Stockwinners Market Radar for October 01, 2019 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

19:52 EDT Johnson & Johnson settles with two Ohio counties ahead of opioid trial for $10M - Johnson & Johnson and its Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies announced a settlement agreement with the Ohio counties of Cuyahoga and Summit that resolves all of the counties' claims with no admission of liability and removes the company from the federal trial scheduled to begin October 21, 2019. As part of the agreement, the company will make a combined $10M settlement payment to the counties. The settlement allows the company to avoid the resource demands and uncertainty of a trial as it continues to seek meaningful progress in addressing the nation's opioid crisis. The company recognizes the opioid crisis is a complex public health challenge and is working collaboratively to help communities and people in need. Under the terms of the settlement, the company has also agreed to reimburse $5 million of the counties' legal and other expenses incurred in preparation for the trial. Further, the company will direct $5.4M of its charitable contributions to non-profit organizations in connection with opioid-related programs in these two counties.

19:09 EDT Scientific Games chairman acquires 50,000 common shares - In a regulatory filing, Scientific Games chairman Ronald O. Perelman disclosed the acquisition of 50,000 common shares of the company at a price of $20.42 per share.

18:46 EDT Fly Intel: After Hours Movers - UP AFTER EARNINGS: NovaGold (NG) up 1.6%. ALSO HIGHER: VirnetX (VHC) up 20.8% after reports of a positive patent court ruling... Aimmune (AIMT) up 8.7% after positive Piper Jaffray note citing allergist survey data for peanut allergy patientes... SL Green (SLG) up 4.1% after announcing $815M sale of NYC building... TD Ameritrade (AMTD) up 1.3% after following Schwab (SCHW) in eliminating stock trading commissions... Internap (INAP) up 1.2% after naming new CFO. DOWN AFTER EARNINGS: United Natural Foods (UNFI) down 16.1%... Stitch Fix (SFIX) down 1.6%. Movers as of 18:30ET.

18:31 EDT Ondas Holdings CEO buys 400K shares of common stock - In a regulatory filing, Ondas Holdings disclosed that its CEO Eric Brock bought 400K shares of common stock on September 27th. The total transaction size was $1M.

18:02 EDT Jounce Therapeutics to present posters from JTX-4014 and Vopratelimab at SITC - Jounce Therapeutics, announced that safety and efficacy data for JTX-4014 and a clinical trial in progress description of the vopratelimab Phase 2 EMERGE study will be presented in two poster sessions at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer's, or SITC, 34th Annual Meeting, being held November 6-10, 2019 in National Harbor, Maryland.

17:34 EDT Atlas Air awarded $287.29M U.S. Transportation Command task order - Atlas Air has been awarded a $287.29M task order under the International Charter Airlift Services in support of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet contracts. The task orders provide international long-range and short-range charter airlift services for the Department of Defense. Work will be performed globally. The task order period of performance is from October 1 to September 30, 2020. Type of appropriation is FY20 transportation working capital funds. U.S. Transportation Command is the contracting activity.

17:18 EDT Rolls-Royce awarded $109.25M Defense Logistics Agency contract - Rolls-Royce has been awarded a maximum $109.25M requirements contract for supplies related to the support of the T56 family of aircraft engines. This was a sole source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304, as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a five-year base contract with one five-year option period. Location of performance is Indiana, with a September 30, 2024, performance completion date. Using military services are Air Force and Navy. Type of appropriation is FY20 through FY24 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency.

17:01 EDT Obsidian Energy receives continue listing notification from NYSE - Obsidian Energy received notification on October 1, 2019, from the New York Stock Exchange that the company is no longer in compliance with one of the NYSE's continued listing standards because the average closing price of Obsidian Energy's common shares was less than $1.00 per share over a consecutive 30 trading day period. As of September 27, 2019, the average closing price of Obsidian Energy's common shares over the preceding consecutive 30 trading day period was 99c per share. The issuance of the notification is not discretionary and is sent automatically when a listed company's share price falls below the NYSE's minimum price listing standard. Under the NYSE's rules, Obsidian Energy can avoid delisting if, within six months from the date of the NYSE notification, its common shares have a closing price on the last trading day of any calendar month and a concurrent 30 trading day average closing price of at least $1.00 per share. If at the expiration of the applicable cure period Obsidian Energy has not regained compliance, the NYSE will commence suspension and delisting procedures.

17:00 EDT JBG Smith submits plans for 2.6M sq feet of redevelopment in National Landing - JBG Smith (JBGS) announced that it has submitted plans to Arlington County for the redevelopment of approximately 2.6M square feet of space across five multifamily buildings and one office building. The buildings include 2000 and 2001 South Bell Street, 223 23rd Street, 2300 Crystal Drive, and 2525 Crystal Drive, which are all within a 1/2 mile of the Metro and Amazon's (AMZN) new headquarters. The submissions are part of JBG SMITH's ongoing collaboration with Arlington County and private sector partners to deliver a mix of new housing, retail, office, and public spaces to National Landing. These projects are anticipated to follow 1900 Crystal Drive and RiverHouse Apartments, which are already moving through the entitlement process. Taken together, these projects constitute over half of JBG SMITH's 6.9 million square foot Future Development Pipeline in National Landing. Based on current plans, JBG SMITH expects the 6.9 million square feet to comprise approximately 2.2 million square feet of office and 4.7 million square feet of multifamily, totaling approximately 4,000 to 5,000 units, which will all have ground floor retail. This is an important step toward delivering additional housing units and retail amenities in National Landing, which will help meet anticipated new housing demand and mitigate upward pressure on rents. In addition, JBG SMITH has broken ground on 1770 Crystal Drive and Central District Retail, which are both currently under construction. JBG SMITH is also serving as the fee developer for Amazon's new headquarters and the master developer for the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus.

16:37 EDT TransAlta to partner with SemCAMS to build $105M new cogeneration facility - TransAlta (TAC) and SemCAMS Midstream, a subsidiary of SemGroup (SEMG) announce that they have entered into definitive agreements to develop, construct and operate a new cogeneration facility at the Kaybob South No. 3 sour gas processing plant. The Kaybob facility is strategically located in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and accepts natural gas production out of the Montney and Duvernay formations. TransAlta will construct the cogeneration plant which will be jointly owned, operated and maintained with SemCAMS. The capital cost of the new cogeneration facility is expected to be approximately $105M and the project is expected to deliver approximately $18M in annual EBITDA. TransAlta will be responsible for all capital costs during construction and, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, SemCAMS will purchase a fifty percent interest in the new cogeneration facility as of the commercial operation date, which is targeted for late 2021. The cogeneration facility will have an installed capacity of 40 MW. All of the steam production and approximately half of the electricity output will be contracted to SemCAMS under a 13-year fixed price contract. The remaining electricity generation will be sold into the Alberta Power market by TransAlta.

16:32 EDT Cellectis enters manufacturing service agreement with Lonza - Cellectis (CLLS) and Lonza (LZAGY) announced that the companies have entered into a manufacturing service agreement covering clinical manufacturing of Cellectis' allogeneic UCART product candidates targeting hematological malignancies. Lonza is in charge of implementing Cellectis' manufacturing processes as per current Good Manufacturing Practices in a way that meets the highest quality and safety standards outlined by the FDA. The manufacturing will take place at Lonza's GMP facility in Geleen, Netherlands.

16:27 EDT Aimmune moves up 3% to $21.16 after Piper highlights allergist survey

16:23 EDT Construction Partners acquires Mancil's Tractor Service - Construction Partners announced that it has acquired Mancil's Tractor Service, headquartered in Palm City, Florida. Among other things, the acquired business expands the Company's geographic footprint into a high-growth area of the Florida east coast; adds one hot-mix asphalt plant that the Company expects to benefit from its proximity to the company's recently acquired Okeechobee, Florida operation; increases the company's workforce by approximately 100 employees; and enhances the company's vertical integration strategy with the addition of a diverse equipment fleet capable of performing a broad range of services.

16:17 EDT American Financial Group raises quarterly dividend to 45c from 40c per share - The dividend is payable on October 25, 2019 to holders of record on October 15, 2019.

16:16 EDT China Rapid Finance appoints Haoxin Certified Public Accountants - China Rapid Finance announced the appointment of Haoxin Certified Public Accountants Company, a member firm of TGS Global, as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. Haoxin replaces PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian, which previously was the independent registered public accounting firm for XRF. The appointment of Haoxin has been approved by both the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company. XRF's intention is to file its Annual Report on Form 20-F for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 on or before November 15.

16:10 EDT Equillium initiates Phase 1b EQUALISE trial, secures rights to itolizumab - Equillium announced it has initiated the EQUALISE Phase 1b clinical trial of itolizumab in patients with lupus nephritis and that the company has secured exclusive rights to negotiate licensing rights with third parties to develop and commercialize itolizumab in select major markets outside of North America. EQUALISE is a Phase 1b multiple ascending dose trial that is evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and clinical activity of itolizumab in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE, and lupus nephritis. Data from the SLE cohort of this trial is expected in the second half of 2020, with data from the lupus nephritis cohort expected in the first half of 2021. The trial design and initiation has been a joint effort with the lupus community including working closely with leading clinical and scientific experts in the lupus field, the Lupus Research Alliance, and patients living with lupus and/or lupus nephritis.

16:09 EDT United Natural Foods reports Q4 gross margin 12.83% vs. 14.5% a year ago - The largest driver of the decline in the gross margin rate was the addition of SUPERVALU at a lower gross profit rate.

16:08 EDT Bluegreen Vacations names Ahmad Wardak new CMO - Bluegreen Vacations announced that Ahmad Wardak, who has been with the company for 16 years, has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, and that Susan Saturday is returning to the Company as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. As Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Wardak will oversee all aspects of the company's marketing operations and customer care as well as sales operations at the company's 51%-owned Bass Pro Shops joint venture. Ms. Saturday is a Bluegreen Vacations veteran who initially joined the company in 1988. In 1995, Ms. Saturday created the company's human resources function and supported the company's growth from approximately $120M in revenue in 1995 to over $723M in 2017.

16:08 EDT Aware appoints Robert Mungovan as Chief Commercial Officer - Aware announced that Robert M. Mungovan has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer, effective October 1. Mungovan has been with Aware since June 1997 and has served as Vice President, Biometrics since 2000. Mungovan previously served as Aware's Sales and Marketing Manager, Biometrics and Imaging from 1997 to 2000. Mungovan received his Master's degree in Business Administration from Boston College, his Master's degree in Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and his bachelor's degree in Physics from Boston College.

16:07 EDT Internap appoints Michael Sicoli CFO - Internap Corporation announced Michael Sicoli has joined the company as president and CFO

16:06 EDT SL Green Realty to sell 220 East 42nd Street in NYC for $815M - SL Green Realty announced that it has entered into a contract to sell 220 East 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan for total consideration of $815M, or approximately $715 per square foot. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2020, subject to customary closing conditions. Located on the corner of 42nd Street and Second Avenue, 220 East 42nd Street, also known as The News Building, is a 37-story art-deco skyscraper that was originally the headquarters for The New York Daily News. SL Green purchased the property in February 2003 for $265M, following its initial $53.5M preferred equity investment in September 2001. The company then commenced a multi-year repositioning and retenanting of the property. Currently boasting occupancy of 97 percent and the highest net operating income since SL Green's acquisition, the building's tenant roster includes the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, Omnicom Group, local television station WPIX and the United Nations.

15:46 EDT Siebert Financial to acquire Weeden Prime Services - Siebert Financial Corp. announced it has entered into a binding agreement to purchase Weeden Prime Services, a prime brokerage services provider. Upon closing, which is subject to regulatory and customary closing conditions, Weeden Prime will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Siebert. Siebert said that "Weeden Prime will significantly increase Siebert's revenue and will add substantial assets under management, two branch offices and 25 employees."

14:58 EDT Party City completes sale of Canadian retail business - Party City announced that it has completed the previously announced sale of its Canadian retail business to Canadian Tire Corporation. Through the transaction, Canadian Tire acquired Party City's 65 Canada-based retail store locations in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately C$174M. The proceeds from this transaction will primarily be used to pay down debt, Party City stated. In connection with the sale, Party City and Canadian Tire have also agreed to a long-term wholesale supply agreement, with an initial term of 10 years. Under the terms of the supply agreement, Party City's wholesale business, Amscan, will provide Canadian Tire with consumer products and the company expects to effectively double Amscan's average annual wholesale shipments into the Canadian marketplace during the term of the agreement.

14:14 EDT TD Ameritrade says company 'will remain competitive' - Contacted by The Fly after Charles Schwab (SCHW) announced it is eliminating commissions for stocks, ETFs and options listed on U.S. and Canadian exchanges, across all mobile and web trading channels, TD Ameritrade (AMTD) said that, "The news just came out. We're committed to delivering the best experiences for our clients. We have the best platforms, award-winning service and investor education, and an extensive branch network. Our price improvement rate is better than our competition for the size market orders the vast majority of our clients place. And, we will remain competitive." In afternoon trading, shares of TD Ameritrade have dropped about 26% to $34.58, while Charles Schwab's stock has slid almost 12% to $36.98.

14:00 EDT Zoetis announces approval of Simparica Trio in Canada - Zoetis announces that Simparica Trio, a once-monthly triple combination antiparasitic medication for dogs, receives Notice of Compliance from Health Canada's Veterinary Drugs Directorate. The global canine parasiticides market is more than $4B and is the largest therapeutic category in medicines for dogs, the company said in a statement.

13:43 EDT Forrester names Microsoft a leader in 2019 endpoint security suites wave - Moti Gindi General Manager, Windows Cyber Defense Group wrote in a blog post: "Today, we are proud to announce that Microsoft is positioned as a leader in The Forrester Wave: Endpoint Security Suites, Q3 2019, receiving among the second highest scores in both the strategy and market presence categories. According to Forrester, "Microsoft has a compelling vision for the future where endpoint threat prevention and detection are completely integrated and inseparable." Reference Link

13:19 EDT Volkswagen reports September U.S. sales down 12% to 26,947 vehicles - Volkswagen of America reports September U.S. sales of 26,947 vehicles, down 12% from last year. The company's year-to-date sales of 278,155 vehicles are up 4.5% over 2018.

13:14 EDT Huttig Building Products and AZEK expand partnership - AZEK Building Products and Huttig Building Products have announced a new partnership intended to service key areas in the Washington and Oregon markets. Huttig Building Products, one of the nation's largest wholesale distributors of millwork and specialty building products, plans to offer the full line of TimberTech outdoor living and AZEK(R) Exteriors products to its dealer network in the Pacific Northwest starting in October of 2019. "We're pleased to announce this strategic partnership with AZEK and are sure it will provide immediate value," said David Shanda, Huttig's Regional Vice President. "AZEK's steadfast commitment to quality products complements our existing product portfolio allowing Huttig to offer an unmatched value proposition in the Pacific Northwest." Shares of Huttig Building Products are up 2% to $2.14 per share in afternoon trading on Tuesday.

12:51 EDT Rayonier Advanced Materials jumps 15% after announcing credit pact - Late Monday, Rayonier Advanced Materials announced that it has reached agreement with lenders under its Senior Secured Credit Agreement and entered into an amendment under which, among other changes, the lenders have agreed to relax the Total Net Senior First Lien Secured Leverage Ratio and Interest Coverage Ratio tests through 2021. The Amendment also increases the interest rate margin on borrowings to be paid to lenders by a maximum of 1.25 percent, subject to operation of a pricing grid which provides for reduced interest rate margins with improved leverage ratios; provides additional collateral for the lenders; and requires the Company to maintain availability under its revolving credit facility in specified amounts that vary to reflect the seasonality of the business. Lenders were paid a customary fee as consideration for their consent to the Amendment. Under the terms of the Amendment, the Company will also retain up to $50 million in net proceeds from the previously-announced sale of its Matane pulp mill, which remains on track to close in the fourth quarter, with the remainder of the net proceeds to be used to repay a portion of the Company's secured debt. "Working collaboratively with our lenders, we reached an Amendment that addresses the current challenging commodity markets, provides enhanced financial flexibility through 2021 and allows us to avoid the potential covenant breach that led to the going concern disclosure in our second quarter financial statements," said Paul G. Boynton, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe we now have the runway to manage the business through these challenging economic conditions, enabling us to emerge financially stronger and able to realize the earnings potential of our business." Shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials were up approximately 15% in early trading. Shares are currently up 7.62% to $4.66 per share in early afternoon trading.

12:30 EDT Akerna appoints Nina Simosko as CRO - Akerna announced the appointment of Nina Simosko to the new role of chief revenue officer. As CRO of Akerna, Nina will oversee all revenue generation and build strategies to drive revenue growth in the following areas: Grow MJ Platform revenues across the U.S. and global cannabis and hemp markets; Increase enterprise clients, increasing average revenue per client; Form partnerships that bring additional value to products; Pursue targeted accretive acquisitions. Prior to joining Akerna, Nina served as president and CEO of NTT Innovation Institute.

12:22 EDT Sony cuts price of PlayStation Now, adds 'blockbuster' games - Sid Shuman, director of social media for Sony PlayStation wrote: "Today we announced some big news for PlayStation Now. We know you may have questions, so we put together a handy guide to tell you everything you need to know about streaming and downloading games on PS Now. Starting October 1, the following top blockbuster games will be added to the PS Now service: God of War, Grand Theft Auto V, Infamous Second Son and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End. These games will be available starting on October 1 until January 2, 2020 for you to stream to your PS4 system or PC, or download to your PS4 system. Additionally we are offering PS Now at a new lower price, keeping it line with pricing of other entertainment streaming services. Here are the prices starting today: US: $9.99 - monthly / $24.99 - quarterly / $59.99 - yearly from $19.99/ $44.99/ $99.99." Price reductions go into effect across other regions, including Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Japan. Reference Link

12:04 EDT Intel appoints Sharon Heck as corporate treasurer - Intel Corporation announced that its board of directors has appointed a new corporate treasurer. Sharon Heck was promoted to corporate VP, treasurer and chief tax officer, reporting to Intel CFO George Davis. Heck replaces Intel Corporate VP Ravi Jacob, who is retiring after 35 years with the company -- including 14 years as treasurer.

12:01 EDT Meredith CFO Joe Ceryanec announces retirement - Meredith announced that CFO Joe Ceryanec has decided to retire. Ceryanec has agreed to stay in his role for a transition period through early calendar year 2020 while Meredith conducts a national search for his successor.

11:53 EDT GoPro unveils two new cameras the HERO8 Black and HERO MAX - Earlier today, on its blog, The Inside Line, GoPro introduced the HERO8 Black, Mods and MAX, "and redefining what's possible with a camera." The company announced the the $399 HERO8 Black and the $499 HERO MAX. Additionally, the company announced three modular add-ons for the cameras: Media Mod: for $79.99, Display Mod: The $79.99 and "Light Mod: Waterproof to 33 feet , wearable and gear-mountable, the $49.99 Light Mod is the world's most versatile light. Reference Link

11:37 EDT SIE Worldwide Studios chairman Layden leaves company - According to the official PlayStation Twitter account, Shawn Layden, chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios, will be leaving the company. "His visionary leadership will be greatly missed," the company announced via Twitter. "We wish him success in future endeavors and are deeply grateful for his years of service. Thanks for everything, Shawn!" Reference Link

11:09 EDT Novo Nordisk announces weight management collaboration with Noom - Novo Nordisk and Noom announced a collaboration on digital health solutions focusing on weight management and education, with the aim of improving the lives of people living with obesity. The collaboration follows a successful 8-month pilot that combined Noom's behavior change programs with Novo Nordisk's "more than 95 years of experience in helping people living with chronic diseases," the company stated. This collaboration will initially make solutions for behavior change and education available to people with obesity in the U.S.

11:01 EDT Air Products awarded contract to supply Samwha capacitor in South Korea - Air Products announced it has been awarded a contract to supply on-site nitrogen to Samwha Capacitor's new multi-layer ceramic capacitor plant being built adjacent to its existing plant in Yongin, South Korea. An affiliate of Samwha Capacitor Group-Korea's leading passive electronic component manufacturer-Samwha Capacitor is one of the major MLCC suppliers in the country. Air Products has been supplying on-site nitrogen to Samwha Capacitor's Yongin site, which produces MLCCs for the automotive and electronics industries. Under the new contract, Air Products will expand its nitrogen capacity to support the increasing demand from Samwha Capacitor's existing and new plants.

10:42 EDT Spherix CEO says company 'moving forward diligently' with dividend distribution - Spherix Incorporated president and CEO Anthony Hayes released a letter to shareholders. The letter read, "As previously stated, Spherix is moving forward diligently with the dividend distribution. Spherix shareholders who are owners of record on the record date to be set by the Spherix board of directors, will be paid the dividend. That process is on track and moving forward. We intend to announce a record date shortly. In addition, I wanted to provide some additional information about the CBM assets that are part of the planned acquisition. Like other AML drugs that treat certain indications, KPC34 may qualify for Fast Track designation for the treatment of certain types of AML, as well as priority review by the FDA. Developed at Wake Forest School of Medicine, KPC34 is a proprietary next generation drug that combines a DNA damaging agent with a targeted therapy designed to overcome multiple resistance mechanisms observed with gemcitabine, the current standard of care. KPC34 has also been shown to be more effective in AML relapse cases, notably increasing the lifespan of mice treated with the drug. The competitive benefits of KPC34 include oral application for patients that cannot tolerate repeated cycles of chemotherapy, doubling the mean survival time verse some of the current standard of care treatments and studies further show high activity levels against human AML cells. Upon the closing of the CBM asset purchase, and following the dividend distribution, we will further update the market on the CBM assets and the status of our other strategic acquisitions. We understand the desire by shareholders to receive the proposed dividend and information about Company activities during a tumultuous market. We hope this release provides additional information and assure you we are working diligently to move matters forward."

10:28 EDT Versum Materials announces China antitrust clearance of merger with Merck KGaA - Versum Materials (VSM) announced that the State Administration for Market Regulation of the People's Republic of China, or SAMR, provided unconditional antitrust clearance for the proposed acquisition of Versum by Merck KGaA (MKGAY). Subject to the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, Versum expects the merger to close on October 7. Upon completion of the merger, Versum's stockholders will have the right to receive $53.00 per share in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding tax, for each share of common stock that they own immediately prior to the completion of the merger.

10:23 EDT UPS subsidiary announces FAA's 'first full approval' for drone airline - UPS subsidiary UPS Flight Forward Inc. announced it has received "the U.S. government's first full Part 135 Standard certification" to operate a drone airline. The company will initially expand its drone delivery service further to support hospital campuses around the country, and to provide solutions for customers beyond those in the healthcare industry. UPS Flight Forward plans in the future to transport a variety of items for customers in many industries, and regularly fly drones beyond the operators' visual line of sight. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration awarded UPS Flight Forward a Part 135 Standard certification on Friday. The UPS subsidiary immediately launched the first drone delivery flight by any company under Part 135 Standard at WakeMed's hospital campus in Raleigh, N.C. under a government exemption allowing for a "beyond visual line of sight," or BVLOS operation, also "a first in the U.S. for a regular revenue-generating delivery," the company said.

10:04 EDT Novartis and Microsoft announce AI collaboration - Novartis (NVS) announced the founding of the Novartis AI innovation lab and the selection of Microsoft (MSFT) as its strategic AI and data-science partner for this effort. The new lab aims to bolster Novartis Artificial Intelligence capabilities from research through commercialization and help accelerate the discovery and development of transformative medicines for patients worldwide, the company said. As part of the strategic collaboration announced, Novartis and Microsoft have committed to a multi-year research and development effort. Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, added, "Our strategic alliance will combine Novartis' life sciences expertise with the power of Azure and Microsoft AI. Together, we aim to address some of the biggest challenges facing the life sciences industry today and bring AI capabilities to every Novartis employee so they can unlock new insights as they work to discover new medicines and reduce patient costs."

09:42 EDT Mobile Mini announces Kelly Williams assumes CEO position - Mobile Mini announced that as part of its previously announced leadership transition plan, Kelly Williams, the company's president and COO has assumed the CEO duties as of October 1, 2019. Erik Olsson, the company's outgoing CEO, has become the company's non-executive chairman. In connection with this leadership transition, the company's Board of Directors has expanded the size of the Board and appointed Williams as a Director.

09:31 EDT Blink Charging announces multi-year agreement with ElectroChile - Blink Charging announced that the company has entered into a multi-year agreement with ElectroChile to bring electric vehicle charging stations to Chile, supporting its emphasis on green, clean transportation. The agreement comes just months after the Country took shipment of its first fleet of 100 electric buses which the Chileans hope will revolutionize their public transportation. The agreement between US-based Blink Charging and Chilean ElectroChile SpA provides the structure for joint promotion and deployment of the fastest Level 2 EV charging equipment available, the Blink IQ 200 electric vehicle charging stations, across the Country.

09:29 EDT Generex's Olaregen launches Excellagen 3.0 cc pre-filled syringe - Generex Biotechnology Corporation that their subsidiary, Olaregen Therapeutix officially launched the Excellagen 3.0 cc pre-filled syringe, which is specifically designed for use in the surgical suite. The addition of the 3cc size to the Excellagen product line will allow vascular surgeons to treat larger, hard to heal wounds like venous leg ulcers or venous stasis ulcers, which affect 1% of the adult population and 3.6% of people older than 65 years. In the United States, VSUs have been estimated to contribute to significant direct and indirect healthcare and personal costs including loss of productivity, which accounts for more than 2 million days of absence from work and decreased quality of life. VSUs reportedly incur treatment costs of approximately $3 billion per year. Failure to treat VSUs may lead to severe complications including infection and/or amputation and increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Excellagen is an FDA- 510(k) cleared Cellular Tissue Product with an indication for the management of wounds including Diabetic Foot Ulcers, VSUs, and fifteen other wound management indications. Excellagen 3.0 cc is a ready to use 3-dimensional wound conforming matrix that supports a favorable wound healing environment for hard to heal wounds. It is designed to accelerate granulation and tissue growth by providing a structural scaffold for cellular migration and proliferation, activating platelets, and triggering the localized release of endogenous growth factors including Platelet-Derived Growth Factor, a key biological mediator of wound healing.

09:27 EDT Ferroglobe amends revolving credit facility - Ferroglobe announced that it has obtained the consent of its lenders for and entered into an amendment to its existing revolving credit agreement. Among other provisions, the Amendment: reduces the aggregate amount of revolving commitments under the RCF from $200M to $150M; reduces the minimum unrestricted cash required to be maintained by the Company at all times to $70M; adds a requirement for the Company to maintain, at all times, an aggregate amount of restricted cash equal to the amount outstanding under the RCF at any time minus $100M, in a blocked deposit account, which shall be in addition to the minimum cash requirement above; provides that any breach of the financial covenants requiring the Company to maintain a maximum net total leverage ratio or a minimum interest coverage ratio as of the end of the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2019 shall not constitute an event of default under the RCF until October 30, 2019; and imposes additional requirements for the Company to deliver certain information and documentation to the RCF lenders.

09:25 EDT Golar LNG Limited CFO Graham Robjohns to step down - Golar LNG Limited (GLNG) announced that, after almost 20 years of service with the Golar group Graham Robjohns has decided to step down from his position as CFO. In order to facilitate a smooth transition, Robjohns will remain in his current position until April 30, 2020 while the search for his replacement proceeds. Additionally, Golar LNG Partners (GLMP) announces that with immediate effect Brian Tienzo will step down as CEO of Golar Partners and will focus full time on Golar group financings. Robjohns will take on the role of Golar Partners CEO until April 30, 2020 while the search for a permanent replacement proceeds. Graham will in the next six months as CEO for Golar MLP be given a special task to look at structural opportunities to optimize the value of the assets and the large order backlog in Golar MLP.

09:18 EDT MKS Instruments completes fifth repricing, makes voluntary $50M loan prepayment - MKS Instruments announced that it completed the repricing of its existing secured term loan. The lenders have agreed to an amendment that results in a reduction of the interest rate spread on the two existing tranches of the secured term loan from LIBOR plus 2.0% and LIBOR plus 2.25%, respectively, to LIBOR plus 1.75%. This transaction also combined the two existing tranches into one tranche with a maturity date in February 2026. Based upon the current interest rate, the annualized non-GAAP interest savings from this repricing is approximately $4M. In addition, the Company announced that it has made a voluntary $50M prepayment of principal on its secured term loan, reducing the outstanding principal to approximately $897M as of September 27, 2019, from approximately $947M at June 30, 2019. Based upon the current interest rate, this voluntary prepayment results in an additional annualized non-GAAP interest savings of approximately $1.9M.

09:13 EDT GeoVax Labs CEO says dilution of common stock 'does not detract' from potential - CEO David Dodd said, " In recent weeks, we have seen a significant rise in the number of our common shares outstanding, which stands at 95,627,584 as of September 30, 2019. This increase is not due to new financings by GeoVax, but rather to the rapid liquidation of convertible preferred stock held by third party investors. Concurrent with this letter, we have filed a Form 8-K with the SEC giving further details. I encourage all shareholders to review this Form 8-K filing. As of September 30, there remain 3,054 shares of unconverted preferred stock, which the investors may continue to convert into common stock over the coming weeks. As additional conversions occur, we will provide further updates via SEC filings in order to avoid selective disclosure to individual stockholders. While this activity by the holders of our preferred stock is within their legal right, it has unfortunately produced severe downward pressure on the price of our common stock and the resultant market valuation of our company. This cannot be avoided. No one is happy about this situation, and I understand the frustration and extreme disappointment this has caused among our stockholders, including ourselves. But we look forward to the day in which the preferred stock is fully converted, thus simplifying our capital structure and allowing us to seek additional financing with better, more supportive terms. In the interim, we continue to evaluate alternative options to support and improve the value of our stock and Company value. With all of this said, the dilution of our common stock and decline of our stock price does not detract from the underlying potential of our company. I encourage you to read my letter dated August 2, 2019 as well as our last quarterly update dated August 14, 2019, both of which are posted to our website. We continue to seek ways in which to overcome our financing challenges and move our product development efforts forward. We will provide further updates as warranted."

09:10 EDT Upland Software acquires InGenius for $26.4M, sees accretion - Upland Software has acquired InGenius, a computer telephony integration, or CTI, solution for enterprise contact centers. With the addition of InGenius' CTI platform, Upland can now offer a contact center productivity solution suite that provides a single pane of glass for all voice and CRM data, along with enterprise knowledge management and customer sentiment analysis solutions to drive improved contact center efficiency and customer experience. The acquisition adds approximately $9M in annualized revenues and will be immediately accretive to Upland's adjusted EBITDA per share. The purchase price paid for InGenius was $26.4M in cash at closing, and a $3M cash holdback payable in 12 months. The foregoing excludes any potential future earn-out payments tied to additional performance-based goals. Upland expects the acquisition to generate annual revenue of approximately $9M, all of which is recurring, subject to reductions for a deferred revenue discount as a result of GAAP purchase accounting, estimated as $800,000 for the remainder of 2019. The acquisition is within Upland's target price range of 5-8x pro forma adjusted EBITDA and will generate at least $4M in adjusted EBITDA annually once fully integrated. The acquisition will be immediately accretive to Upland's adjusted EBITDA per share.

09:08 EDT Fly Intel: Pre-market Movers - HIGHER: ADT Inc. (ADT), up 9% after Telus (TU) agreed to acquire ADT Security Services Canada for approximately C$700M... SPI Energy (SPI), up 3% after announcing the sale of Sun Roof II and Sun Roof V to Theia Investments for EUR5.4M... Analog Devices (ADI), up 2% after KeyBanc analyst John Vinh upgraded the stock to Overweight from Sector Weight with a price target of $130... VMware (VMW), up 3% after Wells Fargo analyst Philip Winslow upgraded shares to Outperform from Market Perform and raised his price target for the shares to $180 from $140... Brookdale Senior Living (BKD), up 5% after announcing HCP Inc. (HCP) will acquire Brookdale's 51% joint venture interest in 12 entry fee CCRCs with 5,641 units for $510M. UP AFTER EARNINGS: McCormick (MKC), up 2%. LOWER: TD Ameritrade (AMTD) and E-Trade Financial (ETFC), down 13% and 12%, respectively, after Charles Schwab (SCHW) announced that it is eliminating commissions for stocks, ETFs and options listed on U.S. or Canadian exchanges, across all mobile and web trading channels. Charles Schwab shares are down 6% following the announcement... U.S. Silica Holdings (SLCA), down 2% after Cowen analyst Marc Bianchi downgraded the stock to Market Perform from Outperform and lowered his price target for the shares to $8.50 from $12... Hexcel (HXL), down 4% after BofA Merrill Lynch analyst Ronald Epstein double downgraded shares to Underperform from Buy and lowered his price target on the shares to $80 from $95, noting that Boeing's (BA) 787 is one of the company's largest aircraft programs, accounting for about 8% of total revenue... U.S. Steel (X), down 6% after announcing a joint venture partnership agreement under which it has taken the first step towards acquiring Big River Steel through the purchase of a 49.9% ownership interest at a purchase price of approximately $700M in cash, with a call option to acquire the remaining 50.1% within the next four years... AnaptysBio (ANAB), down 9% after announcing topline data from an interim analysis of its Phase 2 clinical trial of ANB019 in moderate-to-severe generalized pustular psoriasis patients.

09:06 EDT Calavo Growers increases annual dividend 10% to $1.10 - Calavo Growers announced that its board of directors declared a $1.10 per share annual cash dividend on its common stock. The board set December 6 as the payment date to all shareholders of record as of November 15. The announced distribution is the company's eighth consecutive annual cash dividend increase and represents a 10c per share increase from $1.00 awarded last year.

09:04 EDT Usio, ControlScan partner to streamline payment facilitators' PCI compliance - Usio affirmed its ongoing commitment to improving its ability to help its payment facilitator clients reduce their payment security risk. As such, Usio will continually strengthen its partnership with ControlScan. Vaden Landers, EVP and CRO at Usio, said, "Usio is committed to assuring that its clients are provided with the best payment security risk protection available. Consequently, over a year ago we integrated ControlScan's technologically-advanced payment card data security and compliance solutions into our industry-leading payment facilitation technology to assure our clients that their data consists of and maintains the highest level of protection. This is a critical tool in assisting ISV's and other merchants who leverage our payment facilitation platform in achieving and maintaining their Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard compliance as part of our PayFac-in-a-Box implementation. ControlScan's platform simplifies the complexity and increases the scope of compliance inherent in the payment facilitator business model. Our ISV customers are focused on developing innovative software, meaning they rely on us to protect them from the potential security-related risks of payments processing. Our partnership with ControlScan enables us to integrate a security platform that addresses the inherent risks, effectively alleviating and mitigating any concerns of our ISVs, and more importantly their software users, which are provided with a path to compliance with the PCI DSS directives. In fact, we streamlined the SAQ and questionnaire processes that are now universally implemented by ControlScan and used by its downstream customers. Payment facilitators can also take advantage of ControlScan's PCI Qualified Security Assessors to conduct a formal IT risk assessment as well as become ControlScan certified as a PCI DSS Level 1 Service Provider. These are all very strong endorsements of the security with which they operate."

08:58 EDT Sunrun, Citadel Roofing & Solar partner for California roofing solutions - Citadel Roofing & Solar announced its partnership with Sunrun to offer Sunrun's solar-as-a-service and solar purchase products to California homebuilders and their homebuyers for as little as zero upfront cost. With this agreement, Citadel will be able to offer fully warrantied roofing, solar, and battery storage systems combined with Sunrun's solar service and purchase options across the state.

08:57 EDT Marrone Bio announces approval of Stargus in Mexico - Marrone Bio Innovations announced that its novel Bacillus Biofungicide, marketed in the U.S. as Stargus for specialty crops, was approved for use in Mexico by the Ministry of Health COFEPRIS. Stargus will be used in Mexico to control downy mildews, late blight and a broad range of other plant related diseases on zucchini, squash, chayote, melon, cucumber, watermelon and potato crops.

08:54 EDT First Bank completes acquisition of Grand Bank - First Bank announced that at the close of business on September 30, 2019, it completed its merger with Grand Bank, N.A., previously headquartered in Hamilton, New Jersey. The merger was approved at the special meeting of First Bank stockholders on September 18, 2019. Grand Bank stockholders approved the merger during a special meeting held on September 12, 2019. This successful transaction expands First Bank's Mercer County, New Jersey presence through the addition of two full-service locations. As a combined financial institution, First Bank will have over $2B in assets and over $1.6B in deposits.

08:53 EDT Green Lotus announces exclusive distribution agreement with Greenlane - Green Lotus announced a distribution agreement with Greenlane Holdings. Green Lotus was recently acquired by Freedom Leaf, a Nevada corporation, d/b/a Freedom Leaf Health. Greenlane's North American distribution network of cannabis accessory and CBD brands reaches 11,000 retail locations across the United States, including licensed cannabis dispensaries and smoke and vape shops. The distribution agreement will add between three to four thousand potential new points of sale for Green Lotus.

08:49 EDT Meritage Homes to offer insurance products for new home buyers - Meritage Homes will begin offering homeowners insurance and other insurance products such as auto, flood and excess liability effective October 1, 2019. Meritage Homes Insurance Agency joins MTH Mortgage and Carefree Title to seamlessly integrate the products offered by these affiliates into the homebuying process, ensuring that qualified buyers can have everything they need to close on their new Meritage home easily and efficiently.

08:48 EDT Applied DNA Sciences subsidiary iCTCs platform demonstrates superiority over PSA - LineaRx, the majority-owned subsidiary of Applied DNA Sciences (APDN) announced that its invasive circulating tumor cells, or iCTCs, platform demonstrated superior correlation over prostate specific antigen, or PSA, in an ongoing Phase II trial in recurrent prostate cancer. Most notably, the concentration of rare iCTCs identified per milliliter of whole blood correlated more directly with disease status than did the levels of PSA. These iCTCs were captured and identified utilizing LineaRx's technology platform recently acquired from Vitatex. LineaRx's collaborator Tyme Technologies (TYME), reported results of this recently completed Phase II trial using SM-88 to treat recurrent prostate cancer at the Congress of the European Society of Medical Oncology, or ESMO. The study updated the safety and antitumor effects of SM-88 in men with non-castrate non-metastatic prostate cancer. Antitumor effects were assessed by post-therapy changes in PSA and the number of iCTCs. Results showed that patients treated with this oral non-hormonal therapy maintained metastases-free survival without testosterone deprivation or typical hormonal therapy side effects. The current reported SM-88 Phase II study examines iCTCs in prostate cancer for what we believe is the first time in a clinical trial. While PSA has historically been the recognized biomarker for prostate cancer, many studies over the last 20 years have shown it is an "inadequate" biomarker, since it may become elevated in patients with no apparent disease, or less serious pathology than cancer. Intensive efforts have been directed towards alternative prostate cancer biomarkers, particularly those that can predict disease aggressiveness and help to drive better treatment decisions. However, biomarker research has centered on disease diagnostics, rather than prognosis and prediction, which could work toward disease prevention-an important focus moving forward.

08:45 EDT Emerson sees 'challenging' geopolitical, economic landscape

08:44 EDT FinMason, Eagle Investment Systems announce strategic alliance - FinMason, an investment analytics provider that enables WealthTech platforms to accelerate development and time-to-market, and Eagle Investment Systems, a BNY Mellon company and part of Data and Analytics Solutions, announced a strategic alliance that will offer Eagle clients access to investment analytics. The alliance provides the option for Eagle clients to enrich holdings data by accessing FinMason analytics directly through an interface with the Eagle product suite. Clients can consume relevant investment analytics, such as risk metrics, directly alongside their investment performance and accounting data, all through one common platform, giving stakeholders maximum insights into their portfolios. Eagle clients can access an extensive list of available analytics through FinMason's API, which covers all publicly-traded assets - both securities and funds - and is multi-currency and multi-asset class.

08:43 EDT U.S. Physical Therapy acquires eleven-clinic physical therapy practice - U.S. Physical Therapy announced that the company just completed the acquisition of an eleven-clinic physical therapy practice. USPH acquired a 67% interest with the practice's clinical owners retaining 33%. The purchase price was approximately $12.3M. The business generates $6.6M in annual revenue. The practice has approximately 59,000 annual patient visits.

08:42 EDT BioCardia initiates commercial release of AVANCE Steerable Introducer Sheath - BioCardia announced the U.S. commercial availability of its AVANCE Bi-Directional Steerable Introducer Sheath for introducing various cardiovascular catheters into the heart, including via the left side of the heart through the interatrial septum. The product became available in late September. An introducer sheath is routinely used by electrophysiologists and interventional cardiologists to facilitate complex conditions such as atrial fibrillation and structural heart procedures. The AVANCE device addresses the shortcomings of currently available steerable introducers with its unique patent protected "Morph DNA" technology creating a high performance steerable introducer for superior control during complex procedures. The AVANCE catheter is designed to have uniform bending characteristics in all directions by having the two tendon wires wrap helically around the catheter shaft, like the double helix in DNA. The uniform bending characteristics where critically important are intended to reduce what EPs and ICs refer to as "whip" in catheter navigation, where the catheter jumps to a new location in an uncontrolled fashion. The product is designed with a smooth tip-to-dilator transition which promotes ease of entry into the left atrium during transseptal access. Deflections of 180 degrees in both directions are designed to provide increased steerability, which may improve access to hard-to-reach sites.

08:40 EDT BeyondSpring presents trial design for DUBLIN-3 study BPI-2358-103 - BeyondSpring announced that the Company's novel trial design for DUBLIN-3 for its lead asset and first-in-class agent, Plinabulin, was selected for poster presentation at this year's European Society for Medical Oncology Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The poster, titled, "DUBLIN-3, a Stage IIIb/IV NSCLC Phase 3 Trial Comparing the Plinabulin/Docetaxel Combination with D Alone," was presented on September 28. The PD-L1 inhibitors Avelumab and Atezolizumab have demonstrated proven clinical anticancer efficacy. In second- and third-line non-small cell lung cancer trials, however, Avelumab failed, whereas Atezolizumab met its primary endpoint and showed better overall survival versus Docetaxel as a comparator at 75 mg/m2. The Javelin authors pointed out that study design considerations may have led to the negative trial outcome, such as its open-label design and lack of stratification for region. In addition, relatively low immunogenicity associated with later-stage tumors in patients may have played a role in the negative outcome of the trial. In contrast, BeyondSpring's global Phase 3 DUBLIN-3 trial, Study 103 is a single-blinded study in EGFR wild-type, stage IIIb/IV NSCLC patients stratified for region and receiving second- or third-line therapy with the Docetaxel-Plinabulin combination or Docetaxel alone in a 1:1 ratio. Patients with at least one measurable lung lesion were included. Patients should have failed a prior platinum-based regimen and patients who had failed prior PD-1 / PD-L1 immunotherapy could enter the study. Overall survival is the primary endpoint. Both Javelin and DUBLIN-3 have Docetaxel 75 mg/m2 as the comparator arm. In comparison to Avelumab, Phase 2 data with the Plinabulin-Docetaxel combination demonstrated better overall survival for patients, plus a better safety profile and quality of life compared to Docetaxel monotherapy. Additionally, patients receiving Plinabulin experienced the safety benefit of less severe neutropenia. DUBLIN-3 is designed to build on the lessons learned through the design pitfalls of Javelin, as pointed out by its authors, as it pertains to: Blinding to patients; Stratification for region; Inclusion of patients with tumors with a higher probability of still being immunogenic, such as measurable lung lesions with presence in the lung.

08:37 EDT OncoCyte closes initial investment in Razor Genomics, acquires commercial rights - OncoCyte announced that it has closed its previously announced initial investment in a 25% preferred stock interest in Razor Genomics and has acquired rights to commercialize Razor's CLIA-validated lung cancer treatment stratification test. The Razor test enables the identification of early-stage lung cancer patients at high risk for recurrence and allows them to be treated at a time when their cancer can still be responsive to adjuvant chemotherapy. The Razor test complements DetermaVu, OncoCyte's liquid biopsy test being developed to determine which patients with CT-scan identified lung nodules can avoid risky and costly biopsies. At closing, OncoCyte made a cash payment of $10M for an initial 25% equity interest in the form of newly created Razor preferred stock. OncoCyte also made a $1M milestone payment to Razor's parent company resulting from the recent proposed positive CMS coverage decision for the Razor test. Upon the achievement of an additional CMS coverage milestone, Razor's parent company is entitled to receive an additional $4M cash payment from OncoCyte. Razor's parent company is also entitled to certain other payments under the development agreement and the license agreement among the parties. As previously reported, OncoCyte has a continuing option to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Razor common stock from Razor's shareholders, subject to the satisfaction of certain contractual conditions, and will be obligated to exercise such option if a certain clinical trial milestone is achieved. At the closing of such option, OncoCyte will pay Razor shareholders $10M in cash and $5M of OncoCyte common stock, for their Razor shares. Razor will reserve $4M of the initial $10M closing payment from OncoCyte's purchase of the preferred stock for use in financing a supplemental clinical trial of the Razor test to promote OncoCyte's commercialization efforts. Regardless of whether OncoCyte acquires the outstanding shares of Razor common stock, upon achievement of a separate clinical trial milestone, Razor 's existing common stockholders will receive $3M of OncoCyte common stock.

08:33 EDT Kratos Defense recieves $17.6M sole-source contract award for Jet Drone research - Kratos Defense & Security Solutions announced that its Unmanned Systems Division has been awarded an initial $17.6M sole-source contract for Jet Drone research, development, and production efforts. Work on this new contract award is expected to begin immediately, with the scope of work and related funding under this program expected to increase as execution and performance milestones are successfully achieved.

08:31 EDT Heron Therapeutics resubmitts NDA for HTX-011 to FDA - Heron Therapeutics announced that it has resubmitted its New Drug Application, or NDA, to the FDA for HTX-011, an investigational agent for the management of postoperative pain. The Company anticipates a 6-month review by the FDA. The NDA for HTX-011 was resubmitted based on the outcome and final minutes of a Type A meeting with the FDA, which was conducted to obtain clarity on the Complete Response Letter (CRL) issued by the FDA in April 2019. The CRL stated that the FDA was unable to approve the NDA in its present form based on the need for additional chemistry, manufacturing and controls and non-clinical information.

08:29 EDT TiVo announces launch of TiVo+, TiVo EDGE - TiVo announced the launch of TiVo+, its new video network and TiVo EDGE. "Available exclusively to TiVo customers in the coming weeks, TiVo+ delivers live streaming channels and thousands of movies and TV shows to viewers in an app-free environment, making them easy to find, watch, and enjoy," TiVo said in a statement. TiVo has partnered with XUMO, Jukin Media and other top publishers to make channels like TMZ, Outside TV+, PowerNation, FailArmy, Unsolved Mysteries, Hell's Kitchen Kitchen Nightmares, Food52 and Ameba among others available at launch, with many more to follow from publishers including Gannett, Loop Media, Revry, Newsy, Tastemade, Latido Music and Mobcrush. TiVo+ should be paired with the TiVo EDGE, a premium, 4K Ultra High Definition, all-in-one media device, designed to work with HD antenna or digital cable, the company said. The TiVo EDGE for antenna is available now for $349.99 and requires a service plan of $6.99 monthly, $69.99 annually or a one-time All-In-Plan for $249.99. TiVo EDGE for cable is available for $399.99 and requires a service plan of $14.99 monthly, $149.99 annually or a one-time All-In-Plan for $549.99.

08:23 EDT CHF Solutions submits 501(k) application for Aquadex FlexFlow system - CHF Solutions announced that it has submitted an application to the FDA requesting for 510(k) clearance of the Aquadex FlexFlow system to include pediatric patients who weigh 20kg or more. Subject to FDA review, the company expects clearance for this pediatric population by the end of the year.

08:19 EDT Tyme Technologies announces results from Phase II trial of oral SM-88 - Tyme Technologies announced results from its Phase II trial of oral SM-88 in patients with non-metastatic, biochemical-recurrent prostate cancer. The study demonstrated that SM-88 had very encouraging efficacy and safety outcomes for prostate cancer patients where sparing testosterone is important. The study also showed that reduction of CTCs, an important prognostic indicator, may prove to be a better surrogate for patient outcomes than PSA, particularly for SM-88 and other non-hormonal agents. The updated data from the Phase II prostate study were presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology Congres. From September 2016 to April 2019, twenty-three evaluable patients with non-metastatic pancreatic cancer with rising prostate-specific antigen levels, detectable circulating tumor cells and no radiographically detectable metastases were assessed in a Phase II trial. All patients received 230 mgs twice per day of SM-88 orally. Patients also received oral doses of methoxsalen, phenytoin, and sirolimus once per day. Most patients had previously received ADT after radiation therapy or surgery, but ADT treatment was not permitted during the trial. From the initial diagnoses of PSA rise, 100% of patients remained free of metastatic progression and 87% of patients have maintained radiographic progression-free survival with a median duration of 6.5 months since starting SM-88 treatment. All patients who have maintained rPFS also exhibited meaningful reductions in circulating tumor cells. At baseline, the median PSA for patients with radiographic progression was 13.4 compared to 5.6 for patients with no radiographic progression. In evaluable patients, PSA declined in 4% of patients; PSA stabilized in 83% of patients and PSA increased in 13% of patients. Importantly, 52% of patients experienced an improvement in median PSA doubling time, a positive prognostic indicator. In all patients who completed three cycles of therapy, the median DT improved nearly 34.4% from 6.1 to 8.2 months. After 12 weeks, or three cycles of therapy, 78.2% of patients demonstrated a 65.3% decrease in median CTCs from baseline with all patients having CTC counts below baseline. Patients without local progression had slightly higher testosterone levels at baseline and throughout treatment on SM-88 as compared to those who experienced local radiographic progression. According to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, patients generally reported stable cognitive and sexual function domain measures, with no detectable worsening in any domain. Patient weight, EKG QTc, glucose and hematocrit and other measures, which are often side effects of ADT, did not appear affected while receiving SM-88. The SM-88 therapy was well tolerated in all patients. There were no treatment-related serious adverse events. No adverse events resulted in dose delay, discontinuation, or reduction. The majority of Grade 1 AEs possibly or probably related to the SM-88 investigational therapy were gastrointestinal in nature.The Phase II prostate cancer trial results are from an investigational study. SM-88 is not approved for the treatment of patients with any disease condition.

08:18 EDT Peck announces $15M common stock purchase agreement with LPC - Peck announced that it has engaged two financing strategies to support the company's planned growth. Peck has entered into agreements with NBT Bank which will provide a short term working capital line of credit and construction loans while also re-financing long-term debt on company owned solar arrays. Peck has also entered into a common stock purchase agreement and registration rights agreement with Lincoln Park Capital,or LPC, pursuant to which the company has the right, in its sole discretion, to sell to LPC up to $15M worth of shares over a 24-month period. The company will control the timing and amount of any sales to LPC, and LPC is obligated to make purchase in accordance with the agreements. The combination of both financing strategies from NBT and LPC is a model that Peck management believes provides the company with additional resources and flexibility to execute its growth strategy. There are no upper limits to the price per share LPC may pay to purchase common stock subject to the agreement and the purchase price of the shares will be based on the then prevailing market prices of the company's shares at the time of each sale to LPC.

08:16 EDT BioDelivery Sciences announces further insurance coverage for BELBUCA, Symproic - BioDelivery Sciences International announced that a major PBM will begin providing improved patient access to BELBUCA, CIII, and Symproic tablets 0.2 mg beginning October 1, 2019, with full plan adoption by January 1, 2020. This will enable approximately 14 million covered lives within both commercial and health exchange plans to access BELBUCA as either the preferred or preferred exclusive buprenorphine product within their respective plans and Symproic as the preferred exclusive product within its class. The addition of this large national PBM brings the total number of commercial lives with preferred access to BELBUCA to more than 104 million and more than 76 million overall covered lives for Symproic.

08:15 EDT Xeris Pharmaceuticals increases board to seven with appointment of Mark Thierer - Xeris Pharmaceuticals has appointed Mark Thierer to its Board of Directors, increasing the size of the Board to seven members, effective immediately. Thierer will also be a member of the Audit Committee. He currently serves as Managing Partner of the Assetblue Investment Group.

08:14 EDT Ziopharm announces FDA clearance of IND for RPM of CD19-specific CAR-T - Ziopharm Oncology announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared an investigational new drug application for a phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate CD19-specific CAR-T, produced using a process termed rapid personalized manufacture, as an investigational treatment for patients with relapsed CD19+ leukemias and lymphomas. The IND clearance builds upon the Company's experience with two prior generations of immunotherapy trials using the Sleeping Beauty platform, which it believes is the most clinically-advanced non-viral approach to the genetic modification of T cells. With this third-generation trial, DNA from the Sleeping Beauty system is stably inserted into the genome of resting T cells to co-express a chimeric antigen receptor, membrane-bound IL-15 and a safety switch, which is designed to reduce cost, simplify production, and preserve the therapeutic potential of the T cells. Up to 24 patients will be enrolled to evaluate infusion of donor-derived RPM CAR-T in patients with CD19+ leukemias and lymphomas who have relapsed after allogeneic BMT. This study will be conducted at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center under an investigator-initiated trial expected to begin later this year.

08:13 EDT Covetrus expands strategic partnership with Veterinary Study Groups - Covetrus announced a newly expanded strategic partnership with Veterinary Study Groups, or VSG. VSG is the umbrella corporation for a family of 52 veterinary management groups, or VMG, comprised of more than 1,000 members who own 1,430 practices throughout the United States and Canada. With the expanded partnership, Covetrus will now include its prescription management platform and specialty pharmacy products in its current supply chain agreement with VSG. Covetrus has joined with VSG, the AVMA, and others in a stakeholder process to further develop the VSG/AVMA Principles of Veterinary Data Ownership and Stewardship.

08:11 EDT Nasdaq to acquire the Center for Board Excellence - Nasdaq announced its acquisition of the Center for Board Excellence, a privately-held provider of corporate governance and compliance solutions for boards of directors, CEOs, corporate secretaries, and general counsels. Nasdaq plans to combine CBE with its Nasdaq Governance Solutions business, which operates board portal and collaboration technology solutions. Founded in 2010, CBE's portfolio of solutions include: board and committee assessments; director peer assessments; CEO and management evaluations; and directors' & officers' questionnaires, and other compliance questionnaires. Since 2017, Nasdaq Governance Solutions has partnered with CBE to solve a wide range of corporate governance needs in the public, private, and not-for-profit business environments. CBE will remain focused on delivering board excellence products through its EnGauge platform that includes the premier board performance and CEO evaluation process, and the standard in digital director and officer questionnaires and disclosure solutions.

08:10 EDT IAC's Dotdash acquires Liquor.com, terms not disclosed - Dotdash announced that it acquired Liquor.com, the largest premium digital media company with a focus on cocktails, spirits, entertaining, and culture. Liquor.com joins Dotdash's award-winning family of properties and will be closely aligned with The Spruce, Dotdash's vibrant food and home brand, and MyDomaine, its prominent lifestyle and entertaining brand. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

08:07 EDT TELUS to acquire canadian operations of ADT for C$700M - TELUS (TU) announced that it has agreed to acquire ADT Security Services Canada, Inc (ADT)) for approximately C$700M. This acquisition furthers TELUS' commitment to leverage the power of technology to bring state-of-the-art convenience, control and safety into the lives, homes and businesses of more Canadians. TELUS is also proud to deepen ADT Canada's roots by ensuring its services continue to be provided and supported by a Canadian company that also prioritizes privacy and security. This acquisition builds on TELUS' strategy and commitment to leverage its world-leading wireless and PureFibre networks and complements customer service, to continue to enhance connected home, business, security, IOT, cybersecurity, smart buildings, smart cities and health services for its customers in Canada. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019, pending regulatory approval and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions set forth in the share purchase agreement.

08:05 EDT Iridium awarded contract by the U.S. Department of Defense worth up to $76M - Iridium announced that it has been awarded a 5-year, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract from the Defense Information Systems Agency on behalf of the United States Air Force Space Command with potential revenues up to $76M. Known as the Gateway Evolution Contract, this contract enables ongoing innovation and critical enhancements for the U.S. Government's dedicated Iridium gateway. It will enable adoption of the latest technology upgrades, both hardware and software, necessary to address emerging warfighter requirements and to ensure continued operations with the latest state-of-the-art satcom-based capabilities

08:04 EDT ADT Inc. board of directors declares special dividend of 70c per share - The Company (ADT) announced that its Board of Directors authorized a one-time special dividend of up to $550 million and plans to set the dividend at 70c per share. The Special Dividend is conditioned upon the closing of the TELUS (TU) transaction and is subject to subsequent corporate action, and therefore may not be in that amount, or occur at all. Details of the Special Dividend, including the record date for shareholders eligible to receive the Special Dividend and the payment date of the Special Dividend, will be provided in conjunction with the closing of the transaction.

08:03 EDT Nektar announces promotions in its executive leadership team - Nektar Therapeutics announced several promotions on its executive leadership team. Jonathan Zalevsky, Ph.D. has been promoted to Chief Research & Development Officer and Gil M. Labrucherie has been promoted to COO in addition to his role as CFO. Jonathan Zalevsky brings over 20 years of biotechnology and pharmaceutical leadership to his new role as Chief R&D Officer. He will lead all aspects of the R&D organization within Nektar, including research, clinical development, regulatory affairs and biologics process development. Zalevsky joined the Company in 2015 and has served as our Chief Scientific Officer since 2017. During his tenure at Nektar, Zalevsky's expertise in immunology, as well as his experience across biological modalities and therapeutic areas, have helped fuel the growth of the company's immuno-oncology and immunology pipeline. Gil Labrucherie brings over 20 years of financial and operating leadership to his new and expanded role as COO. As the Company's COO, Labrucherie will continue to serve as CFO. As COO, he will be responsible for leading the Company's business operations, quality assurance and business development. He will continue to provide oversight for the Company's finance and accounting teams, information technologies and services, and supply chain logistics.

08:02 EDT Lear CFO Jeffrey Vanneste to retire, Jason Cardew to succeed - Lear announced it has appointed Jason Cardew to the position of Senior Vice President and CFO, effective November 1. He will report to President and CEO Ray Scott. Cardew will succeed Jeffrey Vanneste who currently serves as Senior Vice President and CFO. After more than 20 years with the company, Vanneste has elected to retire, effective October 31. He will continue in a non-executive, consulting and advisory role to Lear's senior management team through February 2020. Since joining the company in 1992, Cardew has served in various operational and commercial finance roles with increasing responsibility, including Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis, Interim CFO and, most recently, Vice President of Finance for Lear's Seating and E-Systems businesses.

07:50 EDT Stein Mart doubles earn rate for loyalty program - Stein Mart announced it has enhanced its loyalty program to provide even more value for customers. Stein Mart has doubled the earn rate, which means cardholders now earn rewards twice as fast. Under the new program, called "SMart Rewards", Stein Mart credit cardholders now earn 2 points for every $1 spent at Stein Mart, and Elite cardholders earn 4 points for every $1 spent. All cardholders receive a $10 reward, which has been rebranded as "Stein Mart SMart Cash", for every 1000 points earned. Additional program benefits include a $10 Stein Mart SMart Cash gift upon enrollment, 10% off first purchase, extra savings events and birthday surprises. Current Stein Mart cardholders are already receiving their new benefits, with rebranded cards arriving in the mail from mid-October to mid-November. Marketing for the new program, along with card reissuance, is expected to re-engage current cardholders and acquire new cardholders which will drive incremental trips and traffic to stores and online.

07:48 EDT Ocugen appoints Sanjay Subramanian as CFO - Ocugen announced the appointment of Sanjay Subramanian, MBA, to the role of CFO effective October 1, 2019. Subramanian brings more than 20 years' experience in finance and operations strategy to Ocugen, serving most recently as CFO for a public company, Aralez Pharmaceuticals.

07:45 EDT Mid Penn Bank receives regulatory approval to open Hazle Township branch - Mid Penn Bank received approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to open a new full-service retail branch in Hazle Township, Luzerne County, at 1215 North Church Street. Mid Penn expects to open the branch in December 2019 once renovations are completed. This will be the bank's second location in Luzerne County, in addition to its branch at 641 State Route 93 in Conyngham.

07:41 EDT Minerva provides update on Phase 2 trial of seltorexant - Minerva Neurosciences announced an update on three clinical-stage programs with roluperidone, seltorexant and MIN-117. Seltorexant: In this clinical trial, long-term , flexibly dosed seltorexant was compared to flexibly dosed quetiapine XR for adjunctive treatment of patients suffering from Major Depressive Disorder. 102 patients with MDD not responding adequately to SSRIs and SNRIs were enrolled. The primary endpoint was discontinuation of therapy, due to all causes, over 6 months. Mood improvement, measured using the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, and safety and tolerability were also evaluated. This exploratory trial was intended primarily to generate data to assist with the planning of Phase 3 studies and was not powered to detect statistical significance. Quetiapine XR was used as a comparator, because it is the only medication approved for the adjunctive treatment of MDD in both the U.S. and Europe. Seltorexant showed a quantitative advantage in the number of discontinuations due to all causes, with 41% discontinuation in the seltorexant arm versus 47% in the quetiapine XR arm. As expected, there was not a statistical separation between the two treatment arms. Mood improvement as measured by MADRS total score showed patients treated with seltorexant 20 mg dose experienced a greater improvement at week 24, compared to those treated with seltorexant 40 mg dose, quetiapine 150 mg dose and quetiapine 300 mg dose. As was shown in previous trials of seltorexant in MDD, a greater improvement in MADRS total score was observed in patients with sleep disturbance who received the 20 mg seltorexant dose. In these patients with insomnia, the improvements observed were -26.5 for the 20 mg seltorexant dose, -7.0 for the 40 mg seltorexant dose, -18.2 for the 150 mg quetiapine dose and -13.8 for the 300 mg quetiapine dose. The overall safety profile of the seltorexant groups was favorable compared to quetiapine, consistent with prior seltorexant studies, and extended to longer-term exposure over 6 months. Patients receiving seltorexant also experienced fewer potentially treatment-related discontinuations than did patients receiving quetiapine. The results of this study, taken with the results of the two previous studies, will help to define a Phase 3 clinical development program for seltorexant that potentially will encompass both MDD and insomnia.

07:37 EDT Minerva to complete enrollment for Phase 3 trial of roluperidone at year-end - Minerva Neurosciences announced an update on three clinical-stage programs with roluperidone, seltorexant and MIN-117. Roluperidone: A total of 384 patients of a target total number of 501 patients have been enrolled into the ongoing Phase 3 trial with roluperidone to treat negative symptoms in schizophrenia, and there are currently 33 patients in screening. Due to a cyber-attack on one of the Company's external contractors that resulted in a disruption to patient recruitment in the study, the Company now expects to complete enrollment at approximately year-end and anticipates top-line results from the 12-week, double-blind portion of the study to be available in the first half of 2020. This trial is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled, 12-week study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 32 mg and 64 mg doses of roluperidone as measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Marder negative symptoms factor score. The core 12-week study is followed by a 40-week, open-label extension period during which patients on the drug continue receiving their original dose and patients on placebo receive one of the two doses of roluperidone.

07:34 EDT Pressure BioSciences' PCT platform featured in workflow for tumor analyses - Pressure BioSciences announced the Company's patented pressure cycling technology platform was featured as an integral part of a new, innovative workflow for the analysis of proteins from cancer biopsy samples. This workflow was presented in a plenary session at the Annual Meeting of the International Gynecologic Cancer Societ on September 21, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The mission of the IGCS is to improve the care and outcomes for women with gynecologic cancer worldwide through education, training and public awareness. According to Dr. Larry Maxwell, MD, gynecologic oncologist and Chair of OB-GYN at Inova Fairfax Hospital, "the conventional use of chemotherapy in ovarian cancer treatment is being rapidly replaced by biologic therapeutics that target the cancer and also the micro-environment in which it grows. Being able to collect small tissue specimens and characterize them across multiple genomic and proteomic platforms will enable us to markedly enhance our ability to develop companion diagnostics and prognostics as well as identify targets for future therapeutic strategies. Technology provided by Pressure BioSciences has become an essential requirement for our novel workflow in meeting our goals." Dr. Thomas Conrads, a nationally acclaimed protein chemist, is the Senior Director of Women's Health Research at the Inova Women's Hospital. Dr. Conrads' group was invited to present their innovative workflow for analyzing cancer tissue proteins at the IGCS meeting. The presentation titled Interim Analysis of Ovarian Cancer by the US National Cancer MOONSHOT'S Tri-Federal Applied Proteogenomic Organizational Learning and Outcomes Research Network, was made by Dr. Maxwell. Data demonstrated the feasibility of proteogenomic characterization of known-patient tumors for specimen preparation in support of large-scale analyses in the U.S. Cancer Moonshot's APOLLO program. This program focuses on genetic sequencing and proteomic analysis of tumors in order to develop clinically actionable molecular panels for precision medicine and personalized health. The novel workflow developed by Dr. Conrads and his colleagues integrates the Leica Microsystems' laser microdissection platform and PBI's PCT platform, enabling micro-scale quantitative proteomics and phosphoproteomics on a ThermoFisher Scientific mass spectrometry instrument. LMD is a state-of-the-art method for precise excision of cells from biopsy tissues at microscopic scale by a laser. Excised cells are delivered directly into PBI's MicroTubes for critical sample preparation, including rapid and efficient high-quality cellular protein release. Proteins are then analyzed by mass spectrometry, the global method-of-choice for high throughput and comprehensive protein analysis.

07:26 EDT CURE Pharmaceutical promotes Vered Gigi to CSO - CURE Pharmaceutical has appointed Dr. Vered Gigi as its chief scientific officer. In this role, Dr. Gigi will oversee all CURE's research and development. Gigi has served as the VP of Strategy and Business Development of CURE since January 2018, a role in which she governed and aligned CURE's strategy to its scientific operations.

07:21 EDT RioCan REIT expands existing partnerships with Killam, Boardwalk - RioCan REIT (RIOCF) announced additional transactions with existing partners, Killam Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust and Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust (BOWFF). Killam has entered into a firm agreement to purchase a 50% interest in a discrete portion of RioCan's Elmvale Acres Shopping Centre in Ottawa, Ontario and Boardwalk has purchased a 50% interest in a discrete portion of Sandalwood Square in Mississauga, Ontario, both for the purpose of joining in the development of mixed-use projects on the properties. On September 27, 2019, Killam agreed to acquire a 50% interest in an approximately 1.45 acre portion of Elmvale Acres for a purchase price of $3.7M based on $45.00 per buildable square foot of expected future density. The mixed-use development is to be completed in five phases and this transaction pertains to the first phase of the project which is expected to close in mid-2020 once severance of the land is obtained. This first phase of development consists of 168 residential rental units and approximately 11,000 square feet of at grade retail NLA. Demolition and site servicing commenced in September 2019. On July 24, 2019, Boardwalk acquired a 50% interest in just over two acres of a discrete portion of previously vacant land at Sandalwood Square, for a purchase price of $80.00 per buildable square foot based on the expected future density of the development project or $14.9M in aggregate. Sandalwood Square shopping centre is situated within 100 meters of the future Hurontario - Bristol LRT station in Mississauga, Ontario. RioCan has submitted a re-zoning application to construct a 25-storey mixed-use building on the site, which will include 470 residential rental units and approximately 12,000 square feet of retail NLA. Zoning approval is anticipated in early 2020, and future intensification phases on the site are envisioned.

07:15 EDT Fulcrum Therapeutics to present losmapimod data at World Muscle Society meeting - Fulcrum Therapeutics announces that the company will present data from multiple studies of losmapimod in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy patients during the International Annual Congress of the World Muscle Sociey. Michelle Mellion, MD, medical director at Fulcrum Therapeutics, will present data from the Phase 1 trial to assess the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability, and target engagement of losmapimod in FSHD patients during an oral presentation on Friday, October 4, 2019 from 10:30-12:30 CET. The company will highlight findings from the Phase 1 trial as well as information related to plans for using biomarkers in the ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials of losmapimod.

07:10 EDT AstraZeneca divests rights for Losec to Cheplapharm - AstraZeneca has agreed to sell the global commercial rights, excluding China, Japan, the U.S. and Mexico, for Losec and associated brands to Cheplapharm Arzneimittel GmbH. The divestment includes medicines containing omeprazole marketed by AstraZeneca or its collaborators under the Acimax, Antra, Mepral, Mopral, Omepral and Zoltum medicine names. Ruud Dobber, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals, said: "This agreement forms part of our strategy of reducing the portfolio of mature medicines to enable reinvestment in our main therapy areas, accelerating the number of innovative new medicines for patients with high unmet medical need. We already have an excellent relationship with Cheplapharm, and their strong European presence and global distribution network will help ensure continued patient access to Losec." AstraZeneca will continue to manufacture and supply Losec and its associated medicines and commercialize the medicine in markets where it still holds the rights. Cheplapharm will pay AstraZeneca approximately $243M on completion of the agreement, plus sales-contingent milestones of up to $33M in 2021 and 2022. Income arising from the upfront payment will be reported in the company's financial statements in 2019 as Other Operating Income. In 2018, Losec sales in the countries covered by this agreement were $98M, the majority of which were in Emerging Markets. The agreement does not change the company's financial guidance for 2019. As there were no closing considerations to the transaction, the agreement became effective upon signing.

07:09 EDT Oncolytics says data from AWARE-1 study to be presented at SITC - Oncolytics Biotech announced the acceptance of an abstract highlighting data from the AWARE-1 study to be presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer. The 34th Annual SITC Meeting will be held November 6-10, 2019 at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. The abstract, A window-of-opportunity Study of pelareorep in Early Breast Cancer, was authored by AWARE-1 principal investigator, Aleix Prat, et al. Dr. Prat is Head of Medical Oncology at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Associate Professor of the University of Barcelona and the Head of the Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Group at August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute and member of Oncolytics' Scientific Advisory Board.

07:07 EDT Ford, Mahindra & Mahindra announce joint venture to distribute Ford in India - Mahindra & Mahindra and Ford have signed a definitive agreement to create a joint venture, valued at $275M, that will develop, market and distribute Ford brand vehicles in India and Ford brand and Mahindra brand vehicles in emerging markets around the world. Mahindra and Ford will form a joint venture, with Mahindra owning a 51% controlling stake and Ford owning a 49% stake. Ford will transfer its India operations to the joint venture, including its personnel and assembly plants in Chennai and Sanand. Ford will retain the Ford engine plant operations in Sanand as well as the global business services unit, Ford Credit and Ford Smart Mobility. The joint venture is the next step in the strategic alliance forged between Ford and Mahindra in September 2017 and is expected to be operational by mid-2020, subject to regulatory approvals. The joint venture will be operationally managed by Mahindra, and its governance will be equally composed of representatives of Mahindra and Ford. The joint venture will be responsible for growing the Ford brand in India and exporting its products to Ford entities globally. Ford will continue to own the Ford brand and its branded vehicles will be distributed through the current Ford India dealer network. Mahindra will continue to own the Mahindra brand and operate its own independent dealer network in India. The joint venture expects to introduce three new utility vehicles under the Ford brand, beginning with a new midsize sports utility vehicle that will have a common Mahindra product platform and powertrain. Another area of focus for the joint venture will be electric vehicles. Ford and Mahindra will collaborate to develop vehicles to support the growth of sustainable mobility across emerging markets. In addition, the joint venture will be a catalyst for growth for the Ford and Mahindra brands in emerging markets, which are growing at double the rate of the global industry. The joint venture will use the Ford brand distribution network in emerging markets to extend support for export of Mahindra products, in addition to Ford branded vehicles. Exports form about 7% of Mahindra's auto business revenues and its products are exported to South Africa, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Chile, among other nations and areas.

07:06 EDT Dorel Industries suspends dividends citing increased U.S. tariffs - Dorel Industries announced that the impact of increased U.S. imposed tariffs as well as a review of the preliminary third quarter results have prompted Dorel's Board of Directors to suspend its dividend. The dividend declared on August 2, 2019 is not affected and will be paid on October 2, 2019. This past May, a second round of increases on Chinese imports, including furniture, bicycles and other goods, brought tariffs to 25%. This is having a much greater impact on the business than the original implementation of 10% introduced a year ago. Another factor affecting the third quarter is that some of Dorel's large U.S. customers have delayed Christmas 2019 deliveries to the beginning of the fourth quarter. In addition, the recent rise in value of the U.S. dollar has had a negative impact on Dorel's Sports and Juvenile segments as major currencies that affect Dorel's financial results dropped between 3% and 8%. Tariffs have also impacted Dorel Sports' mass merchant business. Although sales have remained strong, the mix has been negative, and gross margins are lower. Sales in the independent bicycle dealer and Sporting Goods channels have remained strong and the outlook remains positive. Dorel further announced that it has amended its senior secured revolving credit facilities and term loan. The amendment is intended to facilitate compliance by Dorel with its financial covenants under the credit facilities. Dorel will announce third quarter results on November 8, 2019.

07:04 EDT WPP appoints John Rogers as CFO - WPP announces the appointment of John Rogers as CFO. Rogers is currently CEO of Sainsbury's Argos. He was CFO of J Sainsbury plc from 2010 to 2016. John will join WPP in early 2020, when he will also become a member of the board. He succeeds Group Finance Director Paul Richardson, who as previously announced is retiring from the company.

07:03 EDT Karyopharm reports inducement grants under Nasdaq listing rule - Karyopharm Therapeutics announced that the Compensation Committee of Karyopharm's Board of Directors granted stock options to purchase an aggregate of 130,500 shares of Karyopharm's common stock to fourteen newly-hired employees, with a grant date of September 30, 2019. The stock options were granted as inducements material to the new employees entering into employment with Karyopharm in accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). Each of the stock options has an exercise price of $9.62 per share, the closing price of Karyopharm's common stock on September 30, 2019. Each stock option vests over four years, with 25% of the original number of shares underlying the stock option vesting on the one-year anniversary of the applicable employee's employment commencement date and an additional 1/48th of the shares vesting monthly thereafter, subject to the employee's continued service as an employee of, or other service provider to, Karyopharm through the applicable vesting dates. In addition, each stock option will be immediately exercisable in full if, on or prior to the first anniversary of the consummation of a "change in control event," the employee's employment is terminated for "good reason" by the employee or terminated without "cause" by Karyopharm.

07:02 EDT Rockwell Automation acquires MESTECH Services - Rockwell Automation announced that it has acquired MESTECH Services, a provider of Manufacturing Execution Systems / Manufacturing Operations Management, digital solutions consulting, and systems integration services. The transaction is not expected to have a material impact on Rockwell's 2020 financial results.

07:01 EDT HCP announces series of transactions with Brookdale - HCP, Inc. (HCP) announced several transactions with Brookdale Senior Living (BKD) related to HCP's 15-campus CCRC JV and triple-net portfolio with Brookdale that the company said will position HCP to improve operator diversification, acquire Brookdale's interest in 12 CCRC campuses and strengthen the remaining Brookdale triple-net portfolio. HCP will acquire Brookdale's 51% joint venture interest in 12 entry fee CCRCs with 5,641 units for $510M. HCP will then own a 100% interest. HCP and Brookdale agree to terminate management agreements on the 12 CCRCs, and HCP to transition management from Brookdale to Life Care Services under a highly incentivized contract. HCP will pay a $100M termination fee to Brookdale, or approximately 5x annual management fee, and reset management fee with LCS, resulting in approximately $7M annual savings. HCP and Brookdale will jointly market for sale to third parties the remaining three CCRCs in the existing joint venture. Brookdale will acquire 18 triple-net leased properties from HCP for $405M, representing a 7.4% lease yield on trailing twelve month rent as of June 30, 2019. These 18 triple-net leased properties had a 0.86x rent coverage after management fee as of June 30, 2019. HCP and Brookdale agree to restructure the 24 remaining Brookdale triple-net leased properties into a single master lease with 2.4% annual escalators with a maturity date on December 31, 2027, and pro forma rent coverage of ~1.1x after management fee and ~1.3x before management fee. HCP will provide up to $35M capital investment in remaining triple-net portfolio over a 5-year term and receive a 7% initial return on the invested capital. HCP and Brookdale agree to terminate agreements related to one Brookdale triple-net leased property with 1.0x rent coverage after management fee, to be converted to SHOP upon transition of management to LCS, and one SHOP property to be marketed for sale to third parties. These transactions are expected to reduce HCP's Brookdale concentration from 16% to 8% of cash NOI on a pro forma basis. The acquisition of Brookdale's 51% interest in the 12 CCRCs, the transitions to LCS, and the asset sales to Brookdale are expected to close in 1Q 2020, subject to customary closing conditions. The asset sales to third parties are expected to close over the next 12 to 18 months. "We are pleased with the outcome of this mutually beneficial transaction, which reflects the collaboration and partnership we share with Brookdale. This transaction will allow HCP to improve its operator diversification, as well as strengthen its remaining Brookdale triple-net portfolio," said Tom Herzog, President and CEO of HCP.

06:58 EDT Quarterhill CEO Doug Parker resigns - Quarterhill announced that Doug Parker has resigned as president and CEO of Quarterhill effective immediately. Parker has also resigned as a board member of the company. The board has begun a process to appoint a new CEO and further updates will made in due course. In the interim and until such time as a new president and CEO of Quarterhill is appointed, the CEOs of the company's three main subsidiaries and certain other senior executives will report directly to the board. A little over two years ago the company announced a new strategy of diversifying beyond its patent licensing business and shortly thereafter announced two initial acquisitions. These initial acquisitions were Viziya which is focused on enterprise software and International Road Dynamics which is in the intelligent transportation space. Based on his acquisition track record, the company hired Parker at the beginning of January 2018 to accelerate the company's diversification efforts. Since that time, although the company has not closed any new transactions, it has built out its M&A capabilities, expanded its acquisition pipeline, and improved expense control in certain areas. The board continues to believe that a diversification and acquisition strategy is appropriate and the business has continued to generate cash flow which can be reinvested. At this time the board is carefully reviewing its target areas for investment and best ways to allocate capital.

06:55 EDT Lannett enters into distribution agreement for generic ADVAIR DISKUS - Lannett announced that it has entered into an exclusive U.S. distribution agreement for the therapeutically equivalent generic of ADVAIR DISKUS of Respirent Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. Under the agreement, Lannett will commence U.S. distribution of the product after FDA approval. Lannett will make an upfront payment, as well as future milestone payments, and receive a portion of the net profits once it commences distribution of the product. The term of the agreement is 10 years, which begins upon commencement of distribution. Other terms were not disclosed.

06:50 EDT Ocwen comments court ruling issued for Florida complaint - Ocwen Financial issued a statement in response to the ruling issued on September 30 by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on the Company's motion to dismiss the complaint of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation and the Florida Attorney General. The Court granted in part Ocwen's motion to dismiss and provided Florida until October 19 to file an amended complaint. "We are pleased that the district court dismissed three counts from the Florida case entirely and dismissed all of Florida's remaining claims without prejudice. Ocwen will continue to vigorously defend itself should Florida refile and continue to pursue claims against us. We are committed to our mission of creating positive outcomes for homeowners and communities, and we believe that Ocwen's servicing practices have and continue to result in substantial benefits to consumers."

06:38 EDT CoStar Group sees STR acquisition adding $3M-$4M in revenue in Q4 - STR revenue for 2019 is expected to be approximately $64M and EBITDA is estimated at approximately $16M, for an EBITDA margin of 25%. CoStar expects that within the next three to four years, the investments in new products and growth focus of the combined businesses will generate annual revenue growth above 20%, approximately two times the current growth rate, and profit margins in line with CoStar's long-term goal of 40% adjusted EBITDA margins by 2023. Based on preliminary estimates and assuming a November close, the company expects that STR will contribute between $3M-$4M in revenue in the fourth quarter. "Due to the impact of integration costs and purchase accounting adjustments for deferred revenue, we expect STR will be slightly dilutive on a non-GAAP net income per share basis in the fourth quarter of 2019."

06:31 EDT CoStar Group to acquire STR for $450M - CoStar Group announced that it plans to acquire STR for $450M in cash, subject to adjustments in the definitive agreements. The transaction is expected to close in the Q4, subject to customary closing conditions. STR is headquartered in Hendersonville, Tennessee and has 370 employees in 15 countries.

06:21 EDT Credit Suisse clears CEO Thiam of spying on star banker Iqbal Khan - The Board of Directors of Credit Suisse (CS) took note of the results of the investigation into the observation of Iqbal Khan, which Homburger, attorneys-at-law, conducted on behalf of the Board of Directors. The key findings of this investigation are the following: On August 29, 2019, when UBS (UBS) announced the employment of Iqbal Khan, Credit Suisse's COO ordered the Credit Suisse Head of Global Security Services to initiate the observation of Iqbal Khan. During the Homburger investigation, the COO said that he alone, in order to protect the interests of the bank, decided to initiate the observation of Iqbal Khan, and that he did not discuss it with Credit Suisse's CEO, any other member of Credit Suisse's Executive Board, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Credit Suisse or the Chairman of its Audit Committee. The Homburger investigation did not identify any indication that the CEO had approved the observation of Iqbal Khan nor that he was aware of it prior to September 18, 2019, after the observation had been aborted. Neither the Homburger investigation nor the observation of Iqbal Khan identified any evidence that Iqbal Khan had attempted to poach employees or clients away from Credit Suisse, contrary to his contractual obligations. The Board of Directors appreciates taking appropriate measures to protect the company's interests, including when senior employees leave the company. However, the Board of Directors considers that the mandate for the observation of Iqbal Khan was wrong and disproportionate and has resulted in severe reputational damage to the bank. The COO assumed responsibility for this matter and submitted his resignation to the Board of Directors, which has been accepted with immediate effect. The bank has also accepted the resignation with immediate effect of the Head of Global Security Services.

06:16 EDT Credit Suisse clears CEO Thiam of spying star banker Iqbal Khan - The Board of Directors of Credit Suisse (CS) took note of the results of the investigation into the observation of Iqbal Khan, which Homburger, attorneys-at-law, conducted on behalf of the Board of Directors. The key findings of this investigation are the following: On August 29, 2019, when UBS (UBS) announced the employment of Iqbal Khan, Credit Suisse's COO ordered the Credit Suisse Head of Global Security Services to initiate the observation of Iqbal Khan. During the Homburger investigation, the COO said that he alone, in order to protect the interests of the bank, decided to initiate the observation of Iqbal Khan, and that he did not discuss it with Credit Suisse's CEO, any other member of Credit Suisse's Executive Board, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Credit Suisse or the Chairman of its Audit Committee. The Homburger investigation did not identify any indication that the CEO had approved the observation of Iqbal Khan nor that he was aware of it prior to September 18, 2019, after the observation had been aborted. Neither the Homburger investigation nor the observation of Iqbal Khan identified any evidence that Iqbal Khan had attempted to poach employees or clients away from Credit Suisse, contrary to his contractual obligations. The Board of Directors appreciates taking appropriate measures to protect the company's interests, including when senior employees leave the company. However, the Board of Directors considers that the mandate for the observation of Iqbal Khan was wrong and disproportionate and has resulted in severe reputational damage to the bank. The COO assumed responsibility for this matter and submitted his resignation to the Board of Directors, which has been accepted with immediate effect. The bank has also accepted the resignation with immediate effect of the Head of Global Security Services.

05:55 EDT TSMC files complaints against GlobalFoundries for alleged patent infringement - TSMC filed multiple lawsuits on September 30 against GlobalFoundries in the United States, Germany and Singapore for its ongoing infringement of 25 TSMC patents by at least its 40nm, 28nm, 22nm, 14nm, and 12nm node processes. In the complaints, TSMC demands injunctions to stop GlobalFoundries' manufacture and sale of infringing semiconductor products. TSMC also seeks substantial monetary damages from GlobalFoundries for its sale of infringing semiconductor products and unlawful use of TSMC's patented semiconductor technologies. The 25 TSMC patents in the complaints relate to a diverse set of technologies, including FinFET designs, shallow trench isolation techniques, double patterning methods, advanced seal rings and gate structures, and innovative contact etch stop layer designs. These specific technologies cover the core features of mature and advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes. The patents at issue comprise just a small portion of TSMC's extensive portfolio that numbers more than 37,000 granted patents worldwide. "TSMC's patents reflect decades and tens of billions of dollars of investments in innovation, resulting in TSMC's significant contribution to advancements in semiconductor manufacturing technology," said Sylvia Fang, Vice President and General Counsel for TSMC. "TSMC's lawsuits seek to protect our reputation, our significant investments, our nearly 500 customers, and consumers worldwide to ensure everyone benefits from the most advanced semiconductor technologies that enable a wide range of applications such as mobile, 5G, AI, IoT and high performance computing, which are critically important to the public interest."

05:45 EDT CUI Global sells electromechanical components business - CUI Global announced that it has completed the sale of the electromechanical components business of its Power and Electromechanical segment, or P&EM, to a private entity for total consideration of $15 million, comprised of approximately $4.7 million cash paid at closing, the retirement of approximately $5.3 million promissory note, and a guaranteed five-year earnout receivable note of $5.0 million issued by the buyer to CUI Global. The electromechanical business accounted for approximately 36% of P&EM segment revenues of $76.4 million in 2018. Upon the closing of the transaction CUI Global will retain within the P&EM segment its Power business, including an approximate 20% equity interest in Virtual Power Systems.

05:18 EDT SPI Energy announces sale of Sun Roof II, Sun Roof V solar projects in Italy - SPI Energy announced the closing on the sale of Sun Roof II and Sun Roof V to Theia Investments. Sun Roof II, comprised of three rooftop solar projects totaling 1.83 MW located in Sassari, Italy, and Sun Roof V, a 1 MW rooftop solar project located in Cisterna di Latina, Italy, have been in operation since 2012. Theia paid approximately EUR 5.4M to complete the transaction. The Company will use the proceeds to fund its strategic investments in green industries with significant growth and earnings potential, such as hemp and alfafa cultivation and CBD processing; and for other general working capital purposes.