Stockwinners Market Radar for January 17, 2020 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

18:00 EST Celanese announces acetyl intermediates price increases - Celanese Corporation will increase list and off-list selling prices for vinyl acetate monomer products. The price increases are for orders shipped and will be effective immediately, or as contracts otherwise allow, and are incremental to any previously announced increases.

17:01 EST Akers Biosciences reaches settlement agreements on two derivative actions - Akers Biosciences announced that it reached a settlement agreement to settle two shareholder derivative actions: Watts v. Gormally, et al., No. 2:18-15992 and Chan v. Gormally, et al., No. 2:19-cv-4989. As previously reported, on October 2, 2019, the plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary approval of the settlement. On January 8, 2020, the court entered an order that, among other things, granted preliminary approval of the settlement, approved the form and content of the parties' proposed notice of the settlement, directed the company to issue a press release containing the information in that notice by today, and scheduled a hearing on May 28, 2020 to consider final approval of the settlement. Accordingly, below are the contents of the court-approved notice of the proposed settlement.

16:18 EST Apellis CEO sells 30.6K shares of common stock - In a regulatory filing, Apellis disclosed that its CEO Cedric Francois sold 30.6K shares of common stock on January 15th.

15:46 EST Fitch downgrades Boeing to 'A-'/'F2' with stable outlook - Fitch Ratings has downgraded the Boeing Company's long-term ratings to 'A-' from 'A' and short-term ratings to 'F2' from 'F1'. Boeing Capital's long-term ratings have also been downgraded to 'A-' from 'A'. "The downgrade is based on continued regulatory risk regarding the timing and global sequencing of the 737 MAX's return-to-commercial service. The logistical challenge of returning the planes to service and catching up on deliveries also drives the rating change, particularly considering the risk of rising supplier challenges with an extended 737 MAX production suspension. BA's substantial debt build-up over the past nine months is another downgrade factor. There is also uncertainty over the ultimate amount of concessions BA will make to airlines, with additional training requirements potentially adding to previous expectations. The MAX situation, including recently-released internal emails, is also likely to increase business risk from fines, litigation, weakened competitive position or reputation damage. The Stable Outlook reflects the performance of Boeing's other businesses, which provide significant support at the current rating level," Fitch stated.

14:39 EST Lattice Semiconductor rises as link to Apple acquisition highlighted - Following a report from GeekWire's Alan Boyle, Taylor Soper and Todd Bishop on Wednesday that Apple (AAPL) has acquired Seattle startup Xnor.ai, which specializes in low-power, edge-based artificial intelligence tools, traders are citing a follow-up report yesterday from EETimes that highlighted that Xnor's demos included "state of the art person detection using deep learning on a $2-FPGA," specifically the Lattice Semiconductor (LSCC) ECP5, as a reason for the latter stock's strength. As this link between Apple's reportedly acquired Xnor.ai and Lattice gets circulated among traders, shares of Lattice are up 7% to $22.78 in Friday afternoon trading. Reference Link

14:06 EST Lawmakers urge FTC to investigate Envestnet over sale of financial data - Several U.S. lawmakers, including Senators Ron Wyden and Sherrod Brown and Representative Anne Eshoo, have sent a letter to Federal Trade Commission chairman Joseph J. Simons urging the FTC to investigate Envestnet to "determine whether the company's sale of sensitive financial transaction data form tens of millions of Americans violates the FTC Act." The letter notes that Envestnet operates Yodlee, the biggest consumer financial data aggregator in the U.S., and that fintech apps, banks, and other companies use Yodlee and other data aggregators to access, collect, and analyze transaction data from a consumers' bank, credit card, and other financial accounts with the consumer's consent. The lawmakers added that Envestnet sells access to consumer data, and that such data is "highly sensitive." "Consumers generally have no idea of the risks to their privacy that Envestnet is imposing on them," the letter reads. "Envestnet does not inform consumers that it is collecting and selling their personal financial data." The lawmakers said that Envestnet provides protection that is "not sufficient" for users, and that the company "does not appear to take any steps" to ensure that its partners provide consumers with such notice. Reference Link

13:04 EST Baker Hughes reports U.S. rig count up 15 to 796 rigs - Baker Hughes reports that the U.S. rig count is up 15 rigs from last week to 796, with oil rigs up 14 to 673, gas rigs up 1 to 120, and miscellaneous rigs unchanged at 3. The U.S. Rig Count is down 254 rigs from last year's count of 1,050, with oil rigs down 179, gas rigs down 78, and miscellaneous rigs up 3 to 3. The U.S. Offshore Rig Count is down 1 to 20 and up 1 rig year-over-year. The Canada Rig Count is up 41 rigs from last week to 244, with oil rigs up 32 to 152 and gas rigs up 9 to 92. The Canada Rig Count is up 35 rigs from last year's count of 209, with oil rigs up 24 and gas rigs up 11.

13:01 EST Baker Hughes reports U.S. rig count up 15 to 796 rigs

12:36 EST Toyota provides outline of production alignment through 2022 - To "improve the operational speed, competitiveness and transformation at its North American vehicle assembly plants based on platforms and common architectures," Toyota Motor North America will complete the following alignments by 2022. Toyota Indiana: TMMI will focus on production of mid-size SUVs and minivans including the Toyota Highlander, Highlander Hybrid and the Toyota Sienna. TMMI will cease production of the Toyota Sequoia by 2022. Toyota Texas: Toyota Texas will focus on production of full-size body-on-frame trucks and SUVs. It will continue to assemble the Toyota Tundra and will begin assembly of the Toyota Sequoia starting in 2022. TMMTX will cease production of the Toyota Tacoma by late-2021. Production capacity at TMMTX remains at 208,000 units annually, and last summer, it announced a $391M new investment for multi-vehicle production capabilities. The facility's total investment tops $3B; employment is 3,200. Toyota Guanajuanto, Mexico: Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Baja California has been assembling Tacomas since 2004. In December 2019, Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Guanajuato also began assembly of the Tacoma; both plants will continue to focus on production of mid-size trucks. Production capacity at TMMGT remains at 100,000 units per year; employment is 1,000. As a result of this production alignment, there will be no reduction to direct jobs at any of Toyota's facilities across North America.

12:22 EST Microsoft to launch global ad campaign for Teams, CNBC reports - Microsoft (MSFT) will unveil a major ad campaign for its work-communication app Teams which has been competing with Slack (WORK) for dominance in the work chat space, CNBC's Megan Graham reports, citing Jared Spataro, corporate VP for Microsoft 365. The global campaign, which was worked on by Interpublic's (IPG) McCann, will aim to sell "The Power of Teams" and will launch in the U.S. during NFL playoffs Sunday and will include television ads, podcasts, digital and out-of-home placements. Reference Link

12:00 EST Walmart U.S. names Scott McCall incoming Chief Merchandising Officer - Scott McCall is the incoming chief merchandising officer for Walmart U.S., the company confirmed on its corporate website. He began his career with Walmart as an hourly management trainee at store 1074 in Grenada, Mississippi, more than 25 years ago. He later moved to Bentonville, Arkansas, in an operational role for Walmart before becoming a merchandise buyer. His appointment is effective as of February 1. Reference Link

12:00 EST United Natural Foods falls -8.8% - United Natural Foods is down -8.8%, or -83c to $8.51.

12:00 EST Coeur Mining falls -15.1% - Coeur Mining is down -15.1%, or -$1.06 to $5.97.

12:00 EST LSB Industries rises 9.3% - LSB Industries is up 9.3%, or 37c to $4.35.

11:58 EST Walmart names Meng Chee as incoming Chief Product Officer - Meng Chee has been named Walmart's (WMT) first executive vice president and chief product officer. This new role will focus on delivering outstanding customer experiences and leveraging today's technology to do it. Meng comes to Walmart from JPMorgan Chase (JPM) where he served as managing director, head of digital customer experience. His appointment is effective as of February 1. Reference Link

11:36 EST Walmart U.S. names Dacona Smith as incoming COO - Walmart U.S. says Dacona Smith is its incoming executive vice president and COO. He most recently served as executive vice president and COO for Sam's Club where he was responsible for the operations of nearly 600 Sam's Clubs in the United States and Puerto Rico. His appointment is effective as of February 1. Reference Link

10:22 EST State Street management 'confident in capital position' - Comment from Q4 earnings conference call.

10:07 EST 2U jumps 5.5% after Bloomberg says company working on strategic review - Shares of 2U Inc. have jumped 5.5% to $22.96 in early trading after Bloomberg said the company is working with financial advisors on a strategic review and is weighing a potential sale as it sees pressure from an activist investor.

10:00 EST VelocityShares 3x Long Natural Gas ETN falls -6.6% - VelocityShares 3x Long Natural Gas ETN is down -6.6%, or -$4.09 to $57.75.

10:00 EST Coeur Mining falls -10.0% - Coeur Mining is down -10.0%, or -70c to $6.33.

10:00 EST Bloom Energy rises 7.0% - Bloom Energy is up 7.0%, or 65c to $9.93.

09:47 EST Pinterest rises 3.1% - Pinterest is up 3.1%, or 70c to $23.65.

09:47 EST VelocityShares 3x Inv Natural Gas ETN rises 6.2% - VelocityShares 3x Inv Natural Gas ETN is up 6.2%, or $13.12 to $223.50.

09:34 EST Intercept says PDUFA date for obeticholic acid NDA extended to June 26 - In a regulatory filing earlier, Intercept Pharmaceuticals disclosed that the company previously announced on December 13, 2019, that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had notified the company that it was tentatively scheduling an advisory committee meeting relating to the Company's New Drug Application for obeticholic acid in liver fibrosis due to NASH for April 22, 2020. Given that this tentative date for the advisory committee meeting would take place after the previously announced March 26, 2020 Prescription Drug User Fee Act, or "PDUFA," target action date, the company anticipated that the FDA would notify it of an extension to the PDUFA target action date. On January 15, 2020, the FDA notified the company that, pursuant to a major amendment, the FDA has extended the PDUFA target action date to June 26, 2020. "This typical three-month extension provides the time needed to accommodate the advisory committee meeting and for the FDA to complete its review of the company's NDA, including additional information provided in response to FDA requests," Intercept stated.

09:18 EST Southern Missouri Bancorp, Central Federal Bancshares to merge in $24M deal - Southern Missouri Bancorp and Central Federal Bancshares announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement whereby Southern Missouri will acquire Central in an all-cash transaction. As part of the transaction, Central Federal will be merged with and into Southern Bank. Central operates one location in Rolla, Missouri. At September 30, 2019, Central's consolidated assets were $69M, including loans, net of allowance, of $53M, while deposits totaled $46 million. Southern Missouri operates 47 locations in Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois, and reported consolidated assets at September 30, 2019, of approximately $2.3B, including loans, net, of $1.9 B, and total deposits of $1.9. Under the terms of the merger agreement, unanimously approved by the boards of directors of Central and Southern Missouri, Central shareholders will receive $15.90 in cash for each share of Central common stock, subject to adjustment for Central's capital at closing. The deal is valued at approximately $24M, inclusive of the retirement of debt outstanding under Central's Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The deal value is intended to approximate 100% of Central's expected book value, adjusted for certain transaction expenses, at closing. "Tangible book value per common share is expected to be diluted by slightly less than 1% at closing, with a projected earnback period of approximately two years, based on the crossover method," noted CEO Greg Steffens. "Excluding nonrecurring transaction-related expenses, the acquisition is anticipated to be accretive to earnings per share within six months of closing, but even after fully achieving our projected cost savings, which are targeted at 50%, accretion will only improve earnings per share by a negligible amount. While this is a very low-risk transaction for us, its ultimate success will be based not on these near-term statistics, but on our ability to meaningfully grow Central's role in the Rolla market over time. As the home to the Missouri University of Science and Technology, a nationally-recognized, highly-selective institution focusing on a number of fields of study that will drive economic growth in coming decades, we see the Rolla community as poised for growth and one where we expect our products and services to be well-received." Southern Missouri and Central anticipate completion of the transaction late in the second calendar quarter of 2020, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory and shareholder approvals.

09:06 EST Taronis Technologies announces media coverage of joint venture - Taronis Technologies announced that the Company's former subsidiary, Taronis Fuels, has gained major regional media attention as a variety of top Turkish news sources launch digital coverage of the joint venture between Taronis and the Republic of Turkey that will make MagneGas the premier metal cutting fuel of the country. Among the media outlets that covered the partnership are two of the country's most widely circulated publications, Sabah and Haberturk. Coverage also came from Yenienerji, ChemLife, ICT Media, Para & Borsa, and PiyasaninDurumu. Additionally, GasWorld released an article on the joint venture.

09:05 EST Bank of Commerce Holdings reports Q4 EPS 24c, two est. 25c - Randall Eslick, President and CEO commented: "We are pleased to report that 2019 was another solid year for the company. We are proud of our high quality assets, the successful acquisition and integration of Merchants National Bank and the widespread acceptance of our new name, Merchants Bank of Commerce. Thanks to the hard work of our dedicated employees our company remains well positioned for continued success." Net interest margin decreased to 3.80% compared to 3.93% for the same period in the prior year. The Company's efficiency ratio was 58.7% compared to 65.1% for the same period in the prior year. Book value per common share was $9.62 at December 31, 2019 compared to $9.42 at September 30, 2019. Tangible book value per common share was $8.71 at December 31, 2019 compared to $8.51 at September 30, 2019.

09:02 EST China XD Plastics granted extension to regain Nasdaq compliance - China XD Plastics announced that it has received the formal notification from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market informing the company that since the company filed its definitive proxy statement with the SEC on January 14, and set February 11 as the date for its annual meeting of shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, it has been granted an extension until February 18 to regain compliance with Listing Rule 5620(a), which requires that the company hold an annual meeting of shareholders within twelve months of the end of the company's fiscal year end.

08:36 EST Innovation Pharmaceuticals announces dose escalation in Phase 1 trial - Innovation Pharmaceuticals announced that the Company has received agreement from the study's Dose Escalation Committee to progress dosing to the second cohort in its Phase 1 trial to investigate the use of delayed release tablets for colonic delivery of Brilacidin in healthy volunteers. Safety findings from the first cohort were reviewed by the DEC. The Principal Medical Investigator and Sponsor agreed it acceptable to increase the dose of Brilacidin for administration to a second cohort per trial design. Dosing of the second cohort is scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, 2020. Dosing of the third and final cohort is anticipated to be completed by the end of January, with topline data to follow shortly thereafter. In this Phase 1 clinical trial, nine subjects will be enrolled in the single-center, randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled, single dose-escalation trial, three subjects per cohort. In each cohort, two subjects will receive Brilacidin and one subject will receive placebo. Assessments will include the safety, toleration, and pharmacokinetics of oral Brilacidin, and whether the drug is being dispersed directly in the colon through the use of delayed release tablets, as assessed by gamma scintigraphy.

08:33 EST Panhandle Oil & Gas appoints Interim CEO Chad Stephens as CEO - Panhandle appointed Chad Stephens as CEO. Stephens was previously Interim CEO and currently serves as a member of Panhandle's board of directors. Stephens was the Senior VP of Corporate Development at Range Resources from 2002 until his retirement on Dec. 31, 2018. Stephens joined Range Resources in 1990 as Senior VP - Southwest.

08:14 EST Tetra Bio Pharma granted two OTC Drug Identification Numbers by Health Canada - Tetra Bio Pharma announced that Health Canada has granted two Drug Identification Numbers for the first over-the-counter products to be marketed under its TERPACAN banner. Tetra is in the process of finalizing supply, sales and distribution agreements with several companies, and anticipates launching TERPACAN products in Canadian pharmacy retail outlets by mid-2020. Additionally, Tetra will launch these products into the American and European markets in 2020, once it receives final marketing authorization in those countries. In preparation for a late 2020 launch in the United States, Tetra is in the process of finalizing a supply agreement with a contract manufacturer to establish manufacturing, and obtaining a National Drug Code number for each drug, a requirement for all OTC drugs sold in the United States. TERPACAN is a topical formulation that will be used for the treatment of hemorrhoids, an itchy, painful and common condition affecting thousands of Canadians. TERPACAN is indicated for the temporary relief of aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with backache, lumbago, strains, bruises, sprains, arthritic or rheumatic pain and pain of tendons and ligaments.

08:11 EST Catalyst Biosciences appoints Geoffrey Shiu Fei Ling, Sharon Tetlow to board - Catalyst Biosciences announced the appointment of Geoffrey Shiu Fei Ling, M.D. and Sharon Tetlow to the Company's Board of Directors, effective January 15, 2020. Tetlow is Managing Partner and Founder of Potrero Hill Advisors. Ling is a Professor of Neurology and Attending Neuro Critical Care Physician at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and the Emeritus Professor of Neurology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Science. In connection with this announcement, the Company also announced that it has entered into an agreement with JDS1, LLC. As part of the agreement, JDS1, LLC will vote all of its shares in favor of each of the Company's nominees at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and will abide by customary standstill provisions and voting commitments. Jeff Himawan, Ph.D. and John P. Richard will not stand for reelection at the Company's 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

08:07 EST UMH Properties expands board to 11 with appointment of Amy Lynn Butewicz - UMH Properties announced that, on January 15, 2020, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the size of the Board from 10 to 11 directors and appointed Dr. Amy Lynn Butewicz as a Class I Director for the term of Class I expiring in 2022. Butewicz is a pharmacist and realtor licensed in New Jersey, and currently serves as a council member on the Millstone Township Agricultural Advisory Council and the Millstone Township Open Space and Farmland Preservation Council.

08:06 EST RMR Group announces 19,764 sq. ft. of leasing in Texas - RMR Group (RMR) announced that Conroe Willis Family Medicine recently signed a lease to renew occupancy of its 15,055 square foot suite and expand by an additional 4,709 square feet, for a total of 19,764 square feet of space at the League Line Medical Office Building. The property is a three-story, 59,222 square foot Class-A medical office building located at 4015 Interstate 45 in Conroe, Texas. It currently has approximately 15,000 square feet of contiguous space available in an open layout that can accommodate single or multi-tenant layouts. Situated on I-45 with premier freeway visibility, the League Line Medical Office Building offers tenants direct highway access to The Woodlands and Houston. The property is owned by Diversified Healthcare Trust (DHC) and managed by RMR Group, which manages DHC and is the majority owned operating subsidiary of RMR Group.

08:03 EST Vail Resorts backs FY20 Resort Reported EBITDA guidance - Given the strong conditions last year, the initial guidance for fiscal year 2020 incorporated the possibility of a slower start to the season. While challenging results at Whistler Blackcomb and Stevens Pass have put downward pressure on overall results, the company expects Resort Reported EBITDA for fiscal year 2020 to be within the guidance range issued on September 26, 2019 given strong season pass sales, results through the holiday period and the recently improved conditions at Whistler Blackcomb and Stevens Pass. The company's guidance assumes continued normal conditions at the resorts, a continuation of the current economic environment and the foreign currency rates in place when the guidance was originally issued.

08:03 EST Foamix announces OrbiMed's support of Menlo Therapeutics merger - Foamix Pharmaceuticals (FOMX) announced that OrbiMed Advisors, a significant shareholder of the Company, intends to vote in favor of the proposed merger with Menlo Therapeutics (MNLO) at the Company's upcoming extraordinary general meeting of shareholders. OrbiMed expressed its support for the transaction in a press release issued on January 16, 2020. Perceptive Advisors LLC, the Company's largest shareholder, previously signed a voting agreement on November 10, 2019 to vote its Foamix shares in favor of the merger at the meeting.

08:00 EST Wingstop targets mid-single digit SSS growth over the next 3-5 years - As part of its Investor Day presentation released yesterday, Wingstop says it is targeting mid-single-digit same-store sales growth, over 10% annual unit growth, and accelerated international G&A investment of $4M-$7M. The company also targets long-term SSS growth in low single digits and annual unit growth of over 10%. Reference Link

07:47 EST State Street up 4% after reporting Q4 results

07:41 EST State Street reports Q4 NII $636M vs. $697M last year

07:38 EST State Street reports Q4 AUM $3.12B vs. $2.51B last year

07:31 EST Equifax increasing ownership of Indian JV subsidiary to 100% - Equifax has signed a definitive agreement to increase its ownership of Equifax Credit Information Services to 100%. ECIS is an Indian credit information company. Since 2010, ECIS has operated as a joint venture between Equifax and Indian financial institutions, including State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Kotak Mahindra Prime, Sundaram Finance and Union Bank of India. Following this transaction, ECIS will be 100% owned by Equifax.

07:23 EST Novo Nordisk's Ozempic approved by FDA for expanded CV risk reduction indication - Novo Nordisk announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a label expansion based on a supplemental New Drug Application for Ozempic for the indication of reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events including cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack, or non-fatal stroke in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, or CVD. The FDA also updated the Rybelsus label to include additional information from the PIONEER 6 CVOT demonstrating CV safety. Rybelsus demonstrated CV safety by meeting the primary endpoint of non-inferiority for the composite MACE endpoint. The proportion of patients who experienced at least one MACE was 3.8% with Rybelsus and 4.8% with placebo.

07:18 EST Durect drops 17% to $2.10 after split FDA panel vote on pain drug

07:09 EST Tailored Brands up 26% to $5.40 after sale of Joseph Abboud trademarks

07:05 EST Fastenal sees 2020 net CapEx $180M-$205M - Down from $195M-$225M in 2019. This decrease is primarily attributable to a reduction in projects that would develop and expand certain distribution center assets and, to a lesser degree, reduced fleet vehicle investment.

06:58 EST Schlumberger reports Q4 cash flow from operations $2.3B - Reports Q4 free cash flow $1.5B.

06:53 EST Schlumberger CEO says 'confident' in further cash flow generation in 2020 - Schlumberger CEO Olivier Le Peuch commented, "After a strong free cash flow performance in the second half of 2019, we are confident in our ability to further improve cash flow generation in 2020. Our focus on improved margins, capital stewardship, and careful management of working capital will continue to underpin our ability to generate improved free cash flow. All in all, we finished the year with a very solid quarter, aligned with our performance vision and our focus on returns. I am very pleased with the results, and I'm proud of the Schlumberger team that delivered this performance."

06:49 EST Brown & Brown unit acquires assets of Texas All Risk, terms not disclosed - J. Scott Penny, Chief Acquisitions Officer of Brown & Brown, and Kelly Davis, the owner of All Risk General Agency, Select General Agency, TARGA Investment Corporation, TARGA Premium Finance Company, and Texas All Risk General Agency, announced that Hull & Company, a subsidiary of Brown & Brown, has acquired substantially all of the assets of Texas All Risk.

06:46 EST Tailored Brands to sell Joseph Abboud trademarks to WHP Global for $115M - Tailored Brands and WHP Global announced that they have entered into an agreement whereby Tailored Brands will sell the Joseph Abboud trademarks to WHP for $115M. Tailored Brands has also entered into a licensing agreement with WHP for the exclusive rights to sell and rent Joseph Abboud branded apparel and related merchandise in the U.S. and Canada. Tailored Brands will continue to own and operate the factory in New Bedford, Massachusetts, that manufactures quality U.S. made tailored clothing. The agreement is expected to close by the end of March, subject to satisfaction of certain closing conditions.

06:40 EST New Gold reports preliminary Q4 production 101,423 gold eq. ounces - New Gold reported preliminary Q4 results from the Rainy River and New Afton Mines. Total production, excluding production from the Cerro San Pedro Mine, for Q4 was 101,423 gold equivalent ounces - 66,856 ounces of gold, 140,475 ounces of silver and 18.3 million pounds of copper. Total cash costs are expected to increase in the quarter and achieve the higher end of guidance of $740 to $820 per gold eq. ounce for the year. Average realized gold price was 1,366 per ounce for Q4. Sustaining capital increased significantly in the quarter, primarily related to accelerated capital spend at the Rainy River Mine and is expected to achieve the mid-range of guidance of $220 to $245 for the year. All-in-sustaining costs are expected to be higher in the quarter due to increased sustaining capital spend at the Rainy River Mine. As of the end of the quarter, the company had available liquidity of approximately $335M, including $83M in cash and cash equivalents.

06:29 EST Citizens Financial reports Q4 net interest margin 3.06% - Net interest margin of 3.06% decreased 6 basis points as a reduction in interest-earning asset yields was only partially offset by the benefit of lower funding costs given lower short-term rates. Interest-bearing deposit costs decreased 15 basis points, reflecting strong pricing discipline.

06:26 EST Citizens Financial declares an 8% increase in quarterly common stock dividend

06:01 EST Regions Financial CEO says 'well positioned to meet performance goals for 2020' - "Regions delivered strong financial results in 2019 by focusing on our customers, maintaining expense discipline and proactively managing our business to address evolving market dynamics," said John Turner, President and CEO. "Adjusted revenue grew 2 percent, the adjusted efficiency ratio improved 130 basis points, and we generated the highest pre-tax pre-provision income in over a decade. We are well positioned to meet our performance goals for 2020 by executing our strategic plan and delivering consistent, sustainable performance."

05:17 EST Fiat Chrysler confirms talks with Foxconn for JV - Fiat Chrysler (FCAU) confirmed that it is in discussions with Hon Hai Precision (HNHPF) -Foxconn- regarding the potential creation of an equal joint venture to develop and manufacture in China new generation battery electric vehicles and engage in the Internet of Vehicles, or IoV,business. The proposed cooperation, initially focused on the Chinese market, would enable the parties to bring together the capabilities of two established global leaders across the spectrum of automobile design, engineering and manufacturing and mobile software technology to focus on the growing battery electric vehicle market. The parties are in the process of signing a preliminary agreement which will govern further discussions aimed at reaching final binding agreements in the next few months. There is however no assurance that final binding agreements will be reached or will be reached in that timeframe.