Stockwinners Market Radar for June 28, 2018 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

19:01 EDT Precision Therapeutics signs merger agreement with Helomics Holding - Precision Therapeutics announced that it has signed a definitive merger agreement with Helomics Holding Corporation. Upon completion of the merger, Precision will increase its equity stake in Helomics from 25% to 100%. This merger will provide Precision Therapeutics with full access to Helomics' suite of Artificial Intelligence, precision diagnostic and integrated CRO capabilities, which improve patient care and advance the development of innovative clinical products and technologies for the treatment of cancers. Under the terms of the deal, upon completion of the merger all outstanding shares of Helomics stock not already held by Precision will be converted into the right to receive a proportionate share of 7.5M shares of newly issued Precision common stock, in addition to the 1.1M Precision shares already issued to Helomics for Precision's initial 20% ownership in Helomics. The merger is conditioned on at least 75% of Helomics' $7.6M in outstanding promissory notes being exchanged for additional shares of Precision common stock at $1.00 per share. In addition, all or a significant portion of 20.4M Helomics warrants will be exchanged for warrants to purchase Precision common stock, at a ratio of 0.6 Precision warrants for each Helomics warrant. A substantial majority of the Precision warrants issued in this exchange will have an exercise price of $1.00 per share. Helomics' management team is to remain in their respective leadership positions at Helomics and to manage Precision's existing TumorGenesis operations. The completion of the merger is subject to customary closing conditions as well as the approval of the merger by the stockholders of both companies. TumorGenesis is now operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Helomics, allowing it to leverage Helomics' complementary offering in the precision oncology market and to benefit from operational synergies. TumorGenesis will collaborate with Helomics to test PDx tumors in the Helomics facility. The TumorGenesis PDx model is initially being developed for three cancers, Multiple Myeloma, Triple-Negative Breast cancer and Ovarian cancers, all of which have a high unmet need for new and effective treatments that are tailored to patients' unique tumor profiles.

18:59 EDT BHP to give $211M in financial support for Renova Foundation, Samarco - BHP (BHP) said it has agreed to fund a total of $211M in financial support for the Renova Foundation and Samarco Mineracao S.A. until 31 December 2018. An amount of $158M will be used to fund the Renova Foundation to undertake the remediation and compensation programs identified under the Framework Agreement dated 2 March 2016 between Samarco, Vale S.A., BHP Brasil, and the Federal Government of Brazil, the States of Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo and other public authorities. This amount of $158M will be offset against the Group's provision for the Samarco dam failure. A short-term facility of up to $53M will be made available to Samarco to carry out ongoing repair works, maintain Samarco's facilities and support restart planning. Funds will be released to Samarco only as required, and subject to achievement of key milestones. Samarco is jointly owned by BHP and Vale (VALE).

18:16 EDT Tronc says 'deeply saddened' by shooting in Annapolis, Maryland - tronc, Inc. released the following statement regarding the shooting in Annapolis, Maryland. "We are deeply saddened today by the attack in our Capital-Gazette newsroom. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We are focused now on providing our employees and their families with support during this tragic time. We commend the police and first responders for their quick response," said Justin Dearborn, Chairman and CEO, tronc, Inc.

18:06 EDT SPDR Gold Trust holdings fall to 820.51MT from 821.69MT - This is the 2nd straight day of decline in trust holdings.

18:01 EDT Celanese to raise prices on Polyamide 66 compounded engineering plastics - Celanese announced price increases on its Polyamide 66 compounded engineering plastics including Celanyl, Nilamid, Frianyl, Ecomid, Nylfor, Nivionplast, and Omnilon, and its polyamide 66-based long-fiber thermoplastic compounds as well as its propylene-based (PP) long-fiber thermoplastic compounds. The price increases will be effective for orders shipped on or after July 15, 2018, or as contracts otherwise allow.

17:49 EDT Nike up 9.5% afterhours following FY19 revenue forecast update

17:47 EDT Kemper, Infinity Property receive all regulatory approval for acquisition - Kemper (KMPR) and Infinity Property (IPCC) announced receipt of all regulatory approvals necessary to complete the previously announced proposed acquisition by Kemper of Infinity. The acquisition is subject to closing conditions and is expected to close on July 2.

17:46 EDT Navios Acquisition offers to acquire outstanding units of Navios Maritime Midstream - Navios Maritime Acquisition (NNA) announced that it has submitted a proposal to the board of directors of Navios Maritime Midstream Partners (NAP) to acquire the publicly held units of Navios Midstream not already owned by Navios Acquisition in a stock for units exchange. Subject to negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement, Navios Acquisition is proposing consideration of 6.292 Navios Acquisition shares for each outstanding publicly held unit of Navios Midstream as part of a transaction that would be structured as a merger of Navios Midstream with Navios Acquisition. The proposed consideration represents a value of $3.838 per common unit of Navios Midstream based on the closing price of Navios Acquisition's shares as of June 28, 2018. The proposed transaction is expected to be a tax-free exchange to Navios Midstream's unit holders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The proposed transaction is subject to the negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement, approval of the board of directors of Navios Acquisition and the necessary approvals under Navios Midstream's limited partnership agreement. The consummation of the proposed transaction would be subject to customary closing conditions. There can be no assurance that any such approvals will be forthcoming, that a definitive agreement will be executed, or that any transaction will be consummated.

17:32 EDT Santander Consumer to boost dividend, repurchase $200M of common stock - Santander Holdings USA, the parent company of Santander Consumer USA Holdings (SC), announced that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System did not object to the planned capital actions described in Santander Holdings USA's 2018 Capital Plan. The Santander Consumer portion of the capital plan includes: An increase in the quarterly common stock dividend to 20c per share from 5c per share, beginning in Q3, and authorization to repurchase $200M of outstanding common stock between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019.

17:31 EDT Citizens Financial to raise dividend 23%, repurchase up to $1.02B of stock - Citizens Financial Group announced that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has completed its review of the company's 2018 Capital Plan in connection with its Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review of the nation's 17 large and noncomplex bank holding companies not subject to qualitative review and has not objected to the Plan. The CCAR results follow the Federal Reserve's June 21, 2018 publication of its Dodd-Frank Act Stress Test results. The Plan, which is designed to support organic growth, provide strong return of capital to the Company's shareholders and optimize CFG's capital structure, includes the following capital actions for the four-quarter period beginning July 1, 2018: Proposed quarterly dividends of 27c per common share beginning in third quarter 2018, which represents a 23% increase from second quarter 2018, with the potential to raise quarterly common dividends to 32c per common share beginning in 2019. Common share repurchases of up to $1.02B, an increase of 20% versus CFG's 2017 Capital Plan.

17:25 EDT KB Home narrows FY18 housing revenue view to $4.6B-$4.8B from $4.55B-$4.85B - Reaffirms FY18 average selling price $400,000-$410,000.

17:23 EDT Convergys to be acquired by SYNNEX for $2.8B in cash and stock - Convergys Corp (CVG) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement under which SYNNEX Corporation (SNX) will acquire Convergys in a cash and stock transaction with an enterprise value of approximately $2.8B, including approximately $170M of Convergys outstanding net debt. Under the terms of the agreement, Convergys shareholders will receive $13.25 per share in cash and 0.1193 shares of SYNNEX common stock for each Convergys common share they own, subject to a collar as described in the agreement. The implied price of $26.50 per Convergys share represents a LTM EBITDA multiple of 8.4x and an 18% premium to the Company's unaffected closing stock price on May 10, 2018, the last trading day prior to published market speculation regarding a potential transaction involving Convergys. Following the close of the transaction, it is expected that Convergys will be combined with SYNNEX's industry-leading CRM BPO subsidiary, Concentrix, thereby enhancing the capabilities and talent of both organizations and creating a premier global customer engagement services company. The transaction has been approved by both companies' boards of directors and is expected to close by the end of the 2018 calendar year, subject to the approval of shareholders of both companies, the receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

17:21 EDT Convergys to be acquired by Synnex for $2.8B in cash and stock

17:18 EDT KB Home says it is confident it will reach 2018 revenue target - Says improved deliveries 35% year-over-year. Says confident it will reach revenue target in 2018. Says 53% of deliveries to first time buyers. Says Dallas growth opportunity is materializing. Says Stearns Lending joint venture exceeded expectations. Comments taken from Q2 earnings conference call.

17:14 EDT SAIC awarded $116.2M government contract - Science Applications International Corp., Reston, Virginia, is awarded a potential value $116,232,173 indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide sustainment support of integrated afloat and ashore tactical networks. This three-year contract includes one two-year option period which, if exercised, would bring the overall, potential value of this contract to an estimated $196,526,884. Work is expected to be completed June 27, 2021. If the option is exercised, the period of performance would extend through June 27, 2023. This contract was competitively procured via a request for proposal published on the Federal Business Opportunities website and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website. Three offers were received and one was selected for award. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.

17:09 EDT Pinnacle Foods voluntarily recalls Wish Bone House Italian Salad Dressing 15 oz. - Pinnacle Foods is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of Wish Bone House Italian Salad Dressing 15 oz. with the health and safety of our consumers as our top priority. The recall was initiated after learning from a retail customer that a limited number of bottles were mislabeled. The product contains milk and egg, known allergens not declared on the bottle. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk or egg may run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. If you are not allergic to milk or egg, this product is safe to eat. No illnesses have been reported to date. The Food and Drug Administration has been made aware of this recall. No illnesses have been reported to date, but the company is taking this action as part of its commitment to the health and safety of its customer. The product was produced on March 19, 2018. In total, 7,768 cases of Wish-Bone House Italian Salad Dressing in 15 oz. bottles, distributed nationwide, are involved in the recall. The "Best If Used By" date can be found on the neck label of the bottle. No other Wish-Bone products are included in this recall. Specific details of the product being recalled are outlined below. All affected distributors and retail customers, as well as the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, are being notified and the affected product is being removed from store shelves. The recalled items can be identified by a "Best If Used By" date printed on the neck wrapper. Only products with a "Best If Used By" date of Jan 13 19 and with labeling that matches both the front and back labels attached in the press release are subject to recall. There is no impact on any other Italian varieties and no other products produced by Pinnacle Foods are affected by this recall.

17:05 EDT State Street to boost quarterly dividend to 47c per share from 42c per share - State Street Corporation announced that the Federal Reserve did not object to the company's capital plan as part of the 2018 Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review, or CCAR, process. The capital plan includes an increase in the common stock dividend and a new common stock purchase program. In connection with its non-objection, the Federal Reserve is requiring State Street to enhance the management and analysis of counterparty exposures under stress. The company is not expected to resubmit its capital plan after completing these enhancements. Given this year's severe stress scenario, State Street took a conservative approach in developing its capital plan submission. The capital plan includes an increase to the quarterly common stock dividend to 47c per share, from 42c per share, beginning in Q3. State Street's board will consider this increase in common stock dividend at its regularly scheduled meeting in July. Additionally, State Street's board has approved a new common stock purchase program authorizing the purchase of up to $1.2B of its common stock. This program was included in the capital plan submitted in April and will be effective during the period of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019.

17:03 EDT Triumph Group announces three-year repair, services contract for military cargo - Triumph Group announced its Triumph Airborne Structures maintenance, repair, and overhaul business was awarded a three-year contract to provide engine nacelle component repair and materials services for an unspecified military cargo aircraft. Triumph Airborne Structures is an operating company of Triumph Product Support. Over the past five years, Triumph has serviced nearly 450 thrust reversers for military aircraft. The new agreement adds an additional 200 nacelle components per year to the growing nacelle component services work Triumph Airborne Structures provides for military platforms. For more than a decade, Triumph Airborne Structures has supplied MRO service for various military programs providing personnel, materials, material management services, equipment, data, inspection, engineering, and overhaul/repair services for multiple military aircraft nacelle components.

17:01 EDT Stonepine Capital reports 6.5% passive stake in Catabasis Pharmaceuticals

17:01 EDT National Oilwell announces JV with Saudi Aramco - National Oilwell Varco announced the signing of an agreement with Saudi Aramco to form a joint venture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Through its state-of-the-art manufacturing and fabrication facilities in the Kingdom and NOV's market-leading drilling technologies, the joint venture will provide high-specification land rigs, rig and drilling equipment and offer certain aftermarket services. Additionally, the companies announced their proposed joint venture will establish an education center to train Saudi technicians in the maintenance and operation of the sophisticated drilling technology that the venture will bring to the Kingdom. The joint venture will be supported by a commitment from the previously announced Saudi Aramco Nabors Drilling Company to purchase fifty onshore drilling rigs from the NOV / Saudi Aramco joint venture over a ten-year period. The joint venture will have the opportunity to supply, through an exclusivity agreement, Saudi Arabia, GCC and MENA region. NOV will own a 70% interest in the joint venture, while Saudi Aramco will own 30%. Through this joint venture, NOV, working with Saudi Aramco, will develop capabilities in the Kingdom to support Saudi Aramco's drilling plans for decades to come and to allow for the local workforce to be part of this initiative.

16:58 EDT GenMark announces FDA submission of ePlex Blood Culture ID - GenMark Diagnostics announced submission of its ePlex Blood Culture ID - Gram Positive panel to the FDA. The BCID-GP panel is the first of three blood culture panels being developed on the ePlex sample-to-answer system, for the diagnosis and disease management of bloodstream infections that can lead to sepsis. The company anticipates FDA submission of the Gram Negative panel and the Fungal Pathogen panel in Q3 and Q4 of this year, consistent with prior communication.

16:55 EDT Goldman Sachs raises dividend to 85c per share, to buy back up to $5.0B in stock - The Goldman Sachs Group announced that the Federal Reserve Board did not object to its 2018 capital plan, conditioned upon the firm returning not more than $6.3B of capital beginning in the third quarter of 2018 and ending in the second quarter of 2019. The capital plan provides for up to $5.0B in repurchases of outstanding common stock and $1.3 billion in total common stock dividends, including an increase in the firm's common stock dividend of $0.05 from $0.80 to $0.85 per share in the second quarter of 2019.

16:53 EDT Green Brick CEO buys 25K shares of company stock - Green Brick CEO James Brickman disclosed in a filing that he had purchased 25,000 sharers of company stock at an average price of $9.49 per share for a total consideration of $237,250 on June 27.

16:52 EDT M&T Bank to boost dividend, repurchase up to $1.8B in common stock - M&T Bank Corporation announced that the Federal Reserve did not object to M&T's revised 2018 Capital Plan and its proposed capital actions for the four quarter period beginning July 1. The 2018 Capital Plan includes the repurchase of up to $1.8B of common shares during that four-quarter period and an increase in the quarterly common stock dividend in Q3 of up to 20c per share to $1.00 per share.

16:48 EDT Kennametal names Stranghoener chairman following De Feo's retirement - Kennametal announced that its board of directors has appointed Lawrence W. Stranghoener as chairman of the board effective July 1, 2018. Stranghoener succeeds Ronald De Feo, who is retiring from his role as executive chairman of the board, but will remain on the board of directors until his retirement in October 2018. "We are grateful to Ron for his dedication and service to Kennametal," said Lawrence Stranghoener, Kennametal lead director. "As a 16-year member of the board, Ron has served this company with great distinction, including his recent stint as president and CEO, when he initiated the significant transformation currently underway at Kennametal. His leadership will have a lasting impact."

16:48 EDT SunTrust raises dividend to 50c, authorizes $2B share repurchase - SunTrust Banks announced that the Federal Reserve Board has completed its review of the company's capital plan submitted in connection with the 2018 Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review and has no objections to the company's planned capital actions. The capital actions, subject to the approval of SunTrust's Board of Directors and anticipated to cover four quarters, include: A 25% increase in the quarterly common stock dividend from 40c per share to 50c per share, beginning in the third quarter of 2018; Authorization to repurchase $2B of outstanding common stock between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019 -a 52% increase compared to the previous authorization; maintaining dividend payments on the company's preferred stock.

16:47 EDT Mallinckrodt completes enrollment of Phase 4 clinical trial of H.P. Acthar Gel - Mallinckrodt announced it has completed enrollment of the company's ongoing Phase 4 clinical trial of H.P. Acthar Gel for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. The study is assessing the efficacy and safety of H.P. Acthar Gel in RA patients with persistently active disease. Target enrollment was 230 patients, and that goal has been exceeded.

16:47 EDT Ally Financial to boost dividend, repurchase up to $1B in common stock - Ally Financial announced that the Federal Reserve did not object to the company's capital plan as part of the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review. Ally's capital plan includes the following actions: A 32% increase in the company's share repurchase program, which has been authorized by the Ally board, permitting the company to repurchase up to $1.0B of the company's common stock from time to time from Q3 of 2018 through Q2 of 2019; and a 15% increase in the quarterly cash dividend on common stock to 15c per share from 13c per share, expected to begin in Q3 of 2018, subject to consideration and approval by the Ally board.

16:46 EDT Synnex to acquire Convergys for $26.50 per share, or $2.43B

16:44 EDT JPMorgan to boost dividend, repurchase up to $20.7B in common stock - JPMorgan Chase & Co. announced that the Federal Reserve Board does not object to the firm's capital plan under the recently concluded 2018 Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review, or CCAR. JPMorgan Chase's board intends to increase the quarterly common stock dividend to 80c per share up from the current 56c per share, effective Q3 and has authorized gross common equity repurchases of up to $20.7B between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019 under a new common equity repurchase program.

16:43 EDT U.S. Bancorp proposes 23% dividend hike, $3B share repurchase program - U.S. Bancorp announced that the Federal Reserve did not object to the company's 2018 Capital Plan following its conclusion and assessment of the 2018 Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review. As a result of the Federal Reserve's non-objection to U.S. Bancorp's plan to increase its dividend, the company will recommend in July that its board of directors approve an increase to the quarterly dividend beginning with the third quarter dividend payable in October 2018. The company expects to recommend a third quarter dividend of 37c per common share, a 23% increase over the current dividend. At this quarterly dividend, the annual dividend will be equivalent to $1.48 per common share. Additionally, the board of directors of U.S. Bancorp has approved a four-quarter authorization to repurchase up to $3B of its outstanding stock, beginning July 1, 2018, to replace the current four-quarter authorization, which expires on June 30, 2018. U.S. Bancorp's common stock may be repurchased through June 2019 in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The acquired common shares will be held as treasury shares and may be reissued for various corporate purposes.

16:42 EDT American Express to boost dividend, repurchase up to $3.4B in common stock - American Express Company said that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System did not object to its adjusted capital plan submitted as part of the 2018 Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review, or CCAR. The plan included increasing the company's quarterly dividend to 39c per share beginning with the Q3 dividend declaration, subject to approval by the company's board, and repurchasing up to $3.4B of common shares during the CCAR approval period of Q3'18 to Q2'19. This new authorization enables the company to repurchase up to $1.6B of common shares in calendar year 2018, and up to an additional $1.9B in the first half of 2019.

16:41 EDT BB&T proposes 8% dividend hike, $1.7B share repurchase plan - BB&T announced the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System accepted its capital plan and did not object to its proposed capital actions. The capital actions include a recommendation to increase the quarterly dividend 3c to 40.5c, an 8% increase. This action will be considered by the board of directors at its July 24 meeting. The plan also incorporates other uses of capital, including capital distributions of up to $1.7B in share repurchase transactions beginning in the third quarter of 2018 through the second quarter of 2019, of which a portion will be used for the announced acquisition of Regions Insurance Group.

16:40 EDT Fed does not object to capital plans of 34 financial firms - As part of its annual examination of the capital planning practices of the nation's largest banks, the Federal Reserve Board on Thursday did not object to the capital plans of 34 firms and objected to the capital plan of one firm, according to results of the Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review, or CCAR. Due in part to recent changes to the tax law that negatively affected capital levels, two firms will maintain their capital distributions at the levels they paid in recent years. Separately, one firm will be required to take certain steps regarding the management and analysis of its counterparty exposures under stress. The Board objected to the capital plan from DB USA Corporation (DB) due to qualitative concerns. Those concerns include material weaknesses in the firm's data capabilities and controls supporting its capital planning process, as well as weaknesses in its approaches and assumptions used to forecast revenues and losses under stress. The Board issued a conditional non-objection to the capital plans of both Goldman Sachs (GS) and Morgan Stanley (MS) and both firms will maintain their capital distributions at the levels they paid in recent years, which will allow them to build capital over the next year. Each firm's capital ratios, under the capital plans they originally submitted and with the one-time capital reduction from the tax law changes, fell below required levels when subjected to the hypothetical scenario. This one-time reduction does not reflect a firm's performance under stress and firms can expect higher post-tax earnings going forward. The Board also issued a conditional non-objection for the capital plan from State Street Corporation (STT). The stress test revealed counterparty exposures that produced large losses under the hypothetical scenario, which assumes the default of a firm's largest counterparty under stress. The firm will be required to take certain steps regarding the management and analysis of its counterparty exposures under stress. The Federal Reserve did not object to the capital plans of Ally Financial, Inc. (ALLY); American Express Company (AXP); BB&T Corporation (BBT); BBVA Compass Bancshares, Inc. (BBVA); BMO Financial Corp. (BMO); BNP Paribas USA (BNPQY); Bank of America Corporation (BAC); The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNK); Barclays US LLC. (BCS); Capital One Financial Corporation (COF); Citigroup, Inc. (C); Citizens Financial Group (CFG); Credit Suisse Holdings (CS); Discover Financial Services (DFS); Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB); HSBC North America Holdings, Inc. (HSBC); Huntington Bancshares, Inc. (HBAN); JP Morgan Chase & Co. (JPM); Keycorp (KEY); M&T Bank Corporation (MTB); MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation (MUFG); Northern Trust Corp. (NTRS); The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (PNC); RBC USA Holdco Corporation (RY); Regions Financial Corporation (RF); Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (SAN); SunTrust Banks, Inc. (STI); TD Group US Holdings LLC (TD); U.S. Bancorp (USB); UBS Americas Holdings LLC (UBS); and Wells Fargo & Company (WFC). Reference Link

16:39 EDT Citi to boost dividend, repurchase up to $17.6B in common stock - The Federal Reserve Board announced that it does not object to the planned capital actions requested by Citi as part of the 2018 Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review. The planned capital actions include an increase of Citi's quarterly common stock dividend to 45c per share from 32c per share, as well as a common stock repurchase program of up to $17.6B during the four quarters starting in Q3. These planned capital actions total $22.0B over the four quarters covered by the 2018 CCAR cycle, which begins in Q3.

16:38 EDT Galapagos NV announces results for GLPG2737 in first Phase 2 CF patient trial - Galapagos NV announces the topline results with investigational C2 corrector GLPG2737 in the first Phase 2 CF patient trial with this candidate and provides an update on its triple combo development strategy. The PELICAN study was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of a novel C2 corrector GLPG2737 in adult CF patients who are homozygous for the Class II F508del mutation. Participating patients were on stable treatment with Orkambi for at least 12 weeks prior to the first study drug administration and were required to continue Orkambi for the duration of the trial. Eligible patients were randomized to receive GLPG2737 or placebo over a period of 4 weeks, with up to 3 weeks' follow up. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in sweat chloride concentration compared to placebo at day 28. The PELICAN study was conducted in multiple sites in Germany. GLPG2737 was well-tolerated by patients in this trial. All adverse events were mild to moderate, with no apparent difference compared to placebo. There were no deaths, no serious adverse events, and no premature discontinuations due to adverse events. The mean change from baseline in sweat chloride for the GLPG2737 treatment arm on day 28 versus placebo was a significant decrease of 19.6 mmol/L. A positive trend in ppFEV1 changes was also observed. The mean absolute change from baseline in ppFEV1 for the GLPG2737 treatment arm versus placebo through day 28 was 3.4%. Further details will be presented at a future conference.

16:35 EDT Fed does not object to capital plans of 34 financial firms

16:34 EDT Fed objects to capital plan from Deutsche Bank USA over qualitative concerns

16:33 EDT Liberty Tax engages Cherry Bekaert LLP as independent auditor - Liberty Tax, the parent company of Liberty Tax Service, announced that the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the company has engaged Cherry Bekaert LLP as the company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2018, effective immediately. With the engagement of Cherry Bekaert, the company intends to move forward with the review and filing of its Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended October 31, 2017 and January 31, 2018 with the SEC as soon as practicable. As previously reported, the company received an anticipated letter from the Staff of the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market notifying the company that its securities would be subject to delisting as a result of the company's non-compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1), since it remains delinquent in filing its Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended October 31, 2017 and January 31, 2018 with the SEC. The company has made a request for a hearing before the Nasdaq Hearings Panel for the continued listing of its securities on Nasdaq pending its return to compliance. There can be no assurance that the Panel will grant the company's request for a further stay or extension to evidence compliance or that the company will be able to evidence compliance within the period of time that may be granted by the Panel.

16:30 EDT Galapagos NV trading halted, news pending

16:24 EDT Nike up 4% afterhours following Q4 earnings beat

16:20 EDT Vintage Capital reports 9.9% passive stake in Zoe's Kitchen

16:20 EDT Nike reports Q4 Nike Brand revenue up 9% on currency-neutral basis at $9.3B

16:19 EDT Meta Financial announces regulatory approvals for Crestmask acquisition - Meta Financial Group, the holding company for its federally chartered savings bank subsidiary, MetaBank, announced that all necessary bank regulatory approvals relating to the acquisition of Crestmark Bancorp, the holding company for its Michigan state-chartered bank subsidiary, Crestmark Bank, have been received. Subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, and following the expiration of the 15-day waiting period required by the U.S. Department of Justice, the transaction is expected to close on Wednesday, August 1.

16:18 EDT Workiva CEO 'applauds' SEC's decision to require Inline XBRL - The Securities and Exchange Commission voted earlier today to adopt amendments to eXtensible Business Reporting Language that will require operating companies and funds to use the Inline XBRL format for financial statements and risk/return summaries. The amendments, which will go into effect in phases starting in 2019, are expected to improve XBRL data access and quality and eliminate requirements for operating companies and funds to post XBRL data on their websites. "Workiva applauds the SEC's decision to require Inline XBRL," said Marty Vanderploeg, CEO of Workiva. "Inline XBRL is how we advance toward the common goal of providing better data."

16:18 EDT Genworth, Oceanwide extend merger agreement - Genworth Financial and China Oceanwide Holdings Group Co. announced they have agreed to a fifth waiver and agreement of each party's right to terminate the previously announced merger agreement. The fifth waiver and agreement extends the previous deadline of July 1, 2018 to August 15, 2018 to allow additional time for continued regulatory review of the transaction. The extension will also allow Oceanwide and Genworth to further develop the previously announced new capital investment plan whereby Oceanwide would contribute an aggregate of $1.5B to Genworth over time following the closing of the transaction. The contribution would be used to further improve Genworth's financial stability, which could include retiring Genworth's debt due in 2020 and 2021 or enabling future growth opportunities. As previously announced, the parties are seeking approval of a transaction with no unstacking of Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company from Genworth Life Insurance Company, and Genworth's debt obligations due May 2018 were refinanced with the proceeds from a term loan and cash on hand. As a result, Oceanwide will no longer make the previously committed capital contributions that were intended to facilitate the unstacking and address Genworth's 2018 debt maturity. Genworth and Oceanwide continue to work closely with regulators who must approve the transaction in the U.S., China and other international jurisdictions in which Genworth does business.

16:17 EDT Nike announces new $15B stock repurchase program - The company announced that its board has authorized a new four-year, $15B program to repurchase shares of NIKE's Class B Common Stock. The Company anticipates that the current $12Bshare repurchase program will be completed within fiscal 2019, and the new program will commence upon the completion of the current program.

16:15 EDT KB Home rises over 2% afterhours following Q2 results

16:13 EDT Rambus names Chuck Kissner vice chairman - Rambus said that drector Chuck Kissner has been appointed Vice Chairman of the board. Kissner has served as a director on the Rambus Board since 2012. In his newly expanded role as Vice Chairman, Kissner will provide direct support to interim CEO Luc Seraphin and the company's senior management team during the interim period to ensure a smooth and effective transition.

16:12 EDT KB Home reports Q2 ASP up 4% at $401.8K - Reports Q2 deliveries up 5% at 2.7K homes. "In the quarter, we produced double-digit revenue growth, expanded our operating margin and significantly improved our profitability, reflecting solid execution on our core business strategy," said Jeffrey Mezger, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Moreover, we measurably increased our absorptions per community by 15%. This result underscores our success in attracting consumers with our personalized Built-to-Order homebuying experience and the targeted positioning of our communities in markets that are continuing to exhibit strong demand."

16:11 EDT Biogen to pay Samsung BioLogics $700M to up Samsung Bioepis stake to 49.9% - Biogen announced it has exercised its option to purchase additional shares of Samsung Bioepis, a joint venture established in 2012 by Samsung BioLogics Co., Ltd and Biogen. Under the terms of the 2012 joint venture agreement, Biogen will pay Samsung BioLogics approximately $700M for the option shares, increasing Biogen's ownership in Samsung Bioepis from approximately 5.4% to approximately 49.9%. The completion of this share purchase is subject to certain regulatory closing conditions and is expected to close in the second half of 2018. The exact share purchase price will depend on the timing of the closing and foreign currency exchange rates at that time."We are very pleased with the progress made to date at Samsung Bioepis and believe exercising this option is an opportunity to create meaningful value for our shareholders," said Michel Vounatsos, chief executive officer at Biogen. "This option allows us to increase our ownership share in a leading biosimilar company at what we believe are attractive terms. We look forward to building an important relationship with Samsung BioLogics."

16:07 EDT ElectroCore to present six abstracts at AHS - ElectroCore announced it will present six abstracts across three primary headache disorders at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Headache Society, or AHS. Two additional pieces of independent, non-sponsored research featuring non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation, or nVNS, will also be presented at the meeting. Presentations at the meeting will highlight new data that span migraine, chronic cluster headache and chronic paroxysmal hemicrania patient populations, as well as co-occurrences relating to functional disorders, such as primary headache. Three posters will highlight data from the PRESTO clinical trial for gammaCore, which is currently indicated for the acute pain associated with migraine and episodic cluster headache. PRESTO was a prospective multi-center, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study of gammaCore for the acute treatment of migraine.

16:06 EDT Interval International, Absolute World Cup sign long-term affiliation pact - Interval International, a global provider of vacation services and an operating business of ILG, has entered into an exclusive, multi-year master affiliation agreement with the Absolute World Group, the founding company behind Absolute Vacation Club. The contract extends the relationship first established in 2004 and encompasses four existing club properties, as well as any future resorts developed or acquired during the term of the agreement. "We're delighted to continue our relationship with Interval, a valued partner for more than a decade," said Bryan Lunt, chairman and CEO of Absolute World Group. "Our respective companies share a commitment to exceeding member expectations and Interval's exchange network of high-quality accommodations and industry-leading benefits and services greatly assist us in fulfilling that promise."

16:05 EDT Ziopharm enrolls first patient in Ad-RTShIL-12, veledimex with Opdivo trial - Ziopharm announced that it has enrolled the first patient in its Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate Ad-RTS-hIL-12 plus veledimex in combination with Opdivo, an immune checkpoint, or PD-1, inhibitor, in adult patients with recurrent glioblastoma, or rGBM. The company expects to enroll up to 18 patients with recurrent glioblastoma in this single-arm study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of this combination regimen, establish optimal dosing of veledimex and nivolumab, and measure overall patient survival. Patients with rGBM scheduled for resection who have not been treated previously with inhibitors of immune-checkpoint pathways will receive Ad-RTS-hIL-12 intratumorally at the time of surgical resection plus an escalating dose of veledimex, an oral activator ligand, daily for 14 days. Patients will receive nivolumab intravenously one week before resection, 15 days post-resection and approximately every two weeks until documented progression or withdrawal from the study. This study is enrolling patients at multiple leading brain cancer centers in the United States.

16:03 EDT Trevena announces successful completion of Phase 1 study of TRV250 - Trevena announced the successful completion of its first-time-in-human Phase 1 study of TRV250, a biased delta receptor agonist that the company is developing for the treatment of acute migraine. Preclinical data suggested that the novel selective signaling mechanism of TRV250 might avoid the seizure liability that has limited development of therapeutics targeting the delta receptor. Data from this healthy volunteer study showed safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics supporting the advancement of TRV250 to Phase 2 proof of concept evaluation in patients.

16:00 EDT Gemphire Therapeutics trading halted, news pending

15:18 EDT Caesars receives required regulatory approvals to acquire Centaur Holdings - Caesars Entertainment Corporation announced that the Indiana Horse Racing Commission and the Indiana Gaming Commission have granted approval of the proposed acquisition of Centaur Holdings, LLC. With the receipt of these approvals, the company has met the necessary regulatory requirements and expects to complete the transaction in mid-July. "We are pleased that the Horse Racing Commission and the Gaming Commission have given us the approvals we need to allow for a smooth transfer of ownership of Indiana Grand and Hoosier Park," said Caesars Entertainment's President and CEO, Mark Frissora. "This acquisition represents an outstanding opportunity to expand our footprint in a growing region while also leveraging our Total Rewards loyalty network to benefit the customers of Indiana Grand and Hoosier Park. We will continue to offer the excellent customer service that guests of Indiana Grand and Hoosier Park have come to expect and we look forward to welcoming them to the Caesars family."

14:39 EDT Overstock says no measurable conversion decrease seen in tax collection states - Overstock.com has released the following statement from CEO Patrick Byrne regarding the impact of its recent decision to voluntarily collect sales tax on all purchases from all applicable states and districts: "Early data around Overstock's decision to collect sales tax voluntarily in all remaining tax jurisdictions has mildly surprised us - we have seen no measurable decrease to conversion in states in which we began collecting this past week. Furthermore, we have already begun expansion of projects, both digital and physical, into key states in which we have previously been prevented from operating due to tax nexus concerns. I'm pleased with the hard work of our team in quickly implementing the technology that allows for accurate collection following the regulations of the more than 12,000 independent U.S. tax jurisdictions, and I am even more optimistic that we will see a net-positive result to this shift once the digital and physical expansion opportunities we are pursuing are implemented in full."

14:03 EDT AMC Entertainment extends and renews 3D agreement with RealD - AMC Theatres announced that it has renewed and extended its 3D agreement with RealD across its domestic platform through 2024. In addition, AMC has committed to installing RealD 3D systems in all new-build theatres and as they upgrade, renovate and improve existing AMC locations in North America during the term of the extension. "AMC is the nation's largest RealD customer with over 3,300 system installs in North America. On a global basis, AMC, combined with its global subsidiaries, has more than 4,900 RealD units installed," the company noted.

13:47 EDT Showtime orders 10-episode season based on video game series 'Halo' - David Nevins, president and CEO of CBS's (CBS) Showtime, announced the network has ordered a 10-episode season based on video game franchise "Halo." In its adaptation for the network, "Halo (working title)" will take place in the universe that first came to be in 2001, dramatizing an epic 26th-century conflict between humanity and an alien threat known as the Covenant. Kyle Killen, who created the show "Awake," will serve as executive producer, writer and showrunner. Rupert Wyatt, who directed "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," will direct multiple episodes and also executive produce the hour-long series which enters production in early 2019. "Halo" will be executive produced by Killen, Wyatt and Scott Pennington, along with Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank for Amblin Television. The series will be distributed globally by CBS Studios International. The "Halo" video game franchise is published by Microsoft (MSFT). Reference Link

13:30 EDT Cel Sci trading resumes

13:19 EDT Twitter launches Ads Transparency Center - Twitter shares the next part of its efforts to provide more transparency around advertising: "Last year, we announced our intention to provide transparency for all ads running on Twitter, with a specific emphasis on political advertising. Our first step towards this was releasing a new Political Campaigning Ads Policy for US federal elections and candidates.Today we're pleased to share the second part of our efforts, the Ads Transparency Center, which allows anyone across the globe to view ads that have been served on Twitter, with even more transparency around US federal election campaigning ads," said the company in a blog post. Reference Link

13:09 EDT DFS announces Athene to pay $15M fine for insurance law violations - Financial Services Superintendent Maria T. Vullo announced that Athene Life Insurance Company of New York and First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company have entered into a consent order with the Department of Financial Services,DFS, under which Athene will pay a fine of $15M and FAFLIC will make remedial efforts totaling approximately $40M for violations of New York Insurance Law and regulations. A DFS market conduct examination, which was initiated following consumer complaints, found that Athene did not provide required information to about 15,000 policyholders, including premium notices, annual reports or cash surrender value notices, and annual privacy notices from 2015 to 2017. "Insurers who outsource their responsibilities to third parties are still responsible to meet all of their obligations under the law," said Superintendent Vullo. "Consumers must be able to trust that insurers are in compliance and are providing the required levels of service for life insurance policies. Given the increased frequency with which insurers use third-party providers, insurers will be held accountable for any failures to meet their legal obligations, even if that failure was the fault of a third-party provider." Reference Link

13:01 EDT Adidas alerting certain consumers of potential data breach - Adidas announced that it is alerting certain consumers who purchased on adidas.com/US about a potential data security incident. On June 26, adidas became aware that an unauthorized party claims to have acquired limited data associated with certain adidas consumers. "adidas is committed to the privacy and security of its consumers' personal data. adidas immediately began taking steps to determine the scope of the issue and to alert relevant consumers. adidas is working with leading data security firms and law enforcement authorities to investigate the issue. According to the preliminary investigation, the limited data includes contact information, usernames and encrypted passwords. adidas has no reason to believe that any credit card or fitness information of those consumers was impacted. While adidas continues its thorough forensic review, adidas is alerting relevant consumers," the company stated.

12:29 EDT FDA approves labeling supplement for Celebrex - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a labeling supplement for Celebrex, a COX-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, to include results from a postmarketing cardiovascular outcomes trial that found that at the lowest dose, Celebrex was similar to moderate doses of naproxen and ibuprofen with regard to cardiovascular safety. Celebrex is marketed by Pfizer. Reference Link

12:09 EDT Empery Asset Management reports 5.31% passive stake in VBL Therapeutics

12:00 EDT Worthington falls -8.3% - Worthington is down -8.3%, or -$3.83 to $42.33.

12:00 EDT Chipotle falls -8.3% - Chipotle is down -8.3%, or -$38.06 to $419.18.

12:00 EDT McCormick rises 7.5% - McCormick is up 7.5%, or $7.99 to $113.92.

12:00 EDT Madison Square Garden rises 10.5% - Madison Square Garden is up 10.5%, or $27.97 to $294.20.

11:21 EDT Vertex announces approval for PrSymdeko by Health Canada - Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced that Health Canada approved PrSYMDEKO for treating the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis in people ages 12 and older who have two copies of the F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene, or who have one copy of the F508del mutation and one mutation in the CFTR gene. Approval was based on data from two Phase 3 studies, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in November 2017, that enrolled 744 people with CF ages 12 and older with two copies of the F508del mutation or with one F508del mutation and a second mutation predicted to be responsive to tezacaftor/ivacaftor. Across both studies, patients treated with SYMDEKO experienced statistically significant improvements in lung function, as determined by absolute change from baseline in percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second. The treatment was generally well tolerated. SYMDEKO was approved by the U.S. FDA in February of this year for use in patients aged 12 and older who have two copies of the F508del mutation, or who have at least one mutation in the CF gene that is responsive to treatment with SYMDEKO. The European Medicines Agency has validated the Marketing Authorization Application for the tezacaftor/ivacaftor combination. The company expects approval in the EU in the second half of 2018.

10:57 EDT Street Fight: Analysts diverge on Chipotle following special investor call - Analysts are diverging on Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) after the fast casual chain held a special investor call to discuss its strategic initiatives. BULLISH: Piper Jaffray analyst Nicole Miller Regan said she remains a buyer of Chipotle shares following the call. While Chipotle did not provide official second quarter-to-date trends or an update on fiscal 2018 guidance, management referenced being pleased with same-store sales as Q1 trends have continued into the Q2 period, Regan wrote. Stated near-term catalysts include operations, marketing and digital, while the longer-term five-pillar strategy should produce higher average unit volume and margins, the analyst added. She kept an Overweight rating on Chipotle with a $530 price target. Meanwhile, Baird analyst David Tarantino said the call focused on strengthening sales fundamentals and he felt reassured as the company did not pre-announce Q2 results. Based on potential for the company to demonstrate strong earnings power in upcoming years under new leadership, he believes the risk/reward remains favorable. Tarantino reiterated his Outperform rating and $500 price target on shares. Bernstein analyst Sara Senatore noted that while Chipotle did not provide an update on Q2, management's bullishness on current comp trends is consistent with her above-consensus comp expectations. Chipotle's focus is appropriately on driving topline to support an improved economic model and eventually, faster unit growth, she contended. The analyst reiterated an Outperform rating and $500 price target on the shares. Additionally, Canaccord analyst Lynn Collier raised her price target on the stock to $500 from $425 and reiterated her Buy rating. CAUTIOUS: Maxim analyst Stephen Anderson lowered his price target on Chipotle to $420 from $435 and kept his Hold rating after the call, saying one-time restructuring charges are leading him to lower his Q2 and FY18 EPS views. The analyst added that investors may be disappointed with Chipotle's lack of updated guidance and also believes that the management missed an opportunity to discuss the positives of "international expansion potential and boosting shareholder returns". In addition, Stephens analyst Will Slabaugh raised his price target for Chipotle to $425 and kept an Equal Weight rating on the shares. Slabaugh likes the direction of the company under new CEO Brian Niccol, namely the heightened focus on brand perception/relevancy, technology, associated loyalty, off-premise, and menu innovation. However, Slabaugh thinks the stock's valuation "pulls forward significant earnings from the out-years and incorporates what needs to be fairly consistent mid-single-digit comp increases to deliver the earnings power that the market seems to be anticipating." Meanwhile, Wedbush analyst Nick Setyan says he sees little risk to near-term expectations after the update, but remains cautious regarding an inflection in fundamentals through 2020 ahead of expectations that could justify a higher valuation from current levels. The analyst reiterated a Neutral rating and $450 price target on the shares. Morgan Stanley analyst John Glass also kept an Equal Weight rating on the stock and raised his price target to $372 from $340, while Wells Fargo analyst Jon Tower raised his price to $405 from $325 and kept a Market Perform rating on the stock. BEARISH: UBS analyst Dennis Geiger said Chipotle's call outlined strategic initiatives, but didn't provide much visibility into the potential timing of an improved sales and earnings trajectory. The analyst said with valuation above historical levels, expectations elevated, and little indication of a near-term inflection, he believes downside exists unless a path to notable sales and earnings inflection emerges. Geiger reiterated his Sell rating and $300 price target on Chipotle shares. PRICE ACTION: In morning trading, Chipotle dropped 8.5% to $418.61.

10:31 EDT BJ's Wholesale CEO says business 'healthy, vibrant and growing' - BJ's Wholesale CEO Chris Baldwin sees "significant" opportunity for partnerships in e-commerce. Baldwin says private equity has been a "great steward" of BJ's over last seven years, citing investments made to better position the company. Baldwin is being interviewed on CNBC.

10:02 EDT Celgene granted orphan status for fibrosis treatment - The FDA granted Celgene orphan status for its treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Reference Link

10:00 EDT McKesson falls -7.4% - McKesson is down -7.4%, or -$10.64 to $134.02.

10:00 EDT RPM rises 8.7% - RPM is up 8.7%, or $4.63 to $57.95.

10:00 EDT Madison Square Garden rises 11.9% - Madison Square Garden is up 11.9%, or $31.77 to $298.00.

09:51 EDT World Acceptance names R. Chad Prashad as CEO - World Acceptance announced the promotion of R. Chad Prashad, current Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy and Analytics Officer, to the position of President and CEO, effective immediately. In addition, on June 27, the company's Board of Directors appointed Prashad as a member of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. Prashad has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy and Analytics Officer since February 2018 and as Vice President of Analytics from June 2014 to February 2018. Previously, Prashad served as Senior Director of Strategy Development for Resurgent Capital Services from 2013 to 2014 and Director of Legal Strategy for Resurgent Capital Services from 2009 to 2013.

09:50 EDT FRONTEO Inc (ADS) trading resumes

09:47 EDT GMS Inc. falls -10.3% - GMS Inc. is down -10.3%, or -$3.18 to $27.70.

09:47 EDT CF Industries rises 3.8% - CF Industries is up 3.8%, or $1.68 to $45.50.

09:47 EDT RPM rises 13.0% - RPM is up 13.0%, or $6.94 to $60.26.

09:41 EDT Booz Allen selected for five year, $37.4M contract by DHRA - To elevate NLSC operational capabilities, the Defense Human Resources Activity has awarded Booz Allen Hamilton a five-year, $37.4M contract in March to administer crucial functions of the NLSC, including member services and information management support.

09:28 EDT Upland Software raises FY18 outlook to refelct RO Innovation acquisition,

09:25 EDT Upland Software acquires RO Innovation for $12.5M in cash

09:20 EDT Curtiss-Wright awarded $28M contract for Navy submarine valves - Curtiss-Wright announced that it has been awarded a contract valued in excess of $28M to provide valves for the U.S. Navy's Virginia-class submarines. The award was received from Bechtel Plant Machinery to support ship construction and spare parts procurement. The contract includes FY18 orders for two ship sets of submarine propulsion plant valves and spares. Engineering and manufacturing has commenced and will continue through 2022.

09:15 EDT On The Fly: Pre-market Movers - UP AFTER EARNINGS: McCormick (MKC), up 3%... Accenture (ACN), up 3%. ALSO HIGHER: Marvell (MRVL), up 8%, and Cavium (CAVM), up 10% after announced that China's State Administration for Market Regulation has approved the companies' previously announced merger... Akebia (AKBA), up 8% after agreeing to combine with Keryx Biopharmaceuticals (KERX) in an all-stock merger. Keryx shares are up fractionally. DOWN AFTER EARNINGS: Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), down 9%... Rite Aid (RAD), down 6%. ALSO LOWER: CVS Health (CVS), down 8% after the earnigns reports from its pharmacy industry peers and following news that Amazon (AMZN) has agreed to acquire PillPack, an online pharmacy that delivers medications in pre-sorted dose packaging... Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY), down 6% after saying its sees FY18 consolidated net sales flat to slightly positive... Pier 1 Imports (PIR), down 14% after its earnings and guidance... Starbucks (SBUX), down 1% after announcing that Scott Maw, EVP and CFO, is retiring.

09:10 EDT Tecogen sells replacement chiller to Connecticut school system - Tecogen has sold a new 150 ton TECOCHILL chiller system to a prominent Connecticut elementary school to replace an existing Tecogen chiller system that had reached the end of its useful life. The new TECOCHILL system will provide greater efficiency and improved environmental benefits, and will benefit from State incentives available only to engine driven chillers that can reduce peak demand on the grid.

09:09 EDT Energous rises after announcing partnership with IDT to launch WattUp charger - Energous (WATT) shares are rising after the company announced the availability of a WattUp Near Field wireless charging transmitter solution through its partnership with IDT International Limited. The partnership will accelerate the ecosystem by giving customers the ability to bundle a standard transmitter design from IDT with WattUp receiver technology integrated into the customer's product, the company stated. "Today's announcement of the general availability of our cost-effective, low power reference design transmitter through our partnership with IDT, one of the most respected global manufacturers in the electronics industry, is a very significant milestone as we reach the final stages of commercializing WattUp and launching the Wireless Charging 2.0 platform," said Stephen Rizzone, CEO of Energous. Shares of Energous are up 6.5%, or 98c, to $16.17 in pre-market trading.

09:07 EDT Tetra Tech receives $60M contract from Army Corps of Engineers - Tetra Tech announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District selected Tetra Tech for a $60M five-year, multiple-award contract for engineering and design services throughout the Pacific Northwest. The Portland District is responsible for balancing the region's competing needs for navigation, flood risk management, hydropower, fish and wildlife habitat, disaster recovery, irrigation, and recreation. Tetra Tech will provide technical services including site investigations, geotechnical analyses, and engineering design to support water-related civil works projects to manage navigation, maintain water supplies, improve coastal structures, and reduce flood risks. Tetra Tech's engineers and biologists also will design systems such as fish passage alternatives to minimize adverse impacts on fish populations in the region, and provide planning, permitting, and design support to restore ecosystem habitat and natural processes in the watershed.

09:03 EDT Denny's to offer delivery through Amazon Restaurants - Denny's Corporation (DENN) announced the Company will now offer delivery through Amazon Restaurants (AMZN). Through the Denny's On Demand platform, the Company has added Amazon Restaurants to its growing list of third party delivery service providers bringing the Denny's experience to customers wherever they crave it. Denny's is connected to Amazon Restaurants via Olo Rails, enabling Prime members to find their nearest Denny's location and have the order sent directly to the restaurant, where it is prepared, picked up by Amazon Flex delivery partners and delivered right to the customer's front door.

09:02 EDT Euroseas announces delivery of drybulk vessel M/V Monica P - Euroseas announced the delivery of M/V Monica P, a 46,667 dwt drybulk vessel, built in 1998, to its buyer, an unaffiliated third party. The gross proceeds of this sale were $6.45M. The vessel was held for sale as of March 31, 2018. Following the sale of M/V Monica P, the Euroseas fleet consists of 10 feeder and one intermediate containership with a total carrying capacity of 25,473 teu making the Company the sole US-listed feeder containership company. Furthermore, the Company announced today that, based on recent filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Friends Investments Inc, a major shareholder of the Company, has purchased 275,309 common shares of the Company in the open market for a total of 4,033,004 common shares, or approximately 35.8% of the Company's outstanding common shares.

09:01 EDT Starbucks CFO Scott Maw to retire, effective November 30 - Starbucks Corporation announced that Scott Maw, EVP and CFO, is retiring effective November 30, 2018. A seven-year partner, Maw has been in the role since February of 2014. Starbucks has launched an external search for a new CFO. After his retirement, Maw will continue to support the transition in a senior consultant role through March 2019.

08:57 EDT Walgreens Boots Alliance says it has over 22% market share in pharmacy - Says Labcorp (LH) relationship is advantageous and is looking to expand partnership. Says Sprint (S) trial is proving promising and looks to expand out of Gainesville. Says has FedEx (FDX) offering at most stores now. Says incurring significant cost from acquired Rite Aid (RAD) stores. Says has over 22% market share in pharmacy, with prescriptions filled in line with last year. Comments taken from Q3 earnings conference call

08:52 EDT Scana cuts quarterly dividend 80% to 12.37c per share - SCANA announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of 12.37c per share for the quarter ending June 30, 2018. The quarterly cash dividend has been reduced from the 61.25c per share paid on the company's common stock for the first quarter of 2018. The 80% reduction in the dividend corresponds to the portion of the dividend attributable to the electric portion of South Carolina Electric & Gas Company. The board made this reduction to preserve its options as the company continues to seek a resolution to the recovery of costs for the VC Summer new nuclear construction project. The dividend is payable July 18 to shareholders of record on July 10.

08:49 EDT MySize granted U.S. patent for smart mobile measurement technology - MySize has been notified by the USPTO that it has been issued a patent to protect intellectual property with respect to its smartphone measurement technology. The patent applies to the technology that powers My Size's suite of smart mobile measurement solutions such as MySizeID, BoxSizeID, SizeUp, QSize, and more. The company has now been issued two patents in the U.S. together with a patent in Russia and Japan.

08:47 EDT South Jersey Industries announces sale of solar portfolio for approx. $350M - SJI (SJI) has entered into an agreement to sell its portfolio of solar energy projects to an entity managed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GS) for approximately $350M in cash. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Marina Energy, SJI owns 76 distributed solar energy projects with total capacity of 204 MW. The projects, located at 143 sites across New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts and Vermont, provide power to schools, hospitals, and commercial and industrial facilities. Under the terms of the agreement, Marina will sell all projects in the portfolio to GSAM and lease back certain projects to preserve investment tax credits previously received by the company. Marina will also sell GSAM the solar renewable energy credits generated by the projects, which will allow SJI to maximize its proceeds from the transaction. The agreement calls for SJI to receive $63M of the purchase price within the next week, with the balance being received over the next several months as individual projects in the portfolio satisfy closing conditions. SJI currently expects nearly all projects in the portfolio will satisfy their closing conditions prior to December 31, 2018. SJI is committed to achieving optimal deployment of the proceeds, including but not limited to, potential repayment of outstanding indebtedness and potential reduced share issuance under our existing forward equity agreement, as we continue to reshape our business

08:43 EDT RGS Energy enters partnership agreement with Revere Plastic Systems - RGS Energy entered into a partnership agreement with Revere Plastic Systems, LLC, one of the nation's top injection molders, to bolster its POWERHOUSE supply chain to meet increasing customer demand. Revere Plastic Systems has agreed to dedicate resources required to support up to $138M in estimated annual POWERHOUSE revenue. Dennis Lacey, RGS Energy's CEO, commented: "We are quite pleased customer reservations now exceed $36M, as we have averaged over $570,000 a day in new written reservations since our last announcement. To meet growing demand, we required an additional plastic molding manufacturer. As we work towards UL certification in September, our supply chain partners are taking the necessary steps to be able to quickly manufacture POWERHOUSE immediately following UL certification. We are very happy that a firm of Revere's reputation and size, with over 230 injection molding presses, has chosen to join our team."

08:41 EDT Gladstone Land announces execution of new lease on Oxnard, CA farm - Gladstone Land Corporation announced that it has executed a long-term lease on a 169-acre farm located in Oxnard, California, that is currently being operated through its taxable REIT subsidiary. The new, 10-year lease provides for fixed, annual rent escalations throughout its term and is scheduled to commence on August 1, 2018.

08:37 EDT Corvus announces publication of results of preclinical studies of CPI-444 - Corvus Pharmaceuticals announced publication of results of preclinical studies of CPI-444 conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The data showed that CPI-444 administered as monotherapy suppressed tumor growth and improved survival in animal tumor models, and CPI-444 administered in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy dramatically improved antitumor immune responses over either agent used alone. The results were published online this month in the journal Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy, in a publication titled "Inhibition of the adenosine A2a receptor modulates expression of T cell coinhibitory receptors and improves effector function for enhanced checkpoint blockade and ACT in murine cancer models," and can be accessed here. CPI-444, Corvus' lead product candidate, is a selective and potent inhibitor of the adenosine A2A receptor. It is currently being evaluated in early-stage clinical trials in patients with various solid tumors as a single agent and in combination with Genentech's atezolizumab, an anti-PD-L1 antibody. Results of the preclinical studies conducted by researchers at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Research Center and Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, showed that CPI-444:Administered as monotherapy suppressed tumor growth and improved survival in two animal models of colon tumors -- CT26, which is very resistant to checkpoint blockade, and MC38. Enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. The combination therapy dramatically improved tumor regression and animal survival in both the CT26 and MC38 colon tumor models. The effect was particularly marked in the CT26 tumor model, which showed a 70 percent cure rate. Dramatically enhanced immune responses in models of tumor immunity, augmented immune memory responses to viral antigens, and enhanced adoptive cellular therapy in an animal model of melanoma. Suppressed the expression of multiple checkpoint pathways, including PD-1, LAG-3, TIM-3 and CTLA-4, on both CD8 positive and T reg cells. The most significant effects were seen in tumor-draining lymph nodes. Increased the function of killer T cells in tumor infiltrating cells.

08:35 EDT Ocean Power signs contract with Premier Oil for PowerBuoy deployment - Ocean Power Technologies (OPTT) announced that the Company has signed a contract with Premier Oil (PMOIY), to supply a PowerBuoy for a deployment in the Huntington Field, one of Premier Oil's offshore fields in the Central North Sea. The contract calls for a nine-month lease including an initial three-month trial, followed by a six-month extension upon successful completion of the initial trial. The contract also includes an option to extend the initial nine-month lease. The project is expected to start in June of 2018 and deployment is anticipated for October of 2018. The OPT PowerBuoy will be deployed in the Central North Sea and will serve as a self-sustaining intelligent platform to provide communications and remote monitoring services. During the deployment, Premier Oil will explore the PowerBuoy capabilities and its ability to monitor the local environment and alert shipping of its position. The project is also backed by the Aberdeen-based Oil & Gas Technology Centre, which has provided co-funding, support and technical input to the monitoring requirements for the buoy.

08:33 EDT Celsion enters $10M loan agreement with Horizon Technology - Celsion Corporation (CLSN) announced that on June 27, 2018 it has entered into a $10M loan agreement with Horizon Technology Finance Corporation (HRZN) which it drew down upon closing. The Company anticipates that it will use the funding provided under the agreement for working capital and advancement of its product pipeline, including ThermoDox for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and GEN-1 for the treatment of newly diagnosed ovarian cancer, as well as other strategic initiatives designed to broaden its product pipeline. The funding is in the form of secured indebtedness bearing interest at a calculated LIBOR-based variable rate. Payments under the loan agreement are interest only for the first twenty-four months after loan closing, followed by a 24-month amortization period of principal and interest through the scheduled maturity date. In conjunction with the loan agreement, Celsion issued Horizon warrants exercisable for a total of 190,114 shares of Celsion's common share at a per share exercise price of $2.63 per share issued at the loan closing.

08:32 EDT Papa John's completes sale of China restaurants - Papa John's International announced the sale of its restaurants in Beijing and Tianjin, China. Papa John's China LLC sold its ownership of all 34 locations in Beijing and Tianjin to Asia Gourmet Holdings (Shanghai) CO., LTD., a portfolio company of Advantage Partners, a private equity firm in Asia. The sale was completed on June 15.

08:23 EDT Appian provides digital solution for pharmacovigilance reporting to Bayer - Appian (APPN) announced that Bayer's Pharmaceuticals (BAYRY) division has selected the Appian application platform to digitize and optimize its processes for requesting internal reports on pharmacovigilance data. By focusing on people and their collaboration, solutions built on Appian help to accelerate business improvement while providing the flexibility to review, improve processes and rules continuously. Tracking Key Performance Indicators is an integral part of all process implementations, providing insights and visibility across the business. Appian delivers the starting point and comprehensive insights into the operational processes for generating listings and aggregate statistics on side effects, their medical contents and processing efforts. Appian's solution automates recurring decisions based on rules and supports approvals from mobile devices when required.

08:17 EDT Chubb, Citibanamex announce exclusive distribution agreement - Citibanamex, a subsidiary of Citigroup (C), and Chubb Seguros Mexico, an affiliate of Chubb (CB), announced a definitive long-term agreement whereby Chubb will offer a broad range of non-life insurance products to Citibanamex's consumer bank clients in Mexico, subject to regulatory approvals. Under the terms of the agreement, Citibanamex will distribute Chubb non-life insurance products through Citibanamex branches and a variety of digital and direct marketing channels. The agreement encompasses property and casualty coverages for auto, home, individuals and small-to-medium enterprises, accident and health insurance products, and commercial P&C coverages for larger businesses. Citibanamex and Chubb have also entered into a separate agreement covering surety, whereby Chubb will market surety products to Citibanamex commercial customers. The consumer and small business products will be distributed under Chubb's well-known Mexican brand, ABA Productos. Citibanamex and Chubb expect to commence distribution in early 2019.

08:13 EDT Endologix announces results from LUCY registry - Endologix announced 1-year results from the LUCY registry as reported at the 2018 Society for Vascular Surgery Annual Meeting. The LUCY study is the first to prospectively evaluate endovascular aneurysm repair, or EVAR, outcomes in women who have more complex aortic anatomy and, subsequently, have worse reported outcomes than men undergoing EVAR. The results of the LUCY 1-year data expand on the 30-day results presented last year, showing that at least 28% more women are eligible for minimally-invasive EVAR when using the Ovation Abdominal Stent Graft System than when using other EVAR systems. The LUCY study is a prospective, consecutively enrolling, non-randomized, multi-center, post-market registry evaluating the Ovation System for the endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms, or AAA in women. The study enrolled a total of 225 patients, including 76 females in the treatment group and 149 males in the control group, at 39 sites in the U.S. The primary endpoint of the study was the 30-day major adverse event, or MAE, rate and secondary endpoints including serious and non-serious adverse events through one year.

08:12 EDT magicJack announces receipt of ITA withholding tax ruling - magicJack VocalTec announced that it has received from the Israel Tax Authority the "Withholding Tax Ruling" contemplated by the merger agreement among magicJack, B. Riley Financial, Inc. and B. R. Acquisition Ltd. As contemplated by the merger agreement, the Company applied for an exemption with the ITA to obtain exemptions from the Israeli tax withholding requirements for certain non-Israeli residents in connection with the payment of the merger consideration to magicJack shareholders. The ITA ruling provides for the exemption and sets forth the requirements on shareholders to establish their eligibility for the exemption. magicJack is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Form 8-K providing an overview of the requirements imposed by the ITA. The closing of the merger transaction is subject to the receipt of certain regulatory approvals.

08:12 EDT ReWalk Robotics clinical study of ReStore exo-suit approved by five institutions - ReWalk Robotics announced that the Institutional Review Boards of five U.S. research institutions have approved ReWalk's clinical study of the ReStore soft exo-suit device. ReWalk anticipates commercializing the ReStore device for use by stroke patients in Europe and the U.S. in 1H19, subject to the timing and receipt of CE mark and FDA clearance, respectively. Enrollment for the multi-center study is underway.

08:10 EDT Cellectar expands diffuse large b-cell lymphoma cohort in CLR 131 trial - Cellectar Biosciences announces that the company will expand patient enrollment in the diffuse large b-cell lymphoma cohort of its currently enrolling Phase 2 clinical trial of CLR 131. The response rate of the DLBCL cohort exceeded pre-specified criteria. As a result, the company will expand the cohort up to an additional 30 patients. This group represents the second of four cohorts to be expanded in this Phase 2 study. Previously the company announced the expansion of the study's multiple myeloma cohort. Additional updates on the two remaining select B-cell lymphoma cohorts will be provided when data are available.

08:08 EDT Edwards Lifesciences comments on CMS initiation of NCA for TAVR - Edwards Lifesciences commented on the announcement by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services about a National Coverage Analysis for transcatheter aortic valve replacement: "CMS announced that it has opened the NCA to reconsider the National Coverage Determination released in 2012 for TAVR. This development was clearly expected and the analysis will examine the extensive body of evidence regarding the clinical, economic and quality of life benefits of TAVR. As we move forward, our priority will be on assuring that the NCD provides all people with heart valve disease with access to all treatment options, enabling patients to choose the right treatment at the right time. We look forward to continuing to engage with CMS and other stakeholders in the finalization of this important policy, which will define the future of heart valve patients' access to this life-saving care."

08:08 EDT Edmund Optics orders SPECTOR Ion Beam Sputtering System from Veeco - Edmund Optics has ordered the SPECTOR Ion Beam Sputtering System from Veeco Instruments. The new capability is in support of Edmund Optics' expanding portfolio of high quality laser optics for infrared, visible, and ultraviolet systems. Edmund Optics' growing presence in the laser optics landscape builds on the company's long history as a supplier of high quality imaging and photonics components. The SPECTOR platform represents Edmund Optics' most recent financial and technical commitment to advancing state-of-the-art optics fabrication, adding to the company's existing expertise in aspheric design and manufacturing, advanced optical metrology, and production of optics designed for high laser fluence applications.

08:06 EDT OncoSec provides update of 2H18 expected milestones - OncoSec provided an update of milestones for 2H18. For its TAVO candidate for metastatic melanoma, expects complete enrollment of 23 patients in Stage 1 of PISCES/KEYNOTE-695 in Q3, to provide topline data update from Stage 1 PISCES/KEYNOTE-695 and meet with European regulatory authorities to seek the classification of TAVO as an Advanced-Therapy Medicinal Product, initiate a Phase 2 neoadjuvant clinical trial of TAVO in combination with standard of care Opdivoin operable melanoma. For TAVO in triple negative Breast cancer, to initiate KEYNOTE-890, a Phase 2 study of TAVO in combination with Keytruda in TNBC patients who have progressed on more than one line of prior therapy, complete patient enrollment and provide topline data update from TAVO monotherapy in late-stage TNBC. For TAVO for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck, to iInitiate a Phase 2 investigator-sponsored clinical study of TAVO in combination with standard of care Keytruda and another immunotherapy in the recurrent and/or metastatic SCCHN. As a new product candidate, the company expects to expanding clinical pipeline beyond TAVO by conducting pre-IND (meeting with FDA for new proprietary product candidate by adding additional immune stimulating targets to complement IL-12 foundation.

08:06 EDT Yum! Brands' Taco Bell signs first-ever master franchise agreements - Taco Bell continues its rapid global expansion by signing its first-ever master franchise agreements, continuing its path to becoming a $15B brand by 2022. Taco Bell announced that the brand, in collaboration with two key franchisees, Sforza Holding Group in Sao Paulo, Brazil and Casual Brands Group in Spain, entered into its first master franchise agreements. These deals make both groups two of the largest Taco Bell franchisees globally by store count. This news comes after a period of rapid expansion from the brand, having opened eight new markets since 2016, including China, Australia, Finland, the Netherlands, Scotland, Sri Lanka, Romania and most recently, Peru. By the end of 2018, Taco Bell will have more than 500 restaurants in 27 markets around the world, with the goal of expanding the brand's international footprint to 1,000 restaurants by 2022. In the United States, the brand and its franchisees operate more than 7,000 restaurants. By 2022, the brand plans to operate 9,000 restaurants globally.

08:05 EDT Magna acquires OLSA for EUR230M - Magna has signed a deal to acquire OLSA, which will expand the company's lighting capabilities to enable it to design, engineer and manufacture headlamps, tail lamps and other lighting products in every key region of the world. The transaction value on a cash- and debt-free basis is approximately EUR230M. Pending regulatory approval and other standard closing conditions, the deal is expected to be finalized before the end of 2018. OLSA, with headquarters in Turin, Italy, supplies automakers with lighting products. The company employs approximately 2,500 people and maintains manufacturing operations in Italy, Poland, Brazil, China and Mexico. With the acquisition of OLSA, Magna will have a total of 11 lighting manufacturing facilities and two engineering centres globally.

08:04 EDT BioAxone awarded $1.1M Phase 2 SBIR funding for drug candidate - BioAxone BioSciences announced that, as part of a collaborative effort with RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, it is the recipient of a grant award from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the agency's SBIR Phase II funding program. This two-year grant provides funding for further development of BioAxone's preclinical candidate BA-434, a novel sd-rxRNA compound that targets PTEN for the treatment of spinal cord injury. Under this grant, entitled "Development of self-delivering RNAi targeted to PTEN for treatment of spinal cord injury," BA-434 will be further developed to silence PTEN, a protein known to be an intrinsic barrier to regeneration, thereby supporting regeneration in the adult central nervous system.

08:03 EDT Xplore Technologies postpones announcement of FY18 results - Xplore Technologies announced that it intends to file a Form 12b-25 Notification of Late Filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, postponing the filing of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year 2018 for up to 15 days. As a result, Xplore now intends to announce its financial results for the fiscal year 2018 fourth quarter and full year on Thursday, July 5, 2018, before the market opens. The company will subsequently conduct a conference call and webcast to review its results at 11:00 a.m. ET, on the same day. Xplore was previously scheduled to report its results for fiscal 2018 on June 28, 2018. However, the company needs additional time to complete the preparation of its audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. The filing of the Form 12b-25 grants an automatic 15-day extension for the filing of the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2018.

08:02 EDT OneSpan, Nok Nok Labs partner for FIDO-compliant solutions - OneSpan announced a partnership with Nok Nok Labs that enables any mobile or online application to comply universally with FIDO standards including FIDO UAF and FIDO2. Nok Nok Labs selected OneSpan as a partner because of the company's strength in fraud mitigation technology. The OneSpan Mobile Security Suite with the Nok Nok S3 Authentication Suite enables banks and financial institutions to offer secure mobile or online applications without compromising the user experience. This standards-based authentication ensures device interoperability while helping prevent fraud attacks by replacing static passwords with advanced authentication options, including biometrics. This partnership will help support OneSpan's launch of additional software, server and SDK support for the FIDO2 protocol later this year, complementing OneSpan's support for FIDO standards through its existing Digipass SecureClick device and upcoming launch of the Digipass 785.

07:37 EDT Energy Fuels to reduce debt and advance vanadium production - Energy Fuels strengthened its cash position and currently has sufficient existing cash on hand to allow the company the ability to retire all or a portion of its existing long-term debt and to further advance its long-term and sustainable vanadium production profile. Since May 11, the company has experienced relative strength in its stock price and increased trading volume. Between May 11 and June 25, the company strengthened its cash position by raising a total of $16.0M through the 'At-The-Market' program, at an average price of $2.08 per share. The company is evaluating the potential of using this cash to finance vanadium-related activities, particularly with the spot price of vanadium currently above $17 per pound, repay existing long-term debt, and/or maintain a strengthened working capital position. The company plans to resume vanadium production in 2018 and expects to recover up to 4 million pounds of currently dissolved vanadium from pond solutions at the company's White Mesa Mill, including up to 500,000 lbs. of V2O5 in late-2018 or early-2019. The company is currently in the process of renovating and upgrading portions of the Mill's vanadium recovery circuit and completing the refurbishment of two of the underground access declines at both of its La Sal and Pandora uranium/vanadium mines. The company is also evaluating other advancements to its vanadium program.

07:33 EDT InflaRx receives IND approval from FDA to begin Phase II clinical trial of IFX-1 - InflaRx announced the approval of their Investigational New Drug application by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The open IND will allow InflaRx to start their planned phase II study to determine the safety and efficacy of IFX-1, a first-in-class anti-human complement factor C5a antibody, in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis. AAV is a rare and life-threatening autoimmune disease in which activation of the complement system, and specifically generation of C5a, is believed to play a key role in the neutrophil-driven vessel inflammation that defines the disease. AAV affects approximately 40,000 and 75,000 patients in the United States and Europe, respectively. The phase II study will enroll approximately 36 patients in approximately 20 sites in the U.S. The main objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of two different dose regimens of IFX-1 in comparison with placebo on top of current standard of care.

07:30 EDT Arsanis Inc trading resumes

07:30 EDT Akebia trading resumes

07:12 EDT Command Center, Inc postpones annual shareholder meeting to July 12 - Command Center, Inc., has announced a one-week postponement to July 12 of their annual shareholder meeting, previously scheduled for July 5. The service responsible for mailing proxy materials to registered shareholders has advised the company that it had inadvertently not mailed the company's proxy materials to certain registered shareholders, despite previously advising the company that all proxy materials had been timely mailed. Proxy mailing via priority mail to the remaining registered shareholders was completed June 27.

07:09 EDT AMC Entertainment announces loyalty program surpasses 15M household members - AMC Theatres announced that AMC Stubs, the company's loyalty program, has grown approximately six-fold since its relaunch nearly two years ago, from approximately 2.5M household members then to more than 15M household members now. At the U.S. average of 2.6 people per household, that means AMC Stubs points have been accumulated by nearly 40M American moviegoers. Crossing beyond the 15M household member mark coincides with the launch of the new AMC Stubs A-List, which is playing to interest amongst casual and frequent moviegoers. Through AMC Stubs A-List, members can enjoy all available showtimes up to three times per week, at all AMC theatre locations in the United States, in all of AMC's normal and premium formats including IMAX at AMC, Dolby Cinema at AMC, RealD 3D, Prime at AMC and BigD. AMC Stubs A-List can be used at the spur of the moment or also can make planning ahead days or weeks in advance possible, as securing tickets is possible via the reservations capabilities on the AMCTheatres.com web site, or on the AMC Theatres smartphone app or at the box offices of AMC Theatres.

07:07 EDT AMERI Holdings selected by commodity trader in India for IT migration services - AMERI Holdings has been selected by a leading India-based commodities trader as its strategic partner to migrate its legacy IT infrastructure to SAP S/4HANA private cloud. The trading company currently handles two million metric tons of commodities annually and expects volume to double annually.

07:07 EDT ProQR Therapeutics initiates Phase 1/2 clinical trial of QR-313 - ProQR Therapeutics announced that a Phase 1/2 clinical trial called "WINGS", to evaluate the safety and efficacy of QR-313 in patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is open for enrollment. Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is a severe blistering disease that causes fragile skin. People with DEB live with constant pain and have a high risk of malnutrition and infections. Symptoms of the disease include poorly healing wounds, skin infections, fusion of fingers and toes, anemia and gastrointestinal tract problems. Some patients develop very aggressive forms of skin cancer in adulthood. There are currently no approved treatment options available that target the underlying cause of DEB.

07:05 EDT uniQure enrolls first patient in Phase III HOPE-B pivotal study of AMT-061 - uniQure announced that it has enrolled its first patient in the Phase III HOPE-B pivotal study of AMT-061, an investigational AAV5-based gene therapy incorporating the FIX-Padua variant for the treatment of patients with severe and moderately severe hemophilia B. AMT-061 has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and access to the Priority Medicines regulatory initiative by the European Medicines Agency.

07:05 EDT Lightbridge receives patent approval for advanced metallic fuel rod in Japan - Lightbridge Corporation announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance for a new patent in Japan related to Lightbridge's innovative metallic fuel rod and fuel assembly design. This patent is the latest addition to the Company's growing intellectual property portfolio and follows similar approvals in other markets worldwide. The new patent is based on Lightbridge's 2014 Patent Cooperation Treaty application and covers an alternative embodiment of a multi-lobe fuel rod design; an all-metal pressurized water reactor fuel assembly design incorporating multi-lobe fuel rods based on the alternative embodiment; and an all-metal PWR fuel assembly design incorporating multi-lobe fuel rods arranged into a mixed grid pattern, thereby covering the all-metal fuel assembly design after the most recent optimization.

07:04 EDT Canadian Solar converts golf course in Japan into 56MWp solar power plant - Canadian Solar's 56.3MWp solar power project in Japan reached commercial operation last month. The Yamaguchi Shin Mine project solar power system, powered by 173,000 Canadian Solar CS6U modules, is expected to generate approximately 66,000MWh of electricity every year. Chugoku Electric Power Company, Inc. will purchase the solar power under a 20-year feed-in-tariff contract at the rate of 32c per kWh.

07:03 EDT Arsanis discontinues Phase 2 clinical trial of ASN100 - Arsanis announced the discontinuation of its Phase 2 clinical trial of ASN100 for the prevention of S. aureus pneumonia in high-risk, mechanically ventilated patients following the completion of a planned interim analysis of unblinded trial data by an independent data review committee. Based on the results of this analysis, the DRC determined that the trial was futile, meaning that it was not likely to meet its primary end-point upon completion and recommended that trial enrollment be discontinued. Arsanis intends to conduct follow-up visits on all patients dosed with ASN100 per the study protocol. "We are disappointed that this clinical study was futile despite the survival benefit of ASN100 as compared to placebo observed in preclinical models of pneumonia, however Arsanis remains confident in the potential of monoclonal antibodies to prevent and treat serious infections, while also reducing the threat of antibiotic resistance," said CEO Rene Russo. "We intend to evaluate the complete dataset from the patients that were enrolled in the ASN100 study to better understand the basis for this result and expect to provide an update on the program following this review. We thank the patients and their caregivers who participated in the ASN100 Phase 2 study. We will continue to focus our efforts and resources on our other programs, including the development of ASN500 for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus infection, which contributes to 240,000 hospitalizations per year in the U.S. Pre-clinical data for ASN500 has demonstrated high potency with potential to offer benefits over existing preventive therapies in terms of dosing strategy, manufacturing and route of administration, to better serve both new and existing target patient populations. We expect to advance ASN500 into Phase 1 clinical trials in 2019."

07:01 EDT TouchCast selects Lifeboat Distribution to expand global footprint - Lifeboat Distribution, a subsidiary of Wayside Technology Group announced a distribution agreement with TouchCast, a company that develops smart video communications and collaboration solutions. Lifeboat will distribute TouchCast's products to its global network of 4,000 resellers around the globe. The first product distributed by Lifeboat will be TouchCast Pitch, a groundbreaking new tool for creating unforgettable presentations. Pitch turns every sales meeting, product demo, training webinar, town hall, executive briefings or educational course into an unforgettable experience.

07:00 EDT Akebia, Keryx to combine in all-stock merger

06:58 EDT Keryx trading halted, news pending

06:58 EDT Arsanis Inc trading halted, news pending

06:56 EDT Accenture reports Q3 gross margin 32.2% vs. 32.8% a year ago

06:54 EDT Accenture CEO says 'delivered outstanding financial results' for Q3 - Pierre Nanterme, Accenture's chairman and CEO, said, "We delivered outstanding financial results for the third quarter. I am particularly pleased with our record new bookings of $11.7 billion and our double-digit revenue growth, which again was exceptionally balanced across the dimensions of our business. We grew EPS 18 percent on an adjusted basis, expanded operating margin, generated very strong free cash flow and returned $1.6 billion in cash to our shareholders. We are clearly benefiting from our unique position as the end-to-end leader operating at scale in the New - digital, cloud and security services, which now account for approximately 60 percent of total revenues. We continue to invest to build highly differentiated capabilities and capture new growth opportunities. These investments and our innovation-led approach position us very well to continue gaining market share and delivering value for our clients and shareholders."

06:50 EDT Accenture raises FY18 outlook

06:39 EDT McCormick CEO: Q2 results 'reflect the successful execution of our strategies' - Lawrence Kurzius, Chairman, President and CEO, stated, "McCormick's strong second quarter and year to date results reflect the successful execution of our strategies. We delivered double-digit sales, adjusted operating income and adjusted earnings per share growth as well as significant operating margin expansion. Both our consumer and flavor solutions segments contributed to our constant currency sales growth of 16%. Growth in both segments was led by incremental sales from the Frank's and French's portfolio. Consumer segment sales growth was also driven by both Americas and Asia/Pacific base business and new products, with particular strength in China. Our additional flavor solutions segment growth was driven by increased base business and new product sales in flavors as well as broad-based branded foodservice growth in the Americas region. Across both of our segments, the solid growth from our core business and the performance of Frank's and French's were in line with our plans and we are pleased with our momentum entering the second half of the year."

06:34 EDT Alexion submits MAA to EMA for ALXN1210 for treatment of PNH - Alexion Pharmaceuticals announced the submission of a marketing authorization application, or MAA, to the European Medicines Agency, or EMA, for ALXN1210, the company's investigational long-acting C5 complement inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, or PNH. The application is supported bydata from two Phase 3 clinical trials in the largest population of patients with PNH ever studied in Phase 3, which included patients who had never received a complement inhibitor, and patients who were stable on Soliris and switched to ALXN1210. In two rigorous and large Phase 3 clinical studies, treatment with weight-based dosing of ALXN1210 every eight weeks demonstrated non-inferior results to treatment every two weeks with Soliris on all 11 primary and key secondary endpoints in both studies. All endpoints, including breakthrough hemolysis, had point estimates that favored ALXN1210, which was consistent with the immediate and complete C5 inhibition observed by the end of the first infusion of ALXN1210 and sustained throughout the entire 26-week treatment period. There were no notable differences in the safety profiles for ALXN1210 and Soliris.

06:19 EDT Biohaven Pharmaceutical's rimegepant in migraine meets endpoints in two trials - Biohaven Pharmaceutical is presenting expanded data from two randomized, pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials of rimegepant, Biohaven's small molecule calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist, on June 30 at the American Headache Society Annual Scientific Meeting. These data support rimegepant's potential to provide patients with pain freedom and freedom from migraine-associated symptom in the acute treatment of migraine using a single dose. In the two Phase 3 trials of rimegepant, a full spectrum of clinically meaningful benefit compared to placebo was seen across multiple outcome measures. These included the co-primary endpoints of pain freedom and freedom from the most bothersome symptom at two hours post-dosing. Rimegepant-treated patients saw meaningful gains over placebo in both pain relief and freedom from functional disability at 2 hours post-dose. These gains were durable, with rimegepant outperforming placebo in sustained pain relief and sustained freedom from functional disability. The Phase 3 trial results showed increasing benefit in relief from migraine-associated symptoms after dosing. Rimegepant was generally well tolerated and demonstrated a liver safety profile similar to placebo. Biohaven is also presenting new data from a preclinical study of rimegepant and BHV-3500, in which no active vasoconstrictive properties with either product candidates were observed, unlike the current standard of care for the acute treatment of migraine, which have contraindications for use by patients with cardiovascular conditions. Patients with absolute cardiovascular contraindications to triptans are currently being enrolled in Biohaven's long-term safety study which began in 2017. The company is also presenting new data from a Phase 1 study evaluating the bioequivalence of oral tablet and ODT formulations of rimegepant showing that the fast-dissolve Zydis(R) formulation has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile that might translate into an earlier onset of action. Finally, Biohaven will initiate a Phase 3 clinical trial of rimegepant for the prevention of migraine by Q4.

06:15 EDT Gilat Satellite awarded 153.6M by Fitel Peru for regional telecom projects - Gilat Satellite announced a new award by Peru's Fitel for two additional regional telecommunications infrastructure projects totaling $153.6M. The Amazonas region was awarded for $108M and the Ica region for $45.6M. Gilat expects additional revenues to be generated by selling network capacity to cellular carriers to address the growing needs for voice, data, and internet in these regions, as well as the development of platforms for e-learning, e-health and e-government. Fitel awarded the new regions of Amazonas and Ica to Gilat in addition to the four telecommunications projects that are nearing completion, in the regions of Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Apurimac and Cusco. In the two additional regions, Gilat will build the infrastructure required to support the Peruvian population including connecting schools, police stations and health centers.

06:10 EDT Amarin announces last patient study visit in REDUCE-IT trial - Amarin announced that the last patient study visit has occurred in its cardiovascular outcomes study, REDUCE-IT. The company also reiterated that it anticipates having top-line results for this important study reported before the end of Q3. The company reported that adjudication of all identified potential endpoints is approaching completion. As part of their last site visits in the study, patients underwent non-invasive diagnostic testing to determine whether silent myocardial infarctions or other clinical events had occurred. Until this testing was completed at the last patient visits, some cardiovascular events could not be finally adjudicated, even if these potential study endpoints occurred much earlier in the trial. The final steps preceding REDUCE-IT completion include resolving remaining queries to contribute to an accurate database. This "cleaning" process is characteristically intensive and time consuming. Progress is being made at a pace consistent with the company's guidance of having top-line results to report before the end of Q3. Amarin continues to be intentionally blinded to the results of the study and will remain blinded to such results until after the study is completed and the database is locked.

06:10 EDT Criteo investing EUR$20M in advertising AI lab in Paris - Criteo launched the Criteo AI Lab, a center of excellence dedicated to the creation, experimentation and at-scale deployment of machine learning technology. Backed by an investment of EUR$20M over three years, the lab will be involved in research related to building deep models. Criteo's AI Lab will conduct experiments that will shape industry standards for performance measurement and best practices, as well as lead the conversation around responsible use of data. Criteo's researchers will publish their findings in a variety of public forums, as well as open-source their tools. To achieve its objectives for the lab, Criteo will be expanding its presence in France and recruiting talent to tackle AI advancement.

06:07 EDT BP to acquire electric vehicle charging company Chargemaster - BP announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Chargemaster, a U.K.-based electric vehicle charging company. Chargemaster operates the UK's largest public network of EV charging points, with over 6,500 across the country. It also designs, builds, sells and maintains EV charging units for a wide range of locations, including for home charging. Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO, BP Downstream, said: "Bringing together the UK's leading fuel retailer and its largest charging company, BP Chargemaster will deliver a truly differentiated offer for the country's growing number of electric vehicle owners. The number of EVs on the road is anticipated to increase rapidly in coming decades. By 2040 BP estimates that there will be 12 million EVs on UK roads, up from around 135,000 in 2017. BP believes that to accelerate the adoption of EVs, customers will require convenient access to fast and ultra-fast charging. BP's UK retail network is well positioned to provide this access with over 1,200 service stations across the country. A key priority for BP Chargemaster will be the rollout of ultra-fast charging infrastructure, including 150kW rapid chargers capable of delivering 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes. BP customers in the UK can expect to access BP Chargemaster chargers on forecourts over the next 12 months. Upon completion of the transaction, Chargemaster employees will continue to be employed by BP Chargemaster or its subsidiaries. BP Chargemaster will operate as a wholly-owned BP entity.

06:05 EDT Marvell receives Chinese regulatory approval for Cavium acquisition - Marvell (MRVL) announced that China's State Administration for Market Regulation has approved the company's previously announced merger transaction with Cavium (CAVM). The merger remains subject to customary closing conditions and Marvell currently expects the merger to close in July, 2018.

05:47 EDT Google leads $22M Series A in feature phone OS KaiOS - KaiOS Technologies, developer of the emerging operating system for smart feature phones, KaiOS, announced a $22M Series A investment from Google (GOOG, GOOGL) to help bring the internet to the next generation of users. "This funding will help us fast-track development and global deployment of KaiOS-enabled smart feature phones, allowing us to connect the vast population that still cannot access the internet, especially in emerging markets," said Sebastien Codeville, CEO of KaiOS Technologies. KaiOS works closely with manufacturers like TCL, HMD Global, and Micromax and has partnerships with carriers such as Reliance Jio, Sprint (S), AT&T (T) and T-Mobile (TMUS).

05:42 EDT Mylan, Lupin partner to commercialize Enbrel biosimilar - Lupin and Mylan announced that the two companies will partner to commercialize a biosimilar to Enbrel. Through the partnership agreement, Mylan will commercialize Lupin's proposed etanercept biosimilar in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Africa and most markets throughout Asia. Enbrel is a TNF-inhibitor1 indicated to treat certain autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis. Enbrel had global brand sales of approximately $11.6B for the 12 months ending Dec. 31, 2017, according to IQVIA. Lupin successfully completed its Etanercept biosimilar Phase 3 clinical trial in February 2018. Lupin has filed the product with the European Medicines Agency and plans to file the product in other jurisdictions. Under the terms of the agreement, Lupin will receive an up-front payment of $15M and potential commercial milestones together with an equal share in net profits of the product.