Month: January 2015

AbbVie ( ABBV ) announced that it expects earnings in the range of $4.25 to $4.45 per share for 2015. The midpoint of this guidance range reflects a 33.4% increase over the projected 2014 earnings range of $3.25 to $3.27 per share. […]

Shares of Macy's, Inc. ’s ( M ) fell 3.2% in yesterday’s after market trading session following the company’s announcement of extensive restructuring, including store closures and layoffs. […]

Specialty retailer Wet Seal Inc. ( WTSL ) has decided to shut down 338 retail stores effective Jan 7, 2015 as part of its strategy to shed underperforming assets to reduce cost. […]

Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ’s ( INFI ) shares plunged 12.2% after the company announced duvelisib failed to meet the primary endpoint in a phase II study (ASPIRA). The company was developing duvelisib for the treatment of patients suffering from moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) […]

The year 2014 turned out to be a tough one for the leading burger chain McDonald’s Corp. ( MCD ). This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company’s earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing three quarters while revenues fell short of the consensus mark in all three […]

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ( PCRX ) provided its revenue estimates for fourth-quarter and full-year 2014, both of which are in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Pacira expects revenues of $61.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, an increase of 84% year over year and in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate […]

In an effort to improve its unitholders’ wealth, Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. ( PAA ) declared a 9.8% year-over-year and 2.3% sequential increase in the quarterly cash distribution rate. The revised cash distribution of 67.5 cents per unit will be paid on Feb 13, 2015, to unitholders of record as of Jan 30 […]

On Jan 9, we issued an updated research report on MetLife Inc. ( MET ). […]

Impax Laboratories Inc ’s ( IPXL ) shares jumped 11.7% and attained a 52-week high on the FDA approval of Rytary, an extended-release oral capsule formulation of carbidopa-levodopa. The FDA has approved Rytary for the treatment of patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease and post-encephalitic parkinsonism, and parkinsonism that may follow carbon monoxide intoxication and / or manganese intoxication. We note that Rytary’s approval path has not exactly been smooth with the company receiving a complete response letter for the drug in Jan 2013. […]

On Jan 9, Zacks Investment Research upgraded Navigators Group Inc. ( NAVG ) by a notchto a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) from a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Why the Upgrade […]

The Boeing Co. ( BA ) is discussing the terms of a purchase agreement with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way West Airlines for three 747-8 freighters. The deal, when finalized, will be a boost for Boeing as its biggest and most pricey model ended 2014 with no net orders […]

Shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. ( HII ) reached a 52-week high of $117.91 on Jan 8. In fact, the largest military shipbuilder in the U.S […]

On Jan 5, 2015, we issued an updated research report on Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. ( HTGC ). While lower operating expenses are boosting the company’s financials, declining fees and interest income, a top-line headwind, remain a concern. […]

On Jan 9, 2015, Zacks Investment Research upgraded Headwaters Incorporated ( HW ) to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Why the Upgrade? Headwaters has not only witnessed a rise in its share price but also upward revision in its earnings estimates on account of recovery in the residential housing and R&R (repair and remodel) end markets, and a favorable EPA ruling. […]

In a new drive to make home buying more affordable, President Obama announced yesterday that annual mortgage premiums charged by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) will be trimmed by 50 basis points – from 1.35% to 0.85%. The reduction in mortgage premium will slash the annual mortgage payment for new home buyers as well as existing home owners. As a result, creditworthy families that can afford a home but have been shut out of the market because of tight lending requirements will be hugely benefited. […]

Over the last five trading sessions, Video Game stocks mostly witnessed a mixed trend. While NetEase, Inc. ( NTES ) and Electronic Arts ( EA ) gained momentum, Glu Mobile, Inc […]

The Gap Inc. ( GPS ) came up with impressive comparable-store sales (comps) and sales numbers for the holiday sales season, comprising the months of November and December (nine-weeks ended Jan 3, 2015). Comps increased 3% for the holiday season this year compared with last year. […]