Year: 2014

Welded steel pipe maker Northwest Pipe Co. ( NWPX ) has purchased steel pipe fabricator Permalok Corporation for an undisclosed price. Permalok fabricates steel pipes using its patented interlocking pipe joining system […]

On Jan 2, Zacks Investment Research upgraded WellPoint Inc. ( WLP ) to a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) from a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Why the Upgrade […]

We continue to have a Neutral recommendation on Perrigo Company plc ( PRGO ). Dublin, Ireland-based Perrigo Company plc was formed following the Dec 2013 merger of Allegan, MI-based Perrigo Company and Elan Corporation. The merged entity, with a diversified revenue stream, is a global healthcare company with an attractive growth profile […]

On Jan 3, Zacks Investment Research upgraded CNO Financial Group, Inc. ( CNO ) to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Why the Upgrade […]

Stryker Corporation ( SYK ), the leading medical device provider in the global orthopedics market, announced its second acquisition after MAKO Surgical Corp. However, the news failed to impress investors as the stock price slipped 0.7% yesterday. SYK decided to buy Irvine, CA-based Patient Safety Technologies ( PSTX ) in order to utilize Patient Safety’s device to lessen the risk of surgical sponges being left in patients after surgery. […]

Graco Inc ( GGG ) recently announced the completion of two acquisitions in December that will add to its ground water and landfill fluid management capabilities. Graco acquired QED Environmental Systems (QED) – a leading manufacturer of fluid management solutions for the growing environmental monitoring and remediation markets. Graco also purchased EcoQuip, a designer and producer of eco-friendly vapor abrasive blasting systems for coating removal and surface preparation. […]

Amgen’s ( AMGN ) romosozumab (AMG 785/CDP7851) is one of the most promising and interesting candidates in the company’s pipeline. Romosozumab works by inhibiting the protein sclerostin, thereby leading to an increase in bone formation and decrease in bone breakdown in women post-menopause. Amgen is developing romosozumab for the treatment of low bone mineral density (BMD) in collaboration with UCB […]

We recently downgraded our recommendation on Universal Forest Products, Inc. ( UFPI ) from Outperform to Neutral, anticipating the company to perform in line with the broader market. Why Neutral? […]

Europe’s oil giant Royal Dutch Shell plc ( RDS.A ) closed the acquisition of liquefied natural gas (LNG) assets of Repsol, S.A. ( REPYY ) outside North America. The transaction was completed for a net cash purchase price of $3.8 billion, lower than the originally expected $4.4 billion that Shell agreed to pay in Feb 2013. […]

After more than two years of filing lawsuits against 18 major financial institutions, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has recovered approximately $8 billion for taxpayers. While filing the lawsuit in Sep 2011, the FHFA had accused the banks of violating several federal securities laws and common law while selling $200 billion worth of residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) to Fannie Mae ( FNMA ) and Freddie Mac ( FMCC ) in 2005–2007. The financial institutions that have settled these charges are JPMorgan Chase & Co. […]

On Jan 1, Zacks Investment Research upgraded Fort Worth, TX-based oil and liquids-rich natural gas explorer Athlon Energy Inc. ( ATHL ) to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Why the Upgrade? […]

A Canadian Solar Inc. ( CSIQ ) unit – Canadian Solar Solutions Inc. – has completed the sale of Mississippi Mills, to TransCanada Corporation ( TRP ) […]

On Jan 2, 2014, we upgraded our recommendation on The Hain Celestial Group Inc. ( HAIN ), a leader in natural food and personal care products categories, to Outperform with a target price of $100. The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). […]

Neogen Corp. ( NEOG ) revealed that it has acquired Pleasantville, Iowa-based manufacturer of animal and food insecticides Chem-Tech Ltd. at an undisclosed price (including contingent payment consideration). […]