Markets Appear Heavy…Lower Opening Slated

Stocks appear set to open lower
Thursday
as an earnings warning from Juniper Networks
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weighs on the
futures this morning.

Neose Technologies
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has
announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Wyeth-Ayerst
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to allow AHP to utilize NTEC’s Glyco Advance technology.

Mirant
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is in a conference
call this morning which began at 8:00 AM EDT.

Lehman Brothers raised its price target
on Calpine
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from $10 to $23 and FY02 earnings estimates from $2.16 to
$2.30.

Robertson Stephens is cautious on
Amazon.com
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, citing concerns about the company’s current valuation and
long-term profitability.

McGrath Rent Corp.
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has
entered an agreement to be acquired by Tyco International
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for $482
million, or $38 per share. MGRC closed at $24.97.

Salomon Smith Barney upgraded AT&T
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from Neutral to Buy based on the Broadband/Comcast deal.

Credit Suisse First Boston upgraded
Federal Express
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from Hold to Buy, stating it has seen an improvement in
volume, yield growth and market share in the ground delivery service.

Merrill Lynch upgraded a number of
Retailers to Near Term Strong Buy: Ann Taylor
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, Ross Stores
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,
Too Limited
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and ZLC
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.

Bear Stearns upgraded Palm
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from Neutral to Attractive.

Credit Suisse First Boston downgraded
APW Ltd.
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from Buy to Hold.

UBS Warburg upgraded Lexmark
International
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from Hold to Buy and set its price target on the stock
to $72.

Jabil Circuits
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reported a Q1
net of 11 cents a share, in line with analysts’ estimates.