Month: December 2013

On Dec 31, Zacks Investment Research upgraded FBL Financial Group Inc. ( FFG ) to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Why the Upgrade? […]

Sanofi ( SNY ) suffered a major setback with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Complete Response Letter (CRL) for its multiple sclerosis drug, Lemtrada. […]

Vodafone Group plc ( VOD ) has been recently approved to bid for the complete acquisition of stake of its Indian incumbent. According to new rules set by Indian authorities in August, foreign companies like Vodafone are now eligible for complete ownership of their local divisions, which were previously restricted to owning only 74% stake. […]

On Dec 31, Zacks Investment Research downgraded Safeway Inc . ( SWY ) to a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) from a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Why the Downgrade […]

Zacks Investment Research upgraded Barnes Group Inc. ( B ) to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) on Dec 28, 2013. Why the Upgrade […]

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ( BCRX ) announced the receipt of additional funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to advance the development of the company’s pipeline candidate, BCX4430. […]

U.S. telecom operator T-Mobile U.S. Inc. […]

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ( PPHM ) announced that it has initiated a pivotal phase III study, SUNRISE, on bavituximab for second-line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and commenced enrolment for the same. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III trial (n=600) will be conducted across the world among stage IIIB/IV non-squamous NSCLC patients, whose disease progressed after standard front-line treatment, with the primary endpoint being overall survival […]

Shares of Symmetry Medical ( SMA ) rose 2.28% following an announcement to amend its credit agreement. The company ended the session at $10.32 per share. Symmetry Medical disclosed to repay its high-cost mezzanine debt. […]

Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ( THLD ) announced that it has completed enrolling patients in its phase III study, which is being conducted to evaluate TH-302 for the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS). The randomized, pivotal, phase III study will compare TH-302 in combination with Doxil to Doxil alone for treating patients with advanced STS […]

On Dec 27, Zacks Investment Research upgraded Mutualfirst Financial Inc. ( MFSF ) to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). […]

Brazilian state-run energy major, Petroleo Brasileiro SA , or Petrobras ( PBR ) closed the sale of its 35% stake in the Parque das Conchas or block BC-10 after receiving approval from the Brazilian Petroleum Agency (ANP). Europe’s oil giant, Royal Dutch Shell plc ( RDS.A ) purchased a 23% stake in the block, raising its net holding to 73%. The remaining 12% of Petrobras’ stake was purchased by Indian energy explorer ONGC, raising its stake to 27%. […]

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. ( KKR ) declared a 6.8% stake in Marvell Technology Group Ltd. […]

Eni SpA ’s ( E ) joint venture partner KrisEnergy revealed that the Italian oil major has stopped work at a 15.2 meter hydrocarbon column in Ca Ngu-1 exploration well in Block 120, offshore Vietnam. Since the well did not come across any significant volume of hydrocarbons, the well has been plugged and abandoned. The well encountered oil and gas in the primary objective that confirmed the presence of petroleum system in the area. […]

On Dec 30, 2013, the shares of Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. ( SWHC ) hit a 52-week high of $13.46. Smith & Wesson has registered positive earnings surprises in the last four quarters, with an average beat of 17.65%. […]

On Dec 27, we reiterated electronic payment processing and merchant acquiring services provider – Total System Services Inc. ( TSS ) at Neutral based on the company’s raised financial prospects, partially offset by higher expenses and financial leverage. Why the Retention? […]