Stockwinners Market Radar for December 05, 2018 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

18:06 EDT OMA Airports reports an 11.2% increase in November passenger traffic - Mexican airport operator Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, known as OMA, reported that terminal passenger traffic at its 13 airports increased 11.2% in November 2018, as compared to November 2017. Domestic traffic increased 11.6%, and international traffic increased 8.3%.

17:41 EDT Univar appointed distributor for Sino Lion beauty and personal care ingredients - Univar announced that Sino Lion USA selected Univar to distribute the full line of its sustainable beauty and personal care ingredients in the United States.

17:31 EDT CME Group declares annual variable dividend of $1.75 per share - CME Group declared its annual variable dividend, amounting to $1.75 per share. The dividend is payable January 16, 2019, to shareholders of record on December 28, 2018. When CME Group adopted its annual variable dividend structure in February 2012, the intention was to determine the excess cash available at the end of each year, with the level to increase or decrease from year to year based on operating results, potential investment activity and other forms of capital return. The annual variable dividend of $1.75 per share to be paid in January 2019 totals approximately $625M.

17:18 EDT Spirit MTA REIT declares special cash dividend of $1.00 per share - Spirit MTA REIT announced that its board has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 33c per common share for Q4. In addition, the board declared a special cash dividend of $1.00 per common share. Both dividends will be paid on January 15, 2019, to stockholders of record as of December 31, 2018. Pro forma for these dividend payments, SMTA's liquidity position remains strong with approximately $105M of unrestricted cash, approximately $13M in the Master Trust 2014 Release Account and over $30M of availability under the Master Trust 2014 variable funding note facility.

17:00 EDT Ocean Power enters long-term supply agreement with NEC Energy Solutions - Ocean Power Technologies announced that the company has signed a letter of intent to enter into a long-term supply agreement with NEC Energy Solutions. Under the terms of the supply agreement, NEC ES will supply lithium ion batteries for OPT's subsea battery solutions.

16:45 EDT Okta says Albertsons implemented Okta Identity Cloud - Okta announced that Albertsons Companies implemented the Okta Identity Cloud to support its digital transformation. Okta also announced new or expanded deployments in Q3 with the Transportation Security Administration, Sonoco and LendingClub. Today, Okta also announced financial results for its Q3. Okta in the quarter grew its total customers to more than 5,600 organizations. "Okta's customer wins come amidst continued momentum for the company, including the company's record third fiscal 2019 quarterly revenue growth, the acquisition of ScaleFTand the deepened partnership with VMware," the company said.

16:41 EDT GOL Linhas reports preliminary traffic figures for November - GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes, or GOL, announces preliminary air traffic figures for the month of November, 2018. Comparisons refer to the same period of 2017. GOL's domestic supply and demand increased 1.1% and 2.9%, respectively. GOL's domestic load factor was 83.7%, a 1.5 percentage point increase in comparison to November 2017. The volume of departures decreased by 2.4% and seats increased by 1.9% over November 2017. GOL's international supply and demand increased by 27.5% and 30.8%, respectively, and international load factor was 76.0%, an increase of 1.9 percentage point in relation to November 2017. GOL's total supply increased 4.0% due to a 1.9% increase in seats and a 2.0% decrease in departures. GOL's total demand increased 5.7% in comparison to November 2017 and consolidated load factor was 82.6%.

16:38 EDT Cloudera, Hortonworks shareholders to vote on proposed merger in late December - Cloudera (CLDR) stated that the company and Hortonworks (HDP) will hold shareholder meetings to vote on their proposed merger in late December 2018, with completion of merger to follow soon thereafter.

16:35 EDT Ecolab increases quarterly dividend 12% - The board of Ecolab declared a 12% increase in the company's quarterly cash dividend to 46c per common share, to be paid January 15, 2019, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 18, 2018. This increase results in a new indicated annual cash dividend of $1.84 per share in 2019 and represents Ecolab's 27th consecutive annual dividend rate increase.

16:33 EDT Franco-Nevada reports receipt of proposal letter from Canada Revenue Agency - As previously disclosed, the CRA is conducting an audit of Franco-Nevada Corporation's 2012-2015 taxation years. Franco-Nevada has now received a proposal letter from the Canada Revenue Agency in relation to royalty income earned by Franco-Nevada's Mexican subsidiary during the 2013 taxation year. The audit is ongoing and there can be no assurance that CRA will not raise further challenges with respect to Franco-Nevada or its Mexican or other foreign subsidiaries. For the 2013 taxation year, Franco-Nevada's Mexican subsidiary paid Mxn154.3 million Pesos, or $12.1M, in cash taxes, at a 30% tax rate, to the Mexican tax authorities on income earned in Mexico. The CRA is proposing to tax a majority of such income as though it were earned in Canada. Assuming the CRA is successful in its challenge, Franco-Nevada estimates on a preliminary basis that it would be subject to federal and provincial tax of approximately C$12.8M, or $9.7M, plus any applicable penalties and interest but before any relief under the Canada-Mexico tax treaty. "The tax treaty between Canada and Mexico is intended to avoid double taxation. Management strongly believes that the Company has paid all applicable taxes in compliance with Canadian and Mexican tax laws. Franco-Nevada intends to vigorously defend its position and seek relief under the tax treaty," the company stated.

16:20 EDT AbbVie reports Phase 3 TAHOE trial halted - AbbVie announced the decision to stop enrollment for the TAHOE trial, a Phase 3 study evaluating Rovalpituzumab Tesirine, or Rova-T, as a second-line therapy for advanced small-cell lung cancer. An Independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended stopping enrollment in TAHOE due to shorter overall survival in the Rova-T arm compared with the topotecan control arm. For patients currently on treatment with Rova-T in TAHOE, the IDMC recommended that investigators and patients make individual decisions as to whether or not to continue treatment based on patient level response. The recommendation from the IDMC to halt enrollment applies only to the TAHOE study and does not impact other Rova-T clinical studies. "Patients are our first priority and we are deeply grateful to the patients and physicians who participated in this trial. We remain committed to discovering and developing transformative therapies for people living with cancer," said Michael Severino, M.D., executive vice president, research and development and chief scientific officer, AbbVie.

16:06 EDT Kingsway Financial announces voluntary delisting of shares, warrants from TSX - Kingsway Financial Services announced that it has applied for voluntary delisting of the company's common shares and series B warrants from the Toronto Stock Exchange at the close of markets on December 19, 2018. The common shares will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under its symbol "KFS" and the warrants will continue to trade on the OTC Market under the symbol "KFSYF". The board of directors made the decision to voluntarily delist the common shares and warrants from TSX based on the very limited trading volume of the company's securities on the TSX, the costs and resources required to maintain the TSX listings, and the liquid market for the shares on NYSE and for the warrants on OTC. It is anticipated that on or about December 12, 2018, the TSX will issue a bulletin setting the effective date of the voluntary delisting of the common shares and warrants. Shareholders holding common shares in Canadian brokerage accounts should contact their brokers to obtain information on how to trade their shares on NYSE.

16:02 EDT Gannett initiates succession process after CEO Dickey announces intent to retire - Gannett announced that President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Dickey has informed the company's board of directors of his intention to retire. The board has initiated a succession process and has engaged an outside search firm, Egon Zehnder, to assist in evaluating both internal and external chief executive officer candidates. Dickey will continue to lead the company as president and CEO during this process and has agreed to stay on until May 7, 2019, or, if earlier, until a successor is named. J. Jeffry Louis, chairman of the Gannett board of directors, said, "Succession planning is one of a board's greatest duties, and we are embarking on a deliberate and thoughtful process to identify the next chief executive of Gannett. We will seek candidates who will support our culture and bring the skills, experience and integrity needed to ensure Gannett remains a news and digital marketing services leader."

14:23 EDT Regal Beloit sells engineered drives, control systems business to Sun Captial - Regal Beloit announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell its engineered drives and control systems business to an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners. With 2018 estimated revenue of $131M, Regal Drive Technologies has 450 employees around the world, the company said in a statement. The business designs and manufactures engineered controls, starters and drives. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to occur by the end of Q1 in 2019. "This transaction is consistent with our enterprise strategy to focus, innovate and simplify," said CEO Mark Gliebe. "We believe it will allow us to put more focus on our core businesses. Regal expects the divested businesses to deliver an estimated 18c diluted earnings per share for the full year 2018. Management expects to discuss the transaction in greater detail during the company's next earnings call.

14:04 EDT General Dynamics Electric Boat awarded $46.2M Navy contract - The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $46.2M contract modification to perform non-nuclear maintenance work on submarines homeported at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics. With this award, Electric Boat will continue operating the New England Maintenance Manpower Initiative at the submarine base. This contract has a potential value of $239.9M over five years.

11:21 EDT CNH Industrial says Linda Knoll, Alessandro Nasi will step down - CNH Industrial announced that Linda Knoll, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Alessandro Nasi, President, Specialty Vehicles, will step down from their positions early in the new year. Knoll will leave in late January 2019 to focus solely on her role in Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU). She has concurrently served as CHRO in both companies since 2011. Nasi will step down in late Q1 of 2019 from his position as President of Specialty Vehicles, a role he has held since 2013. He has also served as Secretary and Coordinator of the GEC since 2009.

11:17 EDT LTC Properties says tenant representing 10% of revenue filed Chapter 11 - LTC Properties said it learned yesterday that Senior Care Centers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy resulting from lease terminations from certain landlords and on-going operational challenges. Senior Care operates over 100 properties and is the largest skilled nursing operator in Texas. Senior Care leases 11 skilled nursing centers located in Texas under a master lease from LTC, the company added. Annualized rental revenue from Senior Care is approximately $15.8M, which represents 9.7% of LTC's annualized revenue as of September 30, 2018. It noted, "As of this filing, LTC has not received rent for December. As security under the lease, LTC holds a letter of credit in the amount of approximately $2.0 million, maintenance and repair escrows of approximately $2.2 million and property tax escrows of approximately $1.8 million. LTC had previously requested a consensual termination of the lease and now has strongly urged Senior Care to reject LTC's lease in bankruptcy. LTC is currently discussing these properties with another Texas operator under similar terms as the Senior Care lease. Lease coverage, before management fee, for the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2018 was 1.61x."

10:04 EDT Northern Trust selected by CIC for discretionary OCIO services - Northern Trust's Foundation and Institutional Advisors Group has been selected to provide discretionary OCIO services for the Council of Independent Colleges endowment and reserve assets, Northern Trust announced.

09:44 EDT AAR Corp. announces joint venture with Napier Park Global Capital - AAR announces the expansion of its commercial aircraft asset management activities by partnering with Napier Park Global Capital to create a joint venture that will focus on acquiring late life commercial aircraft. AAR has been appointed the sole servicer for the newly formed strategic alliance. Under the agreement, AAR will establish and manage the aircraft portfolio, as well as develop exit strategies. The main focus is on acquiring yield generating assets maximizing returns as aircraft reach the end of operational life. AAR will work with majority partner, Napier Park, to target assets that retain value in the aftermarket once aircraft retire from service.

09:14 EDT Hawaiian Airlines reports traffic up 2.8%, capacity up 5% in November - Hawaiian Airlines, a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, announced its system-wide traffic statistics for the month ended November 30. Hawaiian welcomed more than 937,000 guests in November 2018, a decrease of 0.8% over the same period last year. Total traffic, measured by revenue passenger miles, increased 2.8% on an increase of 5.0% in capacity, measured by available seat miles. Load factor decreased 1.8 points to 84.1%.

09:10 EDT AT&T confirms plans for third mobile 5G device in 2019 - AT&T announces that it is working with Samsung (SSNLF) to bring another standards-based 5G device to AT&T customers in 2019. "This smartphone from Samsung will be able to access both 5G mmWave and sub-6 GHz. We expect to offer this device in the second half of 2019. That brings us to three mobile 5G devices announced to date," the company stated.

09:06 EDT 22nd Century announces filing of Premarket Tobacco Application with FDA - 22nd Century Group announced that it has submitted a Premarket Tobacco Application, or PMTA, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking authorization to commercialize the company's "BRAND A" cigarette products under the proposed brand name VLNTM, subject to FDA approval. The company's PMTA submission precedes the forthcoming filing of the separate, more comprehensive Modified Risk Tobacco Product, or MRTP, application for 22nd Century's proposed VLNTM premium cigarettes. "Later this month, 22nd Century will submit to the FDA the company's highly-anticipated MRTP application. Containing only a tiny fraction of the nicotine found in the 100 leading U.S. cigarette brands, 22nd Century's proposed VLNTM cigarettes will demonstrate conclusively that the FDA's plan to dramatically reduce nicotine in all U.S. cigarettes is immediately feasible," explained Henry Sicignano, CEO and President at 22nd Century.

09:03 EDT Itron announces signing of contract with City of Waco - Itron announced that it signed a contract with the City of Waco, Texas to install Itron's OpenWay Riva IoT solution, including smart water communication modules and leak sensors, to reduce water loss and improve water delivery for the utility's nearly 45,000 customers. The utility will also take advantage of Itron Analytics, a software-as-a-service offering that collects and analyzes data within the distribution network to improve operational awareness.

08:37 EDT CVS Health announces introduction of new PBM pricing approach - CVS Health announced that it is introducing a new approach to the pricing of Pharmacy Benefit Management services. "The new Guaranteed Net Cost pricing model simplifies the financial arrangements underlying PBM contracts and focuses on helping plan sponsors deliver savings through PBM cost management strategies such as formulary, utilization management and performance pharmacy networks. This new model more closely aligns PBM incentives with plan sponsors' objectives than current pricing models by providing greater cost predictability. The company has been actively briefing benefit consultants as well as current and prospective clients on the new model. As a result, clients, including both existing and new clients who are transitioning to CVS Caremark as their PBM, have already chosen to adopt the Guaranteed Net Cost model starting in 2019," CVS stated.

08:34 EDT Roche announces Phase 3 KATHERINE study met its primary endpoint - Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, announced the Phase III KATHERINE study met its primary endpoint, showing Kadcyla as a single agent significantly reduced the risk of disease recurrence or death by 50% compared to Herceptin as an adjuvant treatment in people with HER2-positive early breast cancer who have residual disease present following neoadjuvant treatment. At three years, 88.3% of people treated with Kadcyla did not have their breast cancer return compared to 77.0% treated with Herceptin, an 11.3% improvement. Kadcyla improved iDFS irrespective of hormone receptor status, lymph node status and prior HER2-targeted treatment regimen received in the neoadjuvant setting. The safety profile of Kadcyla was consistent with that seen in previous studies, and no unexpected or new safety signals were identified. These results are being presented in an oral session today at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium and featured in the official SABCS press program. These results will simultaneously be published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Genentech noted.

08:28 EDT Nutrien announces closing of sale of SQM A shares to Tianqi Lithium - Nutrien announced that it has closed the sale of its remaining Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A., or SQM, shares to Tianqi Lithium Corporation through an open auction process on the Santiago Stock Exchange for gross proceeds of approximately $4.1B. This is the final divestiture required by the Competition Commission of India and Ministry of Commerce in China in providing their clearance for the merger of Agrium and PotashCorp to form Nutrien. Net proceeds from the sale of its equity investments in 2018 is expected to total approximately $5B. "Closing the sale of our investment in SQM marks the conclusion of a major deliverable for Nutrien. The receipt of US$4.1 billion in gross proceeds provides an opportunity to deploy the cash to generate significant shareholder value. With the sale of our investments in Arab Potash Company and SQM in the fourth quarter, along with significant seasonal cash flow generated from our Retail business, we expect our net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio to decline below 2 by the end of 2018. As a result, Nutrien has ample flexibility to both return capital to shareholders and grow the business with a disciplined investment approach," commented Chuck Magro, Nutrien's President and CEO.

08:25 EDT MiMedx reports promotions of new Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Medical Officer - MiMedx Group announced certain leadership changes and promotions in conjunction with its plans to implement a broad-based organizational realignment program designed to position the business for long-term success. "Today's realignment of key leadership roles is intended to support a seamless transition as we simplify and streamline our organizational structure with a view to operating more efficiently and effectively," said David Coles, Interim CEO. Mark Landy, previously Senior VP of Strategic Initiatives, has been promoted to Executive VP and Chief Strategy Officer. David Mason, Jr., M.D. has been promoted to Chief Medical Officer following the retirement of Donald Fetterolf, M.D. FACP. Mason was previously Vice President of Medical Affairs. As part of the organizational realignment, the role of Chief Commercialization Officer has been eliminated and Chris Cashman will be departing the organization.

08:18 EDT Bausch Health reports FDA clearance for ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism lenses - Bausch + Lomb, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bausch Health Companies, announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism contact lenses, which it said is the first multifocal toric lens to be available as a standard offering in the eye care professional's fit set. "The most advanced soft contact lens design in the history of Bausch + Lomb, this monthly silicone hydrogel lens builds upon the success of Bausch + Lomb ULTRA for Presbyopia and Bausch + Lomb ULTRA for Astigmatism lenses," the company stated. Bausch Health anticipates Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism will be available to eye care professionals and their patients by mid-2019.

08:14 EDT MiMedx announces organizational realignment, to cut 24% of workforce - MiMedx Group announced its plans to implement a broad-based organizational realignment, cost reduction and efficiency program to better ensure the company's cost structure is appropriate given its revenue expectations. MiMedx plans to execute these initiatives while continuing to deliver products and support for healthcare providers and the patients they serve. The realignment will include a reduction of the MiMedx workforce by approximately 240 full-time employees, or 24% of its total workforce, of which about half are salesforce personnel. The cost reductions also include various non-employee expenses. As a result of this realignment program, management expects the company to realize material, annualized cost savings beginning in the first quarter of 2019. "As previously announced, the Company is restating its financial statements. Due to the depth, breadth and complexity of issues identified, management has expanded the scope of work in connection with the preparation of the Company's financial statements and is unable to estimate the expected completion date at this time. Due to the changes in business practices discussed above and other factors, including the inability to provide the full context of current or past performance, the Company is not currently in a position to provide any financial performance-related information. Moreover, at this time, the Company cannot estimate its exposure, if any, to potential contingent liabilities related to pending and threatened shareholder lawsuits, pending governmental investigations or other legal proceedings," MiMedx stated.

08:03 EDT Ecolab to acquire U.K.-based cleaning solutions provider Holchem - Ecolab announced it has acquired Holchem Group Limited, a U.K.-based supplier of hygiene and cleaning products and services for the food and beverage, foodservice and hospitality industries. Holchem operates in the U.K. and Ireland, and the company's 2017 sales were approximately $56M. The acquisition is subject to clearance by the Competition and Markets Authority, which is anticipated to occur in early 2019, and both businesses will continue to operate separately until the acquisition has been cleared. No other details were announced.

07:48 EDT Saia reports LTL shipments per workday up 1% in October and November - Saia is providing LTL shipment and tonnage data for the first two months of the fourth quarter. In October 2018, LTL shipments per workday increased 1.0% and LTL tonnage per workday increased 1.5% compared to October 2017. In November 2018, LTL shipments per workday increased 1.0% and LTL tonnage per workday declined 0.1% compared to November 2017.

07:45 EDT Conatus reports primary endpoint of ENCORE-PH Phase 2b trial not met - Conatus Pharmaceuticals announced top-line results from the company's Phase 2b ENCORE-PH clinical trial showing clinically meaningful treatment effects in compensated NASH cirrhosis patients at high risk of decompensation. The trial's primary endpoint was change in mean hepatic venous pressure gradient from baseline to Week 24 in any of three emricasan dosing groups compared with placebo. In the overall trial population, changes in HVPG from baseline to Week 24 showed trends consistently favoring emricasan compared with placebo but did not meet the primary endpoint. Steven Mento, Ph.D., President, CEO and co-founder of Conatus, said, "Based on previous discussions with regulators, we expect that separate registration trials would be needed in compensated and decompensated NASH cirrhosis. This trial purposely enrolled mostly compensated patients, and we are encouraged by the treatment effect shown in this population in these top-line results." Arun Sanyal,Professor of Medicine, Physiology and Molecular Pathology at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, chair of the NIH NASH Clinical Research Network, and chair of the Liver Forum, said, "This trial evaluated the ability of emricasan to reduce HVPG in patients with cirrhosis due to NASH. Although the primary endpoint was not met, the data indicates an amelioration of portal pressures by emricasan. Not surprisingly, those with the highest HVPG had the greatest benefit and the trends in all groups on sensitivity analyses favored active therapy. Together, these suggest that the findings are real and support additional investigation of this compound for those with compensated cirrhosis due to NASH and high HVPG, i.e., the population at greatest risk of clinical decompensation for whom there are no alternate approved therapies." David T. Hagerty, Executive VP of Clinical Development at Conatus, said, "We believe data from the ENCORE-PH clinical trial as well as data from our two ongoing ENCORE trials that will be available in 2019 will warrant future discussions with regulatory authorities regarding potential pivotal trials in patients with NASH and advanced liver disease. We are grateful to the NASH cirrhosis patients who participated unselfishly in the ENCORE-PH clinical trial, and to the principal investigators who treated them in compliance with a rigorous protocol. We also thank the clinical site support staffs and the site monitoring, data collection and analysis teams who maintained schedule integrity from launch through results."

07:37 EDT Veracyte announces expansion of Envisia Genomic Classifier early access program - Veracyte announced that 20 medical centers across the United States are now offering the Envisia Genomic Classifier through an Early Access Program to patients who are undergoing evaluation for interstitial lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The program, launched in May 2018, provides advance access to the Envisia classifier, which the company anticipates making available nationwide in 2019.

07:06 EDT Cloudera announces preview of cloud-native machine learning platform - Cloudera announced a preview of a new cloud-native machine learning platform powered by Kubernetes. "The upcoming Cloudera Machine Learning expands Cloudera's offerings for enterprise self-service data science. It delivers fast provisioning and autoscaling as well as containerized, distributed processing on heterogeneous compute. Cloudera Machine Learning also ensures secure data access with a unified experience across on-premises, public cloud, and hybrid environments," the company stated. Enterprises can request access to preview the upcoming Cloudera Machine Learning offering today. The product is planned to release in 2019.

06:58 EDT Sierra Metals reports delay to Yauricocha mine environmental impact assessment - Sierra Metals reports that the company's subsidiary in Peru, Sociedad Minera Corona, has received a response from SENACE, the National Environmental Certification Service, whom are the evaluator for natural resources and production projects in Peru with respect to its recent Environmental Impact Assessment study for the expansion of the tailings deposition facility at the Yauricocha mine. "Although the authorities did not approve the EIA study at this time, the company has 15 business days to provide a re-evaluation to the authorities to initiate a review process. As it stands today, this will result in a delay in the company receiving an approved EIA study, which would enable the company to proceed with a construction permit for the next three phases of the tailings damn extension, and for the final submission of the ITS document, which upon approval, would allow the company to expand mine output 20% to 3,600 tones per day. Sierra Metals firmly believes that all of the required documentation was submitted, demonstrating complete fulfillment of all the requirements for the EIA study approval. The company will now proceed to present a new proof of response to these requirements, Sierra Metals stated. Igor Gonzales, President and CEO of Sierra Metals commented, "While we are disappointed, we do not believe this decision was made with all the facts. This decision was preliminary and not based upon or including all the information submitted. Key members of the management team are going to meet with authorities to provide and demonstrate full compliance with the requirements. Management believes that once all the correct information is reviewed, we will receive a positive response from authorities."

06:37 EDT Air Lease announces lease placement of two Airbus A321neo aircraft - Air Lease Corporation (AL) announced a long-term lease agreement for two new Airbus (EADSY) A321neo aircraft with Air Macau. Featuring Pratt & Whitney PW1133G engines, the aircraft will deliver from ALC's order book with Airbus in November 2019 and the first quarter of 2020.

06:20 EDT Bayer sets growth targets through 2022 at Capital Markets Day - The Bayer Group aims to significantly enhance its performance in the coming years and has set itself ambitious growth and margin targets through 2022. "Following our transformation into a life science company with leading businesses in health and nutrition, we are strongly positioned to benefit from key megatrends," commented Werner Baumann, Chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer AG, on Wednesday at Bayer's Capital Markets Day in London. "We will create substantial value by leveraging our innovation capabilities into growth, improved profitability and a higher cash flow. The recently announced efficiency and structural measures will further support us in these endeavors. All of Bayer's divisions are expected to contribute to an improvement in Group performance through 2022 and beyond." Bayer is targeting sales growth of approximately 4 percent next year and an annual average of 4 to 5 percent in the following years through 2022, based on constant foreign exchange rates. This corresponds to an increase in sales from an anticipated 44.6 billion euros in 2018 to around 46 billion euros in 2019 and to approximately 52 billion euros in 2022. The target for EBITDA before special items is average annual growth of 9 percent, with an increase from an anticipated 11.5 billion euros in 2018 to around 12.2 billion euros in 2019 and to approximately 16 billion euros in 2022. s previously announced, Bayer is targeting an average annual increase for core earnings per share of around 10 percent. Core EPS is expected to amount to 5.70 to 5.90 euros in 2018 in line with previous guidance, with a target of around 6.80 euros in 2019 and approximately 10 euros in 2022.

06:08 EDT Canadian Natural announces 2019 base capital budget approx. $3.7B - Canadian Natural's 2019 base capital budget is targeted to be approximately $3.7B, approximately $1B less than the 2018 forecast as the company demonstrates its ability to exercise capital flexibility. The company targets maintenance capital at approximately $3.1B, demonstrating a key benefit of a long life low decline asset base. Overall, production in 2019 is targeted to be between 1,030,000 BOE/d and 1,119,000 BOE/d, with a product mix of approximately 76% crude oil and NGLs and 24% natural gas. Overall, 2019 crude oil and NGL production is targeted to be in line with 2018 levels, ranging from 782,000 bbl/d to 861,000 bbl/d.

06:04 EDT Tutor Perini unit WDF announces $71M Jacob Riis Houses project - Tutor Perini announced that its subsidiary, WDF Inc., has been approved for award by the New York City Housing Authority for the Sandy Recovery Program Restoration at Jacob Riis Houses. The anticipated contract value is approximately $71.2M and notice to proceed is expected in the first quarter of 2019. The project scope of work includes both restoration and infrastructure improvements to the Jacob Riis Housing complex, which consists of twelve buildings spread over a three city block footprint. Upgrades include new emergency generators, electrical distribution equipment and gas services to the buildings. New flood elimination upgrades include deployable dry flood-proofing elements, waterproofing of structures, waterproof architectural finishes and upgrades to sewer/storm management systems. Exterior upgrades include new roadways, sidewalks, green spaces and pedestrian lighting. Architectural improvements include the rehabilitation of building entrances, lobbies and storm damaged portions of all twelve buildings. Work on the project is expected to commence in the summer of 2019 with substantial completion anticipated by mid-2022. The contract value will be included in the company's fourth quarter 2018 backlog.

06:02 EDT Boeing, ELG Carbon Fibre partner to recycle excess composite material - Boeing and ELG Carbon Fibre announced a partnership to recycle excess aerospace-grade composite material, which will be used by other companies to make products such as electronic accessories and automotive equipment.The agreement - the first of its kind for the aerospace industry - covers excess carbon fiber from 11 Boeing airplane manufacturing sites and will reduce solid waste by more than one million pounds a year.

06:00 EDT PepsiCo completes acquisition of SodaStream for $144 per share - PepsiCo (PEP) has completed its acquisition of SodaStream International (SODA), as previously announced, acquiring all outstanding shares for $144 per share. "I couldn't be prouder or more excited to welcome SodaStream to the PepsiCo family," said Ramon Laguarta, PepsiCo CEO. "With its customizable options, SodaStream empowers consumers to personalize their preferred beverage in an environmentally friendly way and provides PepsiCo with a significant presence in the at-home marketplace. Together with SodaStream, I'm confident we can accelerate progress on our shared goal of curbing plastic waste and building a more sustainable future."

05:57 EDT MetLife names Eric Clurfain to succeed Sachin Shah as MetLife Japan CEO - MetLife (MET) announced that Eric Clurfain, currently Executive Vice President and Head of EMEA, has been named Chairman, President and CEO of MetLife Japan K.K., effective Feb. 1, 2019, subject to the necessary approvals. He will report to Kishore Ponnavolu, President, Asia, and be based in Tokyo. Clurfain is taking over the role from Sachin Shah, who is leaving MetLife for an external opportunity at AIG (AIG).

05:55 EDT Exelixis, Ipsen initiate Phase 3 COSMIC-312 trial - Exelixis (EXEL) and Ipsen (IPSEY) announced the initiation of COSMIC-312, a phase 3 pivotal trial of cabozantinib versus sorafenib in previously untreated advanced hepatocellular carcinomaThe co-primary endpoints of the trial are progression-free survival and overall survival. An exploratory arm will also evaluate cabozantinib monotherapy in this first-line setting. COSMIC-312 is a multicenter, randomized, controlled phase 3 pivotal trial that aims to enroll approximately 640 patients at up to 200 sites globally. Patients will be randomized 6:3:1 to one of three arms: cabozantinib and atezolizumab, sorafenib, or cabozantinib. Exelixis is sponsoring COSMIC-312, and Ipsen will co-fund the trial. Ipsen will have access to the results to support potential future regulatory submissions outside of the U.S. and Japan. Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, is providing atezolizumab for use in this trial.

05:51 EDT Takeda investors approve resolutions related to proposed acquisition of Shire - Takeda (TKPYY) announced the results of the shareholder votes at its Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders regarding the recommended acquisition of Shire (SHPG). Takeda's proposal to delegate to the Takeda Board the decision regarding the offering terms for the issuance of the new Takeda shares required to implement the proposed Acquisition was approved as originally proposed by at least 88% of the votes exercised in respect of this proposal. The Takeda shareholder approval condition required for the Acquisition to be implemented has therefore been satisfied. The Acquisition remains subject to approval by Shire shareholders at meetings expected to be held later today, and to the sanctioning of the Shire scheme of arrangement by the Jersey Court at a hearing expected to be held on January 3, 2019. Subject to receipt of the necessary Shire shareholder approvals and the sanction of the scheme of arrangement by the Jersey Court, it is expected that completion of the Acquisition will take place on January 8, 2019. In addition, Takeda's proposal to appoint three of Shire's existing external directors -- namely Ian Clark, Olivier Bohuon and Steven Gillis -- to the Takeda Board with effect from closing was also approved as originally proposed. Each of these appointments was approved by at least 87% of the votes exercised in respect of this proposal.