Month: January 2015

Trex Co. Inc. […]

Positive news flowed in for Novartis AG ( NVS ) when the European Commission approved its biologic Cosentyx (secukinumab) for the first-line treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults who need systemic therapy. Cosentyx (300 mg) is the first and only interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor to be approved in Europe. The current biologic treatments for psoriasis, that include anti-tumor necrosis factor therapies (anti-TNFs) and Janssen Biotech’s, a unit of Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ), Stelara (ustekinumab), are recommended for second-line systemic therapy in Europe. […]

On Jan 19, 2015, we issued an updated research report on AptarGroup, Inc. ( ATR ). […]

On Jan 20, 2015, we issued an updated research report on Portfolio Recovery Associates Inc. ( PRAA ). […]

In order to facilitate the funding of the recently announced strategic acquisition of First Wind, for $2.4 billion, solar technology company SunEdison Inc. ( SUNE ) has raised approximately $590 million. […]

Goldcorp Inc. ( GG ) announced that it has inked a deal to buy all the outstanding shares of Probe Mines Limited for a total consideration of around C$526 million (roughly $440 million). As per the deal, each share of Probe will be exchanged for 0.1755 common shares of Goldcorp […]

Evotec AG ( EVTCY ) announced that it has entered into a research collaboration agreement with Manchester-based C4X Discovery Holdings plc (commonly known as C4XD) for the development of Orexin-1 selective inhibitors discovered through C4XD’s NMR technology. Under the collaboration, C4XD’s NMR technology will be combined with Evotec’s drug discovery platform to develop several series of Orexin-1 selective inhibitors. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed […]

Macy's, Inc. ( M ) has adopted extensive restructuring activities, including store closures and layoffs, to enhance its sales and profitability. […]

On Jan 16, Associated Banc-Corp ( ASB ) announced the acquisition of Ahmann & Martin Co., a MN-based leading risk and benefits consulting firm. The transaction is approximately valued at $48 million. As per the deal, Ahmann & Martin will be merged with and into Associated Financial Group, a subsidiary of Associated Banc-Corp. […]

On Jan 14, we issued an updated research report on Alcoa ( AA ). While the U.S. […]

According to a recent report of Financial Times, Spanish telecom behemoth Telefonica SA ( TEF ) is currently in talks with Hutchison Whampoa to merge their respective wireless services operations in the U.K. Telefonica operates in UK under O2 brand whereas Hutchison operates as 3 UK. It was also reported that Telefonica intends to completely sell off O2 for a cash consideration of around $12 billion to $13.5 billion […]

On Jan 17, Zacks Investment Research downgraded security and protection services provider The ADT Corporation ( ADT ) to a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) from a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) largely on the back of shrinking profitability owing to tough competitive pressure and economic woes. Despite the relative weakness, the stock is currently trading at a forward P/E of 16.1x with long-term earnings growth expectation of 6.2%. Why the Downgrade? […]

SanDisk Corp. ( SNDK ) is set to announce fourth-quarter results after the closing bell on Jan 21. It is worth noting that SanDisk has outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the four preceding quarters with an average positive earnings surprise of 9.2%. […]

Chinese Internet giant Baidu Inc. ’s ( BIDU ) independently operated subsidiary, iQIYI, recently entered into a strategic alliance with chipmaker Intel Corp. […]

Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp ( UTX ), and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. – a manufacturer and seller of transportation equipments and industrial goods, recently signed a risk and revenue sharing partnership agreement to provide key hardware modules for Pratt & Whitney's PurePower Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines. Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engines offer less fuel consumption, lower emissions, reduced engine noise and lower operating costs. […]

Office Depot, Inc . ( ODP ) remains focused on increasing return on investment through increased merger synergies, enhancement of store productivity and strategic initiatives for driving long-term growth. This is very well evident from the stock’s splendid performance that has increased 63.1% over the past year […]