Thursday, May 31, 2012
Talbots (NYSE: TLB); Deal Gets Wings
Northern,WI 5/31/2012 (TradersCorner) -- TradersCorner: Talbots (NYSE: TLB) Buyout deal feels the air beneath it's wings as Sycamore Partners comes back to the table to score a 10% discount. Full Disclaimer Here
Nouveau Life Pharmaceuticals (PK: NOUV) Announces Release of Its Female Supplement
Palm Beach, FL 5/31/12 (StreetBeat) – Nouveau Life Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Pink Sheets: NOUV) announced today the release of the first product in the Company's New Life Naturals™ line of quality, all-natural dietary supplements.The new supplement – New Life Naturals: For Her Senses™ – is an all-natural product intended to help the nearly 48% of American women suffering with female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Each capsule of For Her Senses™ contains a special blend of herbs best known for their aphrodisiac qualities, including Horny Goat Weed, Macuna Pruriens, Tongkat Ali, Polypodium Vulgare, Saw Palmetto, Muira Puama, Arginine, Maca, and Panax Ginseng. The supplement is being sold in 60-count bottles.
Nouveau Life Pharmaceuticals began work on the For Her Senses™ formulation in February of this year and began production in April at an FDA-approved manufacturing facility based in the U.S. The Company plans to distribute New Life Naturals: For Her Senses™ through multiple online sales channels, independent retailers, and health professionals.
About Nouveau Life Pharmaceuticals
The Company, formerly known as Hybrid Fuels, Inc., was incorporated in the state of Nevada in 1998 as Polo Equities. It has primarily been a development stage company with management focused on developing innovative business opportunities and further advancing technologies.
Forward-Looking Statements - This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause future results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. You should consider these factors in evaluating the statements herein, and not rely on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and Nouveau Life Pharmaceuticals, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update such statements.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Microvision (NASDAQ: MVIS) gets $4M Pioneer order, shares jump
Palm Beach, FL 5/31/12 (StreetBeat) -- Microvision Corp. (NASDAQ: MVIS), the Redmond maker of ultra-miniature projection display technology, said it's received $4 million in purchase orders from Pioneer Corp. for technology Pioneer will incorporate into its future automotive navigation systems.In early Thursday trading, shares in Microvision had soared more than 27 percent, rising 52 cents to $2.43, which is a big switch from Wednesday trading, when its shares fell more than 26 percent, dropping 68 cents to close at $1.91.
"MicroVision has already begun shipping components to Pioneer for its aftermarket (head-up display) product that is expected to be available in Japan in July. The Cyber Navi is the world’s first HUD to project augmented reality information in front of the windscreen and the world’s first onboard HUD to use lasers," Microvision said in a statement.
Earlier in May, Microvision said private investors have invested $5 million in the company.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Buckle (NYSE: BKE) sales trend slows in May; nearly flat
Palm Beach, FL 5/31/12 (StreetBeat) -- Teen apparel retailer The Buckle Inc.'s (NYSE: BKE) revenue at stores open at least a year was nearly flat in May, missing analyst expectations.The measure edged up just 0.2 percent, during the four weeks ended May 26. Analysts expected a 3.3 percent rise, according to aThomson Reuters poll.
This figure is a key indicator of a retailer's health because it excludes results from store recently opened or closed.
The results show consumers appear to have slowed spending on items like Buckle's trendy jeans and t-shirts in May from the company's first quarter, which runs from February through April. Revenue in stores open at least one year rose 7.4 percent in that period.
Total revenue for the four weeks ended May 26 rose 2.7 percent to $69.9 million.
So far this year, revenue at stores open at least a year was up 5.9 percent and total revenue increased 8.3 percent to $333.6 million.
Buckle is based in Kearney, Neb., and currently runs 423 stores in 41 states.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
All Grade Mining (OTCBB: HYII) Signs LOI to Acquire 2nd Iron Ore Mining Project in Chile
Northern, WI 5/31/12 (StreetBeat) -- All Grade Mining (OTCBB:HYII), a development-stage company focused on the extraction of iron ore, yesterday announced that the Company has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to acquire a second iron ore mining project located adjacent to the Company's Salitrosa Project in Chile.The iron ore property is located outside of the town of Chanyaral with identical geological landscape as the Salitrosa property. There are several small and medium mines in the area of the prospectus by individuals and small companies that currently exploit the iron ore in small amounts. Preliminary geological study was performed on the property and based on the geo structure of the area and the region itself, the Company believes there is a substantially larger deposit of iron ore on the property well above the estimated reserves on the Salitrosa property. The mineral appearing in cloaks and streaks on the surface is a mixture of Hematite, magnetite and surround rock mass and in vertical depth the study indicates higher concentration of magnetite-Hematite; therefore indicating iron concentrate possibility of approximately 65%.
Gary Kouletas, CEO of All Grade Mining, commented, "We continue to seek out additional prospects in Chile and as the global demand for iron ore continues to rise, we have an opportunity to lock our footprint in a region that is known for tremendous amounts of iron ore production and with the Chilean government enacting favorable new mining legislation we believe that we are in the right place at the right time to establish growth for the Company and build shareholder value."
The transaction is subject to a number of terms and conditions, including but not limited to, completion of satisfactory due diligence and the execution of a definitive agreement.
About All Grade Mining, Inc.
All Grade Mining is a development-stage company whose mission is to acquire mining concessions in all phases, all sizes and all minerals. The Company is currently focused on the extraction of iron ore in South America, primarily in Chile and has established an experienced team of executives and mining professionals to lead its exploration and excavation efforts.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Chelsea Therapeutics' (Nasdaq: CHTP) rheumatoid arthritis drug fails trial
Shawshank, VA 5/31/12 (StreetBeat) -- Chelsea Therapeutics International (Nasdaq: CHTP) said it will stop developing its experimental drug for rheumatoid arthritis after the treatment failed a mid-stage study, sending its shares down 27 percent before the bell.The drugmaker said methotrexate, the standard treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, showed better results than its drug CH-4051 in the trial.
"The outcome of the trial was confounded by the unexpectedly robust response reported by patients treated with methotrexate," Chelsea Therapeutics CEO Simon Pedder said.
The Charlotte, North Carolina-based company will now focus on the development of its hypotension drug Northera.
The company is facing shareholder lawsuits after the U.S. health regulators declined to give marketing approval to Northera in its current form.
Chelsea Therapeutics shares, which have lost about 47 percent of their value since the Northera application was turned down, closed at $1.95 on Wednesday on Nasdaq. They fell to $1.42 in trading before the bell on Thursday.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
CGI (NYSE: GIB) to acquire IT company Logica (LSE: LOG) for about US$2.6B
Shawshank, VA 5/31/12 (StreetBeat) -- Canada's CGI Group Inc. (NYSE: GIB) is acquiring the British-based information technology services firm Logica PLC (LSE:LOG) for 1.7 billion pounds, or about US$2.6 billion, the companies announced Thursday.Montreal-based CGI said it would also assume Logica's net debt of about US$500 million.
CGI CEO Michael Roach said the acquisition was consistent with the company's growth strategy and its belief that global consolidation of the industry is both necessary and inevitable.
"We believe Logica is the right acquisition, at the right price and at the right time to create one of the very few independent global end-to-end technology services providers," he said.
Logica chairman David Tyler said combining the two businesses will help meet clients' requirements for a more comprehensive international presence.
Under the deal, Logica shareholders would get 105 pence in cash for each share, a premium of almost 60 percent on Wednesday's closing share price of 65.70 pence.
Logica stock has traded at an average of 70.2 pence for the month ending May 30, CGI said.
Logica's board has unanimously agreed to recommend the deal to its shareholders.
The companies expect the purchase will be effective by the end of September.
Meanwhile, the pension fund manager Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec announced an investment of about US$1.03 billion in CGI Thursday, which will help the company finance its planned acquisition of Logica.
CGI said the combined company that will result from its acquisition will have approximately 72,000 professionals in 43 countries and revenue of about US$10.7 billion.
Founded in 1976, CGI is one of the largest independent IT and business process services firms in the world with about 31,000 employees and US$4.4 billion Canadian in annual revenue.
CGI shares closed up 5 Canadian cents at 21.01 Canadian dollars on Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Gaylord (NYSE: GET) to sell brand to Marriott International
Orlando, FL 5/31/12 (StreetBeat) -- Gaylord Entertainment Co (NYSE:GET) said it will sell the Gaylord hotels brand and the rights to manage four hotels to Marriott International Inc (NYSE:MAR) for $210 million in cash.The Nashville, Tennessee-based operator of convention-focused hotels and entertainment venues said it will continue to own its hotel properties and other businesses.
Marriott will take over management responsibilities of the four hotels - located in Tennessee, Texas, Florida and Maryland - under long-term agreements.
Gaylord will continue to own and operate the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium and other properties.
On the completion of the deal, Gaylord will reorganize itself as a real estate investment trust, effective January 1, 2013.
The company said it will not proceed with the Aurora, Colorado hotel and convention center project in the form it previously anticipated.
It also plans to issue a special one-time dividend of about $415-$450 million, or about $8.47-$9.18 per share based on outstanding shares of about 49 million.
Separately, Marriott said it expects to earn an incentive fee in its first full year of management. The deal will add 2 cents per share to its 2013 earnings, it said.
Gaylord shares rose 12 percent to $38.51 in premarket trade. They had closed at $34.48 on Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Talbots (NYSE: TLB) Stock Doubles after Buyout Announcement
Orlando, FL 5/31/12 (StreetBeat) -- Private equity firm Sycamore Partners will buy Talbots (NYSE:TLB) for $2.75 per share, a 30-cent discount to its initial offer for the retailer, Talbots said today. Talbots stock doubled on the news.Sycamore’s initial buyout offer was for $3.05, but it withdrew the offer on May 25.
The new cash deal is worth $369 million.
“The purchase price represents a 113% premium to the closing price on May 30, 2012 and a 76% premium to the closing price on December 6, 2011, the closing price prior to the public disclosure of Sycamore’s initial proposal to acquire the Company,” Talbots said in a statement.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Alternative Energy Partners, Inc. (OTCBB: AEGY) Announces New Acquisition Agreement
Orlando, FL 5/31/12 (StreetBeat) -- Alternative Energy Partners, Inc. (OTCBB:AEGY) announced today that it has acquired Clarrix Energy, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, in exchange for 40 million shares of common stock and 5 million shares of convertible preferred stock. The preferred stock issued in the transaction carries 51 percent of the shareholder vote and will be convertible at any time after one year at the discretion of the holder into 51 percent of the resulting outstanding common stock. As a result of the transaction, Clarrix has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEGY. Based on the closing price for AEGY stock on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, the transaction is valued at $200,366.Clarrix Energy, LLC provides consultative and brokerage energy services to business of all sizes. The objective of these services is to decrease utility costs, in as many ways as possible for every client. The company currently has agreements to supply deregulated energy in 10 states, and is in pursuit of supply partners. Management has focused initially on large energy users.
Clarrix Energy was founded in April, 2012 by a management team composed of a diverse group of highly skilled executives with a broad base of skills in medicine, finance, web development, and retail. The company's initial source of revenue is from commissions generated by saving businesses from 1 to 25% on their utility bills. Management will be diligently searching for products and services for clients, including solar, surge protection, lighting and more.
The company will be focusing on a creative online strategy to attract and manage clients. Management is developing a sales force in all areas permitted by its supply agreements. Management plans to use technology and state-of-the-art web and social networking strategies to maximize lead generation and minimize advertising costs.
Clarrix has already secured a number of energy customers and expects to expand its business operations substantially over the next six months. The Clarrix revenue model is based on a commission arrangement with the energy providers whose services are placed by Clarrix with its end user clients, and Clarrix receives continuing commission revenues for each client for as long as they remain a customer of the energy provider, resulting in constantly increasing revenues. As part of its operating costs, Clarrix also pays commissions to intermediate brokers, and as part of the acquisition of Clarrix by the Company, each of the three principal owners of Clarrix before the acquisition will receive an aggregate royalty of 10 percent of gross revenues of Clarrix for a period of 30 months through August 31, 2014. Gross revenues over the next 12 months are expected to exceed $1.5 million and net income before taxes for the same period is projected at $258,504.
About Alternative Energy Partners
Alternative Energy Partners is focused on sourcing, marketing and distributing renewable alternative energy solutions on a national and international basis. Alternative Energy Partners is publically traded on the NASDAQ OTC (AEGY).
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
AmbiCom (OTCBB: ABHI) Announces $1.3 Million Order for WiFi Cards
Atlanta, GA 5/31/12 (StreetBeat) -- AmbiCom Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:ABHI), a leading designer and developer of wireless products for the medical industry and a distributor of innovative healthcare products, yesterday announced that it has received a $1.3 million order from one of its major medical device customers, for AmbiCom WiFi cards to be used in the manufacture of this healthcare company's hospital grade glucose meters. The order is expected to be shipped to the customer by the end of July.Wireless transmission of medical data is an area that continues to grow both in the United States and internationally. AmbiCom has been a supplier of WiFi cards for this segment of the market for the past six years. This order, in addition to several other potential orders the company is developing, are expected to bring about a turnaround for the company's business going forward.
About AmbiCom Holdings, Inc.
AmbiCom is headquartered in Milpitas, California, and is a leading designer and developer of wireless products focusing on the wireless medical industry. The Company's wireless modules and devices are based on the Company's innovative application software for both WiFi and Bluetooth technologies. AmbiCom is committed to wireless design and development of software and hardware, and to bringing new and innovative products to the wireless medical markets and other sectors. AmbiCom also serves as a distributor for innovative healthcare products both in the US and abroad. The Company plans to grow organically, and to augment that growth by selectively acquiring complementary products and technologies via acquisition opportunities deemed to be of strategic value. For more information, visit www.ambicom.com.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Scio Diamond (OTCBB: SCIO) - Success in CVD Single Crystal Diamond Production
Atlanta, GA 5/31/12 (StreetBeat) -- Scio Diamond Technology Corporation (OTCBB:SCIO) announced today that the first production runs of cultured diamond initiated in May were a success. The company has scheduled 10 reactors to be in full production during its fiscal second quarter with 7 reactors having passed their initial 50-hour testing and starting the second phase of testing today.Joe Lancia, Scio Diamond's CEO said, "Our concentration in the first weeks of mass production will be on diamond seeds. Our process is largely self-sustaining so creating and harvesting our own seed stock is a key ongoing cost reduction driver."
In parallel with creating seed stock, Scio will be providing specified samples for testing by a number of customers in the industrial / commercial marketplace, as well as specific sizes, colors and grades of diamond for the gemstone market. "The demand for diamond continues to amaze me," says Lancia, "We are contacted nearly every day about our product with questions about when we will be ready to start shipping."
As the first 7 reactors enter their second phase of production testing, the last 3 are being fitted with our latest power and program technology. Their startup includes the same of multiple levels of precise testing of functionality in short, mid-range and long runs that we used for the initial 7. Scio remains on schedule to meet its stated milestones to initiate and build production during its fiscal first quarter ending June 30 and to phase into full production during the following quarter ending September 30.
About SCIO Diamond
Scio Diamond will employ a patent-protected chemical vapor deposition process to produce high-quality, single-crystal diamonds in a controlled laboratory setting, with such diamonds referred to as "lab-grown" or cultivated diamonds. The diamonds are intended to have the identical chemical, physical and optical properties as diamonds found in the earth, and the company's highly controlled manufacturing process will enable it to produce very high-quality, high-purity, high volume, single-crystal colorless, near colorless and fancy colored diamonds.
Scio's technology will permit it to produce lab-grown diamond in size, color, and quality combinations that are very rare in nature. SCIO intends to offer diamonds in limited quantities as jewelry and in the technology arena as the material operating system of the future.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
3 Things to Know Before Trading
Atlanta, GA 5/31/12 (StreetBeat) -- Stocks were mostly a bit lower in Asian trade. The Nikkei was among the worst, it fell one percent, Shanghai was down a half percent, Australia dipped 0.4% and the Hang Seng was off by a third of a percent. European indexes are mostly higher this morning, with the Footsie up 0.8% and the Dax better by a third of a percent. US stock futures are up about a third of a percent as I write.*The Irish are voting on the Euro Zone “fiscal compact” today. Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm local time. Vote counting is expected to begin at 9am local time on Friday, with an indication of the outcome given by mid-day at the latest.
*There were dueling headlines about the ability of the ESM to recapitalize euro area banks; ECB’s Draghi thinks something can be done, with a nip here and a tuck there on the fund, but an EU Commission spokesperson says, no probably not.
*Report says that Spain will be given an additional year to get their budget deficits in order.
*The April reading of German Retail Sales was +0.6% month on month, or three times the expected increase.
*The May reading of Germany’s Unemployment Rate was down one tenth from the month before to 6.7%, a steady result had been forecast. However, the net change in the number of unemployed was unchanged on the month and this had been expected to decline 7k.
*The Q1 reading of Switzerland’s GDP was +0.7% on a quarterly basis and +2.0% year on year. Both results were well above the forecasts of +0.0% quarterly and +0.7% annualized.
*The May reading of UK house prices is +0.3% month on month, according to Nationwide.
*The Challenger Group says that in May there were 61,887 job cut announcements; up 21k from the month before, 66.7% higher than a year ago in May and the highest result since last September.
*The chain stores have been releasing their May same store sales results this morning. Some of the early reports include: Bon Ton Stores, +1.5% compared to sales at stores open at least a year; Limited Brands, +6%; Cato Stores, +3%; and Wet Seal, -8.8%.
*ADP is set to announce at 7:15am CDT their estimate for the net change in May for private sector payrolls; the forecast is for +150k. The weekly report on Initial Jobless Claims is due out at 7:30am CDT, it is expected to be 370k. Also due out at 7:30am is the first revision to Q1 GDP. Growth is expected to be revised down three tenths to +1.9%; Personal Consumption is forecast to be steady at +2.9%; and the estimate for the GDP Price Deflator is also unchanged from the previous report at +1.5%. The May reading of the Chicago Purchasing Managers Index is due out at 8:45am CDT, but remember the subscribers get the report three minutes earlier; the estimate for the Chicago Index is 56.8, up just fractionally from the April result of 56.2.
*The weekly reports on energy inventories are due out this morning. The Natural Gas report is set to be released at 9:30am CDT, it is expected to show an increase of 72 bcf. The petroleum based energy inventory data is set to be released at 10:00am CDT. Stocks of Crude Oil are forecast to increase 1.0 million barrels, Gasoline inventories are expected to decline 1.0 million and the estimate for Distillates is unchanged from the week before.
*The Fed is scheduled to buy Treasuries today that are due to mature between 2/15/36 and 5/15/42; the results of the operation will be announced just after 10:00am CDT. The June schedule for Operation Twist is set to be released by the New York Fed at 1:00pm CDT.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Strikeforce Technologies (OTCBB: SFOR) Files SEC form 8-K, Regulation FD Disclosure, Financial Statements and Exhibits
Atlanta, GA 5/30/12 (StreetBeat) -- Strikeforce Technologies (OTCBB: SFOR) is filing an 8k that includes the 1st Qtr 2012 Financial Results presentation in order for the entire shareholder base and others to be made aware of the video’s availability. StrikeForce presented a live public Webex Presentation on Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012. In that Webex Presentation Mr. Mark Kay, our Chief Executive Officer, presented the results of the first quarter of 2012, inclusive of explaining the details of the recently file current report on Form 8-K, the status of our "Out-of-Band" Patent, and our 2012 business outlook.The link to go direct to the video that will then automatically play through the entire presentation combined with narration is as follows:
http://www.strikeforcetech.com/video/SFOR-2012-q1-investor-review.wmv
There is also a link that one can click on our Company website (www.strikeforcetech.com) under News or Events, as well as by clicking the tab our Company/Investor Relations/ then the first item in the list to get to the video.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Is FuelCell (Nasdaq: FCEL) Energy On The Verge Of Profitability?
Atlanta,GA 5/30/12 (StreetBeat) -- Shares of FuelCell Energy (Nasdaq:FCEL) were on the move to open the new - albeit shortened - trading week, spiking by eight percent on Tuesday after the company received some positive coverage by a couple of popular financial media outlets which are predicting that profitability may be a possibility for the company over the short term.Concerns of profitability have weighed down the FCEL share price each time the stock has ran on encouraging news. Earlier this year news of alarge cash infusion from a South Korean partner allowed FCEL to run towards the two dollar mark, but the push faded and shares subsequently dropped to well below the price of a recent stock offering.
It is precisely the relationship with Fuel Cell's Korean partner that has sparked positive coverage from both Forbes and Bloomberg over the past weeks. Forbes argued that the relationship has allowed FuelCell to solidify its pipeline and production expectations with enough volume where the company could achieve profitability at a manufacturing volume of 80 megawatts annually, approximately 30% higher than the current levels.
Bloomberg also piped in, citing the low prices of natural gas as a key factor in FuelCell's near term ability to reach profitability.
These predictions may be well within reach, as progress and the expansion of existing agreements materializes in both Asia and Europe. Earlier this month FuelCell announced the acquisition of key assets by its German subsidiary and a European joint venture that will improve the company's ability to leverage its technology to fuel growth on the European continent.
Additionally, an existing order in Korea will be accelerated in order to meet growing demand in the region.
Those news items were followed-up with a release by FuelCell this week announcing that existing customers have extended their service agreements in flock, helping to solidify the company's mid to long term revenue stream.
Like Capstone Turbine (Nasdaq:CPST), another company looking to take advantage of the global shift towards 'cleaner' energy production, FuelCell is primed to find itself in the middle of a potentially very lucrative trend.
Short interest had increased from the April to May period, but continued positive developments and coverage by high-profile media outlets could spark a modest round of short covering and may ultimately lead to a quick return to previously-traded levels - levels that might hold, given the reinvigorated and encouraging outlooks of prosperity for the company.
One to keep an eye on for those that might be looking for a clean energy pick or two. Also look for encouraging trends during the company's earnings call, slated for June 6th.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Godfather Media (OTCBB: GFMD) announces 2nd acquisition agreement for Territory
Atlanta, GA 5/30/12 (StreetBeat) -- Godfather Media, Inc. (OTCBB:GFMD) is pleased to announce the signing of an acquisition agreement between its subsidiary American West Baseball League (AWBL) and James Hoynes for the San Diego, California Territory.James Hoynes spent a career as an artillery and logistics officer in the United States Marine Corps. He served in various leadership assignments and deployed throughout the globe including Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq for 20 months. Following his military career James worked for Lockheed Martin as the Logistics Modernization Coordinator for the Marine Corps' west coast logistics command at Camp Pendleton, California.
Mr. Hoynes grew up in Winnetka, Illinois just north of Chicago often riding the El down to Wrigley Field to cheer on the Cubs. He attended Ripon College in Wisconsin graduating with a bachelor's degree in Economics. He also has a master's degree in Executive Leadership from the business school at the University of San Diego.
James' personal and professional passion is minor league baseball. His desire is to bring a professional minor league baseball franchise to San Diego County to provide safe, affordable, family entertainment for all to enjoy.
Mr. Hoynes commented, "I am very excited to have this opportunity to bring a baseball franchise to San Diego County. The new American West Baseball League is sure to provide a great baseball entertainment venue for residents of all ages."
"The agreement between GFMD's subsidiary AWBL and Mr. Hoynes is another great addition to our league and new business strategy, our goal is to continue to grow rapidly through strategic territories, such as the San Diego, California. With this 4th addition, we've achieved a significant milestone and I look forward to our continued success," stated Michael Cummings, Godfather Media's Chief Executive Officer. "In addition, the synergies and partnership will play a significant role in Godfather Media's growth while the expansion of American West Baseball League will enhance our ability to be one of the top rated minor baseball leagues on the West Coast."
The American West Baseball League Founding Members are:
Orange County Flyers, Yuma Panthers, Long Beach-South Bay and San Diego
About Godfather Media, Inc.
Godfather Media, Inc is an American holding company headquartered in Mission Viejo, California, United States, that will take ownership with minor or 100% interest in a number of subsidiary companies. Godfather Media's ("GFMD") portfolio will be comprised primarily of long-term investments in small to medium market companies using cash, preferred/common stock and other equity interests. Our targeted investment will typically range between $500 thousand and $5 million, although this investment size may vary proportionately as the size of our capital base changes.
The Company's principal focus is to invest in growth opportunities in sports, entertainment, and mobile and social media industries. Godfather Media generally seeks to target companies that generate free cash flow, have experienced management teams and possess strong competitive positions within their respective industries.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Teavana (NYSE: TEA) sales miss estimates; shares tumble
Orlando, FL 5/30/12 (StreetBeat) -- Specialty tea retailer Teavana Holdings Inc (NYSE: TEA) reported lower-than-expected quarterly revenue on tepid sales at its stores open at least a year.The company's shares plunged 19 percent to their life-low of $13.60 in early trading. The stock was one of the top percentage losers on the New York Stock Exchange.
Net sales rose 27 percent to $44.3 million in the first quarter, but missed estimates of $45.1 million, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
Comparable sales increased 1.7 percent.
Net income rose to $3.5 million, or 9 cents a share, from $3.3 million, or 9 cents a share, a year earlier.
Excluding items, it earned 10 cents a share, in line with the average analysts' estimate.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Wednesday’s biggest gaining and declining stocks
Shawshank, VA 5/30/12 (StreetBeat) -- Here are some of the biggest gaining and declining stocks on Wednesday morning:Gainers
Booz Allen & Hamilton (NYSE: BAH +14.65%) rose 14% after posting a sharp increase in fiscal fourth-quarter earnings with the help of higher revenue from government markets and improved margins.
Fresh Market (Nasdaq:TFM +11.87%) jumped almost 13% after the organic grocery chain reported a hefty rise in quarterly profit on robust same-store sales growth and upped its top and bottom line forecast for the rest of the year.
Neonode (NYSE:NEON +25.08%) shares jumped 22%. The company will make a presentation later Wednesday at Cowen & Co.’s technology, media and telecom Conference in New York.
Decliners
KBR (NYSE:KBR -5.56%) fell about 7% following a management reshuffle announcd late Tuesday.
Pep Boys — Manny Moe & Jack (NYSE:PBY -21.82%) shares fell 22% on Wednesday after a deal to sell the company to private-equity firm Gores Group fell through.
Shares of Perfect World (NYSE:PWRD -14.26%) shed 14%. The Chinese online gaming company said late Tuesday first-quarter earnings fell 21% from a year ago and issued a disappointing outlook.
Research In Motion Ltd. (Nasdaq:RIMM -7.38%) shares fell 10%. Late Tuesday, the BlackBerry maker said it would likely post a first-quarter operating loss — a reflection of “lower volumes and highly competitive pricing dynamics in the marketplace,” according to Chief Executive Thorsten Heins.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Osiris (Nasdaq: OSIR) Receives Medicare Reimbursement Codes for Grafix®
Shawshank, VA 5/30/12 (StreetBeat) -- Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:OSIR), the leading stem cell company focused on developing and commercializing products to treat medical conditions in inflammatory, cardiovascular, orthopedic, and wound healing markets, announced yesterday that it has received transitional pass-through status from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”), with C-Codes being designated for Grafix®. Further, the product has been assigned pass-through status under Medicare's outpatient prospective payment system (“OPPS”), effective July 1, 2012. These codes will assist in facilitating reimbursement when Grafix products are used to treat Medicare patients with acute and chronic wounds in the hospital outpatient department and ambulatory surgical center settings.“We are very pleased with CMS, and their decision to assign pass-through codes for our Grafix line of Biosurgery products,” said Frank Czworka, Executive Director, Wound Care of Osiris Therapeutics. “This step will allow more Medicare patients and their providers to have greater access to these next-generation regenerative medicine products."
CMS also issued a preliminary positive decision for the assignment of permanent Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Q-codes for Grafix. If the decision is made permanent, it is anticipated that the Q-codes would be available starting in January 2013. The assignment of unique Q-codes will assist in facilitating reimbursement in the physician office setting, offering additional access for Medicare patients.
Non-healing wounds remain a serious unmet medical need and result in over 100,000 amputations each year in the United States alone. Current treatment options include growth factors and bioengineered dressings. However, when chronic wounds fail to respond to current standards of care, new advances are needed. Research shows that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in normal skin play a critical role in the wound healing process. Grafix is the only commercially available product that provides viable, endogenous MSCs together with growth factors and an optimal tissue matrix, making it well suited to promote active dermal healing.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Strong Texas Economy and New Housing Numbers Benefit LIG Assets (PK: LIGA)
Shawshank, VA 5/30/12 (StreetBeat) -- Purchases of new homes increased 3.3 percent in April from the previous month to an annual pace of 343,000 according to the Commerce Department. U.S. home builders are reporting their most-improved spring selling season in seven years as record low mortgage rates, job gains, and shrinking inventories draw buyers to sales offices that have been quiet since the property market collapse. After dragging the economy into recession, housing is set to "contribute modestly" to growth, said Vincent Foley, a credit analyst for Barclays in New York.CNBC's latest report on the American housing market reiterates the strong home sales numbers in the U.S. and their effect on the overall market. As sales continue to rise throughout the county, we're not seeing a significant increase in inventory. These two factors together are causing price stabilization and even pricing increases in some select real estate market.
The Texas housing market also has fared better than many. The mortgage delinquency rate (the portion of borrowers three months behind on payments) is 5.78 percent, compared with 8.78 nationwide, according to First American CoreLogic. That's partly because relaxed zoning codes and abundant land kept both price appreciation and speculation down. "House prices didn't experience a bubble in the same way as the rest of the nation," said Anil Kumar, senior economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. But it's also because of two attributes not commonly associated with the Longhorn State: financial restraint and comparatively strong regulation. Unlike many of its neighbors, Texas has state laws that prohibited consumers from using home-equity lines of credit to increase borrowing to more than 80 percent of the value of their homes. The upshot: Dallas housing prices have fallen only 7 percent from their 2007 peak, according to the Case-Shiller index.
LIG Assets, Inc. (Pinksheets: LIGA) headquartered in the downtown Dallas, TX office building at 1700 Pacific Ave. is focused primarily on income producing properties in commercial and residential real estate in stable Texas cities. Properties currently generating cash flow for LIG Assets include nearly 300 residential properties throughout Texas with the vast majority purchased since 2009. The Company says debt is covered two times by revenue from the properties. LIG Assets has plans to construct larger projects that include an apartment building, storage facilities, a retirement living project, and possibly even mobile home parks.
Quarterly earnings posted on Friday continue to show positive net income. CEO Jeff Love stated, "First quarter earnings are typically hampered by our need to pay property taxes during that time of the year. Despite this drain on cash, we were still able to report positive net income, and we anticipate much strong results in the coming quarters."
While demand for existing homes has been on the rise in recent months, the improvement in sales of new homes signals that the growing appetite for residential real estate goes beyond foreclosures and other distress sales targeted by investors. Traditional homebuyers, including those who have to sell another property to upgrade, are coming off the fence, Stan Humphries, Zillow Inc.'s chief economist said.
Mortgage rates for 30-year loans fell to 3.78 percent in the week ended Thursday, the lowest in Freddie Mac records dating back to 1971. The Federal Reserve has pledged to hold interest rates near zero through the end of 2014 and has bought home-loan bonds to lower borrowing costs.
A recent report issued titled "LIGA Inc. Has Home Run Written All Over It" by Rob Goldman of Goldman Small Cap Research (www.goldmanresearch.com) forecasts $5.0 million in income for 2012 up from $1.3 million in 2011, and could approach $10 million if some portfolio assets are sold. At a multiple of just 7x 2012 EPS, Goldman derives a price target of $0.50. Goldman released an updated report yesterday after the close of trading yesterday and reiterated his forecasted numbers.
It should be noted that LIG Assets also has other divisions that could add to earnings this year. The Company retains ownership of 45% of SuiteMagic, which owns patent-pending software for internet-based television and cable programming, interactive game content, as well as a host of other goods and services for the hospitality industry. This will be sold to hotel and motel chains as a significant upgrade to existing systems largely controlled currently by LodgeNet. LIG Assets believes income from just this division could surpass other income within two years.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) earnings jump to $50.6 million
Northern, WI 5/30/12 (StreetBeat) -- McLean-based Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. (NYSE: BAH) reported a surge in profits in its latest quarter as revenue rose. Stock in the company rose on news of a special cash dividend.Booz Allen Hamilton Holding, the parent company of management and technology consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., reported net income of $50.1 million, or 36 cents per diluted share, in the company's fiscal 2012 fourth quarter ended March 31. That compares with net income of $18.1 million, or 13 cents per diluted share, in the year ago period.
Revenue in the quarter rose 3 percent to $1.54 billion, compared with $1.49 billion a year ago.
For the entire fiscal year 2012, Booz Allen reported net income of $240 million, or $1.70 per diluted share. That compares with $84.7 million, or 66 cents per diluted, in fiscal 2011. Revenue in fiscal 2012 rose nearly 5 percent to $5.86 billion, from $5.59 billion in the prior year.
Booz Allen reported a backlog of $10.8 billion as of March 31, down from $10.9 billion a year ago.
Booz Allen also said in a statement announcing its earnings Wednesday that it had declared a regular quarterly cash dividend in the amount of 9 cents per share and a special cash dividend of $1.50 per share. Both the quarterly and special dividend are payable on June 29, 2012, to stockholders of record on June 11, 2012.
Shares of Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH), which closed Tuesday at $14.88, rose as much as 20 percent to $18.00 in pre-open trading Wednesday, according to MarketWatch.com.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Fresh Market (Nasdaq: TFM) 1Q profit rises, lifts 2012 outlook
Northern, WI 5/30/12 (StreetBeat) -- Fresh Market's (Nasdaq:TFM) first-quarter net income climbed 43 percent and the grocer bumped up its outlook for the year Wednesday citing strong sales to begin 2012.Fresh Market earned $19.3 million, or 40 cents per share, for the period ended April 29. That's up from $13.5 million, or 28 cents per share, a year ago.
This topped the 36 cents per share that analysts polled by FactSet expected.
Revenue rose 23 percent to $324.8 million from $264.5 million, beating Wall Street's $310.6 million.
The number of transactions climbed 5.7 percent during the quarter, while the average transaction size increased 2.5 percent.
Revenue at stores open at least a year climbed 8.2 percent. This metric is a key gauge of a retailer's health because it excludes results the volatility from stores recently opened or closed.
Fresh Market now expects fiscal 2012 earnings of $1.28 to $1.34 per share, up from $1.26 to $1.31 per share.
Analysts predict earnings of $1.30 per share.
Fresh Market Inc., based in Greensboro, N.C., had 116 stores in 21 states in the Southeast, Midwest, Mid Atlantic and Northeast as of Wednesday.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Pep Boys (NYSE: PBY) In The Junkyard: Shares Plunge After Buyout Deal Cancelled
Palm Beach, FL 5/30/12 (StreetBeat) -- Pep Boys Manny, Moe & Jack (NYSE: PBY) shares crashed this morning after investors learned that private-equity shop Gores Groups will walk away from the $791 million deal to buy the auto-parts retailer. Gores cited serious problems with Pep Boys’ business.Shares of Pep Boys tumbled 22.5% to $8.59 in pre-market trading. Pep Boy shares have been under pressure for much of May, as Gores sought to delay the shareholder meeting to vote on the deal. After Gores initially agreed to the deal, Pep Boys stock stayed near the $15 offer price.
Pep Boys has sought a buyer for several years now, as its business deteriorated. Its profits were virtually flat in the first quarter, after a $8 million loss a quarter earlier. Its stock has dropped 43% in the past five years.
Meanwhile, other auto-parts retailers have raced ahead, taking advantage of Americans’ need to keep used cars running longer. AutoZone stock has risen more than 200% since 2007, while profit went from $509 million to $849 million. Advance Auto Parts shares increased 83%, and its net income grew from $238 million to $395 million. O’Reilly Automotive grew 165.1% on profits rising from $194 million to $508 million.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) Gears Up for New Products
Palm Beach, FL 5/30/12 (StreetBeat) -- Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) chief executive Tim Cook teed up big expectations for the world's largest technology company, saying in an interview that the company is preparing to release some "incredible" new products.But, pressed about possibilities such as whether Apple would develop a smaller iPhone or a television, he gave no details, vowing to "double down" on product secrecy.
During his remarks during the Tuesday evening opening interview at the D: All Things Digital conference—his first appearance at the annual event—Mr. Cook stressed continuity with his predecessor, Steve Jobs, who handed him the reins in August. Mr. Jobs died in October.
Mr. Cook said that Apple would continue to innovate and hinted at big things ahead. "The juices are flowing," he said. "We have some incredible things coming out."
But the 51-year-old Apple veteran also provided a rare hint of how he is doing things differently than his predecessor Steve Jobs, whose legacy include a culture that prized secrecy.
He said Apple would be more transparent about issues related to social change, he added, including labor rights in China, where Apple has faced continue scrutiny.
Mr. Cook said he hoped more components for Apple products would be made in the U.S. Noting that iPhone's processor and glass covering are made in the U.S., he said: "We will do as many of these as we can."
He also said he spends less time on design and marketing than Mr. Jobs, who had a particular passion and reputation for micromanaging those functions.
The Apple leader had little to say about one issue the tech and media worlds are on pins and needles about: whether the technology company plans to build a television or create a new type of television content service.
Mr. Cook dodged the question as he has in the past, highlighting the growth of Apple's existing $99 Apple TV box. Mr. Cook called the device, which is still relatively a niche product, "an area of intense interest for us."
"We are going to keep pulling this string and see where it takes us," he said.
He said Apple would consider issues like whether the company could "control the key technology" in assessing whether to do more. But he also refused to address whether the company would do so.
When pressed about whether Apple would release different versions of the iPhone and iPad in different sizes, Mr. Cook said, "There is not a policy or commandment that thou shalt have one. If we find we can do more, great."
He did identify one priority—Siri the voice-response technology Apple delivered with its latest iPhone, which has received some criticism for not working consistently.
"There is more that it can do," Mr. Cook said. "I think you'll be really pleased with some things you will see over the coming months."
Mr. Cook told the audience to "stay tuned" on the question of whether Apple would strike a partnership with Facebook Inc., the social-networking juggernaut that still isn't integrated into the iPhone in a meaningful way. The relationship between the technology powerhouses is a topic of persistent gossip in Silicon Valley, particularly as Apple has struck such a deal with social service Twitter. "I think we can do more with them," he said.
Mr. Cook also addresses his frustration with the company's proliferating patent battles with Samsung Electronics Co. and other smartphone rivals. While defending Apple's action against other companies for copying what he regards as Apple's creative works, he reiterated his views it is unfair for Samsung and others to sue Apple for infringing patents that are considered essential to building phones compatible with industrywide technology standards.
Owners of so-called standards essential patents agree to license them on fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms. "There is some of this that is maddening," Mr. Cook said.
The conference, like The Wall Street Journal, is owned by News Corp.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
3 Things to Know Before Trading
Palm Beach, FL 5/30/12 (StreetBeat) -- Stocks were mostly lower in Asian trade. The Hang Seng was among the worst with a 1.9% decline, Australia lost a half percent, the Nikkei fell a quarter percent and Shanghai was down a slight fraction. European indexes are mostly lower, with the Footsie off 1.1% and the Dax down about a half of a percent. US stock futures are off by about a half of a percent as I write.*The April reading of Australian Retail Sales is -0.2% on a monthly basis, well short of the two tenth gain that was expected.
*Italy sold EU5.73 billion of five and ten year debt earlier this morning, but that was short of the maximum target of EU6.25 billion. Disappointment is showing up in the 10 Year yield, a four month high above 5.90%.
*The European Commission said in a report released this morning that they could envision using the ESM permanent rescue fund to directly bail-out troubled Euro Zone banks.
*Speaking of bailing out banks; the ECB denied a report that it had rejected a plan by Spain to recapitalize Bankia, noting that it had not been consulted on the matter and had not taken a position on it.
*All things considered, the German Bund remains a popular hiding place, as evidenced by new all-time low yield at about 1.30%.
*Germany’s FinMin will host a meeting with his Spanish counterpart in Berlin today; no post meeting statement is planned, but they might be tempted by a microphone.
*In April there were 51.8k mortgage approvals in the UK, according to the Bank of England.
*US mortgage applications were down 1.3% in the week ended May 25, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association; both key components were lower on the week.
*Just a reminder; the ADP Jobs guess is postponed until Thursday morning because of the US holiday on Monday. Also pushed back a day is the weekly report on energy inventories.
*The weekly report on chain store sales from ICSC showed on a week on week basis for the week ended May 26. The Johnson Redbook report on the same thing is due out at 7:55am CDT.
*The April reading of Pending Home Sales is due out at 9:00am CDT, it is expected to be unchanged on a monthly basis.
*The Fed is scheduled to buy Treasuries today that are due to mature between 8/15/20 and 5/15/22; the results of the operation will be announced just after 10:00am CDT.
*There is a bit of Fed speak on the calendar today, including: Dallas Fed’s Fisher is set to speak on the economy at 12:20pm CDT; New York Fed boss Dudley talks about the regional economy at 12:30pm CDT; and Boston’s Rosengren speaks at 3:30pm CDT.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Who ya gonna call…
Palm Beach, FL 5/29/12 (StreetBeat) -- If there’s sonethin’ strange in your EurohoodWho ya gonna call…
The ECB, I’ll call the ECB, that’s who I’m gonna call to clean up this euro debt crisis. Hmmm, nobody’s answering at the central bank; that’s strange, their phone is on call forward to Euro Zone politicians.
We are living at a critical juncture in the history of the Union. The sovereign debt crisis has exposed serious weaknesses in the institutional framework; in this context, the difficulties in finding common solutions are having a negative impact on market valuations. The extraordinary measures taken by the ECB have gained us time; they have preserved the functioning of monetary policy.
But we have now reached a point where European integration, in order to survive, needs a bold leap of political imagination. It is in this sense that I have referred to the need for a “growth compact” alongside the well-know “fiscal compact”.
ECB President Mario Draghi spoke in Rome on May 24
ECB Governing Board member Jens Weidmann told Le Monde newspaper on May 25 that the central bank had “reached the limit of our mandate particularly” with unconventional measures. He said, in essence, call the politicos; “governments must take responsibility and not subcontract to monetary policy.” Or maybe call a rehab clinic; ECB cash injections “have helped save time but don’t solve the structural causes of the crisis. It’s like morphine: they relive the pain, but don’t cure the disease.”
He can’t mean that; maybe if I speak with him at his Frankfurt office to see if he can give Greece just one more break, help them to take just one more step in their twelve step program. The Bundesbank; that’s who I’m gonna call. Hmmm…automated phone system...hit five for Greece commentary…
Current developments in Greece are extremely worrying. Greece is threatening not to implement the reform and consolidation measure that were agreed in return for the large-scale aid programmes. This jeopardizes the continued provision of assistance. Greece would have to bear the consequences of such a scenario. The challenges this would create for the euro area and Germany would be considerable, but manageable give prudent crisis management. By contrast, a significant dilution of existing agreements would damage confidence in all euro-area agreements and treaties and strongly weaken incentives for national reform and consolidation measures. In such circumstances the institutional status quo comprising liability, control and individual responsibility of member states would be fundamentally called into question.
When the Eurosystem provided Greece with large amounts of liquidity, it trusted that the programmes would be implemented and thereby ultimately assumed considerable risks. In the light of the current situation, it should not significantly increase these risks. Instead, the parliaments and governments of the member states should decide on the manner in which any further financial assistance is provided and therefore whether the associated risks should be assumed.
Bundesbank Monthly Report, May 2012: The Current Economic Situation in Germany; current developments in Greece.
Well, I guess I’m gonna call some Euro Zone politicians, that’s who I’m gonna call; but who? French President Francois Hollande is the growth guy Draghi is looking for; he’s all in on the idea of euro bonds to fix what ails the Eurohood. The all-for-one-and-one-for-all-bonds in which everyone, from Germany down to Greece, back the securities with the combined power of all seventeen euro country balance sheets. Hollande likes it, but not all of his peers are with him; “Some countries are totally hostile,” he said after the EU summit/dinner, adding that others “can imagine them in the future, some can imagine doing them much more quickly. I was not alone.” It can be said that the appointed Italian boss Mario Monti is also a euro bond fan; it’s German Chancellor Angela Merkel who “totally” is not. Monti however thinks he can make Merkel see the light.
Maybe I should call Merkel, but then again euro bonds are not her call to make, no matter how she feels about them. Andreas Vosskuhle is the head of Germany’s Constitutional Court; last fall he nixed the joint bond idea, explaining to the Frankfurter Allgemeine, “The sovereignty of the German state is inviolate and anchored in perpetuity by basic law. It may not be abandoned by the legislature. There is little leeway left for giving up core powers to the EU. If one wants to go beyond this limit—which might be politically legitimate and desirable—then Germany must give itself a new constitution. A referendum would be necessary. This cannot be done without the people.” The court, Vosskuhle said, had given its blessing to the package of measures that have been agreed to so far, but “our judgment makes clear that the Bundestag cannot abdicate its fiscal responsibilities to other actors. And no permanent mechanism may be created that entails taking over the liabilities of other states,” and that includes euro bonds.
Maybe I should call Vosskuhle, but then again there’s a new idea being backed by a couple of German economists about doing a color coded bond system that they think will end run the Constitutional Court prohibition. This plan has group support bonds, and therefore lower interest rates, for debt burdens that fall inside the 60 percent of GDP allowance, as per the founding treaties; these are the blue bonds. The red bonds are for debt burdens that exceed the treaty parameters and this debt would be the sole responsibility of the countries that overstepped the spending guidelines; higher rates for some, Greece for instance, and lower for others, Germany, let’s say.
Well, maybe I should call the Greek Prime Minister to see what he thinks about the situation. After all, his country is the epicenter of the action, so maybe he has a good suggestion about how to fix what ails the Eurohood. OK, one ringy dingy…two ringy dingy…three ringy dingy…hmmm, I wonder why no one is picking up…four ringy dingy…
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Facebook (Nasdaq: FB) Tries, Tries Again on a Smartphone
Northern, WI 5/29/12 (StreetBeat) -- Can a software company build its own smartphone? We may find out soon.This past week, Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) completed its acquisition of the hardware maker Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion, which could lead to the search giant's making its own smartphone. But another software titan might be getting into the hardware game as well: Facebook (Nasdaq: FB).
Employees of Facebook and several engineers who have been sought out by recruiters there, as well as people briefed on Facebook's plans, say the company hopes to release its own smartphone by next year. These people spoke only on the condition of anonymity for fear of jeopardizing their employment or relationships with Facebook.
The company has already hired more than half a dozen former Apple software and hardware engineers who worked on the iPhone, and one who worked on the iPad, the employees and those briefed on the plans said.
This would be Facebook's third effort at building a smartphone, said one person briefed on the plans and one who was recruited. In 2010, the blog TechCrunch reported that Facebook was working on a smartphone. The project crumbled after the company realized the difficulties involved, according to people who had worked on it. The Web site AllThingsD reported last year that Facebook and HTC had entered a partnership to create a smartphone, code-named "Buffy," which is still in the works.
Now, the company has been going deeper into the process, by expanding the group working on Buffy, and exploring other smartphone projects too, creating a team of seasoned hardware engineers who have built the devices before.
One engineer who formerly worked at Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) and worked on the iPhone said he had met with Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's chief executive, who then peppered him with questions about the inner workings of smartphones. It did not sound like idle intellectual curiosity, the engineer said; Mr. Zuckerberg asked about intricate details, including the types of chips used, he said. Another former Apple hardware engineer was recruited by a Facebook executive and was told about the company's hardware explorations.
When asked Friday, Facebook did not deny or confirm that a project to build a smartphone existed, but pointed to a previous statement it gave to AllThingsD last year that said in part, "We're working across the entire mobile industry; with operators, hardware manufacturers, OS providers, and application developers."
For Facebook, the motivation is clear; as a newly public company, it must find new sources of revenue, and it fears being left behind in mobile, one of the most promising areas for growth.
"Mark is worried that if he doesn't create a mobile phone in the near future that Facebook will simply become an app on other mobile platforms," a Facebook employee said.
Facebook is going to great lengths to keep the phone project a secret, specifically not posting job listings on the company's job Web site, but instead going door-to-door to find the right talent for the project.
But can a company that is wired as a social network learn how to build hardware? Mixing the cultures of hardware and software designers is akin to mixing oil and water. With the rare exception of Apple, other phone makers aren't very good at this.
The biggest names in consumer electronics have struggled with phone hardware. Hewlett-Packard tried and failed. So did Dell. Sony has never done very well making phones.
"Building isn't something you can just jump into," explained Hugo Fiennes, a former Apple hardware manager for the first four iPhones who has since left Apple and is starting a new hardware company,Electric Imp. "You change the smallest thing on a smartphone and you can completely change how all the antennas work. You don't learn this unless you've been doing it for a while."
He added, "Going into the phone business is incredibly complex."
Facebook also faces hurdles, often of its own making, on mobile. Twitter, for example, is fully integrated into the Apple iPhone and allows people to seamlessly send Twitter messages with photos or article links. Facebook, which has had a contentious relationship with Apple, is still not integrated into iOS.
One Facebook employee said the phone project had been rebooted several times because Facebook originally thought it could figure out hardware on its own. The company has since learned that it needed to bring in people with phone-making experience, several people said. So it is hiring hardware engineers to work with a phone manufacturer and design the shape, style and inner workings of a Facebook phone.
Despite the difficulties, Facebook seems well positioned in certain ways to enter the smartphone market. It already has an entire operating system complete with messaging, calendar, contacts and video, and an immense app store is on its way with thousands of highly popular apps. There's also that billion-dollar camera app, in the form of Instagram.
If Facebook fails with its own team of engineers, it could buy a smartphone maker. The company took in $16 billion from its bumpy I.P.O. It could easily scoop up an infirm company like Research in Motion, which is valued at less than $6 billion, and drop a beautifully designed Facebook operating system on top of RIM's phones. HTC, which is upset with Google for buying Motorola, is worth about $11.8 billion and becoming cheaper by the day.
Facebook would not necessarily challenge Apple if it entered the smartphone marketplace. Instead, it could be Facebook vs. Google, which makes the Android operating system, with both companies going after a huge number of buyers of lower-priced smartphones.
"When you offer an advertising-based phone, you're targeting all the users on prepay that are budget-conscious of their communications costs," said Carolina Milanesi, a vice president and analyst for the Gartner Group.
Ms. Milanesi said that at a mass market level, both companies could take the same approach as Amazon, offering low-cost hardware, like the Kindle, and subsidizing some of the costs through advertising.
After all, both Facebook and Google make their money through advertising. If the companies have the opportunity to continually put ads in front of people on a smartphone screen, you would think the only question left would be to pick the right ringtone that makes that ka-ching sound.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
LeCroy (Nasdaq: LCRY) shares up over 55% after company agrees to Teledyne takeover
Northern, WI 5/29/12 (StreetBeat) -- Teledyne Technologies (NYSE:TDY), a provider of electronic subsystemsand instrumentation, said this morning that it will acquire LeCroy Corporation (Nasdaq:LCRY) for $291M, including stock options, stock appreciation rights and net debt at March 31. Teledyne will pay $14.30 per share for LeCroy, a supplier of oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers and signal integrity test solutions. LeCroy has approximately 500 employees worldwide and had sales of about $178.1M for the fiscal year ended July 2, 2011. LeCroy may be required to pay Teledyne a termination fee equal to $10.5M and to pay Teledyne’s expenses up to $1M if the merger is terminated. Stifel Nicolaus Weisel is acting as exclusive financial advisor to LeCroy, while Needham & Company is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Teledyne. Teledyne CEO Dr. Robert Mehrabian says LeCroy will broaden the company's portfolio of analytical instrumentation businesses, while LeCroy CEO Thomas Reslewic believes Teledyne can help the company accelerate its high-end oscilloscope programs to deliver real-time bandwidth well beyond 100GHz. The transaction has been unanimously approved by both boards of directors, and LeCroy directors and officers, including founder Walter LeCroy, agreed to vote their shares in favor of the deal.
LeCroy is up $5.06, or 55.41%, to $14.20 in mid-morning trading. Meanwhile, Teledyne is up 30c, or 0.50%, to $60.14.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Vertex (Nasdaq: VRTX) corrects cystic fibrosis data; shares fall
Shawshank, VA 5/29/12 (StreetBeat) -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq: VRTX) released corrected data involving its cystic fibrosis treatments on Tuesday that lowered the number of patients who showed certain levels of improvedlung function, sending its shares down more than 22 percent.The initial data, released earlier this month, sent Vertex shares soaring on hopes the company could have a multibillion-dollar franchise in the treatment of cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening genetic disorder that affects about 70,000 people worldwide.
"The corrected data appear weaker than the original data," ISI Group analyst Mark Schoenebaum said.
Vertex blamed the error on a misinterpretation of the data from a vendor involved in the statistical analysis.
"This mistake is very disappointing," Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Leiden told analysts on a conference call. "It's unacceptable to us."
Still, Leiden said, the company's conclusions "haven't changed" and that it plans to move forward with a late-stage clinical trial.
Cystic fibrosis causes the thin layer of mucus that helps keep the lungs free of germs to become thick, clogging airways and leading to infections that damage the lungs.
The phase 2 study involves a combination of Vertex's new cystic fibrosis drug, Kalydeco, with an experimental drug called VX-809.
Kalydeco helps only about 4 percent of cystic fibrosis patients with a specific gene mutation. Vertex is testing combinations it hopes will eventually be able to address the larger CF population.
The study examined patient performance based on a measure of the maximum amount of air that can be exhaled in one second, known as FEV1.
On May 7, Vertex released data that it said showed that about 46 percent of patients experienced an improvement in lung function of 5 percentage points or more based on FEV1. On Tuesday, the company said that figure was actually about 35 percent.
The initial results also said about 30 percent of patients experienced an improvement of at least 10 percentage points. That number has been lowered to 19 percent.
The company also released data that showed patients on the combination saw an average absolute improvement in lung function of 8.5 percent compared to those taking a placebo.
That effect looked more pronounced in part because patients on a placebo saw a decline in lung function that was much greater than expected by Wall Street analysts.
Even with the placebo patients worsening, the improvement for patients on the Vertex treatments "is much higher than original Street expectations," Schoenebaum said in a research note.
Brian Abrahams, an analyst at Wells Fargo, said in a research note that the early drop in Vertex's shares seemed "excessive" and recommended buying the shares on weakness.
"While we are slightly disappointed by the less robust data, the Kalydeco/'809 combo still clearly appears active to us and we believe should still have multi-billion dollar potential."
Vertex plans to release final data from the Phase II study by the middle of the year.
Vertex shares fell more than 22 percent to $50.41 in early trading on Nasdaq.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Tuesday’s biggest gaining and declining stocks
Shawshank, VA 5/29/12 (StreetBeat) -- Here are some of Tuesday’s biggest gaining and declining stocks:Gainers
D.J. LeCroy (Nasdaq: LCRY +55.58%) shares jumped 56%. The firm said on Tuesday that it had agreed to be bought by Teledyne Technologies Inc. for $291 million.
Interline Brands (NYSE: IBI +39.80%) shares rose 42%. The firm said Tuesday that it is being bought by an investor group that includes Goldman Sachs Group Inc. for about $1.1 billion.
Shares of Peabody Energy Corp. (NYSE: BTU +4.81%) added 6.8% on Tuesday. Analysts at Goldman Sachs upgraded the shares to buy, saying the coal producer’s future in China, plus current valuations, make the shares attractive.
Decliners
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: VRTX -16.15%) shares fell 19% on Tuesday. Earlier, the biotech firm said that it had revised study results for a recent clinical trial. The company said the trial showed 19% of patients experienced a 10 percentage point improvement or more, well below the 30% it had first seen.
Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.
StreetBeat Disclaimer
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)