Stockwinners Market Radar for March 02, 2018 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

19:00 EDT Kayne Anderson Midstream/Energy Fund reports net assets $296M on Feb. 28 - Net asset value per share was $13.42.

18:50 EDT MB Financial raises quarterly dividend to 24c from 21c per share - Payable on March 30 to holders of record of the company's common stock as of March 15.

18:37 EDT S&P announces changes to S&P 400, 500, 600 indices - S&P Dow Jones Indices will make the following changes to the S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600: S&P MidCap 400 constituent IPG Photonics (IPGP) will replace Scripps Networks Interactive (SNI) in the S&P 500, S&P SmallCap 600 constituent ALLETE (ALE) will replace IPG Photonics in the S&P MidCap 400, and New York Mortgage Trust (NYMT) will replace ALLETE in the S&P SmallCap 600 effective prior to the open of trading on Wednesday, March 7. S&P 500 constituent Discovery Communications (DISCK, DISCA) is acquiring Scripps Networks Interactive in a deal expected to be completed on or about that date pending final approvals. S&P SmallCap 600 constituent LendingTree (TREE) will replace Bioverativ (BIVV) in the S&P MidCap 400, and Finisar (FNSR) will replace LendingTree in the S&P SmallCap 600 effective prior to the open of trading on Thursday, March 8. Sanofi (SNY) is acquiring Bioverativ in a tender offer expected to expire on or about that date pending final conditions. Global Net Lease (GNL) will replace GCI Liberty Inc. (GNCMA) in the S&P SmallCap 600 effective prior to the open of trading on Friday, March 9. Liberty Interactive Corp., through its Liberty Ventures common stock (LVNTA), is acquiring GCI Liberty in a deal expected to be completed on or about that date pending final conditions.

17:51 EDT MiMedx receives notice of filing delinquency from Nasdaq - MiMedx Group received written notification from the NASDAQ Stock Market that the company is no longer in compliance with the NASDAQ Listing Rules since MiMedx has not yet filed its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. NASDAQ Listing Rule 5250c1 requires NASDAQ-listed companies to timely file all periodic reports. As required, within 60 days the company intends to submit a plan to regain compliance, and NASDAQ can grant an exception for MiMedx to remain listed for up to 180 calendar days from the Form 10-K's due date, or until August 28, 2018, if the plan is accepted. The NASDAQ's notice has no immediate effect on the listing of the company's common stock.

17:25 EDT Global Net Lease to replace GCI Liberty Inc. in S&P 600 at open on 3/9 - Liberty Interactive Corp., through its Liberty Ventures common stock (LVNTA), is acquiring GCI Liberty in a deal expected to be completed on or about that date pending final conditions.

17:21 EDT LendingTree to replace Bioverativ in S&P 400 at open on 3/8 - Sanofi (SNY) is acquiring Bioverativ (BIVV) in a tender offer expected to expire on or about that date pending final conditions.

17:19 EDT Allete to replace IPG Photonics in S&P 400 at open on 3/7

17:09 EDT Wex exec Morris sells 2,700 common shares - In a regulatory filing, Wex chief corporate development officer Nicola S. Morris disclosed the sale of 2,700 common shares of the company at a price of $149.47 per share.

17:06 EDT IDT, Rafael Holdings announce revised timeline for spinoff - IDT Corporation and Rafael Holdings announced that the SEC has completed its review of the registration statement and information statement related to the spin-off of IDT's Rafael Holdings subsidiary to IDT stockholders. The record date for IDT stockholders entitled to receive the distribution of Rafael Holdings stock has been changed to March 13, 2018, and the distribution date for the spin-off has been changed to on or about March 26, 2018.

17:04 EDT Entergy, NorthStar reach pact with Vermont on terms of Vermont Yankee sale - Entergy Corp. affiliates and NorthStar Group Services Inc. announced they have signed a settlement agreement and Memorandum of Understanding with State of Vermont agencies and other interested parties on terms for approval of the proposed sale this year of Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee, the entity that owns the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station located in Vernon, Vermont. If the transaction is approved by the Vermont Public Utility Commission, it will accelerate the decommissioning of Vermont Yankee by decades and facilitate the eventual economic redevelopment of the site. The Vermont PUC approval of the MOU and an order approving the proposed transaction are pre-conditions to closing of the proposed transaction between Entergy and NorthStar. The companies anticipate requesting that the PUC issue its decision by July 31, 2018. The proposed transaction is also subject to Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval. As part of the settlement, the State of Vermont and NEC have agreed to submit a notice of anticipated withdrawal of their pending requests for hearing in the NRC proceeding. If all regulatory approvals are obtained, the companies anticipate that the transaction will close by December 31, 2018.

17:01 EDT Barrick Gold: Porger JV mine power generator experienced 'significant' damage - Barrick Gold confirmed that the power generation facility that supplies electricity to the Porgera Joint Venture mine experienced significant damage during the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck Papua New Guinea on Feb. 26, 2018. The company reported that all Porgera Joint Venture employees and contractors have been accounted for, and no injuries have been reported. Barrick's top priority is to support Barrick Limited in protecting the safety of those at site, and in the local communities, as recovery efforts get underway. BNL is the 95 percent owner of the Porgera Joint Venture, and is the manager of the operation. Barrick and Zijin Mining each own 50 percent of BNL. The Hides natural gas power plant is located in the Hela province and is operated by BNL. Until full power can be restored, the mine is expected to operate at reduced capacity, supported by an existing onsite diesel power station, as well as through the procurement of additional generating capacity. Barrick is offering BNL its full support as BNL works to restore full power to the site. Based on an initial assessment, Barrick does not expect this event to impact production to an extent that would require a revision to the company's consolidated 2018 gold production guidance of 4.5-5.0 million ounces. The company will continue to monitor developments on the ground and will provide further updates if circumstances change.

16:57 EDT TJX CEO Herrman sells 11,000 common shares - In a regulatory filing, TJX Companies president and CEO Ernie Herrman disclosed the sale of 11,000 common shares of the company at a price of $83.64 per share.

16:31 EDT Beasley Broadcast raises quarterly dividend 11.1% to 5c per share - Beasley Broadcast Group announced that its Board of Directors approved an 11.1% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to 5c per share of its Class A and Class B common stock beginning with the dividend declared for the first quarter of 2018. The dividend is payable on Friday, April 6 to shareholders of record on Friday, March 30.

16:22 EDT Harte-Hanks sells 3D Digital business - Harte Hanks announced that it has sold its 3Q Digital subsidiary to an entity owned by certain former owners of the 3Q Digital business. Consideration for the sale included a $5M cash payment to Harte Hanks, subject to customary working capital adjustments, and up to an additional $5M in cash payable to Harte Hanks if the 3Q Digital business is sold again. The $35M earn-out related to the Harte Hanks acquisition of 3Q Digital in 2015 was assigned to the Buyer, therefore relieving the company of the obligation. Harte Hanks also expects that it will be due a yet-to-be-quantified tax refund related to the sale after it files its 2018 US federal income tax return.

16:18 EDT Kearny Financial and Clifton Bancorp announce regulatory approval for merger - Kearny Financial (KRNY) and Clifton Bancorp:(CSBK) jointly announced that the parties have received all the regulatory approvals or waivers necessary to complete the merger of Clifton into Kearny. The parties previously announced that shareholders of both companies approved the merger at their respective shareholder meetings held on March 1. The parties expect to close the merger in early April, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The combined company is expected to have more than $6.5B in assets and a network of 54 full service banking locations operating across northern and central New Jersey.

16:10 EDT James E Flynn reports 5.32% passive stake in Pfenex

16:04 EDT Prospect Capital CEO Barry buys 269,197 common shares - In a regulatory filing, Prospect Capital CEO John F. Barry disclosed the purchase of 269,197 common shares of the company at a price of $6.6299 per share.

15:43 EDT Ford says tariffs could hurt American manufacturer competitiveness - Ford, in a statement to media outlets, said President Trump's proposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports could result in an increase in domestic commodity prices, harming the competitiveness of American manufacturers. Ford notes that it buys the majority of its steel and aluminum for U.S. production in the U.S.

14:11 EDT Masonite rises to session highs, up 1.5% as investor day continues - Shares of Masonite, which is currently hosting its investor day meeting, is up 95c, or 1.5%, to $62.10 in afternoon trading.

13:36 EDT Bruker delays filing of annual report on Form 10-K - In a regulatory filing earlier this morning, Bruker Corporation said the company is unable to file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 within the prescribed time period without unreasonable effort or expense because, in connection with the audit of its financial statements included in the Form 10-K, the company is in the process of analyzing the timing of certain sales transactions within a division in 2014, 2015 and 2016. "Aggregate revenues of this division represent less than 10% of the Company's annual revenues in each of those years. Based on the information currently available, the Company does not expect the completion of the review of this information to result in a material change to the Company's previously announced Fiscal 2017 financial results, as furnished on the Form 8-K filed by the Company on February 8, 2018. The Company expects to file the Form 10-K no later than the fifteenth calendar day following the prescribed due date," Bruker stated.

13:14 EDT NJNG to reduce customers' rates by $21M - New Jersey Natural Gas, a regulated subsidiary of New Jersey Resources submitted a filing to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to pass through the benefits of the recently enacted federal tax reform to customers. NJNG announced it will reduce customers' rates by $21M, effective April 1, 2018, resulting in a $31, or 3%, decrease to a typical residential heating customer's annual bill. NJNG also announced it will provide a one-time refund to customers totaling approximately $31M. The estimated refund for a typical residential heat customer is $47. The actual refund amounts will be determined in May and reflect individual customer usage. Pending BPU approval, customers can expect to see these savings in their May or June bills.

12:54 EDT H.B. Fuller sees $35M-$40M in charges for Royal integration - H.B. Fuller Company announced that it has approved a detailed plan associated with the integration of the Royal and H.B. Fuller businesses that is expected to result in the delivery of $35M in annual cost synergies by fiscal 2020. In addition to procurement savings, the plan includes savings resulting from the closure of two small production facilities, the consolidation of up to six other locations into three locations, and the reduction of certain positions to support manufacturing and SG&A cost savings. These actions are in line with the previously announced Royal integration and synergy plan, and are in addition to planned revenue synergies. The actions will result in pre-tax charges of $35M-$40M with after-tax cash costs of between $20M-$24M over the next three years. In 2018, the company expects to incur charges of approximately $15M-$20M related to these actions. "The Royal integration is a three-year project that will be completed in the best interest of customers and employees with a clear focus on creating value for our customers," said CEO Jim Owens. "Our goal for the integration of our two great companies are prioritized to protect and grow our business, retain our best employees, deliver our committed synergies and build a unified culture. We are off to a great start, and the actions that we are undertaking will make H.B Fuller a better and stronger company."

12:16 EDT Otonomy up 10% after resuming trading following FDA approval of new Otiprio use

12:11 EDT EU plans to propose countermeasures against U.S. over steel, aluminum tariffs - Yesterday, the European Commission took note of the announcement by the President of the United States of the imposition of restrictions in the form of an import surcharge on EU exports to the US of steel and aluminium. President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker said: "We strongly regret this step, which appears to represent a blatant intervention to protect US domestic industry and not to be based on any national security justification. Protectionism cannot be the answer to our common problem in the steel sector. Instead of providing a solution, this move can only aggravate matters. The EU has been a close security ally of the US for decades. We will not sit idly while our industry is hit with unfair measures that put thousands of European jobs at risk. I had the occasion to say that the EU would react adequately and that's what we will do. The EU will react firmly and commensurately to defend our interests. The Commission will bring forward in the next few days a proposal for WTO-compatible countermeasures against the US to rebalance the situation." Publicly traded metal producers include U.S. Steel (X), Century Aluminum (CENX), Alcoa (AA), and AK Steel (AKS). The Wall Street Journal noted, in past trade disputes, the EU has targeted goods from U.S. states with hotly contested Congressional elections, meaning that Harley Davidson (HOG) and Tropicana, a PepsiCo (PEP) product, could be targets. Shares of Harley Davidson are down about 2.5%. Reference Link

12:01 EDT MarketAxess reports total monthly trading volume for February of $157.8B - MarketAxess Holdings announced total monthly trading volume for February of $157.8B, consisting of $84.1B in U.S. high-grade volume, $69.5B in other credit volume, and $4.2B in liquid products volume. The company also reported that its quarter-to-date total variable transaction fees per million are currently approximately 6% below the fourth quarter of 2017 primarily due to a higher percentage of U.S. high-grade trading volume in larger trade sizes and a decline in years-to-maturity for U.S. high-grade bonds traded on the platform.

11:42 EDT Otonomy trading halted, news pending

11:16 EDT The Intersection: Crypto and Wall Street This Week - As bitcoin, ethereum and other cryptocurrencies get increasing attention from investors, Wall Street and its traditional banks continue to adjust to the shift. Catch up on this week's top stories highlighting the intersection of these old guard and new school areas of finance with this recap compiled by The Fly: 1. SEC PROBE: The Securities and Exchange Commission has issued dozens of subpoenas and information requests to technology companies and advisors linked to the cryptocurrency market, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. The regulator is seeking information about the structure for sales and pre-sales of initial coin offerings after previous warnings suggesting the sales may be in violation of securities law. The SEC scrutiny is focused in part on "simple agreements for future tokens," or SAFTs, which enable big investors to purchase rights to tokens prior to their sale and trade them, or flip them for profits, even before the sale starts. 2. OVERSTOCK DISCLOSES SEC INVESTIGATION: In a regulatory filing on Thursday, Overstock.com (OSTK) said that in February, the Division of Enforcement of the SEC informed the company that it is conducting an investigation in the matter Re: Overstock.com, Inc. -- NY-9777 -- and requested that the company voluntarily provide certain documents related to the offering and the Tokens in connection with its investigation. The company is in the process of responding to this document request and will cooperate with the SEC in connection with its investigation. "While the SEC is trying to determine whether there have been any violations of the federal securities laws, the investigation does not mean that the SEC has concluded that anyone has violated the law. Also, the investigation does not mean that the SEC has a negative opinion of any person, entity, or security," the company stated. 3. CHEETAH MOBILE ISSUES SECURITY WARNING: Cheetah Mobile Blockchain Research Lab, the blockchain research arm of Cheetah Mobile (CMCM), announced Tuesday the discovery of major security vulnerabilities in Bitcoin Wallet and Jaxx Blockchain Wallet, two of the most popular mobile cryptocurrency wallets. 4. GATES SAYS BITCOIN 'CAUSED DEATHS': Microsoft (MSFT) cofounder Bill Gates said the anonymity behind cryptocurrencies is not "a good thing" as society benefits when governments can identify criminals, Business Insider reported Tuesday. "The main feature of cryptocurrencies is their anonymity. I don't think this is a good thing. The Governments' ability to find money laundering and tax evasion and terrorist funding is a good thing," Gates said. "Right now cryptocurrencies are used for buying Fentanyl and other drugs so it is a rare technology that has caused deaths in a fairly direct way. I think the speculative wave around ICOs and cryptocurrencies is super risky for those who go long." 5. SQUARE REPORTS 'IMMATERIAL' IMPACT: Square (SQ), which launched support for bitcoin in November, said the cryptocurrency's impact on its fourth quarter earnings "was really immaterial", Business Insider reported Wednesday. "Bitcoin, for us, is not stopping at buying and selling," CEO Jack Dorsey said. "We do believe that this is a transformational technology for our industry and we want to learn as quickly as possible. We also believe that it does provide an opportunity to get more people access to the financial system. And certainly, that's in stores of asset, but also ultimately, over time, through currency." 6. BOE CHIEF SAYS CRYPTO IS FAILING: Bank of England, Governor Mark Carney said cryptocurrencies are failing as a form of money but the underlying technology may benefit the financial system in the future, Reuters reported Friday. "The long, charitable answer is that cryptocurrencies act as money, at best, only for some people and to a limited extent, and even then only in parallel with the traditional currencies of the users. The short answer is they are failing...Many cryptocurrencies have exhibited the classic hallmarks of bubbles including new paradigm justifications, broadening retail enthusiasm and extrapolative price expectations reliant in part on finding the greater fool," he said. CRYPTO STOCK PLAYS: Cryptocurrency revenues have been pointed to as reasons to be bullish on Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Nvidia (NVDA) in select research. Overstock, Digital Power (DPW), Long Blockchain (LBCC), Kodak (KODK), Seven Stars Cloud Group (SSC), Riot Blockchain (RIOT), Longfin (LFIN), Pareteum (TEUM) and Social Reality (SRAX) are other stocks that have been touted, or promoted themselves, as a way to play the crypto theme. PRICE ACTION: As of time of writing, bitcoin was up roughly 7.5% this week to $10,837 in U.S. dollars according to CoinDesk. Meanwhile, Overstock fell 11.7%, Kodak was down 19.2%, Seven Stars Cloud Group dropped 8.3%, Pareteum rose 13.4%, and Social Reality dropped 37.5% all on a weekly basis. Bitcoin Investment Trust (GBTC) fell about 3% this week to $17.64. WANT BITCOIN NEWS ALERTS?: To receive alerts on stories relating to bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, Fly subscribers can enter "Bitcoin" into the "Add symbols" box of their portfolios.

11:02 EDT Lionsgate, Facebook partner on Kim Kardashian West's 'You Kiddin' Me' - Lionsgate (LGF.A, LGF.B) announced a partnership with Facebook (FB) to bring the nonfiction series You Kiddin' Me to the social network's Facebook Watch video platform. The ten-episode series, produced by Lionsgate, will be executive produced by Kim Kardashian West, Jennifer O'Connell, Brian Tannenbaum, Peter M. Cohen, and Melissa Stokes. You Kiddin' Me will be available via mobile, desktop and Facebook's TV apps.

11:01 EDT ISG forms strategic alliance with Plug and Play - Information Services Group, or ISG, announced it has formed a strategic partnership with Silicon Valley-based Plug and Play, a technology innovation accelerator platform, that will give ISG an opportunity to influence the digital future of business as a founding anchor partner of Plug and Play's newly launched Enterprise 2.0 program.

10:23 EDT Deason files lawsuit against Xerox to allow new board nominations - Darwin Deason, a long-term and third-largest shareholder of Xerox Corp., has filed a lawsuit against Xerox and Xerox's board of directors to, among other matters, allow Deason and other Xerox shareholders to nominate a full slate of directors for consideration and election at Xerox's 2018 Annual Meeting. The complaint was filed on March 2 in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County.

10:08 EDT Ferroglobe confirms final determinations in antidumping, duty investigations - Ferroglobe said it "welcomes" the Department of Commerce's final determinations in the U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty actions against silicon metal imports from Australia, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and Norway. The DOC initiated its investigations in response to a petition filed by Globe Specialty Metals, Inc., a subsidiary of Ferroglobe, alleging that the imports from Australia, Brazil, and Norway were being dumped and that the imports from Australia, Brazil, and Kazakhstan were being unfairly subsidized. The DOC issued affirmative antidumping determinations covering the imports from Australia, Brazil, and Norway and also issued affirmative countervailing duty determinations covering the imports from Australia, Brazil, and Kazakhstan. On a combined basis, the cash deposit rates resulting from the combined antidumping and countervailing duty determinations are as follows: Australia - Simcoa 66.06% and all other companies 56.51%; Brazil - LIASA 186.00%, Palmyra - 71.31%, all other companies 71.31%; Kazakhstan - Tau-Ken Temir and all other companies 100%; Norway - Elkem and all other companies 3.22%. The last step in the case will be the U.S. International Trade Commission's final injury determination. The Commission vote is currently scheduled for March 23, the company said.

09:46 EDT Virtu Financial says 'no relationship, connection, or affiliation' to VirtCoin - Virtu Financial issued a press release to state: "VirtCoin has no relationship, connection, or affiliation to Virtu Financial and its officers and directors. Virtu has notified the appropriate authorities and intends to commence all necessary legal actions to defend itself from any attempt to infringe on Virtu's copyrights, trademarks and intellectual property."

09:43 EDT Pensare Acquisition Corporation trading halted, volatility trading pause

09:33 EDT Deere to acquire King Agro, terms not disclosed - Deere & Company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire King Agro, a privately-held manufacturer of carbon fiber technology products with headquarters in Valencia, Spain and a production facility in Campana, Argentina. In 2015, John Deere and King Agro agreed to develop and distribute carbon fiber booms for John Deere application equipment in agriculture, offering growers the significant advantages of carbon fiber's versatility, strength and durability in self-propelled spraying equipment. The transaction will provide benefits in sharing best practices in product development, manufacturing, technology, as well as in scale as King Agro builds on a history of innovation. King Agro has been a family-owned business with approximately 180 employees and an extensive 30-year history of developing various carbon fiber products. In agriculture, the company has targeted innovative designs that improve productivity and lower costs. King Agro will retain its brand name, trademark, and commercial relationships.

09:31 EDT Icahn says Xerox board has 'exhibited a clear pattern of failure' - Carl Icahn said in a statement on Xerox, "We believe the Board has exhibited a clear pattern of failure. Time and again they have failed to understand and deal with important terms in the principal agreements binding the company, failing over and over again to disclose the material terms of those agreements, including the crown-jewel lockup. Similarly, they failed to adequately resolve or respond to the massive accounting scandal at Fuji Xerox, and now, they have once again failed shareholders by playing tactical games with the nomination deadline for the 2018 election of directors. Denying a clearly justified request by Xerox's third largest shareholder to waive the nomination deadline is nothing more than an attempt to avoid showing any modicum of responsibility for the company's shocking lack of material disclosure and failure to comply with law. The principal question for Xerox shareholders faced with this pattern of concealment and legal maneuvering is this: Do we think things will get better when Fuji takes 50.1% control of our company? Can we actually expect things to improve when we are in a completely captive, minority position, represented by former Xerox directors who engineered this entire entrenchment scheme?" Reference Link

09:15 EDT Electronics for Imaging files Form 12b-25 regarding annual report on 10-K - Electronics For Imaging announced that the Company filed a Form 12b-25 regarding its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. In the filing, the Company stated that as a result of its previously disclosed material weaknesses, it requires additional time to complete its testing of the company's internal control over financial reporting and to complete and review the information to be presented in the Form 10-K, and for the Company's independent registered public accounting firm to complete its audits of the Company's consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. EFI expects to file its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 within the grace period allowed by the filing of the Form 12b-25, which is before or by March 16, 2018. EFI is not currently aware of any substantive changes to the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 from those results of operations it previously reported on a preliminary basis on January 31, 2018.

09:12 EDT Kearny Financial, Clifton Bancorp announce shareholder approvals for merger - Kearny Financial Corp. (KRNY) and Clifton Bancorp (CSBK) jointly announced that the shareholders of both companies overwhelmingly approved the previously announced merger of Clifton with and into Kearny at their respective shareholder meetings held on March 1, 2018. The shareholders of Clifton also approved the non-binding proposal with respect to the merger-related compensation payable to the executive officers of Clifton. Subject to the receipt of the required regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, the parties expect to close the merger in early April 2018. The combined company is expected to have more than $6.5B in assets and a network of 54 full service banking locations operating across northern and central New Jersey.

09:06 EDT Sanuwave Health announces first U.S. shipments of dermaPace System - SANUWAVE Health is pleased to announce that the first product shipments in the U.S. market of the company's dermaPACE System occurred this week. The company said, "Since receiving FDA clearance for the dermaPACE System for the treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers on December 28, 2017, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. In this short time period, we have developed a strong backlog of product demand. By having financing from NFS in place, along with our partnership with Premier Shockwave, we have begun shipments. In parallel, we continue to support our international partners while pursuing additional, international markets. The interest from wound care specialists in the U.S. has been greater than our expectations, and we have seen an uptick in interest from international markets since the FDA clearance announcement." The dermaPACE System offers a novel treatment modality for DFUs, delivering shock wave energy in a non-invasive manner. Treatment consists of 4 - 8 short, non-invasive applications over a 2 to 10-week period. Monitoring and standard of care is required thereafter. This non-invasive treatment provides lower patient adverse events compared with other modalities and as a result, the dermaPACE System provides a safe and effective option for treating patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

09:03 EDT Delta Air Lines reports February traffic up 3.8%, capacity up 3.4% - Reports February load factor up 0.4 points.

08:59 EDT Taubman Centers increases dividend 4.8% to 6.55c per share - The board of Taubman Centers declared a regular quarterly dividend of 6.55c per share of common stock, an increase of 4.8%. The common dividend is payable March 30 to shareholders of record on March 15.

08:56 EDT J.C. Penney expects to close seven stores in 2018 - Says sees tremendous opportunity to grow sales in Home division. Says remains confident company can fund maturities through cash flow. Says liquidity position exceeded $2.3B at end of 2017. Says teams remain committed to effectively managing inventory levels without limiting customer availability. Says closed 140 stores in FY17. Expects to close seven stores in 2018 with majority in Q2. Expects to monetize additional assets in 2018. Expects net real estate gains to be in $50M-$60M range in 2018. Expects 40-60bps increase in cost of goods sold in Q1. SG&A dollars are expected to be down in 2018. Expects FCF of $200M-$300M in 2018. Says will continue to build on Sephora partnership. Says believes Fenty launch will continue to drive foot traffic in 2018. Says wil; continue to rebrand salons in 2018. Says expects to continue Home momentum in 2018. Says identified over 300 malls to aggressively pursue Home initiatives. Says continues to enhance and adjust apparel offerings. Says will continue to focus on fixing the women's apparel business. Says activewear will be big part of growth strategy in Women's. Says continues to be committed to becoming a world-class omnichannel retailer. Says will continue to invest in mobile experience in 2018. Comments taken from Q4 earnings conference call.

08:51 EDT Fuel Tech enters into license agreement with NanO2 for dissolved gas technology - Fuel Tech announced today that it has entered into a license agreement with NanO2 to market and sell NanO2's dissolved gas technology. The agreement provides exclusive rights for Fuel Tech to market the technology in specified end markets throughout North America, with provisions to extend exclusivity to other territories and applications. The agreement term is for the life of the underlying patents and Fuel Tech will provide NanO2 with royalty payments from sales generated by Fuel Tech under the agreement. Fuel Tech must meet established minimum royalty requirements during the first six years to remain exclusive under the agreement. NanO2 holds the exclusive worldwide rights to certain patents covering the non-medical use of micro-nanobubble dissolved gas technology, applicable for the delivery of any treatment gas into a liquid via a carrier stream. An innovative alternative to current aeration technology among other applications, NanO2 utilizes proprietary nozzle technology to deliver supersaturated oxygen solutions and other gas-water combinations to target process applications or environmental issues. This infusion process has a variety of applications in the water and wastewater industries, including remediation, treatment, biological activity and wastewater odor management. The infusion technology benefits offered by NanO2's patented approach include proven reductions in energy consumption, installation costs, and operating costs, while improving treatment performance.

08:35 EDT Zosano Pharma announces issuance of U.S. patent covering M207 - Zosano Pharma announced that the previously announced Notice of Allowance of our patent application titled "Method of Rapidly Achieving Therapeutic Concentrations of Triptans for Treatment of Migraines" has resulted in the issuance of a U.S. patent 9,918,932. The inventors were Dr. Mahmoud Ameri, Dr. Don Kellerman, Dr. Yi Ao, and Dr. Peter Dadonna, all of whom are current or former employees of Zosano. In February 2017, Zosano reported positive pivotal data from our Zotrip Phase 2/3 trial, in which subjects treated with the 3.8mg dose of M207 achieved statistical significance on the co-primary endpoints. The newly issued patent contains claims generated from formulation, preclinical and clinical studies, and highlights the unique aspects of the Zosano technologies and their applicability for treatment of migraine.

08:32 EDT Jazz Pharmaceuticals announces FDA accepts NDA for solriamfetol - Jazz Pharmaceuticals announced that the U.S. FDA has accepted for filing with standard review the company's New Drug Application seeking marketing approval for solriamfetol, an investigational medicine for the treatment of excessive sleepiness in adult patients with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act goal date for an FDA decision is December 20, 2018.

08:31 EDT Pattern Energy announces remediation of material weakness - Pattern Energy announced it has remediated the weakness on its internal control over financial reporting that was stated in its 2016 third quarter earnings press release, effective with its filing of the 10-K for Dec 31, 2017. "We have successfully remediated the material weakness of our internal controls as of the end of 2017," said Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Energy.

08:18 EDT America First Multifamily Investors announces new unit repurchase program - America First Multifamily Investors announced that the Board of Managers of Burlington Capital, which is the general partner of the Partnership's general partner, authorized a new program for the repurchase of up to 268,575 of the Partnership's outstanding Beneficial Unit Certificates representing assigned limited partnership interests.The Partnership had a previous repurchase program originally authorized on March 8, 2017, pursuant to which the Partnership was authorized to repurchase up to 254,656 BUCs. The Partnership has repurchased all 254,656 BUCs under that earlier authorization, and thus the prior repurchase program has been successfully completed. Among other purposes of the program, repurchases are intended to cover awards of restricted BUCs under the Partnership's 2015 Equity Incentive Plan to employees of the Partnership, or affiliates of the Partnership, or Board members. Under the terms of the repurchase program, BUCs may be repurchased from time to time at the Partnership's discretion on the open market, through block trades, or otherwise, subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements, and other considerations. The authorization is effective immediately, and the program will continue until otherwise modified or terminated by the Board in its sole discretion and without notice. The repurchase program does not obligate the Partnership to repurchase any specific dollar amount or number of BUCs and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

08:10 EDT Thor Industries closes 50/50 Tourism Holdings joint venture - Thor Industries announced that it has closed on its 50/50 joint venture with Tourism Holdings. The joint venture, called TH2, was announced on February 15 and is committed to bringing the full benefit of digital connectivity and the sharing economy to RV owners around the world. TH2 will be focused on significantly enhancing the enjoyment and safety of RV enthusiasts by digitally connecting this fast-growing international marketplace. This platform has capabilities that include trip planning and booking, remote systems monitoring, roadside assistance, and peer-to-peer RV and campsite rental. The system will also streamline an owner's record keeping and enable dealers and manufacturers to provide such support as triggered service notifications, online vehicle manuals and more.

08:06 EDT Trump says 'if you don't have steel, you don't have a country' - President Trump just tweeted, "We must protect our country and our workers. Our steel industry is in bad shape. IF YOU DON'T HAVE STEEL, YOU DON'T HAVE A COUNTRY!" Names with exposure to steel and aluminum include AK Steel (AKS), Alcoa (AA), U.S. Steel (X) and Century Aluminum (CENX).

07:56 EDT J.C. Penney eliminates positions through Home Office and store actions - As part of ongoing efforts to manage expenses, simplify operations and streamline workload in support of the company's long-term growth and profitability, approximately 130 Home Office positions were eliminated across various departments. Additionally, JCPenney recently restructured its group, regional, district and store support teams. This restructure eliminated bureaucracy, reduced support positions and reallocated store headcount to customer-facing positions. While the restructuring enabled the vast majority of impacted associates to assume a new role or leadership position within the stores organization, approximately 230 positions were subsequently eliminated. The annual cost savings generated from the home office and store reorganization are estimated at approximately $20M-$25M.

07:46 EDT Camping World declares .07c special cash dividend - Camping World announced that its board declared a cash dividend of 1.53c per share on the company's common stock and a cash distribution of .08c per common unit on CWGS Enterprises common units. Payment is expected to be made on March 30 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 16. The CWH common stock cash dividend is comprised of a regular quarterly cash dividend of .08c per share funded by the .08c per common unit cash distribution by CWGS Enterprises to all holders of its common units, and a .07c per share special cash dividend representing a portion of excess tax distributions from CWGS Enterprises.

07:38 EDT J.C. Penney reports Q4 SSS up 2.6% - Marvin R. Ellison, chairman and CEO said, "We are encouraged by our results for the fourth quarter and for fiscal 2017. Through the hard work and dedication of the entire JCPenney team, we delivered our second consecutive year of positive adjusted earnings. For 2017, we improved adjusted earnings per share by 175 %, reduced our outstanding debt levels by over $600M and generated over $200M of free cash flow. During the fourth quarter, we delivered our strongest positive sales comps and achieved our largest gross margin improvement for the year. Our fourth quarter gross margin improvement, combined with our continued commitment to expense discipline, helped us generate adjusted earnings per share of 57c for the quarter."

07:36 EDT Cincinnati Bell chairman Phil Cox to step down - Cincinnati Bell announced that John M. Zrno will not seek re-election to the board of directors when his term expires at the company's annual meeting of shareholders in May and that the board has nominated Cincinnati Bell's president and CEO, Leigh Fox, to stand for election at the 2018 annual meeting. The company also announced that its chairman of the board, Phil Cox, will step down from his role as chairman of the board prior to the 2019 annual meeting of shareholders. Cox informed the board that he does not intend to stand for re-election to the board at the 2019 annual meeting. These changes align with the company's ongoing board refreshment process which aims to renew the board with directors who have deep industry expertise and appropriate board experience. The company's board refreshment process has already resulted in the addition of three new independent directors in the last five years. At the close of the Hawaiian Telcom transaction expected in the second half of 2018, Cincinnati Bell will expand the size of the board from nine members to eleven members, in order to add two existing Hawaiian Telcom directors.

07:33 EDT Axon: Chicago Police Department purchases 400 Axon body-worn cameras - Axon announced that the Chicago Police Department has finalized an agency-wide deployment of body-worn cameras with the recent purchase of 400 Axon Body 2 cameras . The most recent order was received in the fourth quarter of 2017 and will continue to ship through the first quarter of 2018. Chicago Police began equipping officers with Axon Body 2 cameras in 2015. The agency has now deployed around 7,000 cameras backed by Axon's digital evidence management solution, Evidence.com.

07:26 EDT Renewable Energy CEO says White House meeting affirms biodiesel not an issue - Renewable Energy Group president and CEO Randy Howard said "he was very pleased with how President Donald Trump expressed his continued support for renewable fuels Thursday at a White House meeting where at least one thing was made very clear---there is no problem with biodiesel." Howard joined other top biofuel company executives who met with the President, Vice President Pence, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, and some petroleum refiners to discuss the Renewable Fuel Standard. "My first priority in meeting President Trump was to thank him for his support of American renewable fuels and his commitment to the RFS," said Howard. "I believe he appreciates how biodiesel and other biofuels benefit American job growth and agriculture, especially in the current downturn in the farm economy. The President understood that RIN prices go down with continued growth of biofuel volumes. Then, it was made abundantly clear by all parties in the room that none of them have an issue with biodiesel's role in the RFS. I look forward to continuing the dialogue with the Administration to help us all achieve future biodiesel growth."

07:04 EDT StoneMor Partners names Leo Pound as interim CEO, Jim Ford as COO - StoneMor Partners announced changes to its management team with the appointment of Leo Pound as Interim CEO, effective March 30, and the hiring of industry veteran Jim Ford as its COO, effective March 1. Pound will replace current CEO Paul Grady, who has resigned and is leaving StoneMor and the StoneMor GP Board on March 30. A search for a permanent CEO is underway. Ford will have responsibility for all operational aspects of the Partnership including the sales and customer service functions for the cemetery and funeral home businesses. Pound served as a Director of StoneMor's General Partner since 2014 and from April to September 2017 was StoneMor's Acting Chief Operating Officer. He has in-depth knowledge of operational and strategic planning, M&A, forecasting and budgeting initiatives. Ford joins StoneMor from Foundation Partners Group, where he was Chief Customer Officer.

06:58 EDT Foot Locker down 7% to $42.50 after Q4 results, FY18 guidance

06:50 EDT Foot Locker reports merchandise inventories $1.278B on Feb. 3 - At February 3, the company's merchandise inventories were $1.278B, 2.2% lower than at the end of the fourth quarter last year. Using constant currencies, inventory decreased 5.2%.

06:47 EDT Foot Locker sees FY18 SSS flat to up low single-digits - The company currently expects a flat to up low single-digit comparable-store sales performance for fiscal 2018 and gross margins to begin recovering from 2017's 31.6% rate, which fell 2.3% from the gross margin rate in fiscal 2016. Including the effect of elevated and accelerated digital investments, the company's SG&A rate is expected to be approximately 100 basis points higher in 2018.

06:38 EDT Tortoise Energy Independence: unaudited total assets about $236.2M on Feb. 28 - Tortoise Energy Independence announced that as of Feb. 28, the company's unaudited total assets were approximately $236.2M and its unaudited net asset value was $166.2M, or $11.38 per share.

06:34 EDT Tortoise Energy reports unaudited total assets approximately $2.2B on Feb. 28 - Tortoise Energy announced that as of Feb. 28, the company's unaudited total assets were approximately $2.2B and its unaudited net asset value was $1.3B, or $25.59 per share.

06:32 EDT ReneSola names Weiguo Zhou as interim CFO, effective immediately - ReneSola announced one of its independent directors and a member of compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee, Weiguo Zhou, has been appointed interim CFO, effective immediately. Zhou succeeds Maggie Ma, whose resignation was effective February 28. Zhou will step down as an independent director during the period he serves as interim CFO and remain a director of the board of directors and a member of compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee. The company had previously announced that Cindy Chen would join ReneSola to succeed Ma. Chen withdrew her acceptance of the role for her health reason. The company is continuing its search for a permanent CFO.

06:28 EDT Tortoise MLP reports unaudited total assets approximately $1.3B as of Feb. 28 - Tortoise MLP Fund announced that as of Feb. 28, the company's unaudited total assets were approximately $1.3B and its unaudited net asset value was $776.3M, or $16.40 per share.

06:25 EDT Raven, Capstan settle patent infringement lawsuit - Raven Industries (RAVN) announced that the patent infringement lawsuit against the company and CNH Industrial (CNHI) brought by Capstan Ag Systems related to Raven's Hawkeye Nozzle Control System and CNH Industrial's AIM Command FLEX sprayer system has been settled between the parties. The parties agreed to a mutually acceptable, no-fault business solution.

06:18 EDT GE to provide full propulsion system solution to Chilean Navy's Icebreaker - GE's Marine Solutions was chosen by ASMAR Shipyards to provide the complete scope of an integrated marine propulsion system for the Chilean Navy's new Antarctic icebreaking Polar Class vessel. It will replace the retired icebreaker to continue the navy's Antarctic expedition for search and rescue missions, scientific research, logistic support and resupplying bases in the Chilean Antarctic Territory.

06:16 EDT Regeneron: FDA to review Dupixent as potential treatment for asthma - Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) and Sanofi (SNY) announced that the U.S. FDA has accepted for review the supplemental Biologics License Application of DUPIXENT as an add-on maintenance treatment in certain adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe asthma. Per the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, the target action date is October 20, 2018.

06:13 EDT ArcelorMittal signs joint venture with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal - ArcelorMittal has signed a joint venture formation agreement with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal in relation to its offer to acquire Essar Steel India. The Company's subsidiary ArcelorMittal India Private Limited submitted a Resolution Plan for Essar on February 12, which outlined the intention to have NSSMC formally join its bid for Essar Steel. Should the submitted Resolution Plan be selected and formally accepted by India's National Company Law Tribunal, ArcelorMittal and NSSMC would jointly acquire and manage Essar Steel. In its Resolution Plan, AMIPL set out a detailed industrial and turnaround plan aimed at restoring Essar Steel's fortunes, enabling it to realise its full potential and participate in the anticipated steel demand growth in India.

06:10 EDT Australia commences legal proceedings against Rio Tinto over Mozambique assets - The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has commenced legal proceedings in the Federal Court in Sydney today against Rio Tinto Limited and its former CEO, Thomas Albanese, and its former CFO, Guy Elliott. The proceedings relate to statements which ASIC alleges were misleading or deceptive contained in the RTL annual report for 2011 which was signed on 5 March 2012 and published on 16 March 2012. ASIC alleges that RTL engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct by publishing statements in the 2011 annual report, signed by Albanese and Elliott, misrepresenting the reserves and resources of RTCM. Further, by allowing RTL to engage in such conduct, Albanese and Elliott failed to exercise their powers and discharge their duties with the care and diligence required by law as directors and officers of RTL. ASIC is seeking declarations that RTL contravened s1041H of the Corporations Act 2001 and that Albanese and Elliott contravened s180 of the Corporations Act. ASIC has sought from the Court pecuniary penalties against Albanese and Elliott and that they be disqualified from managing corporations for such periods as the Court thinks fit.

06:05 EDT Pfizer, Neofluidics enter collaboration - Neofluidics announced that it has entered into a collaboration with Pfizer that will attempt to create a first-of-its-kind microfluidics-based platform using Neofluidics' proprietary droplet capture technology to evaluate dynamic drug exposure-response relationships.

06:01 EDT MetLife revises 2017 earnings after discovering 'material weakness' - In a regulatory filing, MetLife said yesterday that it revised its 2017 earnings upward after discovering it had previously miscalculated reserves for a retirement-savings product in Japan, raising new questions about the insurance giant's internal controls. MetLife increased its previously reported 2017 net income of $3.6B by $264M and said the mistake "represents a material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting." The miscalculation "had no impact on payments to customers," according to the company. The SEC is investigating the matter, it said. The Fly notes that in January, MetLife postponed its Q4 earnings release after it said it improperly reduced reserves tied to certain pension obligations.

05:58 EDT Total acquires 16.33% stake in the Waha Concessions in Libya for $450M - Total (TOT) has acquired Marathon Oil Libya Limited which holds a 16.33% stake in the Waha Concessions in Libya. This acquisition will give Total access to reserves and resources in excess of 500M barrels of oil equivalent, with immediate production of around 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and a significant exploration potential across the area of 53,000 square kilometers covered by the concessions in the prolific Sirte Basin. The consideration payment for the transaction is $450M. The Waha Concessions currently produce around 300,000 boe/d. Thanks to the ongoing restart of the existing installations and the resumption of development drilling, the output is expected to ramp up and exceed 400,000 boe/d by the end of the decade. The NOC (59.18%), Total (16.33%), ConocoPhillips (COP) (16.33%) and Hess (HES) (8.16%) jointly own the Waha Concessions. The Waha Oil Company, a 100% NOC owned entity, operates the asset.

05:53 EDT Biogen, AbbVie announce voluntary withdrawal of marketing approval for ZINBRYTA - Biogen (BIIB) and AbbVie (ABBV) announced the voluntary worldwide withdrawal of ZINBRYTA for relapsing multiple sclerosis. The companies believe that characterizing the complex and evolving benefit/risk profile of ZINBRYTA will not be possible going forward given the limited number of patients being treated. Biogen will continue to work collaboratively with regulatory authorities in the withdrawal of product and with healthcare providers worldwide in their support of ZINBRYTA patients.