Archive for December, 2009
(EFX) Equifax & Moneta Enter Joint Venture for Online Payments System
Equifax Inc. (EFX), a global leader in information solutions, recently announced that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with Moneta, an online payment alternative to credit cards, whereby the latter will be utilizing the Equifax credit decisioning system for a new...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(STO) Statoil ASA Gaining Impetus at Snorre
Statoil ASA (STO) plans to achieve its goal of stable NCS (Norwegian Continental Shelf) volumes through a combination of active exploration efforts for new reserves and effective field management of existing producing assets. The company plans to spend around NOK 5.0 billion...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(ABAX) Abaxis Launches New Bird Flu Test Product
Abaxis, Inc. (ABAX) reported that it has launched its first product, a rapid Avian Influenza Antigen Test, in the production animal diagnostics market. Avian Influenza Antigen Test is a disposable and USDA-licensed test for Avian Influenza Type A nucleoprotein antigen in chickens,...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(QCOR) Questcor Pharmaceuticals’ Drug Gets Target Date
Recently, Questcor Pharmaceuticals Inc (QCOR) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) filed by Questcor seeking marketing approval for its drug Acthar (repository corticotrophin injection). The application...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(PBR) Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Buys Ethanol Plant Stake
Brazilian energy giant Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (PBR), or Petrobras S.A. announced the purchase of interest in an ethanol plant for 150 million Brazilian reals ($84 million). The acquisition consists of a 40.4% stake in the Total Agroindustria Canavieira-owned ethanol mill located...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(ACGY) Acergy S.A. Share Price Hits 52-Week High
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) of Acergy S.A. (ACGY) hit a 52-week high of $15.87 Monday. The oilfield contractor has seen its share price climb 58% since September, as investors have been buying shares of the company for its attractive fundamentals and positive outlook....
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(MASI) Masimo Corporation in Expansion Mode
Masimo Corp. (MASI) recently announced the expansion of its corporate campus in Irvine, California with the addition of an adjacent 32,000 sq. ft. building. This is the company’s third building on its corporate campus. Masimo stated that the new building is expected to...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(FLIR) FLIR Systems Acquires Directed Perception Incorporated
FLIR Systems, Inc. (FLIR) announced that it has acquired Directed Perception, Inc., a leading provider of pan-tilt motion control systems for commercial and military markets, for $20 million in cash. Directed Perception, based in Burlingame, California, is a pioneer and leader...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(WMGI) Wright Medical Group Sees Operations Relocation Costs
Wright Medical Group, Inc. (WMGI) reported that it will incur a relocation cost of as much as $4 million for relocating its French distribution and supply operations to its European headquarters in Amsterdam. The relocation plan was first announced by the company in Oct 2009....
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(TM) Auto Industry Outlook – Dec. 09 – Industry Outlook
The auto industry is a highly concentrated one. About 10 global automakers account for over 77% of the production worldwide. Among them, Toyota Motors (TM) leads with a 13.3% market share, while its domestic rivals including Nissan (NSANY) and its alliance with Renault account...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | ContinuedWill the “January Effect” Prove Faithful This Year?
by Sheena Martin, Contributing Editor Tuesday, December 29, 2009 If you want to bank on a reliable market opportunity, you’d better pay close attention. January is just around the corner and a trend known as the “January Effect” gives your money potential to multiply. In...
29Dec2009 | InvestmentU | 0 comments | Continued(SOLF) Solarfun Power Holdings Co. – Swings to Profit – Estimates Advancing
Solarfun Power Holdings Co. (SOLF) posted solid Q3 results in mid November that saw the company swing to profitability from last year. Estimates have also been on the rise as shares approach the 52-week high just short of $9. Company Description Solarfun Power Holdings Co., an...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(MFB) Maidenform Brands, Inc. – Earnings Surprised 4 of 4 Quarters by 35.6%
Maidenform Brands Inc. (MFB) saw sales jump in the third quarter as shapewear sales remained hot. The company has surprised on estimates the last 4 quarters by an average of 35.60%. Company Description Maidenform Brands sells intimate apparel at department stores and other retail...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(REG) Regency Centers – Bear of the Day
We are changing our long-term recommendation for Regency Centers (REG) to Underperform as we anticipate it to move well below the broader market. The prolonged recession has led to increased tenant bankruptcies, which in turn have led to a decline in occupancy and an increase...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(LLY) Eli Lilly Gets Good News From the US Food and Drug Administration
Recently, Eli Lilly (LLY) received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for Zyprexa Relprevv (olanzapine), the new extended release injectable version of its blockbuster drug Zyprexa for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults. The new version carries its own patent...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued($TROW) T. Rowe Price Group – Strong Momentum and Solid Quarterly Results
T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (TROW) continues to outperform the market on strong fundamentals that include a return on equity (ROE) of 12.7% and a net profit margin of 17.5%. Company Description T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. is a global investment management organization that provides...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(JPM) JPMorgan Chase & Company Sues Former Executive
JPMorgan Chase & Company (JPM) said on Monday that it has sued a former banking executive who was arrested on criminal charges last year in Argentina. The executive was accused of stealing $2.8 million from a customer’s account. JPMorgan fired the executive on May 30, 2008,...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AIG) American International Group to Pay Severance to Counsel
American International Group Inc. (AIG) intends to pay millions toward severance to its departing general counsel Anastasia Kelly. Kelly recently resigned due to federal pay restraints on her compensation. Kelly was among the five executives who notified on Dec 1, 2009, that...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(TM) Toyota Motor Makes Chinese Recall
In a near rerun of its U.S. fiasco, the Chinese unit of Toyota Motor (TM) will recall 43,000 vehicles Incorporatedluding models such as Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Highlander sports utility vehicle and Previa minivan. The vehicles are reported to have engine oil leaks. The recall,...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | ContinuedDec 29: Consumer Confidence Up – Economic Highlights
The S&P/Case-Shiller 10-City Home Price Index was unchanged in October following an increase of 0.5% in September, revised from 0.4% and 1.3% in August. Over the year, the index has fallen by 6.4%.The S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index was also unchanged after...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(IBM) International Business Machines Signs Contract with Indian Bank
International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) announced the signing of a 10-year information technology (IT) services agreement with Sardar Bhiladwala Pardi People’s Co-operative Bank Ltd. (SBPPCB), a leading co-operative bank in Gujarat, India. Under the agreement, IBM will...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(CTIC) Cell Therapeutics Guards Againt Hostile Takeover
In an attempt to guard itself against hostile takeover, Cell Therapeutics (CTIC) adopted a shareholder rights plan. The plan, to be effective from Jan 7, 2010, has been designed so that a potential buyer has to discuss any offer with Cell Therapeutics’ board of directors...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(DPL) DPL Incorporated Reduces Debt Load
DPL Inc. (DPL) purchased $52.4 million principal amount of 8.125% DPL Capital Trust II Capital Securities in a privately negotiated transaction. DPL paid $56.1 million or 7% premium for the buyback. This transaction will result in annual interest cost savings of approximately...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(MGI) MoneyGram International Inc Partners in Serbia
Expanding its presence in Serbia, on Monday, MoneyGram International Inc. (MGI) announced its partnership with Alpha Bank Srbija A.D. to enhance its money transfer service business by adding more than 165 locations in Serbia. This alliance will double the existing locations in...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(KTC) KT Corporation Sheds Jobs, Enters Chinese Market
South Korea’s incumbent fixed-line telephone carrier KT Corporation (KTC) has announced a major workforce restructuring program. The company is reportedly eliminating 5,992 jobs through an early retirement program, equating to 16% of its workforce (roughly 37,026 employees)....
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(BCE) BCE Incorporated Boosting Dividend
Canada’s largest telecom carrier, BCE Inc (BCE), has increased its annual dividend by 7% year-over-year to C$1.74 (US$1.63) per share, equating to approximately 6.4% yield. The revised dividend will be effective from the first-quarter 2010 dividend, payable on Apr. 15, 2010...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(CAB) Cabela’s Incorporated – Bull of the Day
Boasting a healthy balance sheet, viable strategy and improving operating efficiencies, Cabela’s (CAB) offers investors a strong growth profile. Cabela’s remains on course to achieve its targeted long-term return on invested capital of 12%-14%. Next generation store...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(HITK) Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co. – Earnings Estimates Jump Big!
Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co (HITK) estimates are surging following the latest earnings report, which showed earnings rise more than 600%. Company Description Hi-Tech makes generic and branded pharmaceuticals, both over-the-counter and prescription. The company focuses on liquid and...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(UAUA) United Airlines’ UAL Corporation Applies for Antitrust Immunity
United Airlines, a unit of UAL Corporation (UAUA), announced last week that it would soon file an antitrust immunity application for a trans-Pacific joint venture with All Nippon Airways Co. and Continental Airlines Inc. (CAL). The joint venture would strengthen United Airline’s...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(MS) Morgan Stanley to Revamp Bonuses
Working on its strategy to defer the major part of bonus payment to longer term, Morgan Stanley (MS) on Monday announced its plans to revamp its bonus payout structure for the company’s top executives. The company charted out a compensation plan according to which the top...
29Dec2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued