Stockwinners Market Radar for February 20, 2020 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

20:46 EST BlueLinx unaware of tender offer from Bluefin, will resume trade tomorrow - The company states: "BlueLinx Holdings responded today to a press release issued by an investment firm that goes by the name of Bluefin Acquisitions, LLC. In its press release, Bluefin Acquisitions claimed that it was making a tender offer to acquire at least 35% of the Company's common stock at a price of $24.50 per share. The company was not aware of this purported offer. Upon learning of the press release and not being able to verify that it was a legitimate offer, the NYSE halted trading in the Company's stock for the remainder of the trading day. We expect that trading will resume tomorrow, February 21, when the market opens."

19:47 EST Wheaton Precious Metals reports FY19 gold output 406.6K oz. vs. 390K forecast - Reports FY19 silver output 22.5M oz. vs. 21.0M prior forecast. Sees FY20 gold output 390K-410K oz and silver output 22.0M-23.5M oz. The company states: "In 2020, gold production is forecast to remain strong primarily driven by Salobo and San Dimas. Silver production in 2020 should be stable as growth from Penasquito is expected to be partially offset by slight decreases at Antamina and Constancia due to mine planning. At Constancia, Hudbay Minerals announced that it has secured the surface rights for the Pampacancha deposit and expects to begin mining the satellite deposit in late in 2020; however, Wheaton's forecast attributable production in 2020 currently does not include any contribution from the Pampacancha deposit4. Palladium production is expected to increase in 2020 as the Blitz project at the Stillwater mine continues to ramp up. Average production over the next five years is expected to increase primarily due to continued production growth from Penasquito, Constancia and Stillwater as well as the commencement of the Voisey's Bay stream in 2021. At Penasquito, grades are expected to increase and the addition of the pyrite leach plant is anticipated to improve recoveries. At Constancia, anticipated delay payments and production from the Pampacancha deposit is included in Wheaton's five year production average. Palladium and gold production from Stillwater is expected to increase with the continued ramp up of the Blitz project which is expected to reach full capacity in 2021. In addition, effective January 1, 2021, Wheaton will be entitled to receive from Vale an amount of cobalt equal to 42.4% of the Voisey's Bay mine cobalt production. The expansion at the Salobo mine, which will increase mill throughput capacity by 50%, is also expected to begin contributing to gold production in 2023. And lastly, Wheaton does not include any production from Barrick Gold Corp.'s Pascua-Lama project or Hudbay's Rosemont project in its estimated average five-year production guidance."

19:04 EST Fly Intel: After Hours Movers - UP AFTER EARNINGS: eHealth (EHTH) up 17.7%... Aeri Pharma (AERI) up 15.1%... Zix Corp (ZIXI) up 11.9%... Bandwidth (BAND) up 11.7%... Drobox (DBX) up 10.9%... National CineMedia (NCMI) up 8.0%... Texas Roadhouse (TXRH) up 7.2%... Sprouts Farmers (SFM) up 6.1%... Globant (GLOB) up 5.1%... SSR Mining (SSRM) up 4.4%... Pro Assurance (PRA) up 3.2%... Cardtronics (CATM) up 2.4%... SBA Communications (SBAC) up 1.9%... Floor&Decor (FND) up 1.4%. ALSO HIGHER: Baudax Bio (BXRX) up 21.5% after FDA approval of Anjeso for pain management... Sprint (S) up 5.2% after modifying T-Mobile combination closing as early as Apr. 1st. DOWN AFTER EARNINGS: TrueCar (TRUE) down 23.5%... First Solar (FSLR) down 13.7%... Livent Corp (LTHM) down 13.2%... Zscaler (ZS) down 12.3%... Appian Corp (APPN) down 10.6%... Conduent (CNDT) down 9.7%... DMC Global (BOOM) down 9.7%... Puma Biotechnology (PBYI) down 8.1%... Builders FirstSource (BLDR) down 7.7%... Fastly (FSLY) down 5.7%... Boyd Gaming (BYD) down 5.0%... Envestnet (ENV) down 4.3%... CubeSmart (CUBE) down 4.1%... BJ's Restaurants (BJRI) down 3.9%... Rogers Corp (ROG) down 3.9%... Cabot Oil (COG) down 3.8%... Universal Displays (OLED) down 2.9%... Orion Engineered Carbons (OEC) down 2.6%... Nabors (NBR) down 2.6%... Covanta Holding (CVA) down 2.4%... Vici Properties (VICI) down 1.9%... Aspen Aerogels (ASPN) down 1.6%... Fitbit (FIT) down 1.2%. Movers as of 18:30ET.

18:38 EST Domino's Pizza CEO: We're really happy with the quarter on all dimensions - In an interview on CNBC's Mad Money, Domino's Pizza CEO Richard Allison discussed the company's Q4 results. Allsion said, "We're trying to grow the take out business as it has larger margins. The cost of carrying out food to the customer is getting more expensive." He noted that out of approximately 270 stores in China, only a handful are closed. The company is using "contactless delivery" in China to mitigate the coronavirus risk.

18:17 EST Prologis raises quarterly dividend by 9.4% to 58c per share - The dividend will be payable on March 31, 2020, to common stockholders of record at the close of business on March 16, 2020.

17:57 EST Pilgrim's Pride CEO says specialty products to account for larger sales portion - CEO Jayson Penn says: "While overall global market conditions including U.S. commodity chicken improved during 2019, our team members have continued to deliver on our strategy, achieving a significant increase in relative performance compared to last year and to our industry competition. Our diverse global footprint has contributed to well-balanced and more consistent results against different specific market conditions. We maintain our approach to the successful Key Customer strategy, which is the basis for our strong growth. While our product portfolio is already differentiated, we are investing to further innovate, and increase our capacities and capabilities to meet customer demand. We expect value added, specialty products to account for a meaningfully larger portion of our total results over the next few years as we continue to de-emphasize the mix of more volatile commodity sales and strengthen our margin profile."

17:53 EST Eldorado Gold sees FY20 gold production 520K-550K ounces - Eldorado Gold said it is providing detailed 2020 production and cost guidance as well as a five-year production outlook. For 2020, the Company is forecasting a third consecutive year of increasing gold production. 2020 gold production guidance is 520,000-550,000 ounces of gold (versus 395,331 ounces produced in 2019). The Company expects average cash operating costs to decline from $608 per ounce of gold sold in 2019, to $550-600 per ounce of gold sold in 2020. AISC for 2020 is forecast to be $850-$950 per ounce of gold sold, compared to $1,033 per ounce of gold sold in 2019. With the extension of Kisladag's mine life and continued operations at Lamaque, Efemcukuru and Olympias, Eldorado is forecasting five-year production from its four current operations to average over 450,000 ounces of gold per year. In addition to the updated Kisladag technical report, the Company is in the process of updating technical reports for Olympias and Efemcukuru, which will be published by the end of Q1 2020. These reports, whose effective dates will be December 31, 2019, will provide a timely update to the current Technical Reports by describing each asset's operations and long term production profile. In the case of Efemcukuru, this will result in a slight, non-material change to the existing mineral resources and reserves.

17:48 EST Hudbay Minerals says blockades in Canada may result in elevated inventories - In Canada, recent protests involving blockades of CN rail service have affected shipments of zinc metal and copper concentrate from the Manitoba operations, and may result in elevated inventories in Q1 of 2020.

17:47 EST Hudbay Minerals announces retirement of CFO David Bryson - Hudbay Minerals announced that David Bryson, Hudbay's senior VPand CFO, is retiring from the company, effective March 31, to pursue family and personal commitments. A search for a new CFO is underway, and Eugene Lei, currently Hudbay's senior VP, Corporate Development and Strategy, will act as interim CFO until the search process is concluded, after which he is expected to return to focusing on his current responsibilities.

17:25 EST Dropbox rallies 10% after Q4 results beat estimates

17:18 EST Reliance Steel sees strong operating cash flow in FY20 but not same level as F19 - The company states: "Reliance announced record cash provided by operations of $1.30 billion for 2019, which was an increase of $636.9M, or 95.8%, from $664.6M in 2018. Reliance also provided its business outlook for the first quarter of 2020 guiding to non-GAAP earnings per diluted share in the range of $2.00 to $2.10. Reliance's practice is to provide quarterly earnings guidance including anticipated volume and pricing trends in the quarter. The company does not provide annual guidance given the transactional nature of its business, including short lead times with 40% of the orders received delivered the next day, coupled with volatility in metals pricing and the cyclicality of the many end markets of its customers. During the earnings call, Reliance's CFO responded to a question about anticipated cash provided by operations for the full year 2020 by stating that a conservative minimum level of cash provided by operations could be approximately $600M. The commentary was not intended to provide guidance or establish the bottom of a range for cash provided by operations in 2020. Reliance expects strong cash provided by operations for the full year 2020, though not at the same record level as 2019 which was supported by record earnings and a $211.8M reduction in inventory."

17:16 EST T-Mobile, Sprint modify business combination agreement - T-Mobile US (TMUS) and Sprint Corporation (S) announced that they have entered into an amendment to their definitive Business Combination Agreement to create the New T-Mobile. The boards of T-Mobile and Sprint have unanimously approved the amendment. The amendment has no impact on T-Mobile's previously stated outlook on the New T-Mobile's synergies, long-term profitability and cash generation. A separate arrangement entered into by SoftBank Group Corp. in connection with the amendment will result in an effective exchange ratio of approximately 11.00 Sprint shares for each T-Mobile share immediately following the closing of the merger, an increase from the originally agreed 9.75 shares. This is a result of SoftBank agreeing to surrender approximately 48.8M T-Mobile shares acquired in the merger to New T-Mobile immediately following the closing of the transaction, making SoftBank's effective ratio 11.31 Sprint shares per T-Mobile share. Sprint shareholders other than SoftBank will continue to receive the original fixed exchange ratio of 0.10256 T-Mobile shares for each Sprint share, or the equivalent of approximately 9.75 Sprint shares for each T-Mobile share. Immediately following the closing, and after the surrender of shares by SoftBank, Deutsche Telekom and SoftBank are expected to hold approximately 43% and 24%, respectively, of the fully diluted New T-Mobile shares, with the remaining approximately 33% held by public shareholders. T-Mobile has agreed to re-issue to SoftBank the previously surrendered shares upon the achievement of certain stock price milestones by New T-Mobile during a specified measurement period, and subject to certain additional terms, as outlined in the letter agreement that will be filed by each of T-Mobile and Sprint with the SEC. In addition, the amendment extends the "outside date" under the Business Combination Agreement to July 1, and modifies certain other provisions of the Business Combination Agreement as described in the companies' SEC filings.

17:15 EST Dropbox announces $600M share repurchase plan - The board of Dropbox authorized the company to repurchase up to $600M of its Class A shares. The repurchase is expected to be executed, subject to general business and market conditions and other investment opportunities, through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, including through Rule 10b5-1 plans.

17:11 EST Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives announce departure of CFO Andrew Layman - Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives announced that the company's CFO, Andrew Layman, has voluntarily resigned to pursue other opportunities. Layman's departure is not based on any disagreement with the company's accounting principles, practices or financial statement disclosures. IEA's board has appointed Peter Moerbeek as CFO on an interim basis, effective immediately.

17:04 EST First Solar drops 14% to $51.20 after trading resumes

17:04 EST Noble Corp. receives NYSE continued listing standard notice - Noble Corporation announced that on February 19, 2020 it received formal notice of non-compliance with the New York Stock Exchange share price continued listing standards, which require a listed common stock to maintain a minimum average closing price of $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive trading days. The Company intends to regain compliance with the NYSE's listing standards, and as required by the NYSE, the Company intends to respond to the NYSE within ten business days with respect to its intent to cure the deficiency. Under the NYSE's rules, Noble has a period of six months from the date of the NYSE Notice to regain compliance with the minimum share price criteria by bringing its share price and thirty trading-day average share price above $1.00. Noble can regain compliance at any time during the six-month cure period if its ordinary shares have a closing price of at least $1.00 per ordinary share on the last trading day of any calendar month during the cure period and an average closing price of at least $1.00 per ordinary share over the 30-trading day period ending on the last trading day of that month.

17:02 EST Rio Tinto says Oyu Tolgoi to pursue international arbitration on MTA dispute - Rio Tinto announces that Oyu Tolgoi has initiated a formal international arbitration process to seek a definitive resolution with regard to a dispute with the Mongolian Tax Authority, or MTA, concerning taxes paid by Oyu Tolgoi between 2013 and 2015. The dispute resolution provisions set out in the 2009 Investment Agreement and the 2015 Underground Mine Development and Financing Plan with the Government of Mongolia call for arbitration under the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law arbitration rules, to be heard in London before a panel of three arbitrators. On 16 January, 2018, Oyu Tolgoi received a tax assessment for approximately $155 million from the MTA relating to an audit on taxes imposed and paid by Oyu Tolgoi between 2013 and 2015. In January 2018, Oyu Tolgoi paid an amount of $4.8M to settle unpaid taxes, fines and penalties for accepted items.

17:01 EST Intra-Cellular says CAPLYTA study results published in JAMA Psychiatry - Intra-Cellular Therapies announced the publication of results from its CAPLYTA clinical trial in adult patients with schizophrenia. The article, "Efficacy and Safety of Lumateperone for Treatment of Schizophrenia: A Randomized Clinical Trial", was recently published online in JAMA Psychiatry. In this trial, CAPLYTA 42 mg met the primary endpoint and demonstrated antipsychotic efficacy with statistically significant superiority over placebo at Week 4 as measured by the change from baseline on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score. CAPLYTA 42 mg also met the key secondary endpoint of statistically significant improvement on the Clinical Global Impression Scale for Severity of Illness. CAPLYTA 42 mg showed significant antipsychotic efficacy as early as week 1, which was maintained at every time point throughout the study. The most commonly reported adverse events occurring for CAPLYTA 42 mg in greater than or equal to5% of patients and greater than2 times the rate in the placebo group were somnolence, sedation, fatigue, and constipation. No significant differences were observed compared to placebo on metabolic parameters, including weight, cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and insulin, or on prolactin levels. No extrapyramidal symptoms-related TEAEs occurred in 5% or more of patients in any treatment arm. "Treatment with CAPLYTA 42 mg significantly improved symptoms in patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia with a favorable tolerability profile," said Dr. Christoph Correll, Professor of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, New York. "CAPLYTA represents an important addition to the treatment options of healthcare providers managing this heterogeneous mental condition."

17:00 EST First Solar trading resumes

16:48 EST Erytech in supply partnership with German Red Cross Blood Donor Service - Erytech Pharma announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with the German Red Cross Blood Donor Service Baden-Wurttemberg-Hessen, GRCBDS, to complement the existing alliance with the French Blood bank for the supply of donor red blood cells to manufacture its product candidates, including eryaspase, in Europe. The GRCBDS is one of the world's largest blood and transfusion services, ensuring safe and adequate supply of blood products for approximately 30 million Germans (more than one-third of the German population). In addition to its focus on blood product supply and safety, GRCBDS provides laboratory and research support through its extensive network of health care professionals and has significant cell-based product manufacturing expertise. This partnership will allow ERYTECH to leverage GRCBDS as a key European supplier of donor red blood cells (RBCs) for the production of eryaspase and other ERYTECH product candidates at future manufacturing sites in Europe. This complements the Company's existing alliance with the French Etablissement Francais du Sang , which will remain the primary source of supply of donor RBCs for ERYTECH's product candidates manufactured in Lyon.

16:47 EST Washington Prime executes LOI with Spirity Realty for outparcels disposition - Washington Prime Group announced that it has executed a letter of intent with Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. for the sale of the fee interest or leasehold interest in eight outparcels for a combined purchase price of approximately $14.2M. This pricing reflects a mid-six percent capitalization rate on in-place net operating income. "In addition to the Spirit transaction, Washington Prime Group anticipates various other sales of outparcels and other non-income-producing parcels to close by year end, which are expected to result in ~$50M of proceeds which will be utilized to fund previously announced redevelopment. Good for Spirit Realty Capital. Good for Washington Prime Group. You'll have to excuse us...it's time to get back to grinding it out." Washington Prime Group and Spirit Realty Capital anticipate closing on the majority of the outparcel sale in 2020, subject to due diligence and closing conditions. These outparcels are well located within highly trafficked corridors in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, and Ohio.

16:47 EST ADDvantage announces departure of CFO Kevin Brown - ADDvantage Technologies Group announced that CFO Kevin Brown will be leaving the company effective March 6. Brown has accepted a new opportunity. CEO Joe Hart and the board will begin the search for a long-term replacement in Dallas to help take ADDvantage to the next level. In the meantime, Scott Francis, who serves as the company's Chief Accounting Officer and former CFO, will serve as the company's Principal Financial Officer.

16:45 EST VolitionRx reports cash and cash equivalents at year-end of $17M - Cash and cash equivalents at end of 2018 were $12.4M. Expects to achieve the following milestones during 2020: release a range of clinical data with new optimised bead-based assays in colorectal, lung and other cancers; advance previously announced large-scale colorectal and lung cancer trials in Europe, Asia and the U.S.; advance the development of Nu.Q Capture by determining the level of discrimination of tumor associated nucleosomes using mass spectrometry and/or sequencing; announce patient data demonstrating the utility of Volition's epigenetic toolbox; complete pre-analytical and clinical studies for Nu.Q(TM) Vet with the aim of launching first product in 2020; publish several abstracts and peer reviewed articles with clinical results as well as showing the robustness and utility of the Nu.Q platform.

16:41 EST SSR Mining sees 2020 gold production 335K-360K oz. - Sees 2020 Marigold mine gold production 225K-240K, Seabee Gold operation gold production 110K-120K. Sees 2020 silver production 6-7 Moz., lead production 21-24 Mlb and zinc produciton 7-9 Mlb.

16:38 EST Telephone and Data raises quarterly dividend 3% to 17c per share - Payment will be made on March 31 to shareholders of record as of March 17.

16:37 EST First Solar sees 2020 shipments 5.8GW to 6.0GW - Sees 2020 gross margin 26%-27% and capital expenditures $450M-$550M.

16:36 EST Armada Hoffler increases dividend 4.8% - Armada Hoffler Properties announced that its board declared a cash dividend of 22c per common share forQ1. This represents a 4.8% increase over the prior quarter's cash dividend and 38% growth since inception. The increase in theQ1 cash dividend marks the sixth increase in six years. The Q1 dividend will be paid in cash on April 2 to stockholders of record on March 25.

16:35 EST CleanSpark comments on recent trading activity - CleanSpark issued a press release in response to recent trading activity in its shares, and stock price decline. The company does not usually opine on stock price and trading activity, however, given the recent decline, and inquiries from investors, the company confirmed the following: Everything material has been disclosed by the company in either its press releases or quarterly reports. CleanSpark further confirmed that none of the business developments disclosed previously are at risk. Last but not least, the company wished to reassure CleanSpark's shareholders that it remained on track with its current and prospective projects, and that all contracted projects are being worked on, and such activity will be reflected in the company's future quarterly results. CleanSpark CEO Zach Bradford remarked, "While we don't normally comment on our stock price or performance, it is important to stress that nothing has fundamentally changed in our business. We continue to deliver solid financial results, and we remain very confident in our prospects."

16:34 EST First Solar reviewing options for U.S. project development business - First Solar announced that it, working together with advisors, is reviewing options for its U.S. project development business. The company said, "The consideration of potential options for its U.S. project development business by First Solar is at a preliminary stage and may not result in any transaction being consummated. First Solar does not intend to disclose further developments with respect to this evaluation process except to the extent the process is concluded or it is required by law or otherwise deemed appropriate." Said Mark Widmar, CEO of First Solar, "First Solar, at its core, is a technology and module manufacturing company. Given the significant evolution of developing utility-scale PV projects in the United States, we believe now is an appropriate time to evaluate our options with respect to our U.S. project development business line."

16:32 EST Covanta sees 2020 adjusted EBITDA $415M-$445M

16:24 EST Allstate raises quarterly dividend to 54c from 50c per share - The dividend is payable in cash on April 1, 2020, to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 2, 2020.

16:22 EST ProAssurance to acquire NORCAL Group, terms not stated - NORCAL Group and ProAssurance announced the signing of a definitive agreement to combine the companies. The transaction, when completed, will result in the creation of the nation's third largest medical professional liabilityinsurance carrier, based on 2019 estimated statutory data. The transaction is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory and NORCAL's policyholder approval. While there is no specific timetable for completion of the transaction, it is anticipated that the deal will close at the end of 2020. The NORCAL Board of Directors has determined that the transaction is in the best interests of NORCAL's policyholders and, thus, has approved the transaction and resolved to recommend that NORCAL policyholders vote in favor of the transaction. There is no financing condition to consummate the transaction. Shareholder approval is not required for ProAssurance.

16:21 EST Hannon Armstrong boosts quarterly dividend by 0.5c to 34c - Hannon Armstrong announced today that its board declared a quarterly cash dividend of 34c per share of common stock, an increase of .5c from the previous dividend level. The dividend increase will raise the annualized dividend payout ratio to $1.36 per share of common stock. The dividend will be paid on April 10, to stockholders of record as of April 2.

16:18 EST Baudax Bio announces FDA approval of Anjeso for pain management - Baudax Bio announced that the FDA has approved the New Drug Application, or NDA, for Anjeso, which is indicated for the management of moderate to severe pain, alone or in combination with other non-NSAID analgesics. Baudax expects Anjeso will be available in the U.S. in late April or early May 2020.

16:15 EST Texas Roadhouse sees positive comparable restaurant sales growth for FY20

16:14 EST Texas Roadhouse reports Q4 comparable restaurant sales increase of 4.4% - Q4 comparable restaurant sales increased 4.4% at company restaurants and 3.4% at domestic franchise restaurants.

16:09 EST Fastly CEO Bergman to transition to Chief Architect, Bixby taking over - Fastly announced that Artur Bergman has transitioned from his role as Chief Executive Officer to the role of Chief Architect and Executive Chairperson. Joshua Bixby, the President of Fastly, succeeds Bergman as CEO. Fastly also announced that board member David Hornik has been appointed Lead Independent Director. In his full-time role as Chief Architect and Executive Chairperson, Bergman "will continue to collaborate closely with Mr. Bixby as he transitions into the role of CEO," the company said. Bixby, who has served as President of Fastly since 2017, "has the extensive corporate leadership experience and significant technological acumen required to lead Fastly into its next stage of growth," the company added.

16:07 EST Sprouts Farmers Market sees FY20 comparable store sales growth 0%-1%

16:07 EST Boyd Gaming sees FY20 adjusted EBITDAR $915M-$935M

16:04 EST Universal Display raises quarterly dividend to 15c per share from 10c - Universal Display announced that its Board of Directors approved an increased first quarter cash dividend of $0.15 per share on the Company's common stock, up from the previous quarter's dividend of $0.10 per share. The dividend is payable on March 31, 2020 to shareholders of record on March 17, 2020. Future dividends will be subject to Board approval.

16:01 EST First Solar trading halted, news pending

15:38 EST Bluefin Acquisitions reports tender to acquire BlueLinx for $24.50 per share - Bluefin Acquisitions, a private investment company, announced that its wholly owned direct subsidiary, BlueLinx Merger Sub, has commenced a tender offer for a minimum of 35.0% to all of the outstanding shares of common stock of BlueLinx Holdings (BXC) at a price of $24.50 per share, net to the seller in cash, without interest thereon and less any applicable withholding taxes, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the tender offer to purchase dated today, "a copy of which will be filed as soon as practicable with the Securities and Exchange Commission." The tender offer is subject to customary conditions to closing, including a condition that the number of shares validly tendered prior to the expiration of the offer, together with the shares then owned by BlueLinx Holdings and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, represents at least one share more than 50% of all shares then outstanding. The tender offer will expire at 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 20, 2020, unless extended.

15:03 EST Coca-Cola raises quarterly dividend 2.5% to 41c from 40c per share - The first quarter dividend is payable April 1 to shareowners of record as of March 16.

14:36 EST Co-Diagnostics completes submission of CE marking registration for COVID-19 test - Co-Diagnostics announced that its Logix Smart COVID-19 Test technical file has been submitted for registration with the European Community, and that it is expected to be available later this month as an in vitro diagnostic, IVD,for markets that accept a CE marking as valid regulatory approval. Dwight Egan, CEO of Co-Diagnostics, commented, "We are pleased to announce this milestone, which comes after weeks of hard work by our team at Co-Diagnostics to develop a high-performance diagnostic to help prevent the spread of the new strain of coronavirus. Our patented CoPrimer molecules have unique properties that lead to a significant reduction in false positive test results over other polymerase chain reaction technologies, but will also allow for enhanced multiplexing, or identifying multiple targets at once, as we iterate the test to include other strains of coronavirus and mutations of COVID-19."

13:47 EST Baudax Bio Inc trading halted, news pending

13:32 EST Potbelly strength attributed to takeover speculation report - According to contacts, The Deal is reporting on suggestions that Potbelly may be in the sights of a large PE-backed restaurant chain for a possible acquisition. The Fly notes that on January 28, 180 Degree Capital, a holder of a 6.0% stake in Potbelly, stated that the firm "may consider, explore and/or develop plans and/or make proposals (whether preliminary or firm) with respect to, among other things, potential changes in, the [company's] operations, management, organizational documents, the composition of the board of directors of the [company], ownership, capital or corporate structure, dividend policy, and strategy and plans of the [company], as well as a potential strategic review or sale process involving the [company] or certain of the [company's] businesses or assets." The Fly, in fulfilling its mission of explaining stock movement, often comes across the many unconfirmed rumors being passed through trading desks and social media platforms. On the occasion that rumors or speculation appear on The Fly's news feed, it should be viewed not as giving credence to the conjecture, rather as simply highlighting its impact on the stock prices of the companies involved. In afternoon trading, Potbelly shares are up 45c, or 9%, to $5.45.

13:09 EST New Mexico AG sues Google for collecting children's data through Chromebooks - Attorney General Hector Balderas filed a lawsuit on thursday against Google alleging the tech giant is illegally collecting personal information from New Mexico school children under 13, in violation of the Federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act and New Mexico's Unfair Practices Act. Google offers its G Suite for Education products along with Google Chromebook laptop computers, to school districts across New Mexico at no cost. In his lawsuit, the Attorney General alleges that Google then uses its products to collect large quantities of valuable personal information, without their parents' consent, from children under 13 who are often required by their schools to use these services. "Student safety should be the number one priority of any company providing services to our children, particularly in schools," said Attorney General Balderas. "Tracking student data without parental consent is not only illegal, it is dangerous; and my office will hold any company accountable who compromises the safety of New Mexican children." Reference Link

13:03 EST Comcast promotes Jennifer Khoury to CCO to succeed D'Arcy Rudnay - Comcast Corporation announced it has promoted Jennifer Khoury to chief communications officer, succeeding D'Arcy Rudnay who, after a 16-year career at Comcast, is retiring. Khoury will oversee the company's comprehensive external and internal corporate communications functions for the enterprise. Rudnay will remain with the company through the end of the year, serving as senior advisor to Comcast's Executive Leadership Team. Khoury joined Comcast over 20 years ago and has been responsible for leading communications for Comcast Cable and has managed strategic communications for numerous campaigns and product and technology launches. Khoury will report to CEO Brian Roberts and to Adam Miller, who was also promoted to senior EVP of Comcast Corporation in addition to his EVP role at NBCUniversal.

12:23 EST Tandem Diabetes announces 'positive data' presented at ATTD meeting - Tandem Diabetes Care announced "positive data" was presented on its automated insulin delivery technologies, including data from a study of the t:slim X2 insulin pump with Control-IQ advanced hybrid closed-loop technology demonstrating increased time in range (70 mg/dL -180 mg/dL) in children ages six to thirteen. In a separate presentation, real-world data was presented on the t:slim X2 insulin pump with Basal-IQ predictive low glucose technology, showing sustained reductions in sensor time spent below 70 mg/dL and improvements in user satisfaction compared to previous therapy. Data was presented during a corporate symposium at the 13th International Conference on Advanced Technologies and Treatments for Diabetes, or ATTD. "These results align with our vision to establish Tandem as a global company that provides easy-to-use insulin therapy management solutions for improved clinical outcomes to children and adults living with diabetes. In support of this goal, we plan to submit a regulatory filing with the FDA next month to expand the age indication for t:slim X2 with Control-IQ technology to include patients 6 years of age and older," said John Sheridan, president and CEO of Tandem.

12:03 EST Schrodinger jumps 6% to $37.78 after Citron puts $80 target on shares

12:00 EST Aaron's falls -19.5% - Aaron's is down -19.5%, or -$10.95 to $45.20.

12:00 EST Nautilus rises 21.0% - Nautilus is up 21.0%, or 61c to $3.54.

12:00 EST Community Health rises 31.8% - Community Health is up 31.8%, or $1.53 to $6.34.

11:34 EST Lantheus says two Progenics board members to join Lantheus board upon closing - Gerard Ber, Ph.D. and Mr. Heinz Mausli, two members of Progenics' (PGNX) reconstituted Board, will join the Lantheus (LNTH) Board upon closing. Lantheus will reduce its current ten member Board to nine members at its 2020 stockholders meeting, or sooner if this transaction closes before then. Lantheus will further reduce its Board to eight members at its 2021 stockholders meeting. As previously announced, the combined company will be led by Lantheus CEO Mary Anne Heino, who will be supported by CFO Robert J. Marshall Jr., CFA, and COO John Bolla.

11:31 EST Lantheus, Progenics agree to amended transaction terms - Lantheus Holdings (LNTH) and Progenics Pharmaceuticals (PGNX) announced that they have entered into an Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger which amends the previously announced definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 1, 2019. The Amended Agreement has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. Under the terms of the Amended Agreement, Lantheus will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Progenics common stock at a fixed exchange ratio whereby Progenics stockholders will receive, for each share of Progenics stock held at the time of the closing of the merger, 0.31 of a share of Lantheus common stock, increased from 0.2502 under the Original Agreement, together with a non-tradeable contingent value right. The CVR is payable in two separate cash payments if PyLTM, Progenics' prostate-specific membrane antigen targeted imaging agent designed to visualize prostate cancer currently in late stage clinical development, exceeds net sales thresholds of $100M in 2022 and $150M in 2023. As a result of the increase in the exchange ratio, following the completion of the merger, former Progenics stockholders' aggregate ownership stake will increase to approximately 40% of the combined company from approximately 35% under the terms set forth in the Original Agreement. Mary Anne Heino, President and CEO of Lantheus, said, "After continued integration planning with Progenics and close collaboration with Progenics' reconstituted Board of Directors, we are even more excited about the potential value we can unlock by combining our two businesses. We remain confident that together, we will create a platform that leverages Lantheus' long-standing expertise in complex manufacturing, supply chain and commercial excellence, with Progenics' three leading FDA approved products, clinical pipeline and development capabilities."

11:20 EST Kronos, Ultimate Software announce merger to create company valued at $22B

11:17 EST SmileDirectClub says Sulitzer's license remains in good standing

11:15 EST Lonestar Resources reports proved reserves at December 31 totaled 100.6MMboe - Lonestar Resources US announced that its proved reserves increased to a record 100.6 million barrels of oil equivalent at December 31, 2019. All of the company's proved reserves are located in the Eagle Ford Shale. Lonestar's proved reserves at December 31, 2019 are comprised of 49.8 million barrels of crude oil and condensate, 24.9 million barrels of natural gas liquids and 155.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas. By energy content, Lonestar's proved reserves are weighted 74% to crude oil, condensate and NGL's. In 2019, Lonestar added a total of 19.6 MMBOE, which consisted of 13.9 MMBOE through extensions and discoveries, and 5.6 MMBOE through positive reserve revisions based on performance. These reserve additions were equivalent to 353% of Lonestar's 2019 production. Lonestar's CEO, Frank D. Bracken, III commented, "In a market in which our industry is capital constrained, 2019 was another year of capital-efficient growth for Lonestar, driven by strong results from our drilling program, which saw the majority of our new-drills exceed third party forecasts, resulting in positive reserve revisions."

11:02 EST Barrick Gold says will not approve sale of Sokimo's stake in Kibali - Barrick Gold Corporation (GOLD) said in a statement: "Barrick's attention has been drawn to media reports to the effect that the Congolese parastatal Societe Miniere de Kilo-Moto SA has signed a memorandum of understanding with AJN Resources Inc to sell its 10% share in the Kibali gold mine to that company. Barrick wishes to make it clear that SOKIMO is contractually bound by Barrick and its joint venture partner AngloGold Ashanti (AU) not to sell or otherwise transfer its shares in Kibali Goldmines SA, the owner of the Kibali gold mine, without their approval. No such approval has been sought, nor will it be granted."

10:53 EST Turkcell trading resumes

10:42 EST Cleveland-Cliffs CEO says car-makers finally realize Tesla is 'for real' - Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) CEO Lourenco Goncalves said traditional car-makers are finally realizing Tesla (TSLA) is for real and with AK Steel (AKS), Cliffs will support the creation of steel electric vehicle components for Ford (F) and other AK Steel automotive clients.

10:17 EST Oil States sees Q1 Well Site Services revenue $85M-$92M - Sees Q1 Well Site Services revenue $85M-$92M with EBITDA margins to average 12%-13%. Sees Q1 Downhole Technologies revenue flat to up sequentially to $38M-$43M with EBITDA margins relatively flat sequentially%.

10:15 EST Oil States says Q1 has gotten off to a slow start

10:09 EST Oil States sees Q1 CapEx $12M, net interest expense $4M - Sees Q1 net interest expense $4.6M, depreciation & amortization expense $27M. Sees Q1 CapEx $12M. Comments taken from Q4 earnings conference call.

10:06 EST Aaron's reports agreement in principle with FTC staff on Progressive CID - Along with its earnings report earlier, Aaron's CEO John Robinson said: "Aaron's finished the year on a positive note with record annual revenues, adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP EPS. Progressive's invoice growth accelerated significantly in the fourth quarter, up 34.4% compared to the prior year. In addition, collections performance at the Aaron's Business improved significantly during the quarter, contributing to positive same-store revenues and strong adjusted EBITDA. Finally, I'm pleased to report that Progressive has reached an agreement in principle with the staff of the FTC regarding the Civil Investigative Demand Progressive received in July 2018. Under the proposed agreement, which requires final approval by FTC Commissioners and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Progressive will make a payment of $175M and enhance certain compliance-related activities, including monitoring, disclosure and reporting requirements. We have agreed to settle this matter to avoid the distraction and uncertainty caused by protracted litigation and allow Progressive to remain focused on providing competitive, flexible and affordable purchase options to credit-challenged consumers." The company reported a net loss for the fourth quarter of 2019 of $107.1M, compared to net earnings of $61.7M in the prior year period. The net loss in the fourth quarter of 2019 included $179M of charges related to the Progressive FTC settlement and $2.5M in pre-tax restructuring charges.

10:00 EST Mednax falls -16.9% - Mednax is down -16.9%, or -$4.49 to $22.10.

10:00 EST Agenus reports 'positive' interim data from analyses of balstilimab, zalifrelima - Agenus announced new clinical data from pre-planned interim analyses of balstilimab and zalifrelimab and data from a dose escalation study of AGEN1181, a novel multi-functional enhanced CTLA-4 antibody. The interim analysis from 34 evaluable patients treated with the combination of balstilimab and zalifrelimab demonstrated a 20.6% overall response rate, which included a complete response rate of 8.8% in second-line cervical cancer. The interim analysis from 44 evaluable patients treated with balstilimab monotherapy demonstrated an ORR of 11.4% in second-line cervical cancer. The clinical activity observed in both studies are comparable to other agents in these therapeutic classes. Both balstilimab monotherapy and the combination of balstilimab and zalifrelimab were well-tolerated with no new safety signals. Additionally, early clinical data from a dose-escalation study of AGEN1181 revealed a confirmed CR in a patient with a difficult-to-treat, PD-L1 negative, microsatellite stable, endometrial cancer. The patient was treated with a low dose of AGEN1181 and had failed prior treatment with a PD-1 inhibitor. Additionally, stable disease was noted in the majority of patients treated. AGEN1181 monotherapy was well-tolerated. Balstilimab, zalifrelimab and AGEN1181 are investigational agents that have not been approved for any uses. Efficacy and safety have not been established.

10:00 EST Community Health rises 19.1% - Community Health is up 19.1%, or 92c to $5.73.

09:34 EST Procter & Gamble says year guidance ranges 'remain the right ones' - Procter & Gamble COO and CFO Jon Moeller said, "We continue to believe, based on what we know today, that our fiscal year top and bottom line guidance ranges - and I emphasize ranges - remain the right ones. We will continue to monitor the situation and obviously update you if and when a different reality becomes apparent."

09:32 EST PAVmed's Lucid Diagnostics partners with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center - PAVmed announced that its majority owned subsidiary, Lucid Diagnostics has entered into a sponsored research agreement with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA to evaluate Barrett's Esophagus progression biomarkers in patients using Lucid's EsoCheck Esophageal Cell Collection Device with Collect+Protect Technology. The agreement covers a research program entitled "Biomarkers for the Detection of Cancer" led by principal investigator William M. Grady, M.D. AGAF. Dr. Grady is the Rodger Haggitt Professor of Medicine in the Gastroenterology Division of the University of Washington School of Medicine and a Full Member of the Clinical Research Division at Fred Hutchinson. He also serves as the Medical Director of the GI Cancer Prevention Program at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Pursuant to the agreement, Fred Hutchinson has granted Lucid the exclusive option, exercisable at its sole discretion, to license Fred Hutchinson's candidate BE progression biomarkers during an option period extending twelve months past the completion of a phase II study demonstrating their accuracy. The license would be assignable and exclusive within any field or fields of use in which Lucid reasonably determines it could develop a product that incorporates or utilizes the biomarkers. The license would provide that Lucid would pay to Fred Hutchinson royalties on net sales of products incorporating the BE progression biomarkers at rates not to exceed amounts specified in the agreement. The research program will include human clinical studies to explore the candidate BE progression biomarkers, which have shown promise in differentiating nondysplastic BE from dysplastic BE and esophageal adenocarcinoma, on esophageal samples obtained using EsoCheck. Lucid seeks to determine whether a panel of these biomarkers, in conjunction with EsoCheck, can serve as a non-invasive, office-based diagnostic test to monitor patients with nondysplastic BE for evidence of progression to dysplastic BE or EAC. This early detection would permit curative ablation of dysplastic BE before progression to deadly EAC, using esophageal ablation devices such as PAVmed's recently announced EsoCure Esophageal Ablation Device targeted for commercialization in 2021.

09:32 EST Ansira to buy CDK Global's Digital Marketing Business; terms not disclosed - Ansira Partners announced that it signed a definitive agreement to acquire the CDK Global Digital Marketing Business. CDK Global, an automotive retail technology company, made the decision to sell all the assets of the company's Digital Marketing Business including all advertising solutions and website services. Ansira is backed by Advent International. The proposed transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2020, subject to customary closing conditions

09:28 EST Diana Shipping announces time charter contract, cancellation of sale - Diana Shipping announced that, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, it has entered into a time charter contract with Koch Shipping Pte. Ltd., Singapore, for one of its Panamax dry bulk vessels, the m/v Coronis. The gross charter rate is $8,000 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties, for a period of about nine months to about ten months. The charter commenced earlier today. The m/v Coronis was previously chartered to Tongli Shipping Pte. Ltd., at a gross charter rate of $5,300 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties. The "Coronis" is a 74,381 dwt Panamax dry bulk vessel built in 2006. This employment is anticipated to generate approximately $2.04 million of gross revenue for the minimum scheduled period of the time charter. The Company also announced that it has received a notice of cancellation of the Memorandum of Agreement, between a separate wholly-owned subsidiary and an unaffiliated third party, to sell the 2002-built Capesize vessel "Norfolk", as previously announced. The buyers elected to exercise their right to cancel the Contract as a result of vessel's missing the cancelling date stipulated therein, due to unforeseen events, unrelated to the condition of the vessel, and have requested the refund of the deposit of the purchase price. The Company has taken steps to release the deposit to the buyers.

09:27 EST Daimler AG streamlines organizational structure - The Board of Directors and the Supervisory Board of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG optimize Mercedes-Benz Cars' development, operation and finance area by realigning the company's organizational structure. This reorganization will take effect on April 1, 2020. The position of Product Strategy and Steering will be created for Mercedes-Benz Cars. Wolf-Dieter Kurz, who reports directly to the CEO of Mercedes-Benz AG, will take over that leadership role. Ola Kallenius also assumes overall responsibility for Mercedes-Benz Vans. Markus Schafer, currently Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, Procurement and Supplier Quality, in the new role as Chief Operating Officer at the Daimler AG level, will also control the entire value creation process of Mercedes-Benz Cars -- from development to material purchasing to production. Harald Wilhelm, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Finance & Controlling and Daimler Mobility, also takes over the position of Chief Financial Officer at Mercedes-Benz AG. Frank Lindenberg, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Finance & Controlling, is leaving the Group after successfully completing his work and strengthening his areas of responsibility. As part of its sustainable business strategy, Daimler AG is strongly moving forward with its product, electrification and digitalization offensive. In order to be able to react even faster and more precisely to changing customer needs and complex market requirements in the future, the company is further developing its organizational structure. The goal is to improve the development and production processes of vehicles, technologies and services through closer and more efficient cooperation. As part of the Ambition2039 sustainability offensive, Mercedes-Benz AG plans to make its entire new car product portfolio CO2-neutral - a goal for which the company is pooling all its strengths and resources. Shorter reporting lines in the new structure will help in this effort. By merging the financial areas of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG under the direction of Harald Wilhelm, Board Member of Daimler AG responsible for Finance & Controlling and Daimler Mobility, redundancies will be reduced, the efficiency of the organization increased and Daimler as a whole made more flexible. The CFO of Mercedes-Benz AG, Frank Lindenberg, has decided to leave Daimler and seek new challenges. He will leave the company on March 31, 2020 by amicable mutual consent. Harald Wilhelm will take on the additional function of CFO at Mercedes-Benz AG on April 1, 2020.

09:18 EST MTBC announces formation of telehealth division - MTBC, Inc. announced the official formation of its telehealth division. MTBC also announced the appointment of the telehealth division's leadership team, including MTBC veteran Shruti Patel, who will serve as President of the division, Dr. Iram Fatima, MBBS, the division's Chief Operating Officer, and Seth Loonan, the division's Chief Revenue Officer.

09:17 EST Turning Point Therapeutics appoints Siegfried Reich as EVP, CSO - Turning Point Therapeutics announced the appointment of Siegfried Reich, Ph.D. as executive vice president and chief scientific officer effective March 2. Dr. Reich has over 25 years of pharmaceutical and biotech experience developing more than 20 drug candidates, including the approved drugs Viracept for HIV and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor Inlyta for the treatment of kidney cancer. Dr. Reich was most recently senior vice president of research and co-founder of eFFECTOR Therapeutics where he led discovery of three first-in-class small-molecule inhibitors.

09:14 EST Cancer Genetics CEO says met with potential investors, strategic parties - Cancer Genetics published a letter to shareholders from CEO, Jay Roberts. The letter read in part, "As we enter into 2020, I want to review a few compelling company developments and accomplishments that have occurred since we filed our 10-Q for 3Q 2019. We have made significant strides toward cleaning up our balance sheet and positioning the company for the future. I would like to now highlight the multiple corporate initiatives that we are taking to strengthen our financial position, build on our growing discovery services business and further advance ourselves as a leader in the field of precision and translational medicine. As we start the 2020 year, we are pleased to share with you a few of our accomplishments from 2019 and several new initiatives that are shaping Cancer Genetics to become a stronger company in the year ahead. We are focused on driving forward with a sustainable business model in precision and translational medicine from both our organic business and the initiatives we have undergone to secure strategic alternatives. With this mission in mind, we have consolidated our business and are emerging with a focus on operational efficiencies and driving growth in the global regions we serve in the U.S., Europe and Australia. From our existing sites, we are anticipating revenue growth from our core Drug Discovery business; and plan to announce more information about our strategic direction in the coming months...Our vivoPharm business unit had a solid year of revenue growth year-over-year, and experienced numerous new discovery programs coming from Europe and our existing customer base in the United States...As we have previously announced in our 3Q 2019 update, Cancer Genetics has retained the M&A team from HC Wainwright & Co. to assist us in exploring strategic alternatives including: identifying a future merger or acquisition candidate, selling other corporate assets, and initiating other strategic transactions. Recently we held a series of meetings in San Francisco during the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference. The event gave us an opportunity to meet with potential institutional investors and strategic parties. We will be posting future investor and business-related activities regularly on the Cancer Genetics website at www.cancergenetics.com. Our current cash position coming into 2020 of approximately $4 million and our Discovery Services business operating in a cash efficient way enables the Company to explore strategic opportunities that will strengthen the core business and increase value to our shareholders. As Cancer Genetics re-engineers its business, we believe it is important to communicate the transition outwardly to our stakeholders including our shareholders, biotechnology and pharmaceutical company customers, business prospects, investors, and other business partners. We have commenced various initiatives to further define our mission including: new brand identity, updating our corporate logo and web site design, and enhancing our communications approach. You can expect to see additional changes taking place over the coming months and further into 2020."

09:11 EST CyrusOne appoints Tesh Durvasula as CEO - CyrusOne announced that the company's board has appointed Tesh Durvasula as President & CEO. This appointment follows Gary Wojtaszek stepping down as President & CEO, and as a director of the Company, by mutual agreement with the Board effective upon the filing of the company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Mr. Wojtaszek will provide transition assistance. Mr. Durvasula will serve as the company's President & CEO on an interim basis while the Board undertakes a search to identify the Company's next CEO, which will include consideration of Mr. Durvasula as well as external candidates.

09:09 EST CDK Global agrees to sell digital marketing business to Ansira Partners - CDK Global announced it has signed a definitive agreement to sell the company's Digital Marketing Business to Ansira Partners, a subsidiary of Advent International, one of the largest and most experienced global private equity investors. CDK Global made the decision to sell all the assets of the company's Digital Marketing Business including all advertising solutions and website services. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The proposed transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2020, subject to customary closing conditions. Ropes & Gray LLP is serving as legal counsel to Advent in the transaction.

09:06 EST Liquid Media acquires portfolio of streaming platform sector assets - Liquid Media Group announced the acquisition of a portfolio of assets including streaming platform Reelhouse. The acquired assets include tools such as Slipstream, a Subscription Video on Demand service that focuses on curated action sports stories. While the majors attempt to stake their claim in the ongoing streaming wars, Liquid believes an ecommerce platform that supports independent filmmakers and outdoor enthusiasts can scale across the globe. Some of the tools in this acquisition will be part of Liquid's plan to increase third-party fulfilment with a growing list of compatible platforms such as Steam and crowdfunding portals. Dubbed "the Netflix of Adventure films," Reelhouse.org is a self-distributed video content platform and community that appeals to filmmakers and viewers of independent original content. It empowers filmmakers with complete control of distribution and the latest monetization, social and showcasing features, which in turn engage viewers in what Reelhouse is setting as the new standard for online viewing experiences. Available via web, mobile, tablet, AppleTV, iOS, CardboardVR and GearVR apps, Reelhouse is the only solution with SVOD, Virtual Reality and electronic sell-through offerings, including 55+ VR pieces from the Sundance and Tribeca film festivals. Details of the acquisition will be available in the next financial statements filed on SEDAR.

09:05 EST Applied DNA Sciences receives OU kosher certification for SigNature, CertainT - Applied DNA Sciences announced receipt of certification from the Orthodox Union, or OU, for products within the SigNature and CertainT line following a thorough evaluation of the company's products and manufacturing processes. The Pareve kosher designation will first be used for the Nutrition21 Nitrosigine sports supplement product recently announced. The company's products and services, used by its customers to manage traceability and authenticity in the name of brand assurance, are also suitable for related markets such as food and pharmaceuticals.

09:05 EST Insperity raises quarterly dividend to 40c per share from 30c per share - Insperity announced that its board of directors has approved a 33% increase in its quarterly regular cash dividend from 30c to 40c per share. The cash dividend will be paid on March 19, to all stockholders of record as of March 5.

09:03 EST LPL Financial nominates Edward Bernard for election to board of directors - LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA) announced that James Riepe, a member of the company's board of directors since 2008, will not seek reelection after his current term expires at the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders. Edward Bernard will be nominated for election as a new independent director at the annual meeting, which will be held on May 6, 2020. Bernard holds a broad array of executive leadership experience in the wealth management industry, having most recently served as the vice chair of the board of directors of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (TROW).

09:00 EST WisdomTree completes sale of Canadian asset management business - WisdomTree Investments announced that it has completed its previously announced sale of WisdomTree Asset Management Canada, Inc., to CI Financial Corp. CI paid C$5M in cash at closing, and total cash consideration payable to WisdomTree will range from C$7M to C$13M based upon certain AUM growth targets for the funds acquired by CI through the transaction over the next three years.

08:55 EST Daxor says research demonstrates superiority of BVA-100 in critical care - Daxor Corporation announces new research from the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine further demonstrates the clinical superiority of accurate and direct quantification of intravascular blood volume in critically ill patients compared with ultrasound measurement. The new study was presented during the 49th Annual Society of Critical Care Medicine Congress in Orlando, Fla. Researchers concluded in a study of 94 patients from a level-1 trauma center that IVCD and IVCV, common metrics from widely-used ultrasound devices, are poor surrogates for the true circulating blood volume in mechanically ventilated ICU patients. The study, "Inferior Vena Cava Dimensions Poorly Reflect Circulating Blood Volume in the Mechanically Ventilated," showed a p-value of 0.45 when inferior vena cava diameter and inferior vena cava variability was compared to direct measurement of circulating blood volume using the BVA-100 diagnostic test. "The BVA-100 allows optimization and individualized care for our patients in the surgical ICU, unlike any other technology currently available. It is particularly helpful in the care of patients in multiple shock states such as sepsis and cardiogenic shock," said Genia Taitano, M.D., lead investigator.

08:53 EST Align Technology launches ClinCheck "In-Face" Visualization tool - Align Technology announced the launch of the ClinCheck "In-Face" Visualization tool for the Invisalign Go system, Align's innovative tooth movement system designed for general dentists. The ClinCheck In-Face Visualization tool enhances the digital treatment planning experience for doctors and their patients by incorporating a front-facing smile image of a patient's face into their ClinCheck treatment plan. Initially available with the Invisalign Go system, the visualization tool will roll out across the Invisalign portfolio throughout the year as the technology is optimized for Align's extensive network of over 100,000 doctors.

08:50 EST County Bancorp raises quarterly dividend 40% to 7c per share - County Bancorp announced that on February 18, 2020 its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 7c per share. The dividend will be payable on March 20, 2020 to shareholders of record as of March 6, 2020.

08:48 EST Novan receives Phase 2 NIH federal grant of approx. $1M - Novan announced that the Company has received approximately $1M funding from the National Institutes of Health to cover the first year of a two-year Phase 2 federal grant. Novan is eligible to receive approximately $500,000 of additional funding for the second year, subject to availability of NIH funds and satisfactory progress of the project. This grant is additive to the approximately $223,000 Phase 1 NIH grant received in August 2019. The grant will provide reimbursement for certain project expenses related to the advancement of WH602, a central focus of Novan's women's health business unit. WH602 is a nitric oxide-containing intravaginal gel product candidate for the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. There are an estimated 250,000 to 1 million women newly diagnosed with CIN annually in the U.S., creating a significant patient care need. The Company expects to use the grant to support the following objectives: Evaluate the intravaginal antiviral activity of WH602 in collaboration with Neil Christensen, Ph.D., Medical Director of the Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research at Penn State College of Medicine. Dr. Christensen has developed a mouse model that enables evaluation of potential therapeutics in a preclinical setting that will inform clinical study design if the product candidate advances to human clinical trials. The specific focus of the work with Dr. Christensen is to ensure the nitric oxide delivery from the intravaginal gel replicates antiviral activity of nitric oxide previously demonstrated to be effective against papillomavirus in Novan's clinical and in vitro studies. Deepen the mechanistic understanding of the antiviral activity of Novan's proprietary nitric oxide delivery platform against human papillomavirus in collaboration with a research team from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham led by N. Sanjib Banerjee, Ph.D., Thomas R. Broker, Ph.D., Founding President of the International Papillomavirus Society, and Louise T. Chow, PhD, Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and of Academia Sinica. Complete or advance certain investigational new drug-enabling toxicology and pharmacology studies and other preclinical activities required by the Food and Drug Administration to advance product candidates to human clinical trials in antiviral indications. The Company will continue to be supported through a collaboration with Health Decisions. Health Decisions is expected to provide consultation and insights for these initiatives and is expected to be involved in the first-in-human clinical studies, if the product candidates advance into the clinic.

08:47 EST Obalon Therapeutics opens second retail treatment center in California - Obalon Therapeutics announces that it has opened its second Company-managed retail treatment center. The Obalon Center for Weight Loss is staffed by a separate professional corporation comprised of physicians and registered dieticians to support a comprehensive weight loss program. The program is centered on balloon treatment with the Obalon Balloon System and includes additional services, such as 1:1 nutrition counseling with a registered dietitian to promote sustainable weight loss focusing on behavior and lifestyle modification, personalized goals and meal plans; and unlimited access to on-demand video content, including meal plans, recipes, and fitness classes. The Obalon Balloon System is FDA approved for individuals with a BMI of 30 to 40, or who are approximately 30 to 100 pounds overweight.

08:44 EST Northview REIT to be acquired by Starlight, KingSett for $36.25 per unit - Northview Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust announced that it has entered into an arrangement agreement with affiliates of Starlight Group Property Holdings pursuant to which the Purchasers will acquire Northview, and the holders of Northview's outstanding trust units will receive $36.25 per Unit in cash in a transaction valued at $4.8 billion including net debt. Under the Arrangement Agreement, the Purchasers will acquire Northview, and the holders of Northview's outstanding Units will receive $36.25 per Unit. The Offer Price represents a total equity value of approximately $2.5 billion on a fully diluted basis and a total transaction value of approximately $4.8 billion including the assumption of net debt. The Transaction is not subject to a financing condition. Unitholders will be able to elect to receive 100% of the Offer Price in the form of cash. Alternatively, unitholders may elect to receive all or a portion of the Offer Price in units of a new, multi-residential fund that would own a geographically diverse portfolio of Northview properties located in six Canadian provinces and two territories. The High Yield Fund will apply to list its units on a Canadian securities exchange concurrently with the close of the Transaction. The listing will be subject to the High Yield Fund fulfilling all of the initial listing requirements and conditions of the Exchange. Further details with respect to the High Yield Fund will be provided in the management information circular to be mailed to Northview Unitholders. Elections to receive High Yield Fund units will be subject to proration. All-Cash Elections will not be subject to proration. Unitholders not specifying an election will be deemed to have elected to receive the All-Cash Consideration. Pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement, Northview has an initial 30-day go-shop period, beginning on February 19, 2020 and ending on March 20, 2020, during which it is permitted to actively solicit, evaluate and enter into negotiations with third parties that express an interest in acquiring Northview. Northview has the option to extend the Go-Shop Period by up to 30 days, in certain circumstances. Mr. Daniel Drimmer, Chief Executive Officer and President of Starlight, has committed to vote the Units he beneficially owns, controls or directs in favour of, or tender his Units into, any all-cash superior proposal received during the Go-Shop Period, subject to certain terms and conditions, pursuant to a voting and support agreement. The Arrangement Agreement also provides a two-tier termination fee structure such that if Northview is successful in completing a transaction pursuant to a superior proposal received during the Go-Shop Period, there will be a termination fee payable to the Purchasers of $37.7 million. If a transaction is completed pursuant to a superior proposal received following the expiry of the Go-Shop Period, the Purchasers will be entitled to a termination fee of $88.0 million. The Purchasers will have the right to match any superior proposals received either during or after the Go-Shop Period. The Transaction is structured as a statutory plan of arrangement under the Alberta Business Corporations Act. Completion of the Transaction requires approval of at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast by unitholders and holders of special voting units, as well as the approval by a simple majority of votes cast by disinterested unitholders and holders of special voting units, excluding Starlight, its affiliates and any other unitholders required to be excluded under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. The Transaction is also subject to approval of the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench, regulatory approvals, consents and approvals from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and certain of Northview's lenders and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Northview expects to continue to pay a monthly distribution of $0.1358 per trust unit through closing of the Transaction. The Transaction is expected to close by Q3 of 2020.

08:38 EST Diversicare appoints Rebecca Bodie as COO - Diversicare Healthcare Services announced that Ms. Rebecca Bodie will be joining the Company in March 2020 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, taking over the position from former Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Leslie Campbell, who resigned effective March 31, 2020.

08:37 EST VistaGen Therapeutics' PH10 shows antidepressive benefit in Phase 2a study - VistaGen Therapeutics announced 'positive' results from a newly published exploratory Phase 2a clinical study of PH10, its investigational first-in-class, rapid-onset synthetic neurosteroid nasal spray, for treatment of major depressive disorder. Results of the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2a study have been published in the peer-reviewed British Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research. In the single-site exploratory Phase 2a study, randomized participants received placebo or either a 3.2 microg or a 6.4 microg dose of PH10 neuroactive nasal spray twice daily for eight weeks. Change in total score on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale or HAM-D, a multiple-item questionnaire used as an indication of depression, was measured at the end of each week of treatment. In the PH10 6.4 microg treatment group, the HAM-D-17 score improved significantly from the baseline within one week and this effect was sustained until the Week 8 study endpoint. There were no reports of serious adverse events. At the end of treatment, all subjects reported to have tolerated twice daily self-administration. VistaGen is currently preparing for Phase 2b clinical development of PH10 in the U.S. for treatment of MDD.

08:36 EST Mohawk Group appoints Bari Harlam to board of directors - Mohawk Group Holdings announced that Bari Harlam, EVP, Chief Marketing Officer North America at Hudson's Bay Company, has been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors, effective February 19, 2020. Following this announcement, the Board will include seven members.

08:35 EST Galectin Therapeutics appoints Pol Boudes as CMO - Galectin Therapeutics Inc. (GALT) announced the appointment of Pol F. Boudes, M.D. to the position of Chief Medical Officer. In this position, Dr. Boudes will oversee Galectin's global advanced clinical development of belapectin for NASH cirrhosis, as well as all other company clinical and scientific initiatives. Dr. Boudes will report directly to Galectin's CEO Harold Shlevin, PhD. and serve as a member of the company's executive management team. Most recently, Dr. Boudes was CMO at CymaBay Therapeutics (CBAY), where he worked on the company's proprietary NASH compound and was instrumental in inventing and launching programs in rare liver diseases.

08:34 EST ViacomCBS notes 'significant' set of merger-related items that were Q4 headwind

08:32 EST ViacomCBS CEO Bob Bakish says making significant progress integrating company - Comments taken from Q4 earnings conference call.

08:29 EST Advaxis announces clinical data of ongoing Phase 1/2 ADXS-503 trial - Advaxis announced results from the monotherapy and combination arms of the Company's ongoing Phase 1/2 study investigating ADXS-503 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer at the IASLC 2020 Targeted Therapies of Lung Cancer Meeting in Santa Monica, California. The trial is evaluating ADXS-503, part of the Company's ADXS-HOT cancer-type specific immunotherapy program which leverages Advaxis' proprietary Lm technology platform to target hotspot mutations that commonly occur in specific cancer types as well as other proprietary, tumor-associated antigens, alone and in combination with KEYTRUDA Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy. Key findings presented by Jennifer Carlisle, M.D., Assistant Professor Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and study investigator, titled, "A Phase 1/2 Study of ADXS-503 Alone and in Combination with Pembrolizumab in Subjects with Metastatic Squamous or Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer" include: Nine patients have been dosed to date; seven in the monotherapy arm and two in the combination arm, with a total of seven evaluable patients; 50% of evaluable patients from the monotherapy arm, from Part A, showed stable disease; The first evaluable patient from the combination arm, Part B, who previously progressed on pembrolizumab, showed stable disease with a 25% reduction in a site lesion; Stable disease was observed in a heavily pretreated patient population with patients failing up to six prior lines of therapy and most patients progressing on prior immunotherapy treatments; ADXS-503 monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab appeared safe and tolerable in this heavily pretreated population of patients with no dose limiting toxicities observed; Treatment-related adverse events were mostly Grade 1-2, with no additive toxicity observed with combination therapy. The Phase 1/2 clinical trial of ADXS-503 will seek to establish the recommended dose, safety, tolerability and clinical activity of ADXS-503 administered alone and in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor in approximately 50 patients with NSCLC, in at least five sites across the U.S. The two dose levels with monotherapy in Part A, have been completed and Part B in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor is currently open to enrollment.

08:26 EST Corning, Qualcomm collaborate to develop 5G mmWave infrastructure systems - Corning Incorporated (GLW) announced on Thursday that it is working with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM), to develop 5G mmWave infrastructure systems for enterprises and public venues. The 5G systems are designed to combine Qualcomm Technologies' 5G and mmWave technology leadership with Corning's industry-proven small-cell expertise to deliver affordable and easy-to-install 5G-ready networks indoors. The Corning systems are expected to be among the first designed to deliver 5G-NR capability over mmWave spectrum in the indoor segment, which includes enterprises such as offices, university campuses, hospitals, hotels, shopping centers, and more. The 5G systems will leverage Corning's virtualized RAN architecture to manage the attached mmWave small cells. By utilizing the Qualcomm FSM100xx 5G RAN platform, Corning has access to leading-edge mmWave capabilities that are designed to facilitate small, powerful, and power-efficient mmWave infrastructure for cost-effective and scalable indoor deployments. The working relationship is expected to enable Corning to implement new functionality around concurrent beamforming, advanced scheduling, and other features necessary to support the unique characteristics of indoor environments. When combined with Corning's LTE-based Enterprise RAN systems based on the Qualcomm FSM99xx 4G RAN platform, mobile operators are expected to rapidly deploy 5G-NSA services.

08:24 EST Nano Dimension to voluntarily delist from Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange - Nano Dimension announced that it will voluntarily delist its ordinary shares from trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Under Israeli law and TASE rules, the delisting of Nano Dimension's ordinary shares from trading on the TASE will take place at least 90 days after the date of this announcement, which is expected to be on or about May 20, 2020. Nano Dimension will announce the exact date of its TASE delisting when it becomes available. Nano Dimension's American Depositary Shares, each of which represents 50 ordinary shares, will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "NNDM". Holders of ordinary shares that currently trade on the TASE may convert their ordinary shares into ADSs through their banks or brokers. The process to convert ordinary shares into ADSs involves depositing ordinary shares in the Israeli custodian account of The Bank of New York Mellon, the Depositary of our ADS program. The Bank of New York Mellon will waive its conversion and issuance fees for all shareholders who convert their ordinary shares until May 29, 2020. After May 29, 2020, each conversion will be charged $0.05 per ADS. Holders of the Company's ordinary shares are encouraged to contact their banks or brokers with any questions about the conversion process.

08:09 EST Consolidated Communications sees 2020 Adjusted EBITDA $520M-$525M - Sees capex $195M-$205M and FCF $145M-$155M. "We are excited about the strong momentum we have going into 2020, our financial priorities are well aligned to achieve our capital allocation plan and fiscal guidance including consistent Adjusted EBITDA," commented Udell. "While our sector is undergoing continued transformation, Consolidated remains a top 10 fiber provider in the U.S., focused on growing our fiber network and delivering on our promise of competitive, broadband solutions to rural America."

08:06 EST Abbott's FreeStyle Libre system shows diabetes control in four abstracts - Abbott announced that four real-world data abstracts are being presented during the 13th Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes in Madrid. The new data show that users of the FreeStyle Libre system have improved glucose control, increased time in target glucose range, and decreased time in hyperglycemiaiv - high glucose levels - and hypoglycemiaiv - low glucose levels -, as well as reduced HbA1Ci, - average glucose levels over a three month period -. People living in Germany with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes on insulin show a sustained reduction in HbA1c over 12 months following use of the FreeStyle Libre system, which indicates that FreeStyle Libre users had an improved HbA1c that was maintained over a substantial period of time. Data from Sweden's National Diabetes Register conclude that people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes significantly reduced their HbA1c when they used the FreeStyle Libre system for three to nine months. A reduction of HbA1c of 0.44% for people with Type 1 and 0.67% for people with Type 2 were observed with first-time users of FreeStyle Libre system. Expanded analysis of real-world data from Canada demonstrate that higher frequency of scanning is associated with increased time in target glucose range and decreased hypoglycemia. This analysis, in addition to previous real-world findings, show a strong association between FreeStyle Libre users who scan more frequently and overall improved glucose control. More than 12,000 people with diabetes using a CGM for the first time, including the FreeStyle Libre system, experienced a significant reduction in acute diabetes complications. People with Type 1 diabetes experienced a significant reduction in acute diabetes complications of 44% after CGM usage.

08:03 EST Booz Allen awarded 10-year, $113M contract by SEC for cyber defense operations - The Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, awarded Booz Allen an extensive 10-year contract, totaling $113M, to deliver modernized cyber defense operations support. With this new contract, Booz Allen will become the SEC's major provider of cybersecurity services. Booz Allen was selected for its understanding of the agency's mission.

08:03 EST Yum! Brands' KFC to launch Kentucky Fried Chicken & Donuts nationwide - Kentucky Fried Chicken announced it is bringing its coveted, always hot, Kentucky Fried Chicken & Donuts to fans nationwide. Kentucky Fried Chicken & Donuts brings two all-American classics together, a delicious pairing of KFC's world-famous fried chicken, coupled with a warm, fresh-glazed donut. Beginning February 24, Kentucky Fried Chicken & Donuts will be available at participating restaurants in the U.S. for a limited time only.

08:00 EST E Trade trading resumes

07:46 EST Corvus Gold intersects high-grade gold in first North Deep target - Corvus Gold announces it has received positive assay results from the upper part of its first diamond core hole in the North Deep target, designed to evaluate the intrusive connection to the Mother Lode gold system at depth. Corvus believes that these encouraging results continue to demonstrate the expansion potential of the Mother Lode Gold system and its increasing association with higher-grades in both gold and silver. In addition, geologic data from pending holes suggest the ND mineralized zones is flattening or uplifted as it continues to the north with an expanding intrusive zone and stronger alteration. Due to the initial encouragement of the deep diamond drilling, we have expanded the program with an additional diamond core rig. Results from hole ML19-125-CT is successfully outlining a new exploration front for the expansion of the Mother Lode deposit both to the north and at depth below the main deposit. The higher-grade zones in this initial core hole, like hole ML19-104 to the north and ML19-92 indicate mineralization is closely associated with a multiphase, intermediate intrusive system at depth. This deeper intrusive target environment has shown a strong alteration and mineral assemblage pattern, as well as increasing silver values which are characteristic of a higher temperature zone favorable for large, higher-grade gold systems.

07:43 EST HollyFrontier CEO 'optimistic' demand for gasoline, diesel will strengthen - HollyFrontier's President & CEO, Michael Jennings, commented, "Despite heavy maintenance across our refining system in the fourth quarter, HFC achieved healthy financial results in 2019. The resulting strong cash flow generation allowed us to invest over $500 million into our assets, complete the acquisition of Sonneborn and return $758 million in cash to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during the year. Looking forward to 2020, we are optimistic that demand for gasoline and diesel will strengthen into the summer driving season, margins for finished lubricants will remain strong and the base oil market will improve as existing capacity absorbs growing demand for premium base oils."

07:41 EST ChinaNet Online appoints Kelly Cheung Ling Yu as CBO - ChinaNet Online Holdings announced the appointment of Mr. Kelly Cheung Ling Yu to the position of Chief Business Officer. In this role, Mr. Yu will help to explore new business opportunities in healthcare industry advertising, advance the Company's development of blockchain technology, and facilitate the integration of artificial intelligence data analysis. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Yu held several leadership positions throughout China's healthcare industry.

07:38 EST Alliance Data CEO Ralph Andretta begins tenure - Alliance Data announced that Ralph Andretta has begun his tenure as Alliance Data President and CEO. Andretta was appointed president and CEO in November 2019, with an effective date of February 3, 2020. Andretta succeeds Charles Horn, who served as Alliance Data's interim CEO since November and will continue with the company as EVP and Senior Advisor during a transition period. Most recently, Andretta served as Managing Director and Head of U.S. Cards for Citigroup. Andretta's career spans Citi, American Express, Bank of America and EY. Andretta will spend his next 100 days on a listening tour, meeting with company management and associates across multiple locations worldwide as well as other key stakeholders and partners. By late spring, with input received from various stakeholders, Andretta will work with his executive leadership team to develop and execute a strategic plan focused on reenergizing the business and returning Alliance Data to more sustainable, predictable growth.

07:36 EST Domino's Pizza confirms two-to-three-year outlook - Sees: Global retail sales growth of 7%-10%; U.S. same store sales growth 2% - 5%; International same store sales growth 1%-4%; Global net unit growth 6%-8%.

07:35 EST Morgan Stanley drops 4% to $54.03 following all-stock acquisition of E-Trade

07:34 EST Moleculin Biotech's Annamycin shows no cardiotoxicity in Phase 1 trial to date - Moleculin Biotech has received an independent assessment of the absence of cardiotoxicity in patients treated with Annamycin in both its US and European open label and single arm Phase 1 clinical trials. Data from the first 5 patients in the US and the first 9 patients in Europe were made available to an expert in chemotherapy who is affiliated with a leading cancer research institute in assessing cardiotoxicity. After review of this data, the independent expert concluded that he "does not see evidence of cardio-toxicity." Cardiac health biomarkers such as blood Troponin levels are considered an indicator of potential long-term heart damage. "We are pleased to receive this independent assessment which further validates the absence of cardiotoxicity in patients to date of Annamycin," stated CEO Wally Klemp. "Currently approved anthracyclines are notoriously cardiotoxic, so demonstrating that Annamycin is not cardiotoxic, even in patients who have received more than the lifetime maximum cumulative anthracycline exposure established by the FDA, supports our claim that Annamycin is truly in a class by itself, and indeed a 'Next Generation' anthracycline."

07:31 EST Domino's Pizza reports Q4 U.S. same store sales growth of 3.4% - Reports: U.S. same store sales growth of 3.4% for the fourth quarter; 3.2% for fiscal 2019; International same store sales growth of 1.7% for the fourth quarter; 1.9% for fiscal 2019; Global net store growth of 492 for the fourth quarter; 1,106 for fiscal 2019.

07:30 EST Annovis Bio issued patent for method of treating Parkinson's Disease - Annovis Bio was issued a patent in August 2019 for a method of treating Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia and other Lewy body diseases in humans by administering its lead compound, ANVS401. The Company expects multiple patents to be generated from this patent family, each targeting specific neurodegenerative diseases independently. ANVS401 improves axonal transport, the information highway of the nerve cell, by attacking multiple neurotoxic proteins simultaneously. ANVS401 is the lead compound in the Company's ongoing Phase 2a clinical trial for Alzheimer's disease and in a planned Phase 2a trial for Parkinson's disease. The Company is planning a 50-patient Phase 2a study in Parkinson's disease with primary endpoints targeting a decrease in neurotoxic protein levels, increase in neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors, lowering of inflammatory proteins, lowering of neurodegeneration markers, and positive cognitive and functional outcomes.

07:26 EST AK Steel won't hold conference call amid pending Cleveland-Cliffs merger - As a result of the pending merger with Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., AK Steel will not be holding an earnings conference call for the fourth quarter.

07:24 EST E Trade trading halted, news dissemination

07:23 EST Gildan Activewear renews shareholder rights plan - The Company also announced that its Board of Directors has approved the renewal and adoption of a shareholder rights plan, which will become effective upon confirmation and approval by the shareholders of the Company at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on April 30, 2020. The Rights Plan will ensure that the Company and its shareholders continue to receive the benefits associated with the Company's current shareholder rights plan, which is due to expire at the close of business on the date of the Company's upcoming annual meeting of shareholders. The Rights Plan is designed to ensure that all shareholders of the Company are treated fairly in connection with any take-over offer or other acquisition of control of the Company. The Rights Plan was not adopted in response to any specific proposal to acquire control of the Company, nor is the Board of Directors aware of any pending or threatened take-over bid for the Company. The Rights Plan is similar to plans recently adopted by other Canadian companies and approved by their shareholders. If approved by the shareholders, the Rights Plan will remain in effect until the close of business on the date of the Company's annual meeting of shareholders in 2023, with one renewal option subject to shareholder approval, and subject to earlier termination or expiration of the Rights Plan in accordance with its terms.

07:22 EST Gildan Activewear raises quarterly dividend 15% to 15.4c per share - The Board of Directors has approved a 15% increase in the amount of the current quarterly dividend and has declared a cash dividend of $0.154 per share, payable on April 6, 2020 to shareholders of record on March 12, 2020. This dividend is an "eligible dividend" for the purposes of the Income Tax Act and any other applicable provincial legislation pertaining to eligible dividends. This is the Company's eighth consecutive annual increase in the quarterly dividend since inception of the dividend.

07:09 EST Norwegian Cruise Line cancels all voyages in Asia across three brands - The company said, "The Company has proactively implemented several preventative measures to reduce potential exposure and transmission of COVID-19 and to protect the health, safety, security and well-being of its guests and crew. These measures include enhanced pre-boarding and onboard health protocols that go above and beyond standard operating procedures. Any guest or crew who have traveled to China, Hong Kong or Macau in the past 30 days, regardless of nationality, are not allowed to board the Company's vessels. Certain itineraries have been modified and the Company has the flexibility to alter additional voyages as needed. Out of an abundance of caution and as a result of the uncertainty surrounding port entry and berthing availability in various destinations in Asia, the Company has made the prudent decision to cancel all voyages in Asia across its three brands. A total of 40 voyages have been canceled, modified or redeployed including 24 voyages on Norwegian Cruise Line, 10 on Oceania Cruises and 6 on Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Following these changes, the Company will not have any vessels deployed in Asia through the end of the third quarter 2020. At this time, the known direct impact to full year 2020 Adjusted EPS is expected to be approximately $0.75 and is excluded from the Company's first quarter and full year 2020 guidance. This direct impact primarily includes customer incentive compensation and 40 cancelled, modified or redeployed Asia voyages across the Company's three brands. This includes the close-in redeployment of 21 cancelled Asia voyages on Norwegian Spirit which have been redeployed to the Eastern Mediterranean for summer 2020 with an extremely condensed booking window. Due to the fluidity and uncertainty as to the duration and extent of the outbreak, it is too early for the Company to fully quantify impacts from broader headwinds to its business resulting from decreased demand for travel and tourism globally. The Company's financial performance could be materially impacted if travel restrictions and COVID-19 concerns continue for an extended period of time."

07:08 EST comScore renews partnership with 27 CBS TV stations - Comscore announced a multi-year partnership with all 27 CBS Local Television Stations. Under the agreement, the stations will be continuing their use of Comscore local television and automotive and political currencies.

07:04 EST Aaron's sees FY20 EBITDA $430M-$458M - Sees FY20 CapEx $90M-$100M.

06:56 EST Reliance Steel "cautiously optimistic" that 2020 demand will strengthen - Reliance Steel expects to increase estimated sustainable gross profit margin range to 28% to 30%. The company expects activity to remain at similar levels in Q1. Demand in the energy - oil and gas - market remains at low levels, which Reliance expects to continue in the near-term. Reliance expects semiconductor demand to improve in 2020 as compared to 2019.

06:49 EST Neovasc to request Nasdaq hearing after delisting determination - Neovasc will request a hearing before the Nasdaq Hearings Panel as the next step in the process in seeking an extension to satisfy the $35M minimum market value of listed securities requirement for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market. On February 19, the company received the expected notice indicating that Nasdaq had determined to delist the company's common shares from Nasdaq unless the company requests a hearing before the Panel by February 26, which the company will do.This request will ordinarily stay any further action by the Staff and the company's securities are expected to continue to be eligible to trade on Nasdaq at least pending the ultimate conclusion of the hearing process.In order to evidence full compliance with the requirement, the company must evidence a market value of listed securities of at least $35M for ten consecutive business days. The Board and management have developed a plan to regain compliance with the MVLS Requirement that the company believes provides support for its request for an extension. The company is also listed on the TSX and the company's noncompliance with the Nasdaq $35M minimum MVLS requirement does not affect the company's compliance status with the TSX.

06:38 EST Teleflex acquires IWG High Performance Conductors - CEO Liam Kelly said, "As we transition into the second year of our three-year long-range plan, we remain confident in our ability to generate significant constant currency revenue growth, margin expansion, and adjusted earnings per share growth. Lastly, I am pleased to announce the acquisition of privately-held IWG High Performance Conductors, an industry-leading manufacturer of highly engineered minimally invasive medical solutions. The acquisition of HPC will expand our comprehensive OEM product portfolio by adding insulated wire and micro-diameter tubing components for medical devices including intra-cardiac mapping catheters, cerebral protection systems for TAVR procedures, and RF nerve ablation for pain management. We are quite excited to complete this acquisition, given its above-company average revenue growth and operating margin profile."

06:34 EST Lloyds Banking sees FY20 NIM 2.75%-2.8% - The company expects: Operating costs to be less than GBP 7.7 billion with the cost:income ratio lower than in 2019; Net asset quality ratio expected to be less than 30 basis points; Capital build expected to be within the Group's ongoing guidance range of 170 to 200 basis points per year and riskweighted assets to be broadly in line with 2019; Expect increased statutory return on tangible equity of 12 to 13 per cent, driven by resilient underlying profit and lower below the line charges. The Group is targeting an ongoing CET1 capital ratio of c.12.5 per cent plus a management buffer of c.1 per cent.

06:32 EST Hormel Foods acquires Sadler's Smokehouse - Hormel Foods announced it has reached an agreement to acquire Texas-based Sadler's Smokehouse. "Sadler's Smokehouse is a family-owned business that specializes in premium and authentic pit-smoked meats for retail and foodservice customers." Hormel Foods has been a customer of Sadler's Smokehouse for over two decades. Sadler's Smokehouse will continue operations from the Henderson, Texas, facility and will report into the Refrigerated Foods segment. The transaction was structured as an asset sale and is expected to close in March.

06:27 EST Six Flags down 15% to $32.33 after Q4 results, dividend cut, CFO retirement

06:20 EST Gap announces partnership with thredUP - Gap announced a partnership with thredUP, the world's largest fashion resale platform, to encourage customers to turn in secondhand clothes in exchange for shopping credit to be redeemed at Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta, or Janie and Jack. Gap is the largest clean out participant to date in thredUP's Resale-as-a-Service program, an online platform that partners with retailers to support the circular fashion economy.

06:18 EST DaVita names Kenny Gardner Chief People Officer - DaVita announced Kenny Gardner as its new Chief People Officer. Gardner has been with DaVita for nearly a decade and most recently served the company as a group vice president, overseeing field operations in the Southeast U.S.

06:11 EST Six Flags CFO Marshall Barber to retire, Leonard Russ named interim CFO - The company announced that Marshall Barber, executive vice president and CFO, plans to retire from the company, effective August 31. He will serve as CFO through February 24, and will remain with the company until his retirement date, leading strategic projects and assisting with the transition of the new CFO. Leonard Russ, Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning and Analysis, will assume the role of interim chief financial officer effective upon Barber stepping down from that position.

06:08 EST Six Flags sees FY20 adjusted EBITDA $435M-$465M - The guidance assumes the following: (i) significantly lower revenue contribution from the company's international development agreements, (ii) organic revenue growth trends consistent with 2019, and (iii) operating cost headwinds, including higher wages and increased investment in the parks to improve the guest experience. The company is facing challenges related to its base business. Soft organic revenue trends, and increasing operating cost headwinds, primarily related to higher minimum and market wages, will be difficult to overcome in 2020. Therefore, the board of directors and management team have concluded that the company needs to make incremental investments in the base business to enhance the guest experience. The management team is working diligently to develop a new strategic plan to determine how best to improve the company's trajectory and deliver sustained earnings growth over both the short- and long-term.

05:58 EST MGM admits to data breach after 10.6M customers' data posted online - MGM Resorts said in a statement to media outlets: "Last summer, we discovered unauthorized access to a cloud server that contained a limited amount of information for certain previous guests of MGM Resorts." No financial, payment card or password data was involved in the incident and the guests affected were notified, according to the company. The statement comes after ZDNet reported yesterday that the personal details of more than 10.6M users who stayed at MGM Resorts hotels have been published on a hacking forum this week. Reference Link

05:13 EST LexinFintech purchases land usage rights in Shenzhen - LexinFintech announced that the company has successfully bid for a plot of land in Shenzhen's Nanshan district. Total purchase price for the acquisition of the land plot is expected to be RMB 1.032B. The company expects to enter into definitive agreements with the municipal government in the first quarter of 2020. The company has paid a RMB 206.4M security deposit as part of the bid. Pursuant to the terms of the bid, the company is expected to pay 50% of the total purchase price (minus the security deposit) immediately after the signing of the definitive agreements, and the remaining 50% of the purchase price within one year after the signing. The land use rights are subject to certain agreed-upon performance requirements and transfer restrictions.