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

17:37 EDT Raytheon awarded $205.21M Air Force contract for Phalanx weapon system - Raytheon was awarded a $205.21M cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for land-based Phalanx weapon system. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of December 27, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command is the contracting activity.

17:31 EDT Lockheed Martin awarded $109.02M Navy contract modification to procure eCASS - Lockheed Martin has been awarded $109.02M for modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursable contract. This modification exercises option period one to procure 41 electronic Consolidated Automated Support Systems, or eCASS. This contract also provides for eCASS related equipment, kits and test sets in support of various aircraft intermediate maintenance departments, fleet readiness centers, aircraft carriers and L- class ships. Work is expected to be completed in December 2021. FY19 aircraft procurement and FY18 shipbuilding and conversion funds in the amount of $109.02M will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center is the contracting activity.

17:26 EDT United Technologies awarded $230.14M Navy contract - United Technologies has been awarded a $230.14M cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive-firm contract. This contract provides for testing support for the F-35 Lightning II Propulsion System Block 4 Flight Test Program for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and the non-U.S. Department of Defense participants. Support to be provided includes technical engineering, flight test support, special tooling and test equipment, flight test spare and repair parts. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station in Maryland, Edwards Air Force Base in California and in East Hartford, Connecticut and is expected to be completed in December 2023. FY19 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $20M are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304. This contract combines purchase for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and the non-U.S. DoD participants. The Naval Air Systems Command is the contracting activity.

17:15 EDT Raytheon awarded $434.39M Navy contract modification - Raytheon has been awarded a not-to-exceed $434.39M for undefinitized modification to a previously awarded, fixed-price-incentive-firm contract. This modification provides for the procurement of AIM-9X Lot 18 production requirements to include 766 AIM-9X Block II all up round tactical missiles for the Navy, Air Force and the governments of Israel; Norway; Qatar; South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, as well as 160 AIM-9X Block II+ all up round missiles for the Navy; Air Force and the governments of Australia; Israel; and the Netherlands. Work is expected to be completed in March 2021. FY17 and FY18 missile procurement; FY17 and FY18 weapons procurement; FY18 research, development, test and evaluation; and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $321.62M will be obligated at time of award, $8.53M of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command is the contracting activity.

16:44 EDT Capital Royalty reports 5.6% stake in Strongbridge Biopharma

16:33 EDT Tetra Technologies CEO buys 100K shares of common stock - In a regulatory filing, Tetra Technologies disclosed that its CEO Stuart Brightman purchased 100K shares of common stock in a total transaction value of over $140K.

16:08 EDT Four Corners Property Trust acquires BJ's Restaurants property for $4.2M - Four Corners Property Trust (FCPT) announced the acquisition of a corporate-operated BJ's Restaurant (BJRI) and Brewhouse property for $4.2M. The property is located in Michigan and is occupied under a triple-net lease by BJ's Restaurants with approximately 13 years of term remaining and 10% rent escalations every five years beginning in April 2022. The transaction was priced at a 6.5% going-in cash cap rate, exclusive of transaction costs.

16:06 EDT Partner Fund Management reports 5.9% passive stake in Spark Therapeutics

15:12 EDT Cloudera holders approve merger with Hortonworks - Cloudera shareholders today voted to approve the issuance of shares of common stock in connection with the merger of Surf Merger Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cloudera, with and into Hortonworks, with Hortonworks surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Cloudera.

12:33 EDT Wells Fargo pays $575M to settle previously disclosed issues with all 50 states - Wells Fargo reached an agreement with all 50 state Attorneys General and the District of Columbia regarding previously disclosed retail sales practices, auto collateral protection insurance and Guaranteed Asset/Auto Protection, and mortgage interest rate lock matters. Under the terms of the agreement, Wells Fargo will pay a total of $575M to resolve civil claims that the state Attorneys General otherwise might bring arising out of or related to the covered conduct prior to the effective date of the agreement. The bank will also maintain designated teams to review and respond to customer inquiries on the covered issues as well as create and maintain a website that describes the issues and Wells Fargo's existing remediation efforts. Wells Fargo will also provide periodic reports to the states on the progress of its existing remediation efforts. As of the end of third quarter the company had accrued $400M of the settlement amount and expects to accrue the remaining $175M in Q4 of 2018. "This agreement underscores our serious commitment to making things right in regard to past issues as we work to build a better bank," said Tim Sloan, CEO.

12:31 EDT New Jersey Natural Gas to implement 3.7% increase - New Jersey Natural Gas notified the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities that it intends to implement a 5% percent Basic Gas Supply Service increase for residential and certain small commercial customers effective February 1, 2019, due to a spike in wholesale natural gas prices. NJNG also recently received BPU approval to decrease its energy-efficiency rate resulting in a 1.3% decrease to bills effective January 1, 2019. The net effect of these changes will result in an overall increase of 3.7%. The typical residential heating customer using 100 therms a month will see their bill go from $96.57 to $101.40 effective February 1, 2019, an increase of $3.51. This BGSS adjustment is a result of the increased cost of natural gas commodity prices, which are passed through directly to customers, and does not reflect an increase to NJNG's profits. Since the time of NJNG's BGSS filing in May, the wholesale natural gas prices for the winter months of December 2018 through March 2019 have increased by as much as 44%. The combination of colder weather in October and November 2018 and the potential for sustained cold weather this winter in a market with constrained access to supply and growing peak day demand are some of the factors contributing to the price surge.

12:05 EDT Wells Fargo reaches $575M settlement with state attorneys general, Iowa AG says - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced that Wells Fargo Bank N.A. will pay $575M to resolve claims that the bank violated state consumer protection laws over several sales practices, including creating unauthorized accounts, and other actions that affected millions of customers. Iowa joined Arizona, Connecticut and Pennsylvania in leading the investigation into Wells Fargo's practices. The settlement with 50 states and the District of Columbia addresses allegations that Wells Fargo: opened millions of unauthorized accounts and enrolled customers into online banking services without their knowledge or consent; improperly referred customers for enrollment in third-party renters and life insurance policies; improperly charged auto loan customers for force-placed and unnecessary collateral protection insurance; failed to ensure that customers received refunds of unearned premiums on certain optional auto finance products; incorrectly charged customers for mortgage rate lock extension fees. Wells Fargo will also create a consumer restitution review program. Consumers who have not been made whole through restitution programs already in place can seek review of their inquiry or complaint by a bank escalation team for possible relief. To date, this settlement represents the most significant engagement involving a national bank by state attorneys general acting without a federal law enforcement partner. Wells Fargo has previously entered consent orders with federal authorities - including the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - related to its alleged conduct.

12:00 EDT China Online Education falls -6.3% - China Online Education is down -6.3%, or -44c to $6.53.

12:00 EDT Zymeworks rises 13.7% - Zymeworks is up 13.7%, or $1.60 to $13.30.

12:00 EDT BlueLinx rises 13.9% - BlueLinx is up 13.9%, or $3.07 to $25.14.

10:40 EDT DOT grants Stoneridge application for MirrorEyeTM Camera Monitor System - The Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced its decision to grant Stoneridge's application for a limited five-year exemption to allow motor carriers to operate commercial motor vehicles with the company's MirrorEyeTM Camera Monitor System installed as an alternative to the two rear-vision mirrors required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. The Agency has determined that granting the exemption to allow use of the MirrorEyeTM system in lieu of mirrors would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety provided by the regulation.

10:12 EDT DP&L seeks PUCO approval of Distribution Modernization Plan - The Dayton Power and Light Company, a subsidiary of The AES Corporation, announced its December 21 filing with the Public Utility Commission of Ohio of its Distribution Modernization Plan. DP&L proposes to invest $576M in capital projects over the next decade providing direct customer benefits through a robust, efficient electric grid. The initiatives will also allow DP&L to be ready to integrate electric vehicle charging infrastructure and Distributed Energy Resources into its grid, including demonstrations of community solar, energy storage, and microgrids. Upon PUCO approval, DP&L will begin its digital transformation with the addition of advanced metering infrastructure, which will improve overall customer experience through better system reliability, performance and communication. After PUCO approval, DP&L will put in place the required infrastructure to support smart meters and install approximately 100,000 meters annually through completion of installation for all customers. Investments will also create a self-healing grid allowing DP&L to isolate problems automatically and re-route power around the problem often without noticeable interruption of service to our customers. DP&L's proposed plan also includes customer engagement components to improve customer experience through mobile applications, pre-pay options and time-of-use rates. The plan creates a grid platform that will enable future innovations accommodating innovative services for customers. If approved by the PUCO, DP&L's typical retail customer, using 1000kWh, on SSO service, will see an initial bill increase of $1.99 per month.

10:00 EDT X Financial falls -6.4% - X Financial is down -6.4%, or -29c to $4.19.

10:00 EDT BlueLinx rises 6.1% - BlueLinx is up 6.1%, or $1.35 to $23.42.

10:00 EDT Aphria rises 13.3% - Aphria is up 13.3%, or 74c to $6.31.

09:47 EDT Global Geoscience falls -8.6% - Global Geoscience is down -8.6%, or -$1.72 to $18.21.

09:47 EDT Community Bancshares rises -0.3% - Community Bancshares is up -0.3%, or -06c to $23.21.

09:47 EDT VelocityShares 3x Inv Natural Gas ETN rises 11.0% - VelocityShares 3x Inv Natural Gas ETN is up 11.0%, or $8.91 to $90.21.

09:40 EDT Area 4 co-venture parties secure offtake commitments for the Rovuma LNG project - Area 4 co-venture participants have secured liquefied natural gas offtake commitments from affiliated buyer entities of the partners, a key milestone enabling the participants to rapidly move toward a final investment decision in 2019 on the first phase of the Rovuma LNG project. Area 4 participants are ExxonMobil, Eni, China National Petroleum Corporation, CNPC, Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos, Kogas and Galp. Those commitments are subject to the conclusion of fully-termed agreements, which will be finalized and initialed in the next weeks, and the approval of the government of Mozambique. "The Rovuma LNG marketing team has worked at an accelerated pace to reach this important milestone, a tremendous achievement made possible by the strength of the Area 4 co-venture parties and the support of the government of Mozambique," said Peter Clarke, president of ExxonMobil Gas and Power Marketing Company. Massimo Mantovani, Eni chief gas and LNG marketing and power officer, said, "These commitments are an important step forward for the Rovuma LNG project and provide a solid foundation for securing project financing. This achievement highlights the strength of our partnership and commitment to developing Mozambique's natural resources."

09:32 EDT Federal Reserve does not object to Fifth Third resubmitted capital plan - Fifth Third Bancorp announced that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System did not object to Fifth Third's Resubmitted Capital Plan for potential capital actions through June 30, 2019. On May 21, 2018, Fifth Third announced an agreement to merge with MB Financial, Inc. Because of the transaction, the Federal Reserve required Fifth Third to resubmit its CCAR plan recognizing the pro forma impact of the combined Fifth Third MB Financial post-merger entity. The capital actions in Fifth Third's Resubmitted Capital Plan through June 30, 2019 remain unchanged compared to the originally submitted 2018 CCAR plan. Through December 2018, Fifth Third has executed approximately $900 million of $1.81 billion in share repurchases authorized under the 2018 CCAR process. Additionally, Fifth Third continues to have the authorization to increase the common dividend to 24c beginning 2Q 2019.

09:10 EDT Emergent BioSolutions submits FDA application for emergency use of NuThrax - Emergent BioSolutions announced the submission of an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for potential emergency use of NuThrax in the event of a public health emergency involving Bacillus anthracis. NuThrax, also known as AV7909, is being developed as a next generation anthrax vaccine for post-exposure prophylaxis of disease resulting from suspected or confirmed Bacillus anthracis exposure, in conjunction with the recommended course of antimicrobial therapy. This submission is anticipated to undergo review by FDA through 1H19. NuThrax is comprised of Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed in combination with the immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotide compound CPG 7909. NuThrax was designed to have a two-dose schedule and may elicit a faster immune response than currently available anthrax vaccines. Several Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical studies have investigated the safety, efficacy, and stability profile of NuThrax. The FDA submission package was completed under the company's 2016 contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority that includes a five-year base period of performance valued at approximately $200M to develop NuThrax for post-exposure prophylaxis of anthrax disease and to deliver to the Strategic National Stockpile an initial three million doses following EUA pre-approval by FDA.

08:35 EDT Tesla boosts board size to 11 from 9 with addition of Ellison, Wilson-Thompson - Tesla disclosed in a regulatory filing that on and effective as of December 27, its board increased the number of directors from nine to eleven and appointed Larry Ellison and Kathleen Wilson-Thompson to serve as independent directors of Tesla. There are no related party transactions between Tesla and either of Ellison or Wilson-Thompson that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, except for an ordinary course Tesla Energy purchase and installation agreement, dated March 2017, pursuant to which a company of which Ellison is a significant shareholder purchased a microgrid energy system for a greenhouse farming project in Lanai for approximately $1.9M, says the company. Each of Ellison and Wilson-Thompson is eligible to receive compensation pursuant to Tesla's standard outside director compensation package as approved by the board and disclosed in Tesla's proxy statement, including an initial award of an option to purchase 8,334 shares of Tesla's common stock vesting and exercisable on June 18, 2019, assuming continued service on such date. Shares of Tesla are up 4%, or $13.97, to $330.10 in premarket trading.

08:32 EDT Tesla up over 5.5% in pre-market after disclosing new Board additions

08:25 EDT Tesla says Larry Ellison and Kathleen Wilson-Thompson have joined board

08:05 EDT AirMedia further updates on Herman Man Guo's Share Purchase Plan - AirMedia Group announced that its Chairman, CEO and CFO Herman Man Guo had continuously proceeded with his share purchase plan,which was previous announced by the Company on March 28, 2018 and updated on September 28, 2018. As of December 27, 2018, Guo had purchased an aggregate of 541,273 American depositary shares over the period of Dec. 7, 2018 to Dec. 27, 2018 at an average purchase price of approximately $0.24 per ADS.

08:04 EDT PolarityTE registers OsteoTE with FDA - PolarityTE announced that it registered OsteoTE with the FDA pursuant to applicable regulations governing human cells, tissues and cellular and tissue-based products. OsteoTE is a first-of-its-kind autologous and homologous product intended to repair, reconstruct, replace and supplement many types of bones using a small sample from the patient. In pre-clinical studies, OsteoTE demonstrated the capacity to regenerate bone with function and composition similar to natural bone. Pre-clinical animal studies suggest the product is a viable alternative to bone grafts and bone substitutes in treating long bone, craniomaxillofacial, spine, dental, hand and foot/ankle defects.

07:47 EDT Fly Intel: Pre-market Movers - HIGHER: Aphria (APHA) up 12.2% after responding to Green Growth Brands confirmation of takeover bid, saying the bid undervalues the company... ADDvantage Technologies (AEY) up 21.8% after announcing it will acquire substantially all of the assets of Fulton Technologies and Mill City Communications for a total purchase price of $1.7M... First Republic (FRC) up 4% after announced entry into S&P500 index... Wingstop (WING) up 1.9% after being upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Wedbush... Transocean (RIG), up 1.3% after announcing a 5-year $830M drilling contract with Chevron USA (CVX). LOWER: HTG Molecular Diagnostics (HTGM) down 6.9% after filing to sell $150M of common stock.

07:34 EDT Ebix appoints RSM US LLP as independent consolidated auditor for 2019 - Ebix announced that it has appointed RSM US LLP to serve as the company's independent consolidated auditor for 2019. RSM will replace T R Chadha, who will continue as the company's consolidated auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. RSM US LLP is the fifth largest accounting firm in the United States, with over 9,600 employees across 90 cities nationwide providing audit, tax, and consulting services. The firm was founded in 1926 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The Audit Committee of the company's board solicited proposals from four major accounting firms and conducted an extensive evaluation process in connection with the selection of the company's independent auditors. Following this process, on December 21, 2018, the Audit Committee appointed RSM US LLP to serve as the company's independent auditor for 2019. The company also announced that it has decided to continue with the services of KPMG for business combination valuation, and Ernst & Young for tax advice, tax provisioning and internal audit services, for the year 2018 and 2019. Lastly the company reiterated that it in connection with the audits of the company's consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, and in the subsequent interim period till 27th December 2018, there were no disagreements with any of its present or past auditors on any matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope and procedures which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of the auditors, would have caused them to make reference to the matter in their report.

07:10 EDT Aphria says Green Growth Brands' proposal 'significantly undervalues' company - Aphria responds to the unsolicited proposal by Xanthic Biopharma Inc. d.b.a. Green Growth Brands to acquire all of the Company's outstanding common shares in an all-stock transaction. The company said, "Based on the 20-day volume weighted average price of GGB shares and the expressed exchange ratio of 1.5714 common shares of GGB for each Aphria share, the proposed bid would be approximately 23% below the Company's average share price over the same period. Aphria shareholders should be aware that the value of GGB's per-share offer is based on a hypothetical valuation of its own shares, with no relation to the current price. GGB's management presented the offer to Aphria the morning of December 27, 2018, and immediately went public with its proposal, less than six hours later and after the market closed on the same day. The Board believes that GGB is attempting to acquire the company through a highly conditional offer at a significant discount to its current and future value." Irwin Simon, Chair, said, "While we appreciate GGB's interest in the value we have created at Aphria and our significant growth prospects, their proposal falls short of rewarding our shareholders for participating in such a transaction. Further, the proposed offer is quite risky given GGB's condition to complete a brokered financing at a price that is more than double the recent average of their share price, as a key term to the proposal. The Board has determined that the GGB proposal, as it currently stands, significantly undervalues the company. Aphria has a tremendous market opportunity as a leader in the sector and a strategic vision to meet those opportunities. Our focus is to realize that value for the benefit of all our shareholders." The Aphria Board of Directors has established an independent committee of directors to consider this proposal and any formal offer received. As previously disclosed, Aphria holds a passive investment in Green Acre Capital Fund II, which the company understands has invested in numerous emerging cannabis companies, including GGB. The independent committee is comprised of directors with no relationship to Green Acre Capital Fund II or GGB. Aphria will continue on the execution of its current corporate strategy, including its international expansion plan, and the growth of its unique assets.

06:38 EDT Transocean announces 5-year $830M drilling contract with Chevron - Transocean (RIG) announced that it has signed a rig design and construction management contract, as well as a five-year drilling contract, with Chevron USA (CVX) for one of its two dynamically positioned ultra-deepwater drillships currently under construction at the Jurong shipyard in Singapore. The drilling contract has an estimated backlog of $830M, excluding mobilization and reimbursables. The drilling contract is subject to design, construction, and delivery requirements set forth in the construction contract. The rig will be the first ultra-deepwater floater rated for 20,000 psi operations and is expected to commence operations in the Gulf of Mexico in the second half of 2021. In the event of termination for convenience by the customer, Transocean will be compensated for its incremental 20,000 psi subsea investment in the rig. Additionally, a termination for convenience occurring after April 2020, would result in a substantial termination fee. The drillship will feature the most advanced capabilities and state-of-the-art technology available including dual 20,000 psi blowout preventers, net hook-load capacity of three million pounds, 165-ton active heave compensating crane, and an enhanced dynamic positioning system. The rig's high reliability power plant will also be configured to comply with Tier III International Maritime Organization emissions standards.

05:56 EDT Mayor de Blasio says Con Ed evaluating outages after fire in Queens, NY - NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said via Twitter: "Light was caused by electrical surge at a substation. No current fire, no injuries. MTA has power, but there are delays on the 7 train. Power coming back on at LGA, but expect delays. Con Ed evaluating outages now." Reference Link

04:56 EDT Monroe Capital CEO acquires 10,700 shares at price of $9.34 - Monroe Capital CEO Theodore Koenig disclosed yesterday the purchase of 10,700 shares at a price of $9.34. The CEO now owns 363,180 shares of Monroe Capital.