Weaker Opening

Stocks appeared set to open lower
Monday.

Gilead Sciences
(
GILD |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
reported
that the company received FDA approval for their Viread drug, which is used for
the treatment of HIV infection.

Dynacare
(
DNCR |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
has filed a
registration statement for a secondary offering of five million shares.

According to a report by the Wall
Street Journal
Qualcomm
(
QCOM |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
is developing a satellite-based system
that will be capable of broadcasting live jetliner-cockpit conversations, flight
data and video of passenger activity inside the cabin. The technology will
utilize Globalstar Telecom’s
(
GSTRF |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
low-earth-satellite constellation.

Pharmaceutical company Biovail
(
BVF |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)

reported Q3 sales increased significantly and has entered into a number of
marketing agreements with GlaxoSmithKline.

Omincare
(
OCR |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
posted Q3 earnings
of 25 cents a share in line with analysts’ expectations according to a poll
taken by Thomson Financial/First CAll.

FedEx
(
FDX |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
raised its guidance
for the November quarter to come in between 40 cents – 45 cents, excluding any
government assistance. Analysts’ estimates were for 37 cents.

Merrill Lynch maintained its
Accumulate rating on UAL Corp
(
UAL |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
after the company’s chairman/CEO
resigned.

Lehman Brothers upgraded WorldCom
(
WCOM |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)

from Buy to Strong Buy.

Banc of America Securities downgraded
Exxon Mobil
(
XOM |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
from Strong Buy to Buy.

Merrill Lynch downgraded SEMCO Energy
(
SEN |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
from Long Term Neutral to Near Term Reduce.

King Pharmaceuticals
(
KG |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
posted Q2
earnings of 28 cents a share, beating analysts’ estimates by 2 cents.

Ariad Pharmaceuticals
(
ARIA |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)

announced that the company has discovered a number of highly potent anti-tumor
compounds.