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Market Update: 110412
4:30 pm : For the first time in quite a while buyers failed to provide near-term support in the face of selling pressure. That left the S&P 500 to suffer its worst single-session slide in almost a month and close below its 50-day moving average for the first time in three weeks.

The tone of trade was initially weakened by a concerted selling effort among the major foreign averages, most of which suffered losses of at least 1%. Japan's Nikkei was one of the worst performers; it tumbled 1.7% following news that officials have increased Japan's nuclear crisis rating to the maximum level of 7.

Dow component Alcoa (AA 16.70, -1.07) gave market participants their first glimpse into earnings season, but apparently they didn't like the view. Even though Alcoa announced its fourth consecutive upside earnings surprise, a light revenue figure suggested softer demand than what Wall Street had wanted. Shares of AA recouped some of their losses, but still settled about 6% lower for one of their worst losses of the past year.

In contrast to the action of recent weeks, market participants refused to provide support to the broad market's early drop. Not even another drop in oil prices could stir support for stocks. Oil prices closed pit trade with a 3.3% loss at $106.25 per barrel. Selling against oil accelerated with news that analysts at Goldman Sachs predict that oil prices will see a substantial pullback in coming months. Just yesterday morning oil prices were above $113 per barrel to mark their highest level in more than two years.

The combination of sharply lower oil prices and broad market weakness led energy stocks to collectively lose 3.0%, which was the sector's worst single-session slide in one month.

Financials attracted buyers in the face of widespread weakness before they were backed down in the final hour of trade. The sector actually turned a loss of about 1% into a fractional gain, but settled with a 0.4% loss.

Treasuries were spurred higher amid the stock market's slide. Buying interest in that space was supported by a solid auction of 3-year Notes. The auction drew a bid-to-cover of 3.25, dollar demand of $104.0 billion, and an indirect bidder participation rate of 33.7%.

The dollar's doldrums continued today. In turn, the euro set a new one-year high of about $1.45. It was quoted with a 0.4% gain just below that level at session's end.

Even though action today was more exciting than it has been in recent weeks, participation remains at unimpressive levels. More specifically, share volume on the NYSE failed to break 1 billion again.

Advancing Sectors: Consumer Staples (+0.3%)
Declining Sectors: Health Care (-0.1%), Utilities (-0.2%), Consumer Discretionary (-0.2%), Financials (-0.4%), Telecom (-0.6%), Industrials (-0.8%), Tech (-0.9%), Materials (-1.4%), Energy (-3.0%)DJ30 -117.53 NASDAQ -26.72 NQ100 -0.7% R2K -1.4% SP400 -1.% SP500 -10.30 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 638/1.82 bln/1989 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 756/946 mln/2225

3:30 pm : Commodities finished lower across the board today, led lower by a 3.5% sell off in grains. July wheat ended lower by 4.8% to $7.92 per bushel in profit taking from the grain's recent run to above $8.

May crude oil shed 3.3% to settle at $106.25 per barrel, extending its sell off to a second consecutive session. Crude oil has now shed over $6.50 (or 5.8%) from yesterday morning's ~2.5 yr highs at $113.46. Further headline risk shook out speculative money that recently pushed crude to those ~2.5 yr highs. It was an uneventful session for May natural gas, which finish near unchanged at $4.10 per MMBtu.

The sell-off in crude oil weighed on the precious metals, with June gold dropping 0.9% to $1453.60 per ounce and May silver shedding 1.4% to close at $40.06 per ounce. Neither metal was able to retrace is mid-morning sell off. DJ30 -125.78 NASDAQ -31.08 SP500 -11.69 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 714/1.4 bln/1890 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 774/656.3 mln/2201

3:00 pm : The broad market has slipped off of its afternoon high, but it still remains comfortably above session lows.

Participation has picked up amid today's action. It is still too early to tell whether or not share volume on the Big Board will break 1 billion, though.

Earnings announcements will likely act as a catalyst for trade in coming weeks. Tomorrow morning brings the latest from JPMorgan Chase (JPM 46.92, +0.06), which is widely expected to report earnings of $1.16 per share. DJ30 -106.11 NASDAQ -26.68 SP500 -9.64 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 712/1.31 bln/1869 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 796/606 mln/2155

2:30 pm : Although the major equity averages are still down markedly for the day, stocks have spent the past few hours gradually paring their losses. The effort has stocks sitting at afternoon highs.

Financials have extended their rally into higher ground. The sector now sports a 0.2% gain.

Still, consumer staples stocks represent this session's top performing sector as they sport a 0.4% gain. This is the second straight session that consumer staples have outperformed. Colgate-Palmolive (CL 83.00, +1.39) and Procter & Gamble (PG 62.89, +0.70) are leaders in their space.DJ30 -91.54 NASDAQ -21.73 SP500 -7.04 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 735/1.22 bln/1859 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 808/559 mln/2122

2:00 pm : The financial sector is making a strong push back toward the flat line after it had been down about 1% at its session low. The sector is now down less than 0.1%.

Large-cap bank stocks have been the biggest drivers of the financial sector's move. Bank of America (BAC 13.54, +0.05), Wells Fargo (WFC 31.58, +0.18), and US Bancorp (USB 26.54, +0.45) are primary leaders in the space.

Energy stocks have worked their way off of session lows, but the sector continue to trade with a loss of almost 3%. DJ30 -103.12 NASDAQ -22.57 SP500 -8.92 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 647/1.11 bln/1925 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 686/506 mln/2232

1:30 pm : Stocks have made a modest move to fractionally improved afternoon highs. Overall losses remain steep, though.

Treasuries continue to sport strong gains. Results from the auction of 3-year Notes were highlighted by a bid-to-cover of 3.25, dollar demand of $104.0 billion, and an indirect bidder participation rate of 33.7%. For comparison, the prior auction featured a bid-to-cover of 3.22, dollar demand of $103.0 billion, and an indirect bidder participation rate of 34.4%. An average of the past six auctions results in a bid-to-cover of 3.07, dollar demand of $98.2 billion, and an indirect bidder participation rate of 33.7%. DJ30 -111.59 NASDAQ -24.53 SP500 -10.40 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 624/1.02 bln/1938 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 656/470 mln/2248

1:00 pm : The stock market is on pace for its worst performance in almost a month following losses abroad, a negative reaction to the latest quarterly resuls from Alcoa, and a drop in energy stocks amid lower oil prices.

Overseas averages moved lower in a broad-based selling effort that followed news that Japan has increased its nuclear crisis rating to the maximum level of 7. The Nikkei dropped 1.7% and the Hang Seng shed 1.3%, but the Shanghai Composite closed only fractionally lower. Europe's major bourses all booked losses in excess of 1%.

Dow component Alcoa (AA 16.55, -1.22) announced its fourth consecutive upside earings surprise, but that has been overshadowed by a relatively light revenue figure. A negative bias in the broader market has exacerbated weakness in the stock, which is down more than 6% for its worst single-session slide in more than a year.

Still, energy stocks are collectively this session's worst performers. The sector's 3% slump comes as oil prices drop 3.6% to just below $106 per barrel. Analysts at Goldman Sachs further stoked selling interest against oil with the prediction that its price will see a substantial pullback in prices in coming months.

In contrast to action seen in recent weeks, the stock market's drop this morning was met with little support. Although the slide has since steadied, both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite remain below their 50-day moving averages, which were violated this morning.

The greenback isn't garnering much support amid the stock market's slide, but Treasuries have rallied sharply so that the yield on the benchmark 10-year Note is back below 3.50% after it had flirted with 3.60% in recent sessions. DJ30 -121.70 NASDAQ -26.50 SP500 -11.61 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 649/946 mln/1902 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 656/430 mln/2234

12:30 pm : Treasuries are trading near session highs ahead of the latest round of auction results. Demand for a series of 3-year Notes will be posted at the top of the hour.

Meanwhile, stocks are drifting sideways just above session lows after they dropped to losses of little more than 1% in the first 90 minutes of trade. DJ30 -122.30 NASDAQ -28.48 SP500 -12.36 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 592/857 mln/1934 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 596/394 mln/2289

12:00 pm : The Dollar Index is still in the red, but it has pared its loss so that it is at a session high with a loss of just 0.1%. Most of the greenback's weakness is due to strength in the yen and the euro. The yen is currently up 0.7% so that it trades at 83.82 yen per dollar. Meanwhile, the euro is just off of its 52-week high of $1.45.DJ30 -123.66 NASDAQ -29.95 SP500 -12.99 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 608/766 mln/1900 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 627/355 mln/2240

11:30 am : Stocks have steadied their descent, but remain near session lows. Downside volume continues to outpace advancing volume by more than 4-to-1 on the NYSE and more than 8-to-1 on the Nasdaq.

Treasuries continue to climb, though. In turn, the yield on the 10-year Note is now just below 3.50% after it had flirted with 3.60%, a one-month high, for the past few days. DJ30 -132.78 NASDAQ -30.98 SP500 -13.45 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 568/663 mln/1922 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 579/307 mln/2267

11:00 am : Stocks continue to descend deeper into negative territory. The slide has taken both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite below their 50-day moving averages to new two-week lows. The Dow is also at an April low, but it has yet to come in contact with its 50-day moving average.

Although weakness is widespread, participants continue to make the most concerted push against energy stocks, which are now down 3.3%. There isn't a single stock in the sector that has managed to put together any kind of a gain. DJ30 -143.38 NASDAQ -31.95 SP500 -14.70 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 545/530 mln/1877 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 587/245 mln/2229

10:30 am : The dollar index gained steam in recent trade, but still remains in negative territory. However, the move higher in the dollar hit select commodities, especially gold, silver and crude oil, which quickly sold off.

June gold dropped ~$15/oz to new session lows of $1445.00/oz, while May silver sold off to its own new session lows of $39.81. Both precious metals were already trading in negative territory prior to the sell-off. June gold has been in the red for the vast majority of today's session and is currently down 1% at $145330/oz. May silver is down 0.8% at $40.29/oz.

May crude oil sold off as well on the recent strength in the dollar index. WTI May crude oil fell to new session lows of $106.05/barrel and is currently 3.5% lower at $106.43/barrel.

May natural gas has just been chopping around the unchanged line in recent activity and is now 0.7% lower at $4.08/MMBtu.DJ30 -110.42 NASDAQ -24.73 SP500 -10.41 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 531/365.2 mln/1833 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 637/179.2 mln/2113

10:00 am : Stocks have extended their morning slide so that the Dow is now down 100 points.

Energy stocks continue to cast the heaviest weight on broad market trade. The sector is now down 2.5% as integrated oil and gas plays like Dow components Exxon Mobil (XOM 83.35, -1.81) and Chevron (CVX 104.77, -3.01) and service plays like Baker Hughes (BHI 66.89, -2.42) and Schlumberger (SLB 86.64, -2.16) succumb to sharp selling pressure.

Of the major sectors, health care is a top performer. The sector's 0.2% gain is underpinned by strength in health care facilities stocks. Tenet Healthcare Corp (THC 6.70, +0.26) is actually up 4%. DJ30 -102.25 NASDAQ -24.87 SP500 -9.80 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 656/164 mln/1582 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 786/98 mln/1854

09:45 am : Selling interest is broad in the early going, but energy stocks are in especially weak shape. The sector has already dropped 1.8%.

Energy's retreat comes on the heels of news reports that analysts at Goldman Sachs have called for a substantial pullback in oil prices in coming months. Oil prices were last quoted with a 2.2% loss at $107.40 per barrel.

Meanwhile, Treasuries are rallying. In fact, the benchmark 10-year Note has already made its strongest move in more than a week. That has its yield back near 3.50%. The action precedes results from an auction of 3-year Notes at 1:00 PM ET. DJ30 -64.25 NASDAQ -14.58 SP500 -6.89

09:15 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -7.80. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -13.50. Stock futures have managed to trim some of their losses, but they continue to point to a lower start to the session. The pessimistic tone to premarket trade comes amid sharp losses abroad, where participants have been a bit spooked by news that Japan has increased its nuclear crisis rating to the maximum level of 7. Corporate news flow has been slow, but Dow component Alcoa (AA) provided the first preview of what is in store for earnings season. The aluminum giant announced last night better-than-expected earnings, but its revenue figure was somewhat disappointing. A concerted push against the stock in premarket trade has the stock down more than 4% ahead of the open. That comes on top of the 2% already suffered by shares of AA during the prior session. Oil prices have also extended their pullback from the prior session -- yesterday oil prices settled 2.5% lower; they are down another 0.4% to $109.50 per barrel this morning.

09:00 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -7.40. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -13.50. Europe's major bourses are under stiff pressure at the moment. Specifically, Germany's DAX is down 1.3%. The country's ZEW Economic Sentiment Survey fell to 7.6 in April from 14.1 in March, but its Current Situation Survey for April improved to 87.1 from 85.4 in the prior month. France's CAC has fallen to a 1.4% loss amid widespread weakness that has spared only a handful of index components -- Sanofi-Aventis (SNY), GDF Suez, Essilor International, PPR SA, and Unibail-Rodamco. While every other issue in the 40-member index is in the red, Schneider Electric is under the sharpest pressure as it contends with a loss of more than 3%. According to data, France's latest current deficit totaled 5.2 billion euros, which is an increase from the 4.1 billion euros deficit recorded in the prior month. Britain's FTSE is presently off by 1.0%. Natural resource plays like oil giant BP Plc (BP) and mining giant BHP Billiton (BHP) are a couple of the heaviest drags on trade. United Kingdom CPI for March increased 0.3% in March, down from a 0.7% increase in February.

Japan's Nikkei dove 1.7% as nearly 90% of its components logged losses in the latest round of trade. Tokyo Electric Power tumbled almost 10% after it had rallied for a 20% gain in the prior session. Officials in Japan recently raised the nuclear crisis level to a maximum level of 7 after data indicated that more radiation had leaked from damaged nuclear facilities than had been thought initially. Hong Kong's Hang Seng suffered a 1.3% loss, but China's Shanghai Composite closed only fractionally lower.

08:35 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -7.30. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -15.10. The trade deficit for February totaled $45.8 billion, which is in stride with the $45.7 billion deficit that had been broadly expected. The deficit for the prior month totaled $47.0 billion. Import and export prices for March were also just released. Excluding agricultural products, export prices for March increased by 1.3%. Excluding oil, import prices for March increased by 0.6%. Shortly before the data was posted the dollar set a fresh session low. It now trades with a 0.5% loss against the euro at $1.448. Meanwhile, stock futures continue to trail fair value, but they are off of morning lows.

08:05 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -7.80. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -15.80. Even though Dow component Alcoa (AA) posted last night its fourth consecutive upside earnings surprise, the stock has run into selling pressure as premarket participants react to the firm's relatively light revenue figure. The inclination to pressure stocks has taken down broad market stock futures, too. Part of the negative tone is due to general weakness abroad -- most notably a 1.7% drop by Japan's Nikkei. Officials in Japan recently raised the nuclear crisis level to a maximum level of 7 from 5 after data indicated that more radiation had leaked from damaged nuclear facilities than had been thought initially. Europe's major bourses are also down with deep losses amid news that Germany's ZEW Economic Sentiment Survey fell sharply from the prior month. As for domestic data, today's calendar features the international trade balance at 8:30 AM ET and the Treasury Budget at 2:00 PM ET. Resuming another week of Treasury auctions, results for a series of 3-year Notes are due at 1:00 PM ET.

06:41 am : [BRIEFING.COM] S&P futures vs fair value: -7.40. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -16.30.

06:41 am : Nikkei...9555.26...-164.40...-1.70%. Hang Seng...23976.37...-326.70...-1.30%.
http://finance.yahoo.com/marketupdate/update

6:42PM QR Energy delays filing of Annual Report on Form 10-K (QRE) 22.10 -0.40 : Co announced that it will be delaying the filing of its annual report on Form 10-K. On March 31, 2011, QRE filed a Form 12b-25, Notification of Late Filing, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") with regard to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. At the time of the filing, QRE anticipated and expected that it would still be in position to file its Form 10-K with the SEC within the 15 day extension period provided in Form 12b-25. However, because of unanticipated delays in the preparation of its financial statements required to be included in Form 10-K, QRE anticipates that it will no longer be able to file its Form 10-K within the 15 day extension period. Therefore, QRE anticipates filing an amendment to its initial Form 12b-25 filing on April 13, 2011. While QRE requires additional time to complete its Form 10-K filing, QRE does not expect any material changes to the financial results provided in QRE's earnings release dated March 31, 2011.

5:56PM Pfizer reports that FDA Advisory Committee finds data support the favorable benefit-risk profile Of SUTENT (PFE) 20.46 -0.21 : Co announced today that the U.S. FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) voted 8-2 that SUTENT (sunitinib malate) provides a favorable benefit-risk profile for the treatment of unresectable pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET). The panel's advice will be considered by the FDA when finalizing its review of Pfizer's supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for sunitinib for this indication.

5:56PM Solitario announces common stock offering; co does not provided amount (XLP) 30.51 +0.10 : Roth Capital Partners, LLC is acting as the sole manager for the offering. Solitario intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for the completion of the feasibility study, advancement of permitting and exploration drilling at its Mt. Hamilton project, exploration in Peru and Mexico, the repayment of certain of its outstanding short-term margin borrowing and general corporate purposes, including possible acquisition and exploration of new mining properties.

5:54PM F5 Networks is rallying after hours, up ~3.2% to $96.80 in sympathy to RVBD's upside guidance (see 17:40, 17:50 comment) (FFIV) 93.77 -0.73 :

5:51PM Eagle Rock announces agreement to acquire Crow Creek Energy for $525 mln (EROC) 10.23 -0.03 : Co announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire all of the equity interests in Tulsa, Oklahoma-based CC Energy II L.L.C. ("Crow Creek Energy"), a portfolio co of Natural Gas Partners VIII, L.P. with reserves located in multiple basins across Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas, for total consideration of $525 mln. The total consideration includes ~$303 mln of Eagle Rock equity to be issued to the sellers, $15 mln of cash and $207 mln of assumed debt. Closing is expected to occur on May 3, 2011, subject to customary closing conditions. The Partnership's lenders have pre-approved an increase of $245 mln to Eagle Rock's current $160 mln borrowing base related to Crow Creek Energy's reserves, resulting in a total borrowing base of $405 mln effective upon closing.

5:50PM Riverbed Technology rallies ~10% to $34.00/share after hours following upside Q1 guidance (RVBD) 30.92 -2.15 :

5:45PM Atmel response to Infineon patent lawsuit (ATML) 12.44 -0.67 : Co announced that Infineon Technologies A.G. and Infineon Technologies North America Corporation filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Atmel in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The company has not yet reviewed the complaint in detail. Atmel intends to vigorously defend these allegations and believes that the allegations are entirely without merit. Infineon asserts that Atmel is infringing 11 Infineon patents.

5:40PM Riverbed Technology sees Q1 revs of $163-164 mln vs $160.1 mln Thomson Reuters consensus, sees Non-GAAP EPS of $0.19-0.20 vs $0.18 consensus (RVBD) 30.92 -2.15 : Co guides Q1 above expectations... Co said, "With a strong start to 2011, Riverbed exceeded revenue and earnings expectations in the first quarter. We executed well, achieving 45% year-over-year revenue growth, and non-GAAP operating profits doubled compared to the first quarter last year. Sales increased on an annual basis across all major geographies as spending on WAN optimization remains a priority."

5:27PM Entertainment Properties Trust announces theatre acquisitions, sale of Toronto Entertainment retail center and line of credit expansion (EPR) 45.40 +0.18 : Co reported during the month of March the Co exercised $62.5 mln of the accordion option on its revolving line of credit and expanded its capacity from $320 mln to $382.5 mln. The line of credit expansion further positions the Co to take advantage of future potential investment opportunities and supports the Co's migration to an unsecured debt model.

5:23PM Taseko Mines limited announces pricing of senior notes offering (TGB) 5.67 -0.15 : Co announced that on Apr 12, 2011 it priced its previously announced public offering of $200 mln aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2019. The Notes will bear interest at an annual rate of 7.75%. The transaction is expected to close on or about Apl 15, 2011. TGB intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of the Notes to fund Gibraltar Development Plan 3, with any remainder to be used for general corporate purposes. The actual terms of the Notes will not be determined until completion of the offering and will be announced at that time. Barclays Capital is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering.

5:16PM Flowserve purchases the assets and ongoing operations of FEDD Wireless LLC (FLS) 127.12 -4.34 : Co announced it has purchased the assets of FEDD Wireless LLC, a small, privately owned wireless data acquisition co based in Houston, Texas. Flowserve will assume certain ongoing operational responsibilities of FEDD Wireless LLC, including existing equipment, related intellectual property and business personnel. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

5:14PM Bassett Furniture reports Q1 EPS at ($0.72), including charges, vs. ($0.15) in last year's quarter; revs grew 22% YoY to $64.3 mln (BSET) 8.09 +0.31 :

5:05PM Everest Re Group provides initial loss estimate for Tohoku Earthquake at ~$320 mln (RE) 91.14 -1.09 : Co announced that it expects to incur net losses, after reinstatement premiums and taxes, of ~$320 mln for the earthquake and tsunami that occurred in the Tohoku region of Japan in March. The Co's view of its losses from this event assumes a $25 bln industry loss and is based on a combination of modeled information, underwriter analysis, preliminary client discussions, and a profile of exposed limits within the affected region. The unprecedented nature and scale of the loss and its relatively recent occurrence introduces significant complexity and uncertainty to the loss estimation and settlement process. The Co therefore advises that ultimate losses could differ, perhaps materially, as further information becomes available.

5:01PM Aspen Insurance Holdings announces initial loss estimate for the Tohoku Earthquake at ~$160 mln (AHL) 27.93 -0.30 : The Co's initial estimate of losses from the Tohoku Earthquake is ~$160 mln, post tax and net of reinstatement premiums, and is consistent with an industry insured loss of $30 billion. This represents 5 percent of shareholders' equity as at December 31, 2010. The estimate is based on the Company's review of the market loss, the individual treaties and policies expected to be impacted and discussions with clients and brokers. Given the magnitude and recent occurrence of these events, there is considerable uncertainty associated with this estimate and actual losses may differ materially. Commenting on current market conditions, the co said, "The Tohoku earthquake has contributed to an extremely active Q1 in terms of natural catastrophe events, and we believe that it is important to highlight a positive change in trading conditions and market sentiment which took place in March. We had anticipated that rates for our property reinsurance account would reduce by between 5-10% in the April renewals whereas we have achieved average rate increases of 5%. This understates the improvement as ~40% of April renewal premium was quoted or completed prior to the Tohoku Earthquake. Furthermore, we are aware of 17 catastrophe programs where the placement had initially been quoted pre the Tohoku earthquake and, which had to be re-priced to secure completion."

5:01PM SWS Group to commence mailing of definitive proxy statement in connection with proposed $100 mln capital raise (SWS) 6.13 -0.18 : Co announced it has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission definitive proxy materials in connection with its definitive Funding Agreement with Hilltop Holdings (HTH) and Oak Hill Capital Partners (the "Investors"). The co expects to commence mailing of the definitive proxy materials to SWS Group stockholders today. As previously announced on March 21, 2011, pursuant to the Funding Agreement, Hilltop and Oak Hill Capital each agreed to invest in SWS Group through a $50 mln loan, and SWS Group agreed to issue each of Hilltop and Oak Hill Capital a warrant to purchase common shares of SWS Group.

5:00PM Jackson Hewitt receives notice regarding NYSE listing criteria (JTX) 0.58 +0.01 :

4:45PM Biostar Pharmaceuticals announces appointment of new CFO; appoints audit committee Chairman and independent director to the Board of Directors (BSPM) 1.96 -0.04 : Co announced it has engaged Mr. Zack Zibing Pan as its new Chief Financial Officer effective April 7, 2011. This appointment followed resignation of Deyin (Bill) Chen, the Co's previous Chief Financial Officer, for personal reasons. Prior to this appointment, Pan served as an independent member of the Board and the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Co and, consequently, had to step down as a Board and Audit Committee member in order to be engaged as the Co's new CFO. Pan has over ten years of accounting and finance experience. Previously, he was Chief Financial Officer of China Education Alliance, Inc., where he was appointed in August 2009.

4:40PM Keyuan Petrochemicals announces NASDAQ delinquency notice (KEYP) 4.88 : KEYP announced it has received a notice from NASDAQ stating the Co is not in compliance with Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) for continued listing due to not filing its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 by the due date of March 31, 2011.

4:35PM Gerber Scientific nears completion of transformation actions (GRB) 9.21 -0.10 : Co announced that its Gerber Scientific Products unit will exit the flatbed printer business to focus on its more profitable thermal printing products. As part of transformation plan, Gerber determined that the flatbed printer market could not support its long-term growth and earnings objectives. Accordingly, co will cease production of its UV flatbed printers, including the Gerber CAT UV and Solara ion, effective immediately. Co expects annualized cost savings of ~$3.3 mln as a result of this action and said that it will record non-recurring charges of ~$4.8 mln to $5.0 mln, plus a potential goodwill impairment charge of up to $5.9 mln, in its fiscal fourth quarter ending April 30, 2011. Revenue from UV flatbed printers is expected to range between $3.5 mln and $4.0 mln for the Company's fiscal year ending April 30, 2011... In addition, as part of the completion of its transformation plan, Gerber said that it is in the final stage of determining additional workforce reductions that could result in annualized savings of up to $4.3 mln and require it to record additional non-recurring charges of up to $3.5 mln in its fiscal 2011 Q4. Co said that while these actions will conclude the majority of its transformation actions, it does anticipate it may incur up to $1.5 mln in additional restructuring charges during fiscal 2012, in compliance with accounting rules that require certain restructuring expenses to be recorded when incurred.

4:32PM Hovnanian Entrpr unit commences consent solicitation to amend senior notes indenture (HOV) 3.40 +0.09 : Co's K. Hovnanian Enterprises has commenced a solicitation of consents to amend the governing K. Hovnanian's 8 5/8% Senior Notes due 2017. Holders of Notes who validly deliver consents to the Proposed Amendment in the manner described in the Consent Solicitation Statement will be eligible to receive consent consideration equal to $1.25 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for which consents have been validly delivered prior to the Expiration Date.

4:31PM Artio Global Investors reports prelim month-end assets under management of $51.3 bln as of March 31, 2011 vs $53.1 bln last month (ART) 17.12 +0.11 :

4:30PM Verisk Analytics announces additional $150 mln share repurchase authorization (VRSK) 32.62 +0.08 : Co announced its board of directors has authorized an incremental $150 mln of share repurchases under its share repurchase program. This amount is in addition to the share repurchase authorization of $150 mln announced in September 2010.

4:29PM Energy Income & Growth Fund increases qtrly distribution to $0.465 per share from $0.46 per share (FEN) 28.82 -0.56 :

4:16PM Cliffs Natural Resources receives Investment Canada Act approval to proceed with consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Limited acquisition (CLF) 93.36 -3.64 : Co announced that the Minister of Industry has approved Cliffs proposed acquisition of Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Limited (TSX: CLM), under the Investment Canada Act, on the basis that the transaction is likely to be a net benefit to Canada. Cliffs indicated the Chinese Ministry of Commerce's (MOFCOM) approval is required to proceed with the closing of the acquisition. Subject to MOFCOM's approval and certain other closing conditions, Cliffs anticipates closing the acquisition early in the second quarter of 2011.

4:15PM BankAtlantic Bancorp receives a continued listing standard letter from the NYSE (BBX) 0.91 +0.00 : Co announced that it has been notified by the New York Stock Exchange that its Class A Common Stock did not satisfy one of the NYSE's standards for continued listing. The NYSE requires that the average closing price per share of a listed company's stock be in excess of $1.00 for a consecutive 30-trading-day period. As of March 31, 2011, the average closing price per share of the Company's Class A Common Stock during the preceding 30-trading-day period was $0.98.

4:14PM Healthcare Services Group misses by $0.02, beats on revs; co declares quarterly $0.1575 dividend, 7% higher YoY (HCSG) 18.02 -0.03 : Reports Q1 (Mar) earnings of $0.12 per share, $0.02 worse than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.14; revenues rose 13.4% year/year to $208.4 mln vs the $204.7 mln consensus.

4:10PM Leap Wireless' Cricket launches Muve Music Unlimited wireless rate plan in new markets across United States (LEAP) 16.07 -0.44 : Muve Music is a $55 a month unlimited wireless rate plan that includes unlimited voice, text, Web, video and unlimited music downloads to the mobile phone.

4:07PM Omega Navigation Enterprises announces entering into an amendment of the maturity date of its current debt facilities (ONAV) 0.96 +0.01 : Co announces that it has reached an agreement with its lenders to amend the maturity date of both the current senior and junior loan facilities. With this agreement the new maturity date will be May 10, 2011 on both facilities, amended from the current maturity date of April 12, 2011.

4:06PM Linktone also issues Q1 revs guidance (no ests) (LTON) 1.28 -0.02 : Co says it has effectively transformed company from a mobile value-added content and service provider in China, to a broad media and entertainment content and service provider across Asia. Co has expanded customer base and broadened geographic reach as well as diversified product base. Co is currently projecting Q1 gross revenues to be in the range of $16.0-17.0 mln, which includes revenue from value-added services, distribution of owned and licensed products, and other services.

4:03PM Colony Financial announced two new transactions totaling $38.1 mln of equity participation (CLNY) 18.43 +0.08 : On March 31, 2011, co with another investment vehicle acquired, at a discount, an existing $60 million first mortgage loan secured by fee simple condominium interests within two Manhattan landmark buildings. On March 30, 2011, the co with another investment vehicle committed to originate an $18 million senior secured term loan secured by substantially all the assets of Grubb & Ellis (GBE). The pro rata share of the loan is $9 million for a 50% economic interest.

4:02PM Linktone issues update on recent achievements (LTON) 1.27 -0.03 : Co says it has effectively transformed company from a mobile value-added content and service provider in China, to a broad media and entertainment content and service provider across Asia. Co has expanded customer base and broadened geographic reach as well as diversified product base. Co is currently projecting Q1 gross revenues to be in the range of $16.0-17.0 million.

4:01PM Vitacost.com receives NASDAQ notification letter due to delinquent filing (VITC) 5.70 0.00 : Co has until April 14, 2011 to present its views with respect to this additional deficiency to the Panel. The Company intends to respond to the request in a timely manner.

3:30PM Monsanto announces $300 million debt issue (MON) 69.22 +2.05 : Co announces a 5-year, $300 million public debt offering. Notes will be issued at 99.787 percent and bear interest at 2.75 percent, resulting in a yield of 2.796 percent. The notes mature on April 15, 2016, with a first interest payment date of Oct. 15, 2011. The proceeds from the debt offering will be used for general corporate purposes, including repaying a note due to Pfizer Inc (PFE). related to Monsanto's acquisition of the Chesterfield Village research facility last year.

3:25PM Stock indices extend afternoon pullback -- Dow -127 slide 40 points off afternoon peak, S&P -11, Nasdaq Comp -31 (SPY) :

3:11PM CBOT Agriculture and Ethanol and ICE Exchange Sugar Closing Prices; Wheat -5.4%, Corn -3.0% (COMDX) : May corn futures fell 23.5 cents (or -3.0%) to $7.525/bu, May wheat fell 38.75 cents (or 5.4%) to close at $7.59, May soybeans fell 38.75 cents to close at $13.30, May ethanol closed lower by 0.07 cents at $2.66, while May world sugar futures closed down 0.46 cents to 25.58 cents.

2:57PM Royale Energy has placed the Goddard 3 and Magnum wells into production (ROYL) 5.06 -0.09 : Co announced that it has placed the Goddard 3 and Magnum wells into production. Magnum was drilled and tested in 4th quarter 2010 in its deepest objective, while the main zone remains "behind pipe" to be produced at a later time. Following the completion of a pipeline extension, the well was placed online and began selling gas at a rate of 330 MCF per day. It will be systematically raised toward a target rate of 750 MCF per day. Goddard 3 was placed online at a current rate of 500 MCF per day, and will be increased to a target rate of 1,000. The well is the third in Royale's highly prolific Goddard reservoir, deepening the limits of productive Forbes gas sands within the company's Lonestar field area.

2:51PM Nasdaq Comp -26 failed to confirm new afternoon rebound high with stock indices slipping back in recent trade -- Dow -109, S&P -9.8 (SPY) :

2:41PM Consumer Staples Spdr edged slightly above yesterday's multi-year high of 30.52 this afternoon -- session high 30.56 (XLP) 30.55 +0.14 : Top performers today include: CL +1.6%, PG +1.2%, PEP +0.9%, WMT +1.5%, CPB +1.5%, SWY +0.8%, LO +0.7%, CLX +0.5%,

2:36PM NYMEX Energy Closing Prices (COMDX) : Crude oil settled lower by $3.67 to $106.25, natural gas shed 0.8 cents to finish at $4.10 , heating oil dropped 8.17 cents to close at $3.1708, while RBOB gasoline ended off 4.24 cents to $3.1581 (all May contracts).

2:35PM Whirlpool announces that due to decreasing call volume it will consolidate its U.S. contact center network, resulting in the closure of its Yakima, Washington contact center, impacting 160 employees (WHR) 84.26 +1.08 :

2:25PM Fresh afternoon rebound high for S&P -7.2, Dow -91 and Nasdaq Comp -21 just below their afternoon peaks (SPY) : Relative sector strength in recent action has been noted in Finance XLF, Reg Bank KRE, Oil Service OIH, Energy XLE, Solar TAN, Commodity Index.

2:14PM Novartis AG confirms drug Afinitor was recommended by FDA oncology advisory committee for approval to treat advanced NET of pancreatic origin (NVS) 55.28 +0.09 :

2:06PM Sunpower confirms DoE offered $1.187 bln conditional commitment for loan guarantee supporting the 250-Megawatt California Valley Solar Ranch (SPWRA) 16.03 -0.36 : Co announced the project has been offered support via a conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $1.187 billion from the DoE. NRG Solar, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) will assume all ownership and financing responsibilities for the project, subject to certain conditions. SunPower will design, build, and initially operate and maintain the solar power plant. Construction is expected to start in the second half of 2011, contingent on permitting and financing, with a portion of the project expected to begin operations by the end of 2011 and the balance coming on line in 2012 and 2013.

2:03PM Northwestern signed an asset purchase agreement to purchase a projected aggregate nameplate capacity of 40-megawatt wind project in Judith Basin County in Montana (NWE) 29.77 -0.31 : Co signed an asset purchase agreement to purchase a projected aggregate nameplate capacity of 40-megawatt wind project in Judith Basin County in Montana to be developed and constructed by Spion Kop Wind, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Compass Wind. The purchase price is $1,947 per kW for each kW of the total nameplate capacity included in the Project, which is equal to $77,880,000.

2:00PM Angeion unit awarded purchasing contract by the Premier Healthcare Alliance (ANGN) 4.63 -0.05 : Co announced that it has been awarded a three-year contract with Premier Purchasing Partners. The agreement is for Angeion's complete line of MedGraphics cardiorespiratory diagnostic systems, including related supplies and services. Effective July 1, 2011, Premier members will have direct access to specially negotiated pricing and terms for MedGraphics systems that diagnose heart and lung disorders while in their earliest stages and monitor therapy across the spectrum of care for such conditions as heart failure or asthma and other forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

1:56PM Community Central Bank receives letter from Nasdaq relating to its late form 10-K (CCBD) 0.13 -0.02 : Co received a non-compliance notice from The Nasdaq Stock Market stating that the Company was not in compliance with the rules for continued listing because it has not timely filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. The Nasdaq letter indicated that the Company has until June 6, 2011 to submit a plan to regain compliance.

1:46PM Rick's Cabaret has sharply reduced operations at its Las Vegas location in order to eliminate losses as it seeks a buyer for the property (RICK) 10.51 -0.27 : "We have done everything possible to make this location viable since its acquisition in 2008 and we now believe it is in our shareholders' best interests not to continue these efforts... We do not believe the Las Vegas market itself will return to its former strength in the near future, and thus it is more logical for us to use our financial and management resources to focus on viable acquisitions and grow our other properties. While the curtailment of operations in Las Vegas will result in a top-line revenue decline for the company, the bottom line benefit will be immediate, and we will make use of potential future tax benefits."

1:46PM Juniper Networks confirms prodcuts protect customers from new Microsoft (MSFT) vulnerabilities disclosed today (JNPR) 38.10 -0.48 : Co has confirmed its Intrusion Detection and Preventionsecurity systems and Integrated Security Gateway firewall/virtual private network (VPN) systems with IDP offer protection for new Microsoft vulnerabilities announced today.

1:32PM CompuCredit announces preliminary results of tender offer to purchase up to 13.125 mln shares of its common stock (CCRT) 5.58 -1.03 : Co announced the preliminary results of its tender offer to purchase up to 13.125 mln shares of its outstanding common stock at a purchase price of $8.00 per share. Based on the count, as of the Expiration Date, 38.88 mln shares of Common Stock were validly tendered and not withdrawn in the tender offer, including ~6.00 mln shares tendered through notice of guaranteed delivery. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the tender offer and based on the count by the Depositary, CompuCredit expects to accept for payment 13.125 mln shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $8.00 per share, for a total cost of ~$105.0 million, excluding fees and other expenses in connection with the tender offer. The number of shares of Common Stock that CompuCredit expects to purchase represents ~34.5% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding.

1:31PM COMEX Metals Closing Prices (COMDX) : June gold shed $14 to finish at $1454.10, May silver ended down 51.2 cents to $40.10, while May copper fell 7.25 cents to close at $4.3875.

12:54PM Crude bouncing off of lows; currently off $3.53 to $106.39 (COMDX) :

12:50PM Minor new bounce highs for stock indices -- Dow -115, S&P -10, Nasdaq Comp -24 (SPY) : Relative sector strength on this move has been noted in Finance XLF, Computer-Hardware, Networking IGN, Gold Miners GDX, Silver SLV, Gold GLD, Solar TAN.

12:35PM Crude oil testing lows; currently off $4.22 to $105.70 (COMDX) :

12:07PM Colgate-Palmolive aggressive breakout above multi-month base extend to new session high of 83.60 (CL) 83.53 +1.92 :

12:01PM Perrigo announces that FDA Detroit Office concluded re-inspection of co's Allegan facility (PRGO) 84.38 +0.07 : Effective immediately, co has acceptable regulatory status, such that any pending export license and ANDA applications from this facility will once again be eligible for review and approval.

11:43AM Dow -122 lifts roughly 30 points off low -- S&P -12, Nasdaq Comp -28 (SPY) : Minor push off morning lows with relative sector strength on this move noted in Energy XLE, Oil Service OIH, Ag/Chem MOO, Steel SLX, Coal KOL, Networking IGN, Biotech IBB.

11:35AM Ford Motor notches new session high in positive territory after morning hold near its 200 sma/ema (F) 14.89 +0.03 :

11:31AM Lockheed Martin, URS Corporation (URS) and InDyne agree to jointly pursue LISC range management contract (LMT) 80.30 -0.21 : LISC, which is scheduled to be awarded in 2012, will provide the U.S. Air Force with a single prime contractor responsible and accountable for complete and integrated Launch & Test Range System operations, organizational level maintenance, depot level maintenance, logistics management, sustaining engineering, modifications, integration management and test, downrange Base Operating Support, and mission support communications services at both eastern and western ranges.

11:24AM Cliffs Natural Resources slides to new session low of 92.35, hovering near its 50 day/50% retrace (CLF) 92.56 -4.44 : The stock is down for the fourth session out of the last five for a loss of roughly 9.9% from intraday high to today's low. It has slipped to a new low of 92.35 in recent action leaving slightly under its 50 ema and the 50% retracement of the March-April run (92.50/92.40). Watching to see if it can begin to stabilize intraday near this support of interest.

11:10AM Nasdaq Comp -33 extends near its 50 ema at 2737 -- session low 2737 (QQQ) :

11:02AM ShoreTel continues to see 'significant growth' in government and education verticals (SHOR) 8.88 -0.12 : Co says low total cost of ownership, ease of management and use, and increased visibility through new purchasing contracts all contribute to ShoreTel's exponential growth in the public sector.

11:01AM Market Vectors Coal a laggard this morning, extends to its 50 sma at 48.02 -- session low 48.03 (KOL) 48.02 -1.30 : ANR -3.6%, ACI -3.4%, CNX -3.5%, JOYG -3.2%, BTU -3%, WLT -3.5%, MEE -3.3% (down five days in a row, vacillating near 50 ema at 63.53).

11:01AM Simon Properties announces that Opry Mills has reached an agreement with its lenders, Helaba Bank and Nord/LB, to finance the rebuilding of the mall (SPG) 104.92 -0.83 : Nearly one year after a flood ravaged Nashville and submerged Opry Mills, one of Tennessee's top tourist attractions, co announces that Opry Mills has reached an agreement with its lenders, Helaba Bank and Nord/LB, to finance the rebuilding of the mall. Opry Mills will continue its litigation to have its insurers comply with their obligation to pay the amounts they agreed to in the event of a flood loss. The landmark property is expected to reopen and once again greet shoppers in 2012.

11:01AM Veolia Environnement unit awarded the supply of key portions of the produced water treatment system by Southern Pacific Resource (VE) 31.88 -0.25 : The produced water from oilfield operations will be treated with Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies' AutoFlot Induced Gas Flotation technology as the initial deoiling step.

10:52AM Three major averages set minor new session lows but follow through pressure limited amid intraday oversold posture -- Dow -132, S&P -12, Nasdaq Comp -29 (SPY) :

10:47AM Seadrill Ltd secures a new contract in Malaysia and orders new tender rig (SDRL) 34.57 -0.48 : Co has been awarded an 18 month contract by Murphy Sabah Oil Co Ltd for the semi tender rig West Menang to operate on the Kikeh Spar deepwater field in Malaysia. Estimated contract value is ~$100 mln (including mobilization and modification of ~$14 mln), and the commencement is scheduled for later this quarter. Co has also exercised an option to build a new tender barge at the COSCO Nantong Shipyard in China. The new unit, T17, is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter 2013. Total project price is estimated at $115 mln, which includes project management, drilling and handling tools, spares and capitalized interest.

10:43AM Mechel Steel announces Q1 2011 operational results; Coking coal concentrate production was +31% YoY (MTL) 28.73 -0.68 :

10:38AM After brief pause, crude oil breaks through $106 area to notch fresh lows at $105.91; now off $3.77 to $106.15 (COMDX) :

10:33AM Contango Oil & Gas has committed to invest up to $20 mln, in a joint venture that will acquire, operate, explore, and develop onshore unconventional shale operated and non-operated oil and natural gas assets (MCF) 61.53 -1.07 :

10:31AM Aviva announces financial impact of the partial disposal of Delta Lloyd shares (AV) 14.61 -0.31 : The partial disposal of Aviva's stake in Delta Lloyd NV at a price of EUR17.25 per share will result in gross cash proceeds of GBP381 mln. The Offering comprises 25 mln Delta Lloyd ordinary shares, equivalent to 15.1% of the issued ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares) and 14.0% of Delta Lloyd's voting rights. On completion, Aviva's remaining stake will comprise ~71.5 mln Delta Lloyd ordinary shares, equivalent to 43.1% of Delta Lloyd's issued ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares) and 40.0% of Delta Lloyd's voting rights. The Offering will provide Aviva with: a strengthened balance sheet, reflecting the cash proceeds; reduced exposure to Delta Lloyd's investment portfolio; the opportunity to redeploy capital away from the Benelux region; and a continuation of the group's structural and portfolio transformation.

10:31AM IntercontinentalExchange and Brazilian Partnership announce BRIX, Brazil's electric power marketplace; June launch planned (ICE) 121.31 +0.76 :

10:30AM Wal-Mart displays some relative strength as it climbs up into fresh 6-wk high territory to probe its 200-day ema at $53.32 (WMT) 53.38 +0.55 : Would note that retail is displaying general relative strength with the RTH currently up +1.30% off of the open.

10:09AM Weaker bias continues with major averages hitting near lows -- Dow -124, S&P -11.7, Nasdaq Comp -27 (SPY) : Relative sector weakness (underperforming the S&P) has been noted in Energy XLE, Oil Service OIH, Semi SMH, Commodity Index, Gold Miners GDX, Silver SLV, Gold GLD, Networking IGN, Software IGV.

10:09AM Gold, and silver acccelerate move to downside (COMDX) :

* Gold now down $20.70 to $1447.50.
* Silver off 62.2 cents to $39.95.

10:06AM Gold and silver pulling back (COMDX) :

* June gold now lower by $13.90 to $1454.20.
* May silver off 59.2 cents to $40.03.

10:01AM Office Depot announced a new five year office furniture contract with the National Intergovernmental Purchasing Alliance Company (ODP) 4.21 +0.02 :

10:01AM MasterCard board of directors announces $1.0 billion increase in class A share repurchase authorization (MA) 265.33 -0.28 : The Board of Directors has amended its existing share repurchase program authorizing the repurchase an incremental $1.0 bln of its Class A common stock in open market transactions. The incremental $1.0 bln share repurchase authorization, which is effective immediately, increases its Class A share repurchase program, announced on September 14, 2010, to an aggregate of $2.0 bln. Under the existing repurchase program, the Company had completed the repurchase of ~3.15 mln shares of its Class A common stock at a cost of ~$788 mln through April 11, 2011.

9:59AM S&P -10 and Nasdaq Comp -22 unable to build on early stabilization near 50 day, drop to new lows -- Dow -93 set a new low as well (SPY) :

9:58AM Airline Index -XAL- continues to recover (TECHX) : Noted relative strength yesterday afternoon in the sector after an early move to a new seven month low. Further declines in crude oil have underpinned again (oil futures -2.7%)-- AMR +2.3%, DAL +3.1%, LUV +1%, LCC +2.6%, ALK +4.1%, JBLU +1.5%, GOL +1.7%, CPA +1.1%, RJET +2%.

9:55AM Opening Point Gainers/Losers (TECHX) : Point Gainers: CYH (+3.74), NFLX (+1.60), AAPL (+2.23), GIL (+1.69), GMCR (+1.63), WBMD (+1.69), TIBX (+1.72), SKH (+1.61), UHS (+1.25), FDX (+1.06), UNP (+1.25)

Point Losers: WMS (-5.53), ERX (-5.81), BPT (-5.03), GOOG (-5.08), IOC (-4.27), CLF (-3.53), SOXL (-3.15), APA (-3.12), PXD (-2.98), APC (-2.92), CVX (-2.85), WLT (-2.96)

9:54AM Crude to new lows at $106.77; now off $3.00 to $106.93 (COMDX) :

9:49AM SPDR Retail solid push off opening lows (XRT) 52.22 +0.26 : Helping to underpin are: PLCE +1.6%, PCLN +0.2%, SHLD +0.3%, TSCO +1.6%, JOSB +1.5%, ANN +0.4%, FL +0.6%, HSNI +1%.

9:42AM Vector Grp commences an offer to exchange $90 million in aggregate principal amount of its 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2015 (VGR) 17.41 0.00 :

9:41AM Semiconductor a laggard, testing a support area (SMH) 34.07 -0.56 : The SMH broke through initial support levels to probe the 34.07/34.00 area in recent trade (session low 34.05). Weighing on the sector this morning are: BRCM -3.1%, NVDA -2.5%, AMAT -1.7%, XLNX -1.7%, MCHP -1.5%, MRVL -1.5%, KLAC -1.5%, ALTR -1.4%, LLTC -1.1%.

9:35AM Crude extends to the downside, notching fresh lows at $107.712; now down $2.78 to $107.16 (COMDX) :

9:34AM Nasdaq Comp vacillating near its 50 sma at 2755 -- session low 2753 (QQQ) :

9:33AM S&P -9 pulls back in opening action near its 50 sma at 1314 -- session low 1315 (SPY) :

9:32AM Crude oil to fresh lows at $107.75; now lower by $2.16 to $107.76 (COMDX) :

9:31AM Alcoa gaps down near its 50 ema at 16.82 (AA) 16.80 -0.97 :

9:30AM iCAD granted U.S. patent on MRI image analysis solutions (ICAD) 1.22 0.00 :

9:27AM Aviva announces that it has successfully priced the sale of part of its stake in Delta Lloyd NV at an offer price of EUR17.25 per share, resulting in gross cash proceeds of 381 million (AV) 14.92 :

9:25AM CAMAC Energy CEO resigns; appoints new CEO; $25 mln credit facility committed (CAK) 1.50 : Co announces that CEO and President, Byron Dunn, has decided with the Board, to resign his positions with the co, effective immediately. The Board has appointed current co Chairman Kase Lawal as CEO. Lawal has served as the non-executive Chairman of the co since its April 2010 acquisition of the Oyo Oilfield interest located offshore Nigeria. Lawal will serve as CEO for no compensation. Effective April 11, 2011, Lawal resigned from all executive officer positions with CAMAC International Corporation and its affiliated companies, including Allied Energy, in order to focus on his new role as CEO of CAMAC Energy. In addition, Allied Energy Plc, an entity owned and controlled by Lawal, has agreed to fund the term credit facility of $25 mln entered into with the co to help the co meet a substantial portion of its cash obligations for workover expenses on Oyo Field well #5.

9:12AM Zep renews and expands contract to provide maintenance products to the federal government; (ZEP) 17.61 : Co renews its GSA Schedule 73, under Zep Sales & Service, for five additional years. The renewed schedule covers a broad range of cleaning and maintenance products.

9:12AM Compass files registration statement for Staffmark IPO (CODI) 14.85 : Co announces its subsidiary Staffmark Holdings has filed a registration statement with the SEC. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the offering have not yet been determined.

9:08AM Crude, following open of pit trade, pulls back towards overnight lows at $107.87; currently lower by $1.41 to $108.50 (COMDX) :

9:07AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* Calix (CALX) announced that Broadband Stimulus award winner TriCounty Telecom has selected the Calix B6 Ethernet Service Access Nodes, along with the 2000 family of optical network terminals, to bring fiber-based broadband services to parts of Beaufort, Hyde, and Washington Counties in eastern North Carolina.
* TranSwitch Corporation (TXCC) announced that they have signed an agreement for eSilicon to manage the supply chain for a large number of existing TranSwitch products as well as to collaborate on cost optimization of new products.
* The Middleby Corporation (MIDD) announced the acquisition of Beech Ovens, a manufacturer of stone hearth ovens for the commercial foodservice industry located in Brisbane, Australia with ~$10 million in annual sales. With this acquisition, Middleby continues to expand its portfolio of leading brands in the cooking and warming segments and reinforce its position as a leading manufacturer of commercial ovens.
* Integral Systems (ISYS) announced that the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center has awarded the Company a $1.7 million contract modification to its Command and Control System-Consolidated contract.
* Empire Resorts (NYNY) announced it has executed an exclusivity agreement with Entertainment Properties Trust (EPR) and MSEG LLC to exclusively explore the joint development of the companies' respective properties located in Sullivan County, New York.
* Telvent (TLVT) announced that it has been selected to design, install and manage the distributed control system for Abengoa's Solacor I and II thermosolar power plants in El Carpio, C?rdoba, Spain.
* Eagle Rock Energy Partners (EROC) announced that on April 7, 2011 it added to its commodity derivative portfolio by establishing hedges on a portion of its expected 2012, 2013 and 2014 Midstream volumes.
* Claude Resources (CGR) announces that it has launched Phase II Underground drilling at its 100 percent owned Madsen exploration property at Red Lake, Ontario.
* Arch Treatment Technologies, a subsidiary of Arch Chemicals (ARJ), and Osmose announced that they have entered into an agreement whereby Arch Treatment Technologies and its affiliates have been granted a worldwide license to practice under certain patents owned by Osmose covering the use of micronized wood preservatives, including the patent that was the subject of a previous dispute between the parties. Terms of the licensing agreement are confidential.
* CIBT Education Group (MBA) announced that it has signed an expansion agreement with Yunnan Open University formerly known as Yunnan Radio Television University, to increase the scope of the initial agreement to include the implementation of the Global Learning Center platform into the joint program.
* Lionbridge Technologies (LIOX) announced general availability of GeoFluent, the industry's only on-demand, customized, SaaS-based automated translation technology that allows enterprises to improve engagement with global customers by providing real-time, comprehensive translation of content and communications.

9:06AM Safe Bulkers prices 5 mln shares of common stock at $8.40 (SB) 9.26 : The co plans to use the net proceeds of the Public Offering for vessel acquisitions, capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes, including repayment of indebtedness.

9:04AM Walter Energy received approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange to list the common shares on the exchange (WLT) 134.89 :

9:01AM Linear Tech settles patent enforcement action against AnalogicTech (LLTC) 32.99 : Co announces that it has resolved its continued patent litigation with Advanced Analogic Technologies (AATI). On March 18, 2010, the Administrative Law Judge at the United States International Trade Commission issued an Enforcement Initial Determination finding that AATI, by its importation of voltage regulator products that infringed Linear's U.S. Patent No. 6,580,258 ('258 patent), had violated a previous exclusion order issued against AATI by the ITC in an enforcement action brought by Linear.

9:00AM eBay to acquire additional shares in GittiGidiyor; terms of the deal were not disclosed (EBAY) 31.19 : Co announced that it has agreed to acquire additional shares in GittiGidiyor, the leading online marketplace in Turkey. The deal follows eBay's acquisition of a minority stake in the company in 2007. Upon closing of the transaction, eBay will own approximately 93% of the outstanding shares of GittiGidiyor. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

8:45AM Blackstone and Alta Resources enter into partnership to invest up to $1 billion to acquire and develop unconventional oil & gas assets in North America (BX) 18.00 :

8:38AM Vista Gold announces C$29,700,000 bought deal offering (VGZ) 3.65 : Co announces that it has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters co-led by GMP Securities L.P. and Wellington West Capital Markets, pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, 9,000,000 common shares of the Company at a price of C$3.30 per Common Share for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of C$29,700,000.

8:37AM ECA Marcellus Trust announces pricing of secondary public offering of 2,525,000 common units at $29.35 per unit (ECT) 30.71 : Co announced that it has priced its public offering of 2,525,000 common units representing beneficial interests in ECT currently held by Energy Corporation of America (ECA). ECA has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 360,723 additional common units. The common units were offered to the public at $29.35 per unit. Citi is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering.

8:36AM Marvell founders file lawsuit against Goldman Sachs (GS); claims GS 'put firms interests in front of clients'; claims defrauded executives of more than $100 mln (MRVL) 16.05 : The founders of MRVL, Sehat Sutardja and Weili Dai, filed a lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court against Goldman Sachs (GS) and two account executives, alleging GS manipulated the 2008 financial crisis to defraud the two Silicon Valley executives of more than $100 mln. The suit alleges Goldman Sachs issued a margin call for the two executives' investment accounts, which were managed, under false pretenses, wrongly claiming an SEC Rule mandated the margin call when no such rule existed. It is alleged the margin call was a result of Goldman Sachs' need to repair its balance sheet and insulate itself from the extreme market turmoil of the financial crisis in 2008. Further, the complaint alleges that Goldman Sachs' wholly improper margin call reflects the Goldman Sachs' willingness to put its own interests ahead of its clients.

8:35AM Celanese will increase the price of all grades of Ateva EVA by $0.06/pound and all grades of LDPE by $0.05/pound effective May 1, 2011, or as contracts allow (CE) 45.36 :

8:34AM URS to provide construction and maintenance services to BP (BP) in three-year contract with maximum value of $150 million (URS) 45.43 : Co announced that it has been awarded a contract by BP Products North America Inc. to provide construction and maintenance services, including electrical, mechanical, piping, instrumentation and civil works to the Whiting Refinery in Whiting, Indiana. The three-year contract has a maximum value of $150 million to URS.

8:34AM FuelCell Energy awarded research contracts for renewable biogas processing and carbon capture (FCEL) 1.91 : Co announces two subcontract awards totaling $1.7 million to demonstrate advanced biogas de-sulfurization technology and a contract to evaluate the effectiveness of Direct FuelCells to efficiently separate carbon dioxide from the emissions of industrial operations such as refineries, cement kilns and pulp and paper mills.

8:32AM Harman expands Volkswagen Group order to $1.6 bln; includes Asia (HAR) 45.15 : Co announces that it has been awarded additional business to provide next-generation scalable Premium-High infotainment solutions for Volkswagen Group brands, Audi, SEAT, Skoda, and Volkswagen in the Asian markets. The new award builds on HARMAN's previously announced next-generation scalable infotainment award for Volkswagen Group's European and US marketed vehicles. Total order value of this award is now $1.6 Billion.

8:31AM General Moly announced the Bureau of Land Management circulated the second draft of the Mt. Hope project's Preliminary Draft Environmental Impact Statement to cooperating agencies (GMO) 5.37 : Co announced that on Monday, April 11, 2011, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) circulated the second draft of the Mt. Hope project's Preliminary Draft Environmental Impact Statement (PDEIS) to cooperating agencies. Cooperating agencies will review the second draft of the PDEIS and provide comments to the BLM, which will form the basis of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Following receipt of submitted comments, the BLM and its independent contractor will evaluate comments and move forward with production of the DEIS. The comment and review process is anticipated to take three to four weeks. The Company continues to anticipate completion of the DEIS in the second quarter and publication of the DEIS in the Federal Register in the second or third quarter of this year.

8:31AM Techprecision received order of ~$1.5 mln from an existing customer for advanced vacuum chambers used in the renewable energy market (TPCS) 1.98 :

8:31AM Marina Biotech announces patent allowance for its proprietary nucleic acid delivery technology (MRNA) 0.61 : Co announced that the Canadian Patent Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for patent application 2,438,116 with claims that broadly cover amphoteric liposomal formulations and their use for the delivery of nucleic acids and other compounds with therapeutic application.

8:31AM Duke Energy Renewables acquires solar farm at N.C. elementary school (DUK) 18.16 : Approximately 4,400 ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar modules on the property of the Martins Creek Elementary School in Murphy, N.C., will generate an estimated 1.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year - enough to power more than 150 average-sized homes.

8:13AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* Sprint (S) launches Music Plus application that provides access to full music tracks, ringtones and ringback tones. Sprint Music Plus is powered by RealNetworks (RNWK).
* Diebold, Incorporated (DBD) announced plans to construct a new, consolidated corporate campus which will form an expanded world headquarters in the Akron/Canton region.
* Chase Card Services, a division of JPMorgan Chase (JPM), and Kohl's (KSS) announced an exclusive marketing partnership in which Chase cardmembers with Ultimate Rewards will gain access to a wide range of increased rewards benefits for shopping at Kohl's. Beginning in 2011, Kohl's and Chase will launch several new initiatives designed to reward Chase cardmembers for shopping at Kohl's, including enhanced gift card promotions and expanded bonus point programs for qualifying Kohl's purchases.
* Outdoor Channel (OUTD) announced the launch of the network on Comcast (CMCSA) Cable Systems in Knoxville and Oak Ridge, Tennessee, effective immediately.
* ATK (ATK) has been awarded a $49.9 million contract option from the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., to produce Light Weight 30mm M789 High Explosive Dual Purpose ammunition.
* Motorola Solutions (MSI) announced that the PTP 600 series of point-to-point wireless Ethernet bridges have been successfully validated to meet the U.S. Government Federal Information Processing Standards 140-2 requirements.

8:06AM China Botanic Pharma approved to produce water-based mixtures in China (CBP) 1.52 : Co announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Harbin Renhuang Pharmaceutical, has received official approval to produce water-based mixtures. The Heilongjiang State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) has recently issued a new Drug Manufacturing certificate to Renhuang which will permit it to commence production of water-based mixtures.

8:06AM Legg Mason reports preliminary assets under management of $678 bln as of March 31, 2011 (LM) 36.03 :

8:03AM Technology Research: Coleman Cable (CCIX) commences tender offer for all shares of Technology Research (TRCI) 7.13 : The cos announced that Coleman has commenced a tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of TRC for $7.20 per share in cash (the "Offer"). The Offer is being made pursuant to the terms of the previously announced definitive merger agreement entered into between Coleman and TRC on March 28, 2011. Upon the successful closing of the Offer, shareholders of TRC will receive $7.20 in cash for each share of the common stock of the Company tendered in the Offer, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes. Following completion of the tender offer, pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, Coleman will acquire any of the TRC common shares not tendered in the tender offer through a merger transaction in which the remaining shares of TRC are converted into a right to receive the same consideration per share as paid in the Offer.

8:02AM Acorn Intl Announces Resignation of a Director (ATV) 5.15 : A integrated multi-platform marketing company in China engaged in developing, promoting and selling consumer products and services through extensive distribution network, today announced that Mr. Daniel Wu has resigned from the Company's board of directors due to personal reasons, effective April 8, 2010. Mr. Wu confirmed that there is no disagreement between him and the Company.

8:02AM eDiets.com says rights offering registration statement declared effective by SEC; co will offer 9,196,581 shares at a subscription price to be determined (DIET) 0.48 : As part of the rights offering, stockholders will receive non-transferable rights to purchase newly issued shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.001 per share. The rights will be issued to all stockholders as of April 18, 2011. The Company will offer 9,196,581 shares at a subscription price to be determined.

8:02AM Heartland Payment Systems' CEO and President adopts 10b5-1 Plans (HPY) 17.10 : Under this plan, he may exercise options and sell up to 490,000 shares of co's common stock through December 30, 2011.

8:01AM Tekmira Pharma announces USPTO issuance of key patents covering LNP manufacturing process and mitigation of siRNA immune stimulation (TKMR) 3.10 : Co announces that the USPTO has recently issued two key patents: one covering its lipid nanoparticle manufacturing process and the other covering the chemical modification of siRNA to mitigate immune stimulation.

8:01AM Gasco Energy provides Q1 operations update; cumulative net production 1Q11 959 mln cubic feet equivalent (GSX) 0.45 : Estimated cumulative net production for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, was 959 mln cubic feet equivalent (MMcfe), a 4.2% decrease from Q110's production of 1,001 MMcfe. During the first quarter 2011, Gasco recompleted one natural gas well (1.0 gross / 0.3333 net) in the Uinta Basin. The co is on schedule to commence drilling operations on two wells to test the productive potential of the Green River Formation, a shallow, oil-bearing reservoir system that Gasco believes is prospective across ~11,000 net acres of the co's Uinta Basin leasehold. Gasco currently has an inventory of 19 operated wells with up-hole recompletions and has one Upper Mancos well awaiting initial completion activities. The co does not have a drilling rig under contract at this time, as was the case for all of 2010.

8:01AM MEMC Elec resumes wafer production in Japan (WFR) 12.16 : Co announces that it has resumed production of 300mm wafers at its facility in Utsunomiya, Japan following the earthquake that occurred on March 11. The facility has been shipping unaffected product and has resumed production on qualified process tools, while continuing to inspect, qualify, and ramp additional equipment. Production yield on operating tools has been comparable to pre-earthquake levels, raw material availability has been good, and power availability has improved. Full 300mm production is targeted to be achieved by the middle of May. The facility's small volume of 200mm wafer capacity, previously scheduled to be moved to the company's Ipoh, Malaysia site during the third quarter of 2011, is now in the process of being moved ahead of the original schedule.

7:57AM Rosetta Genomics names Brian Markison Board Chairman (ROSG) 0.49 : Co announces that the co's Board has appointed Director Brian Markison, former Chairman and CEO of King Pharmaceuticals, as co's new Board Chairman, as current chairman, Yoav Chelouche, has resigned from the co's Board and from his role as its Chairman effective today. Chelouche continues to serve as the Chairman of Rosetta Green, the co's majority held subsidiary.

7:53AM Fastenal beats by $0.02, beats on revs (FAST) 67.50 : Reports Q1 (Mar) earnings of $0.54 per share, $0.02 better than the Thomson Reuters consensus of $0.52; revenues rose 23.0% year/year to $640.6 mln vs the $630.4 mln consensus. Gross margin +90 bps YoY to 52.0%.

7:47AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* AECOM Technology Corporation (ACM) announced that it has won a Multiple Award Task Order Contract from the U.S. Army for Worldwide Environmental Remediation Services to support U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The task order has a potential value of up to US$15 million, if all option years are exercised by the client.
* Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings (CCO) announced a new digital billboard partnership with the Albuquerque School District. Four new poster size digital displays will be launched in high trafficked locations surrounding Cibola, Del Norte, Eldorado and Manzano high schools in March this year.
* At the 52nd ENC, Bruker (BRKR) announced the receipt of two separate orders for novel 395 GHz Solid State DNP-NMR systems that utilize Dynamic Nuclear Polarization in order to significantly enhance the sensitivity of solid state NMR experiments.
* Top Image Systems (TISA) announced that its eFLOW unified platform has been selected by the South African statistical office, STATS SA (Statistics South Africa), to process the upcoming census as well as all other surveys, starting in October 2011.
* NovaBay Pharmaceuticals (NBY) presented a poster on the efficacy of its Aganocide compound as a potential agent for prevention and treatment for urinary catheter blockage and encrustation. The researchers found that the catheters irrigated with 0.2% solution of NVC-422 reduced P. mirabilis counts and lowered pH of urine after irrigation.
* TeleCommunication Systems (TSYS) announced it is now a participant in the Future Commercial Satellite Communications Services Acquisition under the new section of the General Services Administration's Federal Supply Schedule 70 vehicle. This $5 billion, 10-year GSA and Defense Information Systems Agency joint contract vehicle enables government agencies to establish contracts with the commercial satellite industry from a single source.
* Rome Research, a subsidiary of PAR Technology (PAR) was recently awarded an $11.3 mln contract to operate and maintain the Navy Satellite Communications Facility Northwest in Chesapeake Virginia.
* AMB Property (AMB) announced it has leased ~219,600 square feet of a build-to-suit development in Chengdu to Deppon Express, one of China's premier logistics cos.
* Exar Corporation (EXAR) announced the addition of Eltech, a Russian-based semiconductor distributor and representative, to further extend its sales and distribution coverage in Russia.
* Jacobs Engineering Group (JEC) announced that it is one of three transportation consultants to receive a contract from Werkmaatschappij Almere-Amsterdam to develop a transportation concept study and business case for the IJmeerverbinding public transport corridor over the IJmeer east of the City of Amsterdam.

7:31AM Zogenix announces SUMAVEL DosePro Named Patient Program (ZGNX) 4.81 : A Named Patient Program is a mechanism through which physicians can legally and ethically prescribe drugs which are investigational or not yet approved in a specific country. SUMAVEL DosePro is indicated for the acute treatment of migraine attacks, with or without aura, and the acute treatment of cluster headache episodes.

7:31AM Hercules Tech prices $75.0 mln of 6% convertible senior notes due 2016 (HTGC) 10.34 : The co intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund investments in debt and equity securities in accordance with its investment objective and for general corporate purposes.

7:30AM IsoRay receives an additional $500K in institutional financing (ISR) 1.18 :

7:18AM Medical Properties Trust announces private offering of $450 million of senior notes by its operating partnership and MPT Finance Corporation (MPW) 74.06 :

7:06AM MAP Pharma presents data from LEVADEX pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics safety studies; LEVADEX exposure was not higher in smokers (MAPP) 15.11 : "An Open-Label, 2-Period, Crossover Study Comparing the Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of LEVADEX (MAP0004, Orally Inhaled DHE) and Intravenous DHE (DHE45) in Smoking and Non-Smoking Adult Volunteers" show that: -- LEVADEX exposure was not higher in smokers, potentially due to reduced pulmonary absorption -- LEVADEX was quickly absorbed into the bloodstream of both smokers and non-smokers, as evidenced by a median Tmax of 4.98 and 7.02 minutes respectively -- The mean half-life for LEVADEX was similar for smokers (16.1 hours) and non-smokers (14.5 hours) and was similar to IV DHE administration (13.3 hours for smokers and 12.4 hours for non-smokers) -- Tolerability of LEVADEX was similar in smokers and non-smokers

7:04AM SXC Health Solutions enters into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of MedMetrics Health Partner; not expected to have a material impact to 2011 fully-diluted GAAP EPS. (SXCI) 54.06 : Co announces it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of MedMetrics Health Partners, a subsidiary of Public Sector Partners which is affiliated with a major medical school. MedMetrics manages ~$200 mln in annual drug spend and is accounted for in co's PBM segment. When taking into account deal-related closing expenses and related amortization, the acquisition is not expected to have a material impact to 2011 fully-diluted GAAP EPS.

7:04AM Genpact acquired Akritiv Technologies; Financial terms are not disclosed (G) 15.80 : Co has acquired Akritiv Technologies, a provider of cloud-based order-to-cash (OTC) technology solutions. Under the terms of the deal, Genpact will take ownership of Akritiv Technologies' proprietary technology platform and software as a service (SaaS)-delivered solutions for OTC functions such as credit and accounts receivable management. Financial terms are not disclosed.

7:03AM WebMD Health sees Q1 rev, EBITDA exceeding consensus, reaffirms FY11 guidance (WBMD) 49.19 : Co sees Q1 results exceeding the Thomson First Call Consensus for rev of $126.2 mln and EBITDA of $34.0 mln vs. previous guidance of rev in excess of $125 mln; co also reaffirms FY11 guidance, adjusted only for the effects on income from continuing operations and income from continuing operations per share resulting from WebMD's issuance of its 2.25% Convertible Notes due 2016 in March 2011. Co previously guided for EPS of $1.22-1.40 ($1.29 consensus); rev of $610-640 mln ($632.3 mln consensus). Traffic to the WebMD Health Network continued to grow, reaching an average of 97.7 mln unique users per month and total traffic of 2.05 bln page views during the first quarter, increases of 19% and 14%, respectively, from a year ago. The March 2011 quarter is the first quarter where drugs.com (the co's largest affiliate site) is included in both the current and prior year period.

7:03AM Primerica: Citigroup (C) to offer 12 mln shares of its Primerica common stock (PRI) 24.04 : PRI announced that it has filed a preliminary prospectus supplement to a shelf registration statement previously filed with the SEC relating to a proposed public offering of 12 million shares of Primerica's common stock held by a subsidiary of C. The offering will be made pursuant to Primerica's existing effective shelf registration statement that was previously filed

7:02AM AML Communications to be acquired by MSCC for 2.50 per share (AMLJ) 2.50 : Microsemi Corporation announces that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire AML Communications for $2.50 per share in an all-cash transaction. The total transaction value would be ~$28 million, net of AML Communications' projected cash balance at closing.

7:01AM BPZ Energy provides first quarter operations update; total production was ~381,000 barrels of oil (BPZ) 5.00 : Co says for Q1, total production was approximately 381,000 barrels of oil (4,233 barrels of oil per day, "bopd") from the offshore Corvina and Albacora fields in Block Z-1. This compares to total production of 414,000 barrels of oil (4,500 bopd) in the fourth quarter of 2010. The lower production in first quarter was due to shutting in well A-14XD in the Albacora field on January 24, 2011... Authorization for interference testing along with associated gas flaring covering a four month period beginning June 1, 2011, has been received from the Ministry of Energy and Mining of Peru for Albacora... At Corvina, the permanent production facilities including the compressor are operating at expected efficiency levels. The Company has received approval to maintain the wells open while the compressor undergoes scheduled maintenance during the current calendar year. As a result of obtaining the authorization for interference testing at Albacora, the snubbing unit will not be moved to the Corvina platform as originally planned as it will first be used to complete the Albacora workovers.

6:57AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* Omnicom Group's (OMC) Ketchum has taken a majority position in Sampark PR, a full-service Indian public relations company. The firm, to be renamed Ketchum Sampark, will be co-led by Bela Rajan, director, and N.S. Rajan, managing director, who founded the company 17 years ago.
* Praxair Argentina, a subsidiary of Praxair (PX), will build a new plant in Argentina to supply oxygen, nitrogen and argon.
* NIVS IntelliMedia Technology Group (NIV) announced that, on April 5, 2011, the Company received notification from the NYSE Amex of its intention to delist the Company's common stock pursuant to Section 1009(a) of the Amex Company Guide, based on a determination by the staff of NYSE Regulation, that it is necessary and appropriate for the protection of investors to initiate immediate delisting proceedings. Citing the content of the March 24, 2011 resignation letter of MaloneBailey LLP, the Company's former independent auditor, Amex determined that the Company is not in compliance with Amex listing standards and is therefore subject to immediate delisting.
* BGC Partners (BGCP) announced that its money broking joint venture, China Credit BGC Money Broking Company Limited, has been granted product licenses approval by the People's Bank of China to offer interest rate swaps, bonds and interbank cash deposits products to Chinese and foreign banks in China.
* Expedia (EXPE) announced that its TripAdvisor now has 45 mln reviews and opinions, with 23 new contributions every minute.

6:55AM Omnicom acquires India's Sampark PR; no terms disclosed (OMC) 48.57 :

6:31AM Evolution Petroleum provides operations update; third well in Giddings JV has initial rate of 2,735 MCF and 17 BO per day (EPM) 7.76 : Delhi CO2 - Enhanced Oil Recovery Project (EOR) Phase II of the CO2 enhanced oil recovery project achieved first oil production response in March of 2011 following the first CO2 injection within Phase II in late December of 2010... Oil sales at Delhi benefit from premium pricing due to Delhi's Louisiana location, the quality of the light-sweet crude and the recently completed oil sales pipeline connection to the field... Current share of Delhi production is generated from our 7.4% royalty interest that bears no operating expense or capital costs. Once total project net cash flow from the field reaches $200 million, co will earn an additional 24% working interest for a combined 26.5% net revenue interest. Giddings Field, Central Texas Co drilled the Dodd #1H in northern Grimes County with two opposing laterals of 3,200' and 2,900' in the naturally fractured Georgetown Formation.

6:23AM Gold Resource announces the acceptance of its CFO's resignation who has taken a full-time position with another company; CEO will be the interim CFO until a replacement CFO is found (GORO) 28.43 :

6:22AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* Overland Storage (OVRL) announced that United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta has deployed the Overland SnapSAN S2000 to support nine remote offices and more than 600 end users.
* Cognizant (CTSH) and Eagle Genomics announced they are working with the Pistoia Alliance as one of the groups engaged to develop a conceptual cloud-based platform to facilitate access to public and proprietary sources of gene sequence data.
* Nokia (NOK) announced the Nokia E6 and the Nokia X7, two new smartphones aimed at business people and entertainment enthusiasts respectively. The two devices are the first Nokia smartphones to contain the updated Symbian software, with new icons and usability enhancements such as improved text input, a faster browser and refreshed Ovi Maps.
* Kraig Biocraft Laboratories announced today that the co has entered into a licensing agreement with biotechnology giant Sigma-Aldrich (SIAL). Kraig has successfully negotiated a license to use Sigma-Aldrich's powerful zinc finger technology to accelerate its scientific research and product development, along with an option to commercialize the resulting biomaterials in the textile and biomedical fields.

6:08AM China Agritech appoints Simon & Edward as its independent auditors (CAGC) 6.25 : Co audit committee has appointed Simon & Edward, LLP as the Company's independent auditors starting from April 6, 2011. The co intends to release its financial results for the fourth quarter as soon as the previously announced review process by the Special Committee of the Board of Directors is concluded and the full year audit has been completed by Simon & Edward.

6:05AM Integra receives FDA clearance for new indication for Accell Evo3 demineralized bone matrix (IART) 47.64 : Co announces that it has received 510k clearance from theFDA to market Accell Evo3 Demineralized Bone Matrix as a bone void filler product for use in the posterolateral spine. Accell Evo3 Demineralized Bone Matrix demonstrated effective bone formation and achieved bilateral fusion at 12 weeks, when tested in the posterolateral rabbit spine model. Radiographic, histologic and biomechanical analyses showed that Accell Evo3 Demineralized Bone Matrix performed as well as autograft, which served as the basis for the Pre-Market Notification decision.

6:04AM VanceInfo Tech acquires a BPO co for initial consideration of $5.6 mln in cash and stock; expected to be slightly accretive to 2011 earnings (VIT) 33.94 : Co announces that it has acquired 100% equity interest in the main operating subsidiaries of LW International ("Lifewood"). Co will pay an initial consideration of $5.6 mln in cash and stock, with contingent consideration to be paid based on Lifewood's financial performance over the next three years. Lifewood generated ~$4.5 mln in net revenues in 2010. The transaction is expected to be slightly accretive to co's 2011 earnings.

5:03AM INX Inc. to delay its scheduled Q4 financial and restatement results (INXI) 7.13 : Co announces it must further delay the announcement of financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2010 and the results of the restatement of certain prior period financial statements. "We are disappointed that we must further delay the announcement of our operating results. We intend to file with the SEC, announce results, and reschedule the investor webcast and conference call as soon as we are able to do so, which at this time we expect will be within a few days."

3:57AM On The Wires (WIRES) :

* SYNNEX (SNX) announced that the co has added the capability to develop mobile applications on the Windows Phone 7 platform, as well as the launch of the Technology Solutions Division OnDemand IT group's managed services portfolio, allowing resellers and managed service providers the opportunity to offer a comprehensive and unique suite of services to SMB, mid-market and government end customers.
* RealD (RLD) and the Royal Opera House announced that the cos are collaborating on the filming of Madama Butterfly in 3D for release exclusively in RealD 3D-equipped theatres worldwide.
* Ecopetrol (EC) has received from the Colombian Ministry of Finance and Public Credit press communication of the Constitutional Court of Colombia regarding the unenforceability of a Legislative Decree, which aimed to make viable the partial transfer of the stocks owned by the Nation - Ministry of Finance and Public Credit in Ecopetrol S.A. up to a maximum of 10%.
* BGC Partners (BGCP) announced that its money broking joint venture, China Credit BGC Money Broking Co has been granted product licenses approval by the PBOC to offer interest rate swaps, bonds and interbank cash deposits products to Chinese and foreign banks in China.
* Global Sources' (GSOL) largest-ever spring electronics sourcing trade shows open at Hong Kong's AsiaWorld-Expo with more than 3,260 booths, which is an increase of 23% from the spring events last year.
* ACiG Technology, a supplier and distributor of RFID products and a business unit of Identive Group (INVE), announced that is has been selected as the exclusive supplier of near field communication RFID stickers for the roll out of Google's marketing campaign for Google Places in Austin, Texas.
* Dow Chemical (Dow) introduced DOW SOFT TOUCH Polypropylene Resin, a family of breakthrough single-pellet resin solutions for the efficient production of mono-component spunbond nonwoven fabrics that exhibit remarkable softness and drape while retaining the physical properties of polypropylene nonwoven fabrics.
* VASCO Data Security International (VDSI) announced that its DIGIPASS as a Service platform is now available for Google Apps.

3:02AM NewLead intends to issue ~$120 mln of senior secured bonds due 2016 in the Norwegian bond market (NEWL) 2.19 : The net proceeds from the offering will be used to finance certain vessel purchase commitments, to refinance the debt of certain vessels, and for general corporate purposes.

1:57AM Cobalt International Energy prices 31 mln shares of common stock at $14 per share (CIE) 14.20 : Co intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund its capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes.

1:56AM GMX Resources repeorts record 1Q11 production and provides guidance for Q2 (GMXR) 5.93 : Co announces has achieved total production of 6.0 Bcfe for the first quarter 2011 which is a co record and an achievement of the previously announced guidance. The 6.0 Bcfe of production in the first quarter represents a 14% increase over the 4Q10 and a 89% increase over the 1Q10. The co's second quarter and full year 2011 guidance is 6.1 Bcfe with an expected range of 25.0-26.0 Bcfe, respectively, which represents an increase of 42% and 43%-49% in the second quarter and full year 2010.

1:51AM Silver Wheaton CEO resigns, stays on as consultant; appoints co's Pres Randy Smallwood as new CEO (SLW) 44.11 : Co announces Randy Smallwood, currently the co's President, has been appointed CEO. He will replace Peter Barnes, who has resigned effective April 11, 2011. As part of the transition process, Barnes has agreed to enter into a consulting agreement with co.

1:43AM Skilled Healthcare reports it is exploring strategic alternatives (SKH) 14.02 : Co announces has engaged J.P. Morgan Securities to assist the co in exploring strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value, including a potential sale of the co's real estate assets or the whole company. While the co maintains a positive outlook for its performance as a standalone entity, its Board has recognized the current favorable market conditions and determined that a strategic transaction may enhance stockholder value.

1:42AM PPL Corp prices offerings of common stock and equity units in financing for UK acquisition (PPL) 25.69 : Co announces that it has priced its concurrent offerings of common stock and equity units. Proceeds of the offerings will be used primarily to repay a portion of the GBP3.6 bln Bridge Term Loan Facility used to fund co's recently completed GBP4.1 bln acquisition of the Central Networks electricity distribution businesses in the UK. Co has priced 80 mln shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $25.30 per share. Co has also priced its offering of 17 mln equity units, an increase from the previously announced 15 mln units, with a stated amount of $50 per unit, for an aggregate amount of $850 mln. The equity units carry a total annual distribution rate of 8.75%. The reference price for the equity units is $25.30 per share, the public offering price in the concurrent common stock offering.

1:38AM Ameristar Casinos provides early results of tender offer and consent solicitation for its 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2014 (ASCA) 18.83 : Co announces the the early results of its previously announced cash tender offer for any and all of the outstanding $650 mln aggregate principal amount of its 9% Senior Notes due 2014 and related solicitation of consents to certain proposed amendments to the indenture governing the Notes. As of 5:00 pm, New York City time, on April 11, 2011 an aggregate of $649,531,000 in principal amount of the Notes had been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in the Offer.

1:33AM Spark Networks Chairman and CEO resigns; remains as director; appoints Greg Liberman as its new CEO (LOV) 3.18 : Co announces the appointment of Greg Liberman, as its new President & Chief Executive Officer, effective Apr 11. Adam Berger, who joined Spark as a board member in 2006 and then served as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since 2007, has resigned his positions as CEO and Chairman, but will remain with co as a director. Liberman has served as co's President since 2006, its COO since 2005 and joined the co as its General Counsel in 2004.

1:28AM GOL Linhas Areas Inteligentes S.A. reports a 19.6% increase in demand on its route network in March, with a load factor of 70.1% (GOL) 13.29 :

1:23AM Amazon.com introduces new Kindle family member: Kindle with special offers for $114 (AMZN) 184.04 : Co introduces a new member of the Kindle family, Kindle with Special Offers for only $114. Kindle with Special Offers is the same Kindle, plus special offers and sponsored screensavers. Kindle special offers and sponsored screensavers display on the Kindle screensaver and on the bottom of the home screen. Buick, Olay (Procter & Gamble), Visa, and Amazon.com Reward Visa Card (Chase) are sponsoring the first series of screensavers specially-designed for Kindle's high-contrast, no glare electronic ink display.
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