Stockwinners Market Radar for February 15, 2019 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

18:22 EDT Johnson & Johnson CEO: 'We ended 2018 with great results' - In an interview on CNBC's Mad Money, Johnson & Johnson CEO Alex Gorsky said: "We ended 2018 with great results... We could not be more proud of Esketamine... One of the most exciting parts of my job is seeing technology being integrated with healthcare... Less than 5% of surgeries are performed by a robot, we think that can be greater."

18:11 EDT Amgen treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia granted FDA orphan designation - According to a post on the FDA's website, Amgen's treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia was granted orphan designation. Reference Link

17:41 EDT SPDR Gold Shares holdings fall to 793.03MT from 796.85MT - This is the lowest level of holdings since December 31, 2018.

17:25 EDT Fabrinet CFO sells 20K shares of common stock - In a regulatory filing, Fabrinet CFO Toh-Seng Ng disclosed a February 14th-15th sale of 20K shares of common stock at an average price of $54.73 per share. The total transaction size was $1.09M.

17:03 EDT Star Bulk Carriers acquires 95,605 of its common shares - Star Bulk Carriers announced that, pursuant to the company's previously announced share repurchase program, the company purchased today 95,605 of its common shares in open market transactions at an average price of $8.1937 for aggregate consideration of $783,359. The company shall cancel all the common shares it has repurchased.

16:52 EDT Mid Penn Bancorp seeks approval to relocate Allentown Boulevard branch - Mid Penn Bank, subsidiary of Mid Penn Bancorp, Inc. is seeking regulatory approval to relocate its branch in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, from 5500 Allentown Boulevard to 5049 Jonestown Road. The bank recently submitted an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities and to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Customers will be provided the amenities of a full-service branch in a more accessible location.

16:44 EDT Regeneron says EPO revokes Immunex's European patent No. 2,990,420 - Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN) announced two important legal developments invalidating Immunex patents with functional claims to antibodies that target human interleukin-4 receptors. Earlier today, the Opposition Division of the European Patent Office revoked Immunex's European Patent No. 2,990,420 in its entirety because the claims were invalid for insufficiency of disclosure. This follows a decision yesterday by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office to invalidate all 17 claims of Immunex's U.S. Patent No. 8,679,487 as obvious. These decisions are subject to appeal by Immunex. The patents in question are owned by Immunex Corporation, which is wholly-owned by Amgen (AMGN). "We applaud decisions by the U.S. and European patent offices this week, which invalidate Immunex's functional patent claims to antibodies that target human IL-4 receptors," said Joseph LaRosa, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Regeneron. "It is our position that Immunex's functional claims unfairly attempt to claim ownership far beyond the molecules developed, and stifle innovation within the broader scientific community."

16:44 EDT Regeneron says EPO revoes Immunex's European patent No. 2,990,420 - Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN) announced two important legal developments invalidating Immunex patents with functional claims to antibodies that target human interleukin-4 receptors. Earlier today, the Opposition Division of the European Patent Office revoked Immunex's European Patent No. 2,990,420 in its entirety because the claims were invalid for insufficiency of disclosure. This follows a decision yesterday by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office to invalidate all 17 claims of Immunex's U.S. Patent No. 8,679,487 as obvious. These decisions are subject to appeal by Immunex. The patents in question are owned by Immunex Corporation, which is wholly-owned by Amgen (AMGN). "We applaud decisions by the U.S. and European patent offices this week, which invalidate Immunex's functional patent claims to antibodies that target human IL-4 receptors," said Joseph LaRosa, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Regeneron. "It is our position that Immunex's functional claims unfairly attempt to claim ownership far beyond the molecules developed, and stifle innovation within the broader scientific community."

16:31 EDT Chaparral Energy CFO Joseph Evans to retire - Chaparral Energy announced that Joseph Evans, its Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, has elected to retire from the Company effective March 15, 2019, following 14 years of service as Chief Financial Officer. Scott Pittman will be joining Chaparral effective February 28, 2019, and will be appointed Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of the Company effective March 16, 2019. Scott Pittman has over 14 years of senior financial management, commercial and investment banking experience. Most recently, Mr. Pittman served as the Chief Financial Officer of Ursa Resources, an exploration and production company focused on unconventional resource development, and the Chief Financial Officer of Aethon Energy Management, a private investment firm focused on North American onshore upstream oil and gas assets.

16:28 EDT UBS Group reports 6.6% passive stake in Paratek Pharmaceuticals - In a regulatory filing, UBS Group disclosed a 6.6% stake in Paratek Pharmaceuticals, which represents 2.12M shares. The filing does not allow for activism.

16:16 EDT Bausch says FDA unable to meet PDUFA date for DUOBRII NDA - Bausch Health Companies Inc. and its dermatology business, Ortho Dermatologics, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will be unable to meet today's Prescription Drug User Fee Act date for the New Drug Application for DUOBRII Lotion, 0.01%/0.045%, for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults. The FDA is close to finalizing its review, and a decision from the FDA is expected shortly.

16:07 EDT Mexico regulators approve Tahoe Resources deal with Pan American Silver - Tahoe Resources (TAHO) is pleased to announce that earlier today the Mexican Federal Economic Competition Commission approved the proposed transaction whereby Pan American Silver (PAAS) will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Tahoe. All required regulatory, shareholder and court approvals have been received at this time and the Arrangement is anticipated to be completed on or about February 22, 2019.

15:57 EDT Aspen Insurance trading resumes

15:04 EDT Ensco announces CMA clearance for pending combination with Rowan Companies - Ensco (ESV) announced that it has received clearance from the United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority for its pending combination with Rowan Companies (RDC). Completion of the transaction remains subject to satisfaction or waiver of certain other conditions, including approval by the shareholders of both Ensco and Rowan along with other regulatory and court approvals. Ensco's General Meeting to approve resolutions relating to the transaction with Rowan will occur on February 21, the company said.

15:00 EDT Mattel down 15% to $14.33 in afternoon trading after guidance issued at meeting

14:50 EDT Mattel drops to lows, down 7% as company issues guidance at investor day meeting

14:33 EDT Nine senators urge FCC to reject T-Mobile, Sprint merger - Nine senators sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai this week, urging him to reject T-Mobile's (TMUS) proposed acquisition of Sprint (S). Senator Richard Blumenthal said via Twitter, "Wednesday's hearing did nothing but deepen my concern that Sprint/T-Mobile merger will raise prices, harm workers & stifle innovation. Hopefully, their lackluster performance & my letter with 8 of my colleagues, will cause FCC & DOJ to reject the merger...T-Mobile & Sprint's game plan - Turn the market into a cozy country-club where carriers can raise prices on unsuspecting Americans. Market competition-not corporate consolidation-will spur the delivery of nationwide 5G." Reference Link

13:57 EDT GE board authorizes regular quarterly dividend of 1c per share - The board of directors of GE declared a 1c per share dividend on the outstanding common stock of the company. The dividend is payable April 25 to shareowners of record at the close of business on March 11, 2019. The ex-dividend date is March 8, 2019.

13:02 EDT Apollo funds to acquire majority interest in Cox Media Group TV stations - Cox Enterprises announced that it has reached an agreement with funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC to buy a majority interest in Cox Media Group's broadcast television stations, including the company's radio, newspaper and TV properties in Ohio. Cox Enterprises will maintain a minority stake and will join the Apollo Funds in forming a new company to operate these stations, which will be headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Cox Enterprises began exploring strategic alternatives for the stations last July with the goal of finding a motivated strategic partner with a shared vision for the future and the resources to continue investing in the business to build scale. Apollo intends to maintain the successful management and operating structure Cox Media Group's TV business has created. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory review and closing conditions.

12:58 EDT SC appeals court upholds $14M asbestos exposure verdict against Celanese - The South Carolina Court of Appeals has affirmed a $14M verdict against Texas-based Celanese on behalf of the family of a maintenance worker who died from mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos on a Celanese job site. The three-judge panel unanimously affirmed on Feb. 13 a 2015 trial court damages award to Dennis Seay's wife and estate. That court awarded $12M in compensatory damages and $2M in punitive damages after finding negligent safety practices at the Celanese plant where Seay worked from 1971 to 1980. The suit alleged the company was negligent for failing to warn Mr. Seay of the danger of asbestos found in gaskets, packing and insulation materials at the facility and failing to provide safe working conditions and adequate protections against asbestos dust.

12:40 EDT Valdur Koha Trust reports 5.369% passive stake in Sonos - In a regulatory filing, Valdura Koha Trust disclosed a 5.369% stake in Sonos, which represents 5.4M shares. The filing does not allow for activism.

12:09 EDT American Express reports January net write-off rate 2.2% vs. 2.2% prior month - Reports January 30-plus day delinquencies 1.5% vs. 1.4% in the prior month.

12:00 EDT AMN Healthcare falls -15.7% - AMN Healthcare is down -15.7%, or -$10.17 to $54.83.

12:00 EDT American Axle rises 13.3% - American Axle is up 13.3%, or $1.95 to $16.65.

12:00 EDT TriNet rises 25.2% - TriNet is up 25.2%, or $12.49 to $62.02.

11:41 EDT Medtronic recalls 13,440 implantable pulse generators over software error - Medtronic is recalling 13,440 of its dual chamber implantable pulse generators due to the possibility of a software error that can result in a lack of pacing, the FDA said in a statement on its website. Patients and physicians cannot predict whether and when this software error might occur, it added. A lack of pacing could result in patients experiencing slow heart beating, low blood pressure, and symptoms such as light headedness, fainting, and even death, the agency warns. Reference Link

11:04 EDT CommScope says Arris CEO to join leadership team as COO upon deal closing - CommScope (COMM) announced two leadership appointments effective following the completion of CommScope's acquisition of ARRIS International plc (ARRS). Upon closing, ARRIS Chief Executive Officer Bruce McClelland will join the CommScope leadership team as chief operating officer; and Morgan Kurk, CommScope's current chief operating officer, will become chief technology officer of the combined organization. Kurk and McClelland will report to Eddie Edwards, CommScope president and chief executive officer. As previously announced, following completion of the combination, Eddie Edwards will continue in his role as president and chief executive officer of CommScope, with other members of the ARRIS leadership team joining the combined company. The transaction remains on track to close in the first half of 2019, the company stated.

10:52 EDT Cognizant pays $25M penalty after Justice Department declines prosecution - The Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey announced that they have declined prosecution of Cognizant Technology Solutions after considering the factors set forth in the Department of Justice's Principles of Prosecution of Business Organizations and the Corporate Enforcement Policy, including Cognizant's "prompt voluntary self-disclosure, cooperation and remediation, as well as Cognizant's disgorgement to the Department and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of the cost savings that resulted from the bribery scheme." In the related case with the SEC, Cognizant entered into a cease and desist order and agreed to pay the SEC a civil penalty, disgorgement and prejudgment interest totaling approximately $25M. In addition, a federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday against the former president and the former chief legal officer of Cognizant, in connection with an alleged foreign bribery scheme. Gordon Coburn and Steven Schwartz were charged in a 12-count indictment with one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, three counts of violating the FCPA, seven counts of falsifying books and records, and one count of circumventing and failing to implement internal accounting controls.

10:21 EDT Coca-Cola appoints Lisa Chang as Chief People Officer - The Coca-Cola Company today announced that Lisa Chang has been named Chief People Officer, overseeing the company's global human resources operations. Chang will join the company March 1. Chang most recently served as senior VP and Chief Human Resources Officer for AMB Group LLC.

10:00 EDT Trex Company falls -8.5% - Trex Company is down -8.5%, or -$6.65 to $71.69.

10:00 EDT AMN Healthcare falls -19.6% - AMN Healthcare is down -19.6%, or -$12.77 to $52.23.

10:00 EDT SPX Corporation rises 13.3% - SPX Corporation is up 13.3%, or $4.26 to $36.31.

09:58 EDT Popular raises quarterly dividend to 30c from 25c - Popular announced that its Board of Directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of 30c per share on its outstanding common stock. The dividend will be payable on April 1 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 8.

09:54 EDT Crinetics Pharmaceuticals Inc trading resumes

09:49 EDT Crinetics Pharmaceuticals Inc trading halted, volatility trading pause

09:47 EDT XPO Logistics falls -16.2% - XPO Logistics is down -16.2%, or -$9.67 to $49.88.

09:47 EDT Phunware Inc trading halted, volatility trading pause

09:47 EDT Aphria rises 8.9% - Aphria is up 8.9%, or 81c to $9.90.

09:42 EDT Boston Scientific, BTG get FTC request for more information - On February 14, each of Boston Scientific Corporation and BTG received a request for additional information and documentary material from the United States Federal Trade Commission in connection with the recommended cash offer to acquire the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of BTG by Bravo Bidco Limited, a newly incorporated indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. This information was in a regulatory filing.

09:32 EDT Bank of America reports January default rate 2.65% vs. 2.63% last month - Reports January 30-plus day delinquencies 1.69% vs. 1.68% last month.

09:30 EDT Sky Solar announces recent developments under Hudson note purchase agreement - Sky Solar has been in discussion with Hudson Solar with respect to the amended and restated note purchase agreement dated July 15, 2016. Hudson has invested in certain of the company's projects in Latin America and U.S. through the notes. In a series of letters, Hudson alleged that events of default under the note purchase agreement had occurred and proposed to resolve the issue with an offer to either purchase of the equity in certain projects of the company at a purchase price of $240M and acquire the company through merger at $2.15-$2.25 per ADS. While the company has been working with Hudson to respond to and address their allegations and proposals, Hudson, in the meantime, sent a notice of acceleration dated January 22, declaring that all obligations, including the outstanding principal, accrued and unpaid interest and make-whole payment amount thereof, were immediately due. Hudson has also sent a demand on guaranty to the company and certain of its subsidiaries who are guarantors of the notes pursuant to a guaranty dated September 18, 2015, and has initiated proceedings in some of the jurisdictions where the company's business or subsidiaries are located to enforce the collaterals. On February 8, Hudson filed an action in New York Supreme Court seeking to enforce certain guaranties related to the note purchase agreement against certain members of the group. Hudson also recently served statutory demands on such guarantors in the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, and Hong Kong demanding repayment of amount outstanding under the guaranties. The company intends to defend Hudson's enforcement actions and other proceedings vigorously to minimize the interruptions on its business and operations. The company has taken steps to demand Hudson to withdraw the statutory demands immediately. Separately, the company has received proposals from other parties regarding potential strategic investments in the company. The company is continuing evaluating all these proposals including Hudson's Proposals to preserve and maximize shareholder value.

09:25 EDT Rivian announces $700M investment round led by Amazon - Rivian announced an equity investment round of $700M led by Amazon (AMZN). Rivian will remain an independent company. Amazon is leading the round, which includes participation from existing shareholders. Additional details about this investment are not being disclosed at this time. "This investment is an important milestone for Rivian and the shift to sustainable mobility. Beyond simply eliminating compromises that exist around performance, capability and efficiency, we are working to drive innovation across the entire customer experience. Delivering on this vision requires the right partners, and we are excited to have Amazon with us on our journey to create products, technology and experiences that reset expectations of what is possible," said RJ Scaringe, Rivian Founder and CEO. "We're inspired by Rivian's vision for the future of electric transportation. RJ has built an impressive organization, with a product portfolio and technology to match. We're thrilled to invest in such an innovative company," said Jeff Wilke, Amazon CEO Worldwide Consumer. Sometimes compared to Tesla (TSLA), Rivian developed electric vehicles "starting with a clean sheet." The company's launch products, the R1T and R1S, "deliver up to 400+ miles of range and provide an unmatched combination of performance, off-road capability and utility," the company stated. Rivian will launch the R1T and R1S in the US in late 2020, with introduction to other global geographies starting in 2021.

09:10 EDT AWS selected as cloud, machine learning provider of Clippers CourtVision - Amazon Web Services announced that AWS is now the primary cloud computing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence provider of Clippers CourtVision, the live, augmented game-watching platform created by the Los Angeles Clippers and Second Spectrum, the official video tracking technology provider for the NBA. The Clippers and Second Spectrum will use AWS machine learning and data analytics services to advance game analyses and drive new experiences for Clippers CourtVision. In addition, Clippers CourtVision will test Amazon SageMaker to build, train, and deploy machine learning-driven stats which will appear on live broadcasts and on-demand NBA game videos.

09:05 EDT Denali Therapeutics, Sanofi announce initiation of dosing for DNL747 - Denali Therapeutics (DNLI) announced initiation of dosing in a Phase 1b clinical study of DNL747 in patients with Alzheimer's disease, in collaboration with its partner Sanofi (SNY). RIPK1, receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1, is a critical signaling protein in the TNF receptor pathway, which regulates inflammation and cell death in tissues throughout the body. Denali, together with its partner Sanofi, is investigating several molecules targeting RIPK1 for multiple indications, including DNL747 for Alzheimer's disease, ALS, and Multiple Sclerosis. In January, Denali announced the initiation of dosing in a Phase 1b clinical study of DNL747 in patients with ALS.

09:03 EDT PG&E recommends shareholders reject Baker Mills' mini-tender offer - PG&E Corporation announced that it received notice of an unsolicited "mini-tender" offer from Baker Mills, dated February 4, 2019. Baker Mills has offered to purchase up to 200,000 shares of PG&E Corporation common stock, which represents approximately 0.04% of the outstanding shares of PG&E Corporation common stock, at a price of $4.00 per share. This price represents a 74.14% discount to the closing price of PG&E Corporation common stock on the New York Stock Exchange of $15.47 on February 14, 2019 and a 69.42% discount to the closing price of PG&E Corporation common stock on the NYSE of $13.08 on February 1, 2019, the last trading day prior to the date of the offer. The offer includes a condition that the trading price of PG&E Corporation's shares not decrease below the $4.00 offer price at any time between February 4, 2019 and the offer expiration date. PG&E Corporation does not endorse Baker Mills' unsolicited mini-tender offer and recommends that PG&E Corporation shareholders do not tender their shares in the offer. Baker Mills has included a condition that there not be any decrease in the market price of PG&E Corporation's shares as traded on the NYSE to below the $4.00 offer price at any time between February 4, 2019 and the offer's expiration date, which is currently scheduled for Friday, March 8, 2019, unless extended by Baker Mills. As a result, PG&E Corporation shareholders who tender their shares in the offer will receive a below-market price unless Baker Mills waives this condition. In addition, the offer is subject to numerous other conditions, including there being no action taken that in the reasonable judgment of Baker Mills materially adversely affects Baker Mills, PG&E Corporation, or the value of its shares, and Baker Mills can extend the offer and delay payment beyond the scheduled expiration date of March 8, 2019. There can be no guarantee that these conditions will be satisfied. PG&E Corporation is not associated with Baker Mills, its mini-tender offer, or the mini-tender offer documentation. PG&E Corporation urges investors to obtain current market quotes for their shares of common stock, consult with their broker or financial advisor and exercise caution with Baker Mills' offer. PG&E Corporation recommends that shareholders who have not responded to Baker Mills' offer take no action. Shareholders who have already tendered their shares may withdraw them by providing the written notice described in the Baker Mills offering documents before the expiration of the offer and at other times described in the offering.

09:02 EDT U.S. Silica: SandBox unit wins at patent office on key patent claims - U.S. Silica Holdings announced that the United States Patent Office has confirmed two key claims of a patent which covers fundamental aspects of technology owned by its SandBox Logistics business unit. This win marks the second IPR victory for SandBox, the first coming when the Patent Office rejected all of Proppant Express' challenges to a different SandBox patent. PropX is now judicially estopped from making the same or similar arguments again in any future infringement proceedings involving this patent.

08:45 EDT Vista Equity completes $1.9B acquisition of Mindbody - Mindbody announced that it has been acquired by Vista Equity, an investment firm focused on software, data and technology-enabled businesses. The approximately $1.9B transaction, originally announced on December 24, 2018, was approved by Mindbody's stockholders on February 14 and completed on February 15. The acquisition begins the next phase of growth for Mindbody by combining its product and industry knowledge with Vista's investment and operating model for SaaS companies. With the completion of the acquisition, Mindbody common stock ceased trading and will no longer be listed on Nasdaq.

08:32 EDT Adial Pharmaceuticals submits continuation patent application for AD04 - Adial Pharmaceuticals announced that it has submitted a continuation patent application with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to broaden the claims relating to the use of AD04 for opioid dependence and abuse, commonly referred to as Opioid Use Disorder. The continuation patent claims priority to and therefore retains the filing date of the original patent.

08:29 EDT Newell Brands down 14% to $18.60 after Q1, FY19 guidance miss estimates

08:15 EDT American Axle CEO says 'we expect to profitably grow' in 2019 - "AAM's full year 2018 financial results reflect record sales, gross profit and operating cash flow, despite some launch and operating related challenges during the second half of the year. We continued to fund organic growth, invest in advanced technologies and reduce our debt throughout the year," said AAM's Chairman and CEO, David Dauch. "As we look towards 2019, we expect to profitably grow, diversify our business and continue our trend of delivering strong free cash flow metrics."

08:13 EDT Aspen Insurance trading halted, news dissemination

08:12 EDT Choice Hotels reports largest domestic pipeline in company's history - Total domestic pipeline of hotels awaiting conversion, under construction, or approved for development, as of December 31, 2018 surpassed 1,000 hotels, representing the largest domestic pipeline in the company's history.

08:09 EDT PepsiCo says remains committed to disciplined capital allocation

08:08 EDT Nevro files patent infringement lawsuit against Stimwave in the U.S. - Nevro announced that it has filed a lawsuit for patent infringement against Stimwave Technologies. The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware on February 14, asserts that Stimwave is infringing Nevro's patents covering inventions relating to Nevro's groundbreaking Senza system and HF10 therapy. The lawsuit seeks preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against further infringement as well as damages and attorney's fees.

08:06 EDT Bioanalytical Systems appoints Thomas Oakley COO - Bioanalytical Systems announced that Thomas Oakley has been appointed as COO of the company, effective as of February 11. Oakley will be responsible for leading operations among BASi's three sites located in West Lafayette and Evansville, Indiana, and St. Louis, Missouri. Oakley is a senior executive with over 20 years of strategic and operational experience in the contract research industry. Most recently, Oakley served as CEO of Seventh Wave Laboratories, and joined BASi in July of last year when BASi acquired the operations of Seventh Wave in order to provide broader solutions and greater scientific expertise to its clients.

08:04 EDT Pentair announces equity investment in Aqua Membranes - Pentair announced that it has closed a minority investment in Aqua Membranes. The patented 3D printed spacer technology of Aqua Membranes enables performance improvement in spiral wound elements used in reverse osmosis, or RO, membrane applications, including residential and commercial water filtration. Aqua Membranes has developed a patented process to print dimensional polymer shapes directly on flat sheet RO membrane, which replaces conventional feed mesh. The printed spacer material is fully customizable by application and market and has the potential to lower cost and reduce waste of water resources. This technology creates new possibilities for the spiral wound element market, which has remained largely unchanged for the last several decades.

07:59 EDT PepsiCo says does not see the need to acquire or shed businesses - Says 2018 was "a very successful year". Says NAB made progress throughout the year. Says has "tremendous potential" to expand consumption across a variety of dimensions. Sees opportunity to increase consumer perceiveability of products. Says Fritos business remains strong and growing. Says NAB has faced a number of challenges. Says has good plans in place to address opportunities. Says increased innovation to compete with new category entrants. Says had good success with Zero Sugar. Says encouraged by steady, sequential improvement in NAB and expects to see continued improvement. Says international businesses are performing very well. Says believes with greater focus on capability deployment, international markets can be source of greater growth and higher profitability. Comments taken from Q4 earnings conference call.

07:51 EDT Aphria committee finds LATAM asset acquisition cost within 'acceptable range' - Aphria announced that its board of directors has accepted and considered the report of the special committee of independent directors, which reviewed the allegations made against the company in respect of the company's previously completed acquisition of LATAM Holdings. The special committee completed its review of the acquisition with the assistance of independent legal advisor Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith Griffin LLP, independent forensic advisors Deloitte LLP and independent financial advisors Duff & Phelps Canada Limited. The Special Committee's work included a review of the company's books and records and other documents, meetings with certain financial and legal advisors to the company and, where available, certain members of senior management and directors of the board. Aphria said the principal findings of the special committee focused on the LATAM assets included: The assets acquired pursuant to the Acquisition in Argentina, Colombia and Jamaica were verified to be in place and continued to develop according to the Company's business plan since the Acquisition, consistent with Aphria's previous public disclosure; Comprehensive, in-person site reviews were conducted by advisors to the Special Committee, which confirmed the existence of the LATAM assets and operations in each of Colombia and Jamaica, as well as work to confirm the contractual and permitting arrangements in Argentina; and the consideration paid for the assets purchased in the Acquisition was determined to be within an acceptable range as compared to similar acquisitions by competitors, be it near the top of the range of observable valuation metrics. In the normal course of business and on an annual basis, consistent with the requirements under International Financial Reporting Standards, the company will assess the carrying value of the acquired assets. In addition, as part of its review of the company's operations, the board affirmed that based on the most recent Health Canada inspection, Aphria's Leamington facility and operations are in compliance with the requirements of the Cannabis Act and the cannabis products cultivated from this facility are produced in accordance with stringent quality assurance and quality control going beyond "Good Product Practices". Irwin Simon, Aphria's independent Board Chair, said, "The constructive conclusion to this long process has strengthened the Company. Though I was not part of Aphria at the time of the LATAM acquisition, the Special Committee's findings give me and the Board full confidence that it was executed at an acceptable value and is consistent with the Company's international growth strategy. With this behind us, we are committed to fully focus on our bright future and creating value for all Aphria shareholders. Aphria is committed to the highest levels of governance and transparency, with a Board that, upon the appointment of a permanent CEO, will be fully composed of independent directors, from a majority previously. I'm optimistic that the Special Committee's further recommendations for improving our corporate governance will serve us well in the future."

07:47 EDT TEN, Ltd. announces new contracts for two suezmax crude tankers - TEN, Ltd announced the contract for the building of two suezmax crude tankers which upon delivery will enter into minimum five maximum 12-year contracts to a significant oil major. The time charter equivalent revenues from these two fixtures, over the duration of the respective contacts, is expected at a minimum $110M and could reach $300M should employment be extended to its maximum period.

07:31 EDT Pareteum closes twelve agreements in January - Pareteum announced that it closed twelve agreements in January including new customers as well as upselling to existing customers. "Pareteum is experiencing great success with developers and enterprises for our cloud software solutions," said Rob Mumby Chief Revenue Officer. "With the addition of these new agreements, we're confident we will continue accelerating our growth as the market's first choice for cloud software communications solutions, expanding our ever growing reach, empowering businesses worldwide."

07:30 EDT uniQure announces two studies published - uniQure announced two recent online publications of preclinical studies showing significant silencing, or knockdown, of the mutated gene most commonly known to lead to onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, and frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, two neurodegenerative diseases. The proof-of-concept studies were conducted by uniQure scientists and utilized the company's miQURE technology, a proprietary, gene-silencing platform. Both studies are published in the scientific journal, Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids. The first manuscript describes the design and in vitro characterization of artificial micro-RNA, or miC, that silence the mutated C9orf72 gene. The second manuscript entitled reports that an AAV vector carrying a DNA cassette encoding miC silences the mutated C9orf72 gene in iPSC-neurons derived from an FTD patient and in an ALS mouse model that carries the human gene with the C9orf72 mutation. The studies show significant silencing of C9orf72 in human-derived iPSC neurons, and the mutated C9orf72 was also reduced in the cell nucleus. AAV5-miC injected into the striatum of ALS mice reduced mutated C9orf72 in the transduced areas.

07:17 EDT Phio Pharmaceuticals: Gerrit Dispersyn to succeed Geert Cauwenbergh as CEO - Phio Pharmaceuticals announced that Gerrit Dispersyn, Dr. Med. Sc., currently President and COO, has been appointed by the Board of Directors as the company's new CEO, effective March 1. He will succeed Geert Cauwenbergh, Dr. Med. Sc., who will retire as CEO of the company. Dr. Cauwenbergh will be available to support the transition and will remain as a member of the Board of Directors. Prior to his current role, Dr. Dispersyn was elected Chief Development Officer of the company in April 2017.

07:11 EDT Enbridge targets annual DCF per share growth of 5%-7% beyond 2020 - Beyond 2020, Enbridge is targeting to achieve annual DCF per share growth in the range of 5%-7%, driven by an attractive suite of organic growth prospects within its three core businesses that can be self-funded using available cash generated by these businesses and managing leverage within targets designed to maintain strong investment grade credit ratings.

07:09 EDT Moody's raises quarterly dividend 14% to 50c per share - On February 12, 2019, the Board of Directors of Moody's Corporation declared a regular quarterly dividend of 50c per share of MCO Common Stock, a 14% increase from the prior quarter dividend of 44c per share. The dividend will be payable on March 18, 2019 to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 25, 2019.

06:54 EDT Wabco to relocate corporate headquarters to Bern, Switzerland - As part of its change in organizational logic, WABCO decided to relocate its corporate headquarters to Bern, Switzerland, with the objective of creating a singular focus on fully globalizing WABCO's advanced technology strategy. The current Brussels base will become the headquarters of its newly formed division covering Europe, Middle East and Africa.

06:47 EDT Merck: FDA grants priority review to sBLA for KEYTRUDA/Inlyta combination - Merck announced that the U.S. FDA has accepted and granted priority review for a new supplemental Biologics License Application for KEYTRUDA, Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with Inlyta, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. This sBLA is based on findings from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-426 trial, which demonstrated that KEYTRUDA in combination with axitinib, as compared to sunitinib, significantly improved overall survival and progression-free-survival in the first-line treatment of advanced RCC. These data will be presented at the 2019 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium in San Francisco on February 16. The sBLA also included supporting data from the Phase 1b KEYNOTE-035 trial. The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act, or target action, date of June 20.

06:44 EDT RBS sees incurring strategic costs of around GBP2.5B across 2018-2019 - RBS says: "RBS, like all companies, continues to deal with a range of significant risks and uncertainties in the external economic, political and regulatory environment. Our central economic forecast, which supports our corporate plan, is in line with consensus as at the end of December 2018 and shows average UK GDP growth of around 1.0-2.0% from 2019 to 2023 and continued low interest rates. Given the current uncertainties we will continue to actively monitor and react to market conditions. As part of our continued cost savings plans, we expect to incur aggregate strategic costs of around GBP 2.5 billion across 2018 and 2019, with GBP 1.0 billion of this having been incurred during 2018. We plan to reduce operating expenses, excluding strategic costs and conduct and litigation costs, by GBP 300 million in 2019 compared with 2018, excluding one-off items. While we remain comfortable with our 2020 target of a return on tangible equity of more than 12%, we recognise our 2020 target of a cost:income ratio of less than 50% is increasingly challenging for the business to achieve with the risk being to the downside. This reflects the ongoing economic and political uncertainty and the additional ongoing costs associated with ringfencing and Brexit. Our previous guidance on RWAs beyond 2020 was an estimated 10% increase in 2021 relating to Basel 3 amendments, in addition to RWA inflation as a result of IFRS 16, which requires lease obligations to be brought on balance sheet, of GBP 1.3 billion in 2019 and Bank of England mortgage floors of GBP 10.5 billion in 2020. We now expect the overall impact of Basel 3 amendments to be in the range of 5-10% and phased across 2021 to 2023, with the details still subject to significant regulatory uncertainty."

06:41 EDT PepsiCo extends cost-cutting plan, plant closures - In the quarter and year ended December 29, 2018, the company incurred restructuring charges of $138M in conjunction with the multi-year plan we publicly announced on February 15. The 2019 productivity plan will leverage new technology and business models to further simplify, harmonize and automate processes; re-engineer our go-to-market and information systems, including deploying the right automation for each market; simplify our organization and optimize our manufacturing and supply chain footprint. In the quarter and year ended December 29, 2018, the company incurred restructuring charges of $91M and $170M, respectively, in conjunction with the multi-year productivity plan publicly announced in 2014. In the quarter and year ended December 30, 2017, the company incurred restructuring charges of $226M and $295M, respectively, in conjunction with the 2014 productivity plan.The 2014 productivity plan includes the next generation of productivity initiatives that the company believes will strengthen its beverage, food and snack businesses by: accelerating investment in manufacturing automation; further optimizing global manufacturing footprint, including closing certain manufacturing facilities; re-engineering go-to-market systems in developed markets; expanding shared services; and implementing simplified organization structures to drive efficiency. To build on the 2014 productivity plan, in Q4 of 2017, the company expanded and extended the program through the end of 2019 to take advantage of additional opportunities.

06:40 EDT Cerecor announces CERC-301 granted U.S. patent - Cerecor (CERC) announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued U.S. Patent No. 10,202,363 on February 12, which is directed to CERC-301, an oral, NR2B-specific, NMDA receptor antagonist. "CERC-301 is a selective NR2B-specific NMDA receptor antagonist with a unique mechanism of action tested in greater than375 subjects to date. CERC-301 is being developed for the treatment of Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Systems Atrophy and Pure Autonomic Failure. CERC-301 has a rapid onset of action, which we believe will result in long-term effectiveness and fewer side effects than the leading nOH treatments currently available." The '363 patent covers the crystalline form of CERC-301, as well as a pharmaceutical composition containing the crystalline form of CERC-301. It also covers methods of treating conditions responsive to NR2B antagonists. The '363 patent, and its foreign counterpart applications, are co-owned with Merck (MRK). Cerecor has an exclusive, worldwide license from Merck to this patent family and two other patent families covering NR2B-specific, NMDA receptor antagonist for the development and commercialization of CERC-301 for all human indications.

06:24 EDT Synchrony reports January charge-off rate 4.72% vs. 4.86% last month - Reports January 30-plus day delinquencies 2.93% vs. 2.87% last month.

06:21 EDT China says to end market-distorting subsidies, but without method, Reuters says - As part of its trade talks China has promised to "end market-distorting subsidies for its domestic industries," says Reuters' Michael Martina and David Lawder, but so far is not being transparent on the methods it would use to achieve that goal, added the report. Reference Link

06:18 EDT Industrial Logistics Property Trust enters purchase and sale agreement with CCIT - Certain wholly owned subsidiaries of Cole Corporate Income Operating Partnership II, LP, of which Cole Office & Industrial REIT is the sole general partner, and owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of the partnership interests, have entered into a $625.3M purchase and sale agreement to sell 18 industrial properties to Industrial Logistics Properties Trust for $568.3M in cash and the assumption of a $57M loan by ILPT. The 18 industrial properties being acquired by ILPT are 100% leased and encompass approximately 8.7M gross rentable square feet across 12 states. Notable tenants include UPS, Procter & Gamble and Subaru. The transaction is anticipated to close within 60 days, subject to due diligence and the satisfaction of closing conditions; as a result, no assurance can be given that the closing will occur within this timeframe, or at all.

06:16 EDT PepsiCo CEO says FY19 EPS impacted by incremental investments - Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta said, "For 2019, we expect 4% organic revenue growth and approximately 1% decline in core constant currency EPS. Our 2019 EPS performance is expected to be impacted by incremental investments that are intended to further strengthen the business, lapping a number of 2018 strategic asset sale and refranchising gains and an increased core effective tax rate in 2019. Importantly, we expect to return to high-single-digit core constant currency EPS growth in 2020."

06:12 EDT PepsiCo increases annualized dividend 3% to $3.82 per share - PepsiCo announced a 3% increase in its annualized dividend per share to $3.82 from $3.71 per share, effective with the dividend expected to be paid in June.

06:10 EDT Hawaiian Electric increases quarterly dividend 1c to 32c per share - The board increased Hawaiian Electric's quarterly cash dividend to 32c per share from the previous 31c per share. The dividend is payable on March 13 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 26. The dividend is equivalent to an annual rate of $1.28 per share.

06:09 EDT Disney announces launch of Star Wars, Frozen 2 inspired products on October 4 - Fans of two of the most anticipated films of 2019 - Star Wars: Episode IX and Disney's Frozen 2 - can begin counting down to October 4 when new products inspired by these two major entertainment events will begin hitting shelves around the world. Marking Disney's first-ever, global simultaneous rollout for two entertainment juggernauts, retailers around the world will create unique celebrations for each of the franchises to honor their individual legacies. As Star Wars fans have come to anticipate, products spanning categories from toys to collectibles, housewares, books, apparel and more will go on sale beginning at 12:01 a.m. on October 4, 2019. Stores around the world will join the festivities with in-store events and midnight openings.

06:06 EDT New Home Company sees Q1 home sales revenue $80M-$90M - Sees Q1 fee building revenue of $20M-$25M; Home sales gross margin of 12.6%-13.0%.

05:57 EDT TSMC details impact of Fab 14B photoresist material incident - TSMC updates its first quarter 2019 guidance following the completion of the assessment of all the wafers affected by a batch of problematic photoresist material. TSMC discovered that a batch of photoresist from a chemical supplier contained a specific component which was abnormally treated, creating a foreign polymer in the photoresist. The foreign polymer created an undesirable effect on 12/16-nanometer wafers at Fab 14B. This effect was detected later on when the wafers deviated from normal yield. To ensure the quality of its wafers delivered to customers, TSMC has decided to scrap a higher number of wafers than our earlier estimate. TSMC expects the financial impact from the photoresist incident to be as follows: This incident is expected to reduce Q1 revenue by about US$550 million, gross margin by 2.6 percentage points, operating margin by 3.2 percentage points, and EPS by NT$0.42. The wafers scrapped in Q1 will be made up in Q2. This will contribute about US$550 million to Q2 revenue, increase gross margin by 1.5 percentage points, operating margin by 2.1 percentage points, and EPS by NT$0.34. For full year 2019, this incident is forecast to reduce gross margin by 0.2 percentage point, operating margin by 0.2 percentage point, and EPS by NT$0.08. At the same time, TSMC has taken action to pull in certain production from Q2 and has seen some increases in demand. These will result in about US$230 million of additional revenue in Q1.