Month: July 2011

We are upgrading our recommendation on Genworth Financial Inc ( GNW ) to Neutral from Underperform to reflect the company’s continued focus on fueling gro wth and strong rating affirmation from credit rating agencies. To focus more on its Retirement and Protection segment, Genwo rth has agreed to sell its Medicare supplement business and related blocks of in-force business. The company has agreed to sell the Medicare busines s to Aetna Inc […]

The Valspar Corporation ’s ( VAL ) Valspar Paint launched the first indoor decorative paint, which has been certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). The Valspar Plus paint, certified as asthma and allergy friendly, decreases airborne irritants and enhances the painting process of people with respiratory sensitivities. The Valspar Plus is odor-free and has zero volatile organic compounds. […]

World’s leading money transfer company Western Union Co. ( WU ) has recently announced that it would launch a Western Union Money Transfer Receive Card, which would set in a new hassle-free way to receive money transfer from across the globe. The cards, which will be available at select Western Union Agent locations this summer, can be picked up by consumers without having to fill up any form […]

Procter & Gamble Co ( PG ) is partnering with Electronic Arts Inc. ( ERTS ) to feature its Bounty products in the social game called Playfish Restaurant City. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed […]

Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. ( MRH ) guided se cond quarter ca tastrophe losses from severe flood, hail, tornado and wind events in the United States to $35 million, pre-tax and net of reinsurance recoveries and reinstatement premiums. […]

Dendreon Corporation ( DNDN ) has of late been announcing significant milestones, related to its potential blockbuster cancer vaccine Provenge. Most recently, the company announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has agreed to fully reimburse Provenge, an expensive vaccine. […]

Darden Restaurants Inc ( DRI ) posted fourth quarter 2011 earnings of $1.00 per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but up 23% from the year-ago quarter's earnings of 81 cents per share. Total revenue jumped 6.8% from the prior-year quarter to $1,990.4 million and also edged out the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,990.0 million. […]

Nokia Corporation ( NOK ), the world’s largest mobile phone maker, plans to divest its instant messaging service division to British-based firm Synchronica for $25 million. The acquisition will allow Synchronica to enter the U.S. market and gain access to Nokia’s 6 million end users. […]

Fresenius Medical Care ( FMS ), the largest provider of dialysis products and services in the globe, recently offered advice to renal patients to monitor their fluid intake during the parched summer months. Further, the company offered tips to dialysis patients on how to satisfy their thirst, without risking their well-being, during this period. Dialysis is a life-preserving mechanism that purifies the blood of waste substances and regulates the physical chemistry when an individual’s kidneys fail. […]