Stockwinners Market Radar for August 23, 2024 - Earnings, Upgrades downgrades, option trades, Best Stock Advisory Service

19:50 EDT Oblong trading halted, news pending

17:25 EDT Northrop Grumman awarded $200.25M Air Force contract - Northrop Grumman was awarded a $200.25M cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability, or DARC, Site 2. This contract provides an award, to include the design, integration, and testing of the second DARC radar site, which will be within the European Command area of responsibility through a partnership with the United Kingdom. Work will be performed in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by February 4, 2030. This contract was a sole source award. No funds are being awarded at the time of award. The Space Systems Center Directorate of Contracting is the contracting activity.

17:18 EDT BioAffinity Technologies CFO Michael Dougherty resigns - BioAffinity Technologies announced that Michael Dougherty has resigned as CFO to accept a CFO position in the Pacific Northwest in the energy industry. J. Michael Edwards, who served as BioAffinity's consulting CFO from 2014 to 2023 and oversaw the company's initial public offering in 2022, will serve as interim CFO until a permanent CFO is appointed. Dougherty will continue to serve in the role of CFO until Sept. 15 and will assist in the transition.

17:09 EDT B. Riley Financial receives noncompliance notification from Nasdaq - B. Riley Financial announced it received an expected delinquency notification letter from Nasdaq, which indicated that the company was not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250 as a result of the delayed filing of the company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30. The Nasdaq Listing Rule requires listed companies to timely file all required periodic financial reports with the SEC. This notification has no immediate effect on the listing of the company's securities on Nasdaq.

17:05 EDT Celularity receives noncompliance notification from Nasdaq - Celularity announced that the company received notification from the Listing Qualifications department of Nasdaq stating that because the company has not yet filed its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30 and because the company remains delinquent in filing its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, it does not comply with the Nasdaq continued listing requirements which require listed companies to timely file all required periodic financial reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Nasdaq's notice has no immediate effect on the listing of Celularity's common stock and warrants, which continue to trade on Nasdaq.

16:42 EDT Ocean Biomedical receives noncompliance notification from Nasdaq - Ocean Biomedical announced that it received a notice from Nasdaq stating that because the company has not yet filed its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, the company is not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250, which requires listed companies to timely file all required periodic reports with the SEC.

16:38 EDT Prestige Wealth to acquire SPW Global for $4.5M in cash, shares - Prestige Wealth announced that it entered into a definitive acquisition agreement pursuant to which PWM will purchase all shares of SPW Global Inc, a company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, which in turn wholly owns Wealth AI. or Wealth AI, a company incorporated under the laws of Republic of Singapore. The total purchase price is $4.5M subject to customary closing purchase price adjustments, with $3M being paid in cash and the remaining $1.5M being settled in the form of 1.9M class A ordinary shares and 500,000 class B ordinary shares of the company issuable to the seller and key employees of Wealth AI. In addition, key employees will be retained and continue to be employed by Wealth AI after closing of the transaction. The acquisition agreement also includes a third-year period non-competition and non-solicitation covenants from the seller parties. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter.

16:21 EDT Federated Hermes announces shareholder approval related to ETF - Federated Hermes (FHI) announced that the Federated Hermes ETF Trust, on behalf of its portfolio, Federated Hermes MDT Large Cap Growth ETF (FLCG), which seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in common stocks of large capitalization U.S. companies with higher forecasted growth values relative to the market, has obtained approval by majority shareholder consent action to change from a diversified company to a non-diversified company. "The change was approved by written consent in lieu of a shareholder meeting and no proxy or solicitation was necessary. The change will take effect on or about Sept. 16," the company stated.

16:12 EDT SciSparc submits IND application to FDA for SCI-110 Phase IIb trial - SciSparc announced the submission of an Investigational New Drug, or "IND," application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its phase IIb clinical trial for its proprietary SCI-110 for the treatment of Tourette Syndrome, or TS. The phase IIb clinical trial will be conducted at three global leading centers of excellence: the Yale Child Study Center at the Yale School of Medicine in Connecticut, United States, the Hannover Medical School in Hannover, Germany, and at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center in Israel. The objective of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of SciSparc's proprietary drug candidate SCI-110 in adult patients between the ages of 18 and 65 years using a daily oral treatment. The patients will be randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive either SCI-110 or a SCI-110-matched placebo. The primary efficacy objective of the trial will be to assess tic severity change using the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale, the most commonly used measure in clinical trials of this kind, as a continuous endpoint at weeks 12 and 26 of the double-blind phase compared to baseline. The primary safety objective of the trial is to assess absolute and relative frequencies of serious adverse events for the entire population and, separately, for the SCI-110 and placebo groups. "SciSparc is in a unique position to address the challenges associated with current TS treatments," said SciSparc's Chief Executive Officer, Oz Adler. "We believe that our proprietary SCI-110, comprised of dronabinol and palmitoylethanolamide, has the potential to revolutionize the way TS is treated. Commencing the clinical trial is the culmination of diligent work by the SciSparc team, together with leading researchers in the field."

15:11 EDT Perma-Pipe International awarded two MENA region projects valued over $46M - Perma-Pipe International announced it has been awarded two projects in the MENA region. The overall amount of the two projects is more than $46M. The two awarded projects are part of major developments in the region. These projects will utilize Perma-Pipe's coating capabilities, and the Xtru-Therm insulation system, a spray-applied polyurethane foam jacketed with a high-density polyethylene casing.

14:31 EDT EastGroup Properties raises quarterly dividend 10.2% to $1.40 per share - EastGroup Properties announced that its board of directors approved a 10.2% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it to $1.40 per share from $1.27 per share. The dividend is payable on October 15 to shareholders of record of common stock on September 30. This dividend is the 179th consecutive quarterly cash distribution to EastGroup's shareholders and represents an annualized dividend rate of $5.60 per share, the company noted.

13:31 EDT Canadian National served with 72-hour strike notice by Teamsters - CN announced that it has been served with a 72-hour strike notice by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference. The Teamsters intend to strike as of 10:00 AM ET on Monday, August 26, 2024. CN proactively ended the lockout of the Teamsters on August 22, following the Minister of Labour's direction to the Canada Industrial Relations Board to impose binding arbitration between both parties. "While CN is focused on its recovery plan to get back to powering the economy, the Teamsters are focused on returning to the picket line and shutting down the economy, impacting people and jobs across the country. Over the last nine months, CN has negotiated in good faith. The Company consistently proposed serious offers, with better pay, improved rest, and more predictable schedules. This latest development confirms that the Teamsters never took negotiations seriously and that they had no desire to reach a deal."

13:01 EDT Baker Hughes reports U.S. rig count down 1 to 585 rigs

12:21 EDT Hansa Biopharma CCO Matthew Shaulis to depart - Hansa Biopharma announced that Matthew Shaulis, Chief Commercial Officer and US President has decided to leave the company in late September. Effective immediately, the Commercial Leadership team will report to Soren Tulstrup, President and CEO. A search is underway for a new CCO and US President.

12:00 EDT Valhi rises 17.1% - Valhi is up 17.1%, or $4.19 to $28.63.

12:00 EDT Four Seasons Education falls -6.3% - Four Seasons Education is down -6.3%, or -$1.01 to $14.99.

12:00 EDT ZKH Group falls -7.9% - ZKH Group is down -7.9%, or -30c to $3.50.

11:05 EDT ACRI Capital Acquisition Corp trading halted, volatility trading pause

10:00 EDT Bill falls -8.0% - Bill is down -8.0%, or -$4.04 to $46.70.

10:00 EDT Lumen rises 9.9% - Lumen is up 9.9%, or 60c to $6.64.

10:00 EDT Cava Group rises 13.0% - Cava Group is up 13.0%, or $13.30 to $115.28.

09:50 EDT ZKH Group falls -7.9% - ZKH Group is down -7.9%, or -30c to $3.50.

09:49 EDT Sunlands Online rises 10.0% - Sunlands Online is up 10.0%, or 86c to $9.50.

09:47 EDT Warby Parker rises 10.5% - Warby Parker is up 10.5%, or $1.46 to $15.32.

09:41 EDT Pono Capital Two Inc trading resumes

09:37 EDT GD Culture Group Ltd trading resumes

09:32 EDT GD Culture Group Ltd trading halted, volatility trading pause

09:18 EDT Children's Place appoints Claudia Lima-Guinehut as brand president - The Children's Place announced that Claudia Lima-Guinehut has been appointed Brand President, effective September 9, 2024. Ms. Lima-Guinehut is rejoining The Children's Place from Claire's Holdings, where she had served as Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer since June 2023. As Brand President, Ms. Lima-Guinehut will oversee all customer facing activities across the Company's Family of Brands, and will be responsible for Design, Sourcing, Merchandising, Brand Marketing, Planning, Allocation and the Company's Wholesale and International businesses. She will report to Muhammad Umair, President and Interim CEO.

09:06 EDT Altamira Therapeutics announces extension of Bentrio distribution agreement - Altamira Therapeutics announced that its associate company Altamira Medica has agreed with its Norwegian partner Pharma Nordic AS to extend the territory covered by their exclusive distribution agreement for Bentrio to Sweden and Denmark. Following the successful launch in Norway earlier this year, Pharma Nordic intends to introduce the Bentrio nasal spray for the prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis in these two additional Scandinavian countries next year. "We have been very pleased and impressed by Pharma Nordic's market launch activities and success in Norway," commented Thomas Meyer, Altamira Medica's Chairman and CEO. "It is therefore of mutual interest to expand in a next step the geographical scope of our collaboration to include Sweden and Denmark. We look forward to bringing Bentrio to patients in these two other countries and to continuing to build the product together with Pharma Nordic into one of the leading brands for allergic rhinitis management in Scandinavia

09:01 EDT Origin Agritech names Weibin Yan as CEO - Origin Agritech is pleased to announce the appointment of Weibin Yan as the new CEO and member of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. Dr. Gengchen Han, who has served as CEO, will continue as Chairman of the Board. Yan brings a wealth of experience and leadership to Origin Agritech, with a distinguished career in the agricultural and industrial sectors. He is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Hunan Provincial Federation of Industry and Commerce.

08:32 EDT Verb's MARKET.live partners with BeautyStat, TikTok for skincare event - Verb Technology Company announced a livestream partnership with BeautyStat and TikTok. On August 28th from 3 pm - 7 pm PT, the exclusive MARKET.live BeautyStat event will be streamed live on TikTok, offering the platform's vast audience unparalleled access to BeautyStat's CEO and veteran cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson.

08:09 EDT Jet.AI announces entry into warrant amendments - Jet.AI announced its entry with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company on August 21, 2024 into: the 2021 Warrant Agreement Amendment, which governs the terms and conditions of the Company's redeemable warrants to purchase shares of Company common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, which warrants trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "JTAIW", and the Company's private placement warrants to purchase shares of common stock; and the 2023 Warrant Agreement Amendment, which governs the terms and conditions of the Company's merger consideration warrants to purchase shares of common stock, which warrants trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "JTAIZ". The Company entered into the 2021 Warrant Agreement Amendment and the 2023 Warrant Agreement Amendment following the expiration of its previously announced exchange offer and consent solicitation, which commenced on June 27, 2024, and expired at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on July 25, 2024. As disclosed on July 30, 2024, the Company was advised that 8,930,344 redeemable warrants, 5,760,000 private placement warrants, and 5,029,657 merger consideration warrants were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the Offer and the Consent Solicitation.

08:05 EDT Hurco Companies is set to make significant impact at ITMS in Chicago - Hurco Companies is poised to make a significant impact at the International Manufacturing Technology Show, IMTS, in Chicago next month. Being North America's largest manufacturing technology exhibition, Hurco chose IMTS to unveil the results of its aggressive technology innovation and product development strategies. With an expanded 16,000-square-foot IMTS booth, Hurco will showcase how its unwavering focus on research and development is delivering cutting-edge technologies that drive productivity and profitability for customers worldwide.

08:03 EDT Teledyne subsidiary awarded $114M task order - Teledyne Brown Engineering, a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies, proudly announced the award of a $114M task order under the design, development, demonstration, and integration Domain 1 contract by the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Under this contract, Teledyne Brown Engineering will spearhead the design, build, and launch of realistic-threat ballistic target missiles, crucial for use in testing advanced missile defense systems. The Tactical Range Air Defense Missile 2, a follow-on contract, will extend through March 2028, continuing the company's work under previous contract, providing target missiles since 2014.

08:02 EDT MetaWorks Platforms completes asset purchase of FogDog Energy - MetaWorks Platforms has acquired the assets of FogDog Energy Solutions. MetaWorks had previously made investments into FDE and this asset acquisition allows the Company to exchange its debt in full. The Company now seeks to use the acquired assets to quickly scale its new waste-to-energy business through its wholly owned subsidiary, EnergyWorks Corp.

07:19 EDT Tactical Resources to list on Nasdaq through Plum Acquisition Corp. III pact - Tactical Resources, a mineral exploration and development company, and Plum Acquisition Corp. III, a Nasdaq-listed special purpose acquisition company, announced they have entered into a definitive business combination agreement. The proposed business combination is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory, court and stockholder approvals. The company's flagship asset, the peak project contains the rights to acquire REEs enriched tailings and stockpiled materials extracted from the Sierra Blanca Quarry, or SBQ. The peak project is a rare earth focused project strategically located southeast of El Paso, Texas. This convenient location in a mining-friendly jurisdiction offers extensive infrastructure, including easy highway, power, water, and rail line access. Tactical Resources believes that the Peak Project will enable it to become a significant REEs producer in the United States. The peak project is one of only a few rare earth hard rock direct-leach-extractable projects in the world, with initial quarry operating permits already in place. The company also has an exclusive option to purchase SBQ's mining lease and associated infrastructure for the Peak Project. The proposed business combination implies a pro forma enterprise value of $589M, assuming Tactical Resources is delivered on a cash free, debt free basis. The proceeds of the proposed business combination will support Tactical Resources' strategic growth plan, which includes helping finance Tactical Resources' operations plan at the peak project and the progression of Tactical Resources' future production activities. Pursuant to the business combination agreement, Plum, a Cayman Islands exempted company, will re-domicile in the Province of British Columbia, Canada and amalgamate with a newly formed company incorporating under the laws of the Province of British Columbia to form one corporate entity. A newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Plum incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia will amalgamate with the company to form one corporate entity, such that, following the amalgamation, the company will continue as a wholly-owned subsidiary of New Pubco, which will be renamed "Tactical Resources Corp." or such other name as may be agreed to between the parties. The aggregate transaction consideration deliverable to the company's shareholders will be a number of newly issued common shares of New Pubco based on a $500M pre-transaction equity value of the company. The proposed business combination has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of Plum and by the disinterested directors of the board of directors of the company. The proposed business combination is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions, including all requisite approvals by shareholders of Plum and Tactical Resources, the listing approval of Nasdaq Stock Market, the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form F-4 to be filed by New Pubco with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the proposed business combination, and satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions set forth in the business combination agreement. The company is expected to delist from the TSX Venture Exchange upon closing of the proposed business combination. Under the terms of the business combination agreement, Tactical Resources' existing shareholders will convert 100% of their equity/ownership stakes into New Pubco and are expected to own approximately 82% of New Pubco upon consummation of the proposed business combination.

07:07 EDT Cannabist to acquire Lakeland cultivation facility, 14 dispensaries for $16.4M - Cannabist Company announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with a multistate operator to acquire the Lakeland cultivation facility. Additionally, Cannabist Company entered into a definitive agreement with MINT Cannabis and Shango, as joint venture partners, to acquire all 14 Cannabist dispensaries in Florida and the company's cultivation and manufacturing facilities in Alachua and Arcadia. MINT Cannabis and Shango are privately held multi-state dispensary operators and cultivators that will bring strong operational expertise, award-winning genetics and innovative customer experience to these dispensary locations, which post-closing are expected to be rebranded to "MINT Cannabis". Consideration for the Lakeland Transaction, subject to adjustment, is $11.4M, payable in cash. $2M of this consideration is already held in escrow. Transaction includes a more than 40,000-square-foot cultivation facility in Lakeland. Consideration for the MINT/Shango Transaction, subject to adjustment, is $5M. Upon closing, the MINT Shango JV will pay closing consideration of $3M in cash and issue a $2M promissory note. $750k of this consideration is already held in escrow. Additionally, the MINT Shango JV will transfer to the company all outstanding equity interest in its MMTC license entity, which the company expects to divest to an additional third party. The transaction includes: 14 Cannabist dispensaries, two cultivation and manufacturing facilities, and the company's MMTC license. Closing of the transactions pursuant to the definitive agreements is subject to closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Upon exit of the Florida market, the Cannabist Company's operational footprint will be in 13 markets, which will be further reduced to 12 once the ongoing exit from Washington, DC is finalized.

07:05 EDT Moderna receives European Commission approval for mRESVIA - Moderna announced that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization for mRESVIA, an mRNA respiratory syncytial virus vaccine, to protect adults aged 60 years and older from lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV infection. The marketing authorization follows the Positive Opinion from the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use. The authorization is valid in all 27 EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The marketing authorization for mRESVIA is based on positive data from the Phase 3 clinical trial ConquerRSV, a global study conducted in approximately 37,000 adults ages 60 years or older in 22 countries. The primary analysis with 3.7 months of median follow-up found a vaccine efficacy against RSV lower respiratory tract disease of 83.7%, with these results published in The New England Journal of Medicine. In a supplementary analysis with 8.6 months of median follow-up, mRNA-1345 maintained durable efficacy, with sustained VE of 63.3% against RSV-LRTD, including two or more symptoms. VE was 74.6% against RSV-LRTD with greater than or equal to2 symptoms, including shortness of breath, and VE was 63.0% against RSV LRTD including three or more symptoms. The stringent statistical criterion of the study, a lower bound on the 95% CI of greater than20%, continued to be met for both endpoints. The most commonly reported solicited adverse reactions were injection site pain, fatigue, headache, myalgia and arthralgia.

07:03 EDT Xortx Therapeutics files documents in connection with Annual, Special Meeting - XORTX Therapeutic announced the management information circular for the annual and special meeting of shareholders is now available on the Company's website as well as on the Company's SEDAR+ profile and the SEC's website. The mailing of the Circular and related Meeting materials occurred on August 21, 2024. XORTX will hold the Meeting on September 12, 2024, at 10:00 am at the offices of the Company at 3710 - 33rd Street NW, Calgary.

07:02 EDT Manitex signs dealership agreement with Bruckner's Truck & Equipment - Manitex announced a North American dealership agreement with Bruckner's Truck & Equipment. Bruckner's will sell and support the full line of Manitex equipment solutions in selected markets through their network of 40 support centers located across eight states, including PM articulating cranes. Bruckner's has been family owned and operated for three generations from its headquarters in Amarillo, Texas. As an authorized dealer, Bruckner's team will be certified to sell and support the full Manitex product line.

07:01 EDT Siyata Mobile receives order for SD7 handsets from global mining company - Siyata Mobile announced it has expanded its presence in the mining industry with an initial order for its SD7 handsets and related accessories from a new customer, a leading North American global mining company. The company also continues to deliver its UV350 Vehicle Kits to long-standing customer Intellicom, operating in Central Asia in the country of Kazakhstan.

06:17 EDT Moderna's partial change application for Spikevax approved by Japan's MHLW - Moderna announced that it has received approval from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, MHLW, in Japan for a partial change application for an updated formulation of its COVID-19 mRNA vaccine Spikevax, targeting the SARS-CoV-2 variant JN.1. "We appreciate the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare approval decision for our updated COVID-19 mRNA vaccine," said Stephane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna. "It is important that people are vaccinated with the latest updated COVID-19 vaccines that can protect against circulating strains. With COVID-19 vaccination becoming a routine inoculation similar to seasonal flu vaccines, individuals will be able to receive their updated COVID-19 vaccine alongside their flu vaccine this fall."

05:35 EDT Canadian Pacific Kansas City comments on delay of railway operations resumption - Canadian Pacific Kansas City said, following the direction issued by the Canadian Minister of Labour pursuant to section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, the Canada Industrial Relations Board, or CIRB, convened an urgent case management conference with CPKC. CPKC was prepared to fully address the resumption of service. The company said, "Unfortunately, the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) representing the Train and Engine division and Rail Canada Traffic Controller division refused to discuss any resumption of service, and instead indicated that they wish to make submissions to challenge the constitutionality of the Minister's direction, as well as the CIRB's discretion to proceed with any order. Another case management conference is now scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET, tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 23 to further hear submissions by the parties. While the Minister directed that the CIRB proceed expeditiously, any decision by the CIRB on the resumption of service will be delayed. CPKC remains prepared to resume service as soon as it is ordered to do so by the CIRB. CPKC is disappointed by this delay, which will affect our ability to resume serving the Canadian economy."

05:23 EDT Navigator Holdings orders two new liquefied ethylene gas carriers - Navigator Holdings announced that it entered into contracts to build two new 48,500 cubic meter capacity liquefied ethylene gas carriers with Jiangnan Shipyard and China Shipbuilding Trading in China. The Newbuild Vessels are scheduled to be delivered to the company in March 2027 and July 2027 respectively, at an average price of $102.9M per vessel. The Newbuild Vessels will be able to carry a wide variety of gas products, ranging from the most complex petrochemical gases, such as ethylene and ethane, to LPG and clean ammonia. The Newbuild Vessels will be fitted with dual-fuel engines for ethane, a low-carbon intensity transitional fuel, and made retrofit-ready for using ammonia as a fuel in the near future. Additionally, the Newbuild Vessels will be capable of transiting through both the former and the new Panama Canal locks, providing enhanced flexibility. The company has also agreed an option with the sellers for an additional two newbuilding vessels of the same specification and price as the Newbuild Vessels, with expected delivery to the company in November 2027 and January 2028, respectively, if the option is exercised.

05:18 EDT Volvo to invest $700M in Mexican plant, to acquire plant in North Carolina - Volvo (VLVLY) will build its new Mexican heavy-duty truck manufacturing plant in Monterrey. As announced on April 11, the plant will supplement the Group's U.S. production and provide additional capacity to support the growth plans of both Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks in the U.S. and Canadian markets, and Mack truck sales in Mexico and Latin America. The plant is expected to be operational in 2026. This includes an agreement to acquire Commercial Vehicle Group's (CVGI) production plant in North Carolina, which produces cabs for Mack's heavy- and medium-duty trucks, for approximately $40M. The agreement was announced August 1 by CVG and is expected to close in the second half of this year. The Monterrey plant represents an investment of approximately $700M and will focus on production of heavy-duty conventional vehicles for the Volvo and Mack brands. It will be a complete conventional vehicle assembly facility including cab body-in-white production and paint.