Stockwinners Market Radar for June 19, 2017 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

19:05 EDT Amazon: Will take long-term approach to Whole Foods capital outlays - According to a transcript published by Whole Foods (WFM) of a June 16 townhall discussing the company's acquisition by Amazon (AMZN), Amazon global consumer chief Jeff Wilke stated: "Jeff Bezos' first letter to the shareholders in 1997 lays out a bunch of principles for how we think about the long-run versus the short-run. And in that letter, it says, 'Given the choice between short-term, quarterly profit and long-term cash flow that we can invest in ways that we think are smart and that customers will love, we're gonna choose the cash flows every time.' This is the way we will approach the investments that we make together in Whole Foods. We will think about the long run. We'll think about customers."

19:00 EDT Whole Foods CEO: Will become as customer-centric as Amazon - According to a transcript published by Whole Foods (WFM) of a June 16 townhall discussing the company's acquisition by Amazon (AMZN), CEO John Mackey stated: "One of the things they do better than us, they are more customer-centric than we are. They really are. And one of my takeaways is that, by God, we're gonna become as customer-centric as Amazon. We're gonna import their passion about that. Because I think, sometimes, our company's gone a little bit too much team member focus at the expense of our customers. And that's one definite evolution that's gonna happen."

18:54 EDT Whole Foods CEO: Quality standards not changing under Amazon - According to a transcript published by Whole Foods (WFM) of a June 16 townhall discussing the company's acquisition by Amazon (AMZN), CEO John Mackey stated: "Our quality standards are staying the same. We're not changing our quality standards. They love our quality standards... We've got a lot invested in our brand. And these guys are really smart people... They're not gonna do that. We've been assured."

18:48 EDT Goldman Sachs CEO: Determined to get Marcus customer service right - Says Marcus has created $1B in loans thus far and will lend $2B by end of year. Says losing former executives to politics is "punishing." Says "apprehensive" about talking to Gary Cohn. Says Volcker rule is "cumbersome," doesn't add to safety. Says Fed Funds rate is currently in-line with personal outlook. Lloyd Blankfein is speaking on CNBC.

18:32 EDT Goldman Sachs CEO: Trump deregulation push bogged down - Lloyd Blankfein is speaking on CNBC.

18:03 EDT Valeant names Arthur Shannon head of Investor Relations and Communications - Valeant (VRX) announced Arthur Shannon has joined the company as senior vice president, head of Investor Relations and Communications. Shannon has more than 20 years of experience in the field of investor relations. He joins Valeant from Perrigo (PRGO), where he served as vice president of Global Corporate Affairs and European Investor Relations.

17:47 EDT Enphase Energy says enters master license agreement with Flextronics Industrial - Enphase Energy disclosed in a regulatory filing: "On June 13, Enphase Energy entered into a master license agreement with Flextronics Industrial, under which Enphase licenses its intellectual property to Flextronics in order to allow Flextronics to market, manufacture, and sell certain Enphase products. Such rights may be used to assure continuity of supply to Enphase customers."

17:38 EDT East Hill reports 8.8% stake in Aviragen, urges liquidation of company - East Hill initially acquired the shares of common stock reported herein as passive investors in a predecessor of the company based on the belief that such securities represented an attractive investment opportunity in such predecessor. East Hill is filing this statement on Schedule 13D pursuant to Section240.13d-1(e) because it now holds the common stock with a purpose or effect of influencing or changing control of the company. The company recently announced plans "to explore a wide range of strategic alternatives" that include a business combination or strategic merger, in-licensing clinical stage programs, an acquisition, or other transaction. East Hill has concluded, at this time, that the company should abandon all of its plans to explore strategic alternatives and instead should wind up its business and liquidate. To that end, on June 7, representatives of East Hill had a telephone conversation with representatives of the company's management and board of directors to discuss, among other things, the potential benefit of liquidating the company. East Hill intends to have further conversations, meetings and other communications with the management and board of directors of the company, and possibly with other stockholders and third persons, in each case to discuss the company's strategies, business and other matters related to the company. These communications may include a discussion of options for liquidating the company.

17:24 EDT Moody's upgrades JetBlue debt on strengthened balance sheet, business profile - Moody's Investors Service upgraded its debt ratings of JetBlue: Corporate Family Rating to Ba1 from Ba3, Probability of Default to Ba1-PD from Ba3-PD and Speculative Grade Liquidity to SGL-1 from SGL-2. Moody's also assigned a Baa3 rating to the company's $425M revolving credit facility due in 2021. The rating outlook is stable. "The upgrade to Ba1 considers JetBlue's strengthened balance sheet that will allow it to sustain debt to EBITDA below 2 times in upcoming years with Brent up to $70 per barrel, and below 2.5 times during periods of weaker economic or industry fundamentals and or Brent prices above $70... Moody's expects credit metrics to modestly temper in upcoming quarters from higher fuel expense and capex-driven, about breakeven free cash flow in 2017, though remain at levels which firmly support the Ba1 rating... The upgrade also reflects the improvements in JetBlue's business profile of recent years, gained from: 1) network expansion from each of its focus cities, 2) leading domestic market position in Boston, 3) the Mint business-class product, 4) an improving brand and 5) an expanded base of operating profit as the company has doubled in size since 2008... Moody's expects that industry fundamentals will remain favorable through at least 2018," the ratings agency and its analysts commented. Reference Link

17:20 EDT Leidos, SAIC others awarded $492.4M government contract - DRS Laurel Technologies, Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Leidos (LDOS), Reston, Virginia; SAIC (SAIC), McLean, Virginia; and Serco, Reston, Virginia, are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee multiple award contract for Automated Digital Network System - Increment III production units. ADNS Increment III production units and supplies support the tactical wide area network component of the naval communications system, providing surface ship, submarine, airborne, tactical-shore and shore-based WAN gateway services management. ADNS Increment III increases network capacity by adding the ability to utilize higher bandwidth available with newer satellite communication systems. The estimated cumulative value of the multiple award contracts is $492,400,000. The contracts have an eight-year ordering period up to the contract award amount. There are no option years provided in this contract. Work is expected to be completed by June 2025. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.

17:05 EDT Icahn raises stake in Herc Holdings to 15.48%

17:01 EDT ISS: Brookfield Canada Office Properties holders should vote for the redemption - Brookfield Canada Office Properties announced that Institutional Shareholders Services has recommended that unitholders vote FOR the redemption by the Trust of the outstanding Trust units not already owned by Brookfield Property Partners L.P. and its subsidiaries for a cash consideration of C$32.50 per unit. ISS summarized its recommendation as follows: "A vote FOR is warranted based on a review of the terms of the transaction, in particular, the meaningful premium to the unaffected market price, the cash nature of the consideration that provides liquidity and certainty of value to the trust's unitholders, the offer consideration is near the mid-point of the formal valuation's estimated value range, and the adequate transaction review process."

16:56 EDT Tribune Media: Matt Cherniss stepping down at WGN America, Tribune Studios - Tribune Media Company announced that Matt Cherniss, president and general manager of WGN America and Tribune Studios since March 2013, has decided to step down at the end of the month. Since his appointment, Cherniss has driven the successful evolution of WGN America from a superstation to a cable network with critical and commercial hits and broad distribution across the country.

16:49 EDT EQT Corp reports board pact, voting agreement in Rice Energy merger - EQT Corporation (EQT) disclosed in a regulatory filing: "In the merger agreement, EQT has agreed, subject to the approval of EQT shareholders, to increase the size of its board of directors to 13 directors and cause Daniel Rice IV and Robert Vagt to become members of the EQT board... On June 19, in connection with the execution of the merger agreement, EQT entered into a voting agreement with Rice Energy 2016 Irrevocable Trust, Rice Energy Holdings, Daniel Rice III, Daniel Rice IV, Derek Rice and Toby Rice, which collectively beneficially own approximately 15% of the outstanding Rice (RICE) voting power."

16:40 EDT Teladoc to acquire Best Doctors - Teladoc announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Best Doctors, the world's leading expert medical consultation company focused on improving health outcomes for the most complex, critical and costly medical issues. Teladoc is creating a new paradigm for how patients access care by delivering a powerful connected care platform - a single solution for addressing a complete spectrum of medical conditions, from non-critical, episodic needs to chronic, complicated medical conditions. By leveraging the proven portfolio of healthcare solutions from both Best Doctors and Teladoc, members will have one simple, virtual, patient-centric way to resolve their healthcare issues, improving outcomes and reducing costs.

16:36 EDT Armistice Capital reports 9.9% passive stake in EyeGate

16:32 EDT Energen raises FY17 production growth to 29% from 21% - Energen announced that it is raising its 2017 production guidance on the "continued strength of results from wells completed with the Generation 3 frac design." Backs FY17 capex $850M-$900M.

16:18 EDT Autodesk announces interim co-CEO Amar Hanspal to leave company - Autodesk announced that Amar Hanspal, senior vice president, chief product officer and interim co-CEO, has decided to leave the company.

16:17 EDT Kirby to purchase certain inland marine assets from competitor for $68M - Kirby announced the signing of an agreement to purchase certain inland marine assets from an undisclosed competitor for $68M. The asset purchase will consist of nine specialty pressure tank barges, four 30,000 barrel tank barges, and three 1320 horsepower inland towboats. The closing of the asset purchase is expected to occur by July 15, and is subject to certain customary conditions. The acquisition is expected to be paid for using funds available under Kirby's revolving credit facility.

16:15 EDT Agilysys appoints Pritchett as CFO - Agilysys announced that effective June 14, Tony Pritchett has been appointed Chief Financial Officer. Pritchett has been serving as Agilysys's Interim CFO since November 2016. Prior to assuming the role of Interim CFO, Pritchett served as the Company's Senior Director of Operations.

16:06 EDT Children's Place to open retail stores in South East Asia - The Children's Place announced that it has entered into a development agreement with Gill Capital covering Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and The Philippines. The first retail stores are to open in Indonesia, with the plan to open 25 locations in Indonesia, followed by openings in the other countries in the development area.

16:05 EDT Provident Financial announces stock repurchase plan - Provident Financial Holdings, the holding company for Provident Savings Bank, announced that the company's board authorized the repurchase of up to 5% of the company's common stock, or approximately 385,200 shares. The company will purchase the shares from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions over a one-year period depending on market conditions, the capital requirements of the company, and available cash that can be allocated to the stock repurchase program, among other considerations.

16:04 EDT Capitol Acquisition Corp. III, Cision announce transfer of listing to NYSE - Capitol Acquisition Corp. III and Cision announced that Capitol intends to transfer the listing of its common stock and warrants to the New York Stock Exchange from the NASDAQ Capital Markets following the completion of its announced business combination, which is expected to close on or about June 29. Subject to the completion of the business combination, Capitol intends to transfer the listing to the NYSE the following day, June 30. Upon completion of the business combination, Capitol and Cision will become wholly-owned subsidiaries of Capitol Acquisition Holding Company Ltd., which will change its name to Cision Ltd. The ordinary shares and warrants of Cision Ltd. will trade on the NYSE following the closing under the symbols "CISN" and "CISN WS", respectively.

16:02 EDT Lipocine says LPCN 1021 'generally met' secondary endpoints in dosing studies

16:00 EDT Alnylam says CEO elected chair of Biotechnology Innovation Organization

15:31 EDT Time Warner, Snap announces global media partnership - Time Warner (TWX) and Snap Inc. (SNAP) confirmed a global partnership spanning media spending and the development of made-for-Snap Shows over the next two years. Under this new agreement, Time Warner will make a "significant commitment" to develop and produce Shows for Snapchat from across its networks and entertainment companies, Time Warner announced in a press release. These new Shows will encompass a range of genres, including scripted drama and comedy. In addition to programming, Time Warner will commit to investing in advertising from HBO, Turner and Warner Bros. on Snapchat over the next two years. There is currently about one Show airing each day on Snapchat. By the end of this year, Snap expects to have three Shows airing per day, the company noted.

14:35 EDT Match Group launches new brand for European singles over 50 - Match Group announced earlier Monday the launch of a new dating brand across Europe focused solely on singles over 50. "Designed and developed by Match Group's European business Meetic, the brand operates under DisonsDemain in France and Ourtime in the UK, and leverages Match Group's experience with a similar business also called Ourtime, which it launched in the U.S. in 2011," the company said. The European business is launching first in France and the UK, and is expected to be rolled out across Europe with a launch campaign addressing "Young Singles Above 50."

13:08 EDT Chevron: Supreme Court denies petition to review 'fraudulent' Ecuador suit - Chevron announced that the U.S. Supreme Court has denied a certiorari petition seeking review of a decision by the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirming extensive district court findings that a $9.5B Ecuadorian judgment against Chevron was the product of fraud and racketeering activity, and unenforceable in the U.S. "In 2014, Steven Donziger, an American lawyer behind a fraudulent lawsuit against Chevron in Ecuador, was found by the District Court for the Southern District of New York to have violated the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act... The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit unanimously affirmed the lower court's decision in August 2016," Chevron noted.

13:02 EDT ExxonMobil reports 'breakthrough' in algae biofuel research - ExxonMobil and Synthetic Genomics announced a "breakthrough" in biofuels research involving the modification of an algae strain that more than doubled its oil content without significantly inhibiting the strain's growth. The ExxonMobil-Synthetic Genomics team modified an algae strain to enhance its oil content from 20% to more than 40%. Results of the research were published today in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Biotechnology. "Researchers at Synthetic Genomics' laboratory in La Jolla discovered a new process for increasing oil production by identifying a genetic switch that could be fine-tuned to regulate the conversion of carbon to oil... The team established a proof-of-concept approach that resulted in the algae doubling its lipid fraction of cellular carbon compared to the parent -- while sustaining growth," the companies explained. "This key milestone in our advanced biofuels program confirms our belief that algae can be incredibly productive as a renewable energy source," commented ExxonMobil.

12:47 EDT Accenture, Microsoft partner on blockchain-based digital identity solution - Accenture (ACN) and Microsoft (MSFT) are partnering on a blockchain-based digital identity program. The companies explained: "Accenture is leading a 'call to action' and responding with blockchain and biometric technologies to support ID2020, a global public-private partnership dedicated to solving the challenges of identity... Accenture, in partnership with Microsoft and Avanade, has developed an identity prototype based on blockchain technology... The prototype is designed to empower individuals with direct consent over who has access to their personal information, and when to release and share data." Accenture and Microsoft demonstrated the prototype today at the ID2020 Summit at the U.N.

12:01 EDT Battleground: Analysts diverge on Kroger after Amazon deal - Following the news that Amazon (AMZN) will acquire Whole Foods (WFM) for $13.7B in deal that could result in widespread implications for competing retailers and grocers, analysts are diverging on Kroger (KR), with Morgan Stanley downgrading the stock and Oppenheimer urging investors to remain cautious, while Deutsche Bank and Citi continue to view the stock as a positive buy. MORGAN STANLEY DOWNGRADE: Morgan Stanley analyst Vincent Sinisi downgraded Kroger to Equal Weight from Overweight and lowered his price target on the shares to $23 from $32, citing increased structural margin risk within the sector after Amazon's deal. The analyst now forecasts near-flat earnings for Kroger through 2020, given the pressure he expects on its margins given its comments that it will "not lose on price." OPCO URGES CAUTION: Oppenheimer analyst Rupesh Parikh said he believes the move down of Kroger last week was "warranted" and investors should remain cautious on the name as the Amazon/Whole Foods merger will create a "more formidable" rival for the grocer. Parikh said Kroger's valuation remains attractive but expects Amazon as well as Lidl and Aldi concerns to weigh on it. The analyst said he is waiting to see Kroger's response to the merger, which could include making a bid for Whole Foods, purchasing an online player or other strategic changes. BUYING OPPORTUNITY: Deutsche Bank analyst Shane Higgins views last week's selloff in shares of Kroger following the weaker than expected Q1 results and Amazon's announcement as a buying opportunity. Kroger can still compete and is well positioned to capitalize on market disruption, Higgins tells investors, citing Kroger's "immense" scale, strong private brand portfolio, large loyalty card database, strong pharmacy business and store locations in markets "where grocery delivery is less economical." He added the company maintains an investment-grade balance sheet and continues to generate cash flow, allowing it to invest in its Customer 1st strategy, take advantage of market dislocation and gain market share. He lowered his price target for the shares to $26 from $35 and keeps a Buy rating on the name. Citi analyst Alvin Concepcion had similar views, saying he believes Kroger's risk/reward remains favorable following the selloff. The analyst lowered his price target for the shares to $26 from $36 and keeps a Buy rating on the name. Kroger shares now trade at a 50% discount to their peer group, despite peers like Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) and Natural Grocers (NGVC) facing greater exposure to threats from a stronger Whole Foods in the natural/organic category, Concepcion said. He believes Kroger has enough competitive advantages to offset price pressures, including its data analytics and loyal household base and a strong management team, which has had a history of dealing with discounters. He also said the company has the ability to accelerate identical stores sales, improve productivity and reduce costs. PRICE ACTION: Near noon, Kroger rose 1% to $22.54 per share.

11:45 EDT Casper closes $170M Series C funding round led by Target - Global sleep company Casper announces the close of a $170M Series C investment round. The new investment was led by Target and includes Tresalia, IVP, Norwest, Lerer Hippeau Ventures, NEA, and Irving Capital. High-profile entertainers and athletes also join the round - including Kevin Spacey, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Carmelo Anthony, Kyrie Irving, Shaun White, and Andre Iguodala - bringing the total funding to date to $240M. The company will expand its R&D capabilities with the launch of a design lab in San Francisco, a facility and engineering team dedicated to developing new products to complete the Casper ecosystem - from re-designed soft goods to the future of connected sleep. The funding will also enable the digitally-first brand to traverse online and offline distribution at scale.

11:24 EDT Schlumberger, Production Plus Energy announce HEAL Systems JV - Schlumberger Limited and Production Plus Energy Services announced the creation of Joint Venture Entities for the purpose of developing the HEAL System technology and business. Effective on May 31st, the JV began functioning globally as HEAL Systems. This joint venture will offer producer's global accessibility, enhanced quality control and assurance, as well as greater certainty regarding the beneficial capabilities of the HEAL System. The JV will autonomously develop its business in the United States and Canada, whereas outside of those defined regions, Schlumberger will be the sole distributor of the HEAL System technology.

10:59 EDT Analyst says sell TripAdvisor ahead of 'difficult' Q3 report - The shares of TripAdvisor (TRIP) are declining after Credit Suisse downgraded the stock to Underperform, its equivalent of a sell rating, from Neutral. Among the reasons cited for the downgrade were the firm's belief that the company will increase its TV ad spending next year and its contention that the third quarter looks like it will be "difficult" for the company. TripAdvisor advertises travel deals online. TV ADS: TripAdvisor will spend $150M on TV ads next year, predicted Credit Suisse analyst Paul Bieber. He had previously estimated that the company would spend $115M on TV ads in 2018. As a result of this increase, Bieber lowered his 2018 earnings before interest ,taxes, depreciation and amortization estimate for the company to $304.4M from $339.4M. Analysts' consensus estimate for the company's 2018 EBITDA is $363.8M ,according to Bieber. Moreover, since other online travel agencies such as Priceline (PCLN) and Expedia (EXPE) are spending more on TV ads than TripAdvisor is, the efficacy of its TV ads are uncertain, the analyst stated. Q3 SETUP: Last month, TripAdvisor reported that it had faced a number of revenue headwinds in the second quarter, including the testing of its new user interface and competition from trivago (TRVG), Bieber reported. Noting that analysts had expected TripAdvisor's click-based and transaction revenue to jump 5%-9% in Q2, Biber says the company has a "difficult set-up" in Q3. He noted that for the company to meet its guidance for at least 10% growth this year, its branded click-based and transaction revenue growth will have to accelerate in 2H17. PRICE TARGET: Bieber cut his target on TripAdvisor shares to $34 from $40. PRICE ACTION: In morning trading, TripAdvisor fell about 3% to $36.82 per share.

10:44 EDT Strategy Analytics: Amazon led Wi-Fi based wireless speaker brands in 2016 - Strategy Analytics latest Global Wi-Fi Speaker Forecast 2014-2022 reports that global shipments of Wi-Fi based wireless speakers grew by 62% in 2016 to 14 million units with Amazon (AMZN) accounting for 77% of the increase in volume demand from the previous year. The company estimates that Amazon shipped over 5 million Echo speakers in 2016 compared to just over 4 million from second placed Sonos. "Amazon has hit upon a winning formula with its Alexa-powered series of Echo speakers and its rapid success has clearly sent shock waves through the industry," says David Watkins, Director within the Intelligent Home Group at Strategy Analytics. "However, we believe that demand for Amazon's own brand devices is having largely an additive effect on the overall wireless speaker market particularly when you consider that the popular Echo Dot is often paired via Bluetooth to a better quality speaker." Strategy Analytics counts voice activated Intelligent Home Speakers or Smart Speakers such as Amazon Echo and Google Home (GOOG) as a subset of the wider Wi-Fi based wireless speaker market. Intelligent Home Speakers are expected to make up nearly 90% of all Wi-Fi speakers by 2022 up from 42% in 2016.

10:34 EDT Boeing says launching Boeing AnalytX, signs contracts - Boeing (BA) launched Boeing AnalytX, bringing together the work of more than 800 analytics experts across the company, who are focused on transforming data into actionable insights and customer solutions. Boeing AnalytX unites existing analytics services and products across Boeing's commercial, defense and services businesses, its research and information technology capabilities and its family of companies. As part of the launch, Boeing announced five agreements to provide customers with solutions powered by Boeing AnalytX. Agreements announced today include:AirBridgeCargo signed an agreement to deploy Fuel Dashboard services across its entire fleet. Fuel Dashboard helps airlines reduce fuel consumption with total savings opportunities averaging over 4 percent. The tool is currently used on more than 1,500 airplanes around the globe. China Airlines renewed a contract to provide Airplane Health Management's analytics-based predictive alerts on its fleet of 737NG and 747 freighters. China Airlines utilizes AHM analytics in taking predictive maintenance actions that help them improve efficiency and lower operating costs. Delta Air Lines (DAL) signed a contract to use AHM on its Boeing 717 fleet. This agreement expands Delta's use of AHM's analytics-based predictive alerts to encompass Boeing airplanes across its 737, 747, 767 and 777 fleets. Korean Air signed an agreement with Boeing to provide AHM on its 787 and 777 fleet. Korean uses AHM's predictive analytics alerts to reduce delays and cancellations by scheduling maintenance in a controlled manner, avoiding schedule disruptions. Turkish Airlines has added Jeppesen Fatigue Risk Management and Boeing Alertness Model tools through a new contract, to improve flight safety and working conditions for the airline's pilots and cabin crew members.

10:23 EDT MagnaChip says offering 0.13 micron BCD process technology - MagnaChip Semiconductor announced that it now offers 0.13 micron BCD process technology integrated with high-density embedded Flash. This BCD process offers 40V power LDMOS and delivers 64K Bytes flash memory, making it suitable for programmable PMIC, wireless power chargers and USB-C power-delivery IC products.

09:46 EDT Kerrisdale launches website for ViaSat short thesis - Kerrisdale Capital announces the launch of www.FactsAboutViaSat.com. Kerrisdale "continues to believe that ViaSat is worth 50% lower than the current share price due to increasing obsolescence in its core residential internet segment." Reference Link

09:37 EDT Occidental Petroleum announces purchase, sale transactions in Permian Basin - Occidental Petroleum announced that it has agreed to a number of purchase and sale transactions in the Permian Basin. On a combined basis, these transactions require no net cash outlay and add approximately 3,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day to the company's production. Occidental will reduce its Permian Resources position by 13,000 net acres, divesting non-strategic acreage in Andrews, Martin and Pecos Counties and adding incremental acreage to enhance a future core development area in Glasscock County. Occidental also agreed to increase its ownership interests and assume operatorship of a CO2 enhanced oil recovery property. The net Permian Resources transactions will generate proceeds of approximately $0.6B. The divested acres had no significant near-term development plans while the acquired acreage provides additional value within the future development area. The Permian EOR transaction included the acquisition of working interests in the Seminole-San Andres Unit, a premier CO2 flood, interests in the Seminole Gas Processing Plant, source fields at Bravo Dome Unit and West Bravo Dome Unit and the Sheep Mountain and Rosebud CO2 pipelines for $0.6B. Occidental has had an ownership interest in these EOR assets since 2000. Seminole-San Andres Unit will become Occidental's largest domestic oil producing EOR unit. All the transactions are expected to close by the third quarter.

09:31 EDT Edenbrook Capital reports 5% stake in Brightcove

09:26 EDT UPS announces new peak charge applicable during U.S. holiday season - UPS announced a new peak charge applicable during selected weeks in November and December 2017 for U.S. Residential, Large Packages and packages Over Maximum Limits. "The new charge is designed to enable UPS to continue to provide best-in-class value to customers while offsetting some of the additional expenses incurred during significant volume surges...To meet peak volume demand, among many other investments, UPS acquires on a temporary basis and often at shorter-term premium rates, additional air and truck cargo capacity, temporary facilities, and additional sorting and delivery personnel. Further, shipments which are larger, heavier, or have unconventional shapes or sizes create even greater operational complexity during high-demand periods," the company stated.

09:24 EDT Ocean Rig: Highland won't pursue objections to recognition of Cayman proceedings - Ocean Rig UDW announced that Highland Capital Management LP has advised the Company that it will not object to the recognition by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the provisional liquidation and scheme of arrangement proceedings before the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands as foreign main or foreign nonmain proceedings. Highland has advised the U.S. Bankruptcy Court that it has terminated all discovery efforts and that it will not object to the recognition of the Cayman Proceedings of the Company and its subsidiaries, Drill Rigs Holdings, Drillships Financing Holding, and Drillships Ocean Ventures at the recognition hearing scheduled for August 16, 2017 .The Company has also announced today that creditors holding in excess of 90% of the affected claims of each Scheme Company have signed or acceded to the RSA and support the Schemes. Of the approximately $3.7 billion of affected debt under the UDW Scheme, as of June 19, 2017 creditors holding no less than 94.42% of such debt have signed or acceded to the RSA and support the restructuring. Of the approximately $1.9 billion of affected debt under the DFH Scheme, as of June 19, 2017 creditors holding no less than 98.87% of such debt have signed or acceded to the RSA and support the restructuring. Of the approximately $1.3 billion of affected debt under the DOV Scheme, as of June 19, 2017 creditors holding no less than 97.07% of such debt have signed or acceded to the RSA and support the restructuring. Of the approximately $460 million of affected debt under the DRH scheme, as of June 19, 2017, creditors holding no less than 92.43% of such debt have signed or acceded to the RSA.

09:23 EDT Bombardier says Philippine Airlines orders seven more Q400 aircraft - Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced, from the International Paris Air Show, that it has signed an agreement with Philippine Airlines, Inc. for the exercise of its seven Q400 aircraft purchase rights. This latest rights exercise brings Philippine Airlines' total firm order to twelve Q400 aircraft. The original order for five firm Q400 with purchase rights for an additional seven was previously announced on December 8, 2016. Based on the list price of the Q400 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately $235M. The flag carrier of the Philippines is expected to take delivery of the world's first dual-class, 86-seat Q400 aircraft in July 2017. Including this latest order, Bombardier has now recorded a total of 585 Q400 aircraft on firm order.

09:18 EDT Esterline awarded cockpit avionics contract by Pilatus - Esterline announced that its Avionics Systems business unit has been awarded a contract by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd to supply its high-performance cockpit avionics for PC-21 turboprop trainer aircraft for the French Air Force. Esterline has also received a contract for the provision of additional shipsets for the Royal Jordanian Air Force PC-21 fleet. Esterline will supply the Cockpit Displays as well as the CMC Electronics brand dual Flight Management Systems, or FMS, GPS Global Positioning System Landing System Sensors and Head-Up Display sub-system.

09:16 EDT Zion Oil & Gas reaches first casing point at a depth of about 1,950 feet - Zion Oil & Gas continues active drilling operations at a depth of 2,000 feet, as it continues to drill to a proposed total depth of approximately 15,000 ft. Zion's President and COO, Dustin Guinn, stated, "We are pleased to announce that we have reached an early milestone in the drilling of the MJ#1 well. We are encouraged with the operational results to date and continue to be satisfied with the performance of the Zion staff and service providers with respect to their adherence to our strict safety expectations."

09:13 EDT Honeywell, Cathay Pacific enter partnership - Honeywell (HON) and Cathay Pacific (CPCAY) have signed a contract to deploy Honeywell's Connected Aircraft maintenance offering across their fleet of Airbus (EADSY) A330 aircraft. Honeywell's GoDirect Connected Maintenance program combines the airplane's connectivity, in-depth product knowledge and data analytics to predict when mechanical parts need to be fixed or replaced. The service demonstrated during a trial program with Cathay Pacific that it can reduce inoperative systems by up to 35%, which directly reduces costly and disruptive maintenance and aircraft downtime, lowering flight cancellations and the impact of delays.

09:10 EDT Apollo affiliated funds, OTPP to acquire controlling interest in CareerBuilder - Certain affiliates of investment funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management (APO), the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board ("Ontario Teachers'") and CareerBuilder, announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement, pursuant to which an investor group led by Apollo along with Ontario Teachers' will acquire a majority of the outstanding equity interests in CareerBuilder. CareerBuilder's current owners, TEGNA Inc. (TGNA), Tribune National Marketing Company and McClatchy Interactive West (MNI) will retain a minority interest. The transaction includes committed financing from Credit Suisse, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, Citigroup Global Markets and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC; all are also acting as financial advisors to Apollo, along with LionTree Advisors and PJT Partners. Morgan Stanley & Co. is acting as financial advisor to CareerBuilder. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP are acting as legal advisors to Apollo. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz LLP is acting as legal advisor to the sellers. The proposed transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Apollo's investment is being made by the Apollo-managed Special Situations I fund.

09:07 EDT McClatchy to sell majority of 15% ownership in CareerBuilder - McClatchy (MNI) announced that it has entered into an agreement along with other owners TEGNA, the controlling shareholder owning 53% of CareerBuilder, and Tribune Media Company (TRCO), to sell CareerBuilder to an investor group led by investment funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management (APO) along with the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017 subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. Prior to the sale, CareerBuilder has committed to making a normal distribution to the current shareholders, of which McClatchy expects to receive approximately $8M. As part of the agreement, current owners TEGNA, Tribune Media Company and McClatchy will retain a minority ownership stake in CareerBuilder. McClatchy's ownership will be approximately 3.8% on a fully-diluted basis. McClatchy's after-tax proceeds related to the sale of CareerBuilder are expected to be approximately $68M bringing total cash received (including the normal distribution above) to approximately $76M. In accordance with its 2012 bond indenture, the company is required to offer its after-tax proceeds from the sale to the holders of its secured bonds due in 2022 at par if not reinvested into the business within one year of receiving the proceeds. The company will record a non-cash impairment of $45M to $55M in the second quarter of 2017 in connection with the prospective sale. The company's affiliate agreement with CareerBuilder will be terminated upon the earlier of July 31st or the closing of the transaction. Upon termination, the company's media businesses will continue to provide comparable digital employment solutions from CareerBuilder and/or other employment providers while continuing to list employment related ads on its websites and in its printed newspapers.

09:05 EDT TSYS extends payments agreement with Valley National Bank - TSYS announced that it has signed a long-term agreement with Valley National Bank to continue providing issuer processing services for the bank's consumer credit and debit card portfolios. As part of the agreement, TSYS will continue to provide Valley National Bank with additional services, such as data analytics, fraud prevention and customer support. Financial terms of the long-term agreement were not disclosed.

09:04 EDT Tribune Media expects to receive $157M in cash from CareerBuilder sale - Tribune Media (TRCO) announced its expected share of the proceeds as a result of the sale of CareerBuilder, in which Tribune holds a 32% ownership interest, to an investor group led by investment funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management (APO) and the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board. Tribune Media expects to receive $157M in cash, retain an approximate 8% ownership stake in CareerBuilder on a fully-diluted basis and recognize a $22M cash tax benefit in 2017 as a result of an expected taxable loss on the sale. Tribune Media expects to record a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $64M in the second quarter of 2017. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017.

09:02 EDT Tegna to sell CareerBuilder to Apollo Global affiliated funds, OTPP board - TEGNA (TGNA) announced it has entered into a definitive agreement, together with the other owners of CareerBuilder to sell CareerBuilder to an investor group led by investments funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC (APO) and the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board. TEGNA's estimated cash proceeds from the sale are expected to be approximately $250M, which will be used to retire existing debt and for other general corporate purposes. As part of the agreement, TEGNA will remain an ongoing partner in CareerBuilder, reducing its current 53% controlling interest to 12.5% on a fully-diluted basis once the proposed transaction is complete. As a result, CareerBuilder will no longer be consolidated within TEGNA's reported operating results and will instead be reflected as an equity investment within TEGNA's financial statements. The proposed transaction is subject to receipt of customary regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other conditions and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017. TEGNA was advised by Morgan Stanley on the proposed transaction and was also assisted by Greenhill & Co. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz acted as legal advisor.

09:00 EDT Hasbro launches first-ever gaming subscription service Hasbro Gaming Crate - Hasbro invites consumers to sign up for the company's first subscription service, Hasbro Gaming Crate. Among the first for the gaming industry, this unique program offers an exclusive collection of games curated by Hasbro Gaming experts, new to the Hasbro Gaming portfolio, delivered straight to the subscriber's door every three months. Hasbro Gaming Crate caters to multiple types of gamers with two themed crates, each with three games, priced at $49.99 plus shipping per crate, charged automatically when the crate ships. The Party Crate contains games with content geared toward college students, young adults, and parents who are looking to enjoy "adults-only" game nights. The Family Crate offers games designed to be played together and enjoyed equally by kids and adults.

08:58 EDT Privet Fund to vote against arrangement between Norsat, Hytera Communications - Privet Fund Management, the largest shareholder of Norsat, announced that Privet will be voting its approximate 17.6% common share ownership AGAINST the proposed arrangement resolution with Hytera Communications Co. Privet believes the Norsat Board of Directors squandered a significant opportunity to extract additional value for all shareholders by failing to deliver a topping offer from Hytera while Privet's bona fide, fully financed offer of US$11.50 was on the table. "We find it incredible that the Norsat Board believes an identical offer from Hytera represents the best interests of all stakeholders in light of the mounting political scrutiny and regulatory uncertainty surrounding a transaction with Hytera,1" said Ryan Levenson, managing member of Privet. "Even more egregious, in exchange for merely matching Privet's offer, the Norsat Board gifted an additional US$500,000 to Hytera in the form of an increased termination fee, making it even more expensive for a third party to deliver a topping bid. The increased fee brings the total amount of incremental termination fees Norsat has bestowed upon Hytera for just keeping up with Privet to $1 Million - or $0.17 per share. That is money that could have gone directly to shareholders, rather than used to ensure that Hytera remains in an advantageous negotiating position," added Levenson. In light of the current state of affairs, Privet believes that shareholders should demand that the Board secure the highest possible price for Norsat rather than bending over backwards to steer the Company to its preferred acquirer. Should the arrangement resolution be defeated, Privet believes that the Board will have no choice but to ensure a clear winning bid is procured before the shareholders vote on a proposed transaction again. "Privet is confident that voting against the proposed arrangement is the surest path to achieving additional value creation," said Levenson. "And we will continue to monitor the situation and evaluate alternatives that can deliver a superior outcome for all stakeholders."

08:52 EDT Aviall named preferred parts, engine provider for CFM56-7B powered Boeing jets - Boeing (BA) announced, through its subsidiary Aviall, an agreement with GE Aviation (GE) to become the preferred provider of CFM56-7B parts and engines for Boeing Business Jets. The agreement supports GE Aviation's OnPoint service program for CFM56 engines and includes support of new and used parts, lease engines and line-replaceable units for engines installed on Boeing Business Jets.

08:50 EDT Sonoco Products renews price increase for paperboard tubes and cores - Sonoco announced it is renewing its previously announced April price increase for all paperboard tubes and cores in the United States and Canada.

08:46 EDT CF Industries announces receipt of federal tax refunds totaling approx. $815M - CF Industries Holdings announced that it has received federal tax refunds of approximately $815M due to the carryback of certain federal tax losses from the 2016 tax year to prior periods. These tax losses are primarily related to accelerated tax depreciation of the company's capacity expansion projects that were placed in service in 2016. The receipt of the federal tax refunds was earlier than CF's previously stated expectations for the third quarter of 2017. The company intends to use the proceeds to fund the payment of $800M in debt coming due in 2018.

08:36 EDT MedXM chooses Vonage for integrated business communications - Vonage (VG) announced that Mobile Medical Examination Service has chosen Vonage as its business communications partner. Santa Ana-based MedXM is a national leader in the design and implementation of preventive care technology and health risk assessments. Vonage's opportunity to partner with MedXM was facilitated through mutual Google (GOOG, GOOGL) partner, VIWO. Vonage will provide MedXM and its 5,000-person medical staff with a full range of Unified Communications-as-a-Service and Communications Platform-as-a-Service solutions to help lower costs and create better outcomes for its customers and members.

08:36 EDT VBI announces 'positive' outcome from Phase III pre-IND discussions with FDA - VBI Vaccines announced that it has completed a pre-Investigational New Drug, or IND, meeting with the FDA to discuss the Phase III clinical program for Sci-B-Vac, VBI's third-generation hepatitis B vaccine. Sci-B-Vac is currently approved for use in Israel and 14 other countries worldwide. Based on the regulatory feedback from its meeting with the FDA, VBI can confirm that the initial IND for Sci-B-Vac will not require any additional clinical studies to support its pivotal, global Phase III clinical program. VBI plans to submit the IND in the second half of 2017, together with the Clinical Trial Applications, or CTAs, for Europe and Canada.

08:33 EDT Stryker sees Novadaq acquisition dilutive to FY17 adj. EPS by 3c-5c - Stryker (SYK) says the Novadaq (NVDQ) transaction is expected to close at the end of Q3 and is expected to be dilutive to Stryker's 2017 adjusted net EPS by 3c-5c. There is no change to Stryker's 2017 estimated adjusted net EPS, which is in the range of $6.35-$6.45. For 2018, this transaction is expected to be neutral to Stryker's earnings and accretive thereafter.

08:32 EDT Altaba announces preliminary results of modified Dutch auction tender offer - Altaba announced the preliminary results of its modified "Dutch auction" self-tender offer to purchase up to $3B of shares of its common stock, which expired at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on June 16, 2017. Based on the preliminary count by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the depositary for the tender offer, a total of 64,578,083 shares of the Company's common stock were properly tendered and not properly withdrawn at or below the expected purchase price of $53.20 per share, including 47,020,366 shares that were tendered by notice of guaranteed delivery. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the tender offer and based on the preliminary count by the depositary, the Company expects to accept for payment, at a purchase price of $53.20, all of the 64,578,083 shares properly tendered at or below the purchase price and not properly withdrawn before the expiration date, at an aggregate cost of approximately $3.4 billion, excluding fees and expenses relating to the tender offer. These shares represent approximately 6.7% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares as of June 16, 2017. The shares expected to be purchased include 56,390,977 shares for an aggregate purchase price of up to $3.0 billion and an additional 8,187,106 shares that the Company has elected to purchase pursuant to its right to accept for payment up to an additional 2% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares without extending the tender offer.

08:31 EDT Philip Morris to build smoke-free product facility in Germany - Philip Morris International announces plans to invest approximately $320M in a new high-tech facility in Dresden, Germany, to produce HEETS, the tobacco units to be used with the electronic tobacco heating device IQOS. Construction of the 80,000 m2 facility is scheduled to begin in late 2017. Once fully operational in early 2019, the factory is expected to employ about 500 people. IQOS and HEETS have been available for adult smokers in Germany since June 2016, starting with pilot commercialization in Munich, Frankfurt and Berlin. IQOS is currently available in key cities in more than 25 markets around the world. With this announcement, Germany will join a growing list of countries where PMI manufactures tobacco units for IQOS, including Italy and Switzerland. In addition, PMI recently announced the conversion of the cigarette manufacturing facility of its affiliate in Greece. By the end of 2018, PMI plans to have a total annual installed capacity of heated tobacco units of approximately 100 billion units. IQOS is one of four scientifically substantiated smoke-free product platforms that PMI is developing to address adult smoker demand for better alternatives to cigarettes.

08:29 EDT OpGen signs supply agreement to use Thermo Fisher technology to advance Acuitas - OpGen (OPGN) announced that it has entered into a global supply agreement to use Thermo Fisher Scientific's (TMO) technology to support the commercialization of its rapid molecular products and informatics system to help combat multidrug-resistant infections. OpGen will combine Thermo Fisher's real-time PCR solutions with its genomic analysis and bioinformatics technology to help healthcare providers rapidly and accurately identify bacterial antibiotic susceptibility using resistance gene profiles. Under the terms of the agreement, OpGen will commercialize the Acuitas Rapid Test for Pathogen ID and resistance genes on Thermo Fisher's new mid-throughput real-time PCR system. The effort will be supported by local labs that will be able to interpret results using customized analysis software and OpGen's cloud-based Acuitas Lighthouse Knowledgebase to match genomic analysis data with antibiotic susceptibility information to identify microbial infections in individual patients.

08:27 EDT Novadaq agrees to be acquired by Stryker for $11.75 per share in cash - Novadaq Technologies (NVDQ) announced that it has entered into a definitive arrangement with Stryker (SYK) pursuant to which Stryker has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Novadaq for $11.75 per share in cash, implying a total equity value of approximately $701M. The transaction price represents a premium of approximately 95.8% over the closing price of the Novadaq Shares on the NASDAQ on June 16, the last trading day before the announcement of the transaction. The transaction will be carried out by way of a court approved plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act and will require the approval of, among others, the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the Novadaq Shares present in person or represented by proxy at a special meeting of Novadaq shareholders to be called to consider the Arrangement. The Special Meeting is expected to be held on or about August 4. The board of Novadaq, after consultation with its financial and legal advisors, and on the unanimous recommendation of a Special Committee of Novadaq's board, unanimously determined that the Arrangement is in the best interests of the Corporation and recommends that Novadaq shareholders vote in favor of the Arrangement. Novadaq's board and the Special Committee have also received a fairness opinion from each of Piper Jaffray and Perella Weinberg Partners in connection with the Arrangement to the effect that, as of the date of such opinions, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth therein, the consideration to be received by Novadaq's shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement is fair from a financial point of view. In addition to shareholder and court approvals, the Arrangement is subject to applicable regulatory approvals, including Canadian Competition Act and U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino approvals, and the satisfaction of certain other closing conditions customary in transactions of this nature. The transaction is not subject to a financing condition.

08:24 EDT Novadaq agrees to be acquired by Stryker for $11.75 per share in cash

08:22 EDT Boeing, Monarch announce 737 MAX services agreements, new joint venture - Boeing and Monarch Airlines announced that the UK carrier has selected Boeing's Global Fleet Care - formerly known as GoldCare - for its entire 737 MAX fleet. Through Global Fleet Care's Integrated Fleet Solution, Boeing will deliver maintenance, engineering and parts required to run Monarch's MAX operations following the delivery of its first airplane in 2018. Monarch has also selected Boeing as its flight training provider for its 737 MAX fleet and will be entering into an agreement with Boeing subsidiary AerData for services pertaining to aircraft records management. The two companies have also reached an agreement to collaborate on securing additional third-party fleet servicing agreements. The partnership will seek to capitalize on Boeing's strength and reach within the industry and the expertise of Monarch Aircraft Engineering, which has been providing maintenance, repair and overhaul services to some of the world's best-known airlines for 50 years. Boeing and Monarch also announced an order for 15 additional 737 MAX 8s. Valued at $1.7B at current list prices, the order will grow Monarch's 737 MAX fleet from 30 to 45 airplanes. The order was previously attributed to unidentified customers on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website. Monarch has confirmed the 15 options and has agreed with a lessor for them to take 13 aircraft for lease back to Monarch.

08:13 EDT Masimo announces findings from Next Generation SedLine PSi study - Masimo announced the findings of an abstract presented at Euroanaesthesia 2017 in Geneva, Switzerland. In the study, researchers at University Medical Center Groningen, Netherlands, compared original and Next Generation versions of Masimo Patient State Index during Masimo SedLine brain function monitoring of patients under propofol and sevoflurane anesthesia. SedLine brain function monitoring features four simultaneous EEG leads to enable continuous assessment of both sides of the brain, four EEG waveforms, a Density Spectral Array, and PSi. Next Generation SedLine enhances PSi to make it less susceptible to electromyographic interference and to improve its performance in low-power EEG cases. In the study, Dr. Kuizenga and colleagues sought to compare the original and Next Generation PSi algorithms, referred to as PSi-1 and PSi-2, respectively, as they correlated with propofol and sevoflurane drug concentrations and with the Modified Observers Assessment of Alertness and Sedation scale. They also sought to assess the influence of 2 and 4 ng/mL effect-site concentrations of remifentanil on the performance of the two algorithms. The researchers enrolled 36 healthy volunteers, stratified by age, and assigned them randomly to a sequence of four sessions of anesthesia. In one session, propofol was administered in a series of graded steps; in the second, sevoflurane was similarly administered; in the third and fourth, the two concentrations of remifentanil were also administered. During each step of each session, after a twelve-minute delay for equilibration, MOAAS was tested and a blood sample was taken to measure drug concentrations. EEG was collected using Masimo Root with SedLine, from which time-synchronized PSi-1 and PSi-2 values were later extracted. The researchers then plotted MOAAS, drug concentration, PSi-1, and PSi-2 values over time. The researchers found that when charted against drug concentrations, PSi-2 showed "reduced population variability and improved baseline stability" compared to PSi-1. When charted against MOAAS, PSi-2 had "lower interindividual variability" than PSi-1. They also noted that "Both PSis distinguish MOAAS 5, 4, and 3 better during propofol anesthesia compared to sevoflurane. This difference disappears when adding remifentanil." The investigators concluded that "PSi-2 has enhanced signal stability and a better description of the dose-response relationship. PSi-2 has therefore improved capacity as a pharmacodynamic monitor of anesthesia compared to PSi-1." Next Generation SedLine has not received FDA 510(k) clearance and is not available for sale in the U.S.

08:09 EDT Syros presents discovery of key genes controlling autoimmune response in lupus - Syros Pharmaceuticals announced that the company has discovered alterations in regulatory regions of the genome in T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, revealing genes critical for activating T cells and driving disease. These findings provide important biological insights into the autoimmune response in lupus that could lead to the identification of novel drug targets and therapeutic approaches to treat SLE. The research was highlighted in a late-breaking oral presentation at the 17th Annual Meeting of the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies. Using its proprietary gene control platform to analyze and compare the regulatory genomes of T cells from lupus patients and healthy donors, Syros scientists identified changes in highly specialized non-coding regulatory regions of DNA, known as super-enhancers, in naive, memory, and regulatory T cells. Because super-enhancers bring together large amounts of transcription factors and other regulatory proteins to drive the expression of the set of genes most critical to a given cell, their analysis sheds light on the complex transcriptional regulatory circuits that control the expression of critical genes and determine cell function. The data showed that: Super-enhancers found in T cells from healthy donors are associated with genes known to be important in determining cell state and function in all T cell types, including naive, memory and regulatory T cells, providing strong validation for this novel genomics-based approach by recapitulating known biology. Super-enhancer profiles of all T cell types are markedly different in SLE patients than in healthy donors, with naive T cells in SLE displaying changes in their enhancer profiles that point to critical transcription factor networks driving disease. Genes regulated by activation of the SYK kinase and IRF4 transcription factor are significantly enriched in SLE naive and memory T cells, suggesting they are key drivers of T cell activation in SLE and a core part of the transcriptional regulatory circuitry driving the disease. Notably, the activation of IRF4-driven transcriptional cirtuitry in SLE T cells points to common mechanisms driving the activation of both T and B cells in SLE. Super-enhancer profiles of memory T cells, especially in SLE, display considerable heterogeneity. This heterogeneity may provide an opportunity for the development of patient stratification biomarkers to better identify patient subsets and essential drivers of disease specific to these subsets. Syros has identified multiple potential drug targets in human B cells and T cells that it is investigating in preclinical studies, including a drug target that when inhibited by a small molecule inhibitor in an in vivo study selectively blocked the activation of antibody-producing plasma cells.

08:08 EDT Genexine receives approval to initiate GX-188E, Keytruda combination trial - Genexine announced that the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea has granted approval to initiate a Phase Ib/II trial of GX-188E, an HPV therapeutic DNA vaccine, in combination with KEYTRUDA, an anti-PD-1 therapy marketed by Merck & Co, for the treatment of patients with HPV-induced advanced non-resectable cervical cancer. The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this combination, which aims to promote an anti-tumor immune response in multiple ways. In previous clinical trials, GX-188E has demonstrated the ability to induce a tumor-specific immune response and curative activity against high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. KEYTRUDA is an anti-PD-1 therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body's immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. Genexine and Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA believe the combination of GX-188E with KEYTRUDA may have synergistic qualities that could improve the clinical response rates already observed with KEYTRUDA monotherapy in cervical cancer patients; a hypothesis further supported by data presented at the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology. The Phase Ib/II study will be initiated in Korea with plans to enroll up to 46 patients. Under the terms of the agreement, Genexine will undertake and fund the study and Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA will provide KEYTRUDA. The agreement includes the potential for further expansion to a Phase III study.

08:06 EDT Lockheed Martin selects Harris for F-35 Lightning II upgrades - Lockheed Martin (LMT) has selected Harris Corporation (HRS) to upgrade mission system avionics for the F-35 Lightning II as part of the Technology Refresh #3 program, significantly boosting the aircraft's data storage, display processing and throughput capabilities. The announcement was made during the International Paris Air Show being held June 19-25 in Le Bourget. Harris will provide the Aircraft Memory System and Panoramic Cockpit Display Electronic Unit, which are based on open architecture and commercial-off-the-shelf technology. The AMS provides solid-state mass storage capability for the F-35 aircraft avionics subsystems. It is the repository for avionics operational flight programs, mission and theater data, prognostics and health data, audio, display video, and aircraft parametric data. The PCD EU provides processing for the panoramic head-down display in the cockpit. The technology development phase will begin in June 2017, followed by a system qualification phase in early 2019, and a subsequent 5-year production contract phase. Harris avionics and ruggedized open systems mission processing technology already support the F-35, F-22, and F/A-18.

08:05 EDT Rigel sees PDUFA date of April 17, 2018 for Tavalisse in chronic ITP

08:04 EDT Tocagen: Preclinical data on 511 & Toca FC published in Neuro-Oncology - Tocagen announced the publication of preclinical data in Neuro-Oncology from two independent research programs which together detail proposed mechanisms of action for Toca 511 & Toca FC involving direct tumor killing and activation of the immune system against cancer cells. The papers were published in the July issue of Neuro-Oncology, which appeared in print on June 16, and were featured on the cover and highlighted in an editorial. The articles first appeared online on April 6. In the article titled, "Toca 511 gene transfer and treatment with the prodrug, 5-fluorocytosine, promotes durable anti-tumor immunity in a mouse glioma model," Mitchell, et al., monitored and characterized immune cell populations in the tumor microenvironment in mouse models of brain cancer over the course of treatment with Toca 511 and 5-FC, the active component of the Toca FC tablets used in humans. Results showed treatment-induced loss of immune cell subsets that have been shown to contribute to the suppression of normal immune activity against cancer cells, including reduction of tumor associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells and tumor associated monocytes. Depletion of immune-suppressive myeloid cells was followed by increases in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells which correlated with tumor reduction. Mice that cleared tumors following treatment with Toca 511 and 5-FC were protected against re-challenge with the same tumor type. Furthermore, successful adoptive cell transfer experiments using isolated immune cells from successfully treated animals confirmed anti-tumor immune responses were T cell-dependent. In the article titled, "Retroviral replicating vector-mediated gene therapy achieves long-term control of tumor recurrence and leads to durable anti-cancer immunity," Hiraoka and Inagaki, et al., performed molecular imaging of immune-deficient and immune-competent mouse models of brain cancer following treatment with Toca 511 and cycles of 5-FC. These studies were performed in the laboratory of Noriyuki Kasahara, M.D., Ph.D., professor of cell biology and pathology at the University of Miami. While long-term survival benefit was seen in both models, tumor was undetectable in immune-competent mice after three cycles of 5-FC. In contrast, immune-deficient mice required continuous treatment with cycles of 5-FC for long-term survival benefit, and tumor recurrence was still evident between cycles. After clearance of tumors in immune-competent mice by treatment with Toca 511 and 5-FC, long-term protection against future challenge with the same tumor type was seen. Long-term immune memory against the tumor was lost upon depletion of T cell subsets, indicating a T cell-dependent anti-tumor immune response. The complementary findings reported in these publications demonstrate that anti-tumor immune effects are T-cell dependent and correlate with depletion of immune-suppressive myeloid cells. Toca 511 & Toca FC is in clinical development for the treatment of recurrent high grade glioma, or HGG, a type of brain cancer. Tocagen has completed enrollment of the Phase 2 portion of a Phase 2/3 clinical trial and plans to report top-line results of the study in the first half of 2018. The U.S. FDA granted Toca 511 & Toca FC Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of patients with recurrent HGG.

08:04 EDT Rigel annouces FDA acceptance of NDA for Tavalisse in chronic ITP treatment - Rigel Pharmaceuticals announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has filed its New Drug Application for the use of Tavalisse in patients with chronic or persistent immune thrombocytopenia, or ITP. Rigel expects the action date for the FDA to complete its review will be April 17, 2018, under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, or PDUFA. The FDA previously granted Orphan Drug designation to Tavalisse for the treatment of patients with ITP.

08:01 EDT Altaba completes name change, registers as investment company - On June 13, 2017, Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO) completed the sale of its operating business to Verizon Communications (VZ). On June 16, 2017, Yahoo changed its name to "Altaba Inc." In conjunction with the name change, Altaba shares will trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the new ticker symbol 'AABA' and the CUSIP number 021346 101 as of the open of trading on June 19, 2017. Previously, through June 16, 2017, Yahoo's common stock traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol 'YHOO' and the CUSIP number 984332 106.

07:57 EDT EQT, Rice Energy transaction expected to close in Q4

07:56 EDT EQT Corporation to acquire Rice Energy for $6.7B in cash and stock deal

07:50 EDT Boeing, Norwegian announce flight training pact, order for two 737 MAX 8s - Boeing and Norwegian announced at the 2017 Paris Air Show that the carrier has selected Boeing to provide all its flight training needs. Last year at the 2016 Farnborough International Airshow, Norwegian committed to Global Fleet Care (formerly known as GoldCare) coverage for its 737 MAX fleet and expanded coverage for the airline's entire 787 fleet. These services agreements represented the largest commercial services order in Boeing history. This announcement extends this further to now include all its flight training requirements across its Boeing fleet. In July, the work conducted under this contract will reside in Boeing Global Services, a new dedicated services business focused on the needs of global defense, space and commercial customers. Boeing and Norwegian also announced an order for two additional 737 MAX 8s at the 2017 Paris Air Show. Valued at $225M at current list prices, Norwegian now has 110 unfilled orders for 737 MAX 8s.

07:36 EDT CRISPR Therapeutics announces patent for CRISPR/Cas Genome editing in China - CRISPR Therapeutics announced that China's State Intellectual Property Office, or SIPO, has granted a patent broadly covering CRISPR's in-licensed gene editing technology. The claims are directed to CRISPR/Cas9 single-guide gene editing methods for modifying target DNA in both non-cellular and cellular settings, including in cells from vertebrate animals such as human or mammalian cells - as well as composition of matter and system claims for use in any setting, including claims for use in producing medicines for treating disease.

07:32 EDT Celgene to present clinical data evaluating blood cancers at EHA - Celgene Corporation announced that data from a broad range of company-sponsored and investigator-initiated studies evaluating Celgene investigational agents and investigational uses of marketed products will be presented at the 22nd European Hematology Association annual meeting in Madrid, Spain, from June 22 to June 25. This year's data presented at EHA will support the role of Celgene therapies as the foundation of myeloma research, including data evaluating REVLIMID across a variety of patient settings ranging from newly diagnosed to those receiving maintenance treatment following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The data also highlight the potential of Celgene treatments across a range of blood cancers such as lymphoma, MDS and beta-thalassemia. Findings from key Celgene research collaborations will also be presented, including updated data from the Phase I dose escalation and expansion study of IDHIFA in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia and an isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 mutation.

07:31 EDT Clovis jumps, Tesaro slides after release of ARIEL3 study results - Shares of Clovis Oncology (CLVS) are surging after the company this morning announced topline data from the confirmatory phase 3 ARIEL3 trial of rucaparib, which successfully achieved the primary endpoint of improved progression-free survival, or PFS, by investigator review in each of the three populations studied. In patients with a germline or somatic BRCA mutation, by investigator review, the rucaparib arm successfully achieved statistical significance over the placebo arm for the primary endpoint of PFS with a hazard ratio of 0.23. Janney Capital analyst Debjit Chattopadhyay had said that if Hazard Ratios in g+sBRCA patients were below 0.3, he sees Clovis shares potentially trading up to $85-$100 per share. In such a scenario, he thinks competitor Tesaro (TSRO) could slide to $80-$90. In pre-market trading following the release of the data, Clovis shares are up $20.78, or 34.65%, to $80.75, while Tesaro has dropped $15.44, or 10.7%, to $128.87.

07:16 EDT North Atlantic Drilling announces contract award for West Hercules with SPE - North Atlantic Drilling has been awarded a one well contract with SPE for Seadrill Limited's semi-submersible West Hercules for work in the United Kingdom, West of Shetland. The contract will commence on 1st April 2018 when SPE will drill and test an appraisal well on the Cambo discovery with the data being used to refine the development project requirements. The minimum backlog for the contract is estimated at $7M.

07:15 EDT Brown & Brown announces asset acquisition of TriCoast Insurance Services - J. Scott Penny, Chief Acquisitions Officer of Brown & Brown, and Craig Justice, the principal of TriCoast Insurance Services, announced that Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, a subsidiary of Brown & Brown, Inc., has acquired substantially all of the assets of TriCoast Insurance. TriCoast Insurance provides access to earthquake and hurricane insurance products to agents and insureds. The agency has annual net revenues of approximately $2.4M. The TriCoast Insurance assets will become a part of Arrowhead, operating under the direction of Steve Bouker, Executive Vice President of Arrowhead. Craig Justice will continue to partner with Arrowhead to bring specialty catastrophe insurance products and other Arrowhead products to agents and insureds.

07:12 EDT Lexicon: XERMELO named as recommended treatment option by NCCN - Lexicon Pharmaceuticals announced that XERMELO 250 mg has been included as a recommended treatment option in the latest National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for neuroendocrine tumors patients with carcinoid syndrome diarrhea. The NCCN designated XERMELO together with somatostatin analog therapy as a category 2A treatment for adults inadequately controlled by SSA therapy. XERMELO has also been included in the NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium.

07:09 EDT CDPQ & GE Capital Aviation Services to join forces - Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and GE Capital Aviation Services announced that they have signed a commitment letter to create a $2B global aircraft financing platform. The transaction is subject to conditions including any required regulatory approvals. This new platform, to be named Einn Volant Aircraft Leasing, will be involved in the acquisition of modern fuel efficient aircraft from a diverse set of global airlines and in leasing them back to such airlines under long-term leases. GECAS will source the transactions and, under a sistership condition, will invest in aircraft ownership opportunities alongside the platform to further align its interests with those of EVAL. GECAS will also act as servicer for the platform. EVAL will provide GECAS with the flexibility to finance future growth and opportunities, while serving as an entry point for CDPQ into the aircraft leasing and financing industry. In addition, it represents a key step in the expansion of the strategic relationship between GE and CDPQ, which has been built over several years.

07:06 EDT Valeant announces John Paulson to join board of directors - Valeant Pharmaceuticals announced that its board of directors has elected John Paulson to serve as a director, effective June 14. With the addition of Paulson, Valeant has a total of 11 members on its board, 10 of whom are independent.

07:05 EDT CEVA: Shanghai Frequen licenses CEVA's bluetooth low energy IP - CEVA announced that Shanghai Frequen Microelectronics Co. has licensed and deployed CEVA's RivieraWaves Bluetooth low energy technology in its new FR801x family of wireless integrated circuits. Building on Freqchip's proven expertise in low power wireless IC design, the FR8010 is the first member of the FR801X family and is ideal for a wide variety of high-volume consumer products integrating Bluetooth connectivity, spanning personal health and fitness wearables to smart home appliances.

07:01 EDT BioTime says expands, advances ophthalmology portfolio - BioTime reported several developments for its ophthalmology portfolio including: Signing a new and expanded licensing agreement with Hadassah Medical Organization of Jerusalem, Israel; Presentation of data from its Phase 1/2a Dose Escalation Study of OpRegen at ISSCR; Presentation of the similarities between human retinal tissue and 3D retinal tissue derived using BioTime's proprietary methodology and pluripotent cells at ISSCR; Publication of preclinical data forming the foundation of the OpRegen IND submission with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in TVST; Complete control of OpRegen development program through consolidation of ownership in Cell Cure NeuroSciences. A poster demonstrating similarities between normal human retinal tissue and laboratory grown 3D retinal tissue derived using BioTime's proprietary methodology with pluripotent cells was presented during ISSCR. The study compared normal human retinal cells with the BioTime's proprietary hPSC-derived 3D retinal tissue for the potential use in helping to restore vision for blind people with advanced stages of retinal degeneration. The results presented demonstrated high correlation in gene expression profiles, between the various cellular components of normal human retinal tissue and the hPSC-derived tissue, including retinal pigment epithelium, retinal progenitor, photoreceptor, amacrine and ganglion cells. The TVST Journal article is titled "Long-Term Efficacy of GMP Grade Xeno-Free hESC-derived RPE Cells Following Transplantation" and Trevor J. McGill was the lead author. The article concluded OpRegen RPE cells survived, rescued vision function, preserved rod and cone photoreceptors long term in the Royal College of Surgeons rat. These data were key elements in support of the potential clinical utility for the use of OpRegen RPE cells for the treatment of human RPE cell disorders including AMD.

06:58 EDT Boeing, AerCap announce order for 30 787-9 Dreamliners - Boeing (BA) and AerCap (AER) announced an order for 30 787-9 Dreamliners at the 2017 Paris Air Show. The agreement, valued at $8.1B at list prices, makes AerCap the largest customer for the 787 Dreamliner. AerCap has taken delivery of 55 787s, and now after this order will have a further 67 787s on backlog, including sale leasebacks

06:46 EDT Seattle Genetics discontinues Phase 3 CASCADE trial of vadastuximab talirine - Seattle Genetics announced that it is discontinuing the phase 3 CASCADE clinical trial of vadastuximab talirine (SGN-CD33A) in frontline older acute myeloid leukemia patients. Seattle Genetics took this action following consultation with the Independent Data Monitoring Committee and after reviewing unblinded data on June 16. The data indicated a higher rate of deaths, including fatal infections in the vadastuximab talirine-containing arm versus the control arm of the trial. Based on available data, the safety concerns in this trial do not appear related to hepatotoxicity. Seattle Genetics is suspending patient enrollment and treatment in all of its vadastuximab talirine clinical trials including the ongoing phase 1/2 clinical trial in frontline high risk myelodysplastic syndrome. Seattle Genetics will closely review the data and consult with the U.S. FDA to determine future plans for the vadastuximab talirine development program.

06:38 EDT AmerisourceBergen announces new organizational structure - AmerisourceBergen announced a new organizational structure designed to further align the organization to its customer needs in a more seamless and unified way, while supporting corporate strategy and accelerating growth. The Company's customer-facing offerings will now be aligned under two groups: Pharmaceutical Distribution and Strategic Global Sourcing - Will be led by Group President Robert P. Mauch, Pharm.D., Ph.D., and includes the Company's services to retail chain and independent pharmacies, health systems, physician practices and alternate care sites as well as AmerisourceBergen's sourcing, repackaging and specialty pharmacy capabilities. Peyton Howell will assume a new role as President, Health Systems, Physician Practices and Strategic Health Solutions. Global Commercialization Services and Animal Health - Will be led by Group President James F. Cleary, Jr., and includes the Company's solutions for product commercialization and patient access, as well as international development and animal health. For financial reporting purposes, AmerisourceBergen operations will continue to be comprised of the Pharmaceutical Distribution Services reportable segment and Other. AmerisourceBergen has also formed a new management committee to enable quicker, cross-functional decision-making. This senior executive group includes: Steven H. Collis, Chairman, President and CEO; John G. Chou, Chief Legal and Business Officer, who will now have responsibility for legal and regulatory affairs along with strategy, innovation and business development led by Sun Park, Executive Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, as well as information technology led by Dale Danilewitz, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer; Gina K. Clark, Chief Communications and Administration Officer, who will now have responsibility for marketing and communication and corporate citizenship and sustainability along with human resources led by Kathy H. Gaddes, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, government affairs led by Rita Norton, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Policy; James F. Cleary, Jr., Group President, Global Commercialization Services and Animal Health; Tim G. Guttman, CFO; Robert P. Mauch, Group President, Pharmaceutical Distribution and Strategic Global Sourcing.

06:24 EDT Boeing, SpiceJet announce commitment for 40 737 Max airplanes - Boeing and SpiceJet signed a memorandum of understanding for 40 737 MAX airplanes. The agreement, valued at $4.7B at current list prices, is split evenly between 20 new orders for the 737 MAX 10 and conversions of 20 of the low-cost carrier's 737 MAX 8 airplanes from its existing order to 737 MAX 10s.

06:13 EDT Boeing, Tibet Financial Leasing announce commitment for 20 737 MAX planes - Boeing and Tibet Financial Leasing signed a Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU, for 20 737 MAX airplanes at the 2017 Paris Air Show. The airplanes, including 737 MAX 10 and 737 MAX 8 airplanes, are valued at approximately $2.5B at current list prices.

06:10 EDT Gilead receives approval in Canada for Vemlidy - Gilead Sciences Canada announced that Health Canada has granted a Notice of Compliance for Vemlidy 25mg tablets, a once-daily treatment for adults with chronic hepatitis B virus, or HBV, infection with compensated liver disease. Vemlidy is a novel, targeted prodrug of tenofovir that has demonstrated antiviral efficacy similar to and at a dose less than one-tenth that of Gilead's Viread 300mg. Data show that because Vemlidy has greater plasma stability and more efficiently delivers tenofovir to hepatocytes compared to Viread, it can be given at a lower dose, resulting in less tenofovir in the bloodstream. As a result, Vemlidy improved renal and bone laboratory safety parameters compared to Viread.

06:03 EDT Pattern Energy announces strategic initiatives - Pattern Energy Group announced a series of strategic initiatives to significantly increase Pattern Energy's long-term growth outlook and enhance its access to capital. Collectively, these strategic initiatives position Pattern Energy to capture an increased share of the annual $250B global renewable energy market, and support its Pattern 2020 vision to double its portfolio to 5 gigawatts by 2020. The initiatives include a major increase in capital committed to Pattern Development 2.0, and a minority investment by Pattern Energy, as well as a significant expansion of the development pipeline. In addition, Pattern Energy has created a strategic relationship with PSP Investments, aligning it with one of the world's leading long-term institutional investors. PSP Investments will have a direct ownership stake in Pattern Energy and co-invest in projects. Highlights include: Pattern Development secures long-term funding commitments for expanded development business; Accretive acquisition of two new projects and sale of a minority interest in Panhandle 2; Strategic partnership with PSP Investments.

06:02 EDT Boeing launches larger capacity 737 MAX 10 at 2017 Paris Air Show - Boeing announced the launch of the 737 MAX 10 as the newest member of the 737 MAX family at the 2017 Paris Air Show. The 737 MAX 10 will have the lowest seat-mile cost of any single-aisle airplane ever produced. The airplane has gained wide market acceptance with more than 240 orders and commitments secured from more than 10 customers worldwide. Customers will be announcing order details throughout the week. Design changes for the 737 MAX 10 include a fuselage stretch of 66 inches compared to the 737 MAX 9 and levered main landing gear. The airplane has the capacity to carry up to 230 passengers. Other changes include a variable exit limit rating mid-exit door, a lighter flat aft pressure bulkhead and a modified wing for low speed drag reduction. The 737 MAX has accumulated more than 3,700 orders to date.

06:00 EDT Clovis says ARIEL3 study achieves primary endpoint - Clovis Oncology (CLVS) announced topline data from the confirmatory phase 3 ARIEL3 trial of rucaparib, which successfully achieved the primary endpoint of improved progression-free survival, or PFS, by investigator review in each of the three populations studied. PFS was also improved in the rucaparib group compared with placebo by blinded independent central review, or BICR, a key secondary endpoint. Based on these findings, the company plans to submit a supplemental New Drug Application, or sNDA, within the next four months for a second-line and later maintenance treatment indication for all women with platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer who have responded to their most recent platinum therapy. "We are very pleased with these positive ARIEL3 topline results that strongly demonstrate the potential of rucaparib to help women with platinum-sensitive, advanced ovarian cancer," said Patrick Mahaffy, President and CEO of Clovis Oncology. "These results reinforce the potentially foundational role of rucaparib in the management of advanced ovarian cancer, as demonstrated by both investigator review and the blinded independent central review. Most importantly, we are grateful to the patients, caregivers and investigators who participated in this study. We look forward to sharing these data in greater detail at a medical meeting later this year and submitting our sNDA as rapidly as possible, with the ultimate goal of making rucaparib available to more women battling ovarian cancer."

05:59 EDT Boeing, GECAS announce order for 20 737 MAX 10s - Boeing (BA) and GE Capital Aviation Services, the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of General Electric (GE), announced an order for 20 737 MAX 10s at the Paris Air Show, converting 20 of its current MAX orders to the larger MAX 10. GECAS has 170 737 MAX airplanes on order, the largest of any aircraft leasing company.

05:58 EDT Boeing, CDB Aviation sign commitment for 737 MAX, 787 Dreamliners - Boeing and CDB Aviation Lease Finance announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for 42 737 MAX 8s, 10 737 MAX 10s and eight 787-9 Dreamliners at the 2017 Paris Air Show. With this commitment, valued at $7.4B at list prices, CDB Aviation will become one of the launch customers for the 737 MAX 10, the newest member of Boeing's 737 MAX family. Included in this agreement is the conversion of six 737 MAX 8 orders to the new 737 MAX 10s by the lessor from a previous order. The agreement will be reflected on the Boeing Orders and Deliveries website once finalized.

05:56 EDT Cray awarded $18M supercomputer contract from New Zealand NIWA - Cray announced the company has been awarded a contract with the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, or NIWA, valued at more than $18M to provide NIWA and its partner, the New Zealand eScience Infrastructure, or NeSI, with three Cray supercomputers - two Cray XC50 supercomputers and a Cray CS400 cluster supercomputer. The new Cray systems will be used for climate research, numerical weather prediction, data analytics, and general scientific research in a range of fields including computational chemistry, engineering, and biomedicine. The systems will be located at a NIWA facility in Wellington and at the University of Auckland.

05:51 EDT PerkinElmer to acquire EUROIMMUN for about $1.3B

05:46 EDT Sandoz receives EU appropval for Rixathon - Sandoz, a Novartis division, announced today that the European Commission, or EC, has approved Rixathon for use in Europe. Rixathon is approved for use in all indications of the reference medicine, MabThera. Rixathon is approved for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, as well as immunological diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and microscopic polyangiitis.

05:42 EDT Parker Aerospace selected by Rolls-Royce for Trent 7000 equipment - Parker Aerospace, a business segment of Parker Hannifin (PH), is supplying an expansive list of materials for the new Rolls-Royce (RYCEY) Trent 7000 engine that will power the Airbus (EADSY) A330neo.

05:36 EDT Parker Aerospace selected by Textron to supply wheels, breaks for Cessna Denali - Parker Aerospace, a business segment of Parker Hannifin (PH), announced that it has been selected by Textron Aviation, a Textron (TXT) company, as the supplier for the main wheels, main brakes, and nosewheel on the new Cessna Denali single engine turboprop aircraft.

05:31 EDT Parker Aerospace enters exclusive aerospace engine agreement with Oxsensis - Parker Aerospace, a business segment of Parker Hannifin, and Oxsensis are developing harsh environment instrumentation including static and dynamic pressure and temperature sensors for aerospace engine applications, based on innovative fiber optic sensor technologies. These include direct-mount sensors operating up to 1,800 degrees F that are already successfully deployed in land-based gas turbine systems. Parker Aerospace and Oxsensis have been collaborating to apply Oxsensis technology to Parker Aerospace instrumentation systems.