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

20:53 EDT Post Holdings announces formation of 8th Avenue Food & Provisions - Earlier today, Post Holdings announced it has formed 8th Avenue Food & Provision,, consisting of Post's private brands business, and it has entered into an agreement with Thomas H. Lee Partners, Inc., a premier private equity firm investing in middle market growth companies since 1974, pursuant to which Post and THL together will separately capitalize 8th Avenue. Post explored a range of structural alternatives for its private brands business resulting in Post and THL agreeing to organize and capitalize 8th Avenue for the purpose of driving consolidation in the private brands category. Jim Dwyer will continue as President and Chief Executive Officer of 8th Avenue. 8th Avenue management, Post management and THL have deep expertise operating and executing transactions in the private brands and consumer packaged goods categories, and together will develop opportunities for 8th Avenue. By retaining a meaningful ownership of 8th Avenue, Post will participate in 8th Avenue's growth while preserving the option to pursue a tax-efficient separation of its remaining position in 8th Avenue. Under the terms of the transaction, Post is expected to receive total proceeds of $875 million, fully monetizing the net investment Post has made in its private brands business. Final proceeds are anticipated to be funded by $250 million from THL and 8th Avenue's assumption of $625 million of debt. Post will retain 60.5% of the common equity in 8th Avenue. THL will receive 8th Avenue preferred stock with an 11% PIK-equivalent, cumulative, quarterly compounding dividend and 39.5% of the common equity in 8th Avenue. 8th Avenue and its subsidiaries will become unrestricted subsidiaries of Post, and 8th Avenue debt will be non-recourse to Post. Post will use its net proceeds to pay down a portion of its existing approximately $2.2 billion term loan, reducing its pro forma net leverage ratio to 5.5x. Post will continue to provide certain services to 8th Avenue under a master services agreement.

19:14 EDT Heineken, China Resources to create long-term partnership for China - Heineken announced that it has signed non-binding agreements with China Resources Enterprise, Limited and China Resources Beer Co. Ltd. to create a long-term strategic partnership for Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. In the context of this partnership, Heineken will become CRE's 40% minority partner in holding company CRH Limited, which controls CR Beer, the undisputed market leader in the world's largest beer market, China. As part of the strategic partnership, Heineken China's current operations will be combined with CR Beer's operations and Heineken will license the Heineken brand in China to CR Beer on a long-term basis. Heineken will invest a total amount of HK$24.3 billion in CBL, which translates into an implied purchase price of HK$36.31 per share in CR Beer. CRE will acquire 5.2M Heineken N.V. shares which are currently held in treasury for a total consideration of EUR464M or EUR88.66 per share. Heineken will contribute its operating entities in China, including three breweries, into CR Beer for a total consideration of HK$2.4 billion, through a share sale transaction. Combined, these transactions will result in a net investment of EUR1.948B by Heineken. Heineken and CR Beer will enter into a Trademark License Agreement for the Heineken brand in China. Heineken and CR Beer will also sign a Framework Agreement to allow CR Beer to leverage Heineken's global distribution channels to support and accelerate the international growth of CR Beer's Snow brand and its other Chinese brands, as well as to govern the use of other premium brands owned by Heineken which may be licensed to CR Beer in China.

19:08 EDT 19 AGs oppose Trump's proposed rule to roll back auto emissions standards - California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, and California Air Resources Board Chair Mary D. Nichols expressed their strong opposition to the proposed rule from the Trump Administration that would imperil the current greenhouse gas emission standards for model year 2021-2026 vehicles and put in place weakened emission and fuel efficiency standards "at the expense of our health, our environment, and our economy." Instead of adopting maximum feasible standards to increase vehicle fuel efficiency, as federal law requires, the Administration is moving to freeze the standards at the 2020 level through model year 2026. Similarly, rather than addressing the pressing threat of climate change as the Clean Air Act mandates, the Administration is moving to freeze greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles for those same years. "If enacted, this proposal will cost consumers billions of dollars in additional gasoline to run less efficient cars and light-duty trucks," the office of the AG said. "It will also degrade air quality and put millions of additional tons of climate-disrupting pollution into the atmosphere. The Trump Administration is also proposing to withdraw the waiver granted to California more than five years ago for the State's own greenhouse gas emissions standards and its successful zero-emission vehicle programs- an unprecedented and unlawful action that flies in the face of congressional intent and would aggravate the harms to consumers, public health, the economy and the environment caused by the weakening of the federal standards. The Administration proposal would also block the many other states that use California standards from moving forward." California is leading a coalition of Attorneys General from 19 states that are aiming to defend clean car standards. Publicly traded companies in the space include Daimler AG (DDAIF), Fiat Chrysler (FCAU), Ford (F), General Motors (GM), Honda (HMC), Nissan (NSANY), Toyota (TM) and Volkswagen (VLKAY). Reference Link

18:32 EDT AmerisourceBergen receives U.S. subpoena over opioid products - AmerisourceBergen said in a regulatory filing that, in May 2018, it received a grand jury subpoena from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida. The subpoena requests documents primarily relating to certain opioid products and communications with a pharmaceutical manufacturer. The company is in the process of responding to the subpoena.

18:09 EDT Impinj reports preliminary Q2 revenue $28.5M, consensus $26.75M - Impinj, Inc. announced that it anticipates reporting stronger-than-expected results for second quarter 2018. The company also announced it will delay its second-quarter 2018 earnings release and investor conference call, as well as the filing of its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended June 30, 2018. "Endpoint IC sales exceeded expectations even as our inlay partners further reduced their inventory. We believe that our partners' endpoint IC inventory correction is now mostly resolved," said Impinj co-founder and CEO, Chris Diorio.

17:42 EDT Summit Midstream backs 2018 adjusted EBITDA view $285M-$300M - Backs 2018 CapEx $175M-$225M. Expects to generate distribution coverage for the full year in excess of 1.00x. Expects that distribution coverage will improve from current levels beginning in Q4 and continuing throughout 2019.

17:35 EDT NRG Yield backs FY18 adjusted EBITDA view $950M

17:31 EDT Cboe Global Markets to list common stock exclusively on Cboe - Cboe Global Markets announced plans to transfer the primary listing of its common stock to Cboe BZX Equities Exchange. Currently, Cboe shares are dual-listed on both Cboe and the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Cboe plans to delist from Nasdaq effective September 14, 2018, after the market close, and begin to list solely on Cboe on September 17, 2018, under its existing ticker symbol, "CBOE."

17:28 EDT Leon Cooperman reports 7.81% stake in MVC Capital

17:24 EDT Innovative Industrial Properties closes acquisition, enters into long-term lease - Innovative Industrial Properties announced that it closed on the acquisition of the property located at 10070 Harvest Park in Dimondale, Michigan, which is currently under development and expected to comprise approximately 56,000 square feet upon completion. The initial purchase price for the property was approximately $5.5M, and the seller is responsible for completing certain development milestones, for which the seller is expected to be reimbursed approximately $5.3M. Green Peak Industries, the tenant at the property, is also expected to complete tenant improvements for the building, for which the company has agreed to provide reimbursement of up to $2.2M. Assuming full payment for each step of the development and reimbursement for tenant improvements, the company's total investment in the property will be $13M. Concurrent with the closing of the purchase, the company entered into a long-term, triple-net lease agreement with Green Peak, which intends to utilize the facility for medical cannabis cultivation and processing upon completion of development. The initial term of the lease is 15 years, with two options to extend the term for two additional five-year periods.

17:23 EDT Global Brass and Copper enacts $35M share repurchase program

17:21 EDT Dover increases quarterly dividend 2% to 48c per share - The board of Dove increased its quarterly cash dividend to 48c per share, an increase of 1c or 2%. This is the 63rd consecutive year in which the company has increased its annualized cash dividend.

17:17 EDT Cross River Capital reports 6.9% passive stake in Nobilis Health

17:15 EDT Tableau sees FY18 CapEx $35M-$45M

17:14 EDT Boyd Gaming, FanDuel Group announce strategic partnership - Boyd Gaming and FanDuel Group - a subsidiary of Paddy Power Betfair, a leading international sports betting and gaming operator, announced that they have entered into a strategic partnership to pursue sports betting and online gaming opportunities across the United States. The partnership brings together two of the largest and most geographically diversified companies in the gaming entertainment industry. Boyd Gaming is one of the largest and most experienced companies in the gaming industry, and will operate 29 casinos across 10 states upon the completion of two pending acquisitions. With eight million customers and a presence across 45 states, FanDuel Group is the largest online sports destination in the United States, with a range of products and experiences for all sports fans. Under terms of the agreement, subject to state law and regulatory approvals, Boyd Gaming will establish a presence in the online gaming and sports wagering industry by leveraging FanDuel Group's technology and related services to operate Boyd Gaming-branded mobile and online sports-betting and gaming services. In turn, FanDuel Group will establish and operate mobile and online sports-betting and gaming services under the FanDuel brand in the states where Boyd Gaming is licensed.

17:13 EDT PDL BioPharma announces amendment to purchase, sale agreement with Depomed - PDL BioPharma (PDLI) announces an amendment to the Royalty Purchase and Sale Agreement with Depomed (DEPO) under which PDL acquired all of Depomed's remaining rights to royalties and milestones payable on sales of type 2 diabetes products licensed by Depomed for up to $20M. Under the original Royalty Agreement PDL would have shared future royalties equally with Depomed after total cash received by PDL reached $481M, or two times PDL's original investment, which PDL expects to occur by October 2020. Under terms of the amendment, PDL has made an initial payment of $10M to Depomed. An additional $10M will be payable if Depomed meets certain conditions specified in the amendment. Products covered by the Royalty Agreement and amendment include Glumetza and its authorized generic, Jentadueto XR, Invokamet XR and Synjardy XR.

17:03 EDT Entegris EUV 1010 Reticle Pod demonstrates superior defectivity performance - Entegri released the next generation EUV 1010 Reticle Pod for high-volume IC manufacturing using extreme ultraviolet lithography. Developed in close collaboration with ASML, one of the world's largest manufacturers of chip-making equipment, Entegris's EUV 1010 is the first to be qualified by ASML for use in the NXE:3400B and beyond. As the semiconductor industry begins ramping EUV lithography for the high-volume manufacturing of advanced technology nodes, keeping EUV reticles defect-free is more demanding than ever. Entegris's EUV 1010 Reticle Pod is now fully qualified by ASML for their latest generation scanner having demonstrated outstanding protection of the EUV reticles, including against the most critical particle challenges. As a result, Entegris's EUV 1010 enables customers to safely transition to smaller and smaller line widths, as needed for the most advanced lithography processes.

17:00 EDT Hanwha Q CELLS trading resumes

16:57 EDT Wingstop up 7.5% after reporting Q2 earnings, giving FY18 guidance

16:46 EDT Aimco sees Q3 AFFO 49c-53c

16:44 EDT Cellectis names Stefan Scherer deputy CMO - Cellectis (CLLS) announced the appointment of Dr. Stefan Scherer, M.D., Ph.D., to the role of Senior Vice President Clinical Development and Deputy Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Scherer joins Cellectis from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NVS), where he was the Head of Early Development, Strategy and Innovation for U.S. Oncology. Dr. Scherer is based in New York and will report to Prof. Stephane Depil, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President Research & Development and Chief Medical Officer.

16:40 EDT ICF International acquiring DMS Disaster Consultants - ICF has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire DMS Disaster Consultants, a disaster planning and recovery services firm. Following the closing, DMS will operate as part of ICF's disaster management and resilience division. The DMS team, consists of about 50 employees, including engineers, architects, adjusters, risk managers, forensic accountants and project managers.

16:39 EDT Eclipse Resources backs FY18 CapEx guidance of roughly $250M - Backs FY18 production view of 325-335 MMcfe/d.

16:34 EDT CBS sees 16M subscribers to All-Access/Showtime OTT by 2022

16:33 EDT EOG Resources maintains FY18 exploration and development expenditure target - EOG maintained its forecast for 2018 exploration and development expenditures of $5.4B-$5.8B, excluding acquisitions and non-cash transactions. The company also maintained its target to reduce average well costs by five percent in 2018.

16:32 EDT Hanwah Q Cells receives preliminary non-binding 'going private' proposal - Hanwha Q CELLS announced that its board of directors has received a preliminary non-binding proposal letter, dated August 2, 2018, from Hanwha Solar Holdings Co., a subsidiary of Hanwha Chemical Corporation incorporated in the Republic of Korea, to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company not already owned by HSH in a "going private" transaction for a cash consideration of $9.00 per American Depositary Share or $0.18 per ordinary share. The Board intends to form a special committee consisting of independent directors to consider this proposal. The Company cautions its shareholders and others considering trading in its securities that the Board just received the the Proposal Letter and has not made any decisions with respect thereto. There can be no assurance that any definitive offer will be made, that any agreement will be executed or that this or any other transaction will be approved or consummated. The Company does not undertake any obligation to provide any updates with respect to the Proposed Transaction or any other transaction except as required by applicable law

16:30 EDT Eldorado Resorts reports Q2 adjusted EBITDA up 12.7% to $118M

16:28 EDT Wingstop increases quarterly dividend 29% - In recognition of the Company's strong cash flow generation, confidence in the business, and commitment to returning value to shareholders, Wingstop's board approved a 29% increase in the quarterly dividend, to 9c per share from 7c per share of common stock. This dividend will be paid on September 18 to shareholders of record as of September 4.

16:26 EDT Wingstop reports system-wide domestic same store sales increase of 4.3%

16:25 EDT Hanwha Q CELLS trading halted, news pending

16:24 EDT ResMed raises quarterly dividend to 37c from 35c per share - The dividend will have a record date of August 16, 2018, payable on September 20, 2018.

16:22 EDT Nu Skin increases stock repurchase authorization to $500M - Nu Skin Enterprises announced that its board of directors has increased its stock repurchase authorization to $500M, an approximate $408M increase.

16:19 EDT Chemours CEO sees earnings at 'top end' of previous range - CEO Vergnano concluded, "Given our strong first half results and visibility into the rest of 2018, we believe that earnings will be in the top end of our previously announced range. As we look over the longer term, we remain confident in our ability to meet or exceed our three-year financial targets, supported by our commitment to Ti-Pure Value Stabilization, assisting our fluorochemicals customers through the transition to Opteon refrigerants, and further investment in application development to meet growing needs for fluoropolymers. The Board of Directors authorization of an increased dividend and new share repurchase plan underscore our expectations for long-term growth."

16:18 EDT Bojangles says comparable restaurant sales decreased 0.2% - System-wide comparable restaurant sales decreased 0.2%, while company-operated comparable restaurant sales decreased 0.8% and franchised comparable restaurant sales increased 0.1%.

16:17 EDT Chemours raises quarterly dividend to 25c per share - The Board of Directors of Chemours declared a quarterly cash dividend of 25c per share on the company's common stock for the third quarter of 2018, a 47% increase per share from the previous level of 17c per share. The dividend will be paid on September 14 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 17. The company also announced that the Chemours Board of Directors authorized a $750M share repurchase plan. The authorization extends through the end of 2020.

16:16 EDT Chemours announces new $750M share repurchase program

16:14 EDT Zafgen Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Thomas Hughes departing - Zafgen announced that Thomas Hughes has resigned from his role as president and Chief Scientific Officer at Zafgen to accept a CEO role at a privately held biotechnology company. Hughes is also stepping down from Zafgen's board. Hughes's last day with Zafgen will be in the coming weeks and a search for a successor is underway.

16:10 EDT Continental Building sees FY18 CapEx $29M-$33M

16:08 EDT CBS CEO says Q2 'strong' - "CBS' strong second quarter puts us firmly on track to deliver the record full-year results we have forecast," said Leslie Moonves, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CBS Corporation. "During the quarter, each of our three revenue types enjoyed solid growth, led by affiliate and subscription fees, where we continue to see healthy gains in both traditional distribution and new digital platforms. Once again, our total subscriber base -- including retrans, virtual MVPDs, and our own direct-to-consumer streaming services -- continues to grow, and our average rate per sub is increasing as well. In particular, our direct-to-consumer platforms, CBS All Access and Showtime OTT, are greatly exceeding our expectations. Our goal was to have eight million subscribers combined by 2020, and we are now on track to hit that number in 2019. For that reason, and based on our trajectory of growth in these services, we now predict that CBS All Access and Showtime OTT will have 16 million domestic subscribers by 2022. At the same time, we continue to grow in content licensing as we expand our content development and distribution to a host of third-party distributors such as Apple, Netflix, and TBS. In addition, advertising continues to grow as well, up 2% for the quarter. And we recently concluded another terrific upfront with solid increases in pricing and volume, including dramatic growth in digital volume, reflecting the power of our programming on the CBS Television Network. Plus, we expect to have strong gains in the back half of the year at our local business with the midterm elections in the fall. Looking ahead, we are set up for continued growth in 2018, and we feel more confident than ever that CBS is uniquely positioned to succeed as a direct-to-consumer global content company."

16:06 EDT Nuvectra appoints Ben Tranchina as Chief Technology Officer - Nuvectra Corporation announced today the appointment of Ben Tranchina as Chief Technology Officer, effective August 24. Tranchina has over 25 years of industry experience and most relevantly served as VP, Product Development at St. Jude Medical, where he led the development of the company's neuromodulation portfolio, following his time at Advanced Neuromodulation Systems. Tranchina will replace the company's current CTO, Dr. Norbert Kaula, who announced his intention to resign to pursue other interests, effective August 17.

16:04 EDT RealPage to acquire substantially all assets of LeaseLabs - RealPage announced its agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of LeaseLabs, a provider of digital marketing services and software to approximately 800,000 units in the multifamily housing industry. The acquisition of LeaseLabs is expected to extend the RealPage marketing platform by adding marketing analytic services, creative content design, direct marketing through social media channels, reputation management and geo-targeting solutions. The completion of the acquisition remains subject to certain standard conditions, including the completion of regulatory review. RealPage will acquire substantially all of the assets of LeaseLabs for an initial purchase price of approximately $103M in cash and stock plus an earn out provision payable in cash of up to approximately $14M upon achieving certain financial objectives. The acquisition price is subject to working capital adjustments with a 10% holdback for potential indemnification claims. For the full year 2018, LeaseLabs projects standalone revenue of $20M, representing revenue growth of approximately 25%. The company expects the acquisition of LeaseLabs to contribute revenue of approximately $5M and to contribute immaterially to its 2018 Adjusted EBITDA during the three month period ending December 31, 2018.

16:00 EDT Varex Imaging trading halted, news pending

14:43 EDT Wabtec exec Walhstrom sells 10,000 common shares - In a regulatory filing, Wabtec executive VP of Human Resources Scott Wahlstrom disclosed the sale of 10,000 common shares of the company at a price of $110 per share.

13:10 EDT One Horizon Group CEO calls recent stock price decline 'overreaction' - One Horizon Group issued a letter to shareholders from CEO Mark White, which in part, read: "Please let me take this opportunity to thank you for your support and to provide you a detailed update with respect to our business activities. Like many of you, I am keenly aware that our stock price is an important measure of our Company's health. Notwithstanding the progress we have made since I rejoined One Horizon Group last fall, in recent months our stock price has come under pressure. Based on our analysis and shareholder dialogue, there are two principal reasons why our stock is trading at a discount to what we believe is its true fair market value: the litigation initiated by Zhanming Wu; and a lack of clarity regarding the strategy behind our acquisition of a majority stake in Banana Whale Studios. We remain confident in our litigation position and we expect the matter with Mr. Wu to be resolved in due course. One Horizon's acquisition of Banana Whale is central to our strategy to position One Horizon as a leader in the digital and cashless payment systems market, and to capitalize on our unique mobile APP-based social media marketplace for experiences and now, our gaming engine. All of the acquisitions we have made to date are complementary; our subsidiaries will provide key services to each other and our clients...Some shareholders are concerned that approximately seven million shares were issued upon closing of the Banana Whale transaction. I want to assure you that all of the shares are restricted and subject to performance metrics, which reflect approximately $5M in net profits that Banana Whale management projected it would generate over the next 24 months. Although the shares were issued to Banana Whale's principals up front, as in the case of our other acquisitions, the number of shares they will retain is determined by the net profit Banana Whale generates over the next 24 months. Absent performance, all of the approximately 7M shares will be forfeited. From what we have seen to date, we remain confident that Banana Whale will make a solid contribution to our profits. I would also like to update you on the progress of our proposed acquisition of Browning Production and Entertainment. We were, unfortunately delayed in our due diligence process, which has impacted our timetable. We are currently working closely with BP&E and expect to update the market in the coming weeks. In summary, I believe the recent decline in our stock price is an overreaction to a litigation that will find a resolution and that should not impact our business strategy as well as poor communication regarding the merits surrounding the Company's acquisition of Banana Whale. It is my hope that you can appreciate the logic and business purpose behind the acquisitions that we have made, which have been accretive and are currently generating revenue, as we work to establish ourselves as a leader at the crossroads of disruptive mobile APP-based social media, gaming, electronic commerce and secure digital transactions."

12:32 EDT Comcast, Amazon partner to launch Prime Video on Xfinity X1 - Comcast (CMCSA, CMCSK) and Amazon (AMZN) announced an agreement to launch Prime Video on Comcast's Xfinity X1, giving Xfinity TV customers easy access to thousands of additional premium shows and movies over the internet and marking the first time Amazon Prime Video content would be integrated on an MVPD platform in the U.S. Xfinity TV customers will be able to enjoy exclusive and award-winning Prime Originals like Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Goliath, as well as live events and TV, titles available to rent or buy, or to watch with a Prime Video Channels subscription. Customers can search Prime Video content using Comcast's award-winning X1 Voice Remote, as well as enjoy shows and movies available in 4K Ultra HD and HDR. The Amazon Prime Video app is expected to launch on X1 later this year.

12:21 EDT American Electric issues RFP for supply of coal - American Electric Power issued a request for proposal for the supply of coal to one or more of its generating stations in multiple coal regions, including the Powder River Basin, Illinois Basin and Central Appalachian or Colorado Basin.

12:19 EDT The Stars Group, Resorts Casino Hotel partner for N.J. online sports betting - The Stars Group and Resorts Casino Hotel announced the extension of their existing partnership in the New Jersey regulated online gaming market to include online and mobile sports wagering through the BetStars brand alongside the already existing online poker and casino offering available through the PokerStarsNJ brand. The Stars Group intends to utilize its existing and approved proprietary technology and player account management platform for its betting offering, providing customers in the state with a single account, common wallet, various online and mobile depositing and withdrawal options, and a seamless offering of betting options along with the company's popular poker and casino products. The Stars Group intends to draw upon its technology development, management, marketing, and sports book trading expertise to provide New Jersey customers with an innovative, compelling, and robust mobile-led sportsbook. The company anticipates providing over time, subject to required regulatory approvals, a wide range of betting products including in-play wagering, bespoke accumulators, and live streaming, as well as an ecosystem of free-to-play products and promotions and sports content, for dozens of sports, including professional and NCAA football, basketball, and baseball as well as horse racing, hockey, soccer, tennis and other sporting markets.

12:10 EDT Hill International receives 1-year multi-million dollar renewal for PHL program - Hill International announced the City of Philadelphia's Division of Aviation renewed its contract with Hill to continue supporting Philadelphia International Airport's, or PHL, $2.3B, multi-year Capital Development Program. This extension of Hill's eighth, multi-year contract allows the firm to continue providing effective planning, implementation, and control support for PHL's Capital Development Program, with special emphasis on project and financial controls. The program includes more than $700M in airfield and over $1.3B in terminal and landside access projects. The work supports PHL's growth and economic impact on the region, as PHL serves approximately 30 million commercial passengers annually and offers more than 1,000 daily flights to 130 national and international non-stop destinations.

12:00 EDT Intrepid Potash falls -19.8% - Intrepid Potash is down -19.8%, or -83c to $3.36.

12:00 EDT ION Geophysical falls -26.5% - ION Geophysical is down -26.5%, or -$6.86 to $19.04.

12:00 EDT Resolute Forest rises 19.3% - Resolute Forest is up 19.3%, or $2.02 to $12.53.

11:57 EDT Healthcare Trust approves repurchase of up to $300M in common stock - Healthcare Trust of America announced today that its board of directors approved a new stock repurchase program authorizing the company to purchase of up to $300M of its Class A common stock from time to time prior to August 1, 2020. The company concurrently terminated the stock repurchase program authorizing the purchase of up to $100M of its Class A common stock that was approved in June 2018. Prior to the termination, in June 2018, pursuant to the $100M authorized plan, HTA repurchased 333,002 shares of its common stock, at an average price of $26.26 per share, for an aggregate amount of $8.7M.

11:03 EDT Nexstar Broadcasting enters agreements to acquire two stations for $19.45M - Nexstar Media Group announced that its subsidiary, Nexstar Broadcasting, has entered into definitive agreements with KRBK to acquire KRBK-TV, the FOX affiliate serving Springfield, Missouri, and with Huntsville TV to acquire WHDF-TV, the CW affiliate serving Huntsville, Alabama for an aggregate purchase price of $19.45M, plus certain price adjustments and capital expenditure requirements. The proposed transactions are expected to be immediately accretive to Nexstar's operating results upon closing. The company intends to finance the station acquisitions with cash from operations and borrowings under its senior credit facilities. Pursuant to local marketing agreements, Nexstar began operating WHDF-TV on July 15, 2018 and KRBK-TV on August 1, 2018. The transactions are subject to FCC and other customary approvals, and are expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018.

10:46 EDT Textron recalls about 255 snowmobiles due to injury hazard - Textron notified the CPSC that it is recalling about 255 Arctic Cat snowmobiles, as the handgrip can break, posing an injury hazard to the rider. This recall involves all model year 2018 Pantera models including the Pantera 3000s, Pantera 6000s, and Pantera 7000s. It also involves 2019 Pantera 3000, 6000 and 7000 model snowmobiles. No injuries or incidents have been reported.

10:33 EDT Pareteum says 36-month contractual revenue backlog $301M - Pareteum announced that its current 36-Month Contractual Revenue Backlog, 36MCRB, has grown to an astonishing $301M. Pareteum has added $46M to its 36MCRB with ten new customer agreements the last 36 days. Achieving this tremendous milestone represents a 393% increase from a year earlier, when in July 2017, our 36MCRB was $61M.

10:21 EDT 12 West Capital takes 5% stake in GDS amid short-seller accusations - 12 West Capital Management earlier today disclosed a new stake in GDS Holdings. The fund reported a 5% stake, representing over 5.87M shares of GDS. The filing does not allow for activism. 12 West Capital Management was founded by Joel Ramin in 2011, according to Insider Monkey. GDS Holdings, a developer and operator of data centers in China, is down 6c to $24.94 in early trading. Blue Orca Capital on July 31 issued a short research report on GDS, accusing the company of being a fraud. In response, GDS said Blue Orca's "allegations are false, its conclusions are incorrect and its premises reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of the Company's business."

10:07 EDT Casino operators drop after voicing worries on Las Vegas - Shares of casino operators are in focus in morning trading following cautious comments from several companies on their operations in Las Vegas. Casino companies operating in Las Vegas include MGM Resorts (MGM), Caesars (CZR) and Wynn Resorts (WYNN). MGM RESORTS: MGM reported second quarter EPS of 21c, below the 29c analysts were expecting, on revenue of $2.86B, also below the $2.96B consensus. Chairman and CEO Jim Murren commented that a difficult comparison in Las Vegas convention attendees resulted in a "more negative than anticipated" hotel mix shift, creating short-term competitive rate pressure in Q3. He also said that the transition of Park MGM is creating short-term headwinds, but noted it is on track to complete its transformation by the end of this year. As such, Murren said MGM expects Q3 net revenues at its Las Vegas Strip resorts to be lower by approximately 8% to 10%, with REVPAR down 5% to 7%. The company also expects Las Vegas Strip Adjusted Property EBITDA margins to be approximately 28%, or around 29% excluding Park MGM. The company expects its FY18 net revenues and REVPAR at its Las Vegas Strip resorts to decrease by a low single digit percentage, and an Adjusted Property EBITDA margin of approximately 29%, or around 30% excluding Park MGM. CAESARS: Though Caesars delivered Q2 revenue of $2.12B, in line with consensus expectations, and said its same-store net revenues improved 2.8%, the company reported EPS of 4c, below the 8c consensus. During a call with analysts, CFO Eric Hession said yesterday that Caesars "observed rate pressure in the Las Vegas market impacting our leisure segment and a significant reduction in event programming year-over-year." Hession warned that revenue per room would be flat to up 2% in in Q3. CEO Mark Frissora later assured investors that while there has been some bookings weakness in July and August, it would strengthen in September. He said, "In this business model, at least as it relates to Vegas, everything swings over several months...I mean, I've seen this over and over again over the last 3.5 years I've been here. There is a knee-jerk reaction oftentimes for a momentary weakness. This is not -- it's a programming issue. It's not that we have a weakness in Vegas. I want to be clear, it's not a weakness in Vegas." Hession added, "We know what the bookings look like through the end of the year. And so we don't have concern in our forecast." Frissora later reiterated to CNBC that the company does not see any long-term weakness in Vegas or elsewhere. WYNN RESORTS: Wynn Resorts' Q2 adjusted EPS was $1.53 on revenue of $1.61B, below the $1.96 and $1.71B analysts were expecting. The company also provided cautious commentary on Las Vegas, telling investors on its conference call that Q3 "will be a challenge," and RevPAR will likely be flat with last year. CEO Matthew Maddox said the reasons for the challenge are "not necessarily demand-driven, but also event-driven." Maddox reiterated that it is more "event-driven," as Q3 laps last year's Conor McGregor fight and the Yom Kippur holiday is also in Q3 this year, "than it is an indication because our Q4 actually looks pretty strong." Maddox said Q4 RevPAR right now is looking to be up over 4% compared to the last year, and thinks Wynn's overall RevPAR for the year in Las Vegas is going to grow by 3%-4%. ANALYST COMMENTARY: BofA Merrill Lynch analyst Shaun Kelley noted that shares of Caesars sold off sharply after its conference call comments on Las Vegas, telling investors in a research note that while he had been noting softness in the firm's Vegas room survey data, he expected outperformance for Caesars given better group business than MGM and renovated room product. He added that pricing and RevPAR visibility in Las Vegas "seems quite low," as management was not concerned about July and August trends through June. PRICE ACTION: In morning trading, MGM slid 1.4%. Caesars, which had dropped yesterday, gained 0.7%. Wynn Resorts fell nearly 6%. Las Vegas Sands followed its peers lower and dropped 1.8%.

10:00 EDT Floor & Decor falls -18.7% - Floor & Decor is down -18.7%, or -$8.90 to $38.80.

10:00 EDT ION Geophysical falls -24.7% - ION Geophysical is down -24.7%, or -$6.40 to $19.50.

10:00 EDT Gildan Activewear rises 16.7% - Gildan Activewear is up 16.7%, or $4.34 to $30.32.

09:58 EDT Kellogg says U.S. snacks 'remains right on track' financially - Says improving share performance in each category in U.S. snacks. Says seeing improvement in cookie performance. Says can now afford to fully support key brands post-DSD. Says U.S. snacks remains right on track financially. Says saw core six cereal brands have collective share gain in U.S. Morning Foods. Says outlook for Morning Foods remains unchanged, expects to see profit pressured by increased investments. Says continues to compete well in U.S. Specialty Channels. Say operating profit for Specialty is forecast to be "uncharacteristically" down in 2018. Says still expects "dependable" performance from Specialty. Says continues to see benefits of maintaining RX's independence. Says Kashi brand is steadily improving its performance. Says expects continued growth for North American Other. Says Europe had a "solid quarter". Says meaningfully improved performance of Special K across region. Says Europe is in "good shape" going into 2H. Says Latin America sales growth accelerated in Q2. Says continues to see good recovery in Caribbean/Central America unit. Says "feels good" about how Latin America performance is trending. Says Asia/Pacific is "firing on all cylinders". Says has momentum and further opportunity for Pringles. Says sees continued growth to come for international regions.

09:56 EDT Acorn International trading halted, volatility trading pause

09:47 EDT R.R. Donnelley falls -16.1% - R.R. Donnelley is down -16.1%, or -94c to $4.90.

09:47 EDT ION Geophysical falls -24.7% - ION Geophysical is down -24.7%, or -$6.40 to $19.50.

09:47 EDT Gildan Activewear rises 11.0% - Gildan Activewear is up 11.0%, or $2.85 to $28.83.

09:46 EDT Kellogg says Q3 operating profit may be 'flattish' - Says top-line performance is "clearly improving." Says delivered on financial expectations for Q2 and 1H. Says progress towards returning to long-term sustainable growth has continued. Says investing for future, says increased brand-building at double-digit rate in Q2. Says invested cash in pension funds. Says continues to deliver on cash flow. Says cash flow is up year-on-year in Q2. Says managing through surge in transportation costs and inflation with productivity and revenue growth initiatives. Says while the company is investing more, it is being very selective about where the company is investing. Sees FY18 net sales up 4%-5%. Sees adjusted operating profit growth up 5%-7%. Sees adjusted EPS up 11%-13%. Sees cash flow approx. $1B. Says Q3 operating profit may be flattish, while Q4 should be up "strongly." Comments taken from Q2 earnings conference call.

09:32 EDT Information Services announces strategic partnership with Ultimate Software - Information Services Group (III) announced a strategic partnership with Ultimate Software (ULTI). The non-exclusive partnership gives ISG deeper insights into Ultimate's current solutions, product roadmap and planned investments, knowledge that will help ISG better advise its clients as they consider moves to as-a-service HCM solutions. Under this advisory-only partnership, ISG will remain fully independent, with no reseller, implementation or other financial obligations.

09:26 EDT RXi Pharmaceuticals granted patents for sd-rxRNA technology in Europe and Japan - RXi Pharmaceuticals announced that the European Patent Office and Japan Patent Office have granted patents for the company's novel self-delivering RNAi therapeutic platform. These patents will be set to expire in 2029.

09:16 EDT Jamba to be acquired by Focus Brands for $13/share in deal valued at $200M - Focus Brands and Jamba, Inc announced that the companies have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which FBI will acquire Jamba for $13.00 per share in cash, in a transaction valued at approximately $200M. Under the terms of the agreement, a subsidiary of FBI will commence a tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Jamba common stock for $13.00 per share in cash. The tender offer is subject to customary conditions, including antitrust clearance and the tender of a majority of the outstanding shares of Jamba common stock. Following successful completion of the tender offer, FBI would acquire all remaining shares not tendered in the offer through a merger at the same price as in the tender offer. The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2018 and will be funded by FBI using cash on hand and available borrowing capacity under its existing credit facilities. Following the close of the transaction, Jamba will be a privately-held subsidiary of FBI and will continue to be operated as an independent brand. Focus Brands is majority owned by affiliates of Roark, an Atlanta based private equity firm that focuses on investing in franchised and multi-unit businesses in the restaurant, retail and other consumer sectors. Certain funds advised by Engaged Capital, LLC and Indus Capital Partners, LLC, which collectively own approximately 27% of the outstanding shares of Jamba, have entered into agreements to tender their shares in the tender offer.

09:11 EDT Assurants sells Mortgage Solutions business to WMIH subsidiary Xome for $35M - Assurant (AIZ) announced an agreement to sell its Mortgage Solutions business to Xome Holdings, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of WMIH (WMIH), for $35M in cash and potential future payments based on performance. The sale, which closed yesterday, encompasses all of the Mortgage Solutions business including Title, Valuations, Mortgage Technology and Field Services. Xome, based in the Dallas, TX area, is a provider of technology and data-enhanced solutions for homebuyers, home sellers, real estate agents and companies engaged in the origination and/or servicing of mortgage loans. Nearly all of Mortgage Solutions' employees will join Xome. Assurant's Q2 net operating income for Global Housing will include the operating results of Mortgage Solutions, but given the disposition, the associated assets and liabilities will be held for sale, which is expected to result in an estimated net loss of $34M reflected in consolidated net income.

09:08 EDT Hilton Grand Vacations acquires six floors of DoubleTree in Chicago - Hilton Grand Vacations announced it has entered into a purchase-sale agreement with Related Fund Management and The Chartres Lodging Group to acquire the top six floors of the 26-story DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago, which will be HGV's first property in this market. The current property owner will renovate and convert 122 of the existing 500 hotel rooms into 78 studio and one-bedroom timeshare units, all according to HGV's brand standards. HGV will acquire the inventory in phases, anticipated to begin in Q2 of 2019. The renovations are scheduled to begin in Q4, and sales are planned to start in our on-site sales center in the Q2 of 2019. The total project investment for HGV is expected to be approximately $54.5M.

09:06 EDT Xperi partners with UMC to support production of 3D semiconductor tech - Xperi Corporation (XPER) announced a partnership with global semiconductor foundry UMC (UMC). This strategic partnership will enable the companies to support the growing demand for Invensas ZiBond and Invensas DBI 3D semiconductor technologies. Together, Xperi and UMC will further optimize and commercialize the ZiBond and DBI technologies for a wide range of semiconductor devices including image sensors, radio frequency, MEMS, display drivers, touch controllers, SoC, analog, power and mixed-signal devices.

09:04 EDT Wayfair sees gross margin improvement in longer-term, but not in 2H

09:03 EDT Abbott receives FDA approval for deep brain stimulation therapy software upgrade - Abbott announced FDA approval for an over-the-air software upgrade for all currently implanted Infinity DBS systems that delivers magnetic resonance-conditional labeling. This new approval allows existing implanted Infinity DBS systems to be upgraded via secure Bluetooth wireless technology without the need for surgery, giving full-body MRI conditional labeling to the entire Infinity DBS system, along with the suite of system upgrades.

09:03 EDT Wayfair says still plans to hire 'a lot of folks' in Q4, but not at Q3 level

08:59 EDT USA Technologies selected for cashless payments by Pepsi Bottling Ventures - USA Technologies (USAT) announced that Pepsi Bottling Ventures, the largest privately-held bottler for Pepsi-Cola (PEP) products in North America, signed a multi-year agreement for USAT's ePort Connect Service. The agreement includes deployment of the ePort cashless payment system on 13,000 machines, as well as the option to add Seed Pro and Seed Office software. The complete end-to-end enterprise solution would enable PBV to provide cashless payments, improve customer service and route efficiency and reduce the company's carbon footprint.

08:55 EDT Blue Apron sees FY18 net loss (135M)-(140M), adj EBITDA loss (65M)-(75M)

08:52 EDT C&J Energy Services authorizes stock buyback program of up to $150M - On July 31, C&J's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase, at the discretion of senior management, of up to $150M of the company's common stock over the twelve month period starting August 1 in open market or in privately negotiated transactions.

08:50 EDT Pareteum awarded $4M 3-year agreement by Internet of Things provider - Pareteum announced that an Europe Middle East and Africa - based Internet of Things provider has chosen Pareteum's Global Software Defined Cloud and software APIs to expand enterprise software application solutions around the world with a $4M contract. In this new 3-year agreement, their enterprise customers will work to extend their applications and solutions to new markets worldwide, using Pareteum's Global Enablement Cloud and software APIs.

08:47 EDT DHX Brands signs products licensees for Teletubbies in South Korea - DHX Brands, the dedicated brand management and consumer products arm of DHX Media, has signed nine new consumer products licensees for its Teletubbies brand in South Korea. The news follows the recent launch of the new Teletubbies series in South Korea on the country's leading public broadcaster, KBS, and on streaming services Naver TV and Naver Junior. The new consumer products line builds on the strategy to expand the Teletubbies brand throughout Asia and capitalize on the significant opportunity in the region.

08:45 EDT Blue Apron says it plans on testing on-demand delivery - Blue Apron (APRN) says focused on retail opportunities. Says tested with Costco (COST) in May and is available in 80 locations. Says plans to test on-demand delivery pilots. Says there is a core value proposition for direct-to-consumer model. Says launching products for larger gatherings. Says plans to introduce 20-25 minute recipes. Comments taken from Q2 earnings conference call.

08:43 EDT SenesTech files request for removal of 'Restricted Use Only' for ContraPest - SenesTech announced that it has requested that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency consider the reclassification of ContraPest from 'Restricted Use' to a 'General Use' pesticide. Action on this request is pending. ContraPest was registered as a "Restricted Use" product due to the need for applicator expertise to deploy and service the product. This designation means that a pest management professional must, in many states, be specially licensed for restricted use products, and is subject to additional regulation. Having gained experience using the product, the Company has decided to provide information to support the request for removal, to accelerate the adoption of ContraPest. The company is submitting letters of support from the industry, including from some of the largest PMP firms.

08:41 EDT Coeur Mining to acquire Northern Empire Resources - Coeur Mining and Northern Empire Resources have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Coeur has agreed to acquire, by way of a plan of arrangement, all of the issued and outstanding securities of Northern Empire not currently owned by Coeur. Northern Empire's principal asset is the Sterling Gold Project located in Nevada, which consists of four high-grade heap-leachable deposits with a total inferred gold resource of approximately 709,000 ounces averaging 2.23 g/t. Transaction values Northern Empire at approximately $90M, inclusive of the approximately 7.4 million Northern Empire shares currently owned by Coeur, representing a premium of 40% to Northern Empire's 20-day trailing volume-weighted average share price based on the 20-day VWAPs for both companies as at August 1. Coeur will be focused on a quick restart of the Sterling Mine while aggressively exploring the highly prospective Crown Block and other targets. Under the arrangement, each common share of Northern Empire will be exchanged for 0.1850 common shares of Coeur. The transaction values each Northern Empire share at C$1.64. Coeur will also acquire all of the outstanding options and warrants exercisable for Northern Empire common shares at the in-the-money value of such securities.

08:39 EDT Yum! Brands sees FY18 SSS at low-end of 2%-3% range - Guidance provided during Q2 earnings conference call.

08:35 EDT Genprex updates agreement with University of Texas MD Anderson - Genprex announced that it has amended its agreement with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to resume patient enrollment in its Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating the combination of the company's investigational drug Oncoprex and erlotinib for the treatment of Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. Previously announced interim data from nine patients from the Phase II portion of this Phase I/II clinical trial showed a disease control rate of 78%, with seven out of nine patients achieving stable disease or better, including one complete response. In a previous Phase I clinical trial at MD Anderson evaluating Oncoprex as a monotherapy, five of 23 patients with late-stage NSCLC achieved stable disease or better, with one durable metabolic response.

08:34 EDT L3 Technologies combining Aerospace Systems, Sensor Systems into one new segment - L3 Technologies (NYSE:LLL) announced today that the company is realigning its business segments to maximize growth and improve its integration and collaboration across the enterprise. Effective immediately, Aerospace Systems will combine with Sensor Systems to form the new Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Systems segment, which will be led by Jeffrey Miller, corporate Senior Vice President and President of Sensor Systems. Mark Von Schwarz, President of Aerospace Systems, will retire from the company after the transition is complete. The units have combined estimated 2018 sales of $4.7B. L3's Electronic Systems and Communication Systems segments remain unchanged. CEO Christopher Kubasik said, "This business realignment action supports our objective to improve operating margin to 12% for 2019."

08:30 EDT Sensus Healthcare receives FDA clearance to market new SRT-100+ - Sensus Healthcare announced that the company has received 501(k) clearance from the U.S. FDA to market its new SRT-100+, the next-generation Superficial Radiation Therapy solution that adds several innovative features to Sensus' existing SRT-100 product. The SRT-100+ is available for sale immediately.

08:28 EDT Biomerica receives Notice of Allowance for IBS test panel, methods in Korea - Biomerica announced that the Korean Intellectual Property Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for a patent application covering Biomerica's compositions, devices and methods of IBS sensitivity testing. The patent is expected to issue before September 2018. The patent application specifically applies to Biomerica's InFoods IBS product, which is currently in a clinical study in the U.S. This patent would be the first for the InFoods patent portfolio, providing patent protection for InFoods IBS in Korea until 2035.

08:26 EDT American States Water increases dividend 7.8% to 27.5c per share - The board of American States Water approved an increase in the company's third quarter cash dividend from 25.5c per share to 27.5c per share on the common shares of the company. The annualized dividend rate after this increase is $1.10 per share, which represents a 7.8% increase from the current annualized dividend rate of $1.02 per share. This action marks the 329th consecutive dividend payment by the company. Dividends on the common shares will be payable on August 31 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 15.

08:24 EDT Teva says "feeling very good" about restructuring efforts

08:20 EDT Teva says sees some FX headwinds in 2H18 - Cites strength of U.S. dollar.

08:17 EDT Aptinyx initiates Phase 1 study of NYX-458 - Aptinyx announced initiation of Phase 1 clinical development of NYX-458, its third novel product candidate that modulates N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1 study will enroll approximately 62 healthy volunteers to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single and repeat dosing of NYX-458 at multiple dose levels. Aptinyx intends to develop NYX-458 for the treatment of cognitive impairment associated with Parkinson's disease and plans to advance the compound into studies to evaluate efficacy next year.

08:14 EDT Teva says won't be pursuing any large acquisitions near term - Says will preserve cash flow for debt reduction. Says values profitability over size. Says migraine drug to launch 'immediately' when approved. Says will focus R&D efforts on biological drugs. Comments from Q2 earnings conference call.

08:12 EDT ManTech awarded $71M order by U.S. Air Force Installation Contracting Agency - ManTech announced a four-year $71M task order awarded by the U.S. Air Force Installation Contracting Agency under the DoD Information Analysis Center's Defense Systems Technical Area Task Multi-Award Contract. Under this award, ManTech will provide a major technology modernization initiative to transform mission systems in manned U.S. Navy maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft for Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division on behalf of the Naval Air Systems Command PMA 290. ManTech will replace legacy systems with state-of-the-art technology solutions in P-3C Orion and P-8A Poseidon aircraft widely used in anti-submarine and anti-surface electronic warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and survivability missions. The scope of this program includes quick-reaction and engineering analyses for total lifecycle management, and the logistical support essential to serving operational requirements.

08:11 EDT Oncobiologics appointsCFO Lawrence Kenyon as CEO - Oncobiologics announced that Lawrence Kenyon, its CFO and Corporate Secretary, has been appointed to the role of President and CEO, and has joined the company's board as a Class II Director. Kenyon will remain as CFO until a replacement is appointed.

08:08 EDT Genocea expects existing capital will support operations into 4Q19 - Genocea's financial guidance is unchanged; the company continues to expect that its existing cash and cash equivalents are sufficient to support its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the fourth quarter of 2019. Genocea continues to explore strategic alternatives for GEN-003, its Phase 3-ready investigational immunotherapy for the treatment of genital herpes.

08:06 EDT Kellogg raises FY18 outlook

08:03 EDT OncoMed estimates cash to be sufficient to fund operations through 4Q19 - With resource reprioritization and additional cash management measures, OncoMed's current cash runway has been extended by one quarter and is now estimated to fund operations through at least the fourth quarter of 2019, without taking into account future potential milestone or opt-in payments from its partners. OncoMed estimates 2018 operating cash burn to be less than $55M, before considering potential milestone or opt-in payments.

08:00 EDT Veeco trading resumes

07:55 EDT Marinus expects ganaxolone postpartum depression data in Q4 - Marinus Pharmaceuticals said in this morning's earnigns release that it expects to complete enrollment of patients in ganaxolone intravenous portion of the Phase 2 Magnolia study in women with severe postpartum depression in Q3. It also expects to report top-line data from ganaxolone IV portion of the Magnolia study in Q4 and top-line oral ganaxolone data from Amaryllis study in women with postpartum depression in Q4. "We achieved an important milestone in the second quarter with the initiation of a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the use of oral ganaxolone in children and young adults with CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder," commented Christopher Cashman, CEO of Marinus. "This is the first-ever phase 3 clinical trial for CDD, and the CDD community is awaiting treatment options to reduce the seizure burden of this disease. We are hopeful that ganaxolone may provide a benefit to this underserved patient population." STAT's Adam Feuerstein tweeted this morning, "$MRNS has delayed the readout of its ganaxalone postpartum depression study again, this time to the fourth quarter. (Was supposed to happen this quarter, and before that, the first quarter.)"

07:54 EDT Cisco confirms intent to acquire Duo Security for $2.35B - Cisco announced its intent to acquire privately-held Duo Security, headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI. Duo Security's solution verifies the identity of users and the health of their devices before granting them access to applications - helping prevent cybersecurity breaches. Integration of Cisco's network, device and cloud security platforms with Duo Security's zero-trust authentication and access products will enable Cisco customers to easily and securely connect users to any application on any networked device. Under the terms of the agreement, Cisco will pay $2.35 billion in cash and assumed equity awards for Duo Security's outstanding shares, warrants and equity incentives on a fully-diluted basis. The acquisition of Duo Security will: Extend intent-based networking into multicloud environments. Cisco currently provides on-premises network access control via its Identity Services Engine product. Duo's software as a service-based model will be integrated with Cisco ISE to extend ISE to provide cloud-delivered application access control. Simplify policy for cloud security. By verifying user and device trust, Duo will add trusted identity awareness into Cisco's Secure Internet Gateway, Cloud Access Security Broker, Enterprise Mobility Management, and several other cloud-delivered products. Expands endpoint visibility coverage. Cisco's in-depth visibility of over 180 million managed devices will be augmented by Duo's broad visibility of mobile and unmanaged devices. The acquisition is expected to close during the first quarter of Cisco's fiscal year 2019, subject to customary closing conditions and required regulatory approvals. Duo Security, which will continue to be led by CEO Dug Song, will join Cisco's Networking and Security business led by EVP and GM David Goeckeler.

07:51 EDT Cisco confirms intent to acquire Duo Security for $2.35B

07:50 EDT IntercontinentalExchange to launch platform to standardize ETF trading - Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) announced its intention to launch a new open-architecture, centralized industry platform to facilitate creation and redemption orders for exchange-traded funds, or ETFs. This new platform, expected to begin operations in 2019, subject to regulatory approval, will employ innovative functionality and establish standards to simplify the primary market trading process, which will bring more efficiency and transparency to the process. BlackRock (BLK) will be one of ICE's development partners and has executed a memorandum of understanding with ICE to support the new platform. The U.S. ETF market has seen growth. According to the Investment Company Institute, net assets grew six-fold over the last decade to $3.4T. Fixed income ETFs have been one of the fast growing segments within ETFs, with compounded annual growth of over 30% during the last ten years. Market participants will be able to place orders for creation and redemption baskets in a central venue, designed in an open platform to support participants from ETF sponsors to market makers, and other authorized participants. The platform will provide analytics, data and content, and instant messaging, as well as connections to trading venues and execution services.

07:38 EDT Wayfair sees long-term gross margin 25%-27%, adjusted EBITDA 8%-10% - In slides being presented on its Q2 earnings conference call, Wayfair provided long-term guidance, including gross margin of 25%-27% and adjusted EBITDA of 8%-10%. The company said strategic priorities include scaling logistics capabilities in warehousing, supply services, transportation and delivery; expanding the business in Canada, the U.K. and Germany; and further penetrating the TAM.

07:37 EDT Novocure appoints Intersect ENT CFO Jeryl Hilleman to board - Novocure (NVCR) has announced an addition to its board of directors. Jeryl Hilleman, an experienced executive leader, was elected to Novocure's board in July. Hilleman is CFO of Intersect ENT (XENT). Prior to joining Intersect ENT, she was CFO of Amyris (AMRS).

07:35 EDT MGM Resorts sees short-term competitive rate pressure in Las Vegas in Q3 - Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts, said: "Our Las Vegas Strip resorts benefited in the prior year third quarter from a stronger citywide convention base, two major boxing events and a higher than normal table games hold. The difficult comparison in citywide convention attendees has resulted in a more negative than anticipated hotel mix shift creating short-term competitive rate pressure in the current year third quarter. In addition, the transition of Park MGM continues to create short-term headwinds but is on track to complete its transformation by the end of this year." As a result of these factors, the company expects third quarter net revenues at its Las Vegas Strip resorts to be lower by approximately 8% to 10%, with REVPAR down 5% to 7%. The company also expects Las Vegas Strip Adjusted Property EBITDA margins to be approximately 28%, or around 29% excluding Park MGM. The company expects its full year 2018 net revenues and REVPAR at its Las Vegas Strip resorts to decrease by a low single digit percentage, and an Adjusted Property EBITDA margin of approximately 29%, or around 30% excluding Park MGM.

07:33 EDT Adaptimmune says has funding through early 2020 - The Company believes that its existing cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and income from GSK upon transition of the NY-ESO program will fund the Company's current operations through to early 2020.

07:27 EDT Valeritas says V-Go device demonstrates improved clinical benefits in patients - Valeritas Holdings announced a poster titled "Use of V-Go Wearable Insulin Delivery device by Advanced Practitioners Demonstrated Improved Clinical Benefits in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Uncontrolled on Multiple Daily Injections of Insulin" will be unveiled today at the Metabolic & Endocrine Disease Summit conference in San Diego, California. The analysis showed that insulin-dependent patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes clinically benefited after switching to V-Go from multiple daily injections. This study demonstrated that patients treated by Advanced Practitioners experienced improved A1c levels while lowering insulin total daily dose after switching to V-Go from MDI of insulin. Patients in this study were evaluated after a mean duration of three and seven months. At three months, the mean change in A1c was -1.1% from the mean baseline of 9.1%, and mean insulin TDD decreased to 58 units per day from a mean baseline of 87 units per day. At seven months, the mean change in A1c was also -1.1%, while the mean insulin TDD was 61 units per day. Change in the mean weight was less than 1 kg at both time points.

07:26 EDT California Insurance Commissioner recommends blocking CVS, Aetna deal - California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones yesterday issued his finding that the proposed merger of CVS Health (CVS) and Aetna (AET) "would have significant anti-competitive impacts on American consumers and health care and health insurance markets." Jones formally recommended that the United States Department of Justice sue to block the proposed merger. Jones said he found that the proposed merger "poses competitive concerns in the Medicare Part D market, where both companies currently compete, as well as in the highly-concentrated market for Pharmacy Benefit Manager services, and in the retail pharmacy market." Reference Link

07:22 EDT Mallinckrodt enrolls first patient in Phase 2 DMD trial - Mallinckrodt confirmed enrollment of the first patient in the company's Phase 2 study assessing the efficacy and safety of investigational drug MNK-1411 in patients ages four to eight with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, or DMD. The company also announced that MNK-1411 recently received the European Medicines Agency Orphan Medicinal Product designation for the potential treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

07:19 EDT BioTime reports start of investigator initiated study of Premvia - BioTime reported that Gordon H. Sasaki, M.D., F.A.C.S., has initiated his independent investigator-initiated study of Premvia combined with the patient's own fat for volume augmentation of the hand. Premvia is a hydrogel medical device that has 510(k) clearance in the U.S. for wound management. It has the same components as Renevia, BioTime's investigational medical device that is being developed as an alternative for fat grafting procedures. The objective of this investigator-initiated study is to evaluate the safety and performance of Premvia plus the patient's own fat as a volumizer in the hands. This single arm study is designed to evaluate a number of subjects. Each subject will receive injections into each hand. One hand will receive a combination of Premvia plus their own fat, while the other hand will receive an injection of the patient's fat only.

07:17 EDT MSCI sees FY total operating expenses $725M-$750M - MSCI's guidance for full-year 2018 remains as follows: Total operating expenses are expected to be in the range of $725 million to $750 million. Adjusted EBITDA expenses are expected to be in the range of $645 million to $665 million. As previously disclosed in connection with the completion of the 2027 Notes Offering on May 18, 2018, interest expense, including the amortization of financing fees, is now expected to be approximately $133 million, assuming no additional financings. Capex is expected to be in the range of $40 million to $50 million. Net cash provided by operating activities and free cash flow is expected to be in the range of $490 million to $540 million and $440 million to $500 million, respectively. The effective tax rate is expected to be in the range of 21% to 24%. This full-year effective tax rate range includes an expected windfall tax benefit related to stock-based compensation of approximately $8.2 million, of which $7.5 million was realized in first quarter 2018. Further information is expected to be released that may impact the Company's current interpretation and application of Tax Reform, which may result in a change to our full-year guidance in subsequent periods. The guidance provided above assumes, among other things, that MSCI maintains its current debt levels. In addition, it is also increasing its dividend payout ratio target to a range of 40% to 50% percent of adjusted EPS, from a previous range of 30% to 40%.

07:12 EDT Jones Lang LaSalle acquires Northwest Atlantic in Canada - JLL announced the acquisition of Northwest Atlantic, the leading independent Canadian retail tenant representation and advisory firm headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The transaction enables JLL to expand its current retail advisory business in the market and provide an extensive range of real estate and leasing services to retailers seeking to enter, expand or operate in Canada. Within JLL, Northwest Atlantic will operate as a boutique practice team with the same hands-on client-centric approach that allowed the company to succeed in the past.

07:10 EDT Esperion expects lower R&D expenses beginning in Q4 - Esperion expects notably lower research and development expenses, beginning 4Q18, as the global pivotal Phase 3 development program will have been completed. The company expects full-year 2018 net cash used in operating activities to be approximately $135M to $145M and its cash and cash equivalents and investment securities to be approximately $130M to $140M at December 31, 2018. The company estimates that current cash resources are sufficient to fund operations through the expected approvals of the bempedoic acid / ezetimibe combination pill and bempedoic acid in the first quarter of 2020.

07:08 EDT Teva says restructuring plan on-track for $1.5B of savings in 2018 - Teva said its restructuring plan is on-track to achieve $1.5B of savings in 2018 and in total $3B by the end of 2019.

07:01 EDT Consol Energy boosts debt and equity repurchase authorization - Consol Energy announced that its board has increased its previously authorized repurchase program to an aggregate amount of up to $100 million from $50 million, through the period ending June 30, 2019 ("repurchase period"). Under the new authorization, Consol management may purchase, from time to time, Consol outstanding shares of common stock, Consol 11.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 or common units of Consol Coal Resources LP. These securities may be purchased on the open market, through negotiated purchases or otherwise. The repurchase plan will be subject to limitations under Consol's debt covenant package and under the tax matters agreement entered into in connection with Consol's separation from CNX Resources Corporation into an independently traded coal company. Any repurchases will be at Consol 's discretion, subject to general market conditions and other considerations, and Consol has no obligation to make any repurchases under the program. This new authorization provides Consol with a current availability of $74 million and falls within the limits of the covenants in our credit agreement. Our credit agreement also allows Consol to purchase up to $25 million of CCR units.

06:59 EDT Cott Corp. announces chairman David Gibbons to retire, Thomas Harrington as CEO - Cott announced the following senior leadership changes which are the culmination of the board'sleadership succession plan that capitalized on the strength of the Cott management team: David Gibbons will retire from his position as director and chairman of the company's board, effective as of the last day of fiscal 2018. Effective as of the beginning of fiscal 2019, Jerry Fowden will transition from his role as CEO to the newly created position of executive chairman of the board. Thomas Harrington will be promoted to serve as the company's CEO and will be appointed to serve on the board, effective as of the beginning of fiscal 2019.

06:55 EDT Global Payments to acquire AdvancedMD for $700M in cash - Global Payments announced an agreement to acquire AdvancedMD from Marlin Equity Partners. AdvancedMD provides cloud-based software as a service solutions to small-to-medium sized ambulatory physician practices in the United States. Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, Global Payments will acquire AdvancedMD in a cash transaction valued at $700M. Global Payments will finance the acquisition with its existing credit facility and cash on hand. The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018. Global Payments expects the transaction to have an immaterial impact on 2018 adjusted earnings per share results.

06:49 EDT Sally Beauty expects to close about 1%-2% of stores in the U.S. and abroad - The dates of closure of individual stores will be market and store specific over the coming year.

06:45 EDT PBF Logistics raises quarterly distribution to 49.5c per unit - The board of PBF Logistics, the Partnership's general partner, declared a regular quarterly cash distribution of 49.5c per common unit. The distribution is payable on August 30, to unitholders of record at the close of business on August 15.

06:34 EDT AmerisourceBergen now sees FY adjusted effective tax rate approx. 22% - Based upon the company's performance in the first three quarters of the fiscal year, and evaluation of current business expectations and lower than previously anticipated operating income contribution from the Lash Group, AmerisourceBergen has updated the following aspects of its fiscal year 2018 financial guidance: Other, which is comprised of businesses focused on Global Commercialization Services and Animal Health, operating income decline in the range of down 4 percent to 7 percent; Adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 22 percent. All other previously communicated aspects of the company's fiscal year 2018 financial guidance and assumptions remain the same.

06:31 EDT Aetna reports medical membership totaled approximately 22.1M at June 30

06:26 EDT Greenbrier announces $425M in new orders during June, July - Greenbrier announced new orders totaling 5,000 units valued at more than $425M received during the first two months of Q4. This strengthens Greenbrier's backlog and provides strong visibility entering FY19. Orders announced comprise a broad range of railcar types, with an emphasis on double-stack intermodal units and boxcars, as well as automotive-carrying railcars, gondolas, covered hoppers and tank cars. Certain orders in this release are subject to customary documentation and completion of terms.

06:21 EDT TransUnion partners with EXL to create turnkey current Expected Credit Loss - TransUnion (TRU) is partnering with EXL (EXLS) to create a technology solution for lenders to comply with the new Current Expected Credit Loss accounting rule. Through the partnership with EXL, TransUnion is creating TransUnion's CECL Credit Loss Calculator to provide lenders with a turnkey solution to calculate loss forecasts in compliance with CECL. The rule is applicable to all lenders and goes into effect in 2020 for SEC filers and 2021 for non-SEC filers.

06:17 EDT Lilis Energy enters acre-for-acre trade in New Mexico - Lilis Energy announced that it has entered into an acre-for-acre trade of approximately 750 net acres in Lea County, New Mexico. The transaction increases Lilis' Gross Working Interest in its New Mexico Delaware Basin acreage up to 100% in core sections. All the acreage that was traded away was in non-operated sections with lower working interests. The transaction is subject to customary adjustments and is expected to close in the near future. Upon closing, the acreage trade provides Lilis an increase in PDP and PUD reserves, along with an immediate increase in both current and future production. The complementary acreage is concentrated in four sections of the Company's main operational area, including 100% working interest in the sections incorporating the Wildhog and Prizehog wells. Upon closing, Lilis will provide updates to the increase in reserves and production.

06:13 EDT RadNet, EmblemHealth enter new partnership - RadNet reported its newly formed affiliate, Lenox Hill IPA LLC, has entered into a capitation arrangement with EmblemHealth to provide diagnostic imaging services to certain of EmblemHealth's enrollees under its AdvantageCare Physicians medical group. This is the first full-risk capitation contract RadNet has signed on the East Coast. Under the contract, RadNet will assume responsibility for imaging operations in 26 AdvantageCare locations and will look to expand and upgrade services in these 26 offices and in existing RadNet locations throughout these local markets. The contract has a five year term and is expected to begin operations on October 1, 2018.

06:07 EDT Siemens to acquire Mendix for $730M in cash - Mendix announced in a blog post that Siemens announced plans to acquire low-code application development platform Mendix for $730M in cash, "plus a significant multi-year investment to accelerate R&D innovation and global footprint of our platform." Mendix, which was founded in the Netherlands but now has its headquarters in Boston, will continue to operate as usual and keep its name, but Siemens notes that it will also use the company's technology to accelerate its own cloud, IoT and digital enterprise ambitions. Reference Link

06:02 EDT Cigna reports medical customer base at end of Q2 of 16.2M - Cigna's medical customer base at the end of second quarter 2018 totaled 16.2 million, an increase of 329,000 customers year to date, driven by continued organic growth in our Select, Middle Market, and Individual segments. Second quarter 2018 adjusted income from operations and adjusted margin, after-tax reflect medical and specialty business growth, strong medical cost performance, a lower tax rate and favorable prior year reserve development. Prior year reserve development for second quarter 2018, first quarter 2018, and second quarter 2017 on an after-tax basis was $23 million, $43 million, and $36 million, respectively. The Total Commercial medical care ratio of 76.3% for second quarter 2018 reflects the consistent strong performance of our Commercial Employer business, favorability in Individual, the pricing effect of the resumption of the health insurance tax, and favorable prior year reserve development. The Total Government MCR of 83.7% for second quarter 2018 reflects solid execution in both Medicare Advantage and Part D. The second quarter 2018 Global Health Care operating expense ratio of 22.7% reflects the return of the health insurance tax, ongoing investments in growth and innovation, and continued effective expense management. Global Health Care net medical costs payable was approximately $2.76 billion at June 30, 2018 and $2.45 billion at December 31, 2017.

05:54 EDT TransCanada agrees to sell share of Cartier Wind Energy for about C$630M - TransCanada announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell its 62% share of the Cartier wind power facilities, and its related operating entities, to Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. for approximately C$630M. Located in Quebec, the Cartier assets include five wind farms with a total generating capacity of 590 megawatts, of which TransCanada's share is 365 megawatts. The sale is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018, upon satisfaction of closing conditions.

05:33 EDT Orion Group raises FY18 EBITDA guidance to $45M-$50M - "We are extremely pleased with the first half of 2018 and remain comfortable with our 2018 outlook," stated CEO Mark Stauffer. "As we look ahead, we expect to see continued strong demand for our services across the Company. We remain focused on profitably delivering high quality projects to our customers with continued service expansion across our operating segments and areas. As a result, we continue to expect bottom line improvement for the full year 2018, and we are increasing our full year 2018 EBITDA range to between $45 and $50 million. This improvement should continue to expand in 2019 and beyond as we continue to execute our strategy."

05:17 EDT Kayne Anderson Midstream/Energy Fund reports net assets $324M as of July 31 - Reports NAV per share $14.73 as of July 31.

05:15 EDT Kayne Anderson MLP reports net assets $2.2B as of July 31 - Reports NAV per share $19.20 as of July 31.