Stockwinners Market Radar for October 09, 2018 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

18:52 EDT Six Flags granted lease agreement to manage Magic Waters Waterpark in Illinois - The Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners has approved a lease agreement that allows Six Flags Entertainment Corporation to operate Magic Waters Waterpark starting in the spring of 2019. This lease agreement is expected to be signed in the near future, and allows the largest regional theme park company in the world to bring its unique and innovative brand to the Rockford market. Magic Waters Waterpark, a 43-acre waterpark located in Rockford, Illinois, has been owned and operated by the Rockford Park District since 1988. The lease agreement is expected to be finalized in the near future and commence in spring of 2019.

18:45 EDT Fly Intel: After Hours Movers - HIGHER AFTER EARNINGS: IDT Corp (IDT) up 27.8%. ALSO HIGHER: NIO (NIO) up another 6.9% after Tesla investor disclosed 11% stake... PPG Industries (PPG) up 4.9% after Trian disclosed 2.6M stake in 13F-HR/A filing... International Paper (IP) up 2.3% after announcing $2B stock buyback and raising dividend... Avrobio (AVRO) up 1.8% after being initiated with a Buy at Guggenheim... Sangamo Therapeutics (SGMO) up 1.3% after being initiated with a Buy at Guggenheim... MongoDB (MDB) up 0.6% after acquiring mLab... Campbell Soup (CPB) up 0.5% after Third Point raised its stake. LOWER: Trinseo (TSE) down 7.7% after cutting Q3 EPS guidance due to higher raw materials... Vipshop (VIPS) down 2.6% after being downgraded to Neutral at JPMorgan... Chubb (CB) down 0.5% after filing mixed shelf.

18:16 EDT Xcel Energy recommends that shareholders reject TRC Capital's mini-tender offer - Xcel Energ reported that it has been notified of an unsolicited "mini-tender offer" by TRC Capital Corporation to purchase up to 2.5M shares of its common stock, representing approximately 0.49% of Xcel Energy's outstanding shares. Xcel Energy recommends stockholders not tender their shares in response to this unsolicited mini-tender offer. The offer price is below the current market price of Xcel Energy's common stock.

18:02 EDT Kodiak Sciences director Robert Profusek buys 10K shares of company stock - Kodiak Sciences director Robert Profusek disclosed in a filing that he had purchased 10,000 shares of Kodiak Sciences at an average price of $10 per share on October 9. The total transaction value was $100,000.

17:35 EDT Trinseo down 3.5% afterhours following a cut in its Q3 earnings guidance - In its press release, the company also stated: "Generally higher raw materials costs, a slowdown in the automotive industry and the continuation of a weaker tire market negatively impacted the company's Performance Plastics and Synthetic Rubber segments, leading to lower than expected sales volume and margin compression in each of these segments. In addition, operating results in Latex Binders, Synthetic Rubber, and Performance Plastics for the third quarter were negatively impacted by a reduction in customer demand driven by the continued uncertainty of global trade dynamics as well as from customer destocking in anticipation of lower feedstock prices in the future. Our expectation going forward is that weakness in the automotive and tire markets, as well as the slowdown in China will impact our future results to the extent trade uncertainty persists."

17:16 EDT IDT up over 33% after Q4 results and suspended dividend in favor of buybacks

17:10 EDT TPG Group Holdings reports 7.81% stake in Entasis Therapeutics

17:01 EDT CGI Group board to recommend PricewaterhouseCoopers as its next auditor - CGI announced that its board will recommend that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP serve as the company's auditor for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019. This recommendation follows a comprehensive selection process overseen by the Company's Audit and Risk Management Committee and is subject to shareholder approval at its next Annual Meeting in January 2019.

16:58 EDT Phase 2 study of Novartis's crizanlizumab shows reduced sickle cell pain - Results from a post hoc analysis of the Phase II SUSTAIN study of crizanlizumab, a humanized anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody being investigated for the treatment of sickle cell disease, have been published in the American Journal of Hematology. The analysis showed that more patients treated with crizanlizumab did not experience a vaso-occlusive crisis, or VOCs, vs those treated with placebo - 35.8% vs 16.9% - specifically patients with a history of 2-10 VOCs in the previous year. The analysis found that treatment with crizanlizumab may prevent VOCs, both in patients who had 2-4 and 5-10 disease-related pain events in the year prior to the study, as well as those with HbSS. Of the subgroups evaluated, a considerable number of patients across multiple subgroups treated with crizanlizumab did not experience a VOC compared with those treated with placebo.

16:43 EDT PPG rises over 5% afterhours following a filing disclosing a stake by Trian

16:35 EDT Univar expands relationship with PMC Biogenix on Mexico distribution - Univar announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, ChemPoint.com, has expanded its relationship with PMC Biogenix to include distribution in Mexico, effective September, 2018. Services ChemPoint will manage include order placement, fulfillment, and technical support in Mexico for PMC's Kemamide, Armoslip, Hystrene, and Industrene, branded products along with the metallic stearate portfolio.

16:34 EDT The9 obtains approval to transfer its listing venue to Nasdaq Capital Market - The9 announced that it has obtained approval from The Nasdaq Stock Market to transfer its listing venue from Nasdaq Global Market to Nasdaq Capital Market. The Company's ADSs will continue to trade under the symbol of "NCTY" on Nasdaq Capital Market.

16:28 EDT WEC Energy names Kevin Fletcher President - On October 8, Allen L. Leverett submitted notice of his resignation as President of WEC Energy Group to the company's Board of Directors, effective at the close of business on October 10, and of his intention to remain as a member of the Company's Board. Mr. Leverett has been on medical leave from the company since suffering a stroke in October 2017. On October 9, the Board accepted Mr. Leverett's resignation as President and confirmed his continuation of service as a member of the Board.Also, on October 9,, the Board appointed J. Kevin Fletcher as President of WEC Energy, with overall responsibility for the operational and financial performance of WEC Energy's utility subsidiaries in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota. In his new position, Mr. Fletcher will report directly to Gale E. Klappa, Chairman and CEO of the Company.

16:26 EDT Globant announces promotion of current CFO, Juan Urthiague to succeed - Globant announced the promotion of Alejandro Scannapieco, the current CFO, to executive VP and GM of Globant's U.S. East Region, reporting directly to the CEO of the company. In parallel, the company announced the addition of Juan Urthiague as its CFO. In order to ensure a smooth transition, Scannapieco will assist Urthiague during the next two quarters. Alejandro Scannapieco has been Globant's CFO since 2008 and has successfully led major strategic projects, including the company's IPO in July 2014. Now, as GM of the East Region, Alejandro will be responsible for Globant's business operations and strategic growth in a very relevant region, with the goal of achieving greater presence and recognition. Juan Urthiague has previously worked for Globant, from 2011 until 2017, serving under Scannapieco as global treasurer, investor relations officer, head of financial services and head of corporate finance. He is returning to the company from OLX Group, where he was CFO of the Latam division and was responsible for six companies in twelve countries.

16:20 EDT ObsEva presents clinical data from Phase 3 trial of Nolasiban - ObsEva announced that IMPLANT 2 Phase 3 clinical data of its novel, oral, oxytocin receptor antagonist, nolasiban, in patients undergoing IVF were presented at the 74th annual meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, taking place in Denver, Colorado, October 6-10, 2018. In the oral presentation entitled "A Placebo-controlled, Randomized, Double Blind, Phase 3 Study Assessing Ongoing Pregnancy Rates After Single Oral Administration of a Novel Oxytocin Receptor Antagonist, Nolasiban, Prior to Single Embryo Transfer" the primary endpoint results of the IMPLANT 2 trial showed an improvement in the rate of ongoing pregnancy 10 weeks post either Day 3 or Day 5 ET, with nolasiban treatment vs. placebo, 35.6% vs. 28.5%, a 25% increase. For women undergoing Day 5 ET, nolasiban resulted in an ongoing pregnancy rate of 45.9% vs. 34.7% for placebo, a 32% increase. Importantly, the tolerability and safety profile of nolasiban has been observed to be comparable to placebo, with no increase in serious adverse events, in ectopic pregnancy, nor in congenital birth defects. In addition, a secondary endpoint of miscarriage rate from weeks 2 to 24 of gestation showed a favourable impact from nolasiban treatment suggesting a reduced miscarriage rate following nolasiban treatment compared to placebo.

16:19 EDT Black Hills says will deliver tax reform benefits to Arkansas utility customers - Black Hills Corp. announced that its Arkansas gas utility subsidiary, Black Hills Energy, will provide federal income tax reform benefits, resulting from the December 2017 passage of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, to its customers in Arkansas commencing Oct. 15, 2018. The Arkansas Public Service Commission on Sept. 26, 2018, approved Black Hills Energy's request to pass along the benefits to customers of a lower corporate federal income tax rate, which was reduced from 35% to 21% beginning Jan. 1, 2018. The commission approved the company's request to refund $8.2M of tax reform benefits accumulated from Jan. 1 through Oct. 15, 2018, to utility customers through a monthly credit to their bills beginning in mid-October and continuing through May 2019. For periods after October 15, 2018, the benefits of the reduced federal income tax rate will be included in customer rates. Those benefits will total approximately $1.5M for the period October 15 to December 31, 2018 and approximately $6.2M per year thereafter.

16:17 EDT Black Hills receives approval of rate increase request in Arkansas - Black Hills Corp. announced that its Arkansas gas utility, Black Hills Energy, received approval for a general rate increase from the Arkansas Public Service Commission to recover investments in safety, reliability and system integrity for natural gas service for more than 169,000 customers in Arkansas. The new rates will generate an estimated $12M per year of new revenue. The commission's approval also allows the company to include $10.6M of revenue that is currently being collected through certain rider mechanisms in the new base rates. The new revenue increase is based on a return on equity of 9.61% and a capital structure of 49% equity and 51% debt. Black Hills Energy originally requested $30M in new annual revenues to recover its investment in utility infrastructure and increased operating expenses, driven primarily by the strong growth in northwest Arkansas. The request also included revenue for additional planned staff increases to assist in serving a rapidly growing customer base. Primarily as a result of the reduction in the corporate federal income tax rate due to passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the company reduced the request to $18.6M, based on a return on equity of 10.2% and a capital structure of 50% equity and 50% debt. The new rates for customers will take effect Oct. 15, 2018, and will include benefits related to federal income tax reform.

16:16 EDT International Paper announces $2B share repurchase program - International Paper announced its board has authorized a share repurchase program to acquire up to $2.0B of the company's common stock. The new authorization is in addition to $430M remaining as of the end of Q3 from a previous repurchase program. The company intends to continue repurchasing such shares in open market transactions.

16:13 EDT WEC Energy President Allen Leverett to resign, Kevin Fletcher to succeed - WEC Energy (WEC) announced that Allen Leverett, who has been on medical leave since suffering a stroke last October, has decided to resign his position as President of the company, but will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors. The board of directors of WEC Energy announced that it has elected Kevin Fletcher as President of the company. The appointment is effective immediately. Prior to joining the company in November 2011, Fletcher was vice president - community and economic development at Georgia Power, Southern Co.'s (SO) largest subsidiary.

16:09 EDT Performant Financial COO resigns, company has no plans for replacement - Performant Financial announced that Jeff Haughton has resigned as President and COO of Performant to return to the investment banking business. "We want to thank Jeff for his leadership and contributions during the four years he was with us, and we wish Jeff well in his future endeavors," stated Lisa Im, CEO of Performant. "Currently, we have no plans to replace the President or Chief Operating Officer role; rather, we have chosen to reorganize our existing team of strong and dedicated leaders. We believe our revised structure will best align with our business objectives and the functions required to support our goals."

16:06 EDT Cerus appoints Eric Bjerkholt to the board - Cerus Corporation (CERS) announced the appointment of Eric Bjerkholt to its Board of Directors. Mr. Bjerkholt currently serves as the chief financial officer of Aimmune Therapeutics (AIMT), a San Francisco Bay Area biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of treatments to help protect people with food allergies. Mr. Bjerkholt brings over three decades of healthcare and biotech leadership experience to the Cerus Board, which has now been expanded to eight members.

16:05 EDT Angi Homeservices appoints Chief Product Officer Brandon Ridenour as next CEO - ANGI Homeservices announced its Board of Directors appointed Brandon Ridenour, Chief Product Officer, as its next CEO to succeed Chris Terrill. Mr. Terrill will remain in the CEO role during a transition period that will be complete by the end of the year, at which time Mr. Terrill will step down as CEO and from the ANGI Homeservices Board of Directors and continue on with the company in an advisor capacity. Following the transition period, Mr. Ridenour will join the ANGI Homeservices Board of Directors along with Craig Smith, ANGI Homeservices' President and Chief Operating Officer. Joey Levin, CEO of IAC and ANGI Homeservices' Chairman said, "Chris led what is now ANGI Homeservices from a little seed within IAC, to a multi-billion-dollar public company at the top of its category, with unbounded potential yet ahead. But perhaps his greatest accomplishment is the depth in the leadership team he built, such that, as he departs, the business can seamlessly continue executing against the massive opportunity remaining in home services. Thank you, Chris."

16:03 EDT NIO jumps after big Tesla investor discloses 11% stake - Shares of NIO Inc. (NIO) rose in Tuesday's trading after Baillie Gifford & Co., which is the largest investor in Tesla (TSLA) after Elon Musk, disclosed earlier that it has taken an 11.4% stake in the Chinese electric vehicle maker. STAKE IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE COMPANY: In a regulatory filing before the open, Baillie Gifford & Co. disclosed that it owns 85.3M NIO Inc. shares. The holding was worth about $515M as of the close of trading Monday and represents a 11.4% stake in the Chinese electric vehicle company. Baillie Gifford & Co. is the second largest investor in Tesla, behind Elon Musk. Tesla's CEO owns 20% of the company, while Baillie Gifford has a 7.7% stake, according to Bloomberg. The latter is not the only major investor that both Tesla and NIO Inc. share. Tencent (TCEHY) also holds 4.9% percent of Tesla and all of a special class of NIO Inc. stock that gives the Chinese tech giant about 22% voting power of issued shares, Bloomberg noted. PRICE ACTION: Shares of NIO Inc., which came public on September 12, jumped about 22% to $7.38 heading into the close of trading on Tuesday.

16:02 EDT Tribune Media sells Long Island property for $54.5M - Tribune Media announced that it has closed the sale of a 48-acre parcel of property in Long Island, New York, to Hartz Mountain Industries for $54.5M. The property consists of a 32-acre south parcel that houses the former office and printing operations for Newsday, and a 16-acre north parcel which is available for immediate development.

15:47 EDT RFA 'applauds' President Trump's E15 announcement - In a statement published on its website, the Renewable Fuels Association said it "applauds today's announcement by President Donald Trump that the Environmental Protection Agency is beginning a formal rulemaking process to allow year-round sales of E15 nationwide. Currently, E15 - gasoline containing 15% ethanol - cannot be sold during the summer months in most of the country. The de facto summertime ban on E15 is the result of a burdensome, decades-old regulation that offers no environmental or economic benefit whatsoever. Eliminating the summertime barrier to E15 will save consumers money and reduce emissions, enhance competition, and provide a boost to the farm economy." In afternoon trading, shares of Pacific Ethanol (PEIX) have jumped over 9%, while Green Plains (GPRE) and Gevo (GEVO) have dropped about 4%. Reference Link

15:19 EDT PG&E responds to Cascade wildfire announcement - Pacific Gas and Electric Company issued the following statement in response to the release of information by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or CAL FIRE, regarding the October 2017 Cascade wildfire: "The safety of our customers, their families and the communities we serve is our most important job. Without question, the loss of life, homes and businesses in these extraordinary wildfires is heartbreaking and we remain focused on helping communities recover and rebuild. As independent experts have confirmed, extreme weather, years of drought, and millions of dead trees are feeding an unprecedented risk of wildfires. In light of this, we recognize we all need to do even more to help reduce the risk of wildfires, and are committed to working together with our state and community partners to develop comprehensive safety solutions for the future. We look forward to the opportunity to carefully review the CAL FIRE report to understand the agency's perspectives. In the meantime, we are continuing to focus on implementing additional precautionary measures intended to further reduce wildfire threats, such as working to remove and reduce dangerous vegetation, improving weather forecasting, upgrading emergency response warnings, making lines and poles stronger in high fire threat areas and taking other actions to make our system, and our customers and communities, even safer in the face of a growing wildfire threat."

15:01 EDT Cummins authorizes $2B share repurchase program - On October 9, The Board of Directors of Cummins authorized the company to repurchase up to $2B in shares of common stock upon completion of its 2016 $1B share repurchase program. The Board of Directors also declared a quarterly cash dividend on common stock at 1.14 dollars per share, payable on December 3, 2018 to shareholders of record on November 15, 2018.

14:31 EDT Lazard Asset Management reports 10.29% passive stake in Armstrong World

14:23 EDT Cal Fire says Cascade fire started by sagging power lines owned by PG&E - CAL FIRE has issued a report, stating that it has determined the Cascade Fire which occurred during the October 2017 Fire Siege was started by sagging power lines coming into contact during heavy winds. No violations of the Public Resources Code were found by CAL FIRE. The Cascade Fire in Yuba County, started on the evening of October 8 and burned a total of 9,989 acres, destroying 264 structures and resulted in four civilian fatalities and one firefighter injury. A high wind event in conjunction with the power line sag on two conductors caused the lines to come into contact, which created an electrical arc. The electrical arc deposited hot burning or molten material onto the ground in a receptive fuel bed causing the fire. The common term for this situation is called "line slap" and the power line in question was owned by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The investigative report has been forwarded to the Yuba County District Attorney. In total, the October 2017 Fire Siege involved more than 170 fires and burned at least 245,000 acres in Northern California. "CAL FIRE investigators continue to investigate the Tubbs Fire and will release the report once it is completed," the report stated. Reference Link

14:10 EDT IDT unit net2phone releases new business communication platform - net2phone announced the release of a powerful new business communication platform. The platform seamlessly integrates voice, text, messaging and web chat services across devices-- evolving how businesses communicate and collaborate."While voice remains the most common form of business communication, employees, customers, partners and suppliers increasingly prefer text, web chat and social media," said Jonah Fink, President of net2phone. "net2phone's new platform brings these diverse communications channels together through a simple and intuitive online dashboard to create a unified, easy-to-use and powerful communications tool." net2phone's new platform also enables team members to be more productive and engaged whether they are in the office or on the road. "With our new platform, team members can manage all of their communications from any device - transferring conversations seamlessly from PCs, to office phones to mobile devices," Fink added. "Our new mobile apps - available for iOS and Android - turn any smart phone into a convenient, multi-channel communications center for people on the go."

13:44 EDT Starbucks says looks forward to maintaining 'productive dialogue' with Ackman - "We view the active, engaged dialogue that we have with shareholders as critical input into our strategic approach and we value constructive feedback on delivering long-term shareholder value," a spokesperson for Starbucks said in a statement to CNBC. "We look forward to maintaining a productive dialogue with Ackman as we do with all of our shareholders."

13:27 EDT Zynga jumps after Bloomberg reports on takeover interest - Shares of mobile game maker Zynga (ZNGA) are rising sharply in afternoon trading after Bloomberg reported that the company has received takeover interest. The maker of Words with Friends has received preliminary approaches, but no formal talks are taking place, Bloomberg added, citing sources. In afternoon trading after the report, Zynga shares have spiked up 23c or 6%, to $4.11.

13:15 EDT Stonepine Capital Management reports 5.7% passive stake in Opiant Pharmaceuticals

12:44 EDT Game On: Microsoft unveils Project xCloud a week after Google's Project Stream - Welcome to "Game On," The Fly's weekly recap of the stories powering up or beating down video game stocks. NEW RELEASES: This week's major new release is Activision Blizzard's (ATVI) multiplayer shooter "Call of Duty: Black Ops 4," which rolls out October 12 for PlayStation 4 (SNE), Xbox One (MSFT), and PC. Also out this week is Nintendo's (NTDOY) "Luigi's Mansion," a port of the GameCube launch title from 2001. The game comes out October 12 exclusively for 3DS. PROJECT XCLOUD: Yesterday, Microsoft announced Project xCloud, the software and technology giant's new service that will allow the steaming of Xbox One games across computers, phones, and tablets. The company noted that scaling and building out xCloud is a "multi-year journey" and that it will start public trials in 2019. The news comes a week after Google (GOOG, GOOGL) announced Project Stream, which is intended to give players the ability to stream console-quality video games directly to the Chrome browser. POTENTIAL NEW CONSOLES: According to the Financial Times, Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida confirmed that a successor to the PlayStation 4 is going to happen, though he declined to confirm whether or not the next console will be named the PlayStation 5. "At this point, what I can say is it's necessary to have a next-generation hardware," Yoshida told the publication in an interview. The news comes several days after the Wall Street Journal reported that Nintendo is planning to release a new version of its popular Switch console in the latter half of 2019. PIPER SURVEY: Last week, Piper Jaffray analyst Michael Olson sent a research note to investors discussing the "critical" pre-holiday window for game releases. In an effort to gauge interest in the crowded holiday title slate, the firm conduct a second survey of roughly 300 gamers to determine any shifts from Piper's previous batch of results. The latest survey shows that Activision Blizzard's "Call of Duty: Black Ops 4" and Take-Two's (TTWO) "Red Dead Redemption 2" are the most anticipated games for pre-holiday 2018, with the next three being Ubisoft's (UBSFY) "Assassin's Creed Odyssey," Bethesda's "Fallout 76," and Electronic Arts' (EA) "Battlefield V." In addition, the analyst said his analysis of YouTube trailer likes-to-dislikes shows "Red Dead Redemption 2" is, by far, the most "liked" of the upcoming games. Meanwhile, the analysis showed that gamer interest for "Battlefield V" was "weak," as trailers for the game have more dislikes than likes. While the analyst rates each of the major publishers as Overweight, Olson said that, based on most potential for upside through the second half of calendar year 2018, he ranks them relative to each other as follows: Take-Two first, Activision second, and EA third.

12:12 EDT Google announces Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL phones - Google's (GOOG, GOOGL) new Pixel phones will come with new YouTube music free for 6 months. The phone boasts a second front-facing camera to capture 148% more of the scene. The Pixel 3 camera comes with Google Lens integrated. Pixel 3 also comes with free unlimited photo storage at original quality. The Pixel 3's Google Assistant AI comes equipped with screen answer, where the AI will answer a call for you and transcribe the interaction on your screen, removing interactions with telemarketers. The Pixel 3 comes with Google's new Titan security chip. The Pixel 3 starts at $799 and will be available October 18 at Verizon (VZ) and unlocked on the Google Store on November 1. Google's new wireless charging dock for the Pixel 3 is priced at $79. The phone is available for pre-order now.

12:09 EDT Ideanomics signs JV to create commodity, energy digital asset exchange - Ideanomics, formerly Seven Stars Cloud Group, announced that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with TPJ Ltd, to create Ideanomics Resources LTD a U.K. company based in London. The company says, "The 75% Ideanomics owned joint venture has been created to unlock value in the commodities and energy sectors by leveraging and utilizing the Ideanomics Platform-as-a-Service solutions, a suite of strong multi-layer fintech technologies leveraging blockchain and artificial intelligence. Ideanomics Resources will initially focus its efforts in Africa and Middle East where it has significant long-term relationships." The joint venture will be responsible for setting up a commodity and energy digital asset exchange, which will leverage Ideanomics Platform-as-a-Service solutions.

12:03 EDT Super Micro drops after report that U.S. telecom found manipulated hardware - Shares of Super Micro Computer (SMCI) are plunging in New York following a report that a U.S. telecommunications company discovered manipulated hardware for Super Micro in its network and removed it in August. WHAT'S NEW: A "major" U.S. telecommunications firm found manipulated hardware from SMCI in its network and removed it two months ago, Bloomberg reports, citing Yossi Appleboum, a security expert working for the telecom company. Bloomberg did not identify the U.S. telecom in question due to Appleboum's nondisclosure agreement with the client. WHAT'S NOTABLE: The news follows a Bloomberg report from last week saying that Super Micro Computer was mentioned as being implicated in a Chinese scheme to spy on American companies, including Amazon (AMZN) and Apple (AAPL). The company "strongly" refuted the claims, saying that it has "never found any malicious chips, nor been informed by any customer that such chips have been found." PRICE ACTION: At midday, shares of Super Micro Computer trading in New York were lower by over 27% to $10.76.

12:02 EDT Redfin names Daryl Fairweather Chief Economist - Redfin (RDFN) announced Daryl Fairweather, Ph.D., has joined its ranks as Chief Economist. Fairweather comes to Redfin from Amazon (AMZN), where she served as a senior behavioral economist, leading a team of analysts and economists focused on improving employee performance and engagement. In her new role at Redfin, Fairweather will contribute to the national conversation about the housing market and lead a team of Redfin economists and data scientists responsible for providing compelling reports on real estate market, homeownership, and the economic factors shaping where and why people are buying and selling homes.

11:50 EDT Google announces new Pixel Slate tablet, starting at $599 - Google announced the launch of its new Pixel Slate tablet and accessories, including a keyboard, at $199, and pen at $99. Comments provided during Made By Google event.

11:42 EDT HSBC pays to $765M in settlement with DOJ over RMBS claims - Colorado U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer announced that HSBC will pay $765M to settle claims related to its packaging, securitization, issuance, marketing and sale of residential mortgage-backed securities between 2005 and 2007. During this period, federally-insured financial institutions and others suffered major losses from investing in RMBS issued and underwritten by HSBC, Troyer said in a statement. Under the settlement, HSBC will pay the $765M as a civil penalty pursuant to the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act. Reference Link

11:21 EDT eBay strength continues as activist speculation resurfaces - Shares of eBay (EBAY) have moved higher after traders circulated chatter that an activist investor may be getting involved with the company. The Fly, in fulfilling its mission of explaining stock movement, often comes across the many unconfirmed rumors being passed through trading desks and social media platforms. On the occasion that rumors or speculation appear on The Fly's news feed, it should be viewed not as giving credence to the conjecture, rather as simply highlighting its impact on the stock prices of the companies involved. The Fly has reached out to eBay for comment. Two weeks ago, TheDeal.com reported that several activists were "sniffing out" eBay, according to Bloomberg. Shares of eBay have risen $1.56, or 4.8%, to $34.14 in late morning trading.

11:05 EDT American HealthTech announces partnership with QliqSOFT - American HealthTech, a wholly owned subsidiary of CPSI, and QliqSOFT are pleased to announce a partnership that will allow caregivers to use integrated Qliq Secure Texting. This partnership ensures text communications are secure and HIPAA compliant, which will give caregivers peace of mind and efficiency with patient-centered communications. AHT Communication Center, which is now generally available, contains four secure communication capabilities: text, email, chat and faxing. By utilizing Qliq secure text messaging, AHT caregivers can close the communication gap with integrated and secure texting.

11:03 EDT Fox appoints Rita Tuzon General Counsel, Jill Ratner as Chief Litigation Counsel - Fox (FOX, FOXA), the company to be spun-off in connection with 21st Century Fox's merger with Disney (DIS), announced that senior 21CF executives have been named to future leadership roles across legal and human resources. The appointments, which take effect upon close of the Disney transaction and the creation of the new FOX, were announced by Lachlan Murdoch, FOX Chairman and CEO. Rita Tuzon named FOX EVP and Corporate General Counsel; currently serves as EVP, General Counsel at Fox Networks Group; Jill Ratner will transition to FOX EVP and Chief Litigation Counsel; currently serves as EVP, Deputy General Counsel, Litigation at 21CF; Kevin Lord, currently EVP of HR at FOX News, will continue in that role but will broaden his responsibilities to provide HR oversight across all of FOX.

10:44 EDT U.S. Army to procure BAE's 155mm Bonus precision-guided munitions - The U.S. Army is adding BAE Systems' Bofors 155mm BONUS ammunition to its arsenal, through a contract with the NSPA. "Already qualified by the Army, the latest version of BONUS defeats heavily armored targets and can be fired from any 155-millimeter artillery system, including M777 lightweight towed howitzers and the M109 self-propelled howitzer family of vehicles," BAE says. Work under this contract will begin immediately, with deliveries scheduled to take place through 2020. In addition to the United States, several other countries operate BONUS, including Finland, France, and Norway, and Sweden.

10:32 EDT CGI Group to create 300 high-tech jobs in Drummondville over next five years - CGI is pleased to announce that it will open a center of excellence in the city of Drummondville, within the Centre-du-Quebec region, before the end of the year. CGI is planning to create approximately 300 high-tech jobs over the next five years within the center, which will specialize in digital transformation and innovation and primarily target the finance, retail and manufacturing sectors. Through the new center, CGI's clients will realize the benefits of cutting-edge expertise and next-generation technological solutions to step up their shift to digital and adapt to emerging trends. CGI's new center in Drummondville is part of a worldwide network of centers of excellence that focus on key markets and technologies. Through each of these centers, CGI works closely with clients and partners to design leading-edge solutions and services that support our clients' digital transformation, performance, results and growth. The new Drummondville center of excellence is CGI's seventh in Quebec, in addition to centers in Saguenay, Sherbrooke, Quebec City, Shawinigan, Montreal and Gatineau. Within the province, CGI has a network of 7,500 professionals.

10:12 EDT Express to introduce NBA-licensed collection in November - Express announced Express's multiyear expanded partnership with the NBA. Additionally, Express unveiled its second "NBA Game Changers" campaign and Performance Collection featuring NBA All-Star Victor Oladipo, Mo Bamba and Trae Young, two of this year's top NBA Draft picks, as well as current NBA stars John Collins and Jamal Murray. Express will also introduce an NBA-licensed collection in November 2018 with a robust assortment of men's apparel available in-store in select markets and online at express.com. The line will tip off with an array of men's graphic tees and fleece styles, and will expand to additional product categories including blazers, dress shirts, ties, and underwear in 2019. The retailer will also introduce a women's collection in 2019. The integrated marketing and advertising campaign will premiere across Express's digital, social media, and in-store platforms as well as the NBA's digital and social media platforms beginning this month.

10:02 EDT Sermonix Pharmaceuticals launches Phase 2 trial to evaluate oral lasofoxifene - Sermonix Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of a Phase 2 trial for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The program is an open-label, randomized, multi-center study evaluating the activity of its lead investigational drug, oral lasofoxifene, versus intramuscular fulvestrant for the treatment of postmenopausal women with locally advanced or metastatic ER+/HER2- breast cancer with an ESR1 mutation. Linical Accelovance Group, a mid-size global contract research organization, will serve as Sermonix's research partner for the study, enrolling 100 patients in 27 sites across the U.S. The trial will utilize oral lasofoxifene for advanced breast cancer patients with ESR1 gene mutations. The primary clinical endpoint will be progression-free survival. Lasofoxifene is an investigational, nonsteroidal selective estrogen receptor modulator, which Sermonix licensed from Ligand Pharmaceuticals.

10:01 EDT DDR Corp. to change name to 'SITE Centers' - DDR Corp. announced plans to change its name to SITE Centers Corp. as well as a change to the ticker symbol for common and preferred stock on the New York Stock Exchange ticker to "SITC" from "DDR" effective with the opening of trading on October 12, 2018.

09:48 EDT Westmoreland Coal enters into restructuring support pact, files Chapter 11 - Westmoreland Coal (WLBA) announced it has entered into a restructuring support agreement with members of an ad hoc group of lenders that hold approximately 76.1% of the company's term loan, approximately 57.9% of its senior secured notes, and approximately 79.1% of its bridge loan. To implement the RSA, Westmoreland filed voluntary petitions for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. In addition, Westmoreland affiliate Westmoreland Resource Partners (WMLP) simultaneously filed for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. WMLP has agreed to terms with its secured creditors on the use of cash collateral to fund WMLP's normal course operations and allow WMLP to serve its customers during the course of WMLP's chapter 11 case. WMLP intends to continue working constructively with an ad hoc group of its secured lenders in connection with a value-maximizing sale and marketing process that began prior to the commencement of WMLP's chapter 11 case. Under the RSA, the Ad Hoc Group has agreed to act as a stalking horse bidder to acquire substantially all of Westmoreland's business assets. Separately, WMLP will continue its sale process. The RSA addresses Westmoreland's liabilities, including funded debt and other obligations, and provides the means for it to continue operating in the normal course of business. Both Westmoreland and WMLP have filed "first day" motions with the Bankruptcy Court. When granted, these motions will enable day-to-day operations, regular payment of employee wages and benefits, and payment to key trade creditors for goods and services provided on or after the filing date to continue as usual.

09:47 EDT Cision falls -6.3% - Cision is down -6.3%, or -$1.01 to $14.91.

09:47 EDT Gain Capital rises 7.8% - Gain Capital is up 7.8%, or 54c to $7.45.

09:47 EDT Pyxus rises 20.2% - Pyxus is up 20.2%, or $7.77 to $46.29.

09:28 EDT Kelly Services announces strategic partnership with iteach - Kelly Educational Staffing announced a strategic partnership with iteach, a teacher certification program. This exclusive partnership is the first of its kind to establish a consistent, long-term solution to the nationwide teacher shortage by placing qualified individuals in the teaching profession through a unique alternative approach. Founded in 2003, iteach offers a unique online coursework format and accreditation for individuals who have a four-year degree. While completing the iteach certification program, individuals will participate in a one-year, two-semester paid residency during which time they are employed full-time as a teacher in their chosen field of study. With this partnership, KES will be able to offer iteach's certification process to qualified candidates from their education talent pool as well as to the broader pool of Kelly Services.

09:25 EDT One Horizon Group acquires intellectual property rights for 123Wish platform - One Horizon Group reported that it has entered into an agreement that grants the company an 80% ownership interest in the software and source code and all other intellectual property underpinning the 123Wish experience marketplace platform. In accordance with the terms of the transaction, the company will grant a perpetual license in furtherance of the continuation of the 123Wish experience marketplace, which is majority-owned by OHGI, and has been growing in popularity; this past month 123Wish saw nearly 500% growth in important metrics including Sessions, Users, and Pageviews. 123Wish Management plans to augment its existing business by entering into revenue-share or other licensing agreements to make the 123Platform available to social media influencers and all forms of entertainment artists. OHGI will focus on other opportunities to license the 123Platform as licensor or in conjunction with co-branded credit card and digital payment systems programs.

09:17 EDT PolarityTE: Regulatory bodies notified of suspected illegal trading in stock - PolarityTE announced that multiple regulatory bodies are being notified of suspected significant illegal trading in the company's securities. Such activities appear to be in strategic coordination with the publication of misleading materials. These activities have brought damages to the Company and the Company's shareholders. After this information was brought to the Company's attention, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority was notified. At this time, it appears that a variety of documented trades, conducted by external entities, were specifically orchestrated to coincide with the publication of speculative and misleading information about PolarityTE. Detailed notifications of such documented activities are also being submitted to Nasdaq and the SEC. For example, some of the recent trades that raised concerns about intentional market manipulation and illegal trading activity occurred from October 1 through October 3, 2018 between prices of $19.74 and $18.00 per share, with unusual volume and timing that coincided with the market close on October 1, 2018 and the market opens on October 2 and October 3, 2018. These block trades appear to have been timed in coordinated manners, directed at certain prices, and are not representative of volume-weighted average price trading.

09:16 EDT ZK International Group selected as supplier by Zhuhai Water Environment Holding - ZK International Group announced that the Company has been chosen by Zhuhai Water Environment Holding Group as a leading supplier of stainless steel piping for updating the water supply infrastructure in Zhuhai, China. Zhuhai is a city on the southern coast of Guangdong province in China, located in the Pearl River Delta that borders Hong Kong and Macau.

09:08 EDT National Jack in the Box Franchisee Association calls for CEO resignation - The National Jack in the Box Franchisee Association announced it has called for the current Jack in the Box CEO, Leonard Comma, to step down and relinquish his position as CEO, and for the board to replace the current leadership team. This call is the aftermath of a majority vote of 'No Confidence' from the association's members at its annual meeting held in July. The membership of the National Jack in the Box Franchisee Association is comprised of 95 franchisees representing the ownership of approximately 2,000 restaurants out of a system-wide total of approximately 2,240 restaurants. "The vote of 'No Confidence' is the culmination of years of long-ranging discussions and unanswered concerns brought directly to Jack in the Box CEO Lenny Comma," said Michael Norwich, NFA Board Chairman. "We have reached out in every possible manner to communicate our concerns to the leadership and the current board of directors by offering meetings, conducting our own surveys of the franchise system, and proposing various solutions to the issues facing our system." Norwich continued, "Following an extended period of time that was characterized by a lack of effective reaction by Jack in the Box leadership to remedy our expressed concerns which include among other things, a severe lack of corporate resources being devoted to providing service, support, assistance and marketing to the franchisee community and which have caused an unsustainable loss in sales and transactions, our membership has cast a vote of 'No Confidence' in the executive leadership at Jack in the Box and are asking for immediate response and action by the company's Board of Directors." The membership of the association tasked its leadership with communicating its 'No Confidence' vote to the Jack in the Box Board of Directors, after which Jack in the Box Board of Directors hired an independent outside counsel to investigate the 'No Confidence' issues. The association also identified a number of key areas of concern that the Board of Directors must focus on and set forth proposed solutions to each of these issues. These action items and proposed solution were detailed in a letter sent to the Board of Directors. The NFA has received no response. The association membership concerns expressed in the letter are laser-focused toward the implementation of strategic measures that will positively impact the business and drive transaction, traffic and check average.

09:07 EDT Celmatix, Oncotest-Teva announce commercial agreement for Fertilome test - Celmatix has announced a commercial agreement with Oncotest-Teva, a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, in Israel to bring the Fertilome test, the world's first multigene panel test for a woman's reproductive health and fertility, to the Israeli market. This partnership represents the first strategic international collaboration for Celmatix and will make the Fertilome genetic test widely available to women through their doctors in Israel. With the Fertilome test, Celmatix is ushering in a new era of personalized medicine in reproductive health. With this collaboration, the company is taking that movement global. A simple blood test ordered by a doctor, the Fertilome test can empower women to be more proactive about their family building by revealing whether they have genetic markers that have been associated with fertility-affecting conditions such as recurrent pregnancy loss, primary ovarian insufficiency, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome.

09:07 EDT Westmoreland LP trading halted, news pending

09:05 EDT Mondelez announces commitment to making all packaging recyclable by 2025 - Mondelez announced a new commitment to make all packaging recyclable and provide recycling information by 2025. The company will work in partnerships so that packaging can be collected and recycled in markets around the world. This new commitment is part of the company's strategy for a circular packaging economy and will help deliver its long-term vision for zero-net waste packaging.

09:04 EDT Maximus to acquire U.S. Federal citizen engagement centers for $400M in cash - MAXIMUS (MMS) announced that it has signed a definitive asset purchase agreement to acquire certain assets of General Dynamics (GD) Information Technology's large-scale, citizen-engagement centers in the U.S. Federal civilian market. The acquisition is expected to strengthen MAXIMUS position in the administration of federal government programs across the United States. The $400M all cash transaction is expected to close in mid-November and is subject to customary closing conditions. This acquisition is a natural fit for MAXIMUS and expands its reach in the delivery of citizen services. The acquisition enables greater economies of scale and brings enhanced technology and added operational capabilities that will benefit the entire MAXIMUS portfolio. The associated assets included in the asset purchase agreement had revenue of approximately $670 million for the twelve months ended June 2018. This revenue is primarily tied to cost reimbursable contracts and accordingly, operating margins typically average in the mid-single digit range. MAXIMUS expects that the transaction will close in mid-November, subject to customary closing conditions. MAXIMUS currently anticipates that the assets associated with this transaction will generate approximately 10.5 months of revenue for its fiscal year 2019 in the range of $575 million to $600 million. The transaction is expected to be accretive by $0.10 to $0.15 of diluted earnings per share in fiscal year 2019 after consideration of one-time expenses, interest, non-cash charges, and cost synergies.

09:03 EDT Maximus to acquire U.S. Federal citizen engagement centers for $400M in cash - MAXIMUS (MMS) announced that it has signed a definitive asset purchase agreement to acquire certain assets of General Dynamics (GD) Information Technology's large-scale, citizen-engagement centers in the U.S. Federal civilian market. The acquisition is expected to strengthen MAXIMUS position in the administration of federal government programs across the United States. The $400M all cash transaction is expected to close in mid-November and is subject to customary closing conditions. This acquisition is a natural fit for MAXIMUS and expands its reach in the delivery of citizen services. The acquisition enables greater economies of scale and brings enhanced technology and added operational capabilities that will benefit the entire MAXIMUS portfolio.

08:55 EDT China Advanced Construction trading halted, news pending

08:51 EDT Arbutus Biopharma appoints Gaston Picchio CDO - Gaston Picchio has joined Arbutus as CDO from Janssen R&D, bringing with him over thirty years of basic and clinical experience in the field of human virology, and sixteen years of industry experience dedicated to the development of antiviral drugs including drug approvals for the treatment of HIV and HCV. Prior to joining Arbutus, Picchio served in various senior management positions at Janssen R&D.

08:48 EDT Sterling awarded $17M contract by Los Angeles County Sanitation District - Sterling Construction Company announced that Myers & Sons Construction, a consolidated affiliate, was awarded a contract by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District for additions and modifications to their Valencia Water Reclamation Plant in Valencia, CA. This $17M project entails the addition of Ultraviolet Disinfection Facilities and ancillary systems that would allow for further treatment of the influent wastewater. In addition, Myers' work consists of a ground-up installation of several concrete structures, including a Flow Diversion Structure, UV Wetwell, UV Reactor Basin, and multiple junction structures. Construction is anticipated to start in November of 2018 and take approximately 24 months to complete.

08:47 EDT Ocean Rig sets date of extraordinary meeting to approve merger with Transocean - Ocean Rig UDW (ORIG) announced that it has scheduled an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to, among other things, consider and vote on a proposal to approve and adopt the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 3, 2018, by and among Ocean Rig, Transocean Ltd. (RIG), Transocean Oceanus Holdings Limited, and Transocean Oceanus Limited. Ocean Rig shareholders of record at the close of business on October 16, 2018 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting, which is scheduled to be held on Thursday, November 29, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. local time.

08:38 EDT Precision Therapeutics signs distribution agreement with Prenit World - Precision Therapeutics announced that its skyline medical division has partnered with Prenit World, an international distributor of medical infrastructure solutions for healthcare facilities, to market the Streamway System in India. Signing this international distribution agreement represents the company's entry into India's bourgeoning healthcare market. Prenit World has provided technologically advanced and superior quality medical infrastructure solutions to operating theaters and other healthcare facilities in India. Under the terms of the agreement, Prenit World will be the exclusive distributor of the Streamway System, as well as its associated filters and cleaning solutions, to hospitals and other healthcare facilities in India.

08:35 EDT Ritter Pharmaceuticals presents additional data from Phase 2b trial of RP-G28 - Ritter Pharmaceuticals presented additional data from its previously completed Phase 2b trial of RP-G28 exhibiting colonic microbiome adaptation and improved lactose tolerance. Data showed significant increases in several species of bacteria that are associated with lactose metabolism in the active treatment groups, compared to placebo. Notably, bifidobacteria increased in 77.7% of patients in the RP-G28 groups. Further, the poster identified that RP-G28 treatment resulted in improved lactose tolerance and increased milk consumption two times 30 days following treatment, compared to placebo.

08:33 EDT Iteris awarded $1.8M SaaS contract by South Carolina DOT - Iteris announced that the South Carolina Department of Transportation, or SCDOT, has awarded a $1.8 million contract to use Iteris iPeMS to support its statewide transportation network's performance management program for five years, representing the continued adoption of its software-as-a-service, or SaaS, solutions.

08:27 EDT Everi Holdings announces CentralCredit services agreement with Caesars - Everi Holdings (EVRI) announced that it has entered into a three-year agreement with Caesars (CZR) to provide its CentralCredit services to select Caesars casino properties. This service is used by casino operators to make real-time decisions when it comes to extending credit lines for guests. Everi's CentralCredit service is the industry's largest gaming credit bureau and the leading source of casino-related credit information and reporting. Used to determine guest credit worthiness, the service enables casino operators to access credit reports and updates on guest activity through a private, secure interface. The service features real-time updates to casino activity and international gaming credit data.

08:24 EDT Verizon announces strategic agreement with Mutualink - Verizon has teamed with Mutualink to provide interoperable critical communications solutions that will allow first responders and related entities to securely connect their organization's networks to communicate and share real time video and critical information. Mutualink is a service compatible with virtually any device and network, based on a software centric model that removes hardware dependencies, allowing connections between smartphones, video cameras, land mobile radios, etc.

08:19 EDT Exela Technologies secures $100M contract from a global bank - Exela Technologies announced that it was selected to provide payment and exception processing services for a global bank and financial services company. The new business is an expansion of the existing relationship spanning more than a decade and covers new services to further the bank's digital journey. The new business is anticipated to be fully ramped in Q1 of 2019. Exela's banking solutions enable banks and financial institutions to deploy Exela's proprietary technologies across many functions on a standalone or integrated basis. By leveraging its global footprint and proprietary technology to deliver location agnostic deployments, Exela's mission is to enable customers on their digital journey. Exela combines digital platforms and knowledge workers to drive efficiency and quality throughout its customers' business processes, providing aid in data aggregation, processing, decisioning, and communications.

08:16 EDT CACI awarded $162M task order from U.S. Army PM MC - CACI International announced that it has been awarded a task order, with a ceiling value of $162M, to provide engineering, logistics, and business management support to the U.S. Army's Project Manager Mission Command, or PM MC. The five-year task order, awarded under the General Services Administration OASIS contract, represents new work for CACI in its Communications market area.

08:15 EDT Apollo Endosurgery, Slater Endoscopy announce distribution agreement - Apollo Endosurgery announced that it has entered into an agreement with Slater Endoscopy to distribute the cold Ensizor Flexible Endoscopic Scissors in the United States, Europe, and select other markets. The Ensizor Flexible Endoscopic Scissor is indicated to cut and dissect tissue and sutures during endoscopic procedures. The innovative Edge Flex technology greatly enhances the cutting performance of endoscopic scissors by offering a very thin, yet rigid blade construction. The rigid armature provides unparalleled strength while the flexible blades ensure constant cutting contact providing physicians reliable and consistent cutting performance. The Ensizor Flexible Endoscopic Scissors are available for sale immediately through Apollo in the United States and select European countries.

08:13 EDT John Wiley & Sons agrees to acquire Learning House from Weld North - John Wiley & Sons announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Learning House from Weld North Holdings. Under the terms of the agreement, Learning House shareholders will receive $200M in cash. The transaction is expected to close on or around November 1, 2018, subject to customary closing and regulatory conditions. Learning House, headquartered in Louisville, provides online program management services for colleges and universities, including graduate and undergraduate programs; short courses, bootcamps, and other skills training and credentialing for students and professionals; pathway services for international students; professional development services for teachers; and learning solutions for corporate clients. Revenue for fiscal year 2018 is forecast to be approximately $70M, up 17% from the prior year. Learning House and Wiley's existing Education Services business will combine to create a diversified software and services leader in the $2.3B OPM market, with approximately $200M in combined annual revenue, over 60 university partners ranging from national to regional, over 800 online graduate and undergraduate degree programs across disciplines, and targeted institutional services such as student recruitment and enrollment. Learning House will further extend Wiley's reach into the $10B+ education services space, with short courses, bootcamps, and training services in critical areas like software development and teaching, and a job matching network of more than 450 employers.

08:10 EDT Interxion appoints John Doherty as CFO - Interxion (INXN) announced that it has named John Doherty as CFO, effective November 1. Doherty brings over 25 years of experience in key leadership roles at Verizon (VZ), most recently as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Verizon Ventures.

08:09 EDT iCAD's Xoft system selected by SUNY Upstate Medical University - iCAD, Inc. announced that its Xoft Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System is now available at Upstate Medical University. Affiliated with the State University of New York, Upstate Cancer Center is the first facility in central New York State to offer treatment of early-stage breast cancer using intraoperative radiation therapy with the advanced Xoft System. The hospital is the only academic medical center in the area and serves 1.8 million people.

08:07 EDT Agile Therapeutics completes formal dispute resolution process with FDA - Agile Therapeutics announced that it has received a response from FDA's Office of New Drugs, or OND, concerning the company's formal dispute resolution request. The company had appealed the decision by the FDA's Division of Bone, Reproductive and Urological Products, or DBRUP, that concerns surrounding the in vivo adhesion properties of Twirla prevent its approval. While OND has formally denied the company's appeal, OND provided a path forward without the need to reformulate Twirla or conduct a bioequivalence study between formulations, as previously suggested by DBRUP. OND suggested that the company conduct a wear study to evaluate whether Twirla demonstrates a generally similar adhesion performance to Xulane, the generic version of the previously marketed Ortho Evra contraceptive patch, a product the FDA considers to have acceptable adhesion. If this result is demonstrated, OND stated that the study would support the conclusion of adequate Twirla adhesion. OND has recommended that the company first meet with DBRUP to gain agreement on the specific design and success criteria of a wear study for Twirla. Generally, wear studies are conducted by generic companies during the Phase 1 development of transdermal products and are significantly smaller in scope and shorter in duration than typical Phase 3 contraceptive clinical trials. The wear study suggested by OND provides a path forward but does not address efficacy. Rather, if the wear study is successful, Twirla's safety and efficacy, including the Pearl Index, will need to be reviewed by FDA after the company resubmits the NDA for Twirla. This is an issue that DBRUP plans to bring to advisory committee after the adhesion issue has been resolved.

08:04 EDT OncoSec closed first $8M tranche of investment from Alpha Holdings - OncoSec Medical Incorporated announced the closing of the first $8M tranche of its $15M investment from Alpha Holdings. This value-focused, fundamental strategic investment is centered on the clinical development of OncoSec's lead immunotherapy product candidate, TAVO. TAVO enables the intratumoral delivery of DNA-based interleukin-12, a naturally occurring protein with powerful immune-stimulating functions. Alpha Holdings is a leading Korean technology company engaged in the design, development, service and manufacture of system semiconductors, as well as the development of biotechnologies and thermal compound materials. Under the terms of the agreement, Alpha Holdings has committed to purchase a total of $15M worth of shares of common stock from OncoSec in two tranches at $1.50 per share. The two tranches are each subject to a six-month holding requirement from date of funding. The closing of the second tranche is subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions.

08:02 EDT Ashford Hospitality to acquire La Posada de Santa Fe in New Mexico for $50M - Ashford Hospitality Trust announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the 157-room La Posada de Santa Fe in Santa Fe, New Mexico for $50M. The acquisition is expected to close in late October, but because the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, the Company can give no assurance that the purchase will be consummated by such date, or at all. Inclusive of the funds provided by Ashford under the ERFP, and assuming the Ashford funding were to occur at closing, the adjusted net purchase price equates to approximately $287,000 per key and represents, as of August 31 a trailing 12-month capitalization rate of 5.3% on hotel net operating income of $2.4M and a trailing 12-month 15.2x Hotel EBITDA multiple, according to the Company's preliminary estimates based on unaudited operating financial data provided by the sellers.

07:50 EDT Sears names Alan Carr to board of directors - Sears announced that Alan Carr, Managing Member and CEO of Drivetrain, has joined the Board of Directors. Carr has significant experience as a principal, investor and advisor leading complex financial restructurings, as well as serving as a director of reorganized businesses in the U.S. and Europe. Carr was previously an attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Ravin, Sarasohn, Baumgarten, Fisch & Rosen.

07:45 EDT Ziopharm affirms guidance on planned Phase 1 trial to evaluate SB-modified TCRs

07:34 EDT Wave Life Sciences plans to develop programs in rare, genetic eye diseases - Wave Life Sciences announced plans to design and advance stereopure oligonucleotide therapeutics for the potential treatment of rare, inherited eye diseases. Wave's research in ophthalmology will initially focus on the following four inherited retinal diseases which commonly lead to progressive vision loss typically starting in childhood or adolescence: retinitis pigmentosa due to a P23H mutation in the RHO gene, Stargardt disease, Usher syndrome type 2A and Leber congenital amaurosis 10. The company expects to announce its first ophthalmology development candidate in the second half of 2019. Wave's decision to expand its therapeutic pipeline into ophthalmology is supported by its data presented at the 14th Annual Meeting of the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society. The data demonstrate that a single intravitreal injection of stereopure oligonucleotide in the eye of non-human primates resulted in greater than 95% knockdown of a target RNA in the retina for at least four months. Based on these data, the company is working to design development candidates that could achieve a therapeutic effect with only two doses per year. Wave's research will assess four genetic targets, RHO P23H, USH2A, ABCA4 and CEP290 to address four rare, inherited retinal diseases. The company estimates that approximately 10,000 U.S. patients could potentially be treated by Wave's approach to addressing these four diseases.

07:32 EDT Axon announces first agencies to equip officers with Taser 7 weapon - Axon announced Fort Worth Police Department, or FWPD, a Major Cities Chiefs Association member, and Nevada Highway Patrol, a state and provincial agency, as the first agencies to equip officers with Axon's new TASER 7 weapon. FWPD placed orders for 1,193 TASER 7 devices and NHP placed orders for 889 TASER 7 devices. These orders were received in the Q3 and will ship in the Q4.

07:28 EDT Kirkland Lake Gold announces Q3 gold production of 180,155 ounces - Kirkland Lake Gold announced record quarterly gold production of 180,155 ounces for Q3. Production in Q3 exceeded target levels for the quarter driven by record quarterly production from Fosterville of 90,618 ounces as well as from the company's Canadian operations, with Macassa, Holt and Taylor collectively producing 89,537 ounces. The company completed Q3 well positioned to achieve the improved FY18 consolidated production guidance of over 635,000 ounces. Gold poured in Q3 totaled 187,331 ounces, with total gold sales of 184,509 ounces. Tony Makuch, president and CEO of Kirkland Lake Gold, commented, "Q3 2018 was a record quarter for both Fosterville in Australia and our Canadian operations as a whole. At Fosterville, we commissioned a second gravity circuit during Q3 2018 and saw an immediate spike in production, with the Fosterville Mill processing over 18,000 ounces in the first week of the circuit's operation. This spike can largely be attributed to the gravity circuit's effectiveness in recovering gold previously contained in the recirculating load of the grinding circuit. We also mined and processed our first Swan Zone stope during the quarter, which contributed over 7,500 ounces of production at an average grade of close to 40 g/t, in line with target levels. Turning to our Canadian operations, record production across our three mines reflected strong results at Macassa, where Q3 2018 production was very much in line with target levels, our best quarter of production to date at Holt and a better production performance from Taylor Mine compared to the previous quarter. Heading into the final quarter of the year, we are very well positioned to achieve our improved 2018 consolidated production guidance of over 635,000 ounces."

07:16 EDT MeiraGTx acquires Vector Neurosciences, AAV-GAD gene therapy product candidate - MeiraGTx announced that it has acquired Vector Neurosciences in an all-stock transaction. As a result of the acquisition, which was signed and closed, MeiraGTx has expanded its portfolio of clinical stage product candidates to include adeno-associated virus encoding glutamic acid decarboxylase, or AAV-GAD, a gene therapy product candidate ready for continued Phase 2 clinical development for Parkinson's disease. A prior Phase 2 clinical trial of AAV-GAD was completed and was the first successful randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial of its kind for a gene therapy product candidate targeting a brain disorder.

07:12 EDT NCCN adds Verastem's COPIKTRA to clinical practice guidelines for CLL/SLL - Verastem announced that the National Comprehensive Cancer Network added COPIKTRA capsules to the Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma. COPIKTRA is an oral inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and the first approved dual inhibitor of PI3K-delta and PI3K-gamma. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted approval to COPIKTRA on September 24, 2018, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory CLL/SLL after at least two prior therapies. Based on efficacy and safety data from patients with at least two prior lines of therapy who were treated in the randomized, Phase 3 DUO trial, the NCCN Guidelines now include a Category 2A recommendation for use of COPIKTRA for adult patients whose disease is relapsed or refractory after treatment with at least two prior therapies. The Category 2A recommendation indicates that based upon lower-level evidence, there is uniform NCCN consensus that COPIKTRA is appropriate for these patients.

07:06 EDT Myriad, Pfizer build upon previously announced companion diagnostic agreement - Myriad Genetics (MYGN) announced that it has signed a commercialization plan with Pfizer (PFE). The plan is under an existing companion diagnostic agreement, in which Myriad is pursuing U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for its BRACAnalysis CDx to be used as a companion diagnostic with Pfizer's investigational PARP inhibitor, talazoparib. Talazoparib and BRACAnalysis CDx currently are under FDA review, with New Drug Application and Supplementary Premarket Approval submissions based on results from the EMBRACA trial, which evaluated talazoparib versus physician's choice chemotherapy in patients with germline BRCA-mutated, HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Myriad anticipates a regulatory decision from the FDA by December 2018.Under the commercialization plan, each company remains responsible for the commercialization of its respective product. However, the companies will collaborate on certain commercial activities intended to support the use of the BRACAnalysis CDx in identifying patients for potential treatment with talazoparib following FDA approval. "We believe this commercial collaboration is another strong indication of Myriad's global leadership in the field of companion diagnostics for PARP inhibitors and personalized medicine," said Lloyd Sanders, president of Myriad Oncology. "We are excited to be working with Pfizer and towards ensuring patients have access to this class of drugs."

07:04 EDT Aurora Cannabis announces application to list on NYSE - Aurora Cannabis announced that the company has filed an application to list its common shares on the New York Stock Exchange. Listing of the company's common shares on the NYSE remains subject to the approval of the NYSE and the satisfaction of all applicable listing and regulatory requirements. Aurora anticipates that, subject to receipt of all required approvals, trading in its common shares on the NYSE will commence before the end of October 2018. In advance of the intended listing, the company has filed a Form 40-F Registration Statement with the United States SEC. Aurora's shares will trade on the NYSE under ticker symbol "ACB", the same symbol the company's common shares currently, and will continue to, trade under on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Aurora will also continue to trade on the OTCQX under the ticker symbol "ACBFF" until completion of the NYSE listing. Upon receipt of all required approvals and completion of the formal listing process, the company will publicly announce its first trading date on the NYSE. Aurora furthermore intends to voluntarily delist its shares from the OTCQX at such time.

07:04 EDT STAAR Surgical, Dr. Tobias Neuhann announces strategic alliance agreement - STAAR Surgical Company announced a multi-year Strategic Alliance Agreement with Dr. Tobias Neuhann of the Augenklinik am Marienplatz in Munich, Germany. The agreement serves as a global partnership model for smaller and single site refractive surgery eye clinics that aim to provide STAAR's EVO Visian ICL intraocular lenses as a primary and premium option for patients seeking visual freedom from spectacles and contact lenses.

07:02 EDT Maxar Technologies advances planned U.S. domestication - Maxar Technologies announced that it is advancing its domestication into the United States and expects to complete this process in January 2019, subject to securityholder approval. Maxar will continue to list its shares on both the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange. Maxar does not anticipate any impact on its employees, customers, suppliers, or other stakeholders as a result of its U.S. domestication. As previously announced, Maxar will transition to U.S. accounting standards and securities filings effective with its U.S. domestication. The company believes this will make its financial results more transparent to a wider audience of investors and provide increased comparability with U.S. aerospace and defense peer companies. The company committed to U.S. domestication no later than December 31, 2019 as part of its closing of its acquisition of DigitalGlobe on October 5, 2017. The board of directors of Maxar unanimously determined that the U.S. Domestication is in the best interests of Maxar and is fair and reasonable, and unanimously resolved to recommend that Maxar Securityholders vote in favor of the Arrangement.

06:59 EDT Cabot Oil & Gas reports preliminary Q3 net production 2.03 mmcfe per day - Cabot Oil & Gas provided an operational update on the heels of the in-service of the Atlantic Sunrise project on October 6 and announced the execution of a binding precedent agreement for new pipeline takeaway capacity on Transco's Leidy South expansion project. Due to the delay of the Atlantic Sunrise project's in-service date from the second-half of August to October 6 and a modest change in the timing of the company's Q3 pads being placed-on-production, Cabot preliminarily expects net production for Q3 to be approximately 2,029 million cubic feet equivalent, or mmcfe, per day, representing a 7% sequential increase in daily net production relative to Q2 and a 19% increase relative to the prior-year comparable quarter on a divestiture-adjusted basis. Cabot's current gross operated production volumes are above 2.6B cubic feet per day, representing an increase of over 400M cubic feet per day, or 19%, relative to the company's average daily gross volumes during Q2. Cabot has provided Q4 net production guidance of 2,225-2,275 mmcfe per day. The company has also updated its 2018 daily production growth guidance range from 10%-12% to 7%-8% to reflect the impact of Q3 actuals and the impact of modest changes to the anticipated timing of completions during Q4. As a result of the revised timing of completions, the company has also reduced its full-year capital budget by $20M to $940M.

06:52 EDT AMGP to acquire Antero Midstream Partners $30.43 per unit - Antero Midstream GP LP (AMGP) and Antero Midstream Partners LP (AM) announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for AMGP to acquire all outstanding AM common units, both those held by the public and those held by Antero Resources (AR) , in a stock and cash transaction. In connection with the transaction, AMGP will convert into a corporation and the combined entity will be renamed Antero Midstream Corporation. Under the terms of the agreement, Antero Midstream Partners public unitholders will be entitled to receive a combination of $3.415 in cash and 1.635 shares of New AM stock per AM unit owned, resulting in aggregate consideration valued at $31.41 per AM unit, based on the October 8, 2018 closing price. Antero Resources will be entitled to receive a combination of $3.00 in cash and 1.6023 shares of New AM stock for each AM unit owned, resulting in aggregate consideration valued at $30.43 per AM unit, based on the October 8, 2018 closing price. AM public unitholders will be entitled to elect to receive their merger consideration in all cash, all stock, or a combination of cash and stock, and AR will have the ability to elect to take a larger portion of its merger consideration in cash if the AM public unitholders elect to receive more stock than the mixed election consideration, in each case subject to pro ration to ensure that the aggregate amount of cash consideration paid to all AM unitholders equals approximately $598 million. The transaction has been negotiated and recommended by the Conflicts Committees of AMGP and Antero Midstream Partners and the Special Committee of Antero Resources and approved by all three Boards of Directors. Under the terms of the simplification agreement, AMGP will acquire 100% of Antero Midstream Partners' 188.1 million fully diluted common units outstanding, including 98.9 million common units owned by Antero Resources. AM public unitholders will be entitled to receive a combination of $3.415 in cash and 1.635 shares of New AM stock per AM unit owned, resulting in aggregate consideration valued at $31.41 per AM unit, based on the October 8, 2018 closing price. The all-in consideration for AM public unitholders represents a premium of 7% based on the closing price as of October 8, 2018 and a premium of 19% based on closing prices as of February 23, 2018 prior to the announcement of the Special Committee formation. Antero Resources will be entitled to receive a combination of $3.00 in cash and 1.6023 shares of New AM stock for each AM unit owned, resulting in aggregate consideration valued at $30.43 per AM unit, based on the October 8, 2018 closing price. AM public unitholders will be entitled to elect to receive their merger consideration in all cash, all stock or a combination of cash and stock. AR will have the ability to elect to take a larger portion of its merger consideration in cash if the AM public unitholders elect to receive more stock consideration than outlined in the mixed election, subject to pro ration, to ensure that the aggregate amount of cash consideration paid to all AM unitholders equals approximately $598 million. Following the AM public unitholders' election of their consideration, Antero Resources' can elect additional cash consideration, if available, in lieu of stock consideration. Following the simplification, New AM will eliminate all IDRs in AM and the Series B units, which represent 10-year profits interests in Antero IDR Holdings, the entity that holds all of the outstanding IDRs in AM. The cash consideration will be funded at closing by utilizing borrowings under an amended AM credit facility. AM is in the process of exercising the accordion feature on its credit facility, which would increase capacity from $1.5 billion to $2.0 billion. New AM expects to maintain a strong balance sheet flexing to just over 3.0x net debt to adjusted EBITDA post-closing at the end of the first quarter of 2019 and de-levering into the mid two-times range by 2020. Consistent with AM's previous outlook, New AM does not anticipate a need to access the public equity markets to fund its previously disclosed $2.7 billion in organic growth opportunities from 2018 through 2022.

06:51 EDT United Airlines reports September traffic up 6.7% - United Airlines reported September operational results. UAL's September consolidated traffic in revenue passenger miles increased 6.7% and consolidated capacity in available seat miles increased 6.1% versus September 2017. UAL's September consolidated load factor increased 0.5 points compared to September 2017.

06:46 EDT Tapestry signs UN Global Compact - Tapestry announced it has signed onto the UN Global Compact. Tapestry joins over 9,800 companies who are signatories to the UN Global Compact, recognizing its role as a business with the ability to address global issues within the luxury goods sector.

06:37 EDT BriaCell initiates dosing in Phase I/IIa combo study with KEYTRUDA or YERVOY - BriaCell Therapeutics is pleased to announce that it has initiated patient dosing in a Phase I/IIa study of its lead clinical candidate, Bria-IMT, in combination with pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA); manufactured by Merck & Co., (MRK) or ipilimumab (YERVOY); manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY). The combination study is listed in ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT03328026.

06:31 EDT Aerie Pharmaceuticals reports EMA accepted for review MAA for Rhokiinsa - Aerie Pharmaceuticals reported that the EMA has accepted for review the MAA for Rhokiinsa, or netarsudil ophthalmic solution, 0.02%. Rhokiinsa is currently marketed as Rhopressa in the U.S. and is indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. An opinion from the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use on the MAA for Rhokiinsa is expected in the second half of 2019.

06:17 EDT X Financial announces multi-year marketing partnership with NBA China - X Financial and NBA China announced a multi-year marketing partnership that makes the company an official marketing partner of NBA China. X Financial is NBA China's first time cooperating with a company in China's personal finance industry. Starting from the 2018-19 season, NBA China will integrate X Financial and its brands including, Xiaoying Wealth Management and Xiaoying Card Loan, into NBA China's marketing and media platforms to share X Financial's business with NBA China fans. X Financial will also bring NBA players and legends to China to interact with fans and grow the games. As the official marketing partner of NBA China Games 2018, X Financial activated the games with extensive brand inclusion on and off the court. In addition, the company hosted the "X Financial Basketball Club", a fan interactive event in Beijing.

06:16 EDT Booz Allen names Michele Flournoy, Ellen Jewett to board of directors - Booz Allen announced that it has appointed Michele Flournoy and Ellen Jewett to the Board of Directors, effective October 24, 2018 and October 25, 2018, respectively. The company also announced that Philip Odeen, a member of the board for the last decade, will retire from the board effective March 31, 2019.

06:11 EDT Eni, BP, NOC sign deal to resume Libyan exploration - National Oil Corporation Chairman, Mustafa Sanalla, BP (BP) Group CEO Bob Dudley, and Eni (E) CEO Claudio Descalzi, signed a Letter of Intent in London which will launch the process for Eni to acquire a 42.5% stake in BP's Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement in Libya, with an aim to boost in-country exploration and development activities and promote Libya's investment environment. The agreement aims to launch the acquisition process for Eni to obtain a 42.5% participating interest and the assignment of the operatorship, currently held by BP, in the contractual areas A and B and C in Libya. BP holds an 85% working interest of the second party share in each block, with the Libyan Investment Authority holding the remaining 15%. The parties intend to finalize and execute all necessary agreements by current year-end, with the aim of re-starting exploration activities in 2019. This transaction will reinforce and strengthen the existing strategic and privileged partnership between parties over the longer-term.

06:02 EDT Hancock Jaffe Laboratories enters research pact with Texas Heart Institute - Hancock Jaffe Laboratories announced that it has entered into a Sponsored Research Agreement with Texas Heart Institute for the development of HJLI's CoreoGraft, an off the shelf conduit intended to be used for coronary artery bypass surgery. Founded in 1962 by world renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Denton A. Cooley, the Texas Heart Institute is recognized internationally for research programs in cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, stem cell and gene therapy, and regenerative medicine, and is dedicated to reducing the devastating toll of cardiovascular disease through innovative and progressive programs in research, education and improved patient care.

05:29 EDT NuVasive announces strategic partnership with Biedermann Technologies - NuVasive announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with Biedermann Technologies GmbH & Co. KG, a company that holds a broad and extensive patent and technology portfolio in the fields of spinal and extremity surgery, based in Donaueschingen, Germany. Within the terms of the license and services agreement, Biedermann Technologies has granted NuVasive licenses to intellectual property relating to its spinal technology portfolio. Specifically, certain Biedermann Technologies' proprietary screw innovations will be integrated into the NuVasive RELINE portfolio, offering surgeons a superior solution to treat complex spinal pathologies in both the adult and pediatric populations for open, as well as minimally invasive surgery, with customized screw placement and ability to facilitate various corrective maneuvers based on the clinical needs of the patient. NuVasive's RELINE system is the only technology on the market to offer a single tulip that accepts three posterior fixation rods of different diameters and is integrated into its proprietary Integrated Global Alignment, or iGA, platform designed to achieve global alignment across spinal procedures. This combination of Biedermann Technologies' propriety screw technology and NuVasive's RELINE system is expected to be commercially available to surgeons in the first half of 2019. Biedermann Technologies will also provide services to NuVasive in connection with the development of its next-generation RELINE complex spine system to support three foundational clinical pillars: surgical efficiency, operative reliability and procedural versatility.