Archive for December, 2009

(GENZ) Genzyme’s Announces Positive Campath Oncology Results

Genzyme Corp. (GENZ) recently presented encouraging interim results on its oncology product, Campath, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). Results from the randomized phase III study (CAM314) showed that Campath, when used in combination with Fludara... 

10Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(VLO) Oil Price Slides as Fuel Inventories Rise

The federal government’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported an unexpected decline in crude stockpiles. However, the report also showed a larger-than-anticipated buildup in gasoline and distillate inventories amid renewed concerns about weak demand in the U.S.,... 

10Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

($C) Citigroup Plans $20 Billion Equity Offering

Citigroup Inc. (C) could raise money through a $20 billion equity offering to repay the bailout money it has received from the government for its participation in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) at the height of the credit crisis last year. Citigroup’s chairman, Vikram... 

10Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(DAL) Delta Airlines Reports Lower Traffic

Last week Delta Air Lines (DAL) announced that its mainline traffic decreased 6.1% compared to the same period a year ago. System traffic in November 2009, decreased 7.1% compared to Nov 2008 on an 8.4% decrease in capacity. Load factor or occupancy increased 110 basis points... 

10Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(FLIR) FLIR Systems Gets Foreign Military Sale Orders

FLIR Systems, Inc. (FLIR) announced that it has received $6.7 million of Foreign Military Sale (FMS) orders for delivery to Middle East/North African nations. The orders support Critical National Infrastructure Agency and Counter Terror missions and include FLIR’s Star... 

10Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(GE) General Electric Wins $1.4B Wind Turbine Deal

General Electric Company (GE) announced that it has received a $1.4 billion contract from independent power producer Caithness Energy to supply wind turbines and provide services for an 845-megawatt (MW) wind farm project to be located in Oregon. The wind farm, called Shepherds... 

10Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(SYK) Stryker’s Announces New Share Repurchases

Stryker Corp. (SYK) recently announced that share repurchases of up to $750 million has been authorized by its Board of Directors. The manner, timing and amount of any purchases will depend on market conditions, stock price and other factors and will be subject to regulatory... 

10Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(RTN) Raytheon Missle Contract Extended

Raytheon Co. (RTN) bagged a $160 million contract for continued development work on the Block IIA Standard Missile 3 for the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency. The award extends Raytheon’s original contract for work on the missile program by 10 months to Aug 31, 2010. Standard... 

10Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

($XOM) Exxon Corporation Releases Energy Outlook

During the new edition of its presentation “Outlook for Energy: A View to 2030,” ExxonMobil Corporation (XOM) stated that trillions of dollars of investment is required to cope with a 35% increase in energy demand by 2030. While oil, natural gas and coal will continue... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(CNO) Conseco Offers 2010 Earnings Guidance

Conseco Inc. (CNO) offered its earnings guidance for full year 2010 on Tuesday. The company expects net operating income in the range of 55 to 65 cents a share in 2010. The estimated earnings per share are based on operating income between $145 million and $170 million. The pre-tax... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(CEG) Constellation Energy Group to Build Solar Project

Constellation Energy Group Inc. (CEG) has been selected by the state of Maryland to develop an approximately 15.9 MW DC (13.5 MW/AC) solar photovoltaic power installation under the state’s Generating Clean Horizons initiative. Under the initiative, the state issued requests... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(SPG) Simon Property Group Acquires Prime Outlets

Simon Property Group Inc. (SPG), the largest publicly traded retail real estate company in North America, has recently signed a deal to acquire the outlet shopping center business of Prime Outlets Acquisition Co., one of the largest developers of outlet centers in the U.S. The... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(NCS) Tough Times for NCI Building Systems

NCI Building Systems Inc. (NCS) posted a net loss of $3.59 per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. This includes non cash debt extinguishment and refinancing costs of $99.2 million. Excluding these costs and other special charges, the company posted net income of 4 cents... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(CIEN) Earnings Preview for Ciena Corporation

The telecommunications network specialist Ciena Corp. (CIEN) is set to announce its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings on Dec 10. Though market conditions have improved, Ciena expects continued lumpiness in results, as customers are still spending cautiously. As a result, the company... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(TXN) Texas Instruments Raises Earnings Guidance

Texas Instruments (TXN) revised its revenue guidance to $2.90 billion-$3.02 billion, an increase of 1-5% from third quarter levels. This takes into account the $120 million seasonal decline in calculator revenue, as well as generally weaker baseband revenue, as the company phases... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(BIG) Big Lots, Inc. – Reports Record Third Quarter – Share Repurchase Program

Big Lots Inc. (BIG) recently posted a record third quarter as it surprised on estimates for the fourth quarter in a row. The company raised fourth quarter and full year guidance. Big Lots trades at 12.9x forward earnings. Company Description Big Lots is a closeout retailer which... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(SRCL) Stericycle Completes MedServe Acquisition

Stericycle, Inc. (SRCL) announced the completion of its pending acquisition of MedServe, Inc., which is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stericycle. In May 2009, Stericycle and its wholly-owned subsidiary, ATMW Acquisition Corp., entered into an agreement and plan of merger with... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(CELG) Celgene Corporation Presents Revlimid Data

Celgene Corporation (CELG) announced recently that its cancer drug Revlimid reduced the risk of progression of the disease in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma (MM) by 50%.  The data was presented at the 51st American Society of Hematology’s annual meeting in... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(IBM) International Business Machines Inks Deal in Latin Markets

International Business Machines (IBM) announced a $200 million software agreement with Consist Software Solutions Inc., a leading provider of information technology applications to large and medium-sized companies throughout Latin America. The company chose IBM to help clients... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(CTIC) Cell Therapeutics Reports Positive Data

Cell Therapeutics (CTIC) announced positive data from the pivotal phase III EXTEND (PIX 301) clinical trial of pixantrone in relapsed or refractory, aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) patients who have not responded to 2 or more prior therapies. The data were presented... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(MAR) Marriott International Provides Better Guidance

Marriott International Inc. (MAR) has provided a better guidance for the fourth quarter of 2009. The company now expects to add around 38,000 rooms to its worldwide lodging system by the end of 2009. This is up from its previous guidance of gross addition of 33,000 rooms for... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(AZO) AutoZone Beats Earnings Estimates

AutoZone, Inc. (AZO) posted a 9.1% rise in profit for the first quarter of its fiscal 2010 ended Nov. 21, 2009, driven by expanded parts coverage as well as an improved commercial sales force and hub operating model. The Memphis, Tennessee-based specialty retailer and distributor... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(COP) ConocoPhillips Steps up Browse Pace

ConocoPhillips (COP) is becoming increasingly focused on its discovery in the Browse basin off Western Australia as it seeks new reserves to feed its Darwin liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant. The company exercises its option to buy an additional 9% stake in exploration permits... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(FTI) FMC Technologies Inc Initiated at Neutral

We are initiating coverage on FMC Technologies Inc. (FTI) with a Neutral recommendation and a target price of $55. Incorporated in 2000, Houston, Texas-based FMC Technologies is a leading manufacturer and supplier of technology solutions for the energy industry. The company,... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(PLD) ProLogis Leases are Strong in Japan

With signs of market stabilization, ProLogis (PLD), a leading global provider of distribution facilities, recently leased about 450,000 square feet of its development portfolio in Japan. About 269,000 square feet were leased to Vantec Corporation, a premier third-party logistics... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(EEP) Enbridge Energy Partners L.P. – Earnings Report Crushed Estimates

Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. (EEP) estimates continue to climb as the company’s most recent project is expected to go into production next year. Company Description Enbridge is an energy transportation company based in Texas. The partnership delivers crude oil, petroleum,... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

($ADM) Archer Daniels Midland Co. – Positive Earnings Revisions

Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) is rebounding steadily after the commodities bubble burst last year. Estimates moving forward are showing steady growth. Company Description Archer Daniels is a global agriculture company, processing crops into food ingredients, agricultural feed,... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(NSM) National Semiconductor – Bull of the Day

National Semiconductor (NSM) is an OEM of analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits. Forward guidance is for a revenue increase of 2-9% in the first quarter. Management has refocused R&D into areas that should drive margins. It has also initiated a massive restructuring... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(AMGN) Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Seeks FDA Approval for XM02

Amgen, Inc.’s (AMGN) Neupogen could face competition in the near future from generic player, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA). Teva recently submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for XM02, a granulocyte colony-stimulating... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued

(STJ) St. Jude Medical – Bear of the Day

We look for global demographic trends — aging populations in developed nations and the rapid urbanization of developing countries — to fuel long-term growth of St. Jude Medical (STJ). These trends give rise to growing demand for cardiovascular health care. However,... 

9Dec2009 | | 0 comments | Continued