Year: 2014

Google Inc. ’s ( GOOGL ) Gmail service has been banned in China by the nation’s avant-garde censorship mechanism often referred to as the Great Firewall of China. […]

Semiconductor maker MagnaChip Semiconductor Corporation ( MX ) inked a research pact with two of the world’s best bio-sensor research teams to apply its revolutionary 0.18 micron mixed-signal technology for developing cost-effective magnetic bio-sensors. The collaboration includes teams from the Massachusetts General Hospital, spearheaded by Hakho Lee, PhD, and Pohang University of Science and Technology’s Analog IC Systems Lab, led by Prof Jae-Yoon Sim. The teams will focus on developing cutting-edge, cost-efficient silicon magnetic bio-sensor technology that will be able to examine extremely rare cells in the blood […]

Ventas Inc. ( VTR ) arrived at an agreement with Kindred Healthcare Inc. […]

On Dec 23, 2014, we issued an updated research report on SEI Investments Co. ( SEIC ). Although this Oaks, PA-based asset management company remains focused on improving its revenues, persistently rising expenses remains a major concern […]

With an aim to consolidate branches across its footprints, Valley National Bancorp ( VLY ) has announced the sale of its branch located at 62nd West 47th Street in Manhattan. The company plans to re-locate this branch in the same area in 2015. Notably, with this branch sale, Wayne, NJ-based Valley National will record a pre-tax gain of $17.8 million in fourth-quarter 2014.The company intends to utilize the proceeds for absorbing expenses related to prepayment of some higher-cost long-term debts with contractual maturity dates in late 2015 […]

On Dec 30, 2014, we issued an updated research report on premium technology company, MKS Instruments, Inc. ( MKSI ). […]

Ogilvy Public Relations (Ogilvy PR), a unit of Ogilvy & Mather, which is a subsidiary of WPP plc ( WPPGY ) was recently selected as the global media relations agency of record by Brand USA – the official public-private partnership promoting international tourism to the United States. Since Dec 2013, Ogilvy PR has been operating as Brand USA's media relations partner. The recent tie-up completed though a competitive RFP (request for proposal) process has further strengthened Ogilvy PR’s long-term partnership with Brand USA […]

Semiconductors form the basis of virtually all other technology-based devices. The industry therefore drives, enables and indicates the technological progress of an economy. Developments in the industry determine the way we work, commute, communicate, entertain ourselves and respond to our environment. […]

Developer and seller of microfluidic systems, Fluidigm Corp ( FLDM ) recently announced a new single-cell application for its C1 system, which improves whole genome sequencing of individual cells. Whole genome sequencing is a laboratory process used to determine the complete DNA sequence of an organism's genome at a single time. The new application will empower cancer researchers to predict cancer susceptibility, metastasis, and therapeutic efficacy by discovering and defining specific mutation profiles in complex cell populations […]

The year 2014 opened up like a Chinese box for the U.S. real estate investment trusts (REITs), each revealing a new surprise. Thanks to the treasury yields and interest rates movement, the REIT industry had a profitable 2014 […]

On Dec 27, Zacks Investment Research downgraded the oil and gas drilling company Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. ( PTEN ) to a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Why the Downgrade? […]

On Dec 30, 2014, Zacks Investment Research downgraded commercial foodservice equipment manufacturer The Manitowoc Company, Inc. ( MTW ), to a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) from a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Why the Downgrade […]

Ericsson ( ERIC ) was selected as the exclusive supplier of advanced converged LTE (Long-Term Evolution) FDD/TDD and Evolved Packet Core network capabilities by China Mobile Hong Kong, one of Hong Kong`s dominant mobile operators. The enhancements will further improve user experience and optimize network operations, thus benefiting the subscribers of the operator. The deal also entails Ericsson to develop China Mobile Hong Kong’s commercial LTE network with TD-LTE (LTE TDD) in Hong Kong […]

It was a week where both crude and natural gas prices plummeted to multi-year lows. Apart from that, the top story came from Southwestern Energy Co. ’s ( SWN ) big push in the Marcellus and Utica plays […]

Shares of The Macerich Company ( MAC ) touched a new 52-week high of $84.77 on Dec 29. However, the stock closed the session at $84.00, reflecting a solid return of 47.0% in a year’s time. The trading volume for the session was 645,276 shares. […]