Alpharma Inc. (NYSE:
ALO -
News) shares slumped after the specialty pharmaceuticals maker said it expects to report 2007 earnings below the average forecast on Wall Street.
Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE:
APC -
News) was downgraded to neutral from buy at Goldman Sachs.
Biomira Inc. (NASDAQ:
BIOM -
News) shares fell after the Edmonton, Alberta-based biotech company said it plans to raise $13 million by offering up to 9.63 million units for $1.35 each. Units will consist of one common share and 0.2 of a warrant. Each warrant will entitle the holder to buy one common share at an exercise price of $1.86. The warrants will have a 48-month term and a no-exercise period of six months. The offering is expected to close in the next few days.
Celgene (NASDAQ:
CELG -
News) shares declined after the company said Barr Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:
BRL -
News) has filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application with the Food and Drug Administration to market a generic version of thalidomide. Celgene said Barr is seeking approval for the treatment of moderate to severe erythema nodosum leprosum, an immunologic skin ailment. Celgene markets thalidomide under the brand name Thalomid for treatment multiple myeloma, as well as for erythema nodosum leprosum. Celgene said it plans to file a complaint against Barr, alleging infringement of Celgene patents.
CHC Helicopter Corp. (NYSE:
FLI -
News) reported second-quarter net earnings of C$8.9 million ($7.2 million), or 20 Canadian cents a share, compared with C$39.2 million, or 85 Canadian cents a share, in the same period last year.
CKE Restaurants Inc. (NYSE:
CKR -
News) said third-quarter net income fell, as income tax expense rose, to $9.46 million, or 13 cents a share, from $15.8 million, or 23 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year. The company also said its blended same-store sales for November rose 2.9%. The company's Carl's Jr. restaurants posted an increase of 0.5% in comparable sales for the four weeks ended Dec. 4, while its Hardee's restaurants saw a jump of 5.2% in same-store sales for the period. Carpinteria, Calif.-based CKE said total consolidated revenue from company-owned stores for the period reached $95.9 million.
Shares of Cooper Cos. (NYSE:
COO -
News) slumped after the company reported fiscal fourth-quarter results that came in below its own expectations, which the health-care products maker attributed to order processing and shipping delays, and a lackluster response to its new spherical contact lens products.
Shares of CSX Corp. (NYSE:
CSX -
News) fell after Bear Stearns downgraded the railroad company to peer perform from outperform, due primarily to concerns over valuation. Analyst Edward Wolfe also said CSX was the most-likely of the large-capitalization companies he covers to miss fourth-quarter earnings expectations due to a drag from fuel hedges, a drop off in volume that was worse than expected and than its peers and management's commitment to stay with its operating plan regardless of near-term cost overrides.
EntreMed Inc. (NASDAQ:
ENMD -
News) shares fell after the company announced that it plans to sell up to 10.7 million shares of its common stock in a transaction valued at about $17.2 million.
Shares of Monster Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ:
MNST -
News) slid after the company said a panel investigating its stock option grant practices found evidence that someone intentionally lowered exercise prices so they would have a higher value. The company said it's restating results to record a total charge of $339.6 million to properly account for options granted between 1997 and March 31, 2003.
The disclosure tamped down the positive effects of a note Wednesday by Piper Jaffray & Co. analyst Brett Manderfeld, who wrote that the operator of the Monster.com jobs board was on track for a fourth-quarter that was in-line with expectations of about 60% sales growth.
Share of OptionsXpress (NASDAQ:
OXPS -
News) fell after the company reported that while its trading volume improved, its account growth slowed. Also, Raymond James analysts downgraded the shares to outperform from strong buy Wednesday, noting account growth, "was well below expectations."
Peerless Systems Corp. (NASDAQ:
PRLS -
News) said it swung to a third-quarter net loss, as revenue fell, of $18,000, or breakeven on a per-share basis. During the same period in the prior year, net income was $1.05 million, or 6 cents a share.
Shares of Pozen Inc. (NASDAQ:
POZN -
News) tumbled on news that regulators want additional data for its proposed migraine medication Trexima before they will consider approving the drug.
Qantas Airways has agreed to an A$11 billion takeover offer from a consortium led by Australia's Macquarie Bank and Texas Pacific Group of the U.S. after the group sweetened its bid by 10 cents a share to overcome the Qantas board's reticence, according to a media report.
SAIC Inc. (NYSE:
SAI -
News) said third-quarter net income rose, as revenue gained, to $98 million, or 28 cents a share, from $91 million, or 25 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year.
Stanley Furniture Co. (NASDAQ:
STLY -
News) said it plans to cut 200 of the 450 employees at its Robbinsville, N.C. plant. The cuts include management and hourly employees, according to the wood furniture manufacturer.
Tyson Foods (NYSE:
TSN -
News) was downgraded to underweight from neutral at J.P. Morgan, citing valuation concerns.
Wet Seal Inc. (NASDAQ:
WTSLA -
News) said certain shareholders will sell 16 million shares of its Class A common stock in a secondary offering. The shares are being sold by affiliates of Prentice Capital Management LP, S.A.C. Capital Associates LLC and GMM Capital LLC. In addition, the underwriters have been granted an over-allotment option to buy up to 2.4 million additional shares. Foothill Ranch, Calif.-based Wet Seal, an apparel retailer, will not receive any proceeds from the offering, other than those received as a result of the exercise of warrants for shares to be sold in the offering.
-MarketWatch
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