Year: 2014

We maintain our long-term Neutral recommendation on Skechers USA Inc. ( SKX ), the footwear retailer, with a target price of $36.00. Why the Reiteration […]

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently issued a Notice of Allowance for the use of Galectin Therapeutics, Inc. ’s ( GALT ) GR-MD-02. […]

TBWASouth Africa, the South African counterpart of advertising major Omnicom Group Inc. ’s ( OMC ) operating unit TBWA, recently acquired about 80% ownership stake in Johannesburg-based HDI Youth Marketeers for an undisclosed amount. The remaining 20% ownership stake will continue to be with the erstwhile management team of HDI Youth. […]

Onshore contract driller Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. ( PTEN ) declared that its Dec 2013 drill rig count increased by two from Nov 2013 to average 196. The company operated 187 rigs in the U.S. […]

Solar photovoltaic ("PV") product manufacturer ReneSola Ltd. ( SOL ) has opened its order book for 2014 with a contract from a Japanese firm. […]

On Jan 7, Zacks Investment Research upgraded American States Water Company ( AWR ) to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Why the Upgrade? Consistent performance from this water utility and strong third-quarter results sparked upward earnings estimate revisions […]

Diversified technologies provider Fujifilm Holdings Corporation ( FUJIY ) has been attempting to boost its business banking on product launches. In accordance, the company recently launched various products that include new cameras and variants of lenses. Fujifilm added more digital cameras to its existing list of ‘ X ’ and ‘ FinePix’ digital camera series […]

Metal processor Worthington Industries ’ ( WOR ) Pressure Cylinders unit has agreed to buy a 75% stake in leading liquefied natural gas (LNG) company ARITAS. The deal, which is subject to the clearance of the Turkish government, is expected to close in late Jan 2014. Turkey-based ARITAS, which had annual sales of roughly $40 million, is among Europe’s top LNG and cryogenic technology companies. […]

Thanks to a ‘Polar Vortex’ of cold air coming down from the North Pole, temperatures have been near records across much of the Midwest and Northeast. Here in Chicago, temperatures with the wind chill approached 50 below zero to start the week, while other cities in the region saw similarly brutal weather. […]

The Australian arm of the integrated energy behemoth, Chevron Corp. ( CVX ), received a conditional approval from the Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to expand its Gorgon liquefied natural gas facility. The approval includes an additional 32 hectares of land on Barrow Island to facilitate construction work to support the existing project. […]

Amazon.com Inc. ’s ( AMZN ) streaming video site, Amazon Instant Video, announced that it has teamed up with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. […]

Air Products ( APD ) has expanded its foothold in the Upper Midwest through a long-term agreement with Boyceville, WI-based Big River Resources Boyceville, LLC to produce liquid CO2. The agreement will strengthen Air Products’ liquid CO2 supply network in the Upper Midwest by catering to existing and new customers. Air Products will be producing 250 tons per day (tpd) of liquid CO2 at Big River Resources' ethanol plant in Boyceville. […]

On Jan 6, we reiterated our Neutral recommendation on Incyte Corporation ( INCY ) largely due to its modest third quarter 2013 performance. Our investment thesis is supported by a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Why the Reiteration […]

Federal Realty Investment Trust ( FRT ) disclosed the buyout of a controlling stake in two shopping centers –The Grove at Shrewsbury and Brook 35 – in New Jersey. This retail real estate investment trust (REIT) expended $161 million for the acquisition of these assets in the prosperous Monmouth County in New Jersey. […]

In an effort to reposition its portfolio, G&K Services, Inc . ( GK ) recently divested its direct sale program business. Additionally, the company sold its operation in Ireland. […]

General Electric Company ( GE ) and Thermo Fisher Scientific ( TMO ) recently entered into an agreement for GE Healthcare to buy Thermo Fisher’s gene modulation, HyClone cell culture and magnetic beads businesses for about $1.06 billion. This acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2014. HyClone is used to manufacture vaccines and drugs that treat diseases. […]