Wednesday, June 15, 2011 7:44:20 PM
Market Update: 110615
4:30 pm : Aggressive selling dropped stocks to a new three-month low. In turn, the S&P 500 is now within close contact of its 200-day moving average and down about 8% from the three-year high that it set in May.
Stocks rallied in the prior session to register their strongest single-session gain in almost two months, but that advance was completely erased by a sell-off today. Selling was rekindled by concerns related to a mix of fiscal instability and social unrest in Greece. Concerns over Greece's precarious position undercut the euro, which suffered one of its worst daily losses in months with a 1.8% drop against the dollar to $1.417.
The greenback garnered additional support in the wake of the May CPI reading, which showed a 0.2% increase in overall consumer prices. The consensus among economists polled by Briefing.com had been pegged at a 0.1% increase. Core CPI increased by 0.3%, which is greater than the 0.1% increase that had been broadly anticipated.
As for the rest of today's data, the Empire Manufacturing Survey for June came in at -7.8, which contrasts sharply with the reading of 10.0 that economists surveyed by Briefing.com had expected after the prior month's reading of 11.9. That was followed by news that industrial production for May increased by a mere 0.1%, which is less than the 0.2% that had been broadly anticipated.
Not a single sector in the S&P 500 managed to limit its loss to less than 1%. Cyclical plays suffered some of the sharpest losses after they had scored some of the strongest gains in the prior session. Materials, energy, and financials all fell more than 2%.
Widespread weakness stoked volatility today. As such, the Volatility Index spiked about 17% to a near three-month high.
Treasuries, traditional safe havens, attracted strong buying interest, which took the yield on the benchmark 10-year Note back below 3.00% after it had spiked to a 10-day high of about 3.10% during the prior session.
Advancing Sectors: None
Declining Sectors: Materials -2.3%, Energy -2.2%, Financials -2.2%, Tech -1.8%, Industrials -1.5%, Consumer Staples -1.5%, Consumer Discretionary -1.5%, Health Care -1.3%, Telecom -1.3%, Utilities -1.2%DJ30 -178.84 NASDAQ -47.26 NQ100 -1.8% R2K -1.8% SP400 -1.6% SP500 -22.45 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 550/1.98 bln/2059 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 487/1.07 bln/2592
3:30 pm : Commodities were largely driven by the events taking place in Greece today and the resulting euro weakness and dollar strength. Reports that the Greek PM would step down, in order to make way for a unity government, sent ripples through the markets including the commodities markets.
July crude oil shed 4.6% to close at $94.81 per barrel. This morning's inventory data pushed crude into positive territory, where it notched highs at $99.95, but those gains were very short lived, as the main focus soon became the events in Greece. Crude dropped to lows at $94.01, with approx an hour left in pit trade, its worst levels since Feb 22. July natural gas finished lower by 0.4% to $4.58.
August gold ended higher by 0.1% to $1526.40 per ounce, while July silver shed 0.4% to close at $35.28 per ounce. Both metals pushed higher this morning in the wake of worse-than-expected econ data, in a flight to safety. However, the strength in the dollar eventually forced the precious metals lower. Gold traded back to the flat line, where it chopped around into the close, while silver fell into negative territory, where it closed. DJ30 -182.21 NASDAQ -48.22 SP500 -23.14 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 505/1.6 bln/2016 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 490/748.6 mln/2581
3:00 pm : The Dow is now down just about 200 points for the day. That puts it well below the psychologically significant mark of 12,000. There isn't a single Dow component that has managed to put together any kind of a gain. However, credit is owed to Disney (DIS 38.53, -0.06) and McDonald's (MCD 81.41, -0.06) for limiting their losses to just fractional declines. Every other blue chip is down by about 1% or more.DJ30 -199.62 NASDAQ -48.44 SP500 -24.15 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 474/1.34 bln/2110 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 470/613 mln/2600
2:30 pm : Today's drop takes the S&P 500 down almost 8% from its three-year high. However, the financial sector, down 2.3% today, has fallen 15% from the 30-month high that it set in February. As for energy, which is now today's worst performing sector as it grapples with a 2.4% loss, is down 11% from the near three-year high that it set in April.DJ30 -180.66 NASDAQ -42.62 SP500 -21.85 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 528/1.20 bln/2052 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 482/560 mln/2574
2:00 pm : Steady selling pressure has left the major equity averages to trade at session lows. At this point, all of the prior session's gain has been erased. That puts the stock market back at its lowest level since March. Moreover, it is quickly approaching its 200-day moving average, which hasn't been touched since September.DJ30 -184.97 NASDAQ -44.93 SP500 -23.37 NASDAQ Adv/Dec 515/2039 NYSE Adv/Dec 443/2603
1:30 pm : Stocks continue to trade at their lows for the day. Declining issues outnumber advancers by more than 5-to-1 on the NYSE.
Meanwhile, the dollar continues to improve its position so that it is now up 1.6% against a basket of major foreign currencies. The swing has sent the Dollar Index to its highest level in three weeks. DJ30 -177.71 NASDAQ -40.77 SP500 -21.54 NASDAQ Adv/Dec 503/2043 NYSE Adv/Dec 459/2576
1:00 pm : Turmoil in Greece and disappointing data are driving some aggressive selling today. The effort has completely erased the prior session's gain.
During the prior session the stock market scored its strongest single-session percentage gain in almost two months, but that appears to have been little more than an intermittent relief rally in light of renewed negativity today. Sellers have resumed control over the market amid rekindled concerns about fiscal instability in Greece, not to mention images of violence in the streets of Athens in response to planned budget and austerity measures.
The euro has dropped precipitously in response to Greece's tumult. Its 1.6% loss against the greenback has helped take the Dollar Index to a 1.4% gain.
A greater-than-expected increase in consumer inflation measures has further bolstered buying interest in the dollar. Both overall CPI and core CPI increased more than expected during May.
Other data has also disappointed. Generally, the latest Empire Manufacturing Survey made an unexpected drop into negative territory. Monthly industrial production increased by less than what had been anticipated.
Few stocks have been able to escape this session's sell-off. In fact, the lack of strength anywhere in the market is made evident by the fact that all 10 major sectors are down with losses in excess of 1%.
Financials have been hit the hardest today. The sector's 2.4% drop puts it at a 2011 low. Energy stocks got some mid-morning relief when oil prices rallied to a gain in the wake of a bullish inventory report, but oil prices have since rolled over to trade with a 2.3% loss at $97.10 per barrel. Energy stocks now trade with a collective loss of 1.8%.
With so many participants looking to sell, the Volatility Index has spiked to its highest level in about three months. It is currently up 13%.
Weakness among stocks and increased volatility has spurred buying among Treasuries. That has pulled the yield on the benchmark 10-year Note back to 3.00% after it had spiked to a 10-day high of about 3.10% during the prior session. DJ30 -176.50 NASDAQ -40.68 SP500 -20.87 NASDAQ Adv/Dec 525/2005 NYSE Adv/Dec 477/2539
12:30 pm : Sharp selling pressure has completely erased all of the prior session's gain. The push lower has been broad, taking five stocks into the red for every one that has managed to muster a gain.
Although weakness is widespread, financials have been hit the hardest. The sector is now down more than 2%. Not a single name in it has managed to find positive territory. DJ30 -161.81 NASDAQ -37.59 SP500 -20.09 NASDAQ Adv/Dec 875/1966 NYSE Adv/Dec 511/2485
12:00 pm : Stocks have rolled over to extend their recent downturn. Accelerating selling pressure has sent the three major equity averages to new session lows; they are all down in excess of 1%.
Amid the increased negativity, the Volatility Index has spiked to a 10% gain, which is enough to put the "Fear Gauge" at its highest level in almost three months.
The combination of a weak stock market and increased volatility has renewed buying interest among Treasuries. In turn, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Note is back near 3.00% after it had spiked to a 10-day high of about 3.10% during the prior session.
Meanwhile, the dollar continues to climb higher. It now leads a collection of competing currencies by 1.3%. DJ30 -136.50 NASDAQ -32.47 SP500 -16.67 NASDAQ Adv/Dec 571/1898 NYSE Adv/Dec 572 /2397
11:30 am : Stocks are on the backslide, but they have yet to return to the session lows that were set earlier today. Meanwhile, the Dollar Index has ticked back up to its best level of the day for a 1.0% gain. Most of the greenback's gain has come against the euro, which was last quoted with a 1.2% loss at $1.426 amid the escalation of violence and protests in the streets of Athens, Greece. Turmoil there comes in response to ongoing struggles to implement proper austerity measures and tighter fiscal controls.DJ30 -92.41 NASDAQ -22.58 SP500 -11.36 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 671/530 mln/1787 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 705/240 mln/2279
11:00 am : The major equity averages remain in the red with sizable losses amid widespread weakness.
Energy stocks have managed to move to session highs. Their upward push has cut their collective loss to just 0.4%. That has been helped by a rally in oil prices to $99.80 per barrel for a 0.4% gain after they had been down by about 1% in early pit trade. The bounce by oil prices follows a bullish weekly inventory report.
Financials are still in rough shape. The sector's 1.0% loss makes it the worst performing sector in the market. Among financial issues, banks are in especially weak shape; as such, the KBW Bank Index is down 1.1%. DJ30 -71.56 NASDAQ -15.42 SP500 -7.86 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 835/400 mln/1560 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 892/185 mln/2030
10:35 am : A strong dollar index is weighing on most of the commodity complex this morning.
However, despite this strength, gold and silver futures rallied right as the stock market was opening, extending the uptrend that both began about an hour prior. This recent rally pushed both precious metals into positive territory and pushed gold futures about $15/oz (or 1%) higher in eight minutes to $1535.70/oz. It then pushed to new session highs of $1533.90/oz a little after that run. Silver futures saw the same action, rallying about 44 cents (or 1.2%) during those eight minutes to $35.67/oz. Gold is currently up 0.4% at $1530.50/oz and silver is 0.7% higher at $35.66/oz.
Crude oil fell into the red about an hour and a half ago. It fell below $99.50 and approched the $98 level. but never fell through it. Crude was about $98.70 ahead of inventory data, which showed a draw of 3.41 million barrels versus consensus of a draw of 1.9 million barrels, crude pushed higher to just below the unchanged line. In current action, crude is down 0.4% at $98.91/barrel. Natural gas is currently 0.7% lower at $4.55/MMBtu.DJ30 -88.93 NASDAQ -15.59 SP500 -9.61 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 694/272 mln/1651 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 692/133.3 mln/2101
10:00 am : Stocks have been trimming their losses. The effort to move higher comes after the S&P 500 secured support around the 1275 line, which was touched when the broad market measure gapped down at the open of today's trade.
The NAHB Housing Market Index for June was just posted. It came in at 13, which is down from the prior month reading of 16. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com had, on average, expected the Index to remain at 16. DJ30 -84.39 NASDAQ -16.29 SP500 -8.73 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 614/120 mln/1707 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 635/70 mln/2117
09:45 am : A precipitous drop at the start of trade took the broad market to within close reach of yesterday's opening level before support surfaced. Weakness remains widespread in that all 10 major sectors are in the red. That comes in stark contrast to early trade in the prior session.
Health care has managed to do the best job of limiting its loss this morning; the sector is down just 0.3%. Boston Scientific (BSX 7.10, +0.36) is currently a primary leader in the health care space, helping to offset weakness in among heavyweight pharmaceutical plays like Pfizer (PFE 20.40, -0.18) and Merck (MRK 35.41, -0.23). DJ30 -89.89 NASDAQ -18.22 SP500 -9.29 NASDAQ Adv/Dec 582/1717 NYSE Adv/Dec 640/2133
09:20 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -10.50. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -21.20. Premarket sellng pressure has the cash market positioned for an opening loss on the order of 1%. Such a slide would take a substantial chunk out of the prior session's rally, which was the strongest single-day advance for stocks in more than a month. The inclination to sell comes as many participants look to lock in higher prices in the midst of the stock market's downward trend, which has already lasted six weeks. Weakness among many of the major foreign equity averages has also stoked selling interest -- Asia's major averages failed to carry the prior session's positive tone into overnight trade, while Europe's bourses are battling sellers' efforts amid rekindled concerns about the implications of fiscal instability in Greece. Media this morning has relayed images of protests and violence in the streets of Athens. Data, which has featured a disappointing Empire Manufacturing Survey and a greater-than-expected increase in CPI and Core CPI, have also weighed on sentiment. The CPI data has helped drive the Dollar Index up to a gain of almost 1%. More recently, industrial production for May reportedly increased by a mere 0.1%, which is less than the 0.2% that had been broadly anticipated.
09:05 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -11.00. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -22.70. A strong bounce by the greenback has put added pressure on several widely watched commodities. In turn, the CRB Commodity Index has been clipped for a 0.7% loss. Oil has been one of the weakest performers in the commodity complex. It was last quoted with a 1.1% loss at $98.30 per barrel. Oil inventory data are due at 10:30 AM ET. Natural gas prices are down 0.8% to $4.54 per MMBtu. As for precious metals, gold was last priced with a 0.2% loss at $1522 per ounce while silver was last priced with a 0.6% loss at $35.19 per ounce.
08:35 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -9.00. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -19.20. Stock futures have surrendered several more points in response to the latest round of data, but the dollar has extended its morning advance so that it now leads a collection of competing currencies by 1.0%. So far, this morning's data has featured an ugly Empire Manufacturing Survey reading of -7.8 for June. The consensus among economists surveyed by Briefing.com had called for a reading of 10.0 after a reading of 11.9 was posted for the prior month. Consumer price inflation data were also just reported. Overall CPI for May increased by 0.2%, which is a bit greater than the 0.1% increase that had been broadly anticipated. Core CPI increased by 0.3%, which contrasts with the Briefing.com consensus call for a 0.1% increase.
08:05 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -3.00. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -10.00. Stocks rallied during the prior session for their strongest one-day advance in more than a month, but the positive tone has failed to carry over into this morning's premarket trade. Renewed negativity comes in response to rekindled concerns about the implications of Greece's fiscal instability, which has weighed on Europe's major bourses. Overnight action in Asia saw Japan's Nikkei muster a modest gain, but both Hong Kong's Hang Seng and China's Shanghai Composite fell sharply. Reports attribute weakness in the Hang Seng and Shanghai Composite to the decision by China's central bank to add another 50 basis points to the country's reserve requirement, even though there had been plenty of speculation about such a hike for some time. The decision to raise the ratio came on the heels of a generally in-line consumer price report that was released yesterday. Corporate announcements continue to be lacking, but the economic calendar remains full. CPI data are due at the bottom of the hour, along with the latest Empire Manufacturing Survey. Net Treasury International Capital Flows for April follow at 9:00 AM ET. Industrial production and capacity utilization for May will be released at 9:15 AM ET. Weekly oil inventory data are due at 10:30 AM ET.
06:30 am : [BRIEFING.COM] S&P futures vs fair value: -2.60. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -9.70.
06:30 am : Nikkei...9574.32...+26.50...+0.30%. Hang Seng...22343.77...-152.30...-0.70%.
06:30 am : FTSE...5786.18...-17.00...-0.30%. DAX...7176.08...-28.70...-0.40%.
http://finance.yahoo.com/marketupdate/update
5:59PM Cloud Peak Energy successful bidder for West Antelope II South coal tract (CLD) 19.38 -0.92 : Co announced its successful bid for the West Antelope II South Coal Tract, which was previously nominated by the company's Antelope mine. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) estimates this tract contains ~56 mln tons of mineable coal. At year-end 2010, the co's Antelope mine had an estimated 252 mln tons of coal reserves, and Cloud Peak Energy had an estimated total reserve of 970 mln tons of coal. Cloud Peak Energy successfully won the lease sale with a bid of ~$49.3 mln, or $0.875 per ton, based on the BLM's estimate of 56 mln mineable tons. The co submitted a payment for ~$9.8 mln, which is the first of five equal payments for the federal coal lease. The BLM typically awards the lease within several months after selecting a winning bidder. As previously disclosed, the West Antelope II Lease by Application (LBA) is subject to pending legal challenges filed by certain environmental organizations against the BLM and the Secretary of the Interior.
5:50PM Huntington Ingalls reports that Ingalls Shipbuilding was awarded U.S. Navy construction contract (HII) : Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), was awarded a construction contract for the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyer DDG 113. As this award represents Phase I of a competitive two-phased acquisition approach to procure FY11/FY12 DDG 51s, with Phase II including the potential award of up to three additional ships, the award amount is considered source selection-sensitive information. DDG 113 will be the 29th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer built by Ingalls.
5:41PM Valhi Inc. announces that Waste Control Specialists announces disposal contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority (VHI) 46.55- -0.27 : Waste Control Specialists LLC ("WCS"), a subsidiary of Valhi. (VHI), announced that it has entered into a contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority ("TVA") that allows TVA to dispose of Class A, B and C low-level radioactive waste, subject to regulatory approvals. This is the first contract entered into with a non-Texas Compact generator since the Texas legislature passed a bill authorizing the disposal of LLRW from non-Texas Compact generators.
5:41PM Hershey Foods names new CEO (HSY) 54.72 -0.40 : Co announced John P. Bilbrey as President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Co, effective immediately. Bilbrey has more than 30 years of global consumer packaged goods experience. He was named Hershey's interim President and Chief Executive Officer in May 2011. Bilbrey was named Chief Operating Officer in November 2010.
5:36PM Pan American Silver files amended unaudited interim financial statements to include additional IFRS disclosure (PAAS) 28.88 -0.63 : Co announced that it has filed amended and restated unaudited interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2011 to include additional disclosure in Note 2 relating to an International Financial Reporting Standards to Canadian GAAP reconciliation of equity as at March 31, 2010, as required by IFRS 1 paragraph 32(a)(i). All other information contained in the originally filed unaudited condensed interim financial statements remains unchanged. The additional disclosure does not impact the condensed consolidated statement of financial position, condensed consolidated income statement, condensed consolidated statement of cash flows nor condensed consolidated statements of shareholders' equity as previously filed.
5:33PM Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has approved NULOJIX (belatacept) (BMY) 27.42 -0.27 :
5:30PM Kirby Corp confirms and narrows its Q2 EPS guidance after impact of Mississippi River system's high water and flooding issues (KEX) 51.76 -0.54 : Co announced that it confirms and narrows its 2011 Q2 earnings guidance to the $0.72-0.77 per share range compared with 2010 Q2 ter earnings of $.54 per share. Co anticipates the Mississippi River System's high water and flooding conditions will continue until late June or early July and estimates the negative impact from the high water and flooding on its 2011 Q2's net earnings will be in the $0.07-0.08 per share range. On April 27, 2011, as part of co's Q1 earnings announcement, Kirby announced 2011 Q2 earnings guidance of $0.67-0.77 per share, including an estimated $.02 to $.07 per share negative impact from the high water and lock issues. On May 12, 2011 co announced that the impact of the high water may be greater than $.07 per share, but was unable to quantify the impact until the situation more fully evolved. (Capital IQ Consensus Estimate is $0.69).
5:22PM DPL announces early termination of antitrust waiting period (DPL) 30.10 : Co announced that on June 14, 2011 the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission granted early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, in connection with the proposed merger of DPL with a wholly-owned subsidiary of The AES Corp (AES).
5:16PM F.N.B. Corporation acquires of Parkvale Financial (PVSA) (FNB) 10.32 -0.12 : FNB and jointly announce the signing of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which F.N.B. Corp will acquire Parkvale Financial Corp, the Pennsylvania-based holding company and parent of Parkvale Savings Bank, in an all stock transaction valued at ~$22.48 per share, or $130 mln in the aggregate.
5:12PM Silver futures are up 37 cents (or 1%) to $35.77/oz. in electronic trade, while gold futures are up $5.10 (or 0.4%) to $1531.30/oz (COMDX) :
5:11PM In electronic trading, crude oil futures are up 56 cents to $95.37/barrel (COMDX) :
5:06PM Discover Financial Services announces $1 bln share repurchase program (DFS) 22.95 -0.23 :
5:02PM Select Comfort names new COO (SCSS) 14.88 -0.54 : Co unveiled a new management structure to better support the coy's strategies for growth and value creation. As part of this new structure, Shelly Ibach has been promoted to the newly created position of chief operating officer (COO). Ibach was previously the co's executive vice president of sales and merchandising, and will now assume responsibility for consumer insights, sales, marketing and product management.
5:00PM Hanmi Financial announces memorandum of business alliance with Woori Finance Holdings, Co. Ltd. and termination of the securities purchase agreement with Woori (HAFC) 0.99 -0.04 : Hanmi Financial (HAFC), the parent co of its wholly-owned subsidiary Hanmi Bank, today announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Business Alliance with Woori, which sets forth proposed business alliance programs between the parties. Hanmi also announced that the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated May 25, 2010, as amended, between the Company and Woori has been terminated by mutual agreement of the parties. Under the Securities Purchase Agreement, Woori had agreed to purchase a majority stake in Hanmi, subject to regulatory approvals.
4:46PM Medical Properties Trust announces cash tender offer for the aggregate principal amount sub's outstanding notes (MPW) 11.23 -0.28 : Co announced that it has commenced a cash tender offer to purchase any and all of the outstanding 9.25% Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2013 (CUSIP Number 55342NAG5) issued by the Company's operating partnership, MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. The tender offer will expire at 12:00 midnight EST, on July 13, 2011 (inclusive of July 13, 2011), unless extended or earlier terminated by the co. $82,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the exchangeable notes were outstanding as of June 15, 2011.
4:40PM Verto comments on continued progress of ongoing rollout of new apps designed for its ALOT Appbar (VTRO) 2.00 -0.07 : Aside from established apps created in connection with partners such as eBay (EBAY) and Amazon.com (AMZN), the company has recently partnered with more companies and released new apps... Co plans to release the following new apps to further enhance the ALOT Appbar: Netflix App, Lottery App, Smileytown App, and Rewards.
4:39PM Nipro Diagnostics and NeuroMetrix announce diabetes focused collaboration for the retail medical clinic market (NURO) 0.44 -0.02 : Co announced their collaboration to evaluate opportunities for NC-stat|DPNCheck in retail medical clinics. NC-stat DPNCheck is a rapid, quantitative, point-of-care test for the evaluation of systemic neuropathies such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). DPN affects more than half of people with diabetes and may lead to foot ulcers and limb amputation, as well as pain and an overall reduction in quality of life. Nipro and NeuroMetrix believe that this test may address the unmet medical need for better and cost-effective approaches to detecting and monitoring DPN.
4:36PM Oxford Industries elects Clyde Tuggle to Board of Directors (OXM) 30.43 -0.61 : Tuggle is Senior Vice President, Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer of The Coca-Cola Company (KO).
4:35PM Cornerstone Therapeutics will host conference call June 22 to update investors on strategic direction of the company (CRTX) 7.91 -0.09 :
4:34PM India Globalization Capital will amend FY10 financial statement (IGC) 0.40 +0.01 : The co will restate the financial Statements for the Year Ended March 31, 2010 and the financial statements for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 to correct a miscalculation in EPS and a misclassification in the Statement of Cash Flows. The changes described are non-cash and do not impact operations. As previously reported, effective October 1, 2009, the co reduced ownership in Sricon, from 63% to ~22% simultaneously eliminating a debt of ~$17.9 million. Co has since determined that a certain part of the Statements of Cash Flow requires reclassification to reflect the deconsolidation. This reclassification will carry over to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended March 31, 2010. Further, the fully diluted EPS reported for FYE March 31, 2010 requires a recalculation as it incorrectly takes into account warrants and options, reflecting a larger loss than should have been reported. The restatement will serve to reduce the fully diluted EPS loss that was previously reported.
4:23PM SCANA Corp's South Carolina Electric & Gas filed to increase to its retail natural gas base rates 2.14% (SCG) 38.79 -0.39 :
4:22PM Ford Motor confirms plan to triple electrified vehicle production (F) 13.15 -0.28 : Co confirmed it will grow its electrified vehicle production capacity to more than 100,000 units annually by 2013. The co will triple production capacity of its electrified vehicle lineup, further boosting volumes of its all-new C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, which begin production next year.
4:20PM Finisar to resume trading at 16:30 ET (FNSR) 17.73 -1.31 :
4:18PM Torch Energy announces effective date of court approved settlement with derivative unitholder plaintiff and Constellation Energy Partners (CEP) (TRU) 2.00 -0.01 : The proposed Settlement and Release Agreement provided that the agreement would become effective on the date on which the Order and Final Judgment previously issued by the Court on April 13, 2011 becomes final and unappealable which, absent appeal, was anticipated to be June 13, 2011. As of June 14, 2011, the Trust believes that no appeal had been filed with the Court. Therefore, the Trust believes by its terms the Settlement and Release Agreement has an effective date of June 13, 2011.
4:17PM Cablevision commences cash tender offer for 10 3/8% senior subordinated notes due 2014 (CVC) 36.02 -0.40 : The Tender Offer is in connection with the previously announced leveraged spin-off of AMC Networks Inc. by Cablevision.
4:15PM Constellation Energy says settlement in Alabama lawsuit now effective (CEP) 2.71 -0.03 : Co announced that there were no appeals of the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama order approving the settlement between the company, Trust Venture Company, and Torch Energy Royalty Trust. As a result, the settlement became effective by its terms on June 13, 2011.
4:12PM Oceanfreight shareholders approve stock split related proposal (OCNF) 0.34 0.00 : Co's shareholders approved an amendment to to effect a reverse stock split of the Company's issued and outstanding shares of Class A common stock by a ratio of not less than one-for-three and not more than one-for-twenty.
4:11PM Finisar reports EPS in-line, misses on revs; guides Q1 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus (FNSR) 17.73 -1.31 : Reports Q4 (Apr) earnings of $0.33 per share, excluding non-recurring items, in-line with the Capital IQ Consensus Estimate consensus of $0.33; revenues rose 25.7% year/year to $236.9 mln vs the $243.3 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.17-0.21, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.39 Capital IQ Consensus Estimate; sees Q1 revs, prior to reflecting the impact of consolidation accounting associated with Finisar's ownership stake in Ignis, the co indicated that it currently expects revenues to be in the range of $215-230 mln vs. $255.30 mln Capital IQ Consensus Estimate.
4:11PM Progressive reports May results; net written premiums +2% YoY; net income increased 68% y/y to $74.1 mln (PGR) 19.93 -0.44 :
4:10PM Ikanos Comms elects Diosdado Banatao as Interim President and CEO; Co confirms Q2 guidance (IKAN) 1.36 -0.04 : Mr. Banatao has been the co's chairman of the board since August 2009 and executive chairman of the board since April 2010 and previously served as the co's interim president and chief executive officer from April 2010 to July 2010. Co Reconfirms guidance In addition, the co confirmed its revenue and earnings outlook for Q2 of fiscal 2011. The co confirmed its revenues for Q2 to be between $31.0-34.0 mln vs. Capital IQ Consensus single-analyst est of $32.0 mln.
4:07PM Rubicon Tech reaffirms Q2 guidance (RBCN) 18.80 -1.07 : Co reported that it is having another solid quarter and estimates that revenue in the second quarter should come in at the high end of the $40 million and $43 million range of its previously provided guidance. Pre-tax earnings are also expected to be at the high end of the previous estimates. The Company's second quarter EPS guidance of $0.82 to $0.86 assumed a diluted share count of 24 million shares and a tax rate of 7 percent, which represents accrual for state income taxes only. When providing this guidance, management indicated that a determination might be made to begin accruing for federal income tax as soon as the second quarter due to a number factors, including the dramatic increase in earnings of the Company. William Weissman, Rubicon's Chief Financial Officer, has confirmed that the Company will begin accruing for federal income tax beginning the second quarter of this year, which will bring the Company's effective tax rate up to approximately 40 percent for the second quarter and for the remainder of this year. Weissman also confirmed that the projected effective tax rate for 2012 remains at 30 to 35 percent. Factoring in the higher tax rate adjusts previously issued EPS guidance to between $0.53 and $0.55.
4:06PM The Knot to change name to XO Group Inc. and transfer listing to NYSE (KNOT) 9.79 -0.19 : Co announced that it had received stockholder approval to change the co's name to XO Group Inc. The co also announced that its common stock listing is pending transfer to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) from the Nasdaq Stock Market. The co's common stock has been authorized for listing and is scheduled to begin trading on the NYSE on June 28, 2011, under the new trading symbol XOXO.
4:01PM Men's Wearhouse hires Doug Ewert as new CEO (MW) 31.30 -0.97 : MW announced at the Co's Annual Shareholder Meeting, that Douglas S. Ewert became president and chief executive officer, succeeding George Zimmer as chief executive officer. Also at the meeting, the Company's shareholders elected Ewert to the board of directors. As previously announced, Zimmer will continue as executive chairman of the board of directors.
4:01PM Aon announced its execution of a $450 mln term credit agreement (AON) 50.09 -0.90 :
4:00PM Collective Brands Michael Massey named interim CEO and Scott Olivet becomes non-executive Chairman as Matthew Rubel Steps Down as Chairman, President and CEO (PSS) 13.98 -0.42 : Co announced that the Board of Directors and Matthew Rubel agreed that Mr. Rubel would resign as director, Chairman of the Board and an officer of the Company, effective immediately. Michael J. Massey has been named the interim Chief Executive Officer and D. Scott Olivet has been named the Company's Non-Executive Chairman. The Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee, chaired by Mylle Mangum, has commenced a search for a permanent replacement for Mr. Rubel as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Massey has informed the Board that he does not wish to be a candidate for the position.
3:59PM DST Systems clarified prior news report; DST is not in discussions with private equity firms or any other party regarding a sale of the Company (DST) 54.51 +6.20 : Co clarified a news report published yesterday. "Like many public companies, DST has received informal inquiries from time to time regarding its interest in engaging in a sale transaction to a private equity firm. However, DST is not in discussions with private equity firms or any other party regarding a sale of the Company. DST has informed each of the firms who have made inquiries that DST's board of directors has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of its stockholders for DST to remain independent and not to pursue a sale transaction at this time. DST believes its current stock price is not representative of its long-term intrinsic value, does not reflect the value of its assets and would not be a sensible starting point for discussions or negotiations regarding a sale transaction. DST remains focused on generating long-term value for its stockholders and believes that initiatives currently underway and planned will address current challenges and help restore market value to appropriate levels. The Company does not intend to comment further about speculation relating to such transactions."
3:46PM Minor late day upticks off the afternoon/session lows with Dow -156 and S&P -20 outperforming Nasdaq Comp -43 on this move (SPY) :
3:32PM CBOT Agriculture and Ethanol and ICE Exchange Sugar Closing Prices; Corn Closes Down the Exchange Limit (COMDX) : Continuous corn futures fell the exchange limit of 30 cents today (or 4%) at $7.25/bushel on today's broad market weakness, wheat fell 22 cents to close at $7.09, cont. soybeans rose 2 cents at $13.71, cont. ethanol closed down 7 cents to $2.68, while cont. world sugar futures closed flat at 0.25 cents.
3:27PM Tianyin Pharma signs Macrolide API International sales and marketing agreement ; forecasts $30 mln domestic Azithromycin API revenue in China for first year of operation (TPI) 1.50 +0.02 : Co signed sales and marketing agreement with RELATIONS International. The co forecasts $30 million domestic Azithromycin API revenue in China for the first year of operation from its Jiangchuan macrolide facility that has an annual manufacturing capacity of 250 tons. The international sales revenue from macrolide API is expected to contribute additional revenue for TPI.
3:16PM Microsoft slips fractionally under last week's low of 23.69 to set a new nine month low of 23.67 and edges slightly higher (MSFT) 23.73 -0.49 :
3:07PM New session low for Dow -202 and S&P -24, Nasdaq Comp -49 also joins at new low for the week (SPY) :
3:07PM Starbucks issues statement regarding New York City dairy provider court hearing; current dairy supplier declined to participate in the dairy sourcing RFP process (SBUX) 34.81 -0.45 : Co released the following statement in response to the proceedings today in the New York State Supreme Court in Queens County pertaining to the Company's decision to change dairy providers for the New York City market: The Court will hold further hearings on June 27th. Co says "In the meantime, Starbucks will work closely with its partners (employees), its local distributor and new dairy provider to ensure a seamless transition of the supply of dairy products to our New York City stores... First and foremost, this move will result in no New York City job loss... Second, our current dairy supplier, Elmhurst, declined to participate in the dairy sourcing RFP process for the New York City market that we initiated last fall. We awarded the business to another dairy in New York State that submitted a bid."
2:49PM Fractional new session lows for stock indices and a very quick bounce attempt -- Dow -169, S&P -20, Nasdaq Comp 40 (SPY) :
2:37PM Streamline Health announced that University of Virginia Health System extended its licensing agreement and also contracted for co's Correspondence Workflow (STRM) 1.91 +0.03 : Under the terms of the agreement, the healthcare system will license the products for a term of at least 3 years.
2:36PM NYMEX Energy Closing Prices (COMDX) : Crude oil dropped $4.56 to settle at $94.81, natural gas shed 0.6 cents to close at $4.58, RBOB gasoline fell 14 cents to end at $2.93, while heating oil dropped 14 cents to finish at $2.98 (all July contracts).
2:32PM Geeknet's ThinkGeek and Mojang build on licensing deal (GKNT) 26.41 -0.39 : ThinkGeek has expanded the range of Minecraft products under its licensing deal with indie game developer Mojang. ThinkGeek added new Minecraft Foam Pickaxe and Minecraft Sticky Notecube to its current line of Minecraft products.
2:30PM CAS Medical and Medline announce distribution partnership for co-branded vital signs monitors (CASM) 2.50 +0.04 : Cos announced a distribution agreement for a co-branded version of CASMED's Model 740 portable vital signs monitor. The monitor will feature CASMED's proprietary motion Artifact Extraction technology.
2:20PM Index Change Reminders (INDXCH) : OYO Geospace (OYOG) will replace LaBranche & Co (LAB), and NuVasive (NUVA) will replace American Medical Systems Holdings (AMMD) in the S&P SmallCap 600 index after the close of trading today.
2:07PM Crude oil extending bounce off of session lows at $94.01; now down $3.74 to $95.63 (COMDX) :
2:07PM Indices edge off afternoon lows (TECHX) : Seeing some intraday relative strength on this move in Finance XLF, Reg Bank KRE, Airline, Silver SLV, Materials XLB.
1:53PM Environmental Tectonics announced that Robert Laurent will succeed Duane Deaner as CFO when Deaner retires effective July 8, 2011 (ETCC) 2.40 0.00 :
1:32PM COMEX Metals Closing Prices (COMDX) : August gold ended higher by $2.00 to $1526.40, July silver shed 13 cents to finish at $35.28, while July copper lost a penny to close at $4.11.
1:30PM Air Products acquires Poly-Flow Engineering--should be immediately accretive--terms not disclosed (APD) 90.82 -2.44 :
1:23PM Midday reprieve develops no follow through interest, Nasdaq Comp -45 slides to new low of 2632 (QQQ) : This dips puts it below its 200 sma (2636) with its weekly low at 2629.
1:19PM Evergreen Energy also announced Thomas Stoner will resign as CEO effective July 1 (EEE) 1.87 -0.05 : Stoner will remain a member of the board of directors. Ilyas Khan will act as interim CEO while the company evaluates replacement efforts.
1:16PM Evergreen Energy provides business update; completed the formation of venture with WPG Resources on June 9 (EEE) 1.87 -0.05 : On June 9, 2011, Evergreen announced it entered into a definitive agreement to form Southern Coal Holdings (SCH) with WPG Resources... In addition to the testing being conducted in partnership with WPG, Evergreen has achieved positive results on several coal upgrading tests conducted since February of 2011. The next step in the company's testing efforts is to increase the volumes being tested, which is anticipated to take place over the course of the summer. Evergreen is in the process of building its technical, engineering and business development team in Singapore, having recently appointed a senior engineering professional who will lead its Singapore presence. The company expects its Singapore operations will enable it to pursue opportunities with coal companies that own or control sub bituminous reserves in Indonesia, as well as further its efforts to add an additional K-Fuel customer by the end of 2011. The K-Fuel development efforts are ultimately aimed at establishing multiple joint ventures or other agreement structures, enabling the company to benefit from the utilization of the K-Fuel technology, focusing initially on Australia.
1:16PM RIT Technologies carries out $1 mln debt-to-equity conversion transaction (RITT) 11.33 +2.48 : Co has signed a private Share Purchase Agreement with STINS COMAN, its principal shareholder, under which it will convert an outstanding loan in the amount of $1,005,339 into 177,006 of ordinary shares at an average price of $5.68 per share. This transaction is in addition to the previous conversions completed in September 2010, May 2010 and in March, 2011, and is being executed under the terms provided in the Loan Agreement dated June 11, 2009. The completion of this transaction is subject to customary conditions, and the issuance of shares is expected to take place on June 30, 2011. Upon completion, STINS COMAN's holding will rise from ~74.14% to ~75.15% of co's voting power.
1:15PM Crude to new lows at $96.22; now off $3.03 to $96.34 (COMDX) :
1:05PM Procter & Gamble notches new session low in recent trade of 63.51, vacillating near its 200 ema/ema at 63.50/63.43 (PG) 63.58 -1.18 :
1:01PM Thoratec vacillating near its 200 sma at 30.29 (THOR) 30.30 -0.46 :
12:59PM Qualcomm testing its weekly/June low at 54.24 (QCOM) 54.24 -1.34 :
12:37PM China Integrated Energy receives Nasdaq notice to deny stay of delist pending scheduled hearing on June 30 (CBEH) 0.68 : The Nasdaq Hearings Panel notes that this suspension may be lifted after the hearing if the Panel, based on a broad review of all of the facts and arguments by the Company and staff, disagrees with Nasdaq Staff's assessment that public interest concerns warrant delisting, and grants an exception to the filing requirement. China Integrated Energy securities are quoted under the symbol CBEH.PK on OTC Pink of the OTC Markets Group Inc.
12:34PM Nasdaq Comp holds near 200 sma/weekly low at 2636/2629 -- session low 2634 (QQQ) : Market looking extended intraday as we head into midday following the breakdown over the last hour. S&P -19 flirted with its 200 ema as well at 1262 (session low 1263).
12:26PM Selling accelerates again, S&P -23 and Nasdaq 100 -39 join Dow -196 at new lows for the week/month (SPY) : Nasdaq Comp -43 still hovering slightly above its low for the week at 2629 (session low 2634).
12:24PM Crude oil approaching $97; now down $2.17 to $97.20 (COMDX) :
12:23PM New highs in dollar index push gold, silver further into the red (COMDX) :
12:22PM Another round of new session lows for stock indices -- Dow -168, S&P -20, Nasdaq Comp -39 (SPY) : S&P and Nasdaq Cop are still holding slightly above their weekly lows.
12:17PM Crude to new lows at $97.97; now off $1.29 to $98.08 (COMDX) :
12:01PM Gold, silver back into negative territory (COMDX) :
* Gold now down $1.40 to $1523.00.
* Silver flat at $35.42.
12:00PM Lockheed Martin received a $445 mln follow-on contract from U.S. Army (LMT) 79.54 -0.10 : Co has received a $445 mln follow-on contract for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Unitary rockets from the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command. This is the U.S. Army's sixth purchase of the precision munition, with almost 2,000 GMLRS rockets fired in support of U.S. and allied military operations to date. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in December 2012.
12:00PM Dow -143 slipped under Monday's trough at 11917 to set a minor new low for the week/month of 11915 (DIA) : The other market averages have not confirmed the new lows for the week. The Nasdaq 100 is back trading between its 200 ema/sma (2222/2216, session low 2218) and just above it June low (2214).
11:50AM New session lows across the board for stock indices -- Dow -152, S&P -18, Nasdaq Comp -33 (TECHX) : Energy/Commodity and Finance have provided downside leadership but the technical breach of morning lows also appears to have triggered program selling as well.
11:47AM Corn futures trade lower on broad commodity weakness largely driven by strength in the dollar index, corn is now trading lower by almost the exchange limit; down 29 cents (or 3.8%) at $7.27/bu (COMDX) : The dollar index remains up 0.9% at 75.308. Wheat is - 2.4% at $7.13/bu and soybeans are -0.3 at $13.64/bu.
11:43AM Gold, silver pulling back as well as dollar surges to new highs (COMDX) :
* Gold now up $3.60 to $1528.00.
* Silver higher by 22 cents to $35.63.
11:43AM Crude drops sharply back toward lows; now off 70 cents to $98.67 (COMDX) :
11:39AM IAMGOLD acquired 5 mln common shares of Avnel Gold Mining (TSX: AVK) (IAG) 20.02 -0.32 : Co now owns 16.25 mln common shares of Avnel or ~8.48% of the outstanding common shares.
11:38AM S&P -13 dips to new low, Dow -113 and Nasdaq Comp -26 are hovering just above their lows (SPY) :
11:37AM Relative sector weakness in recent trade (TECHX) : Underperforming the S&P are: Oil Service OIH, Energy XLE, Commodity Index, Ag/Chem MOO, Materials XLB, Gold Miners GDX, Coal KOL, Steel SLX, Solar TAN, Silver SLV, Retail XRT.
11:33AM Molycorp opening push quickly stalled, recently slipped to new low in the red (MCP) 50.91 -0.06 :
11:32AM Kandi Technologies receives provincial Government approval for subsidy on 3,000 new energy vehicles in Jinhua (KNDI) 2.08 +0.18 : Co reported that it has received formal provincial government approval on the application of the new energy vehicle pilot program in Jinhua City, located in the Zhejiang Province. The formal approval, received on June 13, 2011, provides RMB 15 mln ($2.3 mln) per year in government subsidies to residents of Jinhua to be used for the purchase of 3,000 Kandi clean energy vehicles through 2012.
11:30AM Financial Select Sector weakens again in recent action, retests session low at 14.83 (XLF) 14.86 -0.20 : BAC -2.1%, JPM -1.7%, TRV -0.8%, GS -0.6%, STT -1.1%, C -1.4%, PNC -1.2%, BK -2%, BBT -1.4%, USB -1.9%, WFC -1.9%.
11:20AM Rails showing some relative strength in recent action -- KSU, UNP, NSC, CSX (TECHX) :
11:10AM Currency Chart Watch: Dollar Index sets new high for week/month (UUP) : After stalling at its 50 sma/ema over the last few sessions the Dollar Index has pushed to a new high for the week/month today. The session high is 75.18 with short term resistance at 75.27 (62% retrace of May-June slide). The 2011 down-sloping trendline comes into play thereafter in the 75.40 area (Click for chart).
11:03AM Crude puts in highs above $100 at $100.04; now up 50 cents to $99.88 (COMDX) :
11:01AM Donegal Group announces preliminary estimate of April and May storm impact; ~$13-15 mln for Q2 of 2011 (DGICA) 13.05 -0.03 : Co announced that it expects the severe storm activity in April and May to result in estimated pre-tax weather-related claims, net of reinsurance, of ~$13-15 mln for the second quarter of 2011. These claims include $7-8 mln from wind and hail events in the Mid-Atlantic region, $4-5 mln from the numerous tornadoes that hit Southern states and $2 mln from wind and hail events in Midwestern states. Catastrophe and other weather-related claims impacted the co pre-tax second quarter of 2010 results by ~$10 mln after reinsurance. "Although we expect the unusual frequency of April and May storm activity in our operating areas to impact our second quarter results of operations, our relatively conservative reinsurance program will temper the severity of that impact. Co's insurance subsidiaries expect to recover losses incurred above their respective retention levels on reinsurance contracts with external reinsurers and Donegal Mutual Insurance. As a result, the co's insurance subsidiaries will cede ~$3 mln in premiums to reinstate their reinsurance coverage for the remainder of 2011. Co's net earned premiums will reflect a reduction in that amount for the second quarter of 2011.
10:48AM Crude, gold, silver all trade to new highs (COMDX) :
10:38AM Mechel Steel reports the temporary halt of the Sibirginskaya mine (MTL) 26.59 -0.40 : Co reports the temporary halt of the Sibirginskaya mine owned by Southern Kuzbass Coal Company OAO. At the Sibirginskaya mine, a heightened level of fire gases was detected in the mined-out area of the long wall 3-1-9, which indicates self-heating of coal. Due to that, mining works at the site were halted and all miners returned to the surface. The date when mining is resumed will be determined once the project of liquidating the source of self-heating is complete. The mine's storages hold enough coal for the company to meet all its contractual obligations. Halting the mine's work will not impact the construction project for Sibirginskaya's second line, which, when completed, is due to increase the enterprise's production capacity to 2.4 mln tonnes a year.
10:36AM General Electric's Wellstream business awarded a long-term, flexible pipe and subsea equipment logistics services contract by Petroleo Brasileiro (PBR) (GE) 18.55 -0.04 : To perform the long-term contract, GE will build a dedicated 55,000 sq. metre, $90M investment Wellstream flexible pipe and subsea equipment Logistics Base in Niteroi. GE will open a new $100M investment Global Research Center in Rio de Janeiro in 2012.
10:32AM Crude currently off 12 cents to $99.25 (OIH) :
10:30AM ViroPharma announced that the European Commission has granted ViroPharma Centralized Marketing Authorization for Cinryze (VPHM) 18.11 +0.06 : Co announced that the European Commission has granted ViroPharma Centralized Marketing Authorization for Cinryze in adults and adolescents with hereditary angioedema for routine prevention, pre-procedure prevention and acute treatment of angioedema attacks. The approval also includes a self administration option for appropriately trained patients included in the Summary of Product Characteristics. HAE is a rare, debilitating and potentially life-threatening genetic disorder that affects at least 10,000 people in Europe.
10:27AM S&P -9.3 slips back off morning rebound high (SPY) : As noted in early trade the index stabilized near the 62% retracement of the Mon-Tues rally at 1275 and recovered some ground over the next 30 minutes. Now is the first test for the bulls. Can the index simply form a choppy consolidation and hold above the 1277 and 1275 intraday levels? If so this would set-up another leg to the upside with intraday levels above at 1284 and 1286.
10:15AM Merge Healthcare announces offering of $52 mln senior secured notes (MRGE) 4.85 -0.12 : Co intends to offer $52 mln aggregate principal amount of 11.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2015. The new notes are being offered as additional debt securities under an indenture pursuant to which Merge previously issued $200 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Notes due 2015.
10:08AM Minor new bounce highs for stock indices -- Dow -62, S&P -6.7, Nasdaq Comp -10 (SPY) :
10:02AM Seeing some relative strength off low in Restaurant (TECHX) : MCD, PNRA, DRI, PFCB, WEN, EAT, YUM, CMG.
10:02AM Saga Comms closed on its new $120 mln credit agreement (SGA) 36.30 -0.51 : Co closed on its new $120 mln Credit Agreement. The facility includes a $60 mln term loan and a $60 mln revolving loan. The loan facility was initially funded in the amount of $92.1 mln. The Company intends to reduce the balance outstanding by $4.1 mln on June 16, 2011 leaving a balance of $88 m
10:01AM Boeing to boost 737 production rate to 42 airplanes per month in 2014 (BA) 74.23 -0.41 : Co announced it will increase the production rate for its Next-Generation 737 to 42 airplanes per month. Once implemented in the first half of 2014, the 737 program expects to build on average two 737s each workday and nearly 500 airplanes each year. The 737 program currently produces 31.5 airplanes per month and expects to go to 35 per month in early 2012, 38 per month in second quarter 2013, and then to 42 per month in the first half of 2014. The rate increase is not expected to have a material impact on 2011 financial results.
10:00AM DPL Inc.'s Dayton Power & Light seeks bids for coal supply (DPL) 30.11 +0.02 : Co issued a request for proposals for coal for use at its two Ohio River electric generating stations in Aberdeen and Wrightsville, Ohio. DP&L is seeking proposals for coal delivery for quantities up to two mln tons, with delivery beginning January 2012 through December 2013. Proposals with alternative quantities will be considered. DP&L is interested in offers for all types of coal.
9:58AM Opening Point Gainers/Losers (TECHX) : Point Gainers: DST (+7.77), P (+7.00), REGN (+3.26), NFEC (+1.80), BYI (+1.55), TZOO (+1.83), RITT (+1.53), AMZN (+1.68), LULU (+1.46), KFY (+1.15), REE (+1.20)
Point Losers: XIV (-4.85), SPWRA (-3.38), AAPL (-3.25), LO (-2.31), PKC (-2.51), OI (-2.52), CF (-2.72), TUR (-2.05), PCLN (-1.58), SMG (-1.85), AVEO (-1.87), APKT (-2.15)
9:48AM Amazon.com rebounds 1.2% off low back into positive territory (AMZN) 190.14 +0.18 : Yesterday's high is at 190.72 with the top of its now eight day trading range at 191.76.
9:47AM Caterpillar more than lifts 1% off morning low of 96.06 (CAT) 96.87 -0.99 :
9:44AM S&P -24 and Nasdaq Comp -23 hold near retracement support (SPY) : The market was hit hard off the open but both the S&P and Nasdaq Comp have held at the 62% retracement support of the recent bounce at 1275 and 2651 with some minor upticks noted.
9:41AM Discover Financial Services edges above its 50 ema at 23.57 after limited opening weakness -- session low 22.88 (DFS) 23.65 +0.47 :
9:39AM ATP Oil & Gas priced a public offering of 1,500,000 shares of Series B 8.00% convertible perpetual preferred stock (ATPG) 15.58 -0.38 : Co announced that it has priced a public offering of 1.5 mln shares of Series B 8.00% convertible perpetual preferred stock ATP is using a portion of the net proceeds of this offering to buy a capped call transaction. The capped call transaction covers ~13.1 mln common shares and can prevent any dilution of outstanding common shares up to a share price of $27.50. Credit Suisse Securities will act as book-running manager and Rodman & Renshaw as a co-manager for the offering.
9:38AM Gold now about 10 points above flat line in recent rally; currently higher by $9.20 to $1533.50 (COMDX) :
9:37AM Sector Watch -- Relataive Strength (TECHX) : Education (STRA, CPLA, LOPE, EDMC, COCO, CECO) and Gold (IAG, GG, AEM, ABX, KGC, NEM, GFI) are displaying some relative strength. Finance XLF and Steel SLX have shown some minor relative strength on the push off early lows.
9:35AM Gold issues showing some initial relative strength out of the gate -- RGLD, GOLD, SA, KGC, RGLD, NEM, AUY, GLD (GDX) 53.54 +0.16 :
9:35AM Gold, silver spike into positive territory (COMDX) :
* Gold now up $2.50 to $1526.90.
* Silver higher by 9 cents to $35.50.
9:26AM Pressure BioSciences granted extension to October 3, 2011 to regain compliance with NASDAQ minimum stockholders' equity requirement (PBIO) 0.96 +0.01 :
9:20AM SunPower and Total confirmed transaction of previously announced cash tender offer (SPWRA) 20.67 : Total (TOT) and SunPower (SPWRA, SPWRB) announced the success of Total's all-cash tender on SunPower to create a new global leader in the solar industry. Total has accepted for payment 30,220,701 shares of Class A common stock and 25,220,000 shares of Class B common stock at a purchase price of $23.25 per share for a total cost of $1.3 bln.
9:20AM MakeMusic appoints Karen van Lith as Chief Executive Officer (MMUS) 4.99 : Co announced its board of directors has appointed Karen van Lith as president, CEO and director, effective June 13, 2011. Van Lith replaces interim CEO, Jeff Koch, who will remain on the board of directors.
9:16AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) and Guodian United Power Technology Company signed a strategic cooperation agreement to work together in exploring opportunities in the wind industry in the United States.
* EMS Global Resource Management, a division of mobile connectivity leader EMS Technologies (ELMG) introduced the OCC-600 console, the latest operations control console for Search and Rescue solutions.
* Sprint (S) announced that it is partnering with Lookout Mobile Security to give its customers the ability to download an application to help protect the important information stored on their smartphone or tablet.
* Great Lakes Solutions, (CHMT) will increase prices in all regions on CD-75 and SP-75 based products by $1.50/kg, where contracts allow, for all new orders placed effective July 1, 2011.
* Sterling Construction (STRL) announced that its subsidiary, Texas Sterling Construction, with a bid of $61,952,016, was apparent low bidder on a six mile section of the SH 121 Southwest Parkway project for the North Texas Tollway Authority.
* Calix (CALX) announced that Broadband Stimulus award winner West Kentucky and Tennessee Telecommunications Cooperative has selected the Calix B6 ethernet service access nodes and the 700GE family of optical network terminals for its fiber forward initiative across western Kentucky and Tennessee.
9:16AM Perrigo announces launch of the generic version of Nasacort (PRGO) 84.66 : Co announced that its partner Teva Pharmaceutical (TEVA) has begun shipping Triamcinolone Acetonide Nasal Spray. Perrigo's partner Teva was the first applicant to file a complete ANDA with a Paragraph IV certification for Nasacort AQ and will be launching the product with 180 days of generic exclusivity.
9:15AM Research In Motion: Dolby (DLB) confirms suing RIMM for patent infringement; seeks sales halt of unlicensed Blackberry and Playbook devices and monetary damages for past use (RIMM) 35.76 : Dolby Laboratories (DLB), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Dolby International, confirms filing patent infringement lawsuits in the U.S. and Germany against RIMM. The lawsuits seek recovery of financial damages and injunctions to halt sales of the many RIMM products that infringe Dolby's patents. The lawsuits explain that RIM infringes Dolby patents covering highly efficient digital audio compression technologies which allow manufacturers and consumers to provide and enjoy high quality audio while using extremely limited amounts of transmission and/or storage space for such audio. RIM employs Dolby's patented technologies in its Blackberry smart phones and Playbook tablet devices, without having obtained licenses from Dolby, the lawsuits say. All other major smart phone makers have agreed to license the Dolby technologies which are the subject of this litigation.
9:08AM Gold, silver moving back toward flat line after bouncing off lows (COMDX) :
* Gold now off $2.50 to $1521.90.
* Silver down 17 cents to $35.24.
9:07AM Johnson & Johnson: Cordis announces discontinuation of NEVO sirolimus-eluting coronary stent (JNJ) 67.11 : Cordis announced it will no longer pursue the development of the NEVO Sirolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent in order to focus on other cardiovascular therapies where significant patient need exists. The company will also stop the manufacture of CYPHER? and CYPHER SELECT? Plus Sirolimus-Eluting Coronary Stents by the end of 2011. (see 9:03 comment also)
9:04AM Cardium Therapeutics received clearance from the Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development to commence a Phase 3 registration study for its Generx (CXM) 0.29 : Co announces it has received clearance from the Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development to commence a Phase 3 registration study for its Generx biologic product candidate.
9:03AM United Online's FTD Subsidiary Refinances Senior Secured Credit Facilities (UNTD) 5.61 : Co announces that its wholly-owned subsidiary, FTD Group, Inc., has entered into a new credit agreement with various lenders, Wells Fargo Securities, as sole lead arranger and sole book runner, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent for the lenders, to refinance its senior secured credit facilities. The Credit Agreement provides FTD with a $315 mln senior secured credit facility consisting of a $265 mln seven-year term loan facility and a $50 mln five-year revolving credit facility and certain other financial accommodations including letters of credit.
9:03AM Johnson & Johnson expects to record an after-tax restructuring charge in the range of $500-$600 mln in 2Q11 as a result of restructuring plans announced by its subsidiary, Cordis (JNJ) 67.10 : The restructuring charge will be treated as a special item.
9:02AM China Precision Steel announced the early retirement of Wo Hing Li, co's Chairman, for health related issues (CPSL) 1.04 : Co announces the early retirement of Dr. Wo Hing Li, the Company's Chairman and member of the Board of Directors, effective June 14, 2011, due to health related issues. Meanwhile China Precision Steel will continue to progress under the stewardship and direction of its executive management team Mr. Hai Sheng Chen, CEO, Ms. Leada Li, CFO and Mr. Zu De Jiang, COO.
9:02AM Fisher Communications agrees to sell its Great Falls, Montana radio stations; financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed (FSCI) 26.95 :
9:01AM Nucor sees Q2 EPS below consensus, up 160-180% YoY and 50-60% QoQ (NUE) 40.71 : Co sees Q2 EPS of $0.75-0.80 vs $0.86 Capital IQ Consensus Estimate, including a $0.06 IFO charge. "As we expected, our profitability has significantly improved from the first quarter to the second quarter, as price increases for steel mill products caught up with higher raw material costs. We continue to believe that end markets such as automotive, heavy equipment, energy, and general manufacturing have experienced some real demand improvement. These increases in profits were achieved despite the rebalancing by our customers of supply chain inventories, the impact on the manufacturing/auto sector of the devastating Japanese earthquake/tsunami and the lost sales, production and shipments from the weather-related power outages and historic river flooding in North America. Q3 should not see a continuation of these weather-related issues. Improvement in real demand is most evident in special bar quality, sheet and plate products sold to the manufacturing, industrial and energy sectors. The most challenging markets for our products continue to be those associated with residential and non-residential construction. We do expect continued stability in order rates as raw material prices have been less volatile than in 2010."
9:00AM Endologix announces FDA approval of AFX Endovascular AAA system (ELGX) 7.62 :
9:00AM AVEO Pharma announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 5,750,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $17.50 per share to the public (AVEO) 19.09 : Co announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 5,750,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $17.50 per share to the public. All of the shares are being sold by AVEO. The gross proceeds to AVEO from this offering are expected to be approximately $100.6 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, and other estimated offering expenses payable by AVEO.
8:47AM Host Hotels authorizes increases quarterly dividend to $0.03 per share from $0.01 per share previous Q to shareholders of record date June 30 (HST) 16.12 :
8:46AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) announced that it has introduced the Affirmed Cleared interdealer workflow on the ICE Link Platform. ICE Link's launch of A C enables same-day clearing of credit default swap trades.
* Foster Wheeler AG (FWLT) announced that a subsidiary of its Global Engineering and Construction Group has been awarded a contract by Preem AB Preemraff Lysekil to perform the basic engineering design and front-end engineering design for Preem's Energy Savings Program 2013 Turnaround at the Preemraff Lysekil oil refinery.
* Rovi (ROVI) and Suddenlink have announced that the two companies have agreed to collaborate to bring Rovi TotalGuide Applications, including TotalGuide for set top boxes and TotalGuide xD, to market.
* PositiveID (PSID) announced that it has partnered with CanCare Health Services to launch PositiveID's iglucose mobile health solution for diabetes management in Canada.
* Cardinal Health (CAH) announced that it has signed a renewed, three-year agreement with Prime Therapeutics, to continue to serve as its primary pharmaceutical supply chain partner for its mail-service pharmacy, PrimeMail.
* Humana Military Healthcare Services (HUM) announced that it has received notification of the decision by the Government Accountability Office to uphold the award of the South Region TRICARE Third Generation contract to Humana Military by the Department of Defense TRICARE Management Activity rejecting the protest initiated by a competing bidder.
8:42AM Las Vegas Sands: Sands China announces $3.5 bln refinancing (LVS) 39.58 : Sands China, majority owned subsidiary of Las Vegas Sands, received lender commitments for $3.5 bln and will have the option to raise an incremental $1.0 bln of new senior secured credit facilities under existing baskets within the new credit facilities. The new facilities will consist of a $3.0 billion five-year Term Loan A and an undrawn $500 million five-year Revolver.
8:33AM OptionsXpress reports May metrics; Retail DARTs -12% YoY (OXPS) 16.54 : Co reports May retail daily average revenue trades (DARTs) of 32,600 - 12% lower than May 2010, 10% lower than April 2011. Institutional daily average revenue trades (DARTs) of 17,500 - 13% lower than May 2010, 31% higher than April 2011. Net new customer accounts of 2,300. Ending customer accounts of 394,900 - 9% higher than May 2010, 1% higher than April 2011. Ending client assets of $8.5 billion - 19% higher than May 2010, 2% lower than April 2011.
8:31AM Virgin Media repurchasd 325,000 shares of common stock on June 14, 2011 at $31.56-$31.89 (VMED) 31.67 :
8:31AM Crude oil pulling back toward overnight lows following econ data; currently off $1.06 to $98.31 (COMDX) :
8:25AM Gold, silver trade to their lowest levels of the morning as the dollar continues to rally (COMDX) :
* Gold now off $9.20 to $1515.20.
* Silver currently lower by 58 cents to $34.84.
8:19AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* Veeco Instruments (VECO) announced that Tsinghua Tongfang has placed an order for Veeco's new TurboDisc MaxBright Multi-Reactor MOCVD system for production of high-brightness light-emitting diodes Endace.
* Cavium Networks (CAVM) announced that it is accelerating mass deployment of its latest OCTEON processors through a collaboration for 3G/4G systems with Samsung Electronics.
* West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) started construction for a compression molding plant in the Shanghai Qingpu Industrial Zone in China.
* Alkermes (ALKS) announced the initiation of a phase 1/2 study of ALKS 5461 for treatment-resistant depression.
* JP Morgan Chase (JPM) announced it doubled its lending through the Small Business Administration in the first half of fiscal 2011 - providing $448 mln to help businesses and the U.S. economy grow.
* Rambus (RMBS) announced the development of a fast power-on, low-power clocking technology that can enable a whole new class of memory devices.
* Varian Medical Systems (VAR) announced it has received Shonin approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to market the TrueBeam system for image-guided radiotherapy and radiosurgery in Japan.
8:08AM Boeing to build 10 C-17 Airlifters for Indian Air Force; establishes India as the C-17's largest international customer (BA) 74.64 : Co announces that India's Ministry of Defence has signed an agreement with the U.S. government to acquire 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifters. The Foreign Military Sale establishes India as the C-17's largest international customer. According to the agreement, India will take delivery of its C-17s in 2013 and 2014.
8:05AM Perma-Fix Enviro to sell Perma-Fix of Ft. Lauderdale for approx $5.5 mln (PESI) 1.45 : Co announces it has signed a definitive agreement to sell Perma-Fix of Ft. Lauderdale for approximately $5.5 million subject to certain working capital adjustments. The closing of this Agreement is subject to certain conditions being met. "In addition, we are continuing to move forward in our negotiations for a definitive agreement to sell our Perma-Fix of Orlando facility."
8:04AM Noah Education noah announces share repurchase program and management changes (NED) 2.10 : Co has authorized a new program to repurchase up to US$15 million American Depositary Shares on or before June 30, 2013. The share repurchase program will be funded with the available working capital. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $75 mln, representing cash per ADS of US$2.03... Co also announced the promotion of interim Chief Financial Officer Dora Li to the permanent position of CFO, effective June 10, 2011. In addition, co announced the resignation of Ruchun Zhang from the position of interim President and Chief Operating Officer effective June 10, 2011. Zhang resigned from the position of Board Secretary on April 13, 2011, and Ms. Xu Qin was appointed Board Secretary on the same day.
8:02AM Owens-Illinois now expects second quarter adjusted net earnings will be down from the prior year period (OI) 29.54 : Co intends to update the co's second quarter business outlook today at the Deutsche Bank Global Industries and Basic Materials Conference. Entering the period, the company anticipated second quarter results would be in line with the prior year, but O-I now expects second quarter adjusted net earnings will be down from the prior year period. Segment operating profit margins in the second quarter of 2011 will likely decline between 3 and 6 percentage points from second quarter 2010 levels (consensus expectations are for EPS of $0.85 in 2Q11, vs. $0.90 in 2Q10)... Demand remains strong across most markets and end-use categories, with the notable exceptions of Australia and New Zealand and beer in North America. Yet, higher than expected costs will more than offset the benefit of stronger global shipments. While significant cost inflation was already anticipated heading into the second quarter, O-I also has incurred additional manufacturing and delivery costs. As a result, O-I will not fully realize the operating leverage expected from higher production levels in the second quarter of 2011.
8:02AM Dresser-Rand's Olean Operation Ratifies New Competitive Labor Agreement (DRC) 50.11 : Co confirmed that the members of the United Steelworkers Union Local 4601, representing 433 workers at Dresser-Rand Company's Olean, New York facility, have ratified a new labor agreement. The contract is effective June 15, 2011, through June 14, 2014.
8:02AM New Gold announces its plan for the continued exploration of the recently acquired Blackwater Project (NGD) 9.12 : Co announces its plan for the continued exploration of the recently acquired Blackwater Project. Following acquisition of the Blackwater Project on June 1, 2011, New Gold is now planning to significantly increase the exploration program at the project and is targeting 40,000 to 50,000 metres of drilling in the second half of 2011. New Gold is budgeting $20 million for this exploration program.
8:02AM Masimo announces rainbow agreement with Philips (MASI) 28.70 : Co announced that it has reached a long-term non-exclusive agreement under which Philips will integrate Masimo rainbow SET technology into Philips' products. Masimo expects to begin diligent co-development projects with Philips, which should allow rainbow SET technology to be available in Philips' products worldwide.
8:00AM Peregrine Pharma reports promising 12.4 month overall survival data from Phase II trial in non-small cell lung cancer (PPHM) 1.79 : Co reported promising median overall survival (MOS) of 12.4 months from a Phase II clinical trial evaluating bavituximab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with previously untreated, locally-advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This survival is 20% longer than the 10.3 month MOS from a separate historic control trial using carboplatin and paclitaxel alone in a similar patient population. Peregrine is currently enrolling patients in a randomized Phase II trial in front-line NSCLC evaluating this same therapeutic combination in up to 86 patients.
7:56AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* Science Applications International (SAI) announced it was awarded a prime contract by the Federal Highway Administration to provide technical and programmatic services in support of the Office of Freight Management and Operations and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
* Novatel Wireless (NVTL) announced that Enfora and SeeControl will team up and combine their respective expertise to offer enterprises and wireless carriers an enterprise grade M2M solution.
7:54AM Zhongpin elected Xiaosong Hu as a Director, effective as of June 16; will serve on the Audit and Compensation Committees (HOGS) 12.65 :
7:39AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* Palatin Technologies (PTN) announced presentation and publication of a report on validation of a scale for subjective male sexual arousal. The underlying study was supported by grants from Palatin.
* Gentium (GENT) announced the appointment of Link Pharmaceuticals as exclusive distributor of Defibrotide in Australia and New Zealand. Under the terms of the agreement, Link will be responsible for managing named patient requests.
* Protalix BioTherapeutics (PLX), announced that Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency has completed a successful GMP audit of the co's manufacturing facility in Carmiel, Israel, and determined that the facility is acceptable.
* Infosys (INFY) announced the availability of Infosys Health Benefit Exchange, a cost effective solution designed to help states set up the insurance exchanges mandated in the Affordable Care Act.
* A device in the Freescale Semiconductor (FSL) Kinetis 32-bit microcontroller portfolio has achieved unprecedented levels of performance across the full CPU frequency range in an industry-standard benchmark test.
7:37AM Taubman Centers prices 1.75 mln shares at $56.50 per share (TCO) 57.24 :
7:33AM Alliance Data total managed portfolio reports May NCO/avg. receivables 7.2%; avg receivables -3% YoY at $4.86 bln (ADS) 87.94 :
7:30AM Broadsoft prices $100 mln convertible senior note offering (BSFT) : Co announced the pricing of its offering of $100 million aggregate principal amount of 1.50% convertible senior notes due 2018. Co intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes, including potential acquisitions of complementary businesses, products or technologies.
7:17AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* NCR Corporation (NCR) announced the global launch of the next generation of NCR Financial Kiosks, which provide automated service options for financial services companies looking to offer a new customer channel in branches or off-site locations.
* Actuate Corporation (BIRT) announced that The Association For Manufacturing Technology has launched MTInsight, platform for its membership that runs on BIRT onDemand.
* Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (SPPI) announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the purchase of up to $25 mln of its common stock through the end of 2012.
* The Princeton Review (REVU) and MyEdu announced a partnership that will benefit students throughout their entire educational lifecycle with expanded resources for graduate school planning and testing.
7:06AM Aviva announces John McFarlane will become deputy chairman January 1, 2012 and take up the position of chairman from Lord Sharman of Redlynch at the end of June 2012 (AV) 14.30 : John McFarlane is currently a non-executive director of Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc and Westfield Holdings and was for 10 years CEO of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group.
7:04AM Spectrum Pharma authorizes stock repurchase program up to $25 mln through the end of 2012 (SPPI) 8.71 :
7:04AM PURE Bioscience obtains NSF registration for PURE hard surface as no-rinse sanitizer in food processing areas (PURE) 0.91 :
7:02AM GlobalStar's Spot announced its SPOT HUG system meets the requirements of Chartis' Global Marine division for security protection on-board various vessels (GSAT) 1.19 :
7:01AM Aceto issues an open letter to shareholders providing a strategic update on the company (ACET) 6.96 : The letter says "Consistent with our policy, in this letter we will not be providing any specific guidance or projections related to our fiscal 2011 financial results. This is being written today because as we move into our fiscal year 2012 we are excited about the progress we have made and direction for the future we have put in-place... Over the next several years, we see Aceto evolving into a company primarily focused on basic human needs in the health sciences and agricultural protection industries, both of which share many common elements in their business fundamentals and logistics."
7:01AM Sensata Tech acquires the shares of Sensor-NITE Group Companies from Elex Group for EUR225 mln or ~$325 mln; expected to be accretive to earnings (ST) 33.92 : Co announces that it has reached an agreement whereby certain ST companies will acquire the shares of Sensor-NITE Group Companies from Elex Group for EUR225 mln or ~$325 mln. Co expects to have sufficient cash on the balance sheet to fund the transaction, but may also consider using debt based on the favorability of market conditions. Co expects the transaction to be accretive to earnings. Co further expects that the acquisition will contribute to both net revenue and Adjusted Net Income growth in 2011 and beyond. Sensor-NITE recorded revenues of ~$135 mln in 2010.
6:34AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* Compass Minerals (CMP) will increase its magnesium chloride production capacity from 550,000 liquid tons to 1 mln tons by 2015.
* Microchip Technology (MCHP) and Stratford Digital today announced a full, turnkey, 16-bit microcontroller development platform that enables educators to quickly and easily integrate Microchip into their curriculum.
* Chemtura (CHMT) announced the launch of its new contract and toll manufacturing service which offers manufacturing solutions from an experienced production partner.
* Siemens Enterprise Communications announced it will resell the inContact (SAAS) cloud contact center portfolio as OpenScape Cloud Contact Center. In addition, an affiliate of Siemens Enterprise Communications will make an equity investment in inContact to fund the acceleration of development and go to market initiatives.
6:23AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* inContact (SAAS) announced that it has entered into a worldwide distribution agreement with global unified communications leader Siemens Enterprise Communications. In addition, an affiliate of Siemens Enterprise Communications has made a strategic investment in the co. According to the agreement, Siemens Enterprise Communications is committed to pay a minimum of $15 million of net software revenue to inContact over a 2-year timeframe, with $5 mln committed in 2012 and $10 mln committed in 2013.
* STMicroelectronics (STM) and CMP announced that the CMOS 28nm process from STMicroelectronics is now available for prototyping to universities, research labs and companies through the silicon brokerage services provided by CMP.
* Unisys (UIS) announced a range of value-added services that enable providers to integrate voice-based services with social media channels to drive new sources of revenue and enhance the user experience of their subscribers.
* National Technical Systems (NTSC) announced that its National Quality Assurance joint venture subsidiary has formed a partnership with global food safety leader NCS International to offer a wide range of food safety registrations for customers in North America and Europe.
* Maxwell Technologies (MXWL) introduced a 12-volt ultracapacitor module that ensures reliable engine starting for commercial trucks and other heavy vehicles.
* Citrix Systems (CTXS) announced a strategic investment in Cotendo, a leading provider of innovative content delivery network mobile content acceleration and optimization services.
6:05AM Kinder Morgan Partners - Capano (CPNO) JV increase processing capacity in Eagle Ford Shale with partnership with Williams Partners (WPZ) (KMP) 71.12 : Eagle Ford Gathering,a 50/50 JV between Kinder Morgan Energy (KMP) and Copano Energy (CPNO) announce a long-term agreement with Williams Partners (WPZ) to process Eagle Ford Shale production at Williams Partners' Markham processing plant located in Matagorda County, Texas. Eagle Ford Gathering will construct a 7-mile, 20-inch lateral to connect its previously announced crossover pipeline project to the Markham plant and install ~3,400 horsepower of compression at a cost of ~$27 mln. The agreement will initially provide Eagle Ford Gathering with 100 mln cubic feet per day of processing capacity at the Markham plant, with an option to increase its capacity to up to 200 mln cubic feet per day.
6:03AM Central Pacific Financial announces public offering of common stock owned by the US Department of the Treasury (CPF) 14.13 : Co announces that the United States Department of the Treasury plans to offer all 5,620,117 shares of the co's common stock it currently holds in an underwritten public offering. Treasury acquired the shares on February 18, 2011 as part of the co's recapitalization in exchange for 135,000 shares of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock.
6:02AM Harbinger announces consent solicitation of its 10.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2015 (HRG) 5.91 :
5:37AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* Volvo (VOLVY) Buses has secured an order for 328 articulated buses for New York City through its subsidiary Nova Bus. The order is valued at $231 mln.
* NextGen Healthcare, a wholly owned subsidiary of Quality Systems (QSII) announced that Hanger Orthopedic Group will deploy NextGen Ambulatory EHR and NextGen Practice Management.
* PMC-Sierra, (PMCS) introduced its latest generation of SAS/SATA protocol controllers, which doubles the performance and port density of existing solutions.
* BNY Mellon (BK) announced the creation of a new company to clear futures and derivatives trades on behalf of institutional clients in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
* TechFaith Wireless Technology (CNTF) announced it will launch a new mobile social media solution in China called "17Talk", along with "17Store", through its subsidiary TechFaith Software China, a joint venture co with QUALCOMM (QCOM).
* Top Image Systems (TISA) announced that it has successfully implemented a digital mailroom solution in partnership with Williams Lea for a leading German bank.
5:09AM Paramount Gold and Silver reports new drill results expand San Francisco deposit and Discover new higher grade veins at its San Miguel Project in Mexico (PZG) 3.68 : Co announces new assay results from its ongoing drilling program at the San Miguel project in Mexico have extended the bulk-mineable San Francisco deposit and discovered a new, closely-spaced swarm of higher grade gold-silver veins named Santa Clara. Only five holes were permitted and drilled to date on the promising Don Ese Sur target located 3.5 km south of last year's Don Ese high grade vein discovery. One of these holes generated two significant intercepts, with grades up to 78 g/t of silver, while the other four returned no significant values. However, Don Ese Sur remains an important target with more than 1.6 km of strike length left to explore and 15 more holes planned once permits are obtained. One of four initial holes drilled on the new La Verde and El Ojito targets produced an intercept with good grade while the other three had no significant intervals.
4:40AM UK May Claimant Count +4.6% vs +4.6% in Apr (EWU) 18.03 : May Jobless Claims +19.6K vs revised 16.9K in Apr (12.4K prior) .
3:12AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* Vista Gold (VGZ) announced that on June 13, 2011, the co's wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into an acquisition of additional option agreement with Pan Asia Resources. The Additional Option Agreement provides Pan Asia with the opportunity to earn an additional 20% interest in the Corporation's Awak Mas gold project in Indonesia after it has earned a 60% interest in the project pursuant to the JV Agreement.
* VASCO Data Security International (VDSI) launched DIGIPASS 836, a smart card reader with an optical interface and replaceable batteries.
* Barrick Gold (ABX) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Barrick Canada, announced that an additional 37,898,384 common shares of Equinox Minerals representing ~4% of the outstanding Equinox Shares on a fully diluted basis were deposited and have been taken up under the offer by the Offeror to acquire all of the Equinox Shares at a price of CAD8.15 per Equinox Share.
* Corning (GLW) announced the opening of the Corning Advanced Technology Center, located in the Neihu Technology Park in Taipei, Taiwan.
* Verizon (VZ) is extending the range of its immersive video, or telepresence, offering to enable virtual face-to-face collaboration in more locations around the world, under a new agreement with Tata Communications (TCL).
2:28AM Cempressco Partners prices 2.67 mln IPO of at $20 per common unit, at the mid-point of the $19-21 expected range (GSJK) :
2:08AM Qiagen makes proposal to fully acquire Ipsogen; expected to be slightly dilutive to adjusted EPS in 2012, but accretive to adjusted EPS beginning in 2013 (QGEN) 19.70 : Co announces it has made an offer and entered into exclusive negotiations to purchase a 47% initial stake in Ipsogen and subsequently make a public offer to fully acquire a global leader in molecular profiling and personalized healthcare diagnostics for a broad range of hematological cancers at EUR12.90 per share. In addition, after the signing of the definitive purchase agreement and consummation of the purchase, co would launch a process to acquire all remaining shares for EUR12.90 per share. On an adjusted basis, which excludes one-time charges and integration costs, and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, the transaction would be expected to be slightly dilutive to adjusted EPS in 2012, but accretive to adjusted EPS beginning in 2013.
2:08AM AEGON N.V. completes repayment to Dutch State (AEG) 6.61 : Co announces it has fulfilled its key objective of repurchasing all of the EUR3 bln core capital securities issued to the Dutch State at the height of the financial crisis in 2008. The Dutch Central Bank has given its consent to co's repurchase of EUR 750 million of core capital. The total amount co has paid to the Dutch State amounts to EUR4.1 bln. Of this amount, EUR3 bln covered the original issue of core capital securities, while an additional EUR1.1 bln was paid in premium and interest. With the repayment completed, the co will now focus on carrying out its strategy to deliver sustainable earnings growth with an improved risk-return profile.
1:44AM Velti prices 9,828,505 ordinary shares at $15.25 per share (VELT) 15.78 :
1:41AM Graymark Healthcare prices 6 mln shares of common stock and warrants, sold together at $1.40 per fixed combo (GRMH) 1.50 :
1:40AM Energizer Personal Care responds to FDA final rule for testing and labeling of OTC sunscreen products; new rules mainly affect labeling, not formulas of sunscreen (ENR) 70.09 : Additionally, the FDA announced its proposal to set an SPF limit of 50+. ENR Personal Care believes that products with SPFs higher than 50+ provide a benefit to those people with a higher sensitivity to sun damage, and also because generally people do not apply the proper amount of sunscreen. The FDA also requested information about the safety and effectiveness of continuous spray sunscreen products. Co maintains that continuous spray sunscreens are a safe and effective option for consumers seeking an alternative to lotion sunscreens.
1:29AM Pandora Media confirms pricing of 14.7 mln share IPO at $16 per share, above the upwardly-revised $10-12 expected range (prior $7-9) (P) :
1:18AM The Hanover Insurance Grp prices a $300 mln 6.375% senior notes offering due 2021 (THG) 38.56 :
1:17AM Crown Hldgs amends credit facility in the amount of $200 mln and a new euro term loan facility in the amount of EUR274 mln; includes new term loan facilities that will mature 2016 as well as the existing senior secured revolving credit facilities, which mature 2015 (CCK) 38.18 :
1:14AM Realty Income prices a $150 mln re-opening offering of 5-7/8% senior unsecured bonds due 2035 (O) 33.01 :
http://finance.yahoo.com/marketupdate/inplay
4:30 pm : Aggressive selling dropped stocks to a new three-month low. In turn, the S&P 500 is now within close contact of its 200-day moving average and down about 8% from the three-year high that it set in May.
Stocks rallied in the prior session to register their strongest single-session gain in almost two months, but that advance was completely erased by a sell-off today. Selling was rekindled by concerns related to a mix of fiscal instability and social unrest in Greece. Concerns over Greece's precarious position undercut the euro, which suffered one of its worst daily losses in months with a 1.8% drop against the dollar to $1.417.
The greenback garnered additional support in the wake of the May CPI reading, which showed a 0.2% increase in overall consumer prices. The consensus among economists polled by Briefing.com had been pegged at a 0.1% increase. Core CPI increased by 0.3%, which is greater than the 0.1% increase that had been broadly anticipated.
As for the rest of today's data, the Empire Manufacturing Survey for June came in at -7.8, which contrasts sharply with the reading of 10.0 that economists surveyed by Briefing.com had expected after the prior month's reading of 11.9. That was followed by news that industrial production for May increased by a mere 0.1%, which is less than the 0.2% that had been broadly anticipated.
Not a single sector in the S&P 500 managed to limit its loss to less than 1%. Cyclical plays suffered some of the sharpest losses after they had scored some of the strongest gains in the prior session. Materials, energy, and financials all fell more than 2%.
Widespread weakness stoked volatility today. As such, the Volatility Index spiked about 17% to a near three-month high.
Treasuries, traditional safe havens, attracted strong buying interest, which took the yield on the benchmark 10-year Note back below 3.00% after it had spiked to a 10-day high of about 3.10% during the prior session.
Advancing Sectors: None
Declining Sectors: Materials -2.3%, Energy -2.2%, Financials -2.2%, Tech -1.8%, Industrials -1.5%, Consumer Staples -1.5%, Consumer Discretionary -1.5%, Health Care -1.3%, Telecom -1.3%, Utilities -1.2%DJ30 -178.84 NASDAQ -47.26 NQ100 -1.8% R2K -1.8% SP400 -1.6% SP500 -22.45 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 550/1.98 bln/2059 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 487/1.07 bln/2592
3:30 pm : Commodities were largely driven by the events taking place in Greece today and the resulting euro weakness and dollar strength. Reports that the Greek PM would step down, in order to make way for a unity government, sent ripples through the markets including the commodities markets.
July crude oil shed 4.6% to close at $94.81 per barrel. This morning's inventory data pushed crude into positive territory, where it notched highs at $99.95, but those gains were very short lived, as the main focus soon became the events in Greece. Crude dropped to lows at $94.01, with approx an hour left in pit trade, its worst levels since Feb 22. July natural gas finished lower by 0.4% to $4.58.
August gold ended higher by 0.1% to $1526.40 per ounce, while July silver shed 0.4% to close at $35.28 per ounce. Both metals pushed higher this morning in the wake of worse-than-expected econ data, in a flight to safety. However, the strength in the dollar eventually forced the precious metals lower. Gold traded back to the flat line, where it chopped around into the close, while silver fell into negative territory, where it closed. DJ30 -182.21 NASDAQ -48.22 SP500 -23.14 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 505/1.6 bln/2016 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 490/748.6 mln/2581
3:00 pm : The Dow is now down just about 200 points for the day. That puts it well below the psychologically significant mark of 12,000. There isn't a single Dow component that has managed to put together any kind of a gain. However, credit is owed to Disney (DIS 38.53, -0.06) and McDonald's (MCD 81.41, -0.06) for limiting their losses to just fractional declines. Every other blue chip is down by about 1% or more.DJ30 -199.62 NASDAQ -48.44 SP500 -24.15 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 474/1.34 bln/2110 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 470/613 mln/2600
2:30 pm : Today's drop takes the S&P 500 down almost 8% from its three-year high. However, the financial sector, down 2.3% today, has fallen 15% from the 30-month high that it set in February. As for energy, which is now today's worst performing sector as it grapples with a 2.4% loss, is down 11% from the near three-year high that it set in April.DJ30 -180.66 NASDAQ -42.62 SP500 -21.85 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 528/1.20 bln/2052 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 482/560 mln/2574
2:00 pm : Steady selling pressure has left the major equity averages to trade at session lows. At this point, all of the prior session's gain has been erased. That puts the stock market back at its lowest level since March. Moreover, it is quickly approaching its 200-day moving average, which hasn't been touched since September.DJ30 -184.97 NASDAQ -44.93 SP500 -23.37 NASDAQ Adv/Dec 515/2039 NYSE Adv/Dec 443/2603
1:30 pm : Stocks continue to trade at their lows for the day. Declining issues outnumber advancers by more than 5-to-1 on the NYSE.
Meanwhile, the dollar continues to improve its position so that it is now up 1.6% against a basket of major foreign currencies. The swing has sent the Dollar Index to its highest level in three weeks. DJ30 -177.71 NASDAQ -40.77 SP500 -21.54 NASDAQ Adv/Dec 503/2043 NYSE Adv/Dec 459/2576
1:00 pm : Turmoil in Greece and disappointing data are driving some aggressive selling today. The effort has completely erased the prior session's gain.
During the prior session the stock market scored its strongest single-session percentage gain in almost two months, but that appears to have been little more than an intermittent relief rally in light of renewed negativity today. Sellers have resumed control over the market amid rekindled concerns about fiscal instability in Greece, not to mention images of violence in the streets of Athens in response to planned budget and austerity measures.
The euro has dropped precipitously in response to Greece's tumult. Its 1.6% loss against the greenback has helped take the Dollar Index to a 1.4% gain.
A greater-than-expected increase in consumer inflation measures has further bolstered buying interest in the dollar. Both overall CPI and core CPI increased more than expected during May.
Other data has also disappointed. Generally, the latest Empire Manufacturing Survey made an unexpected drop into negative territory. Monthly industrial production increased by less than what had been anticipated.
Few stocks have been able to escape this session's sell-off. In fact, the lack of strength anywhere in the market is made evident by the fact that all 10 major sectors are down with losses in excess of 1%.
Financials have been hit the hardest today. The sector's 2.4% drop puts it at a 2011 low. Energy stocks got some mid-morning relief when oil prices rallied to a gain in the wake of a bullish inventory report, but oil prices have since rolled over to trade with a 2.3% loss at $97.10 per barrel. Energy stocks now trade with a collective loss of 1.8%.
With so many participants looking to sell, the Volatility Index has spiked to its highest level in about three months. It is currently up 13%.
Weakness among stocks and increased volatility has spurred buying among Treasuries. That has pulled the yield on the benchmark 10-year Note back to 3.00% after it had spiked to a 10-day high of about 3.10% during the prior session. DJ30 -176.50 NASDAQ -40.68 SP500 -20.87 NASDAQ Adv/Dec 525/2005 NYSE Adv/Dec 477/2539
12:30 pm : Sharp selling pressure has completely erased all of the prior session's gain. The push lower has been broad, taking five stocks into the red for every one that has managed to muster a gain.
Although weakness is widespread, financials have been hit the hardest. The sector is now down more than 2%. Not a single name in it has managed to find positive territory. DJ30 -161.81 NASDAQ -37.59 SP500 -20.09 NASDAQ Adv/Dec 875/1966 NYSE Adv/Dec 511/2485
12:00 pm : Stocks have rolled over to extend their recent downturn. Accelerating selling pressure has sent the three major equity averages to new session lows; they are all down in excess of 1%.
Amid the increased negativity, the Volatility Index has spiked to a 10% gain, which is enough to put the "Fear Gauge" at its highest level in almost three months.
The combination of a weak stock market and increased volatility has renewed buying interest among Treasuries. In turn, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Note is back near 3.00% after it had spiked to a 10-day high of about 3.10% during the prior session.
Meanwhile, the dollar continues to climb higher. It now leads a collection of competing currencies by 1.3%. DJ30 -136.50 NASDAQ -32.47 SP500 -16.67 NASDAQ Adv/Dec 571/1898 NYSE Adv/Dec 572 /2397
11:30 am : Stocks are on the backslide, but they have yet to return to the session lows that were set earlier today. Meanwhile, the Dollar Index has ticked back up to its best level of the day for a 1.0% gain. Most of the greenback's gain has come against the euro, which was last quoted with a 1.2% loss at $1.426 amid the escalation of violence and protests in the streets of Athens, Greece. Turmoil there comes in response to ongoing struggles to implement proper austerity measures and tighter fiscal controls.DJ30 -92.41 NASDAQ -22.58 SP500 -11.36 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 671/530 mln/1787 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 705/240 mln/2279
11:00 am : The major equity averages remain in the red with sizable losses amid widespread weakness.
Energy stocks have managed to move to session highs. Their upward push has cut their collective loss to just 0.4%. That has been helped by a rally in oil prices to $99.80 per barrel for a 0.4% gain after they had been down by about 1% in early pit trade. The bounce by oil prices follows a bullish weekly inventory report.
Financials are still in rough shape. The sector's 1.0% loss makes it the worst performing sector in the market. Among financial issues, banks are in especially weak shape; as such, the KBW Bank Index is down 1.1%. DJ30 -71.56 NASDAQ -15.42 SP500 -7.86 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 835/400 mln/1560 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 892/185 mln/2030
10:35 am : A strong dollar index is weighing on most of the commodity complex this morning.
However, despite this strength, gold and silver futures rallied right as the stock market was opening, extending the uptrend that both began about an hour prior. This recent rally pushed both precious metals into positive territory and pushed gold futures about $15/oz (or 1%) higher in eight minutes to $1535.70/oz. It then pushed to new session highs of $1533.90/oz a little after that run. Silver futures saw the same action, rallying about 44 cents (or 1.2%) during those eight minutes to $35.67/oz. Gold is currently up 0.4% at $1530.50/oz and silver is 0.7% higher at $35.66/oz.
Crude oil fell into the red about an hour and a half ago. It fell below $99.50 and approched the $98 level. but never fell through it. Crude was about $98.70 ahead of inventory data, which showed a draw of 3.41 million barrels versus consensus of a draw of 1.9 million barrels, crude pushed higher to just below the unchanged line. In current action, crude is down 0.4% at $98.91/barrel. Natural gas is currently 0.7% lower at $4.55/MMBtu.DJ30 -88.93 NASDAQ -15.59 SP500 -9.61 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 694/272 mln/1651 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 692/133.3 mln/2101
10:00 am : Stocks have been trimming their losses. The effort to move higher comes after the S&P 500 secured support around the 1275 line, which was touched when the broad market measure gapped down at the open of today's trade.
The NAHB Housing Market Index for June was just posted. It came in at 13, which is down from the prior month reading of 16. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com had, on average, expected the Index to remain at 16. DJ30 -84.39 NASDAQ -16.29 SP500 -8.73 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 614/120 mln/1707 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 635/70 mln/2117
09:45 am : A precipitous drop at the start of trade took the broad market to within close reach of yesterday's opening level before support surfaced. Weakness remains widespread in that all 10 major sectors are in the red. That comes in stark contrast to early trade in the prior session.
Health care has managed to do the best job of limiting its loss this morning; the sector is down just 0.3%. Boston Scientific (BSX 7.10, +0.36) is currently a primary leader in the health care space, helping to offset weakness in among heavyweight pharmaceutical plays like Pfizer (PFE 20.40, -0.18) and Merck (MRK 35.41, -0.23). DJ30 -89.89 NASDAQ -18.22 SP500 -9.29 NASDAQ Adv/Dec 582/1717 NYSE Adv/Dec 640/2133
09:20 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -10.50. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -21.20. Premarket sellng pressure has the cash market positioned for an opening loss on the order of 1%. Such a slide would take a substantial chunk out of the prior session's rally, which was the strongest single-day advance for stocks in more than a month. The inclination to sell comes as many participants look to lock in higher prices in the midst of the stock market's downward trend, which has already lasted six weeks. Weakness among many of the major foreign equity averages has also stoked selling interest -- Asia's major averages failed to carry the prior session's positive tone into overnight trade, while Europe's bourses are battling sellers' efforts amid rekindled concerns about the implications of fiscal instability in Greece. Media this morning has relayed images of protests and violence in the streets of Athens. Data, which has featured a disappointing Empire Manufacturing Survey and a greater-than-expected increase in CPI and Core CPI, have also weighed on sentiment. The CPI data has helped drive the Dollar Index up to a gain of almost 1%. More recently, industrial production for May reportedly increased by a mere 0.1%, which is less than the 0.2% that had been broadly anticipated.
09:05 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -11.00. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -22.70. A strong bounce by the greenback has put added pressure on several widely watched commodities. In turn, the CRB Commodity Index has been clipped for a 0.7% loss. Oil has been one of the weakest performers in the commodity complex. It was last quoted with a 1.1% loss at $98.30 per barrel. Oil inventory data are due at 10:30 AM ET. Natural gas prices are down 0.8% to $4.54 per MMBtu. As for precious metals, gold was last priced with a 0.2% loss at $1522 per ounce while silver was last priced with a 0.6% loss at $35.19 per ounce.
08:35 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -9.00. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -19.20. Stock futures have surrendered several more points in response to the latest round of data, but the dollar has extended its morning advance so that it now leads a collection of competing currencies by 1.0%. So far, this morning's data has featured an ugly Empire Manufacturing Survey reading of -7.8 for June. The consensus among economists surveyed by Briefing.com had called for a reading of 10.0 after a reading of 11.9 was posted for the prior month. Consumer price inflation data were also just reported. Overall CPI for May increased by 0.2%, which is a bit greater than the 0.1% increase that had been broadly anticipated. Core CPI increased by 0.3%, which contrasts with the Briefing.com consensus call for a 0.1% increase.
08:05 am : S&P futures vs fair value: -3.00. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -10.00. Stocks rallied during the prior session for their strongest one-day advance in more than a month, but the positive tone has failed to carry over into this morning's premarket trade. Renewed negativity comes in response to rekindled concerns about the implications of Greece's fiscal instability, which has weighed on Europe's major bourses. Overnight action in Asia saw Japan's Nikkei muster a modest gain, but both Hong Kong's Hang Seng and China's Shanghai Composite fell sharply. Reports attribute weakness in the Hang Seng and Shanghai Composite to the decision by China's central bank to add another 50 basis points to the country's reserve requirement, even though there had been plenty of speculation about such a hike for some time. The decision to raise the ratio came on the heels of a generally in-line consumer price report that was released yesterday. Corporate announcements continue to be lacking, but the economic calendar remains full. CPI data are due at the bottom of the hour, along with the latest Empire Manufacturing Survey. Net Treasury International Capital Flows for April follow at 9:00 AM ET. Industrial production and capacity utilization for May will be released at 9:15 AM ET. Weekly oil inventory data are due at 10:30 AM ET.
06:30 am : [BRIEFING.COM] S&P futures vs fair value: -2.60. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -9.70.
06:30 am : Nikkei...9574.32...+26.50...+0.30%. Hang Seng...22343.77...-152.30...-0.70%.
06:30 am : FTSE...5786.18...-17.00...-0.30%. DAX...7176.08...-28.70...-0.40%.
http://finance.yahoo.com/marketupdate/update
5:59PM Cloud Peak Energy successful bidder for West Antelope II South coal tract (CLD) 19.38 -0.92 : Co announced its successful bid for the West Antelope II South Coal Tract, which was previously nominated by the company's Antelope mine. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) estimates this tract contains ~56 mln tons of mineable coal. At year-end 2010, the co's Antelope mine had an estimated 252 mln tons of coal reserves, and Cloud Peak Energy had an estimated total reserve of 970 mln tons of coal. Cloud Peak Energy successfully won the lease sale with a bid of ~$49.3 mln, or $0.875 per ton, based on the BLM's estimate of 56 mln mineable tons. The co submitted a payment for ~$9.8 mln, which is the first of five equal payments for the federal coal lease. The BLM typically awards the lease within several months after selecting a winning bidder. As previously disclosed, the West Antelope II Lease by Application (LBA) is subject to pending legal challenges filed by certain environmental organizations against the BLM and the Secretary of the Interior.
5:50PM Huntington Ingalls reports that Ingalls Shipbuilding was awarded U.S. Navy construction contract (HII) : Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), was awarded a construction contract for the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyer DDG 113. As this award represents Phase I of a competitive two-phased acquisition approach to procure FY11/FY12 DDG 51s, with Phase II including the potential award of up to three additional ships, the award amount is considered source selection-sensitive information. DDG 113 will be the 29th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer built by Ingalls.
5:41PM Valhi Inc. announces that Waste Control Specialists announces disposal contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority (VHI) 46.55- -0.27 : Waste Control Specialists LLC ("WCS"), a subsidiary of Valhi. (VHI), announced that it has entered into a contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority ("TVA") that allows TVA to dispose of Class A, B and C low-level radioactive waste, subject to regulatory approvals. This is the first contract entered into with a non-Texas Compact generator since the Texas legislature passed a bill authorizing the disposal of LLRW from non-Texas Compact generators.
5:41PM Hershey Foods names new CEO (HSY) 54.72 -0.40 : Co announced John P. Bilbrey as President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Co, effective immediately. Bilbrey has more than 30 years of global consumer packaged goods experience. He was named Hershey's interim President and Chief Executive Officer in May 2011. Bilbrey was named Chief Operating Officer in November 2010.
5:36PM Pan American Silver files amended unaudited interim financial statements to include additional IFRS disclosure (PAAS) 28.88 -0.63 : Co announced that it has filed amended and restated unaudited interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2011 to include additional disclosure in Note 2 relating to an International Financial Reporting Standards to Canadian GAAP reconciliation of equity as at March 31, 2010, as required by IFRS 1 paragraph 32(a)(i). All other information contained in the originally filed unaudited condensed interim financial statements remains unchanged. The additional disclosure does not impact the condensed consolidated statement of financial position, condensed consolidated income statement, condensed consolidated statement of cash flows nor condensed consolidated statements of shareholders' equity as previously filed.
5:33PM Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has approved NULOJIX (belatacept) (BMY) 27.42 -0.27 :
5:30PM Kirby Corp confirms and narrows its Q2 EPS guidance after impact of Mississippi River system's high water and flooding issues (KEX) 51.76 -0.54 : Co announced that it confirms and narrows its 2011 Q2 earnings guidance to the $0.72-0.77 per share range compared with 2010 Q2 ter earnings of $.54 per share. Co anticipates the Mississippi River System's high water and flooding conditions will continue until late June or early July and estimates the negative impact from the high water and flooding on its 2011 Q2's net earnings will be in the $0.07-0.08 per share range. On April 27, 2011, as part of co's Q1 earnings announcement, Kirby announced 2011 Q2 earnings guidance of $0.67-0.77 per share, including an estimated $.02 to $.07 per share negative impact from the high water and lock issues. On May 12, 2011 co announced that the impact of the high water may be greater than $.07 per share, but was unable to quantify the impact until the situation more fully evolved. (Capital IQ Consensus Estimate is $0.69).
5:22PM DPL announces early termination of antitrust waiting period (DPL) 30.10 : Co announced that on June 14, 2011 the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission granted early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, in connection with the proposed merger of DPL with a wholly-owned subsidiary of The AES Corp (AES).
5:16PM F.N.B. Corporation acquires of Parkvale Financial (PVSA) (FNB) 10.32 -0.12 : FNB and jointly announce the signing of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which F.N.B. Corp will acquire Parkvale Financial Corp, the Pennsylvania-based holding company and parent of Parkvale Savings Bank, in an all stock transaction valued at ~$22.48 per share, or $130 mln in the aggregate.
5:12PM Silver futures are up 37 cents (or 1%) to $35.77/oz. in electronic trade, while gold futures are up $5.10 (or 0.4%) to $1531.30/oz (COMDX) :
5:11PM In electronic trading, crude oil futures are up 56 cents to $95.37/barrel (COMDX) :
5:06PM Discover Financial Services announces $1 bln share repurchase program (DFS) 22.95 -0.23 :
5:02PM Select Comfort names new COO (SCSS) 14.88 -0.54 : Co unveiled a new management structure to better support the coy's strategies for growth and value creation. As part of this new structure, Shelly Ibach has been promoted to the newly created position of chief operating officer (COO). Ibach was previously the co's executive vice president of sales and merchandising, and will now assume responsibility for consumer insights, sales, marketing and product management.
5:00PM Hanmi Financial announces memorandum of business alliance with Woori Finance Holdings, Co. Ltd. and termination of the securities purchase agreement with Woori (HAFC) 0.99 -0.04 : Hanmi Financial (HAFC), the parent co of its wholly-owned subsidiary Hanmi Bank, today announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Business Alliance with Woori, which sets forth proposed business alliance programs between the parties. Hanmi also announced that the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated May 25, 2010, as amended, between the Company and Woori has been terminated by mutual agreement of the parties. Under the Securities Purchase Agreement, Woori had agreed to purchase a majority stake in Hanmi, subject to regulatory approvals.
4:46PM Medical Properties Trust announces cash tender offer for the aggregate principal amount sub's outstanding notes (MPW) 11.23 -0.28 : Co announced that it has commenced a cash tender offer to purchase any and all of the outstanding 9.25% Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2013 (CUSIP Number 55342NAG5) issued by the Company's operating partnership, MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. The tender offer will expire at 12:00 midnight EST, on July 13, 2011 (inclusive of July 13, 2011), unless extended or earlier terminated by the co. $82,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the exchangeable notes were outstanding as of June 15, 2011.
4:40PM Verto comments on continued progress of ongoing rollout of new apps designed for its ALOT Appbar (VTRO) 2.00 -0.07 : Aside from established apps created in connection with partners such as eBay (EBAY) and Amazon.com (AMZN), the company has recently partnered with more companies and released new apps... Co plans to release the following new apps to further enhance the ALOT Appbar: Netflix App, Lottery App, Smileytown App, and Rewards.
4:39PM Nipro Diagnostics and NeuroMetrix announce diabetes focused collaboration for the retail medical clinic market (NURO) 0.44 -0.02 : Co announced their collaboration to evaluate opportunities for NC-stat|DPNCheck in retail medical clinics. NC-stat DPNCheck is a rapid, quantitative, point-of-care test for the evaluation of systemic neuropathies such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). DPN affects more than half of people with diabetes and may lead to foot ulcers and limb amputation, as well as pain and an overall reduction in quality of life. Nipro and NeuroMetrix believe that this test may address the unmet medical need for better and cost-effective approaches to detecting and monitoring DPN.
4:36PM Oxford Industries elects Clyde Tuggle to Board of Directors (OXM) 30.43 -0.61 : Tuggle is Senior Vice President, Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer of The Coca-Cola Company (KO).
4:35PM Cornerstone Therapeutics will host conference call June 22 to update investors on strategic direction of the company (CRTX) 7.91 -0.09 :
4:34PM India Globalization Capital will amend FY10 financial statement (IGC) 0.40 +0.01 : The co will restate the financial Statements for the Year Ended March 31, 2010 and the financial statements for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 to correct a miscalculation in EPS and a misclassification in the Statement of Cash Flows. The changes described are non-cash and do not impact operations. As previously reported, effective October 1, 2009, the co reduced ownership in Sricon, from 63% to ~22% simultaneously eliminating a debt of ~$17.9 million. Co has since determined that a certain part of the Statements of Cash Flow requires reclassification to reflect the deconsolidation. This reclassification will carry over to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended March 31, 2010. Further, the fully diluted EPS reported for FYE March 31, 2010 requires a recalculation as it incorrectly takes into account warrants and options, reflecting a larger loss than should have been reported. The restatement will serve to reduce the fully diluted EPS loss that was previously reported.
4:23PM SCANA Corp's South Carolina Electric & Gas filed to increase to its retail natural gas base rates 2.14% (SCG) 38.79 -0.39 :
4:22PM Ford Motor confirms plan to triple electrified vehicle production (F) 13.15 -0.28 : Co confirmed it will grow its electrified vehicle production capacity to more than 100,000 units annually by 2013. The co will triple production capacity of its electrified vehicle lineup, further boosting volumes of its all-new C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, which begin production next year.
4:20PM Finisar to resume trading at 16:30 ET (FNSR) 17.73 -1.31 :
4:18PM Torch Energy announces effective date of court approved settlement with derivative unitholder plaintiff and Constellation Energy Partners (CEP) (TRU) 2.00 -0.01 : The proposed Settlement and Release Agreement provided that the agreement would become effective on the date on which the Order and Final Judgment previously issued by the Court on April 13, 2011 becomes final and unappealable which, absent appeal, was anticipated to be June 13, 2011. As of June 14, 2011, the Trust believes that no appeal had been filed with the Court. Therefore, the Trust believes by its terms the Settlement and Release Agreement has an effective date of June 13, 2011.
4:17PM Cablevision commences cash tender offer for 10 3/8% senior subordinated notes due 2014 (CVC) 36.02 -0.40 : The Tender Offer is in connection with the previously announced leveraged spin-off of AMC Networks Inc. by Cablevision.
4:15PM Constellation Energy says settlement in Alabama lawsuit now effective (CEP) 2.71 -0.03 : Co announced that there were no appeals of the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama order approving the settlement between the company, Trust Venture Company, and Torch Energy Royalty Trust. As a result, the settlement became effective by its terms on June 13, 2011.
4:12PM Oceanfreight shareholders approve stock split related proposal (OCNF) 0.34 0.00 : Co's shareholders approved an amendment to to effect a reverse stock split of the Company's issued and outstanding shares of Class A common stock by a ratio of not less than one-for-three and not more than one-for-twenty.
4:11PM Finisar reports EPS in-line, misses on revs; guides Q1 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus (FNSR) 17.73 -1.31 : Reports Q4 (Apr) earnings of $0.33 per share, excluding non-recurring items, in-line with the Capital IQ Consensus Estimate consensus of $0.33; revenues rose 25.7% year/year to $236.9 mln vs the $243.3 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.17-0.21, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.39 Capital IQ Consensus Estimate; sees Q1 revs, prior to reflecting the impact of consolidation accounting associated with Finisar's ownership stake in Ignis, the co indicated that it currently expects revenues to be in the range of $215-230 mln vs. $255.30 mln Capital IQ Consensus Estimate.
4:11PM Progressive reports May results; net written premiums +2% YoY; net income increased 68% y/y to $74.1 mln (PGR) 19.93 -0.44 :
4:10PM Ikanos Comms elects Diosdado Banatao as Interim President and CEO; Co confirms Q2 guidance (IKAN) 1.36 -0.04 : Mr. Banatao has been the co's chairman of the board since August 2009 and executive chairman of the board since April 2010 and previously served as the co's interim president and chief executive officer from April 2010 to July 2010. Co Reconfirms guidance In addition, the co confirmed its revenue and earnings outlook for Q2 of fiscal 2011. The co confirmed its revenues for Q2 to be between $31.0-34.0 mln vs. Capital IQ Consensus single-analyst est of $32.0 mln.
4:07PM Rubicon Tech reaffirms Q2 guidance (RBCN) 18.80 -1.07 : Co reported that it is having another solid quarter and estimates that revenue in the second quarter should come in at the high end of the $40 million and $43 million range of its previously provided guidance. Pre-tax earnings are also expected to be at the high end of the previous estimates. The Company's second quarter EPS guidance of $0.82 to $0.86 assumed a diluted share count of 24 million shares and a tax rate of 7 percent, which represents accrual for state income taxes only. When providing this guidance, management indicated that a determination might be made to begin accruing for federal income tax as soon as the second quarter due to a number factors, including the dramatic increase in earnings of the Company. William Weissman, Rubicon's Chief Financial Officer, has confirmed that the Company will begin accruing for federal income tax beginning the second quarter of this year, which will bring the Company's effective tax rate up to approximately 40 percent for the second quarter and for the remainder of this year. Weissman also confirmed that the projected effective tax rate for 2012 remains at 30 to 35 percent. Factoring in the higher tax rate adjusts previously issued EPS guidance to between $0.53 and $0.55.
4:06PM The Knot to change name to XO Group Inc. and transfer listing to NYSE (KNOT) 9.79 -0.19 : Co announced that it had received stockholder approval to change the co's name to XO Group Inc. The co also announced that its common stock listing is pending transfer to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) from the Nasdaq Stock Market. The co's common stock has been authorized for listing and is scheduled to begin trading on the NYSE on June 28, 2011, under the new trading symbol XOXO.
4:01PM Men's Wearhouse hires Doug Ewert as new CEO (MW) 31.30 -0.97 : MW announced at the Co's Annual Shareholder Meeting, that Douglas S. Ewert became president and chief executive officer, succeeding George Zimmer as chief executive officer. Also at the meeting, the Company's shareholders elected Ewert to the board of directors. As previously announced, Zimmer will continue as executive chairman of the board of directors.
4:01PM Aon announced its execution of a $450 mln term credit agreement (AON) 50.09 -0.90 :
4:00PM Collective Brands Michael Massey named interim CEO and Scott Olivet becomes non-executive Chairman as Matthew Rubel Steps Down as Chairman, President and CEO (PSS) 13.98 -0.42 : Co announced that the Board of Directors and Matthew Rubel agreed that Mr. Rubel would resign as director, Chairman of the Board and an officer of the Company, effective immediately. Michael J. Massey has been named the interim Chief Executive Officer and D. Scott Olivet has been named the Company's Non-Executive Chairman. The Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee, chaired by Mylle Mangum, has commenced a search for a permanent replacement for Mr. Rubel as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Massey has informed the Board that he does not wish to be a candidate for the position.
3:59PM DST Systems clarified prior news report; DST is not in discussions with private equity firms or any other party regarding a sale of the Company (DST) 54.51 +6.20 : Co clarified a news report published yesterday. "Like many public companies, DST has received informal inquiries from time to time regarding its interest in engaging in a sale transaction to a private equity firm. However, DST is not in discussions with private equity firms or any other party regarding a sale of the Company. DST has informed each of the firms who have made inquiries that DST's board of directors has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of its stockholders for DST to remain independent and not to pursue a sale transaction at this time. DST believes its current stock price is not representative of its long-term intrinsic value, does not reflect the value of its assets and would not be a sensible starting point for discussions or negotiations regarding a sale transaction. DST remains focused on generating long-term value for its stockholders and believes that initiatives currently underway and planned will address current challenges and help restore market value to appropriate levels. The Company does not intend to comment further about speculation relating to such transactions."
3:46PM Minor late day upticks off the afternoon/session lows with Dow -156 and S&P -20 outperforming Nasdaq Comp -43 on this move (SPY) :
3:32PM CBOT Agriculture and Ethanol and ICE Exchange Sugar Closing Prices; Corn Closes Down the Exchange Limit (COMDX) : Continuous corn futures fell the exchange limit of 30 cents today (or 4%) at $7.25/bushel on today's broad market weakness, wheat fell 22 cents to close at $7.09, cont. soybeans rose 2 cents at $13.71, cont. ethanol closed down 7 cents to $2.68, while cont. world sugar futures closed flat at 0.25 cents.
3:27PM Tianyin Pharma signs Macrolide API International sales and marketing agreement ; forecasts $30 mln domestic Azithromycin API revenue in China for first year of operation (TPI) 1.50 +0.02 : Co signed sales and marketing agreement with RELATIONS International. The co forecasts $30 million domestic Azithromycin API revenue in China for the first year of operation from its Jiangchuan macrolide facility that has an annual manufacturing capacity of 250 tons. The international sales revenue from macrolide API is expected to contribute additional revenue for TPI.
3:16PM Microsoft slips fractionally under last week's low of 23.69 to set a new nine month low of 23.67 and edges slightly higher (MSFT) 23.73 -0.49 :
3:07PM New session low for Dow -202 and S&P -24, Nasdaq Comp -49 also joins at new low for the week (SPY) :
3:07PM Starbucks issues statement regarding New York City dairy provider court hearing; current dairy supplier declined to participate in the dairy sourcing RFP process (SBUX) 34.81 -0.45 : Co released the following statement in response to the proceedings today in the New York State Supreme Court in Queens County pertaining to the Company's decision to change dairy providers for the New York City market: The Court will hold further hearings on June 27th. Co says "In the meantime, Starbucks will work closely with its partners (employees), its local distributor and new dairy provider to ensure a seamless transition of the supply of dairy products to our New York City stores... First and foremost, this move will result in no New York City job loss... Second, our current dairy supplier, Elmhurst, declined to participate in the dairy sourcing RFP process for the New York City market that we initiated last fall. We awarded the business to another dairy in New York State that submitted a bid."
2:49PM Fractional new session lows for stock indices and a very quick bounce attempt -- Dow -169, S&P -20, Nasdaq Comp 40 (SPY) :
2:37PM Streamline Health announced that University of Virginia Health System extended its licensing agreement and also contracted for co's Correspondence Workflow (STRM) 1.91 +0.03 : Under the terms of the agreement, the healthcare system will license the products for a term of at least 3 years.
2:36PM NYMEX Energy Closing Prices (COMDX) : Crude oil dropped $4.56 to settle at $94.81, natural gas shed 0.6 cents to close at $4.58, RBOB gasoline fell 14 cents to end at $2.93, while heating oil dropped 14 cents to finish at $2.98 (all July contracts).
2:32PM Geeknet's ThinkGeek and Mojang build on licensing deal (GKNT) 26.41 -0.39 : ThinkGeek has expanded the range of Minecraft products under its licensing deal with indie game developer Mojang. ThinkGeek added new Minecraft Foam Pickaxe and Minecraft Sticky Notecube to its current line of Minecraft products.
2:30PM CAS Medical and Medline announce distribution partnership for co-branded vital signs monitors (CASM) 2.50 +0.04 : Cos announced a distribution agreement for a co-branded version of CASMED's Model 740 portable vital signs monitor. The monitor will feature CASMED's proprietary motion Artifact Extraction technology.
2:20PM Index Change Reminders (INDXCH) : OYO Geospace (OYOG) will replace LaBranche & Co (LAB), and NuVasive (NUVA) will replace American Medical Systems Holdings (AMMD) in the S&P SmallCap 600 index after the close of trading today.
2:07PM Crude oil extending bounce off of session lows at $94.01; now down $3.74 to $95.63 (COMDX) :
2:07PM Indices edge off afternoon lows (TECHX) : Seeing some intraday relative strength on this move in Finance XLF, Reg Bank KRE, Airline, Silver SLV, Materials XLB.
1:53PM Environmental Tectonics announced that Robert Laurent will succeed Duane Deaner as CFO when Deaner retires effective July 8, 2011 (ETCC) 2.40 0.00 :
1:32PM COMEX Metals Closing Prices (COMDX) : August gold ended higher by $2.00 to $1526.40, July silver shed 13 cents to finish at $35.28, while July copper lost a penny to close at $4.11.
1:30PM Air Products acquires Poly-Flow Engineering--should be immediately accretive--terms not disclosed (APD) 90.82 -2.44 :
1:23PM Midday reprieve develops no follow through interest, Nasdaq Comp -45 slides to new low of 2632 (QQQ) : This dips puts it below its 200 sma (2636) with its weekly low at 2629.
1:19PM Evergreen Energy also announced Thomas Stoner will resign as CEO effective July 1 (EEE) 1.87 -0.05 : Stoner will remain a member of the board of directors. Ilyas Khan will act as interim CEO while the company evaluates replacement efforts.
1:16PM Evergreen Energy provides business update; completed the formation of venture with WPG Resources on June 9 (EEE) 1.87 -0.05 : On June 9, 2011, Evergreen announced it entered into a definitive agreement to form Southern Coal Holdings (SCH) with WPG Resources... In addition to the testing being conducted in partnership with WPG, Evergreen has achieved positive results on several coal upgrading tests conducted since February of 2011. The next step in the company's testing efforts is to increase the volumes being tested, which is anticipated to take place over the course of the summer. Evergreen is in the process of building its technical, engineering and business development team in Singapore, having recently appointed a senior engineering professional who will lead its Singapore presence. The company expects its Singapore operations will enable it to pursue opportunities with coal companies that own or control sub bituminous reserves in Indonesia, as well as further its efforts to add an additional K-Fuel customer by the end of 2011. The K-Fuel development efforts are ultimately aimed at establishing multiple joint ventures or other agreement structures, enabling the company to benefit from the utilization of the K-Fuel technology, focusing initially on Australia.
1:16PM RIT Technologies carries out $1 mln debt-to-equity conversion transaction (RITT) 11.33 +2.48 : Co has signed a private Share Purchase Agreement with STINS COMAN, its principal shareholder, under which it will convert an outstanding loan in the amount of $1,005,339 into 177,006 of ordinary shares at an average price of $5.68 per share. This transaction is in addition to the previous conversions completed in September 2010, May 2010 and in March, 2011, and is being executed under the terms provided in the Loan Agreement dated June 11, 2009. The completion of this transaction is subject to customary conditions, and the issuance of shares is expected to take place on June 30, 2011. Upon completion, STINS COMAN's holding will rise from ~74.14% to ~75.15% of co's voting power.
1:15PM Crude to new lows at $96.22; now off $3.03 to $96.34 (COMDX) :
1:05PM Procter & Gamble notches new session low in recent trade of 63.51, vacillating near its 200 ema/ema at 63.50/63.43 (PG) 63.58 -1.18 :
1:01PM Thoratec vacillating near its 200 sma at 30.29 (THOR) 30.30 -0.46 :
12:59PM Qualcomm testing its weekly/June low at 54.24 (QCOM) 54.24 -1.34 :
12:37PM China Integrated Energy receives Nasdaq notice to deny stay of delist pending scheduled hearing on June 30 (CBEH) 0.68 : The Nasdaq Hearings Panel notes that this suspension may be lifted after the hearing if the Panel, based on a broad review of all of the facts and arguments by the Company and staff, disagrees with Nasdaq Staff's assessment that public interest concerns warrant delisting, and grants an exception to the filing requirement. China Integrated Energy securities are quoted under the symbol CBEH.PK on OTC Pink of the OTC Markets Group Inc.
12:34PM Nasdaq Comp holds near 200 sma/weekly low at 2636/2629 -- session low 2634 (QQQ) : Market looking extended intraday as we head into midday following the breakdown over the last hour. S&P -19 flirted with its 200 ema as well at 1262 (session low 1263).
12:26PM Selling accelerates again, S&P -23 and Nasdaq 100 -39 join Dow -196 at new lows for the week/month (SPY) : Nasdaq Comp -43 still hovering slightly above its low for the week at 2629 (session low 2634).
12:24PM Crude oil approaching $97; now down $2.17 to $97.20 (COMDX) :
12:23PM New highs in dollar index push gold, silver further into the red (COMDX) :
12:22PM Another round of new session lows for stock indices -- Dow -168, S&P -20, Nasdaq Comp -39 (SPY) : S&P and Nasdaq Cop are still holding slightly above their weekly lows.
12:17PM Crude to new lows at $97.97; now off $1.29 to $98.08 (COMDX) :
12:01PM Gold, silver back into negative territory (COMDX) :
* Gold now down $1.40 to $1523.00.
* Silver flat at $35.42.
12:00PM Lockheed Martin received a $445 mln follow-on contract from U.S. Army (LMT) 79.54 -0.10 : Co has received a $445 mln follow-on contract for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Unitary rockets from the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command. This is the U.S. Army's sixth purchase of the precision munition, with almost 2,000 GMLRS rockets fired in support of U.S. and allied military operations to date. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in December 2012.
12:00PM Dow -143 slipped under Monday's trough at 11917 to set a minor new low for the week/month of 11915 (DIA) : The other market averages have not confirmed the new lows for the week. The Nasdaq 100 is back trading between its 200 ema/sma (2222/2216, session low 2218) and just above it June low (2214).
11:50AM New session lows across the board for stock indices -- Dow -152, S&P -18, Nasdaq Comp -33 (TECHX) : Energy/Commodity and Finance have provided downside leadership but the technical breach of morning lows also appears to have triggered program selling as well.
11:47AM Corn futures trade lower on broad commodity weakness largely driven by strength in the dollar index, corn is now trading lower by almost the exchange limit; down 29 cents (or 3.8%) at $7.27/bu (COMDX) : The dollar index remains up 0.9% at 75.308. Wheat is - 2.4% at $7.13/bu and soybeans are -0.3 at $13.64/bu.
11:43AM Gold, silver pulling back as well as dollar surges to new highs (COMDX) :
* Gold now up $3.60 to $1528.00.
* Silver higher by 22 cents to $35.63.
11:43AM Crude drops sharply back toward lows; now off 70 cents to $98.67 (COMDX) :
11:39AM IAMGOLD acquired 5 mln common shares of Avnel Gold Mining (TSX: AVK) (IAG) 20.02 -0.32 : Co now owns 16.25 mln common shares of Avnel or ~8.48% of the outstanding common shares.
11:38AM S&P -13 dips to new low, Dow -113 and Nasdaq Comp -26 are hovering just above their lows (SPY) :
11:37AM Relative sector weakness in recent trade (TECHX) : Underperforming the S&P are: Oil Service OIH, Energy XLE, Commodity Index, Ag/Chem MOO, Materials XLB, Gold Miners GDX, Coal KOL, Steel SLX, Solar TAN, Silver SLV, Retail XRT.
11:33AM Molycorp opening push quickly stalled, recently slipped to new low in the red (MCP) 50.91 -0.06 :
11:32AM Kandi Technologies receives provincial Government approval for subsidy on 3,000 new energy vehicles in Jinhua (KNDI) 2.08 +0.18 : Co reported that it has received formal provincial government approval on the application of the new energy vehicle pilot program in Jinhua City, located in the Zhejiang Province. The formal approval, received on June 13, 2011, provides RMB 15 mln ($2.3 mln) per year in government subsidies to residents of Jinhua to be used for the purchase of 3,000 Kandi clean energy vehicles through 2012.
11:30AM Financial Select Sector weakens again in recent action, retests session low at 14.83 (XLF) 14.86 -0.20 : BAC -2.1%, JPM -1.7%, TRV -0.8%, GS -0.6%, STT -1.1%, C -1.4%, PNC -1.2%, BK -2%, BBT -1.4%, USB -1.9%, WFC -1.9%.
11:20AM Rails showing some relative strength in recent action -- KSU, UNP, NSC, CSX (TECHX) :
11:10AM Currency Chart Watch: Dollar Index sets new high for week/month (UUP) : After stalling at its 50 sma/ema over the last few sessions the Dollar Index has pushed to a new high for the week/month today. The session high is 75.18 with short term resistance at 75.27 (62% retrace of May-June slide). The 2011 down-sloping trendline comes into play thereafter in the 75.40 area (Click for chart).
11:03AM Crude puts in highs above $100 at $100.04; now up 50 cents to $99.88 (COMDX) :
11:01AM Donegal Group announces preliminary estimate of April and May storm impact; ~$13-15 mln for Q2 of 2011 (DGICA) 13.05 -0.03 : Co announced that it expects the severe storm activity in April and May to result in estimated pre-tax weather-related claims, net of reinsurance, of ~$13-15 mln for the second quarter of 2011. These claims include $7-8 mln from wind and hail events in the Mid-Atlantic region, $4-5 mln from the numerous tornadoes that hit Southern states and $2 mln from wind and hail events in Midwestern states. Catastrophe and other weather-related claims impacted the co pre-tax second quarter of 2010 results by ~$10 mln after reinsurance. "Although we expect the unusual frequency of April and May storm activity in our operating areas to impact our second quarter results of operations, our relatively conservative reinsurance program will temper the severity of that impact. Co's insurance subsidiaries expect to recover losses incurred above their respective retention levels on reinsurance contracts with external reinsurers and Donegal Mutual Insurance. As a result, the co's insurance subsidiaries will cede ~$3 mln in premiums to reinstate their reinsurance coverage for the remainder of 2011. Co's net earned premiums will reflect a reduction in that amount for the second quarter of 2011.
10:48AM Crude, gold, silver all trade to new highs (COMDX) :
10:38AM Mechel Steel reports the temporary halt of the Sibirginskaya mine (MTL) 26.59 -0.40 : Co reports the temporary halt of the Sibirginskaya mine owned by Southern Kuzbass Coal Company OAO. At the Sibirginskaya mine, a heightened level of fire gases was detected in the mined-out area of the long wall 3-1-9, which indicates self-heating of coal. Due to that, mining works at the site were halted and all miners returned to the surface. The date when mining is resumed will be determined once the project of liquidating the source of self-heating is complete. The mine's storages hold enough coal for the company to meet all its contractual obligations. Halting the mine's work will not impact the construction project for Sibirginskaya's second line, which, when completed, is due to increase the enterprise's production capacity to 2.4 mln tonnes a year.
10:36AM General Electric's Wellstream business awarded a long-term, flexible pipe and subsea equipment logistics services contract by Petroleo Brasileiro (PBR) (GE) 18.55 -0.04 : To perform the long-term contract, GE will build a dedicated 55,000 sq. metre, $90M investment Wellstream flexible pipe and subsea equipment Logistics Base in Niteroi. GE will open a new $100M investment Global Research Center in Rio de Janeiro in 2012.
10:32AM Crude currently off 12 cents to $99.25 (OIH) :
10:30AM ViroPharma announced that the European Commission has granted ViroPharma Centralized Marketing Authorization for Cinryze (VPHM) 18.11 +0.06 : Co announced that the European Commission has granted ViroPharma Centralized Marketing Authorization for Cinryze in adults and adolescents with hereditary angioedema for routine prevention, pre-procedure prevention and acute treatment of angioedema attacks. The approval also includes a self administration option for appropriately trained patients included in the Summary of Product Characteristics. HAE is a rare, debilitating and potentially life-threatening genetic disorder that affects at least 10,000 people in Europe.
10:27AM S&P -9.3 slips back off morning rebound high (SPY) : As noted in early trade the index stabilized near the 62% retracement of the Mon-Tues rally at 1275 and recovered some ground over the next 30 minutes. Now is the first test for the bulls. Can the index simply form a choppy consolidation and hold above the 1277 and 1275 intraday levels? If so this would set-up another leg to the upside with intraday levels above at 1284 and 1286.
10:15AM Merge Healthcare announces offering of $52 mln senior secured notes (MRGE) 4.85 -0.12 : Co intends to offer $52 mln aggregate principal amount of 11.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2015. The new notes are being offered as additional debt securities under an indenture pursuant to which Merge previously issued $200 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Notes due 2015.
10:08AM Minor new bounce highs for stock indices -- Dow -62, S&P -6.7, Nasdaq Comp -10 (SPY) :
10:02AM Seeing some relative strength off low in Restaurant (TECHX) : MCD, PNRA, DRI, PFCB, WEN, EAT, YUM, CMG.
10:02AM Saga Comms closed on its new $120 mln credit agreement (SGA) 36.30 -0.51 : Co closed on its new $120 mln Credit Agreement. The facility includes a $60 mln term loan and a $60 mln revolving loan. The loan facility was initially funded in the amount of $92.1 mln. The Company intends to reduce the balance outstanding by $4.1 mln on June 16, 2011 leaving a balance of $88 m
10:01AM Boeing to boost 737 production rate to 42 airplanes per month in 2014 (BA) 74.23 -0.41 : Co announced it will increase the production rate for its Next-Generation 737 to 42 airplanes per month. Once implemented in the first half of 2014, the 737 program expects to build on average two 737s each workday and nearly 500 airplanes each year. The 737 program currently produces 31.5 airplanes per month and expects to go to 35 per month in early 2012, 38 per month in second quarter 2013, and then to 42 per month in the first half of 2014. The rate increase is not expected to have a material impact on 2011 financial results.
10:00AM DPL Inc.'s Dayton Power & Light seeks bids for coal supply (DPL) 30.11 +0.02 : Co issued a request for proposals for coal for use at its two Ohio River electric generating stations in Aberdeen and Wrightsville, Ohio. DP&L is seeking proposals for coal delivery for quantities up to two mln tons, with delivery beginning January 2012 through December 2013. Proposals with alternative quantities will be considered. DP&L is interested in offers for all types of coal.
9:58AM Opening Point Gainers/Losers (TECHX) : Point Gainers: DST (+7.77), P (+7.00), REGN (+3.26), NFEC (+1.80), BYI (+1.55), TZOO (+1.83), RITT (+1.53), AMZN (+1.68), LULU (+1.46), KFY (+1.15), REE (+1.20)
Point Losers: XIV (-4.85), SPWRA (-3.38), AAPL (-3.25), LO (-2.31), PKC (-2.51), OI (-2.52), CF (-2.72), TUR (-2.05), PCLN (-1.58), SMG (-1.85), AVEO (-1.87), APKT (-2.15)
9:48AM Amazon.com rebounds 1.2% off low back into positive territory (AMZN) 190.14 +0.18 : Yesterday's high is at 190.72 with the top of its now eight day trading range at 191.76.
9:47AM Caterpillar more than lifts 1% off morning low of 96.06 (CAT) 96.87 -0.99 :
9:44AM S&P -24 and Nasdaq Comp -23 hold near retracement support (SPY) : The market was hit hard off the open but both the S&P and Nasdaq Comp have held at the 62% retracement support of the recent bounce at 1275 and 2651 with some minor upticks noted.
9:41AM Discover Financial Services edges above its 50 ema at 23.57 after limited opening weakness -- session low 22.88 (DFS) 23.65 +0.47 :
9:39AM ATP Oil & Gas priced a public offering of 1,500,000 shares of Series B 8.00% convertible perpetual preferred stock (ATPG) 15.58 -0.38 : Co announced that it has priced a public offering of 1.5 mln shares of Series B 8.00% convertible perpetual preferred stock ATP is using a portion of the net proceeds of this offering to buy a capped call transaction. The capped call transaction covers ~13.1 mln common shares and can prevent any dilution of outstanding common shares up to a share price of $27.50. Credit Suisse Securities will act as book-running manager and Rodman & Renshaw as a co-manager for the offering.
9:38AM Gold now about 10 points above flat line in recent rally; currently higher by $9.20 to $1533.50 (COMDX) :
9:37AM Sector Watch -- Relataive Strength (TECHX) : Education (STRA, CPLA, LOPE, EDMC, COCO, CECO) and Gold (IAG, GG, AEM, ABX, KGC, NEM, GFI) are displaying some relative strength. Finance XLF and Steel SLX have shown some minor relative strength on the push off early lows.
9:35AM Gold issues showing some initial relative strength out of the gate -- RGLD, GOLD, SA, KGC, RGLD, NEM, AUY, GLD (GDX) 53.54 +0.16 :
9:35AM Gold, silver spike into positive territory (COMDX) :
* Gold now up $2.50 to $1526.90.
* Silver higher by 9 cents to $35.50.
9:26AM Pressure BioSciences granted extension to October 3, 2011 to regain compliance with NASDAQ minimum stockholders' equity requirement (PBIO) 0.96 +0.01 :
9:20AM SunPower and Total confirmed transaction of previously announced cash tender offer (SPWRA) 20.67 : Total (TOT) and SunPower (SPWRA, SPWRB) announced the success of Total's all-cash tender on SunPower to create a new global leader in the solar industry. Total has accepted for payment 30,220,701 shares of Class A common stock and 25,220,000 shares of Class B common stock at a purchase price of $23.25 per share for a total cost of $1.3 bln.
9:20AM MakeMusic appoints Karen van Lith as Chief Executive Officer (MMUS) 4.99 : Co announced its board of directors has appointed Karen van Lith as president, CEO and director, effective June 13, 2011. Van Lith replaces interim CEO, Jeff Koch, who will remain on the board of directors.
9:16AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) and Guodian United Power Technology Company signed a strategic cooperation agreement to work together in exploring opportunities in the wind industry in the United States.
* EMS Global Resource Management, a division of mobile connectivity leader EMS Technologies (ELMG) introduced the OCC-600 console, the latest operations control console for Search and Rescue solutions.
* Sprint (S) announced that it is partnering with Lookout Mobile Security to give its customers the ability to download an application to help protect the important information stored on their smartphone or tablet.
* Great Lakes Solutions, (CHMT) will increase prices in all regions on CD-75 and SP-75 based products by $1.50/kg, where contracts allow, for all new orders placed effective July 1, 2011.
* Sterling Construction (STRL) announced that its subsidiary, Texas Sterling Construction, with a bid of $61,952,016, was apparent low bidder on a six mile section of the SH 121 Southwest Parkway project for the North Texas Tollway Authority.
* Calix (CALX) announced that Broadband Stimulus award winner West Kentucky and Tennessee Telecommunications Cooperative has selected the Calix B6 ethernet service access nodes and the 700GE family of optical network terminals for its fiber forward initiative across western Kentucky and Tennessee.
9:16AM Perrigo announces launch of the generic version of Nasacort (PRGO) 84.66 : Co announced that its partner Teva Pharmaceutical (TEVA) has begun shipping Triamcinolone Acetonide Nasal Spray. Perrigo's partner Teva was the first applicant to file a complete ANDA with a Paragraph IV certification for Nasacort AQ and will be launching the product with 180 days of generic exclusivity.
9:15AM Research In Motion: Dolby (DLB) confirms suing RIMM for patent infringement; seeks sales halt of unlicensed Blackberry and Playbook devices and monetary damages for past use (RIMM) 35.76 : Dolby Laboratories (DLB), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Dolby International, confirms filing patent infringement lawsuits in the U.S. and Germany against RIMM. The lawsuits seek recovery of financial damages and injunctions to halt sales of the many RIMM products that infringe Dolby's patents. The lawsuits explain that RIM infringes Dolby patents covering highly efficient digital audio compression technologies which allow manufacturers and consumers to provide and enjoy high quality audio while using extremely limited amounts of transmission and/or storage space for such audio. RIM employs Dolby's patented technologies in its Blackberry smart phones and Playbook tablet devices, without having obtained licenses from Dolby, the lawsuits say. All other major smart phone makers have agreed to license the Dolby technologies which are the subject of this litigation.
9:08AM Gold, silver moving back toward flat line after bouncing off lows (COMDX) :
* Gold now off $2.50 to $1521.90.
* Silver down 17 cents to $35.24.
9:07AM Johnson & Johnson: Cordis announces discontinuation of NEVO sirolimus-eluting coronary stent (JNJ) 67.11 : Cordis announced it will no longer pursue the development of the NEVO Sirolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent in order to focus on other cardiovascular therapies where significant patient need exists. The company will also stop the manufacture of CYPHER? and CYPHER SELECT? Plus Sirolimus-Eluting Coronary Stents by the end of 2011. (see 9:03 comment also)
9:04AM Cardium Therapeutics received clearance from the Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development to commence a Phase 3 registration study for its Generx (CXM) 0.29 : Co announces it has received clearance from the Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development to commence a Phase 3 registration study for its Generx biologic product candidate.
9:03AM United Online's FTD Subsidiary Refinances Senior Secured Credit Facilities (UNTD) 5.61 : Co announces that its wholly-owned subsidiary, FTD Group, Inc., has entered into a new credit agreement with various lenders, Wells Fargo Securities, as sole lead arranger and sole book runner, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent for the lenders, to refinance its senior secured credit facilities. The Credit Agreement provides FTD with a $315 mln senior secured credit facility consisting of a $265 mln seven-year term loan facility and a $50 mln five-year revolving credit facility and certain other financial accommodations including letters of credit.
9:03AM Johnson & Johnson expects to record an after-tax restructuring charge in the range of $500-$600 mln in 2Q11 as a result of restructuring plans announced by its subsidiary, Cordis (JNJ) 67.10 : The restructuring charge will be treated as a special item.
9:02AM China Precision Steel announced the early retirement of Wo Hing Li, co's Chairman, for health related issues (CPSL) 1.04 : Co announces the early retirement of Dr. Wo Hing Li, the Company's Chairman and member of the Board of Directors, effective June 14, 2011, due to health related issues. Meanwhile China Precision Steel will continue to progress under the stewardship and direction of its executive management team Mr. Hai Sheng Chen, CEO, Ms. Leada Li, CFO and Mr. Zu De Jiang, COO.
9:02AM Fisher Communications agrees to sell its Great Falls, Montana radio stations; financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed (FSCI) 26.95 :
9:01AM Nucor sees Q2 EPS below consensus, up 160-180% YoY and 50-60% QoQ (NUE) 40.71 : Co sees Q2 EPS of $0.75-0.80 vs $0.86 Capital IQ Consensus Estimate, including a $0.06 IFO charge. "As we expected, our profitability has significantly improved from the first quarter to the second quarter, as price increases for steel mill products caught up with higher raw material costs. We continue to believe that end markets such as automotive, heavy equipment, energy, and general manufacturing have experienced some real demand improvement. These increases in profits were achieved despite the rebalancing by our customers of supply chain inventories, the impact on the manufacturing/auto sector of the devastating Japanese earthquake/tsunami and the lost sales, production and shipments from the weather-related power outages and historic river flooding in North America. Q3 should not see a continuation of these weather-related issues. Improvement in real demand is most evident in special bar quality, sheet and plate products sold to the manufacturing, industrial and energy sectors. The most challenging markets for our products continue to be those associated with residential and non-residential construction. We do expect continued stability in order rates as raw material prices have been less volatile than in 2010."
9:00AM Endologix announces FDA approval of AFX Endovascular AAA system (ELGX) 7.62 :
9:00AM AVEO Pharma announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 5,750,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $17.50 per share to the public (AVEO) 19.09 : Co announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 5,750,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $17.50 per share to the public. All of the shares are being sold by AVEO. The gross proceeds to AVEO from this offering are expected to be approximately $100.6 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, and other estimated offering expenses payable by AVEO.
8:47AM Host Hotels authorizes increases quarterly dividend to $0.03 per share from $0.01 per share previous Q to shareholders of record date June 30 (HST) 16.12 :
8:46AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) announced that it has introduced the Affirmed Cleared interdealer workflow on the ICE Link Platform. ICE Link's launch of A C enables same-day clearing of credit default swap trades.
* Foster Wheeler AG (FWLT) announced that a subsidiary of its Global Engineering and Construction Group has been awarded a contract by Preem AB Preemraff Lysekil to perform the basic engineering design and front-end engineering design for Preem's Energy Savings Program 2013 Turnaround at the Preemraff Lysekil oil refinery.
* Rovi (ROVI) and Suddenlink have announced that the two companies have agreed to collaborate to bring Rovi TotalGuide Applications, including TotalGuide for set top boxes and TotalGuide xD, to market.
* PositiveID (PSID) announced that it has partnered with CanCare Health Services to launch PositiveID's iglucose mobile health solution for diabetes management in Canada.
* Cardinal Health (CAH) announced that it has signed a renewed, three-year agreement with Prime Therapeutics, to continue to serve as its primary pharmaceutical supply chain partner for its mail-service pharmacy, PrimeMail.
* Humana Military Healthcare Services (HUM) announced that it has received notification of the decision by the Government Accountability Office to uphold the award of the South Region TRICARE Third Generation contract to Humana Military by the Department of Defense TRICARE Management Activity rejecting the protest initiated by a competing bidder.
8:42AM Las Vegas Sands: Sands China announces $3.5 bln refinancing (LVS) 39.58 : Sands China, majority owned subsidiary of Las Vegas Sands, received lender commitments for $3.5 bln and will have the option to raise an incremental $1.0 bln of new senior secured credit facilities under existing baskets within the new credit facilities. The new facilities will consist of a $3.0 billion five-year Term Loan A and an undrawn $500 million five-year Revolver.
8:33AM OptionsXpress reports May metrics; Retail DARTs -12% YoY (OXPS) 16.54 : Co reports May retail daily average revenue trades (DARTs) of 32,600 - 12% lower than May 2010, 10% lower than April 2011. Institutional daily average revenue trades (DARTs) of 17,500 - 13% lower than May 2010, 31% higher than April 2011. Net new customer accounts of 2,300. Ending customer accounts of 394,900 - 9% higher than May 2010, 1% higher than April 2011. Ending client assets of $8.5 billion - 19% higher than May 2010, 2% lower than April 2011.
8:31AM Virgin Media repurchasd 325,000 shares of common stock on June 14, 2011 at $31.56-$31.89 (VMED) 31.67 :
8:31AM Crude oil pulling back toward overnight lows following econ data; currently off $1.06 to $98.31 (COMDX) :
8:25AM Gold, silver trade to their lowest levels of the morning as the dollar continues to rally (COMDX) :
* Gold now off $9.20 to $1515.20.
* Silver currently lower by 58 cents to $34.84.
8:19AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* Veeco Instruments (VECO) announced that Tsinghua Tongfang has placed an order for Veeco's new TurboDisc MaxBright Multi-Reactor MOCVD system for production of high-brightness light-emitting diodes Endace.
* Cavium Networks (CAVM) announced that it is accelerating mass deployment of its latest OCTEON processors through a collaboration for 3G/4G systems with Samsung Electronics.
* West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) started construction for a compression molding plant in the Shanghai Qingpu Industrial Zone in China.
* Alkermes (ALKS) announced the initiation of a phase 1/2 study of ALKS 5461 for treatment-resistant depression.
* JP Morgan Chase (JPM) announced it doubled its lending through the Small Business Administration in the first half of fiscal 2011 - providing $448 mln to help businesses and the U.S. economy grow.
* Rambus (RMBS) announced the development of a fast power-on, low-power clocking technology that can enable a whole new class of memory devices.
* Varian Medical Systems (VAR) announced it has received Shonin approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to market the TrueBeam system for image-guided radiotherapy and radiosurgery in Japan.
8:08AM Boeing to build 10 C-17 Airlifters for Indian Air Force; establishes India as the C-17's largest international customer (BA) 74.64 : Co announces that India's Ministry of Defence has signed an agreement with the U.S. government to acquire 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifters. The Foreign Military Sale establishes India as the C-17's largest international customer. According to the agreement, India will take delivery of its C-17s in 2013 and 2014.
8:05AM Perma-Fix Enviro to sell Perma-Fix of Ft. Lauderdale for approx $5.5 mln (PESI) 1.45 : Co announces it has signed a definitive agreement to sell Perma-Fix of Ft. Lauderdale for approximately $5.5 million subject to certain working capital adjustments. The closing of this Agreement is subject to certain conditions being met. "In addition, we are continuing to move forward in our negotiations for a definitive agreement to sell our Perma-Fix of Orlando facility."
8:04AM Noah Education noah announces share repurchase program and management changes (NED) 2.10 : Co has authorized a new program to repurchase up to US$15 million American Depositary Shares on or before June 30, 2013. The share repurchase program will be funded with the available working capital. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $75 mln, representing cash per ADS of US$2.03... Co also announced the promotion of interim Chief Financial Officer Dora Li to the permanent position of CFO, effective June 10, 2011. In addition, co announced the resignation of Ruchun Zhang from the position of interim President and Chief Operating Officer effective June 10, 2011. Zhang resigned from the position of Board Secretary on April 13, 2011, and Ms. Xu Qin was appointed Board Secretary on the same day.
8:02AM Owens-Illinois now expects second quarter adjusted net earnings will be down from the prior year period (OI) 29.54 : Co intends to update the co's second quarter business outlook today at the Deutsche Bank Global Industries and Basic Materials Conference. Entering the period, the company anticipated second quarter results would be in line with the prior year, but O-I now expects second quarter adjusted net earnings will be down from the prior year period. Segment operating profit margins in the second quarter of 2011 will likely decline between 3 and 6 percentage points from second quarter 2010 levels (consensus expectations are for EPS of $0.85 in 2Q11, vs. $0.90 in 2Q10)... Demand remains strong across most markets and end-use categories, with the notable exceptions of Australia and New Zealand and beer in North America. Yet, higher than expected costs will more than offset the benefit of stronger global shipments. While significant cost inflation was already anticipated heading into the second quarter, O-I also has incurred additional manufacturing and delivery costs. As a result, O-I will not fully realize the operating leverage expected from higher production levels in the second quarter of 2011.
8:02AM Dresser-Rand's Olean Operation Ratifies New Competitive Labor Agreement (DRC) 50.11 : Co confirmed that the members of the United Steelworkers Union Local 4601, representing 433 workers at Dresser-Rand Company's Olean, New York facility, have ratified a new labor agreement. The contract is effective June 15, 2011, through June 14, 2014.
8:02AM New Gold announces its plan for the continued exploration of the recently acquired Blackwater Project (NGD) 9.12 : Co announces its plan for the continued exploration of the recently acquired Blackwater Project. Following acquisition of the Blackwater Project on June 1, 2011, New Gold is now planning to significantly increase the exploration program at the project and is targeting 40,000 to 50,000 metres of drilling in the second half of 2011. New Gold is budgeting $20 million for this exploration program.
8:02AM Masimo announces rainbow agreement with Philips (MASI) 28.70 : Co announced that it has reached a long-term non-exclusive agreement under which Philips will integrate Masimo rainbow SET technology into Philips' products. Masimo expects to begin diligent co-development projects with Philips, which should allow rainbow SET technology to be available in Philips' products worldwide.
8:00AM Peregrine Pharma reports promising 12.4 month overall survival data from Phase II trial in non-small cell lung cancer (PPHM) 1.79 : Co reported promising median overall survival (MOS) of 12.4 months from a Phase II clinical trial evaluating bavituximab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with previously untreated, locally-advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This survival is 20% longer than the 10.3 month MOS from a separate historic control trial using carboplatin and paclitaxel alone in a similar patient population. Peregrine is currently enrolling patients in a randomized Phase II trial in front-line NSCLC evaluating this same therapeutic combination in up to 86 patients.
7:56AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* Science Applications International (SAI) announced it was awarded a prime contract by the Federal Highway Administration to provide technical and programmatic services in support of the Office of Freight Management and Operations and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
* Novatel Wireless (NVTL) announced that Enfora and SeeControl will team up and combine their respective expertise to offer enterprises and wireless carriers an enterprise grade M2M solution.
7:54AM Zhongpin elected Xiaosong Hu as a Director, effective as of June 16; will serve on the Audit and Compensation Committees (HOGS) 12.65 :
7:39AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* Palatin Technologies (PTN) announced presentation and publication of a report on validation of a scale for subjective male sexual arousal. The underlying study was supported by grants from Palatin.
* Gentium (GENT) announced the appointment of Link Pharmaceuticals as exclusive distributor of Defibrotide in Australia and New Zealand. Under the terms of the agreement, Link will be responsible for managing named patient requests.
* Protalix BioTherapeutics (PLX), announced that Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency has completed a successful GMP audit of the co's manufacturing facility in Carmiel, Israel, and determined that the facility is acceptable.
* Infosys (INFY) announced the availability of Infosys Health Benefit Exchange, a cost effective solution designed to help states set up the insurance exchanges mandated in the Affordable Care Act.
* A device in the Freescale Semiconductor (FSL) Kinetis 32-bit microcontroller portfolio has achieved unprecedented levels of performance across the full CPU frequency range in an industry-standard benchmark test.
7:37AM Taubman Centers prices 1.75 mln shares at $56.50 per share (TCO) 57.24 :
7:33AM Alliance Data total managed portfolio reports May NCO/avg. receivables 7.2%; avg receivables -3% YoY at $4.86 bln (ADS) 87.94 :
7:30AM Broadsoft prices $100 mln convertible senior note offering (BSFT) : Co announced the pricing of its offering of $100 million aggregate principal amount of 1.50% convertible senior notes due 2018. Co intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes, including potential acquisitions of complementary businesses, products or technologies.
7:17AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* NCR Corporation (NCR) announced the global launch of the next generation of NCR Financial Kiosks, which provide automated service options for financial services companies looking to offer a new customer channel in branches or off-site locations.
* Actuate Corporation (BIRT) announced that The Association For Manufacturing Technology has launched MTInsight, platform for its membership that runs on BIRT onDemand.
* Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (SPPI) announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the purchase of up to $25 mln of its common stock through the end of 2012.
* The Princeton Review (REVU) and MyEdu announced a partnership that will benefit students throughout their entire educational lifecycle with expanded resources for graduate school planning and testing.
7:06AM Aviva announces John McFarlane will become deputy chairman January 1, 2012 and take up the position of chairman from Lord Sharman of Redlynch at the end of June 2012 (AV) 14.30 : John McFarlane is currently a non-executive director of Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc and Westfield Holdings and was for 10 years CEO of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group.
7:04AM Spectrum Pharma authorizes stock repurchase program up to $25 mln through the end of 2012 (SPPI) 8.71 :
7:04AM PURE Bioscience obtains NSF registration for PURE hard surface as no-rinse sanitizer in food processing areas (PURE) 0.91 :
7:02AM GlobalStar's Spot announced its SPOT HUG system meets the requirements of Chartis' Global Marine division for security protection on-board various vessels (GSAT) 1.19 :
7:01AM Aceto issues an open letter to shareholders providing a strategic update on the company (ACET) 6.96 : The letter says "Consistent with our policy, in this letter we will not be providing any specific guidance or projections related to our fiscal 2011 financial results. This is being written today because as we move into our fiscal year 2012 we are excited about the progress we have made and direction for the future we have put in-place... Over the next several years, we see Aceto evolving into a company primarily focused on basic human needs in the health sciences and agricultural protection industries, both of which share many common elements in their business fundamentals and logistics."
7:01AM Sensata Tech acquires the shares of Sensor-NITE Group Companies from Elex Group for EUR225 mln or ~$325 mln; expected to be accretive to earnings (ST) 33.92 : Co announces that it has reached an agreement whereby certain ST companies will acquire the shares of Sensor-NITE Group Companies from Elex Group for EUR225 mln or ~$325 mln. Co expects to have sufficient cash on the balance sheet to fund the transaction, but may also consider using debt based on the favorability of market conditions. Co expects the transaction to be accretive to earnings. Co further expects that the acquisition will contribute to both net revenue and Adjusted Net Income growth in 2011 and beyond. Sensor-NITE recorded revenues of ~$135 mln in 2010.
6:34AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* Compass Minerals (CMP) will increase its magnesium chloride production capacity from 550,000 liquid tons to 1 mln tons by 2015.
* Microchip Technology (MCHP) and Stratford Digital today announced a full, turnkey, 16-bit microcontroller development platform that enables educators to quickly and easily integrate Microchip into their curriculum.
* Chemtura (CHMT) announced the launch of its new contract and toll manufacturing service which offers manufacturing solutions from an experienced production partner.
* Siemens Enterprise Communications announced it will resell the inContact (SAAS) cloud contact center portfolio as OpenScape Cloud Contact Center. In addition, an affiliate of Siemens Enterprise Communications will make an equity investment in inContact to fund the acceleration of development and go to market initiatives.
6:23AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* inContact (SAAS) announced that it has entered into a worldwide distribution agreement with global unified communications leader Siemens Enterprise Communications. In addition, an affiliate of Siemens Enterprise Communications has made a strategic investment in the co. According to the agreement, Siemens Enterprise Communications is committed to pay a minimum of $15 million of net software revenue to inContact over a 2-year timeframe, with $5 mln committed in 2012 and $10 mln committed in 2013.
* STMicroelectronics (STM) and CMP announced that the CMOS 28nm process from STMicroelectronics is now available for prototyping to universities, research labs and companies through the silicon brokerage services provided by CMP.
* Unisys (UIS) announced a range of value-added services that enable providers to integrate voice-based services with social media channels to drive new sources of revenue and enhance the user experience of their subscribers.
* National Technical Systems (NTSC) announced that its National Quality Assurance joint venture subsidiary has formed a partnership with global food safety leader NCS International to offer a wide range of food safety registrations for customers in North America and Europe.
* Maxwell Technologies (MXWL) introduced a 12-volt ultracapacitor module that ensures reliable engine starting for commercial trucks and other heavy vehicles.
* Citrix Systems (CTXS) announced a strategic investment in Cotendo, a leading provider of innovative content delivery network mobile content acceleration and optimization services.
6:05AM Kinder Morgan Partners - Capano (CPNO) JV increase processing capacity in Eagle Ford Shale with partnership with Williams Partners (WPZ) (KMP) 71.12 : Eagle Ford Gathering,a 50/50 JV between Kinder Morgan Energy (KMP) and Copano Energy (CPNO) announce a long-term agreement with Williams Partners (WPZ) to process Eagle Ford Shale production at Williams Partners' Markham processing plant located in Matagorda County, Texas. Eagle Ford Gathering will construct a 7-mile, 20-inch lateral to connect its previously announced crossover pipeline project to the Markham plant and install ~3,400 horsepower of compression at a cost of ~$27 mln. The agreement will initially provide Eagle Ford Gathering with 100 mln cubic feet per day of processing capacity at the Markham plant, with an option to increase its capacity to up to 200 mln cubic feet per day.
6:03AM Central Pacific Financial announces public offering of common stock owned by the US Department of the Treasury (CPF) 14.13 : Co announces that the United States Department of the Treasury plans to offer all 5,620,117 shares of the co's common stock it currently holds in an underwritten public offering. Treasury acquired the shares on February 18, 2011 as part of the co's recapitalization in exchange for 135,000 shares of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock.
6:02AM Harbinger announces consent solicitation of its 10.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2015 (HRG) 5.91 :
5:37AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* Volvo (VOLVY) Buses has secured an order for 328 articulated buses for New York City through its subsidiary Nova Bus. The order is valued at $231 mln.
* NextGen Healthcare, a wholly owned subsidiary of Quality Systems (QSII) announced that Hanger Orthopedic Group will deploy NextGen Ambulatory EHR and NextGen Practice Management.
* PMC-Sierra, (PMCS) introduced its latest generation of SAS/SATA protocol controllers, which doubles the performance and port density of existing solutions.
* BNY Mellon (BK) announced the creation of a new company to clear futures and derivatives trades on behalf of institutional clients in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
* TechFaith Wireless Technology (CNTF) announced it will launch a new mobile social media solution in China called "17Talk", along with "17Store", through its subsidiary TechFaith Software China, a joint venture co with QUALCOMM (QCOM).
* Top Image Systems (TISA) announced that it has successfully implemented a digital mailroom solution in partnership with Williams Lea for a leading German bank.
5:09AM Paramount Gold and Silver reports new drill results expand San Francisco deposit and Discover new higher grade veins at its San Miguel Project in Mexico (PZG) 3.68 : Co announces new assay results from its ongoing drilling program at the San Miguel project in Mexico have extended the bulk-mineable San Francisco deposit and discovered a new, closely-spaced swarm of higher grade gold-silver veins named Santa Clara. Only five holes were permitted and drilled to date on the promising Don Ese Sur target located 3.5 km south of last year's Don Ese high grade vein discovery. One of these holes generated two significant intercepts, with grades up to 78 g/t of silver, while the other four returned no significant values. However, Don Ese Sur remains an important target with more than 1.6 km of strike length left to explore and 15 more holes planned once permits are obtained. One of four initial holes drilled on the new La Verde and El Ojito targets produced an intercept with good grade while the other three had no significant intervals.
4:40AM UK May Claimant Count +4.6% vs +4.6% in Apr (EWU) 18.03 : May Jobless Claims +19.6K vs revised 16.9K in Apr (12.4K prior) .
3:12AM On The Wires (WIRES) :
* Vista Gold (VGZ) announced that on June 13, 2011, the co's wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into an acquisition of additional option agreement with Pan Asia Resources. The Additional Option Agreement provides Pan Asia with the opportunity to earn an additional 20% interest in the Corporation's Awak Mas gold project in Indonesia after it has earned a 60% interest in the project pursuant to the JV Agreement.
* VASCO Data Security International (VDSI) launched DIGIPASS 836, a smart card reader with an optical interface and replaceable batteries.
* Barrick Gold (ABX) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Barrick Canada, announced that an additional 37,898,384 common shares of Equinox Minerals representing ~4% of the outstanding Equinox Shares on a fully diluted basis were deposited and have been taken up under the offer by the Offeror to acquire all of the Equinox Shares at a price of CAD8.15 per Equinox Share.
* Corning (GLW) announced the opening of the Corning Advanced Technology Center, located in the Neihu Technology Park in Taipei, Taiwan.
* Verizon (VZ) is extending the range of its immersive video, or telepresence, offering to enable virtual face-to-face collaboration in more locations around the world, under a new agreement with Tata Communications (TCL).
2:28AM Cempressco Partners prices 2.67 mln IPO of at $20 per common unit, at the mid-point of the $19-21 expected range (GSJK) :
2:08AM Qiagen makes proposal to fully acquire Ipsogen; expected to be slightly dilutive to adjusted EPS in 2012, but accretive to adjusted EPS beginning in 2013 (QGEN) 19.70 : Co announces it has made an offer and entered into exclusive negotiations to purchase a 47% initial stake in Ipsogen and subsequently make a public offer to fully acquire a global leader in molecular profiling and personalized healthcare diagnostics for a broad range of hematological cancers at EUR12.90 per share. In addition, after the signing of the definitive purchase agreement and consummation of the purchase, co would launch a process to acquire all remaining shares for EUR12.90 per share. On an adjusted basis, which excludes one-time charges and integration costs, and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, the transaction would be expected to be slightly dilutive to adjusted EPS in 2012, but accretive to adjusted EPS beginning in 2013.
2:08AM AEGON N.V. completes repayment to Dutch State (AEG) 6.61 : Co announces it has fulfilled its key objective of repurchasing all of the EUR3 bln core capital securities issued to the Dutch State at the height of the financial crisis in 2008. The Dutch Central Bank has given its consent to co's repurchase of EUR 750 million of core capital. The total amount co has paid to the Dutch State amounts to EUR4.1 bln. Of this amount, EUR3 bln covered the original issue of core capital securities, while an additional EUR1.1 bln was paid in premium and interest. With the repayment completed, the co will now focus on carrying out its strategy to deliver sustainable earnings growth with an improved risk-return profile.
1:44AM Velti prices 9,828,505 ordinary shares at $15.25 per share (VELT) 15.78 :
1:41AM Graymark Healthcare prices 6 mln shares of common stock and warrants, sold together at $1.40 per fixed combo (GRMH) 1.50 :
1:40AM Energizer Personal Care responds to FDA final rule for testing and labeling of OTC sunscreen products; new rules mainly affect labeling, not formulas of sunscreen (ENR) 70.09 : Additionally, the FDA announced its proposal to set an SPF limit of 50+. ENR Personal Care believes that products with SPFs higher than 50+ provide a benefit to those people with a higher sensitivity to sun damage, and also because generally people do not apply the proper amount of sunscreen. The FDA also requested information about the safety and effectiveness of continuous spray sunscreen products. Co maintains that continuous spray sunscreens are a safe and effective option for consumers seeking an alternative to lotion sunscreens.
1:29AM Pandora Media confirms pricing of 14.7 mln share IPO at $16 per share, above the upwardly-revised $10-12 expected range (prior $7-9) (P) :
1:18AM The Hanover Insurance Grp prices a $300 mln 6.375% senior notes offering due 2021 (THG) 38.56 :
1:17AM Crown Hldgs amends credit facility in the amount of $200 mln and a new euro term loan facility in the amount of EUR274 mln; includes new term loan facilities that will mature 2016 as well as the existing senior secured revolving credit facilities, which mature 2015 (CCK) 38.18 :
1:14AM Realty Income prices a $150 mln re-opening offering of 5-7/8% senior unsecured bonds due 2035 (O) 33.01 :
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