Stockwinners Market Radar for October 16, 2024 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

19:50 EDT Pineapple Energy Inc trading halted, news pending

19:00 EDT Correct: Visa did not report preliminary Q3 EPS - A wrong ticker was entered in error.

18:38 EDT Robinhood to offer Cboe's index options on its platform - Cboe Global Markets (CBOE) and Robinhood Markets (HOOD) announced at the HOOD Summit in Miami, Florida, Robinhood's upcoming launch of Cboe's index options on its platform. For the first time, Robinhood customers will soon be able to trade index options - including Cboe's flagship S&P 500 Index (SPX) options, Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) options, Russell 2000 Index (RUT) options and Mini SPX (XSP) options - expanding their trading capabilities on its platform.

18:31 EDT HP Enterprise CEO sells $5.18M in common stock - In a regulatory filing, HP Enterprise disclosed that its CEO Antonio Neri sold 250K shares of common stock on October 14th in a total transaction size of $5.18M.

18:22 EDT BHP Group reports Q1 copper output at 476.3kt, up 4% from last year - Reports Q1 iron ore output at 64.6Mt, up 2% from last year. Reports Q1 energy coal output of 3.7Mt, up 2% from last year. CEO Mike Henry states: "BHP had a strong start to the 2025 financial year, with production up across all major commodities for the quarter. Copper production was up 4% due to higher grade and recoveries at Escondida, and WAIO production was up 3% as we unlocked capacity by completing the debottlenecking work at the port. We are also seeing signs of stabilisation in our steelmaking coal business with production up 20% in the quarter, excluding the recently divested Blackwater and Daunia mines. We added to our copper growth prospects in the quarter, announcing a proposed 50/50 joint venture in Argentina with Lundin Mining to advance what we consider to be one of the most significant global copper discoveries in decades. In Canada, our Jansen Stage 1 potash project is 58% complete after a productive summer period with first production scheduled in around two years. China has announced a series of monetary easing policies in an effort to support economic growth, and has indicated more significant fiscal stimulus is on the horizon. Upcoming stimulus is likely to focus on relieving local debt, stabilising the property market and bolstering business confidence."

17:36 EDT Great Lakes Dredge awarded $114.98M Army contract - Great Lakes Dock and Dredge was awarded a $114.98M firm-fixed-price contract for beach nourishment. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Manasquan, New Jersey, with an estimated completion date of November 17, 2025. FY25 civil construction funds in the amount of $114.98M were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the contracting activity.

17:29 EDT Pfizer palbociclib potentially effective for certain types of appendix cancer - Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine found an FDA-approved drug used to treat breast cancer has the potential to be an effective therapeutic for a specific type of appendix cancer. The clinical trial results, publishing in the October 16 online edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, showed the oral medication, Pfizer's palbociclib, stabilized tumor growth and reduced blood tumor marker levels in patients with peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis, or PMC. This form of cancer originates in the appendix and is often resistant to standard chemotherapy. The study cohort involved 16 participants diagnosed with PMC, most of whom had previously received other treatments without success. Researchers analyzed the genetic mutations present within these cancers and found that tumors with mutations in one specific gene, GNAS, responded well to the drug. In these patients, blood markers associated with cancer activity were reduced in more than 80% of patients. Laboratory results also showed that the drug slowed or stopped the multiplication of cancer cells, offering a well-tolerated alternative to chemotherapy, which is often associated with severe side effects. Next steps include investigating how combining this drug with both traditional chemotherapies and newer targeted therapies could further enhance its effectiveness. Reference Link

17:11 EDT Healthcare Services discloses cybersecurity incident - The company states: "On October 9, 2024, Healthcare Services Group identified a cybersecurity incident, which involved unauthorized activity within some of its systems. The Company immediately activated its Cybersecurity Incident Response Process to investigate such activity with the assistance of leading third-party cybersecurity experts. The Company has also notified law enforcement authorities. The Company will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate actions consistent with its response protocols. As of the date of this filing, the incident has not caused, and is not expected to cause, disruption of the Company's business operations. And although the full nature and scope of the incident is not yet known, the Company does not believe it will have a material effect on its financial condition or results of operations."

17:00 EDT Global Technology Acquisition Corp I trading resumes

16:49 EDT Calumet Specialty Products announces DOE commitment for loan of up to $1.44B - The company states: "Calumet announced that the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office has awarded a conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $1.44 billion to fund the construction and expansion of a renewable fuels facility owned by Montana Renewables, LLC. Montana Renewables is an unrestricted subsidiary of Calumet. The expansion would position Montana Renewables as one of the largest Sustainable Aviation Fuel producers globally with production capacity of approximately 300 million gallons of SAF and 330 million gallons of combined SAF and renewable diesel".

16:37 EDT Lexicon signs licensing agreement with Viatris for sotagliflozin - Viatris (VTRS) has obtained an exclusive license from Lexicon (LXRX) to commercialize sotagliflozin outside of the United States and Europe in all indications. Lexicon retains sole commercialization rights for sotagliflozin in all indications in the U.S. and Europe in exchange for an upfront payment to Lexicon of $25M, and the potential for contingent regulatory and sales milestone payments and tiered royalties ranging from low-double-digit to upper-teens on annual net sales. Sotagliflozin was approved by the FDA in May 2023 to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, and urgent heart failure visit in adults with heart failure or type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and other cardiovascular risk factors. Viatris will be responsible for all regulatory and commercialization activities for sotagliflozin in the licensed territories. Lexicon will be responsible for providing clinical and commercial supply of sotagliflozin to Viatris at an agreed upon transfer price.

16:34 EDT Global Technology Acquisition I announces liquidation - Global Technology Acquisition I announced that it is unable to complete an initial business combination within the time period required by its amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as amended, and therefore intends to dissolve and liquidate in accordance with the provisions of the charter, and will redeem all of the outstanding Class A ordinary shares that were included in the units issued in its initial public offering, at a per-share redemption price of approximately $11.50. As of the close of business on October 18, the public shares will be deemed cancelled and will represent only the right to receive the redemption amount. The company anticipates that the last day of trading of the public shares and the company's publicly traded units and warrants on Nasdaq will be on or around October 17 and trading of public shares will be suspended effective before the opening of markets on October 18. The company expects that Nasdaq will file a Form 25 with the SEC to delist the company's securities. The company thereafter expects to file a Form 15 with the Commission to terminate the registration of its securities under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

16:33 EDT Steel Dynamics reports Q3 steel shipments of 3.2M tons - Reports Q3 cash flow from operations of $760M. Strong liquidity of $3.1B, as of September 30, 2024.

16:32 EDT Steel Dynamics CEO 'constructive' on outlook for 2025 metal market dynamics - "Based on domestic steel demand fundamentals, we are constructive regarding the outlook for 2025 metal market dynamics," said CEO Millett. "We expect steel pricing to recover with an anticipated lower domestic interest rate environment, coupled with continuing onshoring of manufacturing businesses, and the expectation of significant fixed asset investment to be derived from public funding related to the U.S. Infrastructure, Inflation Reduction Act, and Department of Energy programs. We believe current trade actions could also reduce volumes of unfairly traded steel imports into the United States, especially for coated flat rolled steel, which could have a significant positive impact for us, as we are the largest non-automotive flat rolled steel coater in the United States. We believe these dynamics collectively could benefit all of our operating platforms, especially our steel and steel fabrication businesses. Our four new value-added flat rolled steel coating lines that began operating earlier this year continue to increase production. The teams have produced prime quality galvanized and painted products on all four lines in record time. We have had limited benefit from these new lines so far this year, as we have been increasing production, and expect to realize the additional earnings potential in 2025. Value-added product investments such as these enhance our differentiated supply-chain capabilities, while also increasing our higher-margin product offerings, which already represent upwards of 65 percent of our steel revenues. We are also quickly progressing on our aluminum flat rolled products mill construction and are incredibly excited about this meaningful growth opportunity, which is aligned with our existing business and operational expertise," said Millett. "We plan to begin operating the aluminum flat rolled mill mid-2025. We have intentionally grown with our customers' needs, providing efficient sustainable supply chain solutions for the highest quality products. We are pleased to further diversify our end markets with plans to supply aluminum flat rolled products with high recycled content to the countercyclical sustainable beverage can and packaging industry, in addition to the automotive, industrial, and construction sectors. Our customers and our people are incredibly excited for this growth opportunity. Our commitment is to the health and safety of our teams, families, and communities, while meeting the current and future needs of our customers. Our culture and business model continue to positively differentiate our performance from the rest of the industry. We are competitively positioned and focused to generate long-term sustainable value," concluded Millett.

16:31 EDT PPG sees FY24 net interest expense $70M-$75M - Sees incremental restructuring savings $35M, with CapEx of $650M-$700M and an effective tax rate of about 23%. Comments taken from Q3 earnings conference call presentation slides.

16:30 EDT Rocket Lab adds new mission to 2024 launch manifest - Rocket Lab USA announced it has added a last-minute Electron launch to its launch manifest for a commercial mission that is scheduled to launch in just three days' time. The mission, called 'Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes', will launch to space from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 during a launch window that opens October 19th for a confidential commercial customer. The expedited mission will be Rocket Lab's fastest turnaround to date: from signed contract to launch date in less than two months. Rocket Lab's rapid call-up launch capability, its standardized and rapid production of Electron launch vehicles that ensures a rocket can be assigned a payload for on-demand launch within days, responsive launch sites, and its experienced team behind the second most frequently launched U.S. orbital rocket, are key enablers for this mission.

16:29 EDT Discover sees FY24 loan growth 'down low to mid single digits' - Prior guidance was 'down low single digits'. Narrows FY24 net interest margin view to 11.2%-11.4% from 11.1%-11.4%. Narrows FY24 net charge-off rate outlook to 4.9%-5.0% from 4.9%-5.2%.

16:25 EDT Alcoa backs FY24 Alumina production view 9.8M-10M metric tons - Alcoa expects total 2024 Alumina segment production to remain unchanged from the prior projection, ranging between 9.8 and 10.0 million metric tons. The Company is increasing its projection for shipments to range between 12.9 and 13.1 million metric tons, an increase of 0.2 million metric tons from the prior projection primarily due to increased trading volumes. The difference between production and shipments reflects trading volumes and externally sourced alumina to fulfill customer contracts due to the curtailment of the Kwinana refinery. Alcoa expects 2024 total Aluminum segment production and shipments to remain unchanged from the prior projection, ranging between 2.2 and 2.3 million metric tons, and between 2.5 and 2.6 million metric tons, respectively.

16:24 EDT Discover reports Q3 net interest margin 11.38%, up 43bps from last year - The company states: "Total loans ended the quarter at $127.0 billion, up 4% year-over-year, down 1% sequentially. Credit card loans ended the quarter at $100.5 billion, up 3% year-over-year. Personal loans increased $879 million, or 9%. Private student loans were down 19% driven by the first closing of the private student loan portfolio sale. Net interest income for the quarter increased $333 million, or 10% year-over-year, driven by higher average receivables and net interest margin expansion. Net interest margin was 11.38%, up 43 basis points versus the prior year. Card yield was 16.23%, up 80 basis points from the prior year primarily driven by a lower promotional balance mix and lower payment rates, partially offset by higher interest charge-offs. Interest expense as a percent of total loans increased 30 basis points from the prior year period, primarily driven by higher funding costs."

16:22 EDT Penske Automotive raises quarterly dividend 11% to $1.19 per share - Penske Automotive Group announced that its Board of Directors has approved a quarterly dividend of $1.19 per share, representing an increase of 11%, or 12c per share. This represents the fourth increase to the company's dividend in 2024 and the 16th consecutive quarterly increase. The dividend is payable December 3 to shareholders of record as of November 15.

16:20 EDT Proficient Auto Logistics down 5% at $13.28 on negative Q3 pre-announcement

16:17 EDT Proficient Auto Logistics sees Q3 revenue $90M-$92M, consensus $108.4M - The company states: "Weakness in unit volumes continued throughout the third quarter of 2024, resulting in estimated unit volumes of flat to a decline of 1% compared to combined unit volumes for the third quarter of 2023. Volume underperformance resulted primarily from significantly less dedicated fleet, brokerage and spot buy opportunities, which are typically at premium pricing, the combined result being an estimated $90M - $92M in revenue for the third quarter, which represents a decline of 14% - 16% compared to combined revenue for the third quarter of 2023. Given the reduced level of revenue and resulting loss of operating leverage, the Company expects that net income for the third quarter of 2024 will be significantly degraded compared to results reported for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. Macroeconomic factors affecting unit volumes include a decline in vehicle SAAR (seasonally adjusted annual sales rates), which for the full quarter ending September 30, 2024, was estimated to be lower by 1.9% compared to the same quarter in 2023. The Company's management notes industry commentary that vehicle sales were negatively impacted by consumers feeling the adverse effect of an uncertain job market as well as possibly waiting for anticipated interest rate cuts before committing to big ticket purchases such as autos. The Company's longer-term operating initiatives, including post-acquisition integration efforts, remain on pace and the Company is seeing evidence of on-going improvement in its competitive position in the auto hauling industry, both from increased market share as well as the recent acquisition of the Auto Transport Group, LC. While a protracted east coast longshoremen strike could have negatively impacted unit volumes during the fourth quarter of 2024 and beyond, the short duration of the work stoppage should have a modest impact at most. The Company will provide further details regarding these matters when it reports its final results for the third quarter of 2024 in early November."

16:13 EDT Equifax 'confident' in long-term 8-12% revenue growth framework - "We have strong momentum in 2024 and are confident in the future of the New Equifax as we deliver strong non-mortgage revenue growth, move towards completion of our Cloud migrations, leverage our new Cloud capabilities to accelerate new product roll-outs that 'Only Equifax' can provide, and invest in new products, data, analytics, and EFX.AI capabilities which are expected to drive growth in 2024 and beyond. We are energized about the New Equifax and remain confident in our long-term 8-12% revenue growth framework that is expected to deliver higher margins and accelerating free cash flow."

16:11 EDT Paragon 28 launches Phantom Fibula Nail System - Paragon 28 announced the launch of the Phantom Fibula Nail System, designed to give surgeons a less invasive option to treat the fibula when patients sustain an ankle fracture. Use of a fibula nail for the treatment of ankle fractures has been shown to have significantly fewer soft tissue complications, implant removals, and fracture nonunion when compared to plate and screw fixation, a common alternative approach. The Phantom Fibula Nail System provides surgeons with instrumentation to help facilitate anatomic reduction and proper implant placement. This includes an Entry K-Wire Guide to aid identification of the correct starting point for the nail and a Curved Reamer Guide to help direct the surgeon to the correct angle of the fibula at which to implant the nail. The system instrumentation also allows the surgeon to pull traction on the fibula to reduce the fracture intraoperatively. Innovative implant features such as screws that thread into the nail and an expandable proximal locking mechanism allow for optimal stability in the fibula. Additionally, syndesmotic fixation can be achieved through the nail with one of the many novel Paragon 28 syndesmotic implant options, including the Company's recently launched R3FLEX and R3ACT Stabilization Systems. Surgeon Designer Dr. Charles Moon comments, "The Phantom Fibula Nail System offers surgeons an excellent surgical option for treating a fractured fibula with several next-generation features that truly set the system apart. The novel instruments designed to provide a reproducible starting point and the ability to pull traction for fracture alignment add measurable value to surgeons and lead to better outcomes for patients. The threaded distal screws and user-friendly proximal locking option help optimize stability, which is vital to fracture healing."

16:10 EDT Glaukos says Epioxa Phase 3 confirmatory trial meets primary endpoint - Glaukos Corporation announced that the second Phase 3 confirmatory pivotal trial for Epioxa, its next-generation corneal cross-linking iLink therapy for the treatment of keratoconus, successfully met the study's pre-specified primary efficacy endpoint, demonstrating a clinically relevant and statistically significant improvement in maximum corneal curvature at 12 months from baseline between the Epioxa treated arm and the sham/placebo-controlled arm. Kmax is a U.S. FDA-accepted primary efficacy outcome for keratoconus pivotal trials and an objective measurement of the steepest corneal curvature based on corneal topography, where an increasing Kmax denotes corneal steepening and keratoconus disease progression. "We are excited to announce these positive Phase 3 confirmatory results that met the study's primary efficacy endpoint and once again demonstrated the potential of Epioxa to halt or reduce the advancement of keratoconus, a progressive, sight-threatening corneal disease. These results further underscore our view that Epioxa may provide the ophthalmic community and keratoconus patients with the first FDA-approved, non-invasive, bio-activated drug treatment alternative designed to reduce procedure time, improve patient comfort and shorten recovery time," said Thomas Burns, Glaukos chairman and chief executive officer. "We appreciate the commitment and dedication of the clinical investigators, who play a vital role in bringing new innovations to patients suffering from keratoconus and at risk for significant vision loss. We expect these data to support our anticipated NDA targeted for FDA submission by the end of this year."

16:09 EDT Compass Diversified announces $100M share repurchase pact - Compass Diversified announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $100M of CODI's issued and outstanding common shares. Elias Sabo, CEO of Compass Diversified, commented: "This new $100 million repurchase program reflects our confidence in CODI's long-term strategy and our continued growth prospects." Under the authorization, CODI may purchase common shares through December 31, 2024, subject to extension by the Board, utilizing one or more open market transactions, transactions structured through investment banking institutions, in privately-negotiated transactions or otherwise, by direct purchases of common shares or a combination of the foregoing in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission . The timing of the purchases and the amount of common shares repurchased is subject to CODI's discretion and will depend on market and business conditions, applicable legal and credit requirements and other corporate considerations.

16:02 EDT Direct Digital regains Nasdaq compliance - Direct Digital received written notice from Nasdaq informing the company that it has regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c) regarding periodic reporting. The regaining of compliance is a result of yesterday's filings of Direct Digital Holdings' Form 10-K for the full-year ended December 31, 2023, as well as its Form 10-Q for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 and its Form 10-Q for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024. The listing compliance matter is now closed.

16:00 EDT Falcon's Beyond Global Inc trading resumes

15:56 EDT MetroCity declares 23c per share dividend, continues share repurchase program - MetroCity Bankshares announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 23c per share on its common stock. The cash dividend is payable on November 8 to shareholders of record as of October 30. The company also announced that its board of directors has approved the continuation of its share repurchase program that expired on September 30, and authorized the company to repurchase up to 925,250 shares of the company's outstanding shares of common stock, which is the number of remaining shares authorized for repurchase from the prior share repurchase plan. The share repurchase program will begin on October 17 and end on September 30, 2025.

15:48 EDT Falcon's Beyond Global Inc trading halted, volatility trading pause

15:04 EDT Mattel developing live-action View-Master feature film - Mattel (MAT) announced that it is developing a live-action feature film with Sony Pictures Entertainment (SONY) and Escape Artists based on the company's 3-D image View-Master toy. "View-Master has inspired generations to embark on boundless adventures, offering a treasure trove of storytelling possibilities for this film. We're thrilled to work with Sony Pictures Entertainment and Escape Artists' Todd Black to bring this Mattel franchise to life. Their creative and filmmaking expertise sets the stage to introduce a modern take on this beloved toy to audiences everywhere," said Robbie Brenner, President of Mattel Films.

14:00 EDT Stride says Fuzzy Panda claims 'inaccurate and filled with innuendo' - Stride issued a statement in response to a write up by Fuzzy Panda Research. The company said, "Fuzzy Panda is a self-proclaimed short seller who stands to realize significant gains if the price of Stride's stock price declines. Fuzzy Panda's claims are inaccurate and filled with innuendo in an attempt to mislead investors about Stride's actual performance, financial reporting, leadership and future growth opportunities. The successful execution of our strategy has delivered record results, as evidenced by Stride's fiscal year-end 2024 performance. Importantly, in our conversations, numerous shareholders and sell-side analysts have expressed their confidence in the Company, our team, and the actions we are taking to drive Stride's success. We will provide an update on our progress when we release our first quarter fiscal 2025 financial results on October 22, 2024. The Company's Board and management team are confident that we have the right plan in place to help learners of all ages reach their full potential and deliver enhanced shareholder value."

13:09 EDT Royal Caribbean, Goldbelt to explore co-developing new port in Juneau, Alaska - Goldbelt Incorporated, the urban Alaska Native, for-profit corporation of Juneau, announced that it is partnering with Royal Caribbean Group to explore co-developing a new port "aimed at strengthening the city's infrastructure while improving traffic congestion downtown and enhancing the local and visitor experience." The agreement between Goldbelt and Royal Caribbean Group has named the Port of Tomorrow as developer alongside integrated design-builder Turnagain Marine. The facility is projected for completion during the 2027 Alaska cruise season. "Goldbelt has long sought to establish a cruise terminal and destination centered around Tlingit history on the backside of Douglas Island. We look forward to the prospect of bringing this sustainable, culture-rich cruise ship terminal to life in partnership with Royal Caribbean Group, providing community solutions to local transportation and economic development issues," stated McHugh Pierre, President & CEO of Goldbelt, Inc.

12:58 EDT Kintara announces correction to prior reverse stock split announcement - Kintara Therapeutics announced a correction to the press release previously issued by Kintara on October 16. Kintara's board has approved a reverse stock split of Kintara's common stock at a ratio of 1-for-35. Kintara's common stock is expected to begin trading on a post-reverse stock split basis on the Nasdaq Capital Market on October 18, under the new name TuHURA Biosciences and under the new symbol "HURA" following the anticipated closing of the merger with TuHURA. This press release corrects the previous announcement which contained a scrivener's error stating Kintara's common stock was expected to begin trading on a post-reverse stock split basis on October 17; as correctly stated above, Kintara's common stock is expected to begin trading on a post-reverse stock split basis on October 18, the company noted.

12:47 EDT Capcom says 'Resident Evil 4' remake sells over 8M units - Capcom said that its recent remake of "Resident Evil 4," which release in early 2023, has sold over 8M units. Reference Link

12:25 EDT BlackBerry trading resumes

12:15 EDT BlackBerry expects to be 'rule of 40' company by fiscal 2027 - The company said QNX and IoT are delivering profitable growth. BlackBerry provided the guidance in investor day presentation slides.

12:00 EDT Stride falls -4.9% - Stride is down -4.9%, or -$3.48 to $67.11.

12:00 EDT OFG Bancorp falls -5.3% - OFG Bancorp is down -5.3%, or -$2.36 to $42.50.

12:00 EDT Oklo rises 33.5% - Oklo is up 33.5%, or $3.90 to $15.55.

11:59 EDT Users report problems at Apple Support, says Downdetector - Reference Link

11:52 EDT BlackBerry trading halted, news pending

11:30 EDT Winmark announces 90c quarterly dividend, $7.50 per share special dividend - Winmark announced today that its board of directors has approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders of 90c per share, to be paid on December 2 to shareholders of record on the close of business on November 13. Additionally, the board has approved the payment of a special dividend to shareholders. The special dividend of $7.50 per share will be paid on December 2 to shareholders of record on the close of business on November 13. "The total amount of the special dividend will be approximately $26.4M based on the current number of shares outstanding. It is anticipated that Winmark will use cash on hand to finance the special dividend. Future dividends will be subject to board approval," the company stated.

11:04 EDT United Airlines 'confident' Boeing will get through strike - Says Boeing is making smart decisions, would applaud rumored decision to raise equity in the capital markets.

11:01 EDT Tredegar trading resumes

10:55 EDT United Airlines sees repurchasing shares this quarter and in 2025

10:49 EDT United seeing improving domestic pricing, yield environment

10:47 EDT Tredegar receives Brazilian CADE approval for sale of Terphane business unit - Tredegar announced that Brazil's Administrative Council for Economic Defense approved a merger control agreement allowing Tredegar to proceed with the sale of Terphane, its flexible packaging business headquartered in Brazil, to Oben Group. The conditions contained in the merger control agreement, mainly comprised of post-closing commitments for Oben to address certain competition concerns, are expected to be met with closing of the transaction planned for November 1, 2024. On September 1, 2023, Tredegar entered into an agreement to sell Terphane to Oben for net cash-free and debt-free base consideration of $116 million. Tredegar expects to realize after-tax net cash-free and debt-free cash proceeds from completion of the transaction of $85 million, including $78 million at closing and $7 million from the release of certain escrow funds within 120 days of closing. Expected amounts are based on Terphane's estimated closing balance sheet, which are subject to change based on any revisions to estimates before closing and the actual closing balance sheet compiled during the Post-Closing Review Period.

10:42 EDT Tredegar trading halted, news pending

10:36 EDT United Airlines says quarter was the busiest Q3 in company's history

10:04 EDT Rigel Pharmaceuticals expands partnership with Optime Care - Optime Care announces an expanded arrangement with Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc, effective October 14, 2024, to include commercial distribution of TAVALISSE. TAVALISSE is an oral medicine that can help patients manage chronic immune thrombocytopenia by protecting their platelets from destruction.

10:00 EDT Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 3x Shares falls -4.7% - Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bear 3x Shares is down -4.7%, or -$1.17 to $23.72.

10:00 EDT Enerpac Tool falls -7.8% - Enerpac Tool is down -7.8%, or -$3.40 to $40.12.

10:00 EDT Aspen Aerogels rises 12.7% - Aspen Aerogels is up 12.7%, or $2.86 to $25.30.

09:51 EDT ASML says has seen some 'push out' into 2026 for orders - Sees slowness in chip market continuing into 2025. Comments taken from Q3 earnings conference call.

09:47 EDT Lithium Americas rises 15.2% - Lithium Americas is up 15.2%, or 41c to $3.08.

09:47 EDT Citizens Financial falls -3.7% - Citizens Financial is down -3.7%, or -$1.60 to $41.88.

09:47 EDT Enerpac Tool falls -11.0% - Enerpac Tool is down -11.0%, or -$4.80 to $38.73.

09:41 EDT Eco Wave Power Global AB (publ) trading resumes

09:40 EDT Airbnb introduces co-host network for help managing rentals - Airbnb said on its website: "Not everyone has the time to host but over 40% of surveyed hosts say they would host more if they had more help. That's why we're helping hosts find the right support by introducing Co-Host Network. With more than 10,000 co-hosts across 10 countries, hosts can now find personalized support based on their needs, from listing setup to managing bookings and communicating with guests. Co-hosts are experienced hosts with an exceptional track record on Airbnb. They have an average rating of 4.86, almost three quarters of them are Superhosts and 84% help manage a Guest Favorite." Reference Link

09:36 EDT Biodexa Pharmaceuticals PLC-ADR trading halted, volatility trading pause

09:35 EDT Korro Bio Inc trading resumes

09:33 EDT SKYX Platforms, Wayfair collaborate for smart plug & play lighting - SKYX Platforms (SKYX) announced a collaboration with Wayfair (W) for its advanced and smart plug & play products. SKYX will offer a large variety of its advanced and smart plug & play products including retrofit kits, plug & play smart light fixtures, ceiling fans, recessed lights, and ceiling outlet receptacles, SKYX's advanced and smart products are expected to be offered on Wayfair's website in the coming weeks.

09:30 EDT Renovaro BioSciences announces strategic restructuring, leadership transition - Renovaro announced a strategic restructuring and leadership transition of senior management and the Board of Directors to realign resources focused on the Company's AI Platform, RenovaroCube for multi-cancer early detection and patient monitoring. The Board, with the support of a supermajority of shareholders, appointed David Weinstein as director and new CEO and four new directors - Maurice van Tilburg, Chairman, Douglas Calder, James A. McNulty CPA, and Mark A. Collins PhD. RenoVision: 2.0 Bold Strategic Vision to Be Expertly Implemented by New Executive Leadership Team Led by David Weinstein, CEO, Renowned Senior Wall Street Executive with 39 years in Banking & Analyst Roles, Recognized for Developing Dynamic Growth Strategies for a Broad Range of Private and Public Companies with a Focus on Maximizing the Value of Innovative Life Science Platforms. Accomplished, Committed, & Fully Engaged Board-of-Directors Actively Contributing to Next Stage of Growth with Renewed Sense of Urgency. James A. McNulty: after a 26 year-career as founder of three CPA firms, Mr. McNulty has served as CFO of several publicly traded Biopharmaceutical companies including 15 years at BioDelivery Sciences International. Douglas W. Calder: For the last 24 years Mr. Calder has served in a number of senior life science executive roles with a focus on cancer immunotherapy and is currently co-founder and president of Vycellix Inc., a company developing cell-based therapeutics, headquartered in Tampa, Florida at the Moffitt Cancer Center with scientific operations in Stockholm, Sweden on the Karolinska Institute campus. Mark A Collins, PhD: co-founded three companies in drug discovery, artificial intelligence, and the software space. Mark has strong knowledge of commercializing products and platforms in oncology diagnostics. Revitalized Commitment to "Ambitious Innovation" Includes: Strategic Asset Review & Pipeline Prioritization. Commitment to Develop RenovaroCube as Best-in-Class Platform, while Securing World-Class Enabling Partnerships. Optimizing, Enhancing & Accelerating Cell Therapy Pipeline Clinical Advancement. Financial Initiatives to Ensure Company's Balance Sheet Strength in Tandem with Fiscal Responsibility including Strict Budget Discipline. Synchronizing All Aspects of Renovaro's Business Units to Yield Maximum Benefits to Patients and Shareholders.

09:30 EDT Korro Bio Inc trading halted, volatility trading pause

09:23 EDT Sadot announces 1-for-10 reverse stock split - Sadot Group will effect a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of its common stock. The Reverse Stock Split will become effective at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on October 18, 2024. The common stock will continue to trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "SDOT" and will begin trading on a post-split basis when the market opens on October 18, 2024. The new CUSIP number for the common stock following the Reverse Stock Split will be 627333305. The Reverse Stock Split was approved by the Company's Board of Directors on September 25, 2024, and primarily intended to bring the Company into compliance with the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued listing on NASDAQ.

09:23 EDT Abbott says China 'continues to be a very attractive market for us'

09:18 EDT Diana Shipping announces time charter contract for m/v Selina - Diana Shipping announced that, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, it has entered into a time charter contract with Raffles Shipping International Pte. Ltd., for one of its Panamax dry bulk vessels, the m/v Selina. The gross charter rate is US$10,500 per day, minus a 5.00% commission paid to third parties, for a period until minimum March 1, 2025 up to maximum April 20, 2025. The charter is expected to commence tomorrow. The "Selina" is a 75,700 dwt Panamax dry bulk vessel built in 2010. The employment of "Selina" is anticipated to generate approximately US$1.39 million of gross revenue for the minimum scheduled period of the time charter.

09:16 EDT FibroBiologics issued patent for fibroblast delivery of tumor inhibitory agents - FibroBiologics announced the issuance of a patent from the European Patent Office covering methods and compositions for the treatment of cancer utilizing fibroblasts that have been modified to enhance their ability to deliver one or more anti-cancer agents to an individual. This method uses modified fibroblasts to deliver tumor-inhibiting agents directly to cancer cells. The fibroblasts would be engineered to enhance their natural ability to target cancerous tissues, and then loaded with therapeutic agents to fight primary, metastatic, or treatment-resistant tumors. Modifying the fibroblasts in this manner may make them more effective in targeting cancer cells and delivering treatment.

09:14 EDT Verra Mobility selected by San Francisco for speed safety program - Verra Mobility announced the approval from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, or SFMTA, Board of Directors to design, build, operate and maintain a speed safety program across the city and county of San Francisco - California's first speed safety program leveraging advanced automated technology. Verra Mobility has been selected to design, build, operate and manage San Francisco's automated speed safety program. Verra Mobility and SFMTA will commence the implementation process of speed safety cameras at 33 sites across the city. The goal is to have a fully operational speed safety program in early 2025.

09:13 EDT BM Technologies launches BMTX Identity Verification for colleges, universities - BM Technologies announced the launch of its student identity verification service, BMTX Identity Verification, designed to combat the growing issue of student enrollment fraud in higher education institutions. With the cost of acquiring new undergraduate students increasing by up to 32% from 2020 to 2022 alone, the need for robust enrollment fraud prevention measures has never been more critical.

09:12 EDT Vicor introduces new high-density automotive-grade power modules - Vicor has released three automotive-grade power modules, delivering industry-leading power density and accelerating the adoption of 48V zonal architectures. The BCM6135, DCM3735 and PRM3735 support 48V power distribution in vehicles, with 800V-to-48V conversion, 48V regulation and 48V-to-12V regulation and conversion for legacy 12V subsystems. All three modules can be arrayed to scale up power levels, offering significant power system weight reduction.

09:12 EDT Nano Nuclear Energy appoints Vonglis as Chairman of Executive Advisory Board - NANO Nuclear Energy announces that it has appointed The Honorable John Vonglis, former Chief Financial Officer of the U.S. Department of Energy, DOE, and Acting Director of DOE's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, as the Chairman of NANO Nuclear's Executive Advisory Board for Strategic Initiatives.

09:10 EDT noco-noco secures contract to acquire equipment, including X-SEPA technology - noco-noco has made a major advancement by securing a contract to acquire manufacturing equipment featuring the revolutionary X-SEPA technology from 3DOM Alliance and noco-tech. As an industry leader in high-performance lithium-ion battery development, noco-noco's adoption of X-SEPA technology promises to extend battery lifespans by up to five times. This technology significantly boosts durability in high-temperature conditions by preventing dendrite formation-one of the key factors in battery degradation-using high-viscosity electrolytes.

09:09 EDT Wrap Technologies regains Nasdaq listing requirements compliance - Wrap Technologies announced that it received written notice from the Nasdaq Stock Market informing the Company that it has regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) regarding periodic reporting. Nasdaq has advised the Company that the matter is now closed.

09:08 EDT Simpple announces $1M sale of robots in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand - SIMPPLE announced the initial sale, for an aggregate of about $1.0 million, of the Company's proprietary 3-in-1 multifunctional robots and modular robot heads across Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Brand-named Gemini, the A.I. video-analytics robots are the first to perform security, digital concierge, and cleaning services in a facilities management setting. These modular robot heads can be retrofitted on traditional cleaning robots, thus converting them to 3-in-1 units with the same A.I. video-analytics capabilities.

09:07 EDT Horace Mann partners with TransUnion on wellness offerings for educators - In its continued commitment to helping educators, Horace Mann Educators Corporation (HMN), the largest financial services company focused on helping America's educators and others who serve the community achieve lifelong financial success, today announced a new partnership with TransUnion (TRU), a global information and insights company. Horace Mann will leverage TransUnion's consumer engagement solutions to provide educators with practical credit education and interactive credit tools through HMScore. "Educators play a vital role in shaping our students and communities, and we are continually seeking meaningful ways to support them. We are excited to introduce HMScore as a reflection of our dedication to providing innovative resources that help educators reach their financial aspirations," said Steven Chauby, Senior Vice President, Head of Marketing, Digital, and Affiliate Sales at Horace Mann.

09:06 EDT GoodRx psrtners with retail pharmacies on pay-over-time option - GoodRx announced consumers will soon be able to use Affirm to pay over time for select medications at participating retail pharmacies. This adds a way for consumers to pay for their medications directly on the GoodRx platform. GoodRx is launching this program with its partner pharmacies, including Hy-Vee, a grocery retailer with a network of more than 275 retail pharmacies. If approved, consumers will be able to choose from customized monthly payment options before submitting their prescription order and picking up their prescription at their local Hy-Vee location.

09:05 EDT Myriad Genetics announces strategic partnership with jscreen - Myriad Genetics announced a strategic partnership with jscreen, a national organization that delivers education and access to preventative genetic testing with a focus on high-risk populations. The collaboration combines the strengths of Myriad's high-quality hereditary cancer and reproductive genetics products, MyRisk with RiskScore and Foresight Carrier Screen, with jscreen's trusted education and genetic care navigation program. Through the partnership, the jscreen program intends to reach hundreds of thousands of high-risk adults across the United States through targeted outreach, educational events and in-person genetic screenings.

09:04 EDT Airbus Defense and Space to reduce divisional workforce by up to 2,500 positions - Airbus Defense and Space announced plans to adapt the Division's organization and workforce in light of a continued complex business environment, especially in the Space Systems segment where significant financial charges were recorded in 2023 and 2024. Intended measures will include creating a more effective and efficient organizational structure for the Division, especially with regard to headquartered functions, as well as a full operative end-to-end accountability for its business lines Air Power, Space Systems and Connected Intelligence. It is expected that these measures will result in a reduction of up to 2,500 positions within Airbus Defense and Space until mid 2026. Airbus Defense and Space said it has engaged with its social partners regarding the proposed adaptation. The information and consultation process will follow in due course. "In recent years, the defence and space sector and, thus, our Division have been impacted by a fast changing and very challenging business context with disrupted supply chains, rapid changes in warfare and increasing cost pressure due to budgetary constraints. While transformation efforts initiated in 2023 have started bearing fruit, particularly on operational performance and risk management, we are now taking the next steps, not least to adjust to an increasingly difficult space market. We want to shape the Division so it can act as a leading and competitive player in this ever-evolving market. This requires us to become faster, leaner and more competitive," said Mike Schoellhorn, Airbus Defense and Space CEO. Details of this plan will be specified together with the company's social partners. Compulsory actions are not planned, Airbus will work with its social partners to limit the impact by relying on all available social measures. Reference Link

09:01 EDT GM to commit $625M cash, letters of credit to new JV with Lithium Americas - Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC) announced earlier that the company and General Motors (GM) have entered into a new investment agreement to establish a joint venture for the purpose of funding, developing, constructing and operating Thacker Pass in Humboldt County, Nevada. The JV Transaction will deliver $625M of cash and letters of credit from GM to Thacker Pass alongside the conditional commitment for a $2.3B U.S. Department of Energy loan announced earlier this year. Under the terms of the Investment Agreement, GM will acquire a 38% asset-level ownership stake in Thacker Pass for $625M in total cash and letters of credit, including $430M of direct cash funding to the JV to support the construction of Phase 11 and a $195M letter of credit facility that can be used as collateral to support reserve account requirements under the DOE Loan. The JV Transaction replaces the $330M Tranche 2 common equity investment commitment from GM under its original investment agreement with the company announced in January 2023. The JV Transaction is incremental to GM's February 2023 Tranche 1 investment of $320M, which resulted in GM acquiring approximately 15 million common shares of Lithium Americas. In addition to the JV Transaction, GM has agreed to extend its existing offtake agreement for up to 100% of production volumes from Phase 1 of Thacker Pass to 20 years to support the expected maturity of the DOE Loan. Upon closing of the JV, GM will also enter into an additional 20-year offtake agreement for up to 38% of Phase 2 production volumes and will retain its existing right of first offer on the remaining Phase 2 production volumes. "Our relationship with GM has been significantly strengthened with this joint venture as we continue to pursue a mutual goal to develop a robust domestic lithium supply chain by advancing the development of Thacker Pass," said Jonathan Evans, President and CEO of Lithium Americas. "Today's joint venture announcement is a win-win for GM and Lithium Americas. GM's JV Investment demonstrates their continued support and helps us to unlock the previously announced $2.3B DOE Loan. We will be working closely with GM to advance towards the final investment decision, which we are targeting by the end of the year." Shares of Lithium Americas gained 22% in premarket trading.

08:57 EDT GM Ventures invests $10M in Forge Nano to pursue 'better' batteries - GM Ventures announced a $10 million investment in Forge Nano, a materials science company specializing in atomic layer deposition. General Motors and Forge Nano have also entered a strategic partnership agreement to collaborate on potential atomic layer deposition applications for GM batteries. "GM Ventures' primary goal is to bring disruptive technology into the GM ecosystem to improve products and processes," said Anirvan Coomer, managing director of GM Ventures. "Forge Nano's Atomic Armor technology has game-changing potential for our battery materials. They have already demonstrated the ability to expand cathode capabilities, which is the most expensive battery cell component. This could unlock benefits for both customers and the business." Reference Link

08:55 EDT Urgently enters two-year contract renewal with car rental company - Urgent.ly announced a two-year customer partner contract renewal with one of the largest worldwide vehicle rental companies. With this renewal, the relationship, which began in 2022, will extend to 2026. This latest renewal, which was driven, in part, by Urgently's customer experience benefits and electronic vehicle expertise, continues Urgently's record of successfully retaining all customer partner contracts since the beginning of the second quarter of 2024. Urgently believes this is an indication of the company's commitment to delivering customer value through exceptional service, cutting edge technology and a prioritization of safety.

08:52 EDT BioElectronics intends to pursue legal action against Mundipharma - BioElectronics released an update from its Chairman, Richard Staelin, which read in part, "Although our RecoveryRx product is well accepted in professional practices that offer cash services or products, most medical offices deal strictly with items billable to insurance. Although we have tried to obtain insurance coverage for our medical devices, we have not been successful in the United States. This has led us to re-focus our efforts on channels where the product is paid for by the system and not the patient. Consequently, we recently contracted with a service-disabled veteran-owned small business to bring RecoveryRx into the VA system, leading in part to getting an unsolicited testimonial from Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Major General Livingston. It is our current expectation that this testimonial, coupled with an aggressive sales effort from the SDVOSB sales force, will soon result in not only our veterans getting needed relief from our RecoveryRx medical device, but also an increased volume of sales for the RecoveryRx product. A second line of attack to increase sales is to launch our RecoveryRx product into the veterinary market, since this is a market where customers are used to paying cash for their pet's needs. We have built this launch plan around our strong clinical findings that show our device greatly increases the quality of life of older canines who suffer from osteoarthrosis. We recently obtained a sales presentation meeting with the President and executive veterinarian of one of the larger corporate-owned veterinary clinics that operates both within the US and globally. Based on this presentation, they decided to formally evaluate our products. Assuming a positive outcome, this will mean that each of the 1000 or so clinics in the United States will be able to use and sell our products. In addition, we have gradually built-up demand for our RecoveryRx product among independent veterinarians who order directly from us. Our product has a decided cost advantage for treating animals for osteoarthrosis compared to the most popular pharmaceutical solutions and the Assisi device. Finally, we have undertaken to redesign the RecoveryRx product to better fit a small animal. This new design is currently being evaluated in the field...In September of 2023 the Company terminated a contract with Mundipharma Southeast Asia. In that contract, Mundipharma guaranteed to purchase a volume of product costing about $14 million over the 5-year period starting in late 2018. In return, we agreed to grant them exclusive distributorship in five SEA countries. However, these purchases never approached this required amount, nor did Mundipharma meet their obligation to register the product in four of the five territories. Consequently, at the end of the contract the Company began negotiations with Mundipharma to reach an equitable solution concerning its obligations to purchase and register our products. However, even after correspondence with Mundipharma's C-suite executives, no such agreement was reached, leaving us with the next option which is to enter into binding arbitration to settle this dispute. Consequently, we sought outside support to move to this next level. The Company is now in the final stages of obtaining the necessary litigation financing with a firm that has already independently evaluated our case against Mundipharma for their breach of contract. Although no final decision has been reached, their expert legal advisor has indicated that we have a strong case. Assuming we secure the litigation financing, we intend to pursue our action against Mundipharma....I want to address the failed contract with Synergy Corporation, since a number of investors have asked about this contract. After completing due diligence using two independent advisors and noting that Synergy had already signed a contract with a west coast firm, we executed an agreement with Synergy in July of 2022 and soon afterward announced this to the public. The agreement required Synergy to register our products with multiple local health authorities and place their initial stocking order. Despite promises, numerous meetings, and assurances by Synergy's management and CEO, they failed to meet their obligations. We concluded and still believe they submitted false information to our management team. In June of 2023, BioElectronics terminated the contract."

08:45 EDT Morgan Stanley sees Q4 NII modestly down vs. Q3

08:42 EDT Vimeo announces new partnership with European Film Academy - Vimeo announces its new partnership with the European Film Academy to celebrate the diversity and layered richness of European filmmaking. This collaboration builds upon both organizations' shared mission to celebrate creators as they educate, entertain and inspire audiences worldwide. As part of the partnership, the European Film Academy will provide a new destination for European audiences to discover extraordinary films and filmmakers, including some Vimeo Staff Picks content, on its website. Vimeo will also serve as the exclusive title sponsor of the European Short Film category at the European Film Awards this December, underscoring its dedication to supporting emerging talent and celebrating exceptional creativity within the European film community.

08:41 EDT Jaguar Health launches Gelclair prescription product in the U.S. - Jaguar Health announced that Jaguar family company Napo Pharmaceuticals has initiated the commercial launch of the FDA-approved oral mucositis prescription product Gelclair in the U.S. Napo's core target audiences for the Gelclair launch are patients with head and neck cancer and oncology-focused health care practitioners. As part of the ongoing Gelclair launch, Napo plans to exhibit at several key oncology conferences in the coming months, and there will also be a strong digital marketing component to the launch, targeting health care providers and providing information and education for patients to self-advocate.

08:40 EDT Lakeland Industries engages MZ Group for investor relations program - Lakeland Industries, has engaged international investor relations specialists MZ Group to lead a comprehensive strategic investor relations and financial communications program across all key markets. MZ Group will work closely with Lakeland management to develop and implement a comprehensive capital markets strategy designed to increase the Company's visibility throughout the investment community. The campaign will highlight how Lakeland is driving revenue growth by expanding its market opportunities in both fire services and industrial safety products, including a strategic focus on expanding its global head-to-toe fire services offering that resulted in a 34% year-over-year increase in fire services revenue in its fiscal 2025 second quarter. Chris Tyson, Executive Vice President at MZ North America, along with Directors Larry Holub and Brooks Hamilton, will advise Lakelands's investor relations team in all facets of investor relations, including, but not limited to, the coordination of roadshows and investment conferences across key cities and building brand awareness with financial and social media outlets.

08:39 EDT Spire Global announces mission to explore AI in space - At the International Aeronautical Congress IAC , Spire Global and Mission Control announced a mission to explore the power of artificial intelligence in space. The Persistence Mission is expected to showcase how AI can be reliably used onboard satellites over a long period of time to generate actionable insights in real-time. Spire has agreed to build and operate the LEMUR 6, a 6U satellite with an optical payload that will provide images of the Earth for analysis by Mission Control's onboard AI algorithms. Mission Control has agreed to demonstrate its SpacefarerAI platform, designed to streamline the deployment and update of AI models for spaceflight applications. SpacefarerAI is expected to simplify how mission teams can harness the power of AI directly onboard their spacecraft, ushering in a new era for the use of AI in space and a better understanding of the Earth supported by AI. "AI has proven itself as a critical tool in extracting valuable insights from the huge dataset generated from spacecraft observing the Earth," said Ewan Reid, founder & chief executive officer of Mission Control. "By moving the intelligence to the edge, onto the spacecraft itself, we will unlock new capabilities in intelligent remote sensing that are crucial to the future of earth observation and space exploration." ...The mission will advance how satellites can reliably use key AI technologies to gain important insights about Earth faster and more effectively. The Canadian Space Agency is providing financial support to Mission Control so it can demonstrate how its AI technology can advance on-orbit processing. The satellite is scheduled for launch no earlier than 2025.

08:38 EDT Inspired Entertainment partners with FanDuel - Inspired Entertainment announces a strategic partnership with FanDuel, one of the premier online gaming platforms in the United States. This collaboration will see the integration of Inspired's Hybrid Dealer suite of content and the development of a bespoke game tailored specifically for FanDuel's audience. With the introduction of a bespoke game, FanDuel will provide its users with a unique and immersive gaming experience that aligns with its commitment to delivering diverse and entertaining content.

08:37 EDT DigiAsia, Digit9 announce strategic collaboration - DigiAsia has announced a strategic collaboration with Digit9, the cross-border payments orchestration platform developed by LuLu Money Singapore, a wholly owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based LuLu Financial Holdings. The partnership with Digit9 will enhance DigiAsia's offering and competitiveness in servicing the cross-border payments needs for Indonesian consumers and SMEs in Indonesia and the GCC. Further, DigiAsia will be able to leverage Digit9's wide network of partners and the ability to facilitate cross-border payments in more than 150 markets globally. DigiAsia estimates that the partnership with Digit9 will generate an estimated US$250mn volume annually in cross-border payments. DigiAsia and Digit9 will continue strategic partnership discussions and look to launch innovative products and services in the cross-border payments space in the near future.

08:36 EDT Morgan Stanley CEO: Interest rate environment a tailwind for trading - Comments taken from Q3 earnings conference call.

08:35 EDT Fuzzy Panda Research short 'last COVID over-earning' Stride - In a recently published report, Fuzzy Panda Research says it is short Stride as it believes the K-12 online education company is the last COVID "over-earning stock yet to fall." "The stock is near its highs but investors are clueless about the looming COVID funding cliff. Investors don't know because Stride management has NOT told them. Instead, management has said over and over again that the company received little to no benefit from the $190 Billion of federal COVID funds. Former Stride executives told us that management misled investors," the report reads. "Now that the ESSER Covid funds are finally ending, investors are set to find out the truth," it adds. Reference Link

08:35 EDT Aspen Aerogels receives conditional commitment from DOE for proposed loan - Aspen Aerogels announced that it has received a conditional commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy, or DOE, for a proposed loan of up to $670.6M under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing loan program within DOE's Loan Programs Office, or LPO, for financing the construction of its planned second aerogel manufacturing facility in Register, Georgia. Loan and Project Highlights: Aspen Aerogels Georgia, a subsidiary of Aspen Aerogels, is the intended borrower of the loan. The loan would be structured as project financing, providing for repayment commencing upon project commissioning. The interest rate will be the applicable U.S. Treasury Rate at the time of each cash draw. The Register Plant is designed to manufacture PyroThin aerogel blankets. Aspen's PyroThin platform offers ultrathin and lightweight thermal barriers designed to help prevent thermal runaway propagation - an event in which a battery cell overheats and triggers neighboring cells, possibly resulting in a sudden fire - in batteries. Aspen's PyroThin is designed to offer a unique combination of thermal management, mechanical performance, and fire protection properties. Aerogel thermal barriers have the potential to increase energy density of EV battery systems when compared to alternative thermal barrier products. The Register Plant has an initial estimated revenue capacity of $1.2B-1.6B, depending on product mix. The Register Plant project is expected to create up to 550 construction jobs and 255 permanent, full-time operations jobs.

08:33 EDT Labcorp named exclusive distributor of First To Know Syphilis Test - NOWDiagnostics announced that Labcorp will be the exclusive U.S. distributor of its First To Know Syphilis Test in professional and healthcare settings. This collaboration will expand access to the syphilis test that provides results in 15 minutes with as little as a drop of blood. Labcorp plans to offer the test to professionals and hospital settings by the end of 2024 and directly to patients through Labcorp OnDemand in 2025.

08:27 EDT Wave Life Sciences announces Research Day on Oct. 30 - Wave Life Sciences will host a virtual Research Day on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET. During the event, Wave will provide an update on its rapidly advancing, wholly owned pipeline, introduce new GalNAc-conjugated RNA editing and siRNA programs, and discuss its clinically validated discovery and drug development platform, including its novel chemistry innovations enabling best-in-class potency, durability and delivery. The new RNA editing programs build on the learnings of WVE-006, Wave's GalNAc-conjugated RNA editing oligonucleotide being advanced in the clinic for the treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency - the first ADAR editing therapeutic to enter clinical development. Wave will also highlight the opportunity for WVE-007, Wave's GalNAc-siRNA INHBE candidate, as a novel obesity treatment, share new preclinical data, and discuss the differentiated profile of WVE-007. The event will feature perspectives from a key opinion leader in obesity, Mehmet Furkan Burak, MD, who will discuss the current treatment landscape for obesity and the unmet needs that remain. Dr. Burak is an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School and an endocrinologist and obesity specialist at Brigham and Women's Hospital Center for Weight Management and Wellness.

08:25 EDT 180 Life says 'uniquely positioned' to act as consolidator in gaming industry - 180 Life Sciences released a letter to stockholders from its Interim CEO Blair Jordan, which read in part, "We are excited to announce that 180 is planning to strategically enter into the online gaming industry, utilizing its newly acquired "back-end" gaming platform, which incorporates blockchain technology and full cryptocurrency operability. The Company plans to use this technology platform to establish a blockchain-based business aimed at the global iGaming market. Initially focusing on B2C online casinos, the Company also plans to expand into a B2B model, offering a seamless blockchain-enabled technology platform for gaming operators worldwide. In addition, management has identified certain global iGaming industry characteristics and trends that they believe make potential acquisition opportunities attractive. Management believes that the combination of the Gaming Technology Platform and the strength of a Nasdaq listing make the Company an attractive consolidation vehicle for the iGaming industry, and plan to work to identify potential acquisitions...management believes that 180 is uniquely positioned to act as a consolidator in the gaming industry, capitalizing on its Nasdaq listing, highly experienced management team and board, and robust Gaming Technology Platform. As a publicly-traded company, 180's Nasdaq listing provides it with access to capital markets and a well recognized stock currency, which we anticipate will allow us to efficiently fund potential future acquisitions. We hope that this liquidity advantage will allow 180 to acquire private gaming companies at attractive valuations, especially in a market where private firms may lack similar access to capital. Management believes that the global iGaming industry is entering a period of rapid consolidation, and that potentially attractive acquisition opportunities in key jurisdictions could become available in the future. At present, management has identified several potential targets, but is still conducting preliminary diligence and has no immediate acquisition plans. We think that management's experience across multiple industries, combined with a strategic vision for iGaming, enhances 180's ability to identify and integrate undervalued gaming companies. We plan to work to ensure that future acquisitions are not only executed effectively but also yield synergistic benefits that contribute to accretive growth. By incorporating these companies into its advanced Gaming Technology Platform, either as technology components or users of the technology, we hope to be able to optimize operational efficiencies, expand our geographic and market reach, and enhance our technological offerings, with our goal of positioning the Company as a leader in the evolving iGaming sector. As you can see from the above, we are excited about the opportunity that the iGaming industry presents and our ability to monetize our newly acquired Gaming Technology Platform to build stockholder value."

08:23 EDT Teledyne detector enables NASA's Europa Clipper MISE instrument - Teledyne Technologies s pleased to announce its contribution to NASA's successful Europa Clipper launch, which took place on Monday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Aboard the Clipper, the Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa or MISE is one of nine science instruments designed to help scientists unravel Europa's geologic history and assess the potential habitability of its ocean. The MISE instrument features a Teledyne CHROMA-A focal plane array, customized to measure 421 channels with 10 nm spectral resolution across the short-to-mid-wave infrared range . This wavelength range was chosen for its ability to detect signatures of hydrates, water ice, and geologic activity. Teledyne sensors are often selected for use in imaging spectrometers because of their sensitivity and space survivability.

08:20 EDT Mace Security, W Electric enter definitive agreement, plan of merger - Mace Security International, following an extensive strategic alternatives process, announced that Mace and W Electric Intermediate Holdings have entered into a definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger for a business combination that will result in Mace becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of W Electric Intermediate Holdings. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, W Electric Intermediate Holdings, is the parent company of a global brand operator and value-added distributor of consumer and industrial products. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, a wholly owned subsidiary of W Electric Intermediate Holdings will merge with and into Mace and the holders of the outstanding Mace shares will receive cash in exchange for their shares. The Merger Agreement provides for merger consideration of $6,000,000 on a cash-free, debt-free basis, to be adjusted for closing cash, closing indebtedness, closing working capital, and selling expenses. $500,000 of the merger consideration will be held in escrow for 12 months following the closing. Mace projects per share cash proceeds to shareholders, after payment of indebtedness and other items provided in the Merger Agreement, to be between $0.016 and $0.0235, depending on whether any escrow funds are released for post-closing claims, plus a potential additional upward adjustment as part of the post-closing working capital adjustment in the Merger Agreement. Mace's Board of Directors has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement. The proposed merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of the proposed merger by Mace's shareholders. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, W Electric Intermediate Holdings paid Mace a refundable $300,000 interest free earnest money deposit to be used for working capital prior to the closing. The closing of the transaction is anticipated to occur prior to the end of 2024 upon and subject to shareholder approval of the transaction. Mace has made representations, warranties and covenants in the Merger Agreement, including, among others, to convene and hold a meeting of its shareholders for the purpose of obtaining approval of the Merger Agreement by shareholders entitled to exercise a majority of the voting power of Mace. The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights, including that either party may terminate the Merger Agreement if, subject to certain limitations, the Merger has not closed on or before January 10, 2025. Additionally, Mace may terminate the Merger Agreement under specified circumstances to accept an unsolicited Superior Proposal from a third party before the Company Requisite Approval has been obtained, and W Electric Intermediate Holdings may terminate the Merger Agreement if, before the Company Requisite Approval has been obtained, the Mace Board of Directors changes its recommendation that Mace's stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement provides that Mace will be required to pay W Electric Intermediate Holdings a termination fee of $500,000 if the Merger Agreement is terminated under specified circumstances in which the Mace Board of Directors changes its recommendation that Mace's stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement, or Mace terminates the Merger Agreement in order to accept a Superior Proposal as set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement also provides that Mace may require W Electric Intermediate Holdings to pay Mace a termination fee of $500,000 if Mace terminates the Merger Agreement as a result of W Electric Intermediate Holdings' failure to pay the merger consideration under the terms of the Merger Agreement if the conditions to closing have been satisfied. The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, which shall be publicly filed with the OTC QB and is incorporated herein by reference.

08:18 EDT Visa enters strategic partnership with Analytic Partners - Visa announced that it has entered into a new strategic partnership with Analytic Partners, a global analytics solution provider. Together, Visa and Analytic Partners plan to address commercial challenges faced by merchants and brands, including improving the return on advertising investments, with AI-driven data analytics. The partnership will combine Visa's merchant relationships and consumer spend insights with Analytic Partners' commercial decisioning platform.

08:17 EDT Alzamend Neuro receives final full data set from AL001 trial - Alzamend Neuro announced that it has received the final full data set from its multiple ascending dose clinical trial for AL001 treatment of dementia related to Alzheimer's. Building on the promising preliminary results released in June 2023, Alzamend's full data set confirms the successful determination of a maximum tolerated dose for AL001. Identified by an independent safety review committee, this MTD represents a pivotal step forward; it delivers lithium at a lithium carbonate equivalent dose of 240 mg, taken three times daily. This is an AL001 formulation that will unlikely require the need for traditional lithium therapeutic drug monitoring. This innovation is specifically designed to address the needs of fragile populations, such as elderly and Alzheimer's patients, by offering a potentially more efficient and safer alternative to existing treatments.

08:15 EDT 23andMe announces completion of 1-for-20 reverse stock split - 23andMe announced today the completion of the previously announced 1-for-20 reverse stock split of the Company's Class A and Class B common stock and confirmed that such reverse stock split became effective as of 12:01 a.m. EST on October 16, 2024. The Company effected the reverse stock split by filing an amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Company's Class A common stock began trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market on a split-adjusted basis when the market opened today, October 16, 2024, under a new CUSIP number, 90138Q306.

08:14 EDT Corbus Pharmaceuticals completes enrollment for Phase 1 trial of CRB-701 - Corbus Pharmaceuticals announced that it has completed enrollment of the dose escalation part of its bridging Phase 1 clinical trial of CRB-701. The dose escalation part of this open label study is being conducted in the US and the UK. The three-part Phase 1 trial is evaluating the safety, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of CRB-701 in patients with advanced solid tumors associated with high Nectin-4 expression. The Part A dose escalation of the Phase 1 study is evaluating four predetermined doses and will be followed by Part B and Part C that will determine recommended/optimized doses and seek preliminary efficacy signals.

08:12 EDT Ulta Beauty announces new $3B share repurchase authorization - The company's board of directors approved a new share repurchase authorization of $3B, which replaces the prior authorization implemented in March. Under the new program, as under the previous program, the company may repurchase outstanding shares of the company's common stock from time to time through privately negotiated transactions or open market transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The new program has no expiration date but may be terminated by the board at any time.

08:11 EDT Achieve Life Sciences promotes Xinos to Chief Commercial Officer - Achieve Life Sciences announces the promotion of Jaime Xinos to Chief Commercial Officer, effective immediately. Xinos has been with Achieve Life Sciences since 2017, serving as Executive Vice President of Commercial.

08:11 EDT Novavax drops 27% after FDA clinical hold placed on vaccine candidates - Shares of Novavax are down $3.34, or 27%, to $9.26 in pre-market trading after it was disclosed that the FDA placed a clinical hold on Novavax's Investigational New Drug, or IND, application for its COVID-19-Influenza Combination, or CIC, and stand-alone influenza vaccine candidates.

08:10 EDT Novavax reports FDA placed clinical hold on IND for COVID-flu combo vaccine - Novavax announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has placed a clinical hold on Novavax's Investigational New Drug, or IND, application for its COVID-19-Influenza Combination, or CIC, and stand-alone influenza vaccine candidates. "The clinical hold is due to a spontaneous report of a serious adverse event, or SAE, of motor neuropathy in a single CIC Phase 2 trial participant outside of the U.S. who received the vaccine in January 2023. The trial completed in July 2023 and the participant reported the SAE in September 2024. Data from Novavax's previous COVID-19 and influenza trials have shown no signals for motor neuropathy. Investigators have been informed of this action. The COVID-19 IND for Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine is not impacted by the clinical hold," the company stated. "We are working closely with the FDA to provide the necessary information that will allow them to better understand this observation and resolve the clinical hold," said Robert Walker, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Novavax. "It is important to note that safety is our top priority, and while we do not believe causality has been established for this serious adverse event, we are committed to working expeditiously to fulfill requests for more information from the FDA. Our goal is to successfully resolve this matter and to start our Phase 3 trial as soon as possible."

08:08 EDT EC grants Astria's OMPD to navenibart for HAE - Astria Therapeutics announced that the European Commission EC as granted Orphan Medicinal Product Designation OMPD to navenibart for the treatment of hereditary angioedema HAE. Navenibart is a monoclonal antibody inhibitor of plasma kallikrein designed to provide long-acting attack prevention for HAE. Initial results from the Phase 1b/2 ALPHA-STAR clinical trial of navenibart have demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile and a reduction of monthly attack rates by 90-96% when dosed once or twice over six months. "We are very pleased to receive Orphan Medicinal Product Designation for navenibart in Europe," said Jill C. Milne, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer. "We believe that OMPD status, in combination with the FDA's designation of navenibart as an orphan drug in the United States, reinforces both the global unmet need for people with HAE and the potential for navenibart to change the way that people live with HAE. We look forward to the expected progression of navenibart into a Phase 3 trial in the first quarter of 2025 and continuing our efforts to bring a new treatment option to people living with HAE around the world." I

08:07 EDT Ulta Beauty outlines future plans at investor day - Ulta Beauty will host its 2024 Investor Day, where the management team will outline Ulta Beauty's strategic priorities. Ulta Beauty plans to: accelerate new store openings, targeting 1,800+ stores over the long-term; drive loyalty program growth to 50M members by 2028 by reaching new segments of beauty enthusiasts; deepen guest engagement through community building and advanced personalization; investing in key differentiators including its store associates and stylists, service offerings, and events. "Ulta Beauty is a leader in a growing category with a proven model and substantial financial strength to invest and power our long-term growth," said Dave Kimbell, chief executive officer. "More than 30 years ago, Ulta Beauty was the original disruptor in beauty bringing All Things Beauty. All In One Place(R). While beauty has continued to expand and evolve, we remain true to our core purpose - we champion beauty for everyone, helping every guest discover their own possibilities through the power of beauty. The strategic priorities announced today are designed to amplify our differentiated model and drive relevant innovation to meet evolving guest needs, positioning Ulta Beauty as the destination for beauty enthusiasts for a lifetime. This plan will enable us to drive strong growth and capture greater market share in beauty and wellness. We have consistently delivered exceptional results over time, and we are well positioned to build on this record of profitable growth and shareholder value creation. We remain confident in and excited about the future of Ulta Beauty."

08:06 EDT Berkshire Grey announces release of V3 Put Wall solution - Berkshire Grey announces the release of the V3 Put Wall, the latest iteration of its globally deployed solution. Designed to automate eCommerce order consolidation and returns processing, the V3 Put Wall provides a modern, integrated alternative to manual put walls and traditional linear sorters. More than just a point solution for sortation, the V3 Put Wall is a critical enabler of amplified efficiency in automated fulfillment systems. By seamlessly integrating with key technologies such as ASRS, the V3 Put Wall enhances overall warehouse operations, empowering businesses to manage complex orders, scale rapidly, and process a broader range of SKUs. Its compact footprint maximizes throughput while complementing existing automation infrastructures, offering the flexibility to fit into any environment.

08:05 EDT Service Properties cuts quarterly dividend to 1c per share, to sell 114 hotels - Service Properties Trust announced that SVC's board of trustees has reduced SVC's regular quarterly cash distribution on its common shares from 20c per common share to 1c per common share. The dividend reduction will result in $127M of annual savings. SVC also announced that it has plans to sell 114 focused service hotels managed by Sonesta International, or collectively with its parent and subsidiaries, Sonesta, with an aggregate of 14,925 keys and an aggregate net carrying value of $850M. SVC expects to sell these hotels in 2025 and use the net sales proceeds to repay debt. Additionally, SVC expects the sales of these hotels will result in savings of approximately $725M in capital expenditures, which was forecasted to be spent on these hotels over a six-year period. SVC currently owns 187 hotels that are managed by Sonesta under five brands, including 14 hotels that SVC is currently in the process of selling and the 114 being announced for sale. Upon completion of the disposition plan in 2025, SVC expects that Sonesta will continue to manage 39 full-service hotels, 14 extended stay hotels and six select service hotels owned by SVC. SVC will continue to own 34% of Sonesta. Todd Hargreaves, president and chief investment officer of SVC, made the following statement: "Given the slow recovery of our hotel portfolio in combination with our hotel capital improvement and renovation program and our deteriorating leverage metrics, we believe it is prudent to reduce the distribution to increase SVC's liquidity and enhance our financial flexibility. The reduction in the distribution from the previous level will preserve approximately $127 million of SVC's liquidity annually. We are also planning to sell 114 hotels to generate additional liquidity and concentrate the Sonesta portfolio on full service hotels and certain higher performing focused service hotels. We expect these sales will also result in reduced capital expenditure and leverage, improve portfolio performance and better position SVC's hotel portfolio for the long term."

08:04 EDT Tonix Pharmaceuticals announces submission of NDA to FDA for TNX-102 - Tonix Pharmaceuticals announced the submission of a New Drug Application, NDA, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, for TNX-102 SL 5.6 mg, a non-opioid, centrally-acting analgesic that showed statistically significant reduction in the chronic, widespread pain associated with fibromyalgia in two Phase 3 studies and was generally well tolerated. TNX-102 SL was granted Fast Track designation for fibromyalgia by the FDA in July of 2024. Fast Track is designed to expedite FDA review of important new drugs to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need.

08:03 EDT DZS sells Service Assurance, WiFi Management portfolio to AXON for $34M - DZS and AXON Networks announced the acquisition of DZS' Service Assurance and WiFi Management software portfolio by AXON Networks. The all-cash, $34 million transaction transfers all CloudCheck, Expresse and TruSpeed assets and IP patents to AXON, along with a highly skilled development team and long-time marquee customers. These products will be integrated into AXON's Network-as-a-Service portfolio, while DZS will focus its development and go-to-market strategy on its Networking, Connectivity and Cloud Edge portfolio. Today's transaction also represents an expansion of the strategic partnership between the two companies, enabling cross-selling opportunities. The Service Assurance and WiFi Management solutions included in the transaction adds to AXON's growing Software Defined Networking portfolio, enabling the company to deliver a comprehensive NaaS platform to service providers and optimize the overall quality of experience for its customers. As the broadband access industry begins to normalize after recent challenges with supply chain driven excess inventory and as numerous broadband government-led stimulus programs begin to emerge, DZS faces an opportune window to double-down on its category-defining Networking, Connectivity and Cloud Edge solutions. The company looks forward to its expanded relationship with AXON to capitalize on these new opportunities and the power of partnership.

07:59 EDT Interfor to exit Quebec operations, sell sawmills, manufacturing plant for C$30M - INTERFOR CORPORATION plans to exit its operations in Quebec, Canada, including the sale of its three manufacturing facilities and the closure of its Montreal corporate office. This strategic initiative will support a focus on the areas of highest future potential across the remainder of the Company. As part of the exit plan, Interfor announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its sawmills in Val-d'Or and Matagami as well as its Sullivan remanufacturing plant in Val-d'Or, along with all associated forestry and business operations, to Chantiers Chibougamau Ltee. The purchase price is estimated to be approximately C$30 million in cash, based on the value of specific working capital items at June 30, 2024, which will be subject to normal course adjustments at closing, plus the assumption of certain liabilities by CCL. Additionally, Interfor and CCL will enter into a multi-year contract for the supply of Machine Stress Rated lumber to Interfor's I-Joist engineered wood products facility in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The sale does not include any countervailing or anti-dumping duty deposits related to the ongoing US/Canada softwood lumber trade dispute. All historical CV & AD deposits up to the date of closing will be retained by Interfor. Total CV & AD deposits related to the facilities up to June 30, 2024 totalled approximately $56 million, excluding any interest. As part of the exit plan, Interfor also announced that it intends to permanently close its corporate office in Montreal in the coming months, allowing for the full realization of synergies associated with the Company's EACOM Timber Corporation acquisition announced in November 2021. Interfor will continue to own and operate its five sawmills and one I-Joist EWP facility in Ontario and its two sawmills and woodlands management business in New Brunswick. The Val-d'Or and Matagami sawmills have a combined two-shift rated lumber production capacity of 255 million board feet per year, representing approximately 5% of Interfor's total company-wide capacity. However, the mills only produced 206 million board feet of lumber in the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2024, representing a utilization rate of approximately 80%. Since early August 2024, the mills have been operating at a utilization rate of approximately 50%. The completion of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024. Interfor anticipates taking an impairment charge in the third quarter of 2024 associated with the announcement.

07:46 EDT ViiV Healthcare shares presentation on data for Apretude for HIV PrEP - GSK (GSK) announced that ViiV Healthcare, the global specialist HIV company majority owned by GSK, with Pfizer (PFE) and Shionogi (SGIOY) as shareholders, has shared the presentation of new real-world evidence and implementation data showing the effectiveness, adherence, and quality-of-life improvement of Apretude for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP. The data will be presented at IDWeek 2024, being held in Los Angeles, California from 16 - 19 October. Findings from two real-world evidence studies showed more than 99% effectiveness of CAB LA for PrEP in nearly 1,300 individuals. In the PILLAR implementation study, reductions were shown in stigma and anxiety among the 200 individuals using the long-acting injectable PrEP option.

07:38 EDT Iris Energy provides a business update - Iris Energy Limited provided a business update. IREN's AI Cloud Services division is expected to be generating approximately $32 million in annualized hardware profit by the end of December 2024, contributing approximately 10% to the company's overall earnings. GPU Utilization: The company's current fleet of 816 NVIDIA H100 GPUs is nearing full utilization, with pending contracts expected to cover the remaining capacity. Expansion Plans: IREN is set to commission an additional 1,080 NVIDIA H200 GPUs in Q4 2024, more than doubling its existing AI capacity. Immediate Scalability: AI Cloud Services currently utilize less than 0.5% of IREN's total data center capacity, providing ample room to scale as additional customer contracts are secured. Next-Generation GPUs: Design and procurement underway to accommodate liquid-cooled hardware, including NVIDIA Blackwell GB200 GPUs, in existing Prince George and Childress data centers. Accelerated Timeline: The target energization date for IREN's 1.4GW substation at its West Texas data center project has been brought forward to April 2026, earlier than the originally contracted date of October 2026. Key Electrical Items: IREN has engaged an EPC contractor to develop its high and medium-voltage substation infrastructure. Land Expansion: IREN has secured 800 additional acres of land, adding to its existing 500 acres of freehold land, bringing the total landholding to over 1,300 acres. Monetization: Planning is underway for both Bitcoin mining and HPC/AI pathways, with indicative interest from hyperscalers and other interested parties.

07:37 EDT Abbott authorizes $7B share buyback program - In October, Abbott's board of directors authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $7B of the company's common shares.

07:34 EDT Revival Gold marks progress with technical programs - Revival Gold marks progress with technical programs on the Company's gold development projects located in the western United States. Highlights: Revival Gold contracted RESPEC Company to update the Mineral Resource Estimate in support of the planned Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Mercur Gold Project in Utah, USA. An updated drillhole database has been assembled and RESPEC has initiated its QA-QC review. Grade domain and metallurgical modeling are also underway. Hazen Research, Inc. completed comminution testing on two Mercur composite samples. All PEA-level metallurgical test work for Mercur is now complete. KCA is underway with preliminary engineering trade-off studies. Results indicate that project infrastructure will be optimally located in the Main Mercur area with a satellite heap leach facility at South Mercur for any material to be mined from that area. Revival Gold's exploration team has wrapped up its summer field program at the Company's Beartrack-Arnett Gold Project in Idaho, USA. Results from this year's ground magnetics, mapping and surface sampling in the Ridge Target area have extended the target strike approximately half a kilometer to the north-east of drill hole AC23-109D. The structure runs parallel and exhibits the same gold-arsenic geochemical signature as observed in the main host shear zone at Beartrack-Arnett. With the completion of the summer exploration program at Beartrack-Arnett, work has been initiated on data compilation, field reconnaissance and selective geochemical sampling at Mercur. Efforts are focused on the stratigraphic section at Mercur to evaluate the potential for known mineralized beds and other previously underexplored units to host additional gold mineralization. Meanwhile, activities have commenced on a draft Plan of Operations for Beartrack-Arnett. Completion is expected by year-end. "With Mercur metallurgical testing now complete, the detailed work of assembling a robust geological database and model well underway, and engineering trade-off studies advancing, Revival Gold remains on track for the completion of the Mercur PEA, and the delivery of a significant potential value catalyst, by the end of Q1-2025", said Hugh Agro, President & CEO. "Engineering activities over the coming months will be focused on optimizing the head grade and scale of the potential Mercur heap leach operation and investigating the potential to introduce a CIL mill flow sheet into development plans. We look forward to reporting on these activities as well as Revival Gold's ongoing exploration and permitting initiatives at both Mercur and Beartrack-Arnett in the months ahead."

07:34 EDT Cytokinetics to provide an update on cardiac myosin modulation programs - Cytokinetics will provide an update on the company's cardiac myosin modulation programs and global commercial launch readiness for aficamten at its Investor and Analyst Day, "Heart Forward: Advancing Cardiac Myosin Modulation." The Company plans to synthesize recent updates from clinical trials relating to aficamten, a next-in-class cardiac myosin inhibitor, as well as share the design of COMET-HF, a confirmatory Phase 3 clinical trial of omecamtiv mecarbil, a cardiac myosin activator being developed for the potential treatment of patients with symptomatic heart failure and severely reduced ejection fraction, and the design of AMBER-HFpEF, a Phase 2 clinical trial of CK-4021586, another cardiac myosin inhibitor being developed for the potential treatment of patients with symptomatic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and hypercontractility.

07:18 EDT Sagimet Biosciences to present Phase 2b data of denifanstat at AASLD 2024 - Sagimet Biosciences announced that Phase 2b data demonstrating the anti-fibrotic activity of its fatty acid synthase inhibitor, denifanstat, and preclinical data demonstrating atherosclerosis improvement with FASN inhibitor treatment, will be highlighted in three presentations at the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease - The Liver Meeting 2024, taking place November 15-19, 2024 in San Diego, California. Title: AI-based digital pathology shows that denifanstat improves multiple parameters of fibrosis and reduces progression to cirrhosis in MASH patients with F2/F3 fibrosis - results of the FASCINATE-2 study: Denifanstat, an oral FASN inhibitor, demonstrated statistically significant MASH resolution and fibrosis improvement and decreased liver fat and biomarkers of inflammation and fibrosis in the Phase 2b study FASCINATE-2. AI digital pathology results confirm denifanstat's reduction of liver fibrosis and steatosis in MASH shown in the FASCINATE-2 study. Title: Fatty acid synthase inhibitor reduces atherosclerosis development in diet-induced dyslipidaemia LDL receptor knockout mice with MASH: In a mouse model of dyslipidaemia and MASH, FASN inhibition by denifanstat not only reduced circulating cholesterol, but also decreased the development of atherosclerosis and improved liver histology. These results suggest that denifanstat, once approved, could potentially offer benefits in both cardiovascular and liver health benefits to patients and support its future clinical evaluation for long term outcomes in MASH patients. Title: Denifanstat significantly improves liver fibrosis in difficult-to-treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis patients. Results from conventional and AI-based pathology from the Phase 2b FASCINATE-2, a 52-week randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial of fatty acid synthase inhibitor denifanstat, in F2/F3 MASH: Denifanstat's impact on fibrosis in the overall Phase 2b study population as well as in difficult-to-treat subsets was evaluated by conventional histopathology and second harmonic generation AI-based digital pathology. Denifanstat demonstrated statistically significant improvement in liver fibrosis without worsening of MASH, including 2-stage fibrosis improvement in difficult-to-treat MASH.

07:14 EDT Lifeist Wellness announces conclusion of consulting agreement with Singular - Lifeist Wellness announced the termination of its consulting agreement with Singular Narrative Management effective October 31, 2024. Singular will continue to provide its services under the consulting agreement until such time. The parties mutually agreed to terminate the agreement, originally announced on June 30, 2023, and renewed effective August 1, 2024 as Singular's mandate under the agreement will be completed by October 31, 2024.

07:13 EDT Emerita Resources intersects significant mineralization at IBW project - Emerita Resources has intersected significant mineralization in the ongoing drilling campaign at El Cura Deposit, part of Emerita's wholly owned Iberian Belt West project, IBW. IBW hosts three previously identified Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide deposits: La Romanera, El Cura and La Infanta. Results contained in this news release are from El Cura deposit area only.

07:12 EDT Opthea executive director Megan Baldwin to retire from board - Opthea announced the filing of the Notice of the Annual General Meeting and Explanatory Notes distributed to shareholders for the Company's annual general meeting to be held virtually on Friday, 15 November 2024. Opthea's current Executive Director, Dr. Megan Baldwin, PhD, MAICD, will retire from the Board at the conclusion of the annual general meeting in accordance with the ASX Listing Rules. Dr. Baldwin has decided not to seek re-election to the Board. As Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Dr. Baldwin remains an integral and important part of the Company's senior executive team as the Company approaches the anticipated sozinibercept wet AMD Phase 3 data readouts in 2025. Opthea is in the process of identifying a new director to fill the vacancy on the Board following Dr. Baldwin's retirement from the Board.

07:11 EDT Eyenovia to present Phase 3 clobtasol study results at AAO 2024 Expo - Eyenovia announced a presentation at the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2024 Expo, which is being held October 19-21, in Chicago. The presentation will detail the results of a Phase 3 study of clobetasol propionate suspension 0.05% that led to its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. Eyenovia announced the U.S. launch and commercial availability of clobetasol on September 26, 2024. "We are very pleased to see the results from this successful Phase 3 study of clobetasol presented at this year's AAO Expo," stated Michael Rowe, Chief Executive Officer of Eyenovia. "The results demonstrated the magnitude and speed of inflammation and pain relief as soon as four days post-surgery as compared to placebo, with a more rapid improvement in visual acuity and a desirable safety profile."

07:08 EDT Tilray announces fall craft beer lineup - Tilray Brands announced a series of fall-themed product launches across its craft beer and beverage brands-Breckenridge Brewery, Montauk Brewing, Blue Point Brewing, Terrapin, and Shock Top. New Fall Brews and Spirits from Tilray Beverages: Shock Top: Twisted Pretzel: Shock Top has united the classic taste of a crisp cold beer with warm, bakery-fresh pretzels, just in time to strap on your lederhosen. In a world of a million Oktoberfest lagers, Twisted Pretzel stands out with its unique flavor profile. Breckenridge Brewery: Oktoberfest: An elegant German Amber Lager that's true to style and exceptionally smooth. Bready, toasty aromas and flavors mingle with light malty sweetness, offering a soft mouthfeel and a touch of hops for a clean, dry finish. Montauk Brewing: Pumpkin Ale: Capturing the essence of the season with the perfect blend of warming spices and subtle hop aromas. This brew is perfect for savoring the beauty of autumn by the sea. Blue Point Brewing: Mother Pumpkin Ale: A golden Pumpkin Ale featuring flavors of fall: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. These spicy characteristics take the lead in this roasty beer while the malty backbone adds tremendous depth of character. Terrapin Beer: Sweater Weather: Sweater Weather Winter Warmer emanates a rich, inviting aroma reminiscent of freshly baked gingerbread and toasted caramel. With each sip, a symphony of flavors unfolds with notes of roasted chestnuts, cinnamon, and nutmeg while the malt sweetness envelops the palate like a soft woolen blanket. Embrace the seasonal coziness of this beer as you chase away the chill and warm your soul. Launching next month.

07:07 EDT Gyrodyne announces New York Supreme Court ruled in favor of the company - Gyrodyne announced that the Supreme Court of the State of New York issued a decisive ruling in favor of Gyrodyne, dismissing a petition brought by the St. James - Head of the Harbor Neighborhood Preservation Coalition, Inc. and several individuals seeking a judgment to vacate the Town of Smithtown Planning Board's approval of Gyrodyne's eight-lot subdivision of its Flowerfield property. On October 11, 2024, after an exhaustive review of the entire administrative record, Justice Maureen Liccione denied the Petition as to all remaining petitioners and dismissed the Article 78 Proceeding because the petition was defective and unsupported by the administrative record and "the record demonstrates that the Planning Board took the requisite 'hard look' and mitigated the potential adverse environmental impacts of subdivision approval to the maximum extent practicable."

07:05 EDT Exscientia advances two additional discovery programs with Sanofi - Exscientia (EXAI) announced the advancement of two additional discovery programs within its collaboration with Sanofi (SNY), with Exscientia receiving an aggregate of $15M in milestone payments. Both lead compounds have met the product profile requirements, set by both Exscientia and Sanofi, to enable a transition to the lead optimization phase within the collaboration. Both programs have also shown a high level of differentiation in early profiling and have the potential to produce assets. Exscientia will receive $15M, in aggregate, for achieving these milestones. The payment is expected to be received by Exscientia in the fourth quarter of 2024 and reflected as cash inflows from collaborations and recognized as revenue over the duration of the collaboration. For these two programs, Exscientia is also eligible to receive additional pre-commercial milestone payments of over $300M and commercial milestones of over $300M as well as tiered royalties on product sales ranging from high-single-digits to mid-teens, subject upon the achievement of certain specified research, development, regulatory and commercial milestones.

07:05 EDT Fargo Electronics sees Q3 transactions up 26% from last year - Freightos reported preliminary key performance indicators for Q3 showcasing strong growth in platform usage and network expansion, with the 19th consecutive quarter of record Transactions. Freightos facilitated 339.1K transactions in Q3, representing a 26% year-over-year growth. This surpassed management's guidance of 323,500-332,500. Freightos expanded its carrier network to 55 carriers, up from 39 in Q3 2023. The number of unique buyer users on the platform also grew by 14% year-on-year, reaching approximately 19,700 by the end of the quarter. The total value of transactions processed on the Freightos platform, or GBV, reached $217.5M, reflecting a 35% year-over-year increase, significantly exceeding the anticipated range of $198.0M-203.5M.

07:04 EDT Okyo starts screening, recruitment of patients for Phase 2 trial of OK-101 - OKYO Pharma announced that screening and recruitment of patients has started for a Phase 2 trial of OK-101 to treat NCP. The Phase 2 study is designed as a double-masked, randomized, 12-week placebo-controlled trial in NCP patients. A total of 48 patients are planned to enroll for the study, with NCP disease confirmed via confocal microscopy. The primary endpoint of this study is to measure pain relief using Visual Analog Scale, VAS, scale.

07:02 EDT Adicet Bio announces FDA clearance of ADI-001 IND amendment - Adicet Bio announced that the FDA has agreed to an amendment to the company's investigational new drug, or IND, application to evaluate ADI-001 in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy, or IIM, and stiff person syndrome, or SPS, as part of the ongoing Phase 1 trial in autoimmune diseases. The company plans to initiate enrollment for IIM and SPS patients in the first quarter of 2025. This announcement follows the FDA's recent agreements on amendments to the company's ADI-001 IND application to evaluate three additional indications beyond lupus nephritis, or LN, including systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE, systemic sclerosis, or SSc, and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody, or ANCA-associated vasculitis.

07:02 EDT BioLineRx receives notification of allowance from USPTO for motixafortide - BioLineRx announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, for a patent, titled, "COMPOSITION OF BL-8040," which covers the composition of motixafortide, or APHEXDA/BL-8040. The patent strengthens BioLineRx's robust intellectual property estate and extends its patent protection on motixafortide in the U.S. through December 2041. In addition to a broad range of U.S. and international patents covering various aspects of motixafortide, including composition of matter, methods of synthesis, methods of use and combinations, BioLineRx was granted seven years of Orphan Drug market exclusivity beginning on September 8, 2023, the day APHEXDA was approved by the FDA, in combination with G-CSF, for use by multiple myeloma patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation. Additionally, motixafortide was granted five years of data exclusivity across all indications as a New Chemical Entity, or NCE. The NCE exclusivity also commenced on September 8, 2023.

06:47 EDT Merck's CAPVAXIVE demonstrates positive immune responses in adults - Merck announced results from STRIDE-8, a Phase 3 trial evaluating CAPVAXIVE, at IDWeek 2024 in Los Angeles, California. The trial evaluated the immunogenicity, safety and tolerability of CAPVAXIVE compared to PCV15 (pneumococcal 15-valent conjugate vaccine) in combination with PPSV23 (pneumococcal 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine) in vaccine-naive adults 18-64 years of age with certain chronic conditions that put them at an increased risk of pneumococcal disease. Key findings from the STRIDE-8 trial include: CAPVAXIVE was immunogenic for all 21 serotypes (or strains) included in the vaccine, as measured by serotype-specific opsonophagocytic activity geometric mean titers (primary immunogenicity objective) and immunoglobulin G geometric mean concentrations (secondary immunogenicity objective) at Day 30; Immune responses elicited by CAPVAXIVE were comparable to PCV15 followed by PPSV23 for the 13 common serotypes and higher for the eight serotypes unique to CAPVAXIVE, as measured by serotype-specific OPA GMTs and IgG GMCs 30 days post-vaccination; The proportions of participants with adverse events, including injection-site, systemic, and vaccine-related AEs, were numerically lower in the V116 + placebo group than in the PCV15 + PPSV23 group.

06:33 EDT CGI signs agreement with Swedish Tax Agency - CGI announced that it has signed an agreement with the Swedish Tax Agency to deliver e-identification and electronic signature services to help improve the tax filing experience for millions of Swedes. The partnership highlights how CGI's solutions can create value for society by increasing efficiency, improving the digital experience and providing secure citizen services for government agencies.

06:11 EDT GSK announces U.S. FDA accepted NDA for gepotidacin - GSK announced the US Food and Drug Administration, FDA, has accepted the New Drug Application, NDA, for gepotidacin, an investigational, first-in-class oral antibiotic with a novel mechanism of action for the treatment of female adults and adolescents with uncomplicated urinary tract infections, uUTIs. The FDA has granted Priority Review for this application and assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act, PDUFA, action date of 26 March 2025. The NDA is supported by results from the phase III EAGLE-2 and EAGLE-3 trials. In these studies, gepotidacin demonstrated non-inferiority to nitrofurantoin, the current standard of care for uUTI, in female adults and adolescents with a confirmed uUTI and a uropathogen susceptible to nitrofurantoin.

06:03 EDT LanzaTech awarded $3M by DOE as part of investment program - LanzaTech Global has been awarded $3M by the U.S. Department of Energy's, or DOE, Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, or FECM, as part of a broader $29M investment program to advance its carbon management priorities. LanzaTech's Project ADAPT, or Accelerating Decarbonization via Advanced Production Technologies, was selected to address FECM's priority of converting carbon dioxide into environmentally responsible and economically valuable products. LanzaTech's Project ADAPT builds upon the Company's existing capabilities of using CO2 as a feedstock to produce isopropanol at a pilot scale and aims to advance the process and platform. Project ADAPT will primarily be funded by the FECM investment of $3M and includes a Company funded cost share portion of approximately $800,000 totaling an estimated project cost of $3.8M. Revenue and costs related to this project will be reported as Joint Development Agreement and Contract Research results for LanzaTech, and the majority of revenue is expected to be received and benefit financial results in 2025 and 2026.

06:01 EDT - Parsons announced that the company has been awarded two contracts worth $25M to perform design engineering for a Middle East transportation customer. With the same customer, Parsons has won more than $90M in contract awards over the last 9 months. Under these contracts, Parsons will lead the design engineering and construction supervision of transportation infrastructure enhancements. The scope includes the development of mobility solutions and their dedicated corridors, roadway capacity upgrades, and public transit initiatives on critical streets to improve urban mobility and reduce congestion. Parsons will also conduct a strategic study to assess a new corridor to alleviate traffic and optimize expressway traffic. Finally, Parsons will manage the planning and design to minimize disruption to existing traffic, while supporting the seamless integration of these improvements into the regions transportation network.

05:47 EDT Embraer to invest up to $70M in new MRO facilities - Embraer announced the expansion and investment in the United States of its maintenance, repair and overhaul, or MRO, services network to support the growing fleet of E-Jets with the opening of a new Embraer owned service center at the Perot Field Alliance Airport, in Fort Worth, Texas. In partnership with the City of Fort Worth, Denton County and the State of Texas, Embraer expects to begin operations in an existing hangar, in the beginning of the second quarter of 2025, while building a second hangar that should be concluded by 2027. With the new facilities, Embraer's capacity to serve the E-Jets customers will increase by 53% in the U.S. The investment will reach up to $70M and is expected to create approximately 250 new aviation jobs in Texas. The new Fort Worth service center will be added to the global network of Embraer which includes 80 authorized centers and 12 owned service centers around the world.

05:32 EDT Stellantis reports Q3 consolidated shipments 1.15M, down 20% - Stellantis is initiating a practice of publishing global quarterly consolidated shipment estimates and providing commentary on related business trends. The term shipments describe volumes of vehicles delivered to dealers, distributors, or directly from the company to retail and fleet customers, which directly drive revenue recognition. Consolidated shipments for the three months ending September 30, were an estimated 1,148 thousand units, representing a 20% decline versus the same period in 2023. The shipment decline was more severe than the underlying sales decline in the period of approximately 15%, due to the temporary impacts of transitions in our product portfolio and dealer inventory reduction initiatives. In North America, shipments declined approximately 170,000 units, of which more than 100,000 units related to pre-announced production cuts intended to reduce dealer inventory as well as product portfolio gaps as the group transitions to new multi-energy offerings with new generation of products to be launched, starting in late 2024 with the Dodge Charger Daytona and Jeep Wagoneer S. However, U.S. sales to final customers supported market share increases month over month during the third quarter from 7.2% in July, to 7.9% in August, to 8% in September while inventory was reduced by 50,000 units compared to the end of the prior quarter. In Enlarged Europe, shipments from plants were approximately 100,000 units lower than the prior year due primarily to delayed launches of products based on its Smart Car platform, including the Citroen C3. Outlook for new European product launches is orders of 50,000 units for the all-new Citroen C3, and 80,000 units for the all-new Peugeot 3008, for example. In Stellantis' "Third Engine", shipments were in total unchanged, as increases in South America offset declines in Middle East & Africa, China and India & Asia Pacific.

05:18 EDT GXO Logistics enters transport delivery agreement with Matalan - GXO Logistics announced a new transport delivery agreement with Matalan, a fashion and homeware value retailer, to run its transport delivery operations in the UK and Ireland. As part of a new three-year agreement, GXO will provide transport delivery operations for over 200 Matalan stores on high streets and in retail parks across the UK and Ireland. GXO will be a strategic partner to Matalan. In the new partnership, GXO will make over 550 deliveries to Matalan's stores each week. This service will be delivered by 100 GXO drivers across a fleet of 55 HGVs and 110 trailers.

05:09 EDT Zoomcar announces debt restructuring - Zoomcar announced a milestone in the debt restructuring process that is aimed at reducing the company's debt obligations of approximately $31M out of the total outstanding debt as on June 30. Zoomcar has successfully negotiated with lenders and vendors who approximately owe 75% of the immediately payable debt. These debts have been either converted into a deferred payment schedule of up to 24 months or reduced payout of up to half the outstanding amount in a short term. The company expects to complete the entire exercise by the end of November to reduce the immediate cash outflow. This will enable Zoomcar to further invest in strategic initiatives to provide long term sustainability and value for all its stakeholders.