Broader Markets Appear Stronger On The Open
Stocks appear set to open flat to
higher Friday.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
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reported a net of 14 cents a share for Q4, beating analysts’ estimates by a
penny. KKD also outpaced earnings from a year ago of 8 cents.
Saks Inc
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earnings of 50 cents a share, in line with analysts’ estimates.
Alexion Pharmaceuticals
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posted a Q2 loss of 60 cents a share, worse than the 25 cent loss for the same
quarter a year ago.
Biogen
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confident that Avonex, the company’s multiple sclerosis treatment, will be
the leading drug treatment in the United States.
New China Homes Ltd’s
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lock-up expires tomorrow.
Gilead Science
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splitting 2:1 before the market opens today.
Salomon Smith Barney lowered its
ratings on a number of investments banks. The firm downgraded Goldman Sachs
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from Buy to Neutral, Bear Stearns
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Merrill Lynch
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Brothers
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InterMune
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follow-on offering of 3 million shares at $37.
Salix Pharmaceuticals
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priced a follow-on offering of 4 million shares at $13.37.
The FDA has accepted Schering-Plough
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for over-the-counter Claritin.
JDS Uniphase
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downgraded by Merrill Lynch from Buy to Near Term Neutral, citing that the
optical market may decline almost 20% vs. old estimates of 12%.
Merrill Lynch initiated Ciena
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with a Reduce/Sell rating and put a fair value price of $5.30.
Credit Suisse First Boston raised its
price target on National Semi
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CACI International
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a follow-on offering of 4.25 million shares at $35.