Stockwinners Market Radar for September 06, 2019 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

17:43 EDT BAE Systems awarded $268.99M Army contract modification for Bradley production - BAE Systems was awarded a $268.99M modification to a contract for Bradley production. Work will be performed in York, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2021. FY18 procurement of weapons and tracked combat vehicles funds in the amount of $268,99M were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command is the contracting activity.

17:38 EDT S&P Dow Jones Indices rebalances S&P MidCap 400, S&P SmallCap 600 - The S&P Dow Jones Indices will make the following index adjustments to the S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600 to ensure each index more appropriately represents its market capitalization range. The changes will be effective prior to the open of trading on Monday, September 23 to coincide with the September rebalance. S&P SmallCap 600 constituents Selective Insurance Group (SIGI), Repligen (RGEN), and FirstCash (FCFS) will move to the S&P MidCap 400. S&P MidCap 400 constituents Signet Jewelers (SIG), Range Resources Corp. (RRC), Tupperware Brands (TUP), The Michaels Companies (MIK), QEP Resources (QEP), Valaris (VAL) and McDermott International (MDR) will move to the S&P SmallCap 600. Etsy (ETSY), Pilgrim's Pride (PPC), KAR Auction Services (KAR), Antero Midstream Corp. (AM), Owens Corning (OC), and Penumbra (PEN) will join the S&P MidCap 400. Warrior Met Coal (HCC), Cadence Bancorporation (CADE) and GCP Applied Technologies (GCP) will join the S&P SmallCap 600. Cars.com (CARS) and Mallinckrodt (MNK) will be removed from the S&P MidCap 400 as they are no longer representative of the mid-cap market space. Kirkland's (KIRK), Nautilus Group (NLS), LSC Communications (LKSD), Ascena Retail Group (ASNA), Superior Industries (SUP), Superior Energy Services (SPN) and Kopin Corp. (KOPN) will be removed from the S&P SmallCap 600 as they are no longer representative of the small-cap market space.

17:35 EDT Impactiv Capital discloses 8.5% active stake in Avid Technology - Impactiv Capital disclosed a 8.5% stake in Avid Technology, which represents over 3.65M shares. The filing does allow for activism. Impactive Capital also "entered into a non-disclosure agreement with the Issuer, pursuant to which the Issuer will provide certain confidential information to the Reporting Persons in order to facilitate discussions regarding the Issuer's business, operations and communications with investors, including the preparation by the Issuer of an investor presentation."

17:20 EDT Cisco completes acquisition of Voicea - Cisco announced it has completed the acquisition of privately-held Voicea, headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Voicea is the creator of a real-time solution that provides meeting transcription, voice search, and meeting highlights/action items, with robust data privacy.

17:09 EDT CapStar Financial increases share repurchase program to $11M - CapStar Financial announced that its board of directors has authorized the expansion of the company's existing stock repurchase program to allow for the repurchase of additional shares of the company's issued and outstanding common stock. Under the expansion, the amount of common stock the company is authorized to repurchase has been increased from approximately $2.2M, the amount remaining in the existing stock repurchase program, to $11M. The company had repurchased approximately $5.8M of shares under the existing stock repurchase program. Repurchases of the Company's common stock will continue to be made in accordance with applicable laws and may be made from time to time in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The repurchase program will remain in effect until the maximum authorized dollar amount of shares of common stock has been repurchased. The company intends to fund the expanded repurchase program with a combination of cash on hand and cash generated from operations. Additionally, the company's board of directors authorized the company to repurchase shares in privately-negotiated transactions with directors, officers and shareholders of the company.

16:39 EDT Mudrick Capital reports 8.0% passive stake in Globalstar - Mudrick Capital disclosed a 8.0% stake in Globalstar, which represents over 115.4M shares. The filing does not allow for activism.

16:37 EDT Rayonier Advanced Materials suspends quarterly dividend - Rayonier Advanced Materials announced that the company's board has suspended its quarterly cash dividend on the common stock of the company, citing the need to prioritize its cash flow to repay indebtedness and fund the company's capital investments and working capital needs. The company said it is focused on managing through the current challenging market conditions that have negatively impacted its operating results.

16:35 EDT Pioneer Power trading resumes

16:31 EDT Marvell CEO sells 15K shares and COO sells 40K shares of common stock - In a regulatory filing, Marvell disclosed that its COO Andrew Micallef sold 40K shares of common stock and CEO Matthew Murphy sold 15K shares of common stock on September 5th. The total combined transaction size was $3.2M.

16:23 EDT Dean Foods down 9.65% after concluding strategic review without sale

16:18 EDT AG Mortgage lowers quarterly dividend to 45c from 50c per share - The dividend is payable on October 31, 2019 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 30, 2019, with an ex-dividend date of September 27, 2019.

16:15 EDT BlueCrest Capital reports 5.3% passive stake in Speedway Motorsports - BlueCrest Capital disclosed a 5.3% stake in Speedway Motorsports, which represents over 2.15M shares. The filing does not allow for activism.

16:12 EDT Fair Isaac CEO sells 16K shares of common stock - In a regulatory filing, Fair Isaac disclosed that its CEO William Lansing sold 16K shares of common stock on September 5th. The total transaction size was about $5.8M.

16:03 EDT Famous Dave's approves reorganization, to become subsidiary of BBQ Holdings - The board of Famous Dave's (DAVE), approved a holding company reorganization whereby it will become a wholly owned subsidiary of a new public holding company, BBQ Holdings (BBQ). Upon consummation of the reorganization, each issued and outstanding common share of DAVE will be converted into one common share of BBQ, par value $0.01 per share. The reorganization is not subject to approval by the stockholders of Famous Dave's of America, Inc., and will not involve any financing condition. This reorganization allows for flexibility in the growth the company. The effective date for the holding company reorganization will be September 17, 2019.

15:36 EDT Fidelity National FTC confirms FTC complaint challenging proposed merger - Fidelity National Financial (FNF) confirmed that the Federal Trade Commission has issued an administrative complaint seeking to block FNF's previously announced proposed merger with Stewart Information Services Corporation (STC). FTC commissioners voted 3-to-1 to authorize staff to file the lawsuit.

14:42 EDT Buckeye says now accounted for all employees at Buckeye Bahamas Hub - Buckeye Partners reported that it has now accounted for all employees at its Buckeye Bahamas Hub facility and continues its focus on relief and recovery. "An initial delivery of supplies and other resources, including food, clothing, hygiene stations, and temporary housing, for those BBH employees and their immediate families in need is commencing, and such support and relief efforts will continue in the days ahead. "The health and well-being of all our employees and the community where we operate are Buckeye's top priority. Given the unprecedented nature of Hurricane Dorian and its devastating impact to the residents of Freeport/Grand Bahama Island, Buckeye has also communicated our commitment to relief efforts to the Government of The Bahamas. With respect to BBH operations, facility inspections continue following Hurricane Dorian. Initial assessments found minor damage to the facility from wind and rain, and no indications of any product release. A complete assessment of storm impacts to the facility is currently being undertaken. Buckeye continues to communicate with its customers regarding timelines for the safe resumption of partial operations," the company stated. "Along with our relief and employee support efforts, we are now concentrating on restoring safe operations at BBH as soon as possible. Buckeye will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available," the company added.

14:29 EDT Carbonite jumps after Bloomberg says company considering sale - Shares of Carbonite are rising in afternoon trading after Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that the data protection services provider has been working with a financial advisor to consider a potential sale after receiving takeover interest. Following Bloomberg's report, which triggered a halt for volatility, Carbonite shares have reopened and are up 16% to $15.

14:22 EDT Carbonite trading halted, volatility trading pause

14:00 EDT FTC challenges proposed merger of Fidelity National Financial, Stewart

13:28 EDT Tempur Sealy says holiday sales in-line with expectations despite hurricane - Scott Thompson, Tempur Sealy President and CEO, said in a statement, "Although our sales over the holiday period were in line with our expectations, our retailers and consumers in the affected markets were negatively impacted during the most important holiday period for mattress sales. We have therefore extended our Labor Day promotion so that anyone who was considering taking advantage of the significant holiday offers to purchase a new, life-changing mattress now have the opportunity to do so, once the weather subsides. We will also invest additional advertising dollars in the impacted markets, in order to further support our retail partners." The company is responding to "recent weather challenges along a significant portion of the East Coast."

13:02 EDT Baker Hughes reports U.S. rig count down 6 to 898 rigs - Baker Hughes reports that the U.S. rig count is down 6 rigs from last week to 898, with oil rigs down 4 to 738, gas rigs down 2 to 160, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 0. The U.S. Rig Count is down 150 rigs from last year's count of 1,048, with oil rigs down 122, gas rigs down 26, and miscellaneous rigs down 2 to 0. The U.S. Offshore Rig Count is unchanged at 28 and up 9 rigs year-over-year. The Canada Rig Count is down 3 rigs from last week to 147, with oil rigs down 3 to 102 and gas rigs unchanged at 45. The Canada Rig Count is down 57 rigs from last year's count of 204, with oil rigs down 31 and gas rigs down 26.

12:41 EDT Mallinckrodt up 10% after resuming following settlement announcement - Mallinckrodt shares are up 16c, or 10%, to $1.75.

12:24 EDT Mallinckrodt says settlement gives time to continue work on global resolution

12:19 EDT California will not hear bill giving PG&E access to tax-exempt bonds - California Assemblyman Chad Mayes said via Twitter, "AB 235 is going into print, but it will not be heard this year. Simply, there is not sufficient time left for proper debate. We're putting AB 235 off until the new year. We need to ensure that victims get paid and ratepayers are protected." The bill would have given PG&E access to up to $20B in tax-exempt bonds to cover wildfire claims. Shares of PG&E are down 19c to $10.37.

12:00 EDT VelocityShares 3x Inv Natural Gas ETN falls -7.4% - VelocityShares 3x Inv Natural Gas ETN is down -7.4%, or -$8.77 to $109.11.

12:00 EDT MRC Global falls -7.6% - MRC Global is down -7.6%, or -97c to $11.77.

12:00 EDT Hovnanian rises 14.1% - Hovnanian is up 14.1%, or $1.48 to $12.00.

11:11 EDT Acadia Realty Trust says has completed $403M of transactions YTD - Acadia Realty Trust announced that, subsequent to the second quarter of 2019, the company completed approximately $166M of transactions. Year to date, the company has completed approximately $403M of transactions - $329M of fund acquisitions and $74M of core transactions - with another $47M under contract. "We continue to find attractive deals to execute on our dual platform mandate," stated Kenneth F. Bernstein, President & CEO of Acadia Realty Trust. "With respect to our fund platform, we have identified and completed several attractive acquisitions that should provide strong risk adjusted returns. At the same time, we have added key assets with strong growth profiles to our existing core markets."

10:58 EDT Sotherly Hotels says 'no significant property damage' from Hurricane Dorian - Sotherly Hotels announced that it has experienced no significant property damage or injuries at its hotels located in the path of Hurricane Dorian. All hotels remained open during Hurricane Dorian serving the needs of guests and their communities. The Company will utilize its property, flood, and business interruption insurance policies as needed and available. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the countless people and communities who have been impacted by Hurricane Dorian as they recover from this devastating storm," said CEO Drew Sims. "Hurricane Dorian's path directly impacted travel throughout all of the Southeastern United States, which encompasses the majority of our portfolio, however we expect these travel disruptions to be short-term."

10:04 EDT Acceleron treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension granted orphan status - Acceleron's sotatercept was granted orphan designation by the FDA as a treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, according to a post to the agency's website. Reference Link

10:00 EDT PagerDuty falls -11.5% - PagerDuty is down -11.5%, or -$4.19 to $32.41.

10:00 EDT Lannett rises 6.7% - Lannett is up 6.7%, or 77c to $12.19.

10:00 EDT Genesco rises 16.9% - Genesco is up 16.9%, or $5.98 to $41.33.

09:47 EDT SAIC falls -6.8% - SAIC is down -6.8%, or -$6.14 to $84.30.

09:47 EDT Korn/Ferry falls -10.8% - Korn/Ferry is down -10.8%, or -$4.27 to $35.09.

09:47 EDT Quanex rises 12.0% - Quanex is up 12.0%, or $2.06 to $19.21.

09:39 EDT Lumber Liquidators activist group supports strategic review, management changes - The "Lumber Liquidators Value Committee," led by activist investor Mario Rizzi, said in a statement that it "strongly supports" company founder, Thomas Sullivan's recent actions and his announced intentions to reform management and to explore strategic alternatives for the company. LLVC members are deemed to beneficially own, in the aggregate, 5.7% of Lumber Liquidators' outstanding common stock. "The Investor Group believes the magnitude of value destruction and the board's failure to hold itself and management accountable necessitate dramatic change at the company. We believe that Mr. Sullivan and his team have the knowledge and experience to conduct a comprehensive reform of company operations, management and governance leading to the substantial, positive changes necessary to realign the company's focus and strategy. We support the exploration of strategic options to ensure the future viability of the company and its return to a position of growth, profits and competitive leadership within the home improvement industry," they said.

09:28 EDT Overstock.com's tZERO says SEC has not issued formal follow-up requests - Saum Noursalehi, CEO of tZERO Group, a majority owned subsidiary of Overstock.com (OSTK), said today in update to shareholders, "I would like to begin by addressing Patrick Byrne's resignation as the CEO of Overstock. While we are sad to see him go, I can assure you that Patrick's departure will have no impact on tZERO's day-to-day operations or the execution of our roadmap...Some have speculated that our interactions with the SEC may have something to do with Patrick's departure. That could not be further from the truth. Patrick left the company for the reasons he stated. On the topic of regulation, it is important to note that tZERO owns two broker-dealers. As part of these businesses, we interact with a range of regulators, including FINRA and the SEC. These interactions include two distinct strands. The first are regular, proactive discussions aimed at providing the SEC with transparency into, and prompt responses regarding inquires, about our activities and progress as we develop new technologies and apply them to the existing capital markets' infrastructure. We believe these recurring, often weekly, cooperative discussions are mutually beneficial and intend to continue them. The second set of interactions pertains to an SEC request for additional information related to the tZERO security token offering, which we received in February of 2018. This inquiry came at a time when many issuers of token offerings were also contacted. We provided all of the requested information to the SEC earlier this year and have not received any formal follow-up requests from them since December of 2018."

09:16 EDT Urovant Sciences parent Roivant, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma enter MOU - Urovant Sciences announced that its parent company, Roivant Sciences, and Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma have entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding for the creation of a significant multi-national Sumitomo Dainippon-Roivant Alliance that will include Roivant's ownership interests in Urovant Sciences and four additional biopharmaceutical "Vant" companies. Roivant will collaborate with Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma, with continued involvement of Roivant's senior leaders, to ensure the success of the Alliance and the continued support of Urovant Sciences in its mission to develop and commercialize innovative therapies for urologic conditions. Roivant and Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma expect to sign the definitive agreement for their Strategic Alliance by the end of October 2019. The transaction will be subject to customary closing conditions and any required governmental approvals. Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma plans to support the commercialization of vibegron by leveraging the potential benefits of scale of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma's global commercial infrastructure including but not limited to, market access, drug distribution and manufacturing.

09:08 EDT Walgreens Boots Alliance appoints Francesco Tinto as chief information officer - Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) announced Francesco Tinto was named global chief information officer and senior vice president at the company. Tinto will oversee the global strategy for WBA's IT operations across all of the company's divisions, as well as the implementation of its technology and digital innovation. For the last 17 years, Tinto held various leadership positions at Kraft Heinz (KHC) and Kraft Foods. Most recently, he was global chief information officer and head of global business services.

09:06 EDT Nucor CEO John Ferriola to retire, Leon Topalian to succeed - Nucor announced that John Ferriola will retire as chairman and CEO on December 31, and that the board elected Leon Topalian to be president and COO, effective immediately and to succeed Ferriola as CEO on January 1, 2020, in connection with Nucor's planned succession process. Ferriola has served as chairman since 2014 and as CEO since 2013. Previously, he served as president from 2011 to September. He has also been a director of Nucor since 2011. Topalian had served as an executive VP of Nucor from 2017 to 2019 and a VP from 2013 to 2017.

08:58 EDT AAR Corp. awarded $118.6M NAVAIR contract to deliver two 737 aircraft - AAR Corp. has secured a new $118.6M contract with the Naval Air Systems Command, or NAVAIR, to deliver two 737 aircraft and associated support equipment to the U.S. Marine Corps, or USMC. The firm-fixed price contract, estimated to last two years, entails the acquisition, modification, acceptance and delivery of two 737-700 increased gross weight series commercial aircraft. The aircraft will meet USMC C-9B replacement medium lift requirements and be designated as C-40A aircraft when delivered. AAR leveraged expertise across its government programs, parts supply and MRO activities within the aviation services segment to deliver this innovative solution to NAVAIR. The aircraft will be certified in accordance with the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 25 in three aircraft configurations, all-passenger, all-cargo and a combined-passenger-cargo configuration.

08:23 EDT Facebook faces antitrust probe from bipartisan coalition of attorneys general - New York Attorney General Letitia James released a statement confirming the "bipartisan coalition" she's leading investigating social media giant Facebook for antitrust issues: "Even the largest social media platform in the world must follow the law and respect consumers. I am proud to be leading a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general in investigating whether Facebook has stifled competition and put users at risk. We will use every investigative tool at our disposal to determine whether Facebook's actions may have endangered consumer data, reduced the quality of consumers' choices, or increased the price of advertising." Joining Attorney General James on the leadership team investigating Facebook are the attorneys general of Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and the District of Columbia. The investigation focuses on Facebook's "dominance in the industry and the potential anticompetitive conduct stemming from that dominance." Shares of Facebook are down $1.02 to $189.88 in premarket trading. Reference Link

08:04 EDT Natures Sunshine Products announced it will enter the CBD market - Nature's Sunshine Products announced that it will enter the CBD market with a full line of hemp-derived CBD products. Unlike other CBD products on the market, scientists at the company's Hughes Center for Research and Innovation have developed a series of proprietary products containing whole spectrum hemp extracts with naturally occurring CBD that deliver targeted levels of phytocannabinoids to trigger specific cannabinoid receptors in the body. Scientists at the Hughes Center have also leveraged the company's industry-leading expertise in herbal supplements to integrate unique and proprietary combinations of natural herbs, phyto-nutrients, and herbal essential oils to optimize performance.This hybrid approach results in a targeted and effective CBD product that naturally helps keep the endocannabinoid system in balance. Simply put, that means the body can perform at its optimal level.

07:36 EDT Windtree Therapeutics announces publication of ADS lung deposition study - Windtree Therapeutics announced the full publication of previously described results of a lung deposition study conducted in non-human primates, or NHPs, that demonstrated the company's proprietary aerosol delivery system, or ADS, is capable of delivering aerosolized lucinactant throughout all regions of the lung. The study was performed in collaboration with Lovelace Biomedical and is published in the Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery. The study consisted of a series of experiments in NHPs designed to assess the distribution and deposition of aerosolized lucinactant in the lung when administered using the ADS. The company has developed the ADS as part of its AEROSURF development program. AEROSURF is currently being studied in a phase 2 clinical program as a potential noninvasive treatment for respiratory distress syndrome, or RDS, in premature infants. Data were generated from an in vivo distribution study using three NHPs, cynomolgus macaques, which received three-to-ten minute exposures of technetium-labeled KL4 surfactant that was aerosolized using the same model ADS that was used in the AEROSURF phase 2 clinical program. After administration, researchers immediately acquired a 2-D planar image followed by a 3-D SPECT image and then a second 2-D planar image to assess overall pulmonary distribution. Additionally, the 3-D SPECT lung data were analyzed using a quantitative methodology whereby regional distribution was assessed across ten equally-sized shells of the lung, from the innermost shell through the outermost shell. Results from the analysis of the 2-D planar and 3-D SPECT images show that aerosolized lucinactant, delivered using the ADS via constant flow nasal continuous positive airway pressure, or nCPAP, was generally uniformly deposited in all regions of the NHPs' lungs. Results from a quantitative analysis further also demonstrated that distribution was generally uniform throughout all regions of the lung, with an average total lung distribution of 53% in the five inner shells and 47% in the five outer shells. These results demonstrated that aerosolized lucinactant, delivered using the ADS via constant flow nCPAP, is deposited in all regions of the lungs.

07:26 EDT Cannabis Science announces transition stage amid trading halt - Cannabis Science announces that it is entering a transition stage as trading of the Company's shares is halted. Cannabis Science will continue to implement its corporate growth strategy and intends to resolve all outstanding regulatory reporting and filing requirements as it goes through its transition. The company said, "At this point, management believes that it has three options; Option one is for Cannabis Science to continue as a fully-reporting company and to file outstanding quarterly and year-end 'audited' financial statements for 2017 and 2018. This option could cost the Company as much as $25,000 per quarterly return, and approximately $50,000 per year-end, audited return. The second option is for Cannabis Science to de-list as a fully-reporting company and move into a 'non-reporting issuer status' and file all outstanding, 'un-audited' financial statements. The Company would then continue to complete its audits under this status and when completed apply to re-list to fully reporting status again. The third option, as previously announced, is a buyout of Cannabis Science by a new public company via share exchange to provide current Cannabis Science shareholders with shares in this new public company. Cannabis Science's financial statements would then be audited and filed via this new company. Management will be discussing this matter with regulatory authorities over the next few days and will decide on the best option for the Company and its shareholders based on discussions with regulatory officials."

07:19 EDT China Lending Corp. to be delisted after Nasdaq Hearings Panel denied appeal - China Lending Corp. was notified by Nasdaq that the Nasdaq Hearings Panel denied the company's recent appeal and determined to delist the company's common shares from Nasdaq. The decision to delist the company's common shares was reached as a result of the company's inability to regain compliance with the continued listing requirement of a minimum of $2.5M in stockholders' equity, as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550. Accordingly, it is expected that the trading of the company's common shares on Nasdaq will cease at the opening of business on September 6. Subsequently, Nasdaq will file a Form 25-NSE with the SEC to effect the removal of the company's securities from listing and registration on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The company anticipates that its securities will be quoted on the OTC Pink Open Market.

07:05 EDT Garrett Motion CFO departing, Peter Bracke appointed interim CFO - Garrett Motion announced that Alessandro Gili, senior vice president and CFO will leave the company, effective as of September 30 to pursue other interests. Garrett has named Peter Bracke as interim CFO. Most recently Peter was Vice President FP&A and Business finance for Garrett.

07:04 EDT Altaba announces pre-dissolution liquidating distribution of $51.50 per share - Altaba announced that, on September 5, the board of the Fund declared a pre-dissolution liquidating distribution of $51.50 in cash per share of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share, which will be paid on September 23, to stockholders of record as of September 16. The Fund expects that the ex-dividend date for such distribution will be September 24, the day after the payment date for the Pre-Dissolution Liquidating Distribution.

06:38 EDT Germany's BaFin fines Goldman Sachs EUR800,000 for disclosure violations - On August 12, Germany's BaFin imposed an administrative fine amounting to EUR800,000 against Goldman Sachs International. The sanction related to a breach of the German Act of Breaches of Administrative Regulations in conjunction with the old version of the German Securities Trading Act. Goldman Sachs International failed to submit notifications regarding voting rights within the prescribed period. The administrative fine order is final and binding, BaFin said in a statement.

06:11 EDT JAKKS Pacific announces additional interest to acquire the company - JAKKS Pacific (JAKK) announced that it has received an additional non-binding expression of interest to acquire all of the shares of the company's common stock for an indicated price of 85c-90c per share on a fully diluted basis. This comes after the company's conclusion of the recapitalization transaction with the ad hoc group, Oasis and Wells Fargo (WFC). The company continued to engage in discussions with another party that previously made a non-binding proposal to acquire all of the shares of the company's common stock for an indicated price of 80c per share on a fully diluted basis. Also such discussions were in addition to the prior negotiations with Hong Kong Meisheng Cultural regarding its proposed purchase of newly issued shares of the company's common stock and followed delays in achieving the necessary approvals for the Meisheng transaction, including approvals from Chinese regulatory authorities. The company and its advisors have engaged in discussions with the interested parties regarding the non-binding proposals and have furnished information to them in connection with due diligence activities. All such recent discussions are in their early stages and no agreements or understandings have been reached with respect to such proposals and the indicated prices described above may also change in a final offer, if made.

06:06 EDT Pintec Technology appoints Marcum BP as independent registered accounting firm - Pintec Technology announced that it has appointed Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk as the company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31. Marcum BP replaces PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian, the former independent registered public accounting firm, which the company dismissed on August 20. The appointment of Marcum BP was made after careful consideration and evaluation process by the company and has been approved by the audit committee of the company. The report of PwC on the company's consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 and the subsequent interim period through August 20, there have been no: (1) disagreements (as defined in Item 16F(a)(1)(iv) of Form 20-F and the related instructions to Item 16F of Form 20-F) between the company and PwC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which, if not resolved to PwC's satisfaction, would have caused PwC to make reference thereto in their report on the financial statements for such year, or (2) reportable events as defined in Form 20-F Item 16F(a)(1)(v) other than the three material weaknesses reported in the company's 2018 Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange of Commission on July 30, 2019. During the company's two most recent fiscal years and through the subsequent interim period on or prior to September 4, 2019, neither the company nor anyone on its behalf has consulted with Marcum BP on either (a) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the company's financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the company by Marcum BP that Marcum BP concluded was an important factor considered by the company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue, or (b) any matter that was the subject of a disagreement, as that term is defined in Item 16F(a)(1)(iv) of Form 20-F (and the related instructions thereto) or a reportable event as set forth in Item 16F(a)(1)(v)(A) through (D) of Form 20-F.

05:29 EDT Myovant Sciences holder Roivant Sciences sells stake to Sumitomo Dainippon - Myovant Sciences announced that its founding shareholder, Roivant Sciences, and Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma, a Japanese pharmaceutical company, have announced their entry into a non-binding memorandum of understanding for the creation of a broad strategic alliance. The Sumitomo Dainippon-Roivant Alliance is expected to create a new corporate entity which will be wholly owned by Sumitomo Dainippon and will assume Roivant's ownership interest in Myovant Sciences. The Alliance is expected to support Myovant Sciences through commercialization and profitability. Roivant and Sumitomo Dainippon have stated that they expect to sign the definitive agreement for the Alliance by the end of October 2019. The transaction will be subject to customary closing conditions and any required governmental approvals.