Archive for August, 2009

(ATSI) ATS Medical Gets FDA Approval

ATS Medical, Inc. (ATSI) has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a landmark clinical study in which cardiac surgeons will implant the company’s ATS 3f Aortic Bioprosthesis valve in a younger aortic valve replacement patient population. The... 

28Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(IVC) Invacare Corporation – Reported Excellent Second-Quarter Results

Invacare Corp. (IVC) shares are soaring following analyst upgrades and a huge earnings surprise. Company Description Invacare manufactures and distributes non-acute health care products. Items included wheelchairs, portable oxygen systems, specialized beds, and many other similar... 

28Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(DPS) Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc. – P/E multiple of 14X – discount to the overall market

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (DPS) is up more than 100% in the last four months as the company expands its margins and pays down debt. Company Description Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc. owns, bottles and distributes beverages in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.... 

28Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(ANDE) The Andersons, Inc. – Analysts Optimistic

The Anderson’s, Inc. (ANDE) reported second quarter results on Aug 5 and missed on analysts’ estimates, yet third quarter and full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates continue to move higher. ANDE trades at 14x forward earnings. Company Description The Anderson’s... 

28Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

Top Diversified Bond Funds – Mutual Fund Commentary

Today we are featuring top-performing “Diversified Bond” fixed-income mutual funds, which primarily invest in variety of bonds in pursuit of total return as well as income. Investors can find such funds by checking out the entire list of the Zacks #1 Rank Diversified... 

28Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

Stages of Secular Bear Markets

The debate rages on as to whether global stocks markets have turned the corner and are in the early stages of a new secular bull market, or whether we are experiencing a secondary bear market rally (or cyclical bull phase) within a primary bear market. Although I am not a big... 

28Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

The rhyming of history – Bloomberg and the RFC

This post is a guest contribution by Paul Kasriel* of The Northern Trust Company. On November 7, 2008, Bloomberg LP sued the Federal Reserve Board under terms of the Freedom of Information Act to obtain the names of borrowers of funds from the Federal Reserve as well as lists... 

28Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(HPQ) Hewlett-Packard Gets American Airlines Deal

Good news continues for Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ). After delivering modest third quarter results, the company won a deal with American Airlines parent AMR Corp. (AMR). According to the agreement, Hewlett-Packard will be developing a system for AMR, which will take care of pricing,... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(MELA) How to Unearth Explosive Small-Cap HealthCare Stocks

by Marc Lichtenfeld, Advisory Panelist How do I know if I’m doing a good job for my readers and subscribers? Simple. The stock market tells me every single day. I’m not someone who needs a pat on the back to feel good about my work.. However, even I’ll admit it’s nice... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(BWA) BorgWarner Wins New Business

BorgWarner (BWA) revealed that it has been selected to supply friction materials and plates for the new ZF 8-speed automatic transmission (8HP), debuting on the 2010 BMW 760i. The Michigan-based company manufactures the multi-segmented friction material in Heidelberg, Germany.... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(AAPL) Apple Eyes China Unicom to Sell iPhones

iPhone has created fortune for Apple Inc. (AAPL) in the recent days. During the third quarter, the company reported iPhone sales of 5.2 million, representing 626.0% unit growth over the year-ago quarter. The value of iPhones sold during the quarter was $2.9 billion. So it goes... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(JNJ) Twin FDA Problems for Johnson & Johnson

In a major disappointment for Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked the company to strengthen the warning for its HIV drug Intelence regarding a deadly skin reaction. The warning has been updated after the death of a patient from the... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(BMY) Wider Label Approval for Bristol Myers Squibb Drug

Bristol Myers Squibb Co. (BMY) yesterday announced the approval of a broader label for its rheumatoid arthritis drug Orencia by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The agency approved an addition to the label that supports the use of Orencia (abatacept) in patients... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(JPM) FDIC Fund Falls

The main purpose behind the FDIC is to insure bank deposits. To do so, it must have money available to pay off depositors. That pool of capital is rapidly draining away. The deposit insurance fund fell to $10.4 billion at the end of the second quarter from $13.0 billion at the... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(JLL) Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated Feels Retail Recovery Likely in 2010

According to a report published by Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (JLL), a leading real estate investment trust (REIT) in the U.S., the retail market is likely to recover in 2010, with discount retailers benefiting the most from the recovery. The continued softness in the economy... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(NCS) NCI Building Systems Obtains Extension of Waivers

Earlier today, NCI Building Systems (NCS) announced that it has obtained an extension of the waivers granted by its senior credit facility lenders until November 6, 2009, giving it more time to arrange for refinancing. Previously, these waivers had been in effect through August... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(SGP) Euro Review for Schering Drugs

Yesterday, Schering-Plough Corp. (SGP) revealed that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) will review its candidate for maintenance treatment of asthma in patients 12 years and above and an oral contraceptive for marketing in Europe. While the fixed-dose combination of mometasone... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(PCP) Precision Castparts Carlton Forge Works for $850 million

Yesterday, Precision Castparts Corp. (PCP) announced its decision to acquire Carlton Forge Works and related entities for $850 million. Carlton, with one facility in Paramount, CA, is a leading manufacturer of seamless rolled rings for critical aerospace applications. Carlton... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(CSIQ) Canadian Solar Makes Chinese Inroads

Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ) yesterday announced that is has obtained rights to design, install, operate and maintain a 500MW solar power plant system in Baotou, Inner Mongolia — an autonomous region in the northern part of the People’s Republic of China. Canadian Solar... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(XOM) Acergy Set to Outperform

London-based Acergy S.A. (ACGY) is a leading oilfield contractor engaged in the designing, procurement, building, installation and servicing of a range of offshore surface and sub-surface equipment for the oil and gas industry. In recent times, the company has been successfully... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(GE) General Electric to Sell Security Business

General Electric (GE) is arranging to sell its security business, which makes alarms, surveillance systems and other safety products, and hopes to attract bids in the range of $2 billion for the unit. This move represents GE’s strategy of exiting from non-core businesses. GE... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(CIEN) Neutral Rating on Ciena Corporation

Ciena Corp. (CIEN) is expected to announce third-quarter on Sept. 3. Based on improved order flow, the company expects to deliver sequential revenue growth. Gross margin is expected to be in the mid-to-high 40% range. However, higher-than-expected prototype costs are likely... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(ACGY) Acergy ADRs Set to Outperform

London-based Acergy S.A. (ACGY) is a leading oilfield contractor engaged in the designing, procurement, building, installation and servicing of a range of offshore surface and sub-surface equipment for the oil and gas industry. In recent times, the company has been successfully... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(IBM) IBM Signs Multiyear Agreement in India

International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) recently signed a multiyear IT services contract with Nomura Services India Private Ltd. to provide disaster and system failure response services. Financial terms on the agreement were not disclosed. Nomura will implement IBM’s... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(MAA) European Medicines Agency Accepts Merck’s Application

We are pleased to hear that the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has agreed to review the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) of Merck’s (MRK) vernakalant intravenous (IV). The company is seeking EMEA approval for the drug to address the unmet need for patients suffering... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(REP) Repsol Partners with Venezuela on Oil Field

Spain’s largest integrated oil and gas company, Repsol YPF, S.A. (REP), will pay Venezuela $203 million to exploit the Barua-Motatan oil field. Repsol took the minority share of this oil field, which includes 432 square kilometers, after lawmakers voted for the transfer of... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(BBV) Moody’s Reaffirms BBVA Compass Bank Ratings

Following the announcement of the acquisition of the failed Guaranty Bank by BBVA Compass, Moody’s has affirmed its current downgraded ratings on the company. BBVA Compass is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBV). Though the rating agency reaffirmed... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(ALKS) Alkermes Notified Johnson & Johnson Intends to Stop Development of Risperidone

On Wednesday, Alkermes, Inc. (ALKS) disclosed that it has received notification from Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ) Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Janssen Pharmaceutica International stating that Janssen does not intend to continue with the development of the... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(BCE) Bell Canada Prepares to Launch the Palm Pre in Canada

Bell Canada, the wireless subsidiary of BCE Inc (BCE), is set to launch Palm Inc’s (PALM) Pre touch-screen smartphone today in Canada. The highly-anticipated smartphone will be available at Bell Mobility retail stores at a price of $199.95 on a three-year service contract ($599.95... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(VLO) Valero Energy Corporation Still Struggles

The largest oil refiner in the U.S., Valero Energy Corporation (VLO), is deferring its search for overseas acquisitions following the decline of an acquisition stake in a Netherlands refinery. The company had sought acquisition of Dow Chemical’s (DOW) 45% interest in the TRN... 

27Aug2009 | | 0 comments | Continued