business license for Dajinhe Coal under Pinglu Project Phase I (PUDA) 11.66 : Co announces that on March 10, 2011 Shanxi Puda Coal Group, a 90% subsidiary of co, was granted a transitional business license for the operation of Shanxi Pinglu Dajinhe Coal Industry by the Shanxi provincial government. Dajinhe Coal is a project company 100% owned by Shanxi Coal that holds the acquired coal mining rights and assets of Pinglu County Da Wa Coal Industry. With the transitional business license, which is valid until November 17, 2011, Shanxi Coal will be able to sell thermal coal produced during the construction and expansion period to its customers at prevailing market prices. Following construction and expansion, Dajinhe Coal's annual production capacity is expected to expand to 600,000 metric tons from 300,000 MT before the construction.

6:10AM MTS Systems receives suspension notice from U.S. Department of the Air Force; suspended from government contracting and from directly or indirectly receiving the benefits of federal assistance programs (MTSC) 45.46 : Co reports that it was notified by the U.S. Department of the Air Force that it has been suspended from U.S. federal government contracting and from directly or indirectly receiving the benefits of federal assistance programs. The suspension is temporary pending any ensuing legal proceedings and co has 30 calendar days to submit a response. An extended suspension or debarment from contracting with the U.S. federal government could have a material adverse effect on co's business.

6:08AM GMX Resources provides results of cash tender offer for its 5.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (GMXR) 5.13 : Co announces the results of its tender offer for up to $50 mln aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 5.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 which expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 11, 2011. Based on the information received from Global Bondholder Services Corporation, the depositary for the tender offer, $121,534,000 aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes were validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the tender offer. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the tender offer, GMXR has accepted for purchase $50 mln aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes for an aggregate consideration of approx $50,312,500.

6:07AM Animal Health Intl to merge with privately held Lextron for $4.25 per share, ~11% premium to Friday's close (AHII) 3.83 : Lextron, with support from investment funds affiliated with Leonard Green & Partners, will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of AHII for $4.25 per share, or ~$111 mln, plus the repayment of AHII's outstanding indebtedness, for a total purchase price of ~$251 mln. The transaction, which was approved by AHII's Board of Directors, represents an ~11% premium to the closing price of AHII's shares on March 11, 2011. The transaction is expected to close by June 30, 2011, and is subject to AHII stockholder approval, antitrust clearance and certain other customary closing conditions. Investment funds affiliated with Charlesbank Capital Partners, and Jim Robison, AHII's Chairman, President and CEO, who together own ~33% of AHII's outstanding common stock, have agreed to vote in favor of the transaction. "This merger provides an opportunity for us to collectively create the country's premier animal health business."

6:06AM Coherent reports prelim results of of its Tender Offer; expects to acquire 457,028 shares at $59.00 per share (COHR) 58.23 : Based on the preliminary count by the depositary for the tender offer, co expects to accept for payment an aggregate of 457,028 shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $59.00 per share. These shares represent ~1.8% of the shares issued and outstanding. Based on the preliminary count by the depositary for the tender offer, an aggregate of 457,028 shares were properly tendered and not withdrawn at or below a price of $59.00, including 261,111 shares that were tendered through notice of guaranteed delivery.

6:04AM Lubrizol to be acquired by Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) for $135 in cash, ~28% premium to Friday's close (LZ) 105.44 : Co announces a definitive agreement for Berkshire Hathaway to acquire 100% of outstanding LZ shares for $135 per share in an all-cash transaction. The transaction, which was unanimously approved by the board of directors of each co , is valued at ~$9.7 bln, including ~$0.7 bln in net debt, making it one of the largest acquisitions in Berkshire Hathaway history. This price represents a 28% premium over LZ's closing price on Friday, March 11, 2011. After the close of the transaction, LZ will operate as a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.

6:01AM Gold Resource commences processing arista underground ore (GORO) 25.30 : Co announces the the production transition and commencement of processing its La Arista underground ore. Transition from processing the Aguila Project's open pit ore to processing its Arista underground ore is underway with flotation optimization to produce three separate concentrates; a Gold/Copper, a Lead/Silver and a Zinc concentrate.

6:01AM India Fund announces expiration of semi-annual repurchase offer (IFN) 30.21 : Co announces the expiration of the Fund's semi-annual repurchase offer for shares of its common stock. The repurchase offer and withdrawal rights expired on Friday, March 11, 2011. The Fund offered to repurchase up to 5% of the outstanding shares of its common stock for cash at a price approximately equal to net asset value as of March 18, 2011. The preliminary count by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing, the Fund's transfer agent, indicated that ~1,294,164.91 shares (~2.922 % of the Fund's outstanding shares) were validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the Fund's repurchase offer.

5:57AM Royal Dutch Shell JV reports an important new oil discovery in Deepwater Brunei (RDS.A) 24.56 : Co announces a significant new oil discovery in the coastal waters of the south-east Asian sultanate. The discovery, named Geronggong, is situated in the 3rd Offshore Acreage Area, approximately 100km offshore where water depth is approximately 1000m, the deepest water depth in which BSP has discovered hydrocarbons in Bruneian acreage.

5:35AM Panasonic provides status on effect of earthquake in the Tohoku Region on business operations (PC) 12.73 : Co provides the following effects to its group business operations. Some minor injuries to the employees are reported in group companies, including AVC Networks Fukushima Factory (manufacturing digital cameras), AVC Networks Company Sendai Factory (manufacturing optical pickups), Panasonic Electric Works, Koriyama Factory (manufacturing electronic materials), SANYO Electric, Gunma Factory (manufacturing washer/dryers etc). Co states any major fire and collapse of buildings are not reported. Co is suspending operations in the factory affected by the earthquake and continuing to evaluate further details of the damage. Co's forecast of effect by the damage to our business performances The damage caused by the earthquake is uncertain at the moment. An announcement will be made promptly if a significant impact on Panasonic's consolidated financial outlook for fiscal 2011 is foreseen.

4:33AM Life Technologies: FDA Grants 510(k) clearance to co's Stem Cell Growth Medium (LIFE) 51.41 : Co announces that it has received FDA 510(k) clearance for StemPro MSC SFM, a first for this next-generation stem cell culture medium that is now cleared as a medical device and satisfies a crucial requirement for researchers involved in clinical trials in the United States. As an FDA-cleared device, StemPro MSC SFM can potentially expedite the regulatory review process associated with investigational medical studies because it allows the reviewers to focus on the science rather than the manner in which the cells are grown.

3:49AM Cell Therapeutics acquires exclusive marketing and co-development rights in the Americas to Chroma Therapeutics' Tosedostat; Phase III Pivotal Trial in Expected to Start in Q4 2011 (CTIC) 0.30 : Co and Chroma Therapeutics announces that the cos have entered into a co-development and license agreement providing co with exclusive marketing and co-development rights to Chroma's drug candidate tosedostat in North, Central and South America. Co will make an upfront payment of $5 mln and a milestone payment of $5 mln when the AML pivotal trial is initiated, which is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2011. Subject to a funding cap of $50 million for the first three years, co will be responsible for 75% of development costs and Chroma will be responsible for 25% of development costs. Co, in collaboration with Chroma, expects to commence a phase III clinical study in the US and Europe in elderly patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia for potential approval by the FDA and the EMA. The FDA and the EMA have granted tosedostat orphan drug status for AML.

3:44AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* Turkish Airlines has again selected the International Aero Engines AG V2500 SelectOne engine to power its A320 family aircraft. IAE will deliver 10 firm engines in 2013. This follow-on order is valued at up to $200 mln and will power A321 aircraft. IAE is a multinational aero engine consortium whose shareholders comprise of Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies (UTX).
* LivePerson (LPSN) announced that trading of its common stock has commenced on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol LPSN.
* TAT Technologies (TATT) announced that Piedmont Aviation Component Services, its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, commenced an action on March 11, 2011 in the Court of Chancery of the State Delaware against First Aviation Services Holdingsfor breach of contract for failure to provide Piedmont with FAvS's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010. Piedmont owns ~37% of the Common Stock of FAvS as well as certain of the preferred stock of FAvS.
* DISH Network (DISH) announced it has reached a deal with LIN Media (TVL) that restored local TV channels to customers in 17 markets.
* Nordson (NDSN) announced that the new Nordson ASYMTEK website is now available in simplified Chinese.
* Lattice Semiconductor (LSCC) announced that it has shipped more than 10 mln Power Manager devices since their introduction.

3:36AM STMicroelectronics resolves to submit a proposal to increase annual cash dividend to $0.40 per share (STM) 12.58 : Co's Supervisory Board approved the management proposal to submit to the forthcoming 2011 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders the distribution of an annual cash dividend of $0.40 per outstanding share of the co's common stock, payable in four equal quarterly installments. The proposed dividend equals a 3.2% yield on the co's share price at closing on Friday, March 11 and compares to the annual dividend of $0.28 per share declared last year.

3:32AM Cephalon court rules on first set of patents in FENTORA litigation; Court ruled in Watson Pharmaceutical's (WPI) favor on two of the three patents at issue in the case (CEPH) 56.45 : Co announces that on March 11, the US District Court for the District of Delaware issued a decision as to a portion of the patent litigation brought by CEPH and its wholly-owned subsidiary CIMA Labs against Watson Pharmaceuticals (WPI) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Watson Laboratories pertaining to CEPH's FENTORA fentanyl buccal tablet product. The Court ruled in WPI's favor on two of the three patents at issue in the case. The Court has yet to rule on the third patent.

2:56AM Cellcom Israel confirms a negotiation proposal to acquire Netvision (CEL) 31.53 : Co announces that it approached Netvision Ltd., or Netvision, with a proposal to negotiate a merger between the co's subsidiary and Netvision. In light of this regulatory change, the co approached Netvision with the aforementioned proposal. The proposed merger contemplates the purchase by the co of all of Netvision's outstanding share capital for cash consideration, based on its share capital's estimated value of NIS1.5 bln, as a result of which Netvision would become a wholly owned subsidiary of the co. Netvision has not responded yet to the proposal.

2:10AM Cabot Micro reports Geino, Japan facilities not directly affected by earthquake (CCMP) 47.25 : Co announces Geino, Japan manufacturing and research and development facilities, located ~500 miles from the earthquake's epicenter, were not directly affected by the disaster, and presently continue to operate on schedule and at normal production levels.

2:08AM Elbit Medical Imaging provides results of 'dutch auction' to the public for its debenture offering in Israel (EMITF) 11.51 : Co announces that the offering by way of "Dutch Auction" to the public in connection with a proposed public offering in Israel by way of extending its existing Series D Debentures, pursuant to the shelf prospectus filed on July 21, 2009, has concluded. Co offered up to NIS120 mln principal amount of Series D Debentures, linked to the Israeli consumer price index of February 2007. The debentures bear fixed interest at a rate of 5.0% per year. Interest will be payable on April 1 and October 1 of each of the years 2007 through 2020. The final closing principal amount determined in the auction amounted to NIS96 mln at a price of NIS1,128 per unit, representing a 6.03% yield per annum. Co expects to receive aggregate gross proceeds of NIS107 mln as a result of The offering.

2:01AM K-Sea Transportation to be acquired by Kirby (KEX) for $8.15 per share; KEX EPS guidance unchanged (KSP) 6.47 : Co announces entered into a definitive merger agreement with Kirby (KEX). Co will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of KEX. The merger agreement was unanimously approved by co's Board. Co's common unitholders will have the right to elect to receive either (a) $8.15 in cash; or (b) $4.075 in cash plus 0.0734 of a share of KEX common stock for each common unit. Co's preferred unitholders will receive $4.075 in cash and 0.0734 of a share of Kirby's common stock for each preferred unit. The transaction price of $8.15 per common unit represents a 26% premium to the closing price on Friday, March 11th. KEX expects the positive earnings impact from co on its 2011 results will be offset by one-time transaction fees of ~$.05 per share. Accordingly, co's guidance for 2011 remains in the $2.55-2.80 per share range. Projected full calendar year 2011 revenues for K-Sea are anticipated to be in the $240-280 mln range. Assuming a closing in July, anticipated revenues for KEX from KSP's operations would be in the $130-150 mln range. For 2012, co expects a positive contribution to earnings from K-Sea's operations.

1:48AM Ku6 Media CEO reigns to pursue other career opportunities; appoints Haifa Zhu as active CEO (KUTV) 2.92 : Co announces the resignation of CEO Shanyou Li and appointment of Acting CEO Haifa Zhu, both effective on March 14, 2011. Li resigned to pursue other career opportunities. He will remain a Board member of co and will continue to provide business advice to co. Zhu, a member of the Ku6 Media Board and Chief Investment Officer of Shanda Interactive Entertainment, has been appointed Acting CEO of co. Meanwhile, the Board has initiated a search to recruit a permanent CEO.

1:45AM Ampal-American Israel: EMG's gas supply to resume March 14th (AMPL) 1.79 : Co's announces that it was advised by East Mediterranean Gas, in which co has a 12.5% interest, that EMG informed its Israeli customers that the resumption of gas supply by EMG to Israel is expected Monday, March 14th. The resumption of gas supply is following the successful completion of the repair work and testing of GASCO's pipeline that was damaged in an explosion and fire on February 5th, 2011.

1:41AM China Agritech forms special committee to to investigate certain allegations made by third parties with respect to the co and certain related issues; will not meet its 10-K filing deadline (CAGC) 6.88 :

1:33AM Lawson Software confirms receipt of unsolicited proposal from Infor and Golden Gate Capital for $11.25 per share in cash (LWSN) 11.55 : Co announces that it received an unsolicited, non-binding proposal from Infor and Golden Gate Capital to acquire all of the company's outstanding common stock at a price of $11.25 per share in cash. The parties are engaged in discussions regarding this proposal; however, there can be no assurance that any agreement will be reached.

1:30AM Chevron appeals Ecuador judgment (CVX) 99.93 : Co announces it has appealed the judgment entered last month against the co in a lawsuit alleging that Texaco Petroleum' participation in a state-controlled oil consortium prior to 1990 makes co responsible for environmental impacts in the area. In the filing, co details the pattern of fraud by the plaintiffs' lawyers, supporters and others that has corrupted the trial, as well as the numerous legal and factual defects in the judgment. In addition to its appeal in Ecuador, co continues to seek recourse through legal proceedings outside of Ecuador.

1:25AM Marshall & Ilsley: M&I Bank issues response to letter from Wisconsin Union Group threatening to boycott M&I (MI) 7.74 : M&I Bank today issued the following statement in response to a letter it received from a union group threatening to boycott co if co does not publicly oppose Governor Walker's budget repair bill. Co has not taken, and will not take, a position either for or against the budget repair bill. As co has publicly stated before that: Co has not contributed to any candidate and did not contribute to Governor Walker or Mayor Barrett in the last gubernatorial election. Co has over 6,000 employees in Wisconsin, and, in the great tradition of political freedom in this country, those employees have the right to contribute to the candidate of their choice. Co employees contributed to both Wisconsin gubernatorial candidates in the last election.

1:22AM SanDisk issues statement on recent earthquake in Japan (SNDK) 45.07 : Co announces both fabs were down for a short period of time due to the earthquake and were back up and operational as of Friday morning, Pacific Time. There were no injuries to employees based in Japan. Co's current assessment is that there has been minimal immediate impact on wafer output due to the earthquake.

1:20AM Ecopetrol Board approves rules and the addendum to the prospectus for the placement of the second round of stock issuance for the co's private capitalization (EC) 41.99 :

1:14AM Ur-Energy withdraws prospectus offering of common shares (URG) 2.51 : Co announces it has determined that its previously announced short form prospectus offering of common shares will not proceed at this time. The co is working to update its continuous disclosure record, including the preparation of an updated technical report. As a result of the delay, the offering will not proceed at this time.
http://finance.yahoo.com/marketupdate/inplay