Stockwinners Market Radar for July 01, 2020 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

20:18 EDT SPDR Gold Shares holdings rise to 1,182.11MT from 1,178.90M - This is the highest level of holdings since April of 2013.

18:33 EDT FAA says Boeing completes 737 MAX certification flight tests - The FAA and Boeing completed the certification flight tests on the Boeing 737 MAX. During three days of testing this week, FAA pilots and engineers evaluated Boeing's proposed changes in connection with the automated flight control system on the aircraft. While completion of the flights is an important milestone, a number of key tasks remain, including evaluating the data gathered during these flights. The agency is following a deliberate process and will take the time it needs to thoroughly review Boeing's work. "We will lift the grounding order only after FAA safety experts are satisfied that the aircraft meets certification standards," the FAA said. The remaining tasks include JOEB validation and FSB review, the final FSB report, final design documentation, a TAB report, CANIC & AD responses, a rescinding of the grounding order, certificates of airworthiness, and operator training programs.

18:30 EDT Novartis to pay $678M to settle DOJ fraud suit - Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that the United States has settled a civil fraud lawsuit against Novartis Pharmaceuticals, part of Swiss drug manufacturer Novartis International AG, alleging that Novartis violated the federal False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute by providing doctors with cash payments, recreational outings, lavish meals, and expensive alcohol to induce them to prescribe Novartis cardiovascular and diabetes drugs reimbursed by federal healthcare programs. Specifically, the Government alleged that Novartis organized tens of thousands of sham educational events at high-end restaurants and other venues, paid exorbitant speaker fees to doctors who gave no meaningful presentations, and provided expensive meals and alcohol to doctor attendees and their guests. When those doctors then prescribed Novartis's cardiovascular and diabetes drugs, federal healthcare programs paid hundreds of millions of dollars in reimbursements for these tainted prescriptions. As part of the settlement, approved today by U.S. District Judge Paul E. Gardephe, Novartis will pay the United States and various States a total of $678M. Novartis also made extensive factual admissions in the settlement and agreed to strict limitations on any future speaker programs, including reductions to the amount it may spend on such programs. Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: "For more than a decade, Novartis spent hundreds of millions of dollars on so-called speaker programs, including speaking fees, exorbitant meals, and top-shelf alcohol that were nothing more than bribes to get doctors across the country to prescribe Novartis's drugs. Giving these cash payments and other lavish goodies interferes with the duty of doctors to choose the best treatment for their patients and increases drug costs for everyone. This Office will continue to be vigilant in cracking down on kickbacks, however they may be dressed up, throughout the pharmaceutical industry." Reference Link

18:06 EDT Highwoods Properties reports 99% of rent collected in June - Highwoods Properties provided a business update. The company has signed a 138,000 square foot, long-term, full-building renewal with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Tampa. chis was the Company's largest lease expiration remaining in 2020. Highwoods developed the FBI's Tampa Field Office as a build-to-suit in 2005. After collecting 99% of its contractually required rents for the months of April and May, the company has collected 99% of its contractually required rents for the month of June. The company further reported that all buildings and parking facilities have remained open for business. The company has sold Centrum and Colonnade, two office buildings in Memphis that encompass a total of 169,000 square feet, for $23.3M. These office properties are a combined 89% occupied and are projected to generate approximately $1.4M of cash net operating income and $1.7 million of GAAP net operating income in 2020. The company expects to record non-FFO gains of approximately $9.6 million in the third quarter of 2020 in connection with these sales.

18:01 EDT BeiGene announces acceptance of sNDA for tislelizumab in China - BeiGene announced that the Center for Drug Evaluation of the China National Medical Products Administration has accepted a supplemental new drug application of BeiGene's anti-PD-1 antibody tislelizumab for the treatment of patients with previously treated unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer.

17:40 EDT Akamai CFO sells 4,758 common shares - In a regulatory filing, Akamai CFO Edward J. McGowan disclosed the sale of 4,758 common shares of the company on June 30 at a price of $107.0072 per share.

17:23 EDT Accenture, CAE and others awarded $950M ceiling Air Force contract - Accenture (ACN), CAE (CAE), Leidos (LDOS), Mercury Systems (MRCY), SAIC (SAIC), Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) and NetScout (NTCT), have been awarded $950M ceiling indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts to compete for future efforts associated with the maturation, demonstration and proliferation of capability across platforms and domains, leveraging open systems design, modern software and algorithm development in order to enable joint all domain command and control. These contracts provide for the development and operation of systems as a unified force across all domains in an open architecture family of systems that enables capabilities via multiple integrated platforms. The locations of performance are to be determined at the contract direct order level and are expected to be completed May 28, 2025. These awards are the result of competition. FY20 research, development, test and evaluation funds will fully fund initial delivery orders. Air Force Life Cycle Management is the contracting activity.

16:43 EDT Bridge Bancorp, Dime Community combination to led by CEO Kevin O'Connor - The combined company's board of directors will have twelve directors, consisting of six directors from Bridge (BDGE) and six directors from Dime (DCOM). Kenneth Mahon, the current CEO of Dime, will serve as Executive Chairman of the combined company. Marcia Hefter, the current Chairwoman of Bridge's board of directors, will serve as the independent Lead Director of the combined company. The combined company will be led by a well-respected management team that is comprised of individuals with significant financial services and M&A integration experience. Kevin O'Connor, the current President and CEO of Bridge, will serve as Chief Executive Officer Stuart "Stu" Lubow, the current President of Dime, will serve as President and COO. John McCaffery, the current CFO of Bridge, will serve as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer. Avinash "Avi" Reddy, the current Senior Executive Vice President and CFO of Dime, will serve as Senior Executive Vice President and CFO.

16:40 EDT Bridge Bancorp, Dime Community to combine in $489M all-stock merger of equals - Bridge Bancorp (BDGE) and Dime Community Bancshares (DCOM) announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which the companies will combine in an all-stock merger of equals transaction, valued at approximately $489M. The merger combines two complementary banking platforms to create a premier community-based business bank. The combined company will have over $11B in assets, over $8B in total deposits, and 66 branches spanning Montauk to Manhattan. Under the terms of the merger agreement, which was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, Dime will merge with and into Bridge, with Bridge as the surviving corporation, and Dime Community Bank will merge with and into BNB Bank, with BNB Bank as the surviving institution. Following the closing of the transaction, Dime shareholders will receive 0.6480 shares of Bridge common stock for each share of Dime common stock they own. Each outstanding share of Dime's 5.50% Fixed-Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A will be converted into the right to receive one share of a newly created series of preferred stock of Bridge with the same preferences and rights. Upon completion of the transaction, which is subject to both Dime and Bridge shareholder approval, Dime shareholders will own approximately 52% and Bridge shareholders will own approximately 48% of the combined company. The combined company will operate under the "Dime Community Bancshares, Inc." name and the combined bank will operate under the "Dime Community Bank" name. The combined company will trade under the Dime ticker symbol "DCOM" on The Nasdaq Stock Market. The merger is expected to close in the first quarter of 2021, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of customary regulatory approvals and approval by the shareholders of each company.

16:37 EDT Bridge Bancorp, Dime Community to combine in $489M all-stock merger of equals

16:34 EDT Cooper-Standard finalizes divestiture of certain operations in Europe and India - Cooper-Standard Holdings announced that the company has completed the divestiture of its European rubber fluid transfer and specialty sealing businesses, as well as its Indian operations, to Mutares. "We are continuing the execution of our longer-term strategic initiatives despite current market challenges and disruptions," said Jeffrey Edwards, chairman and CEO, Cooper Standard. "The divestiture of these non-core operations will enable us to improve profitability and focus important company resources in areas where we see greater potential for profitable growth."

16:32 EDT Kansas City Southern announces organizational changes focused on PSR strategy - Kansas City Southern announced several organizational changes effective July 1 designed to further support the company's ongoing Precision Scheduled Railroading strategy and provide development opportunities for several KCS leaders. Mike Walczak, currently vice president mechanical operations, will move to a newly created role in the Finance organization, reporting to executive vice president and chief financial officer Michael W. Upchurch. In this role, Mr. Walczak will lead Service Design, Car Management, Fuel Management, Treasury and Tax, working closely with executive vice president PSR Sameh Fahmy to continue the execution of KCS' very successful PSR strategy. Darin Selby, currently vice president intermodal and automotive operations, will assume responsibility for Mechanical Operations. Mr. Selby has extensive leadership experience in Sales and Marketing and Operations, and will lead KCS' Mechanical organization as it continues to right-size its equipment fleet, increase staff productivity, minimize failures and train delays and invest in new technologies to improve the reliability of company assets. Olivia Daily, currently assistant vice president service design, will assume the role of vice president purchasing. Bill Blaise, currently vice president purchasing, has elected to retire effective September 1, and will assist in the transition of the Purchasing organization. Bill has been with KCS since 2007 in a variety of finance roles.

16:31 EDT Leidos awarded traveler processing and vetting software contract - Leidos has been awarded a new Blanket Purchase Agreement, or BPA, by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to provide software development services and related specialized equipment. This single award BPA has a total estimated value of $960M. It includes a one-year base period of performance followed by four one-year option periods. Work will primarily be performed in the Washington D.C. capital region.

16:24 EDT Culp, Inc. sees Q1 revenue improved from Q4 - Although subject to unforeseen changes that may arise as the pandemic and its economic impact continue to unfold, the company is encouraged by improving business conditions and expects sales and operating performance for Q1 of FY21 to be significantly improved as compared with Q4 of FY20, with operating income expected to be near break-even and the company's net cash position expected to be comparable to its net cash position at the end of FY20 year.

16:13 EDT Vishay appoints Joel Smejkal to new role EVP corporate business development - Vishay Intertechnology announced several executive management changes. Joel Smejkal has been appointed to the newly created role as Executive Vice President - Corporate Business Development. Mr. Smejkal continues to report to Dr. Gerald Paul, President and Chief Executive Officer. In his new position, Mr. Smejkal is responsible for developing growth strategies for all of Vishay businesses and he will head essential growth initiatives. Mr. Smejkal has been with Vishay since 1990. Jeff Webster is assuming Mr. Smejkal's previous responsibilities as Executive Vice President - Business Head Passive Components and is reporting directly to the CEO. Mr. Webster was formerly Senior Vice President - Corporate Quality and had recently been working on special projects as Assistant to the CEO. Mr. Webster has been with Vishay since January 2000. Andreas Randebrock has been appointed Executive Vice President - Global Human Resources reporting directly to the CEO. Werner Gebhardt has retired from that position after 44 years of service to the Company. Mr. Randebrock had been Senior Vice President - Employee Development and has been with Vishay since May 2015. Prior to Vishay Mr. Randebrock was a partner at the global human resources consultancy Hay Group (since acquired by Korn Ferry).

16:13 EDT South Jersey Industries' South Jersey Gas names Melissa Orsen as COO - South Jersey Gas, subsidiary of SJI, announced the appointment of Melissa Orsen as President and Chief Operations Officer. Orsen succeeds Dave Robbins, who previously held the role and who will remain with the utility's parent company as senior vice president, SJI, and President, SJI Utilities, the holding company for South Jersey Gas, Elizabethtown Gas and Elkton Gas. Orsen joined SJI in 2018 as Senior Vice President, General Counsel. Since that time, she has helped lead the organization through a dynamic energy landscape, both at the state and federal levels, guided by over fifteen years of regulatory agency and leadership experience.

16:10 EDT Unity Biotechnology provides update on lead development programs - Unity Biotechnology provided updates on its lead development programs. In February, Unity announced completion of enrollment of its Phase 2 study of UBX0101, a p53/MDM2 interaction inhibitor, in patients with moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis of the knee. The study is randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled and will evaluate three doses of UBX0101 administered via a single intra-articular injection. UNITY expects to announce 12-week results from the study in Q3. Unity announced that it has completed investigational new drug, or IND-enabling studies with UBX1325, a senolytic, small molecule inhibitor of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member, Bcl-xL. Unity expects to file an IND for a Phase 1 safety study for UBX1325 and, assuming clinical sites are able to recruit and retain investigators and study staff and screen and enroll patients during the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic, to initiate a Phase 1 study in the second half of 2020 and obtain initial results from the study in 2021. The overall clinical program is directed at multiple age-related diseases of the eye, such as diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. In connection with the selection of UBX1325 as its lead molecule for the ophthalmology program, UNITY executed an amendment to an existing compound license agreement with Ascentage Pharma. The amended compound license agreement grants Unity exclusive worldwide development and commercialization rights and non-exclusive manufacturing rights outside of Greater China for UBX1325 in all non-oncology indications. Inside Greater China, Unity is obligated to commercialize UBX1325 through a joint venture with Ascentage Pharma. "The second half of 2020 will be an eventful period for UNITY, particularly for our cellular senescence programs for osteoarthritis and for age-related eye diseases," said Anirvan Ghosh, CEO of UNITY. "We expect important results from both our Phase 2 and Phase 1b studies of UBX0101 in patients with painful osteoarthritis of the knee where we see significant unmet need and the opportunity to develop a new class of therapeutic options with durable benefit. We are also excited to advance UBX1325 into clinical development in age-related eye diseases, such as diabetic macular edema and diabetic retinopathy, where senescent cell burden has been implicated and where clinicians and patients have a strong need for novel therapeutic options. UBX1325 is a Bcl-XL inhibitor and represents the second mechanism we are advancing to the clinic."

16:10 EDT Venus Concept announces FDA 510 clearance for Venus Viva MD - Venus Concept announced that it has received FDA 510(k) clearance to market and sell Venus Viva MD. Venus Viva MD is a non-invasive device intended to be used by aesthetic-related physicians or dermatologists. It expands the Company's skin rejuvenation offerings beyond the Venus Viva and Venus Versa(TM) which were introduced to the medical aesthetics market in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The Venus Viva MD is a portable and versatile tabletop device that enables a wide range of treatments with two applicators. When used with the new Viva MD applicator, the Venus Viva MD device is intended for use in dermatological procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin including conditions such as acne scars, dyschromia, striae and enlarged pores. The Viva MD applicator is a fractional handpiece that offers a new 80 pin tip design which doubles the output energy up to 124mJ per pin electrode as compared to the 160 pin tip option used with the existing Venus Versa and Viva devices. The new 80 pin tip output results in increased depth of ablation which enhances treatment outcomes while maintaining the safety profile. When used with the Diamondpolar applicator, the Venus Viva MD device is intended for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides for patients with Fitzpatrick skin type I-IV. The Venus Viva MD is also integrated with the Company's Internet of Things (IoT) technology that collects technical information to help providers enhance business operations and improve treatment efficiency.

16:07 EDT Eaton Vance acquires assets of wealth management firm WaterOak Advisors - Eaton Vance's wholly owned subsidiary Eaton Vance Investment Counsel signed a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of WaterOak Advisors, a wealth management firm headquartered in Winter Park, Florida with approximately $2B of client assets under management. WaterOak principals and their team will join Eaton Vance Investment Counsel. The terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. Completion of the transaction is contingent upon certain closing conditions. Founded in 2006 by Lemons, WaterOak develops and implements customized wealth advisory strategies for individuals, families and institutions, and guides clients toward thoughtful decisions regarding their overall financial situations.

16:05 EDT Frequency Electronics gets $28.6M contract from aerospace and defense firm - Frequency Electronics announced the award of a contract for frequency generation subsystems from a major aerospace and defense prime contractor for end use on a critical US Government defense satellite program. The contract value is approximately $28.6 million, including all options and includes the design and manufacture of the primary frequency references for the satellites. The period of performance is approximately three years, again, inclusive of options. Commenting on the win, FEI CEO Stan Sloane said, "We are very proud to have been selected for this key program and, once again, be providing a major subsystem for military satellites. Our selection was based not only on our proven ability to deliver high performing and high reliability electronics for space application, but on a long history of meeting commitments to our customers. The award reflects this customer's absolute confidence in FEI. This is a very significant win for us and one which clearly establishes FEI as the premier source for time and frequency references for space applications."

16:03 EDT Fed, FDIC provide biggest banks with information for next resolution plans - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Federal Reserve Board provided information to the eight largest and most complex domestic banking organizations that will guide their next resolution plans, which are due by July 1, 2021, the central bank announced. "Resolution plans, commonly known as living wills, must describe the firm's strategy for rapid and orderly resolution in bankruptcy in the event of material financial distress or failure of the firm. The 2021 plans will be required to include core elements of a firm's resolution plan-such as capital, liquidity, and recapitalization strategies-as well as how each firm has integrated changes to and lessons learned from its response to the coronavirus into its resolution planning process. This will be the first 'targeted' resolution plan, a type of plan introduced in the revisions to the agencies' resolution plan rule finalized last year," the Fed said. Publicly traded large banks include Bank of America (BAC), Citi (C), Goldman Sachs (GS), JPMorgan (JPM), Morgan Stanley (MS), U.S. Bancorp (USB) and Wells Fargo (WFC). Reference Link

15:24 EDT Fossil to suspend advertising on Facebook/Instagram during July - Fossil (FOSL) said via Twitter that, "Fossil will suspend all paid advertising on Facebook and Instagram during the month of July in support of the #stophateforprofit campaign. Since our community is so important to us, we will continue to post organically on Instagram and Facebook as a way to stay connected with you." Fossil is among the latest companies to join a growing list of names that have stopped spending on Facebook (FB) in support of a campaign that called out the company for not doing enough to stop hate speech on its platform. Reference Link

15:02 EDT Jacobs selected to provide project management consultancy for K&C water plant - Jacobs announced that it was selected to provide project management consultancy to Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board to rehabilitate the Koramangala & Challaghatta Valley Used Water Treatment Plant in Belur Nagasandra, India. Jacobs will provide preliminary design, tendering, construction supervision, and testing and commissioning services to the project. BWSSB expect the rehabilitation works to be complete in 2022.

14:49 EDT Volkswagen reports Q2 U.S. sales down 29% to 69,933 vehicles - Volkswagen of America reports Q2 retails sales down 16% from 2019, with retail sales for the month of June down 1.6%. Reference Link

14:09 EDT Honda reports June U.S. sales down 15.5%, Bloomberg says

14:03 EDT Precipio regains compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements - Precipio announced that it has regained compliance with the Nasdaq listing requirements. On June 29, the company received a letter from Nasdaq stating that because the company's shares had a closing bid price at or above $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten consecutive business days, the company's stock had regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement for continued listing and that the matter is now closed. "With this matter behind us, the company can continue to focus on building strong shareholder value. We are excited about the many growth opportunities the company is working on, and we look forward to sharing those with our investors in the coming months," said Ilan Danieli, Precipio's CEO.

13:22 EDT Amazon's Twitch 'by far the leader' in live streaming industry, says new report - According to a new report from Streamlabs and Stream Hatchet, Amazon's (AMZN) "Twitch is still by far the leader in the live streaming industry. Streamlabs and Stream Hatchetsaid in part: "Last quarter, they set all-time highs for both hours watched, hours streamed, and average CCV. This quarter they broke all of them. Twitch's prevalence as an industry leader will surely be attractive to Microsoft's (MSFT) Mixer streamers looking for a new platform....Microsoft (MSFT) says Mixer will officially shut down on July 22. Mixer is teaming up with Facebook (FB) Gaming to give its users a new home; however, it is still unclear how many people will make the transition. Twitch had a 62.7% increase in hours watched from Q1 to over 5B hours watched in Q2 The platform experienced a massive 62.7% increase in hours watched compared to the previous quarter and increased by 83.1% year over year. Twitch now represents 67.6% market share (up 2.6% from last quarter) compared to the other platforms...The number of unique channels on Twitch increased by 63.9% compared to the previous quarter and increased by 78.6% year over year...YouTube (GOOG,GOOGL) Gaming Live experienced a 39.6% increase in hours watched compared to last quarter, and now represents 20% of the market share (down 2% from last quarter)...The total hours watched on Facebook Gaming increased by 48.5% compared to last quarter and represents 11% of the market share (same as last quarter). Year-over-year, Facebook Gaming has tripled the total hours watched on the platform." Reference Link

12:49 EDT Centene to establish East Coast headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina - Centene Corporation announced that it will establish an East Coast headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, after completing a comprehensive evaluation process. The company will begin construction on the new campus in August and plans to create 6,000 new jobs and invest $1B in the Charlotte community over time. "Charlotte has great talent, excellent infrastructure and a real commitment to sustainable development," said Michael F. Neidorff, Chairman, President and CEO of Centene. "We are pleased to expand our partnership with the city of Charlotte, the county of Mecklenburg, and the state of North Carolina. We look forward to many years of collective growth and innovation." The first phase of construction will be complete in the second half of 2022 and accommodate approximately 3,000 employees. In anticipation of this phase, the company is committed to expanding its existing footprint in the Charlotte metro area immediately and will begin recruiting for roles across multiple areas, such as information technology, finance, compliance, health economics, business analytics, human resources, quality and clinical positions. The next phase of construction, to begin in 2024, will accommodate an additional 3,000 employees when complete, allowing the campus to accommodate a total of 6,000 employees. The company plans to share additional details about the site's location in the coming weeks. As part of its agreement with local officials, the company plans to hire at least 3,200 people over the next 12 years but expects to hit that goal sooner.

12:30 EDT Facebook's WhatsApp allows up to eight people on video call - Facebook's Instagram announced new WhatsApp features that are rolling out over the next few weeks. It said, "With now up to eight people on a video call, we've made it easier to focus on whoever you want by letting you press and hold to maximize a participant's video to full screen. We also added a video icon in group chats of eight or less, so you can easily start a group video call with one tap." Zoom Video Communications (ZM) and Microsoft (MSFT) also offer video group video calls. Reference Link

12:10 EDT Sorrento Therapeutics announces selection of T-VIVA-19 as SARS-CoV-2 candidate - Sorrento Therapeutics announced that it has published a pre-print publication describing initial pre-clinical results from its COVID-19 vaccination program, which introduced a novel targeted protein vaccine against COVID-19, referred to as T-VIVA-19. The rS1-Fc was injected into either the vein or the thigh muscle of a mouse. The mice were given a booster shot three weeks later and immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 were examined. Immunization with the rS1-Fc protein via intramuscular and intravenous injections induced antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 protein in all mice within the first week of administration. Antibodies were observed to be enhanced upon the administration of a booster. Approximately 80% of the mice's sera possessed neutralizing antibodies and completely prevented virus infection in in vitro cell cultures using 100 TCID50 viruses and VERO cells. Dr. Henry Ji, Chairman and CEO of Sorrento Therapeutics, said, "If successful and approved, we plan to produce the T-VIVA-19 vaccine in our therapeutic antibody cGMP production facility in San Diego. Due to the potentially low dose administration of T-VIVA-19, which may be one milligram per person or less, we believe our existing cGMP manufacturing facility is capable of producing bulk drug substance rS1-Fc for up to 100 million doses a month. Unlike other vaccine candidates, our rS1-Fc protein production could utilize our existing therapeutic antibody manufacturing processes, and we therefore believe it would be simple and easy to scale up." Sorrento plans to take the T-VIVA-19 vaccine candidate through the regulatory steps for clinical trial clearance, while preparing for large scale manufacturing and commercial distribution in parallel.

12:00 EDT Garrett Motion falls -8.7% - Garrett Motion is down -8.7%, or -48c to $5.06.

12:00 EDT VelocityShares 3x Long Natural Gas ETN falls -12.3% - VelocityShares 3x Long Natural Gas ETN is down -12.3%, or -$1.25 to $8.93.

12:00 EDT Daqo New Energy rises 12.9% - Daqo New Energy is up 12.9%, or $9.54 to $83.78.

11:53 EDT Amgen announces appeals court affirms validity of Enbrel patents - Amgen (AMGN) announced that the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has held in Amgen's favor on the validity of two patents that describe and claim Enbrel and methods for making it. Specifically, the appellate court affirmed an August 9, 2019 decision by the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey that had upheld the validity of two patents asserted against Sandoz (NVS) based on Sandoz's biosimilar of Enbrel. The patent infringement action was brought against Sandoz by Amgen affiliates Immunex Corporation and Amgen Manufacturing, Limited, along with the owner and licensor of the two patents, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. "Before trial, Sandoz acknowledged its biosimilar etanercept infringes seven claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 8,063,182 and 8,163,522," Amgen stated. On October 8, 2019, by stipulation of Amgen and Sandoz, the New Jersey District Court entered final judgment and a permanent injunction prohibiting Sandoz from making, using, importing, selling or offering for sale Sandoz's etanercept product.

11:26 EDT Aspira Women's Health announces equity financing of approximately $11M - Aspira Women's Health announced that investors, including certain affiliates of Jack W. Schuler, ASPIRA's largest stockholder, have agreed to purchase approximately $11M of unregistered shares of ASPIRA's common stock in a private placement at a price of $3.50 per share.The closing of the private placement is expected to occur on July 6, 2020, subject to customary closing conditions. At the closing, ASPIRA will receive approximately $11M in gross proceeds, before transaction costs. ASPIRA intends to use the net proceeds from the private placement for sales and marketing, working capital and other general corporate purposes, including investing in additional key strategic hires and product portfolio expansion.

11:05 EDT Peacock announces content licensing agreement with ViacomCBS - Peacock, NBCUniversal's (CMCSA, CMCSK) new streaming service, announced an agreement to license popular Paramount movies and TV shows from the ViacomCBS (VIAC, VIACA) library. Peacock said in a release, "Hit series including Ray Donovan, The Affair, Charmed, Undercover Boss, The Game, Everybody Hates Chris and Real Husbands of Hollywood will be available to stream on Peacock with the launch of the service on July 15 and will continue to be available on ViacomCBS platforms. In addition, premium films from Paramount's library will stream on Peacock in limited exclusivity windows throughout 2021, 2022, and 2023 including: The Godfather trilogy, Catch Me If You Can, The Talented Mr. Ripley, American Beauty, Patriot Games, Last Holiday, Fatal Attraction, The Firm, An Officer and a Gentleman, among others. In July, Peacock will launch across mobile, web and connected TV platforms with a free tier featuring more than 7,500 hours of movies, shows, and timely live and on-demand programming across news, sports, reality and late night. Peacock Premium will also be available for $4.99 per month and features more than 15,000 hours of content. Viewers may also upgrade Peacock Premium to ad-free for an additional $5.00 per month. ViacomCBS movies and shows will join a massive catalog of premium programming which includes Peacock originals like Brave New World, The Capture, Intelligence and Lost Speedways; sports documentary In Deep with Ryan Lochte; and the entire full-length film Psych 2: Lassie Come Home. Additionally, Peacock will feature current season programming from NBC and Telemundo; hundreds of blockbuster and beloved movies including the Fast & Furious franchise, E.T., Lost in Translation and Shrek; iconic shows such as comedies Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live, Monk, King of Queens, Everybody Loves Raymond, Two and a Half Men, Frasier, George Lopez, and Cheers; dramas like Law & Order: SVU, Downton Abbey, Yellowstone, Friday Night Lights, House, Battlestar Galactica, Psych, Parenthood, Heroes, and kids series including Curious George, Where's Waldo? and Cleopatra in Space."

11:02 EDT Pinnacle Bancshares approves extension of plan to buy back common stock - Pinnacle Bancshares, the bank holding company for Pinnacle Bank, an Alabama-chartered commercial bank with seven offices in central and northwest Alabama, announced that its board of directors has approved a new stock repurchase plan that replaced the previous stock repurchase plan dated May 25, 2016, which no longer has shares authorized for repurchase. The new stock repurchase plan is equal to approximately 5% of total shares outstanding. At March 31, 2020, the company had total assets of $244.6M and total stockholders' equity of $28.1M. The company intends to repurchase its shares from time to time at then prevailing prices in the open market, in block transactions, in unsolicited privately negotiated transactions, or in such other manner as will comply with applicable laws and regulations.

10:53 EDT Facebook sharing work to address Stop Hate For Profit organizers - The company said in a statement: "Facebook is committed to making sure everyone using our platforms can stay safe and informed. As part of our ongoing effort, we're making changes to our policies, investing in system transparency and sharing work we're doing to address the nine recommendations outlined by the Stop Hate For Profit boycott organizers." Reference Link

10:46 EDT General Motors reports Q2 U.S. sales of 492,489 vehicles, down about 34% y/y - General Motors announced that it delivered 492,489 vehicles in the second quarter of 2020, a decrease in total vehicle sales of about 34%t compared to a year ago with demand outpacing supply in the latter half of the quarter. While the industry experienced significant declines due to the outbreak of COVID-19, GM said full-size pickup truck sales performed exceptionally well, and overall sales showed signs of recovery, especially deliveries to retail customers. "Our resilient sales reflect an improving demand curve, and the strong efforts of GM and our retailers in unprecedented times," said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president, Sales Operations. "GM entered the quarter with very lean inventories and our dealers did a great job meeting customer demand, especially for pickups. Now, we are refilling the pipeline by quickly and safely returning production to pre-pandemic levels. Having an appropriate mix of the right vehicles combined with the benefits of enhanced shopping technologies such as Shop. Click. Drive., positions us for success in the second half of 2020." Retail sales were off by about 24% in the quarter, roughly in line with the industry. The majority of GM's U.S. plants, including all truck and SUV plants, will continue to operate during the traditional two-week summer shutdown. Additionally, the majority of GM's increasing output will be devoted to restocking retail channels with capacity made available by lower rental volumes.

10:43 EDT Facebook says does not profit from hate, getting better at stopping it - In a piece that also ran on AdAge, Facebook's Nick Clegg, VP of Global Affairs and Communications, said in a statement: "When society is divided and tensions run high, those divisions play out on social media. Platforms like Facebook hold up a mirror to society - with more than 3 billion people using Facebook's apps every month, everything that is good, bad and ugly in our societies will find expression on our platform. That puts a big responsibility on Facebook and other social media companies to decide where to draw the line over what content is acceptable. Facebook has come in for much criticism in recent weeks following its decision to allow controversial posts by President Trump to stay up, and misgivings on the part of many people, including companies that advertise on our platform, about our approach to tackling hate speech. I want to be unambiguous: Facebook does not profit from hate. Billions of people use Facebook and Instagram because they have good experiences - they don't want to see hateful content, our advertisers don't want to see it, and we don't want to see it. There is no incentive for us to do anything but remove it...We may never be able to prevent hate from appearing on Facebook entirely, but we are getting better at stopping it all the time." Reference Link

10:35 EDT MySize says two French retail brands to integrate MySizeID - My Size announced that two French retail brands, La Piece and Habillez-moi, are integrating MySizeID into their e-commerce websites in order to increase customer loyalty and reduce returns.

10:23 EDT Dish completes $1.4B purchase of Boost Mobile from T-Mobile - DISH (DISH) announced that it has completed its $1.4B acquisition of Boost Mobile to officially enter the retail wireless market, serving more than nine million customers. The company will continue to utilize the Boost brand and John Swieringa, who serves as group president, retail wireless and COO, DISH, will lead Boost Mobile. In July 2019, DISH announced a series of agreements the company reached with the DOJ and FCC as part of the merger between Sprint and T-Mobile (TMUS), the company noted. "DISH will have access to the new T-Mobile network for seven years, including the ability to serve DISH customers between new T-Mobile's nationwide network and DISH's forthcoming standalone 5G network, a first-of-its-kind in the U.S.," DISH added.

10:09 EDT Kroger Health receives FDA EUA for COVID-19 test home collection kit - Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co., announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Emergency Use Authorization for the COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kit. The testing solution combines the safety and convenience of at-home sample collection with the expert guidance of a telehealth consultation to help improve the quality of the collection process. Kroger Health's COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kit will be available to frontline associates across Kroger's Family of Companies, based on medical need, beginning this week. In partnership with Gravity Diagnostics, a full-service clinical laboratory located in Covington, KY, Kroger Health plans to rapidly expand the availability of the home collection kits to other companies and organizations in the coming weeks, with a goal of processing up to 60,000 tests per week by the end of July. "Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the safety of our associates and our customers has remained our top priority," said Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health. "Kroger Heath remains committed to helping people live healthier lives through our multi-disciplinary team of licensed, trained and experienced healthcare providers. Over the past few months, Kroger Health has been providing Americans with access to COVID-19 testing through community test sites across the country; however, we've observed some individuals do not have access to transportation or live near these community testing locations. To help ease this burden and provide greater accessibility, we will be offering a home testing solution to our associates first followed by other companies and organizations."

10:01 EDT Penn National says 83% of gaming, racing properties now reopened - Penn National Gaming announced that 34 of its 41 gaming and racing properties have resumed operations, representing approximately 83% of the company's regional gaming portfolio in 14 of the 19 states where it operates. The latest reopenings are scheduled for today at the company's three Illinois casinos as well as its Prairie State Gaming video gaming terminal operations throughout Illinois. "With the reopening of our three casinos and our VGT operations in Illinois, 83 percent of our industry-leading regional gaming footprint has now resumed operations," said Jay Snowden, President and CEO for Penn National. "We look forward to the eventual reopening of all of our 41 properties nationwide in the coming weeks."

10:00 EDT Bloom Energy falls -10.3% - Bloom Energy is down -10.3%, or -$1.12 to $9.76.

10:00 EDT Royal Caribbean rises 9.7% - Royal Caribbean is up 9.7%, or $4.88 to $55.18.

10:00 EDT FedEx rises 15.3% - FedEx is up 15.3%, or $21.47 to $161.69.

09:47 EDT Mass Mutual Participation Investors falls -7.3% - Mass Mutual Participation Investors is down -7.3%, or -93c to $11.82.

09:47 EDT SailPoint rises 7.9% - SailPoint is up 7.9%, or $2.09 to $28.56.

09:47 EDT FedEx rises 13.7% - FedEx is up 13.7%, or $19.25 to $159.47.

09:39 EDT Pizza Hut, Wendy's franchisee NPC files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy - NPC International announced that it has entered into a restructuring support agreement with lenders holding approximately 100% of its first lien priority debt and 70% of its first lien debt.. NPC and the lenders contemplate that the terms of the RSA would become part of a Chapter 11 plan to restructure the company's balance sheet and "optimize its portfolio of restaurants throughout the country." Accordingly, NPC and certain of its affiliates and subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions to restructure under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. NPC intends to pay vendors under customary terms for goods and services provided on or after the Chapter 11 filing date. NPC added that its Pizza Hut and Wendy's (WEN) restaurants throughout the country remain open for business on regular schedules. Pizza Hut is owned by Yum! Brands (YUM). NPC is Pizza Hut's largest franchisee in the U.S.

09:35 EDT Generac trading resumes

09:31 EDT Fiat Chrysler reports Q2 U.S. sales of 367,086 vehicles, down 39% y/y - FCA US LLC reported second-quarter sales of 367,086 vehicles - a 39% decline over the same period a year earlier - as the economic havoc caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in April was partially offset by the stronger than expected retail sales rebound in May and June. Fleet sales were impacted in the quarter as customers initially delayed or reduced their orders, in addition as production restarted deliveries have been focused on the dealer channel. "This quarter demonstrated the resilience of the U.S. consumer," said Head of U.S. Sales Jeff Kommor. "Retail sales have been rebounding since April as the reopening of the economy, steady gas prices and access to low interest loans spur people to buy. Our fleet volume remained low during the quarter as we prioritized vehicle deliveries to retail customers. As a result, we have built a strong fleet order book, which we will fulfill over the coming months."

09:30 EDT Generac trading halted, volatility trading pause

09:25 EDT Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' La Quinta brand adding two hotels in Turkey - Wyndham Hotels & Resorts plans to further expand its La Quinta by Wyndham brand with the addition of two new hotels in Turkey, one with 86 rooms and another with 175 rooms. The new hotels join the previously announced 404-room La Quinta by Wyndham Istanbul Gunesli. Wyndham announced plans to open two new La Quinta hotels in New Zealand, marking the arrival of the brand in Asia Pacific; and last year, announced plans to open eight new La Quinta hotels in the Dominican Republic, four of which are currently under development.

09:20 EDT General Mills says retailers pulled down inventory in Q4 - Says promotional levels moving back to normal coming out of Q4. Says trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic will be a big determinant of growth. Expects the company will grow in first three quarters relative to pre-pandemic levels. "Confident" in emerging from pandemic as as stronger company. Says marketing is "particularly good" right now. "Pleased" with progress on debt leverage. Comments taken from Q4 earnings conference call.

09:18 EDT Air Products' new industrial gases plant in Louisiana now onstream - Air Products' new steam methane reformer and cold box in Geismar, Louisiana are onstream and supplying Huntsman's neighboring industrial operations. Air Products built, owns and operates the facility under a long-term agreement, supplying carbon monoxide, hydrogen and steam produced from the facility to Huntsman. Air Products' SMR is also connected to its Gulf Coast hydrogen pipeline and network system, the world's largest hydrogen plant and pipeline network system. The new facility is located on land leased from Huntsman and produces approximately 6.5 million standard cubic feet per day of CO, 50 MMSCFD of hydrogen, and up to 50,000 pounds per hour of steam. The facility is also capable of being expanded to increase CO supply in the future to support additional demand.

09:17 EDT Akari Therapeutics appoints Torsten Hombeck as CFO - Akari Therapeutics announced the appointment of Torsten Hombeck, Ph.D., as CFO and member of the Company's executive team. Dr. Hombeck will be based out of Akari's New York City office and will also be responsible for investor relations and business development. His previous positions include chief commercial and strategy Ooficer and managing director at Promethera Biosciences and Co-CEO and CBO at Cytonet.

09:13 EDT Costco Auto Program announces Audi employee pricing - Costco Auto Program (COST) and Audi (AUDVF) announced a first-time opportunity for Costco members to purchase or lease select, new Audi models at Audi employee pricing for a limited time. The Audi Sales Event includes 2020 Audi SUVs, sedans, sportbacks, coupes and convertibles, and the 2019 Audi e-tron. The A3, Q5, RS and R8 models are excluded. According to Costco Auto Program, operated by Affinity Auto Program, positive Costco member response to recent events in 2019 and 2020 showed interest in Audi incentives. As a result, the Audi Sales Event launched today. The promotion runs July 1 through Sept. 30, 2020. Costco members who register at CostcoAuto.com/Specials and purchase or lease select, new 2019 Audi e-tron or 2020 models can combine Audi employee pricing with Audi incentives for which they qualify.

09:10 EDT MasterCraft Boat announces partial repayment of revolving credit agreement - MasterCraft Boat Holdings announced that it repaid $25M of its revolving credit agreement on Tuesday, June 30, 2020. In March 2020, the Company drew down $35M of its revolving credit agreement as a precautionary measure in order to increase its cash position and preserve financial flexibility in response to the uncertainty in the global markets resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

09:08 EDT Adamis announces promotion of SYMJEPI products by USWM - Adamis Pharmaceuticals (ADMS) announced that, on July 1, 2020, USWM began promoting Adamis' SYMJEPI Injection 0.3mg and SYMJEPI Injection 0.15mg products through its field sales force. As contemplated by the previously announced termination agreement between Adamis and Sandoz (NVS), and the previously announced exclusive distribution and commercialization agreement between Adamis and USWM, USWM has been actively promoting SYMJEPI while preparing to launch through its field sales force. Adamis has also entered into a transition services agreement with Sandoz and USWM, which is intended to minimize any potential impact to patients and customers during the transfer of commercial rights regarding the SYMJEPI products from Sandoz to US WorldMeds.

09:05 EDT Pfizer, BioNTech announce early data from Phase 1/2 study of vaccine candidate - Pfizer Inc. (PFE) and BioNTech SE (BNTX) announced preliminary U.S. data from the most advanced of four investigational vaccine candidates from their BNT162 mRNA-based vaccine program, Project Lightspeed, against SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing the current global pandemic. The BNT162 program is evaluating at least four experimental vaccines, each of which represents a unique combination of mRNA format and target antigen. The manuscript describing the preliminary clinical data for the nucleoside-modified messenger RNA candidate, BNT162b1, which encodes an optimized SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain antigen, is available and is concurrently undergoing scientific peer-review for potential publication. Overall, the preliminary data demonstrated that BNT162b1 could be administered in a dose that was well tolerated and generated dose dependent immunogenicity, as measured by RBD-binding IgG concentrations and SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers. The ongoing U.S. Phase 1/2 randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded study is evaluating the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of escalating dose levels of BNT162b1. The initial part of the study included 45 healthy adults 18 to 55 years of age. Preliminary data for BNT162b1 was evaluated for 24 subjects who received two injections of 10 microgram and 30 microgram, 12 subjects who received a single injection of 100 microgram, and 9 subjects who received 2 doses of placebo control. The participants received two doses, 21 days apart, of placebo, 10 microgram or 30 microgram of BNT162b1, or received a single dose of 100 microgram of the vaccine candidate. Because of a strong vaccine booster effect, the highest neutralizing titers were observed seven days after the second dose of 10 microgram or 30 microgram on day 28 after vaccination. The neutralizing GMTs were 168 and 267 for the 10 microgram and 30 microgram dose levels, respectively, corresponding to 1.8- and 2.8-times the neutralizing GMT of 94 observed in a panel of 38 sera from subjects who had contracted SARS-CoV-2. In all 24 subjects who received 2 vaccinations at 10 microgram and 30 microgram dose levels of BNT162b1, elevation of RBD-binding IgG concentrations was observed after the second injection with respective GMCs of 4,813 units/ml and 27,872 units/ml at day 28, seven days after immunization. These concentrations are 8- and 46.3-times the GMC of 602 units/ml in a panel of 38 sera from subjects who had contracted SARS-CoV-2. At day 21 after a single injection, the 12 subjects who received 100 microgram of BNT162b1 had an RBD-binding IgG GMC of 1,778 units/ml and a SARS-CoV neutralizing GMT of 33, which are 3-times and 0.35-times, respectively, the GMC and GMT of the convalescent serum panel. At the 10 microgram or 30 microgram dose levels, adverse reactions, including low grade fever, were more common after the second dose than the first dose. Following dose 2, 8.3% of participants who received 10 microgram and 75.0% of participants who received 30 microgram BNT162b1 reported fever greater than or equal to 38.0 degrees C. Local reactions and systemic events after injection with 10 microgram and 30 microgram of BNT162b1 were dose-dependent, generally mild to moderate, and transient. The most commonly reported local reaction was injection site pain, which was mild to moderate, except in one of 12 subjects who received a 100 microgram dose, which was severe. No serious adverse events were reported. Given higher numbers of subjects experiencing local reactions and systemic events after a single 100 microgram dose with no significant increases in immunogenicity compared to the 30 microgram dose level, the 12 participants in the 100 microgram group were not administered a second dose. These preliminary data, together with additional preclinical and clinical data being generated, will be used by the two companies to determine a dose level and select among multiple vaccine candidates to seek to progress to a large, global Phase 2b/3 safety and efficacy trial. That trial may involve up to 30,000 healthy participants and is anticipated to begin in late July 2020, if regulatory approval to proceed is received. The preliminary clinical data from this ongoing study has been submitted for potential publication in a peer-reviewed journal and is available on an online preprint manuscript server.The BNT162b1 candidate remains under clinical study and is not currently approved for distribution anywhere in the world. If the ongoing studies are successful and the vaccine candidate receives regulatory approval, the companies expect to manufacture up to 100 million doses by the end of 2020 and potentially more than 1.2 billion doses by the end of 2021. In that event, BioNTech and Pfizer would work jointly to distribute the potential COVID-19 vaccine worldwide. The development of the vaccine is also supported by partners like Acuitas Therapeutics. The Canadian company provides lipid nanoparticles or the formulation of various mRNA vaccines.

09:03 EDT Keevo announces strategic partnership with Iron Mountain - Keevo announced a strategic partnership with Iron Mountain enabling digital transformation, to deliver advanced backup and beneficiary services for users of its next generation crypto wallet, the Keevo Model 1. This new partnership and service further Keevo's mission to provide security, simplicity, and privacy for users to manage their online identity and digital assets.

09:02 EDT PolyPid initiates first Phase 3 trial of D-PLEX100 - PolyPid announced that the first patient has been enrolled and randomized in the SHIELD I trial, the company's first of two Phase 3 clinical trials of its lead product candidate D-PLEX100, for the prevention of post-abdominal surgery incisional infection.

09:02 EDT Pfizer, BioNTech shares rise after release of COVID vaccine candidate data - In pre-market trading, Pfizer (PFE) shares are up $1.59, or 4.9%, to $34.30 and shares of BioNTech (BNTX) are up 76c, or 1.1%, to $67.50.

08:56 EDT Sportsman's Warehouse releases exclusive Vanguard MeatEater Edition rifles - Sportsman's Warehouse Holdings is launching their new and exclusive Vanguard MeatEater Edition hunting rifles from Weatherby. With the Sportsman's Exclusive Vanguard MeatEater Edition Rifles from Weatherby, hunters can: Enjoy accurate shooting with the SUB-MOA accuracy guarantee; Relax with a three-position safety, cold hammer forged barrel, fully enclosed bolt sleeve, and other important features for a hassle-free experience; Purchase a high-quality, affordable rifle available in six different calibers: 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum, 7mm Remington Magnum, 308 Winchester, 300 Winchester Magnum, and 300 Weatherby Magnum.

08:55 EDT Ohio Turnpike selects Conduent Transportation to modernize tolling lanes - Conduent Transportation announced it has been selected by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission to modernize and maintain the Ohio Turnpike's toll collection system along the 241-mile interstate. The Ohio Turnpike, one of the longest running toll roads in the United States, spans the northern part of the state, connecting the Indiana and Pennsylvania borders and serving approximately 53 million vehicles a year. Conduent will upgrade equipment on a combined 216 lanes, to include self-service and toll collector-operated toll plazas at on- and off-ramps as well as open-road, automated tolling points designed for E-ZPass transactions. The company will also implement state-of-the-art, multimode Automated Toll Payment Machines, which accept coins, cash and credit/debit cards and are equipped to enable contactless payments in the future using smartphones and digital wallets. The contract begins this summer and will extend until 2034 if all options are exercised. All of the new equipment is expected to be installed by early 2023. Once implemented, Conduent's solutions will support improved throughput and operational efficiencies for vehicles, which will lead to greater ease of travel for drivers.

08:51 EDT Kearny Financial, MSB Financial expect to close acquisition on July 10 - Kearny Financial Corp. (KRNY) and MSB Financial Corp. (MSBF) expect that their proposed merger transaction will be completed after the market closes on July 10, 2020. The parties previously announced that MSB shareholders approved the merger at its shareholder meeting held on May 28, 2020, and that all required regulatory approvals or waivers were received. In accordance with the merger agreement, MSB shareholders were permitted to elect to receive either 1.3 shares of Kearny common stock, $18.00 in cash, or a combination of cash and shares of Kearny common stock for each share of MSB common stock owned, subject to proration and allocation to ensure that 90% of the shares of MSB common stock outstanding immediately before the completion of the merger are exchanged for shares of Kearny common stock and 10% are exchanged for cash as required by the merger agreement. The election period ended June 15, 2020. Based on the election results, cash elections were oversubscribed. As such, MSB shareholders will be entitled to receive the following merger consideration in exchange for their shares of MSB common stock: Shareholders who made a valid all-stock election are entitled to receive 1.3 shares of Kearny common stock for each of their shares of MSB common stock, plus cash in lieu of a fractional share, without interest; Shareholders who made a valid all-cash election or a valid mixed stock/cash election are entitled to receive $18.00 in cash, without interest, for approximately 12.3% of their shares of MSB common stock for which they made a valid cash election and 1.3 shares of Kearny common stock for each of their remaining shares of MSB common stock, plus cash in lieu of a fractional share, without interest; or Shareholders who made no election or an invalid election are entitled to receive 1.3 shares of Kearny common stock for each of their shares of MSB common stock, plus cash in lieu of a fractional share, without interest.

08:49 EDT Solarwindow appoints Jay Bhogal as CEO, president - Solarwindow announced newly-appointed CEO and president, Jay Bhogal, a seasoned executive with a proven history of rapidly accelerating the commercialization of breakthrough technologies, consummating commercial and institutional partnerships in the United States and Europe, raising capital, and attracting top-tier talent to build high-impact operating teams. Along with extensive experience with the capital-efficient development of strategic intellectual property portfolios, he is also co-inventor of record for multiple inventions in the United States and Germany.

08:45 EDT Six Flags to pause paid advertising on social platforms, reassess policies - Six Flags (SIX) said in part in a statement issued via its corporate Twitter acount: "At Six Flags, we strive to be thoughtful and considerate of where we place our advertising dollars to ensure that we invest in platforms devoid of hate speech and harmful content. In support of this belief, Six Flags has decided to pause all paid advertising on social platforms beginning July 1. During this social media break, we are going to reassess our internal policies and re-evaluate our external partners." Social media companies that could be impacted include Facebook (FB), Twitter (TWTR) and Snap (SNAP). Reference Link

08:43 EDT CapStar Financial completes mergers with FCB, BOW - CapStar Financial Holdings announced that it completed its acquisition of FCB Corporation, including FCB's two banking subsidiaries: The First National Bank of Manchester and The Bank of Waynesboro. FCB adds nine branches in Cannon, Coffee, Lawrence, Rutherford and Wayne counties in Middle Tennessee, and approximately $480M in assets as of March 31, 2020, to CapStar. The company said, "The mergers join three dynamic Tennessee financial institutions with common visions, compatible cultures and proven credit risk management practices. With more than 200 combined years of history, FNBM and BOW are established and highly profitable community banks with sound deposit market share, excess liquidity and capital to support growth. The combination will result in a strong financial institution with an expanded product set, attractive funding profile, and enhanced scale to drive efficiency, diversify risk and increase shareholder value."

08:40 EDT RenovaCare launches R&D Innovation Center for organ, tissue regeneration - RenovaCare announced the official launch of its new RenovaCare R&D Innovation Center in Berlin, Germany, where the Company's patented technologies for isolating and spraying self-donated stem cells to regenerate tissues and organs have been under development alongside new product initiatives. Important programs at the Center include preclinical support to RenovaCare regulatory submissions for its flagship SkinGun, which delivers a proprietary gentle CellMist spray of a patient's own skin cells on to burns and wounds. The Innovation Center is the result of a new multi-year collaboration agreement with StemCell Systems GmbH, the Company's long-standing strategic partner since 2014, and inventors and developers of the patented RenovaCare SkinGun and proprietary triple-enzyme cell isolation, CellMist. The new Innovation Center houses dedicated RenovaCare cell biology laboratories; additional engineering, fabrication, prototyping and performance testing facilities; and product design studios for medical devices and biomedical products. Experienced contract bioengineers, cell biologists, and support staff work under the direction of a team of MD-PhDs who are experts in regenerative medicine, new product development, and clinical translation. The RenovaCare R&D Innovation Center will be led by Mr. Thomas Bold, an inventor of several RenovaCare technologies and long-serving Advisor to the Company. Notably, Mr. Bold served as President and CEO of RenovaCare from 2013 to 2018, and previously was President at StemCell Systems, home of the new Innovation Center. Mr. Bold will interface with RenovaCare management, including Dr. Robin Robinson, CSO and Dr. Roger Esteban-Vives, VP Research & Product Development.

08:37 EDT Macy's doesn't see another full shutdown, but may see 'regional flare-ups'

08:35 EDT MarineMax acquires Northrop & Johnson, expected to be accretive in 1st full year - MarineMax announced that it has acquired Northrop & Johnson, one of the largest superyacht brokerage and services companies with offices across the globe. MarineMax said in a release, "The acquisition is expected to be accretive in its first full year. This transaction will be highly complementary to MarineMax's 2019 acquisition of Fraser Yachts, the largest global superyacht brokerage and luxury yacht services company. With the acquisition of Northrop & Johnson, MarineMax becomes the dominant leader in the superyacht services business. Its team is now comprised of a global staff that includes the industry's top yacht and charter brokers, as well as leading yacht and crew management professionals who are extremely knowledgeable and deeply committed to serving their clients. The entire MarineMax organization now has access to an even greater network of resources to support the potential for additional growth of its client base. Northrop & Johnson is strategically located in the most prominent yachting markets of the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. Northrop & Johnson excels in yacht brokerage, yacht chartering, charter management, crew placement, new build consultation and yacht insurance. Northrop & Johnson, with its leading digital marketing tools, is one of the most technologically advanced companies in the industry due to its content and state-of-the-art interface for users. With the acquisition, the overall customer experience will be enhanced through the ongoing development of the marketing capabilities which leverage the latest technology. This should further enhance client retention and further stimulate lead generation and client referrals. Both Northrop & Johnson's and Fraser Yachts' insight and relationships with buyers, sellers and charterers are underlined by the world's most comprehensive network of highly qualified individuals. Kevin Merrigan, CEO and Chairman, and the entire Northrop & Johnson team will continue to operate and manage its activities."

08:34 EDT Macy's CEO: International tourism 'disappeared' at flagships

08:34 EDT HarborOne Bancorp initiates quarterly cash dividend of 3c per share - HarborOne Bancorp announced that its board has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 3c per share, to be paid on July 28 to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on July 14. This is the company's first dividend and follows its second-step conversion and related stock offering in August 2019.

08:33 EDT Durect begins recruitment for Phase 2 study of DUR-928 in COVID-19 patients - Durect has initiated recruiting patients for its randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center Phase 2 study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DUR-928 in hospitalized COVID-19 infected patients with acute liver or kidney injury. The primary efficacy endpoint is a composite of survival and being free of acute organ failure at Day 28. The trial will enroll approximately 80 patients. Based on the positive clinical results of DUR-928 in AH patients from the Phase 2a trial, Durect believes that DUR-928, in combination with standard of care, has the potential to help COVID-19 patients with acute liver or kidney injury. The primary efficacy endpoint is a composite of being alive and free of acute organ failure at day 28. A total of approximately 80 patients will be enrolled. Patients will be followed for 60 days.

08:31 EDT ViacomCBS appoints Naveen Chopra as CFO - ViacomCBS (VIACA, VIAC) announced that Naveen Chopra has been appointed Executive Vice President, CFO, effective August 10. He succeeds Christina Spade, who will transition into an advisory role after the company's second quarter earnings call. Chopra joins ViacomCBS from Amazon (AMZN), where he served as CFO of Amazon's Devices and Services business.

08:27 EDT United Community Banks completes acquisition of Three Shores - United Community Banks has completed its merger, effective July 1, 2020, with Three Shores Bancorporation. Also, effective July 1, 2020, Three Shores' bank subsidiary, Seaside National Bank & Trust, merged into United's bank subsidiary, United Community Bank. However, United Community Bank intends to continue to operate the Seaside locations using the Seaside Bank and Trust brand following conversion to United's operating systems, which is expected in February 2021. The company said, "The United-Seaside merger is expected to be complementary to both franchises, given the lack of geographic overlap and their differing suites of products and services. United brings to Seaside a broader set of mortgage products and a depth of specialized business lending expertise, including expanded SBA lending and asset-based lending. United's low-cost funding and strong capital base is expected to enable Seaside to grow its existing business and relationships in Florida. In Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, United plans to supplement its traditional retail branch and commercial model with Seaside's "branch lite" C&I focus. The expected financial returns of the transaction are not reliant on high cost savings or on revenue synergies." Gideon Haymaker, Seaside's Founder, President and CEO will become United's President for the State of Florida and will lead the expansion of Seaside's wealth management offering in the United footprint. Three Shores operates 14 banking offices, all located in high-growth markets across Florida. At March 31, 2020, Three Shores had $1.8B in assets, $1.5B in deposits and $1.4B in loans. It also had approximately $857M in assets under advisement.

08:25 EDT Arcturus Therapeutics forms Vaccine Platform Scientifc Advisory Board - Arcturus Therapeutics announced the formation of its Vaccine Platform Scientific Advisory Board comprised of experts in the fields of virology, infectious disease, vaccine development and public health. Arcturus' new SAB members: Jeff Colyer, M.D., CEO of Virtus Consultants; former Governor of Kansas; Ooi Eng Eong, Ph.D., BMBS, FRCPath, Professor and Deputy Director of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Programme at the Duke-NUS Medical School; Frederick Hayden, M.D., FACP, Professor Emeritus of Clinical Virology and Medicine at Virginia University School of Medicine; Peter Patriarca, M.D., Principal of Immuno-Vax and Senior Affiliate Consultant with the Biologics Consulting Group; Robert Schooley, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Senior Director of International Initiatives at the University of California San Diego; Jonathan Smith, Ph.D., CSO at VLP Therapeutics.

08:23 EDT Macy's expects gross margins to improve in Q2 vs. Q1 - Macy's expects its gross margins to improve in Q2 vs. Q1, with improvement in each quarter thereafter.

08:21 EDT Macy's sees performance improving sequentially

08:18 EDT X4 Pharmaceuticals announces inducement grants under Nasdaq listing rule - X4 Pharmaceuticals announced that, on June 30, 2020, the Compensation Committee of X4's Board of Directors issued an inducement award to new employees under the X4 Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2019 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan. The 2019 Inducement Plan is used exclusively for the grant of equity awards to individuals who were not previously an employee of X4. The inducement awards consist of options to purchase an aggregate of 15,200 shares of X4's common stock and were granted as an inducement material to the new employees entering into employment with X4 in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The options have a ten-year term and an exercise price of $9.32 per share, which is equal to the closing price of X4's common stock on June 30, 2020. Each option will vest over a four-year period, with 25% of the shares vesting after 12 months and the remaining shares vesting monthly over the following 36 months, subject to the employee's continued employment with X4 on such vesting dates. The options are subject to the terms and conditions of the 2019 Inducement Plan and the terms and conditions of an award agreement covering the grant.

08:17 EDT Gold Resource announces over $1B in revenue in 10 year production - Gold Resource Corporation announced the milestones of a decade of production, generating over $1B in revenue and distributing over $114M in shareholder dividends from its Oaxaca Mining Unit in Mexico. Gold Resource Corporation is a gold and silver producer, developer and explorer with operations in Oaxaca, Mexico and Nevada, USA. The Company has returned consecutive monthly dividends since July 2010 and offers its shareholders the option to convert their cash dividends into physical gold and silver and take delivery. The Company announced commercial production from its Oaxaca Mining Unit on July 1, 2010 estimating the Arista Mine's life of mine at a minimum of nine years while only having three to four years of internally delineated resource at that time. oday, July 1, 2020, marks the milestone of one full decade of production from the OMU exceeding the Company's then nine-year 2010 mine life estimate. With approximately four years of current proven and probable reserves, there is a strong possibility of a second decade of production ahead for the OMU. The Arista mine has grown extensively over the past decade with the discovery of numerous vein systems and a geologic structural setting conducive for possible new vein system discoveries. Discoveries to date represent approximately only 2% of the Company's 560 square kilometer land package along a 55-kilometer mineralized trend with potential to not only expand existing deposits but discover new ones as well.

08:15 EDT Constellium releases 2019 business, sustainability report - Constellium SE released its 2019 Business and Sustainability Report, outlining the company's progress against its sustainability goals. The company also announced its 2025 Greenhouse Gas Emissions target: reducing GHG emissions by 25% compared with a 2015 baseline. The company said, "The report highlights milestones Constellium achieved in 2019, including: Aluminium Stewardship Initiative: As a founding member of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative, Constellium has promoted the adoption of ASI Standards across the aluminium value chain, which require that the industry operates under a demanding set of governance, environmental and social criteria. We received ASI Certifications for Singen's casting and rolling operations in 2019. Our Neuf-Brisach facility in France was certified against ASI's Performance Standard under provisional COVID conditions* in 2020. Energy Efficiency: Thanks to dedicated energy efficiency programs at our plants, we achieved a 2% improvement in energy efficiency from 2018 to 2019, with a 6.4% improvement against our 2015 benchmark - the equivalent of 100,000 metric tons of CO2 savings. Reducing Landfilled Waste: The quantity of production waste sent to landfill decreased by 7% as compared with 2018, preventing nearly 2,000 metric tons from ending up in landfill. Safety: Our recordable injuries rate decreased from 3.31 in 2016 to 2.40 in 2019. This was well below our target of 2.61 in 2019 and remains significantly lower than the industry average. However, we experienced one fatality, which led to the implementation of a new EHS initiative, focused on behavior. Sustainable Purchasing: Constellium expects its suppliers to comply with all applicable laws and sustainability practices and conducts regular sustainability due diligence. As of 2019, nearly two third of our key suppliers have been assessed."

08:12 EDT Cellectar Biosciences appoints John Friend as CMO - Cellectar Biosciences announced that it has appointed Dr. John Friend as chief medical officer, effective immediately. Dr. Friend was chief medical officer of DRGT.

08:11 EDT Financial Institutions chief banking, revenue officer William Kreienberg departs - Financial Institutions announced that William Kreienberg stepped down from his position as EVP, Chief Banking and Revenue Officer of the Company and Five Star Bank, effective June 26, 2020. Mr. Kreienberg's responsibilities will be assumed by other members of the Company's leadership team. Mr. Kreienberg assumed the role of EVP, Chief Banking & Revenue Officer in November 2018.

08:10 EDT BioCardia resumes CardiAMP heart failure trial enrollment - BioCardia announced that the Company has resumed cases in the CardiAMP Heart Failure Trial. The first patient procedure completed since elective procedures were paused due to COVID-19 took place at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida this month. New consents have also taken place at additional centers. The CardiAMP Heart Failure Trial is studying CardiAMP cell therapy, an autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell formulation designed to stimulate the body's natural healing response in treating heart failure which develops after a heart attack. The trial is evaluating the cell therapy's ability to improve patient survival, exercise capacity and quality of life, as well as its safety. The CardiAMP Heart Failure Trial is the first multicenter clinical trial of an autologous cell therapy to prospectively select patients based on cell potency to maximize the probability of patient benefit. The ongoing multi-center, double-blinded, randomized, controlled pivotal CardiAMP Heart Failure Trial is expected to enroll 260 patients at up to 40 centers nationwide. The national co-principal investigators are Amish Raval, MD, of the University of Wisconsin and Carl Pepine, MD, of the University of Florida, Gainesville. In March 2020, the Data Safety Monitoring Board indicated there were no safety concerns with the CardiAMP study results and recommended that the trial continue, as planned. To date, 75 patients have been enrolled at 25 active centers. The trial is sponsored, in part, by the Maryland Stem Cell Research Foundation and has reimbursement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

08:09 EDT Verra Mobility, Rent A Car partner on contactless payment option - Verra Mobility and Rent A Car have joined forces to offer rental customers a contactless payment option on board its fleet, enabling their renters to pay toll fees automatically and safely without contact or stopping the vehicle, by using the "Liber-T" lanes of the highways. Named "Easy Peage", this innovative Electronic Toll Collection payment service avoids drivers queuing at conventional cash or credit card toll plazas. It has the advantages of saving time and fuel, while allowing drivers to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

08:09 EDT Rhythm Pharmaceuticals submits MAA to EMA for setmelaotide - Rhythm Pharmaceuticals announced that it has submitted its Marketing Authorization Application to the European Medicines Agency for setmelanotide, the company's melanocortin-4 receptor agonist, for the treatment of pro-opiomelanocortin deficiency obesity and leptin receptor deficiency obesity. The company has been granted accelerated assessment of the MAA, which potentially shortens review time by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use. In conjunction with this submission, Rhythm announced additional positive data from eight supplemental patients, including four pediatric patients, enrolled in its two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials for POMC and LEPR deficiency obesities, as well as updated data from its long-term extension study of setmelanotide in patients with POMC or LEPR deficiency obesity. Rhythm included these data in its MAA submission package to the EMA. In August 2019, Rhythm announced positive topline results from the pivotal cohorts in its two Phase 3 clinical trials evaluating setmelanotide for the treatment of POMC and LEPR deficiency obesities. Both trials met their primary endpoints and all key secondary endpoints, demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful increase in weight loss and reductions in insatiable hunger, or hyperphagia, in patients with POMC and LEPR deficiency obesities.

08:08 EDT Qualigen notifies FDA of commencement of FastPack COVID-19 test distribution - Qualigen Therapeutics has submitted an official notification to the FDA to commence sales in the U.S. of the company's FastPack SARS-CoV-2 IgG test for COVID-19 antibodies. This test has already been submitted to the FDA for Emergency Use Authorization or EUA, but the notification enables Qualigen to commence sales even before the FDA considers or formally grants the EUA for the test. Qualigen expects sales and shipments of the new test to begin in mid-July. The FastPack COVID-19 antibody test is a chemiluminescent microparticle test intended for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in blood to identify individuals with an adaptive immune response to the virus that causes COVID-19, indicating recent or prior infection of the disease. The FastPack delivers results in under 10 minutes.

08:07 EDT scPharmaceuticals announces FUROSCIX NDA resubmission - scPharmaceuticals announced that it has resubmitted its 505(b)(2) New Drug Application, or NDA, to the FDA seeking approval of FUROSCIX for the treatment of congestion in patients with heart failure. The NDA resubmission is intended to address concerns raised in the FDA's June 2018 Complete Response Letter.

08:06 EDT Colony Capital effects CEO succession plan, appoints CEO Marc Ganzi to board - Colony Capital announced the completion of the latest steps in connection with its ongoing strategic plan. As previously disclosed, Marc Ganzi assumed the role of Colony Capital's CEO, succeeding Thomas Barrack, who will continue in his role as executive chairman. In connection with Ganzi's appointment, the company's board of directors appointed Ganzi as a member of the board and as president of the company, effective immediately. In addition, as previously disclosed, Jacky Wu has assumed the role of CFO and treasurer, effective immediately. In connection with Ganzi's appointment to the board, Charles Schoenherr has resigned from the company's board of directors, effective immediately.

08:06 EDT Minerva exercises right to opt out of agreement with Janssen for MIN-202 - Minerva Neurosciences (NERV) announced that it has exercised its right to opt out of its agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica NV (JNJ) for the future development of seltorexant. As a result, Minerva will now collect a royalty on worldwide sales of seltorexant in all indications in the mid-single digits, with no financial obligations to Janssen. "We believe opting out of our agreement with Janssen at this stage of the program creates real value for Minerva," said Dr. Remy Luthringer, Executive Chairman and CEO of Minerva. "This decision enables us to retain a meaningful financial interest in the future revenue stream of a compound with significant commercial potential while eliminating the Company's financial obligations to a substantial Phase 3 program encompassing major depressive disorder and insomnia. Furthermore, opting out will help align our human and financial resources with our focus on establishing a path to approval of our lead compound, roluperidone, in Phase 3 development."

08:05 EDT Avadel Pharmaceuticals sells hospital sterile injectable drug portfolio for $42M - Avadel Pharmaceuticals announced the sale of its portfolio of sterile injectable drugs used in the hospital setting, including three commercial products, Bloxiverz, Vazculep, and Akovaz, as well as Nouress, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, to Exela Sterile Medicines LLC for a total of $42M. Under the terms of the agreement, Avadel will receive $14.5M upfront and the remaining $27.5M will be paid out to Avadel over the next 13 months. The transaction closed on June 30, 2020.

08:03 EDT Match Group, IAC complete full separation - IAC (IAC) and Match Group (MTCH) announced the successful completion of the separation of Match Group from the remaining businesses of IAC. As a result of the separation, Match Group's dual class voting structure has been eliminated and the interest in Match Group formerly held by IAC is now held directly by IAC's shareholders. Starting July 1, "new" IAC will trade under the symbol "IAC" and "new" Match Group under the symbol "MTCH."

08:02 EDT Blueprint Medicines submits NDA for pralsetinib in thyroid cancer - Blueprint Medicines submitted a New Drug Application (to the FDA for pralsetinib for the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic RET mutant medullary thyroid cancer and RET fusion-positive thyroid cancers. Pralsetinib is an investigational, once-daily precision therapy designed to potently and selectively inhibit RET fusions and mutations, including predicted resistance mutations. Blueprint Medicines submitted the NDA under the Real-Time Oncology Review pilot program, an initiative of the FDA's Oncology Center of Excellence. The RTOR program aims to explore a more efficient review process to ensure that safe and effective treatments are available to patients as early as possible, while maintaining and improving review quality by the FDA. In May, Blueprint Medicines announced that the U.S. and EU marketing applications for pralsetinib for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer were accepted by the FDA and validated by the European Medicines Agency, respectively.

07:58 EDT Rekor Systems announces agreement on note exchange - Rekor Systems announced that it has reached an agreement on a consensual balance-sheet restructuring with its lenders involving a debt-for-equity swap and other loan modifications. The transaction will have an immediate impact on Rekor's balance sheet by extending the maturity and significantly reducing the amount of the Company's outstanding promissory notes. In March 2019, investors loaned Rekor $20,000,000 in exchange for senior secured promissory notes and warrants. A portion of the Notes were previously redeemed. In an agreement reached yesterday noteholders have agreed to a redemption of approximately 75% of the remaining principal balance of the Notes as of June 30, 2020. Upon closing of the transaction, approximately $14.6M aggregate principal amount of the Notes, including accreted interest plus certain fees payable pursuant to the terms of the Notes, will be redeemed in exchange for common stock at a rate of $4 per share. The noteholders have also agreed that the maturity of the $4.9M remaining balance of the Notes will be extended until December 31, 2021. The holders of the remaining Notes have also agreed to modify certain covenants in the Notes, which will allow the Company to use proceeds from its recently completed corporate restructuring for working capital purposes. Rekor has completed the previously announced restructuring by selling its remaining non-core subsidiary.

07:56 EDT Primoris announces pipeline award valued over $100M - Primoris Services Corporation announced a new pipeline award valued over $100M. The contract was secured by the Pipeline & Underground segment. This award was signed in the second quarter of 2020. The award is for the installation of over 80,000 feet of various diameter pipeline in Texas. Work is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2020, and completion is expected in the second quarter of 2021.

07:54 EDT Constellation Brands says Q1 comparable loss for Canopy Growth totaled $31.7M - Constellation's (STZ, STZ.B) share of Canopy Growth's (CGC) equity earnings and related activities for first quarter of fiscal 2021 totaled a loss of $377.6M on a reported basis and a loss of $31.7M on a comparable basis. Constellation has recognized a $112M unrealized net gain in reported basis results since the initial Canopy investment in November 2017; $197M decrease in the fair value of Canopy investments was recognized for first quarter of fiscal 2021. On May 1, 2020, Constellation exercised the November 2017 Canopy Warrants at an exercise price of C$12.98 per warrant share for C$245M, or $173.9M. On May 1, 2020, Constellation's ownership interest in Canopy increased to 38.6%.

07:46 EDT Constellation Brands to retain Cooks, J. Roget brands, Mission Bell Winery

07:44 EDT Constellation Brands expects to close Nobilo divestiture by end of Q2

07:43 EDT Constellation: Impacts from slowdown of Mexican production will extend into Q2 - Impacts from the COVID-19 related slowdown of beer production in Mexico impacted shipment volumes and distributor inventory levels and will extend into Q2. Product inventories are expected to return to more normal levels during the third quarter fiscal 2021; long-term outlook remains intact.

07:33 EDT Moleculin Biotech's WP1066 in brain tumors featured in new publication - Moleculin Biotech announced that a peer-reviewed article published in Clinical Cancer Research reported findings that Moleculin's STAT3 inhibitor, WP1066, used in combination with traditional whole brain radiation therapy, resulted in long-term survivors and enhanced median survival time relative to monotherapy in mice with implanted human brain tumors. In the study, C57BL/6 mice underwent intracerebral implantation of GL261 glioma cells, WBRT, and treatment with WP1066, a blood-brain barrier penetrant inhibitor of the STAT3 pathway, or the two in combination. The combination of WP1066 and WBRT resulted in long-term survivors and enhanced median survival time relative to monotherapy in the GL261 glioma model. The study indicates that the combination of STAT3 inhibition and WBRT enhances the therapeutic effect against gliomas in the CNS by inducing dendritic-cell and T cell interactions in the brain tumor, which seems to be a requirement for a fully functional immune response.

07:32 EDT KKR acquires two industrial distribution properties for $260M - KKR announced the acquisition of two industrial distribution properties totaling approximately 2.5 million square feet for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $260 million. KKR said in a release, "The two properties are the first industrial properties acquired by KKR's core plus real estate strategy. The newly acquired properties are located in major markets of Chicago and Charlotte. Both are state of the art fulfillment centers with an average vintage 2017. The properties were 100% leased at acquisition to a high quality, investment grade tenancy on a long term basis. The properties were acquired through separate transactions with two different sellers."

07:29 EDT Joint Corp. opens two corporately managed Greenfield clinics - The Joint Corp. announced it has opened two corporately-managed clinics in the Los Angeles area on June 1st and July 1st. This increases the regional cluster of corporate and franchised clinics to 30 and The Joint total corporate clinic portfolio to 63.

07:26 EDT Myriad Genetics launches GeneSight Psychotropic patient collection kit - Myriad Genetics announced the launch of a new patient home collection kit for the GeneSight Psychotropic test. The kit allows the DNA sample collection typically administered in a clinician's office to be completed at home. The new direct-to-patient collection kit must still be ordered by a licensed healthcare provider. Clinicians who have determined that GeneSight is right for their patient may order the test through the secure, online GeneSight portal and request that the kit be sent directly to the patient. Once the patient receives the kit, they follow a clear process with step-by-step instructions. The kit utilizes a buccal, or cheek swab, the patient can use to collect DNA from the inside of their cheeks. After collecting the sample, the patient puts the swab into a confidential, pre-paid and pre-addressed shipping envelope to return it to the Myriad Neuroscience CLIA and CAP Accredited lab for processing. In approximately two days, the ordering clinician receives the GeneSight report via the secure clinician portal.

07:22 EDT Emerald Health completes accordion provision of Pure Sunfarms' credit facility - Emerald Health Therapeutics announced that its joint venture for large-scale, low-cost cannabis production, Pure Sunfarms, has further expanded its credit facility with the lending syndicate led by Bank of Montreal and including Farm Credit Canada and the addition of CIBC to its full C$59M capacity with the completion of the Credit Facility's accordion feature. The Credit Facility now consists of a C$15M revolving operating loan and a C$25M term loan, in addition to its existing C$19M loan. The New Term Loan is specifically designated for the 1.1 million square foot Delta 2 greenhouse while the Existing Term Loan is specifically designated for the 1.1 million square foot Delta 3 greenhouse facility. Each of the components of the Credit Facility, including the Existing Term Loan, mature on February 7, 2022.

07:19 EDT Targa NGL Pipeline Company lauches open season - Targa Resources announced that Targa NGL Pipeline Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, has launched an open season commencing July 1, 2020 and closing July 31, 2020 to gauge shipper interest in committed interstate transportation service for natural gas liquids from a planned interconnection with upstream pipeline facilities in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma to Mont Belvieu, Texas. As announced in February 2019, Targa NGL Pipeline is currently developing an approximately 110-mile extension of Targa's existing Grand Prix pipeline system to the new Kingfisher County interconnection where it will connect with Williams' new Bluestem Pipeline. This open season will provide an opportunity for shippers to secure firm capacity for NGL transportation subject to the terms of their transportation service agreements. The final volume of capacity for both committed and uncommitted service on the project will be determined by Targa in part based on the results of this open season.

07:15 EDT Hamilton Lane closes inaugural Impact Fund - Hamilton Lane announced the final closing of the Hamilton Lane Impact Fund (the "Fund") with total capital commitments of more than $95M. The Fund has a dual focus designed to generate both attractive investment returns and positive social and environmental impact. The Fund will invest in businesses globally through direct investments and primary or secondary investments, with a focus on the core impact sectors of health and wellness, energy and environment, community development, and financial empowerment. Leveraging Hamilton Lane's broad network and robust platform of deal flow and GP relationships, the Fund will seek investments across diversified private markets strategies-including buyout, growth, venture and real assets-that generate meaningful and measurable impact. The Fund will primarily focus investments in the developed markets, with the opportunity to impact the emerging markets through companies with global operations. The Fund's investor base is comprised of a diverse mix of limited partners, including large private pension funds, financial institutions, high-net-worth individuals, endowments and other institutions. Hamilton Lane has been creating targeted impact strategies for clients for nearly 20 years. While this Fund represents the first commingled vehicle of its kind for the firm, it is an extension of Hamilton Lane's broader product suite, which includes more than $69B in assets under management as of March 31, 2020.

07:14 EDT AerCap delivers new Airbus A321NEO-LR to Air Transat - AerCap (AER) has delivered a new Airbus (EADSY) A321LR on operating lease to Air Transat. Air Transat will resume air operations on July 23.

07:13 EDT Anavex doses first patient in EXCELLENCE Phase 2/3 trial of ANAVEX 2-73 - Anavex Life Sciences announced that the first patient was dosed in the EXCELLENCE Phase 2/3 ANAVEX 2-73-RS-003 clinical trial for the treatment of Rett syndrome with ANAVEX 2-73. The Phase 2/3 study will use a convenient once-daily oral liquid ANAVEX 2-73 formulation to treat Rett syndrome. Safety and efficacy will be investigated in at least 69 patients over a 12-week treatment period including ANAVEX 2-73-specific precision medicine biomarkers. All patients who participate in the study will be eligible to receive ANAVEX 2-73 under a voluntary open label extension protocol. This represents the 3rd ongoing clinical study in Anavex's Rett Syndrome Program: U.S. RTT, AVATAR and EXCELLENCE. ANAVEX 2-73 had previously received Fast Track designation, Rare Pediatric Disease designation and Orphan Drug designation from the FDA for the treatment of Rett syndrome.

07:11 EDT Evelo Biosciences to present data from Phase 1/2 trial of EDP1503 - Evelo Biosciences announced that clinical data from the Phase 1/2 open-label study of EDP1503, in combination with pembrolizumab, in patients with advanced metastatic microsatellite stable colorectal carcinoma, triple-negative breast cancer, and checkpoint inhibitor relapsed tumors, will be presented at the ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer Virtual Meeting being held July 1 - 4, 2020. In addition to data in MSS CRC patients, the poster reported preliminary data on 11 TNBC patients. An overall response rate of 25% and a disease control rate of 37.5% were observed across all TNBC subjects receiving high dose EDP1503. ORR was 33% amongst response-evaluable patients on the high dose, with 2 patients awaiting first response assessment. Historic studies of anti-PD-1 monotherapy in heavily pretreated TNBC patients have yielded an ORR of 5-10%. The study continues enrollment in TNBC, and further data from this cohort will be available in 4Q 2020.

07:09 EDT Xeris Pharmaceuticals announces availability of Gvoke HypoPen in the U.S. - Xeris Pharmaceuticals announced that Gvoke HypoPen is now available by prescription in the U.S. for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in adults and children with diabetes ages two years and above. Gvoke HypoPen is the first ready-to-use glucagon in a premixed autoinjector, with no visible needle. Gvoke HypoPen is available in two doses: 0.5 mg/0.1 mL for children and 1 mg/0.2 mL for adolescents and adults.

07:08 EDT General Mills outlines 3 'key priorities' for FY21 - In its Q4 earnings release, General Mills outlined three key priorities for fiscal 2021 that will allow it to deliver competitive performance in the short term while continuing to advance its long-term goals: "1. Compete effectively, everywhere we play, leading to increased brand penetration, competitive service levels, strengthened customer partnerships, and market share gains in the company's key categories. General Mills expects net sales growth in fiscal 2021 will be positively impacted by its superior execution as well as elevated at-home food demand, relative to the pre-pandemic period. The company anticipates headwinds to fiscal 2021 net sales growth from comparisons against the 53rd week, the extra month of Pet results, and the pandemic-related increase in demand in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Additionally, fiscal 2021 net sales growth may be negatively impacted by a potential reduction in consumers' at-home food inventory, which has been elevated during the pandemic; 2. Drive efficiency to fuel investment. The company anticipates that the combination of benefits from its HMM initiatives and volume leverage and headwinds from input cost inflation, increased investment in brands and capabilities, higher costs to service elevated demand, and higher ongoing health and safety-related expenses will result in an adjusted operating profit margin that is approximately in line with fiscal 2020 levels; 3. Reduce leverage to increase financial flexibility. The company expects to make further progress in fiscal 2021 in reducing its net-debt-to-adjusted-EBITDA ratio, which stood at 3.2x at the end of fiscal 2020."

07:05 EDT General Mills says higher at-home food demand accelerated net sales in N America - General Mills said in its Q4 earnings release, "The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on consumer demand across the company's major markets, including driving an unprecedented increase in demand for food at home and a corresponding decrease in away-from-home food demand resulting from efforts to reduce virus transmission. The company estimates that at-home food represented approximately 85 percent of its pre-pandemic worldwide net sales and away-from-home food represented the remaining 15 percent. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, elevated at-home food demand accelerated net sales growth in the North America Retail segment, where a significant share of net sales comes from categories that were most impacted by at-home eating, including meals, baking, and cereal. The impact of elevated at-home demand was less pronounced in the Europe & Australia segment, reflecting its lower proportion of net sales in those categories. The Pet segment experienced increased demand early in the fourth quarter from stock-up purchasing, which partially unwound by the end of the quarter. Lower away-from-home food demand reduced growth for the Convenience Stores & Foodservice and Asia & Latin America segments. During the global pandemic, General Mills' most important objectives remain the continued health and safety of its employees and the ongoing ability to serve consumers around the world. The company has implemented employee safety measures, based on guidance from the CDC and WHO, across all its supply chain facilities, including proper hygiene, social distancing, mask use, and temperature screenings. To date, all General Mills manufacturing and distribution facilities have continued to operate without significant disruption related to COVID-19. The company has risen to meet the needs of its communities around the world during the pandemic, with a particular focus on food security. During the fourth quarter, General Mills contributed $10 million in monetary and food donations to organizations addressing hunger and food access. In response to changing consumer and customer needs, General Mills has increased its agility and executed with excellence. The company has partnered with its customers to prioritize production of its most important products to increase capacity and maintain strong service levels and has adapted content on its food websites to encourage cooking education and drive stronger E-commerce sales. Additionally, the company has taken actions to reinforce its healthy liquidity position by refinancing short-term debt, and it has maintained its strong capital discipline, which helped contribute to a significant increase in free cash flow generation in fiscal 2020. General Mills is focused on delivering superior execution during the COVID-19 situation while continuing to invest in its brands and capabilities to ensure it emerges from the pandemic a stronger company in a position to generate consistent, profitable growth and top-tier returns for its shareholders."

07:03 EDT Rosehill enters RSA with creditors, will file voluntary cases for bankruptcy - Rosehill Resources and Rosehill Operating Company announced that Rosehill has entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement with the lenders under Rosehill's revolving first lien credit facility, holders of Rosehill's second lien notes and the Company's Series B Preferred Stock, and Tema Oil and Gas Company, as the holder of approximately 66.8% and 35.2% of the equity interests in Rosehill Operating and party to the Company's Tax Receivable Agreement. The RSA contemplates that Rosehill will file voluntary cases under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in order to effect a restructuring through a prepackaged chapter 11 plan of reorganization to be filed with the Bankruptcy Court. The filing of the Chapter 11 Cases is expected to be made on or before July 15, 2020 solely for purposes of implementing the Plan. The RSA also contemplates that Rosehill will enter into a proposed $17.5 million junior convertible debtor in possession delayed draw term loan facility. Pursuant to the RSA, the Company expects to emerge from bankruptcy within 75 days of filing, in order to implement the balance sheet restructuring outlined by the RSA and the Plan. The RSA provides that, following consummation of the Plan, the Company's equity will be owned solely by the Consenting Creditors and holders of the Company's preferred stock, and that holders of general unsecured claims, including the Company's trade creditors and vendors, will pass through the Chapter 11 Cases with their claims unimpaired by the bankruptcy and being satisfied in full. Additionally, the RSA provides that, pursuant to the Plan, the Company's Class A Common Stock and other common equity securities will be extinguished. In accordance with the restructuring term sheet attached to the RSA and in light of the closely held nature of the restructured company, the Company intends to terminate the listing of its Class A Common Stock, Class A Common Stock Public Units, and Class A Common Stock Public Warrants on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

07:01 EDT United Airlines adds nearly 25,000 flights in August - United Airlines announced it is tripling the size of its August schedule compared to its June 2020 schedule, adding nearly 25,000 domestic and international flights compared to July 2020, and plans to fly 40% of its overall schedule in August, as compared to August 2019. While travel demand remains a fraction of what it was at the end of 2019, customers are slowly returning to flying with a preference for leisure destinations, trips to reunite with friends and family, and getaways to places that encourage social distancing. According to TSA, more than 600,000 passengers passed through airport security checkpoints on Monday, June 29, the first time since March 19 that those numbers exceeded 25% of pre-COVID levels. United has overhauled its cleaning and safety procedures under United CleanPlus and is giving customers more flexibility when booking by extending its waiver of change fees and award redeposit fees for reservations through July 31. United plans to add more than 350 daily flights from its U.S. hubs in August, including doubling the number of flights from New York/Newark compared to July. This increase includes more flights to mountain and national park destinations like Aspen, Colorado; Bangor, Maine; Bozeman, Montana; and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Internationally, United's August schedule will include a return to Tahiti and additional flights to Hawaii, the Caribbean and Mexico. Across the Atlantic, United will add more flights and options to Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Munich, Paris and Zurich. "We're taking the same data-driven, realistic approach to growing our schedule as we did in drawing it down at the start of the pandemic," said Ankit Gupta, United's vice president of Domestic Network Planning. "Demand is coming back slowly and we're building in enough capacity to stay ahead of the number of people traveling. And we're adding in flights to places we know customers want to travel to, like outdoor recreation destinations where social distancing is easier but doing so in a way that's flexible and allows us to adjust should that demand change."

06:53 EDT Genesco names CEO Mimi Vaughn to additional role as board chair - Genesco announced that Mimi Vaughn, the company's president and CEO, has been named to the additional position of chair of the board, effective July 1. Genesco said in a release, "Vaughn will succeed Robert Dennis, implementing the final step of a transition plan that began in 2018. Dennis served as Genesco president and CEO from 2008 to 2020 and most recently as executive chairman. He will retire from the board effective June 30, after serving as chairman for the past 10 years."

06:48 EDT Innovative Industrial Properties acquires Massachusetts property for $7.8M - Innovative Industrial Properties closed on the acquisition of a property in Massachusetts, which comprises approximately 118,000 square feet of industrial space in the aggregate. The purchase price for the property was approximately $7.8M. Concurrent with the closing of the purchase, IIP entered into a long-term, triple-net lease agreement for the property with a wholly owned subsidiary of Cresco Labs, which intends to operate the property as a regulated cannabis cultivation, processing and dispensing facility upon completion of redevelopment. Cresco is expected to complete additional tenant improvements for the property, for which IIP has agreed to provide reimbursement of up to $21.0M. Assuming full reimbursement for the tenant improvements, IIP's total investment in the property will be approximately $28.8M.

06:36 EDT The ODP Corporation completes holding company reorganization - The ODP Corporation announced that it has completed its previously announced holding company reorganization creating a newly-formed public company named "The ODP Corporation" and implemented a 1-for-10 reverse stock split effective June 30. The ODP Corporation replaces Office Depot as the public company trading on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "ODP". All outstanding shares of Office Depot have been automatically converted into shares of common stock in The ODP Corporation, and Office Depot now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of The ODP Corporation. This holding company reorganization is intended to be a tax-free transaction for federal income tax purposes for the company's shareholders. The holding company reorganization is expected to simplify the company's legal entity and tax structure, more closely align the company's operating assets to their respective operating channels within the legal entity structure, and increase its operational flexibility. Neither the holding company reorganization nor the reverse stock split resulted in a change in the directors, executive officers, management or business of the company. In connection with the implementation of the holding company reorganization, the company announced that it also completed a 1-for-10 reverse stock split for all issued and outstanding common stock effective at 4:01 p.m. EDT on June 30.

06:32 EDT MediciNova says IND application for MN-166 accepted, now open with FDA - MediciNova announced that the Investigational New Drug Application for MN-166 for prevention of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome has been accepted and is now open with the U.S. FDA. MediciNova was informed by the FDA that the proposed clinical investigation of MN-166 for the prevention of ARDS in patients with COVID-19 may proceed.

06:25 EDT Pinduoduo names Jianchong Zhu as General Counsel - Jianchong Zhu has been appointed as General Counsel, and Jing Ma as Vice President of Finance, both with immediate effect. Zhu has served as Senior Vice President of the company since 2018. Prior to joining the company, Zhu was a partner in the Beijing office of White & Case LLP. From 2010 to 2017, he was an Associate and then Counsel in Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

06:16 EDT Pinduoduo names Lei Chen as CEO, effective immediately - Pinduoduo announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Lei Chen as CEO, effective immediately. Zheng Huang, the company's Chairman and former CEO, will remain as Chairman of the Board. Chen is one of the founding members of the company and has served as Chief Technology Officer of the company since 2016. Prior to joining the company, Chen served as Chief Technology Officer of Xinyoudi Studio since 2011.

06:05 EDT YRC Worldwide expects to receive $700M CARES Act loan - YRC Worldwide announced that the Department of the Treasury intends to provide a $700M loan to YRCW under authorization provided by Subtitle A of Title IV of the CARES Act. YRCW and its operating companies have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These companies collectively employ 30,000 trucking professionals. The CARES Act assistance will be used to pay for deferred employee healthcare and pension costs and other contractual obligations as well as to support essential capital investment. YRCW has entered into an agreement on June 30th under which UST will receive 29.6% fully diluted equity ownership in YRCW in connection with the loan from the Treasury to YRCW. YRCW will receive a loan of $700M in two tranches: Tranche A of approximately $350M, will be used to cover short-term contractual obligations and certain other obligations including pension and healthcare payments. The loan terms are LIBOR plus 3.5%. Tranche B of approximately $350M, will be used for essential capital investment in trailers and tractors and is expected to carry an interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.5% in cash. Both loans mature on September 30, 2024 The company has agreed to issue to the UST shares of common stock that, after the issuance, will constitute approximately 29.6% of the company's fully diluted common stock outstanding. The company is relying on Nasdaq's temporary COVID-related exception to its stockholder approval requirements.

05:25 EDT PolyOne changes name to 'Avient' - PolyOne has completed its purchase of the color masterbatch businesses of Clariant and Clariant Chemicals India Ltd. PolyOne also announced that it has changed its name and will now be called Avient. "We proudly welcome our newest associates and valued customers from Clariant Masterbatch. They are joining us on Day 1 of this new era for our company, which as of today will be named Avient," said Robert M. Patterson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Avient."With this acquisition, Avient now expects over 85% of adjusted EBITDA to be generated from specialty applications," said Mr. Patterson. "This is up from less than 10% when our specialty journey began over a decade ago. While we honor the legacies of our past organizations, under our new name Avient, we come together and look to the future as a world-class sustainable organization." In conjunction with its rebranding and new name, the company's ticker symbol will change from "POL" to "AVNT," effective at the start of trading on July 13. As of that date, the "POL" trading symbol will no longer be active.

05:14 EDT J2 Global responds to short-selling communications from Hindenburg Research - J2 Global announced a response to the recent short-selling communications from Hindenburg Research. "It's regrettable and reprehensible that an individual, motivated by personal gain, can distort facts and make meritless claims at the expense of thousands of our hard-working employees and our loyal shareholders," said Vivek Shah, CEO of J2 Global. "While 24 consecutive years of revenue growth, outstanding earnings and cash flow speak for themselves, we won't allow this so-called research to stand unchallenged." J2 Global said in a release, "Hindenburg claims that Jeroen van der Weijden received $20 million for the acquisition of his business, which is patently false. J2 paid approximately $900,000 for Mr. van der Weijden's consulting business in 2015 at which point he became a full time employee of J2 until his departure from J2 in 2018... Despite Hindenburg's confusion about OCV, the purpose of our investment in it has been well documented over the past few years. OCV allows J2 an opportunity to generate solid returns while giving us a window into early-stage and minority investment opportunities that we do not pursue in our acquisition program. To date, OCV has made 12 investments in the technology and biotech spaces. OCV has eight individuals vetting investments including two PhDs on staff with expertise in pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, biochemistry and molecular biophysics. COVID-19 has negatively impacted two of the investments for which J2 booked a $9.2 million loss in Q1 2020, while the other 10 continue to show promise. J2 has a $200 million commitment to OCV (not $300 million as described in Hindenburg's report), about half of which has been funded... Hindenburg's characterizations of our Chairman's investing track record are grossly misleading and reckless. Richard Ressler is a Co-Founder and Principal of CIM Group and OFS Capital Management, with more than 30 years of active investing experience in public and private companies, real estate, infrastructure and lending. Since their respective formations in 1994 and 2003, Mr. Ressler has chaired the investment committees of both firms, leading over 5,000 investments across more than 30 separate portfolios and funds, representing approximately $70 billion of invested capital. Calling out 12 investments without any context or order of magnitude is itself intellectually dishonest... Hindenburg baselessly accuses J2 of suspending its dividend as a result of J2's "lack of liquidity." J2 maintains over $600 million in cash and short-term investments on its balance sheet. Moreover, J2 has generated free cash flow in excess of $2.5 billion from January 1, 2007 through March 30, 2020. As we stated at the time, J2 suspended its dividend to redirect that cash to enhance the growth of our various businesses based on the significant number of investment opportunities within J2's portfolio of businesses and the historic returns from prior investments. Furthermore, this step was taken even though it reduced income for J2 insiders. At the time, unvested stock held by management and our board either paid dividends or accumulated dividends, which were then paid on vesting... Hindenburg erroneously claims that the J2 Board of Directors lacks independence. Based on all applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules, J2's Board is independent and evaluates its independence annually... Hindenburg shows a fundamental misunderstanding of U.S. GAAP. As a U.S. company, J2 assesses the fair value of goodwill at one level below the segment level which is the business-unit level...Hindenburg misrepresents J2 CEO Vivek Shah's compensation by failing to include a full explanation of his 2018 compensation and ignores Mr. Shah's 2019 compensation entirely and the detailed information presented on his long-term equity award included in the Company's 2019 and 2020 Proxy Statements... Hindenburg failed to adequately review or incorporate publicly available information about J2 to properly educate itself about our businesses. If it had, then it would clearly have understood that the reason why Cloud Customer ARPU declined is based on lower subscription prices related to our successful IPVanish subscription service. Moreover, Hindenburg fails to disclose that Cloud Customers have increased from 3.17 million in 2018 to 4.04 million in 2019. Furthermore, Hindenburg failed to disclose or understand that the pageview decline in Digital Media from 2018 to 2019, as has been discussed during a number of earnings calls, was primarily due to a reduction in traffic on J2's Snapchat pages that carried little monetization." The company concluded, "Attacks from "short and distort" outfits like Hindenburg ordinarily would not be dignified with a response. However, the attempted impugning of J2's integrity and ethics required a clear and thorough refutation of Hindenburg's baseless allegations and disparaging misrepresentations."