| Another Setback For Mexican Airlines Posted: 31 Aug 2010 03:35 PM PDT Grupo Mexicana de Aviación declared the indefinite suspension of its operations Grupo Mexicana de Aviación, which operates through its three subsidiaries, Compañía Mexicana de Aviación (Mexicana), Aerovías Caribe, S.A. de C.V. (Mexicana Click), and Mexicana Inter, S.A. de C.V. (Mexicana Link) declared the indefinite suspension of its operations since 28 August, 2010.
For fiscal 2009, Grupo Mexicana de Aviación contributed 12.63% of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico S.A.B. de … [visit site to read more] 
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| Winn Dixie EPS Beats, Rev Misses Posted: 31 Aug 2010 03:05 PM PDT Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. (WINN) reported fiscal 2010 fourth-quarter results after the closing bell on Monday. Net income jumped 48.8% to $14.0 million or 25 cents per share from $9.4 million or 17 cents per share in the year-ago period. Quarterly earnings also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 13 cents. The growth in earnings was mainly attributable to an extra week of sales and absence of a significant income tax expense recorded in the year-ago period.
Quarterly … [visit site to read more] 
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| Good News For BioMarin’s Pipeline Posted: 31 Aug 2010 03:05 PM PDT Recently, BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.'s (BMRN) pipeline received a boost with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granting orphan drug status to its candidate BMN-701, which is being developed to combat Pompe disease.
The investigational new drug (IND) application for the candidate, which has been effective in pre-clinical studies, was accepted by the FDA with clinical trials expected to commence in the first quarter of 2011.
Orphan Drug Status is granted by the FDA to … [visit site to read more] 
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| Sinopec: Solid Gas Growth Ahead Posted: 31 Aug 2010 03:05 PM PDT China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (SNP), or Sinopec, targets more than 40% natural gas output for this year based on growing confidence on its gas fields. The company said that Yuanba gas field has similar potential to the neighboring Puguang field's output. Both the fields are being developed by Sinopec.
While oil production experienced sluggishness in the first half, natural gas production showed solid growth. China is ramping up gas production as it seeks to find alternatives … [visit site to read more] 
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| Google And AP Make Agreement Posted: 31 Aug 2010 02:35 PM PDT Google Inc. (GOOG) and news provider, The Associated Press ("AP") have announced an agreement that would allow Google to continue displaying complete AP news stories on Google sites.
While officials from both companies were rather tight-lipped about the details of the transaction, we tend to think that Google has had to give away more than it planned for. It could have agreed to provide information regarding usage patterns of AP content, or it could have agreed to part with a … [visit site to read more] 
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| Analyst Interviews: Metals And Mining Review Posted: 31 Aug 2010 02:05 PM PDT Overview
The Metals & Mining Industry encompasses the extraction (mining), as well as the primary and secondary processing of metals and minerals such as aluminum, gold, precious metals, coal and steel. The industry is oligarchic in structure, with a few producers accounting for the lion's share of the output. The largest segment of the global metals market is iron and steel, followed by aluminum. The iron and steel segment comprises more than half the industry in terms of volume. This … [visit site to read more] 
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| Volcano Stays Neutral Posted: 31 Aug 2010 02:05 PM PDT We recently reiterated our Neutral recommendation on Volcano Corporation (NASDAQ:VOLC) with a target price of $23.00. Volcano reported earnings of 10 cents per share in the second quarter of 2010, surpassing the year-ago quarter's net loss of 11 cents per share. Revenues jumped by 36% to $73.5 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $69 million as the company witnessed growth across all reporting segments. Volcano is focused on the development of a wide range of intravascular … [visit site to read more] 
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| Deere To Sell Wind Energy Business Posted: 31 Aug 2010 01:35 PM PDT Deere & Co. (NYSE:DE) announced that it will sell its wind energy business, John Deere Renewables, LLC, to Exelon Corp.'s (NYSE:EXC) wholly owned subsidiary, Exelon Generation Company. The deal, valued at $900 million, includes a provision for $40 million upon commencement of construction of the advanced development projects. Pursuant to regulatory approvals, the transaction will close by the end of fiscal 2010 and Deere will record an after-tax charge of approximately $25 million in its … [visit site to read more] 
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| Anadarko Spends $1.22M On Lobbying Posted: 31 Aug 2010 01:35 PM PDT Oil and natural gas exploration and production company Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:APC) increased its lobbying expenses significantly, during the second quarter 2010, to $1.22 million, from the year-ago level of $520,000. Lobbying expenses, however, saw a marginal decline from $1.3 million in the sequentially preceding quarter. During the reported quarter, Anadarko lobbied to the federal government on a number of issues related to the oil spill from BP Plc's (NYSE:BP) Deepwater Horizon … [visit site to read more] 
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| ‘The Consumer Is Totally Wrecked’ Posted: 31 Aug 2010 01:28 PM PDT Yes, I’m sure it reflects confirmation bias on my part, but it’s hard to ignore Howard Davidowitz’s thoughts on the state of the economy given that he has in recent years been correctly pessimistic on prospects for a sustainable recovery.
Here is a brief snippet from a recent Bloomberg Television interview (posted below) with the long-time retail analyst, entitled “Davidowitz Says `Worst to Come’ for U.S. Retail Sales: Video”: The consumer is totally wrecked and that’s why there’s no way this … [visit site to read more] 
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| Northern Trust Gets Beijing License Posted: 31 Aug 2010 01:05 PM PDT Northern Trust Corporation (NASDAQ:NTRS) has been granted license for its Beijing Branch Office by the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC). This represents an important step in the company's expansion plans. Northern Trust's new license would permit it to provide client services directly from the Beijing office, instead of offering services from Singapore or Hong Kong. This branch office would provide services including global custody, accounting, performance measurement and investment … [visit site to read more] 
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| Goodyear To Buyback Senior Notes Posted: 31 Aug 2010 01:05 PM PDT Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE:GT) announced its offering to buyback $973 million in senior notes on September 29, 2010. The notes are $388 million in principal amount of 7.857% senior notes due August 15, 2011, $325 million in principal amount of 8.625% senior notes due December 1, 2011, and $260 million in principal amount of 9% senior notes due July 1, 2015. Goodyear has indicated its buyback plan at the time of issuing $1 billion aggregate principal amount of its 8.25% senior … [visit site to read more] 
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| Exactech Adds New Product Lines Posted: 31 Aug 2010 01:05 PM PDT Exactech Inc. (NASDAQ:EXAC), a developer and manufacturer of bone as well as joint restoration products for knee, hip, spine, shoulder and biologic materials, recently acquired multiple spinal product lines from VertiFlex Inc, which develops less intrusive spinal surgery technologies that help preserve motion. As part of the transaction (terms undisclosed), Exactech acquired the Silverbolt Percutaneous Pedicle Screw System and associated assets. The company believes that these less intrusive … [visit site to read more] 
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| Why It Makes Sense To Invest In A Commodity-Based Economy Like Peru Posted: 31 Aug 2010 01:01 PM PDT As the world fights hard to control global economic downturn and volatile markets more and more investors are now seriously considering investment options in emerging economies that can offer a much better return to their investments both in the short as well as the long term. Since most investors have already been looking at emerging economies for a long time, the most talked about emerging economies like BRIC nations have also been over invested and overheated. With the global … [visit site to read more] 
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| Oil Plunges And Gold Rallies As Confidence In The Future Deteriorates Posted: 31 Aug 2010 01:01 PM PDT North American Commodity Update
Commodities - Energy
An Oil Reversal has been Cut Building Fundamental Uncertainty
Crude Oil (LS Nymex) - $71.92 // -$2.78 // -3.72%
As if a forceful reminder that the global economic outlook is bleak and fading with each series of economic releases, US-based crude marked a sharp decline through Tuesday's session. The 3.7 percent decline through the day's end was in fact the biggest single-day loss since June 4th and meaningful follow up on Monday's loss. … [visit site to read more] 
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| Berkshire, Allstate Eye RBS Insurance Posted: 31 Aug 2010 12:35 PM PDT Yesterday, the Sunday Times reported that Warren Buffett, the chairman and chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:ALL) to buy insurance units Churchill and Direct Line of Royal Bank of Scotland (NYSE:RBS). The UK government owns 84% of Royal Bank of Scotland. In 2008, after the subprime mortgage crisis devalued its assets and precipitated losses, the bank got a shot in the arm from the country's government, which injected funds to shore up its capital. Its insurance companies … [visit site to read more] 
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| HP Sees Another Win Posted: 31 Aug 2010 12:35 PM PDT Things seem to be moving in favor of Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ). The technology major has recently made the highest bid for the storage technology major 3PAR Inc. (PAR) in its effort to tap new markets for its computing products. Recently, the company has won an $800 million contract spreading over a period of five years from the U.S. Air force. As per the terms of this agreement, the company will supply desktop and laptop computers along with servers and storage devices over the … [visit site to read more] 
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| New Action Date For Epilepsy Drug Posted: 31 Aug 2010 12:35 PM PDT GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (NYSE:VRX) recently announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the review date for their epilepsy candidate, ezogabine, by three months. Glaxo and Valeant are seeking approval for ezogabine both in the US and the EU for the treatment of adults with partial-onset seizures. The FDA is yet to finish reviewing the New Drug Application (NDA) for the candidate. The agency said that it will require more time to … [visit site to read more] 
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| H&R Block’s Outlook Lowered Posted: 31 Aug 2010 12:35 PM PDT Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) has lowered its rating outlook on the tax service provider H&R Block Inc. (NYSE:HRB), to stable from positive. The rating agency has assigned a BBB/A-2 counterparty credit rating on H&R Block. The downgrade reflects H&R Block's inability to execute on its tax strategy that lost momentum and hence failed to gain a steady market share across its distribution platforms in the recent years. Also, the company lost senior executives in … [visit site to read more] 
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| Gerdau Closes Ameristeel Transaction Posted: 31 Aug 2010 12:05 PM PDT Brazilian steel producer Gerdau S.A. (NYSE:GGB) announced the completion of its full stake acquisition in Gerdau Ameristeel Corporation on August 30. Prior to this, Gerdau S.A. held roughly 66.3% stake in Ameristeel Corporation.
As per the terms of the transaction, Gerdau S.A. acquired the remaining 33.7% stake in Ameristeel Corporation by obtaining its outstanding shares for roughly US$11.00 per share or US$1.6 billion for cash. The offer price of $11.00 per share represented a 53.4% … [visit site to read more] 
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| Target In Neutral Lane Posted: 31 Aug 2010 12:05 PM PDT Target Corporation's (NYSE:TGT) efficient marketing, multi-channel strategy, product innovation, compelling pricing, and new merchandise assortments should help drive comparable-store sales and operating margins in the long term. We expect the company to gain market share and believe that more focus on consumable items should boost sales and earnings in a sluggish consumer environment.
The company recently posted second-quarter 2010 quarterly earnings of 92 cents a share, in line with … [visit site to read more] 
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| California Pizza Expands In India Posted: 31 Aug 2010 12:05 PM PDT California Pizza Kitchen Inc. (NASDAQ:CPKI), one of the leading casual dining restaurant chains, is finally opening its first restaurant in India. California Pizza's franchise partner is JSMGGC India Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture between JSM Corp. based in Mumbai and Gourmet Gulf Co. based in Dubai.
In August 2009, California Pizza Kitchen signed a deal with its franchisee partner to expand in India, by opening at least 15 restaurants in India over the next 10 years.
The Los … [visit site to read more] 
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| CA To Acquire Arcot Systems Posted: 31 Aug 2010 12:05 PM PDT New York-based CA Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:CA) signed a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Arcot Systems Inc. for a total cash consideration of $200.0 million. CA Inc. expects the deal to close by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2011 (ending September 30), and to be dilutive to fiscal 2011 GAAP earnings but slightly accretive to its non-GAAP earnings. Following the acquisition, CA Technologies will integrate Arcot's operations with its Security business. Founded in 1997, … [visit site to read more] 
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| Earnings Scorecard: Regis Corp. Posted: 31 Aug 2010 12:05 PM PDT Regis Corp. (NYSE:RGS), which owns, operates and franchises hair and retail product salons worldwide, posted fourth quarter and fiscal 2010 results on August 26, 2010. The company's adjusted earnings for fourth quarter missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but reported profit as compared with a loss in the prior-year quarter. Results reflect the benefits of cost-containment measures and improved gross margin. The recent earnings announcement, subsequent analyst estimate revisions and the Zacks … [visit site to read more] 
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| The Art Of Practical Investment Decision Making Posted: 31 Aug 2010 11:59 AM PDT Benjamin Graham by Larry Harmych of http://intelligentinvestors.org/
Preface:
Benjamin Graham's intellectual paradigm has influenced many successful investors. These investors, each coming from a town called Graham-and-Doddsville (coined by Warren Buffett), did not all use Benjamin Graham's investment philosophy in the same way. Though nuanced as these philosophies were they were still basically the same: buying a dollar for less than a dollar with risk decreasing each … [visit site to read more] 
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| Why You Can’t Trust The Fed Posted: 31 Aug 2010 11:50 AM PDT While insisting that the Federal Reserve stands ready to take further steps to prop up the slowing economy, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke’s speech at the Jackson Hole economic symposium last week also contained a telling concession: “Central bankers alone cannot solve the world’s economic problems.” Amid a renewed bout of job-shedding-to be expected given the impact of the now-waning fiscal stimulus-and weak consumer spending unresponsive to interest-rate cuts, Bernanke’s implicit message … [visit site to read more] 
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| Honeywell Wins Air Force Contract Posted: 31 Aug 2010 11:35 AM PDT Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE:HON) announced that it has been mandated to provide systems, maintenance engineering and associated services for the Air Force Satellite Control Network in a contract worth $219.4 million. Honeywell Technology Solutions, based at Colorado Springs, Colorado, was chosen for the contract. Honeywell is a leading supplier of electronics, consumable hardware, engine controls, environmental controls, landing systems, power systems, propulsion engines, aerospace … [visit site to read more] 
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| Forex Trading: USDCHF Reaches Intraday Target Against MA Level. Posted: 31 Aug 2010 11:28 AM PDT |
| Praxair Expands In The Middle East Posted: 31 Aug 2010 11:05 AM PDT Praxair Inc. (NYSE:PX) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 49% ownership stake in the industrial gas businesses of the ROC Group. The agreement with the Al Khaled family of Kuwait covers all businesses existing in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Specific terms of the venture were not disclosed.
The acquisition will strengthen Praxair's activities overseas and will expand the company's foothold in the Gulf region. Headquartered in Kuwait City, Kuwait, the joint … [visit site to read more] 
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| New Dosages Of Solodyn Approved Posted: 31 Aug 2010 11:05 AM PDT Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. (NYSE:MRX) recently announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the marketing of new dosage strengths of its acne treatment drug, Solodyn. Solodyn will now be available in 55 mg, 80 mg and 105 mg dosage strengths in addition to the previously available dosage strengths of 45 mg, 90 mg, 135 mg, 65 mg and 115 mg. The drug is approved for use in patients aged 12 years and older.
Solodyn, the flagship product of Medicis Pharma, is facing … [visit site to read more] 
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| Truth, Transparency, And Accountability Posted: 31 Aug 2010 10:44 AM PDT Regular readers of Sense on Cents are more than well aware of the amount of focus and attention I have directed toward Wall Street's self-regulatory organization, FINRA. That said, I am compelled to highlight a recent press release for the simple reason that if even one new person learns of this information then I deem that real and ongoing progress. Even for those somewhat familiar with FINRA and recent developments emanating from its Annual Meeting, this release paints a stark picture of … [visit site to read more] 
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| American Public Downgraded Posted: 31 Aug 2010 10:35 AM PDT We expect American Public Education Inc. (APEI) to Underperform with a target price of $22.00. Earlier, we had a Neutral recommendation on the stock.
The online provider of higher education, focused primarily on serving the military and public service communities, recently pointed that it is witnessing a drop in enrollment of military students, and as a result it rolled back its fiscal 2010 guidance of 35% to 38% rise in net course registrations and a 36% to 39% jump in both revenues … [visit site to read more] 
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| Increased Clientele For Red Hat Posted: 31 Aug 2010 10:35 AM PDT A leading provider of open source solutions, Red Hat Inc. (NYSE:RHT) continues to support organizations with a varied business demand in the Information Technology (IT) infrastructure. IT based organizations are aggressively adopting Red Hat's open solutions and Virtualization technology to grow their businesses.
Ganart Technology
Texas based Ganart Technology is using a combination of Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization software to operate its financial … [visit site to read more] 
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| Home Prices Rise In June, But… Posted: 31 Aug 2010 10:05 AM PDT In June, home prices continued to rebound, but unevenly across the country. The Case-Schiller Composite 10 City index (C-10) rose 0.32% on a seasonally adjusted basis, and is up 5.02% from a year ago. The broader Composite 20 City index (which includes the cities in the C-10) rose by 0.28% on the month and is up 4.22% from a year ago. Of the 20 cities, nine posted gains on the month, while 11 saw prices fall. Year over year, 15 metro areas saw gains and five suffered losses. There is a … [visit site to read more] 
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| Chevron Sails To Liberian Waters Posted: 31 Aug 2010 10:05 AM PDT Chevron Corporation (CVX) entered into an exploration deal with Liberia. Under the terms of the agreement, the company will explore three deepwater blocks for oil and gas off the country’s coast.
The exploratory work will be a three-year program, which is expected to begin in the fourth quarter 2010. Although the Executive Mansion (official government site of Liberia ) has approved the agreement, the company is yet to receive approval from the Legislature.
With this deal, the … [visit site to read more] 
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| The Politics Of The Small Biz Bill Posted: 31 Aug 2010 10:05 AM PDT In an effort to boost lending to small businesses to create more jobs in the challenged economy, Democrats in Congress have been pushing hard a small business stimulus bill, which includes a $30 billion credit to community banks that lend to local businesses, along with $12 billion in tax breaks. Democrats vs. Republicans: Political Agenda? However, Republicans have been blocking the bill on claims of its lack of potential to stabilize the economy. One such issue now brought up by Republicans … [visit site to read more] 
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| Philips’ NextGen Diagnostic System Posted: 31 Aug 2010 10:05 AM PDT Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV (NYSE:PHG) has launched its next generation of cardiac ultrasound system, iE33 xMATRIX. The new system will provide a more efficient solution for echocardiograms in adults.
The new cardiac ultrasound system is an add-on to various offerings and developments from Philips to provide customized healthcare solutions to patients through provision of an enhanced imaging solution. With this system, diagnosis competency of cardiac system can be lengthened for … [visit site to read more] 
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