UPS und DOWNS bei den AMI-Werten! [Archiv] - Seite 2 - TRENDINVEST - Das Börsenforum zu Aktien, Trading und Investment

actr

08.02.2006, 14:44

Pioneer Reports Fourth Quarter 2005 Results

DALLAS, Feb 08, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Pioneer Natural Resources Company (NYSE:PXD) today announced financial and operating results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2005.
For the fourth quarter of 2005, Pioneer reported net income of $141 million, or $1.08 per diluted share, an increase of 38% over net income for the same period last year of $102 million, or $.69 per diluted share. Income from continuing operations was $140 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, compared to income from continuing operations of $98 million, or $.66 per diluted share, for the same period in 2004.

Cash flow from operations for the fourth quarter was $372 million compared to $337 million for the same period in 2004. The increase in operating cash flow is attributable to higher prices for oil, gas and natural gas liquids partially offset by cost increases.

During 2005, Pioneer repurchased 20 million shares under announced share repurchase programs for $940 million, including $641 million of the $650 million share repurchase program announced on September 1 for execution during 2005. A $300 million repurchase program was concluded earlier in the year. An additional $350 million share repurchase program is expected to be initiated if the divestitures of Argentina and deepwater Gulf of Mexico assets are successful.

Fourth quarter oil and gas sales averaged 170,619 barrels oil equivalent per day (BOEPD). Fourth quarter oil sales averaged 44,609 barrels per day (BPD) and natural gas liquids sales averaged 21,421 BPD. Gas sales in the fourth quarter averaged 628 million cubic feet per day (MMcfpd). Fourth quarter reported prices for oil and natural gas liquids were $39.15 and $37.41 per barrel, respectively. The worldwide reported price for gas was $6.72 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf). North American reported gas prices averaged $8.37 per Mcf.

Fourth quarter production costs averaged $7.55 per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE). Exploration and abandonment costs were $83 million for the quarter and included $23 million of dry hole and abandonments associated primarily with an unsuccessful well in the Falcon area of the deepwater Gulf of Mexico and unsuccessful wells in Argentina, $28 million of geologic and geophysical expenses including seismic costs and $32 million of delay rentals, unproved acreage abandonments and other related costs.

For the same quarter last year, adjusted to exclude discontinued operations from asset sales, Pioneer reported oil and gas sales of 185,420 BOEPD, including oil sales of 47,459 BPD, natural gas liquids sales of 21,287 BPD and gas sales of 700 MMcfpd. Reported prices for fourth quarter 2004 were $35.96 per barrel for oil, $30.68 per barrel for natural gas liquids and $4.42 per Mcf for gas. North American gas prices averaged $5.24 per Mcf.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2005, net income was $535 million, or $3.80 per diluted share, compared to $313 million, or $2.46 per diluted share for the prior year. Income from continuing operations was $424 million, or $3.02 per diluted share, compared to income from continuing operations of $299 million, or $2.35 per diluted share, for the same period in 2004. Cash flow from operations for 2005 was a record $1.3 billion compared to $1.1 billion in 2004.

Full year 2005 oil and gas sales averaged 175,571 BOEPD, including oil sales of 44,087 BPD, natural gas liquids sales of 19,729 BPD and gas sales of 671 MMcfpd. Reported prices for 2005 were $37.22 per barrel for oil, $32.22 per barrel for natural gas liquids and $5.66 per Mcf for gas, while North American gas prices averaged $6.88 per Mcf.

Full year 2004 oil and gas sales averaged 177,223 BOEPD, including oil sales of 44,982 BPD, natural gas liquids sales of 21,649 BPD and gas sales of 664 MMcfpd. Reported prices for 2004 were $31.60 per barrel for oil, $25.54 per barrel for natural gas liquids and $4.30 per Mcf for gas, while North American gas prices averaged $5.12 per Mcf.

Pioneer's financial results and oil and gas hedges are outlined on the attached schedules. The Company will defer providing guidance ranges for future oil and gas production and operating and other costs until the results of the Gulf of Mexico asset divestiture are known.

Operations Update

During 2005, Pioneer drilled a total of 820 wells, 87% of which were in North America, and had 157 successful wells in the process of being completed and brought on production at the end of the year.

In 2006, Pioneer will significantly increase its drilling activities onshore North America. Most of the onshore program targets resource plays in the U.S. and Canada and includes development of existing fields as well as several pilots to test new plays. The Company will also be active throughout 2006 on two longer-term development projects approved over the last five months, the South Coast gas project offshore South Africa and the Oooguruk oil field development offshore the North Slope of Alaska. Exploration wells are currently drilling in Alaska and offshore Nigeria, and Pioneer also expects increased activity on its acreage in Tunisia this year.

actr

08.02.2006, 14:51

ICE Futures Achieves Record Exchange-Wide Volume February 7 New ICE WTI Crude Futures Contract Volume Exceeds 45,000 Contracts

ATLANTA, Feb 08, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- IntercontinentalExchange (NYSE: ICE), the leading electronic energy marketplace, today reported record exchange-wide volume yesterday at its ICE Futures subsidiary. On Tuesday, February 7, total ICE Futures volume reached 364,064 contracts, exceeding by 21.5% the prior daily record set on January 11, 2006 of 299,585 contracts, and marking the first time that daily exchange volume has exceeded 300,000 contracts.
The record day included 45,962 contracts traded in ICE Futures' ICE West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Crude futures contract, which was launched on Friday, February 3. The volume that day of 38,633 contracts represented the best first-day volume of any product in the exchange's history. Open interest in ICE WTI Crude futures stood at 30,513 contracts at the close of trading on February 7.

Excluding ICE Futures' recently launched WTI crude futures contract, exchange volume reached 318,102 contracts, exceeding the prior record by 6.2%. Exchange-wide open interest at the close of business stood at 721,434.

Also on Tuesday, the IPE Gas Oil futures contract recorded its second highest volume day, reaching 93,857 contracts compared to its most recent record of 94,646 contracts established January 11, 2006. Open interest in Gas Oil stood at 232,303 at the end of trading on February 7.

About IntercontinentalExchange

IntercontinentalExchange(R) (NYSE: ICE) operates the leading electronic global futures and OTC marketplace for trading energy commodity contracts, including crude oil and refined products, natural gas, power and emissions. ICE conducts its markets for futures trading through its regulated subsidiary, ICE Futures (formerly the International Petroleum Exchange, or IPE), Europe's leading energy futures and options exchange. ICE also offers a range of risk management and trading support services, including cleared OTC contracts, electronic trade confirmations and energy market data. ICE's common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on November 16, 2005. ICE is based in Atlanta, Georgia with offices in Calgary, Chicago, Houston, London, New York and Singapore. For more information, please visit www.theice.com.

actr

08.02.2006, 14:53

REGAL-BELOIT Fourth Quarter Earnings Per Share Increase 125% Fourth Quarter and Year 2005 Net Sales, Net Income and EPS Reach Record Levels

Feb 08, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION (NYSE: RBC) today reported continued strong increases in net sales and earnings for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2005. Net sales increased 69.5% to $376.2 million from $221.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. Net income increased 190.0% to $20.3 million as compared to $7.0 million in the comparable period of 2004. Diluted earnings per share increased 125% to $.63 compared to $.28 for the fourth quarter of 2004.
Incremental sales attributable to the HVAC motor and capacitor acquisitions completed on December 31, 2004 were $137.4 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2005. In the Electrical segment, sales increased 90.4% primarily driven by the HVAC business. Sales of generators and industrial motors were also very strong. Sales in the Mechanical segment increased modestly reflecting, in part, the impact of the sale of the Illinois Gear business in May 2005 that reduced segment sales by approximately $2.0 million for the quarter.

The gross profit margin for the fourth quarter of 2005 was 22.8%, which was an increase over the third quarter of 2005 and 250 basis points above the gross profit margin in the fourth quarter of 2004. Income from operations was $38.3 million or 10.2% of sales, a 194.6% increase over the $13.0 million or 5.9% of sales reported for the fourth quarter of 2004. Net income in the fourth quarter of 2005 was $20.3 million, a 190% increase from $7.0 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2004.

The Company's total debt decreased to $412.0 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2005 from $449.5 million at the end of the third quarter of 2005. The reduction in debt was due to a strong operating cash flow as well as the proceeds of $5.3 million from the sale of the Anaheim, California facility.

For the full year ended December 31, 2005, net sales increased 89% to $1.429 billion from $756.6 million in 2004. Incremental sales for the businesses acquired from General Electric in 2004 were $615 million. The sales decrease attributable to the sale of the Illinois Gear business was approximately $5.0 million. Net income for fiscal 2005 was $69.6 million, a 129% increase from $30.4 million reported for fiscal 2004. Diluted earnings per share were $2.25, an increase of 84% over the $1.22 reported in 2004.

"We are extremely pleased with our accomplishments in 2005 and excited about our prospects looking forward into 2006," said Henry W. Knueppel, CEO. "The businesses we acquired in 2004 from General Electric performed above our optimistic expectations and our legacy electrical businesses recorded impressive improvements in the fourth quarter. Even in the face of escalating commodity prices, we were able to deliver upon our financial commitments by accelerating productivity efforts and introducing innovative new products across nearly all segments of our business."

"As we look into 2006, we continue to see a positive sales environment, despite the inventory increases in the HVAC channel that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2005. We are projecting first quarter diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $.62 to $.68 per share. Moving into the future, we expect the continued execution of our strategic initiatives: Innovation, Lean Six Sigma, Globalization, Digitization and Customer Centricity, will continue to drive operating margins and ROIC toward our previously stated goals."

REGAL-BELOIT will be holding a telephone conference call pertaining to this news release at 1:00 PM CST (2:00 PM EST) on Wednesday, February 8, 2006. Interested parties should call 866-868-1109, access code 13843949. A replay of the call will be available through February 17, 2006 at 877-213-9653, access code 13843949.

REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION is a leading manufacturer of mechanical and electrical motion control and power generation products serving markets throughout the world. REGAL-BELOIT is headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin, and has manufacturing, sales, and service facilities throughout North America, and in Mexico, Europe and Asia.

actr

08.02.2006, 14:55

08.02.2006 14:43
US Vorbörse: Überwiegend grün

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actr

08.02.2006, 14:57

Delphi Debuts Four New CV Technologies at 2006 TMC

TROY, Mich., Feb 08, 2006 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Delphi Corp. will display four new innovative commercial vehicle products at next week's Technology and Maintenance Council's (TMC) 2006 Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition in Tampa, Fla. Feb. 14-17.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020315/DEF002LOGO )

The new technologies, to be shown at Delphi's TMC exhibit (booth #614) at the Tampa Convention Center, include:

* Delphi's new premium CD/MP3 radio, developed specifically for commercial vehicle customers. The radio, which includes an integrated satellite receiver, features robust, digital-quality audio in a compact package at a very competitive price.

* Delphi's advanced roof module, which reflects the growing transition to fully-integrated packages and single-point supply. Market trends show an increased interest in moving from several stand-alone modules for in-vehicle functions to a single module -- one capable of integrating diverse and multiple functions. These modules can include, but are not limited to, microphones, internal/external warning cameras, temperature and rain sensors, and GPS antenna. Other functions can also be integrated, such as interior lighting, sun roof actuation and garage door controls, among others.

* The Delphi diesel reformer is a break-through technology that will provide light, medium, and heavy duty vehicle manufacturers with a compelling alternative to today's exhaust aftertreatment options to meet future emission standards. Delphi's on-board Diesel Fuel Reformer uses air to convert diesel fuel into a hydrogen-rich stream of gas called "Reformate" through a catalytic partial-oxidation process. With this advanced design, Delphi's reformer will help reduce cost and performance trade-offs while being robust enough to meet future emissions standards.

* Delphi's Halogen-Free Thin-Wall and Ultra Thin-Wall Cable, which will help truckmakers improve space utilization without sacrificing other vehicle features or encroaching on in-cabin flexibility allowing for greater design and packaging creativity.

actr

08.02.2006, 14:59

Momenta Pharmaceuticals to Present at the Deutsche Bank Small Cap Growth Conference

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb 08, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MNTA), a biotechnology company developing drugs based on its proprietary sugar sequencing technology, announced today that Steven B. Brugger, Senior Vice President, Strategic Business Operations, will present at the Deutsche Bank Small Cap Growth Conference on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 at 9:30 am EST at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Florida. A live audio webcast of the presentation will be available on the "Investors" section of the Company's website located at http://www.momentapharma.com. A replay of the presentation will be posted on the Momenta website approximately thirty minutes after the event and will be available through March 15, 2006.
About Momenta:

Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company specializing in the detailed structural analysis and design of complex sugars for the development of improved versions of existing drugs, the development of novel drugs and the discovery of new biological processes. Momenta is also utilizing its ability to sequence sugars to create technology-enabled generic versions of sugar-based and complex drug products. The Company's most advanced product candidate is M-Enoxaparin, a technology-enabled generic version of Lovenox(R). Based on its understanding of complex sugars, Momenta has created a diversified pipeline of near-term product opportunities, novel development products and discovery candidates. Momenta was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Cambridge, MA.

To receive additional information about Momenta, please visit our website at http://www.momentapharma.com.

actr

08.02.2006, 15:03

U.S. FDA Accepts Part One of Bioniche Program for Phase III Clinical Trials with MCC for Bladder Cancer - Refractory Study Expected to Get Underway by the Second Quarter of Calendar 2006 -

BELLEVILLE, Ontario, Feb 08, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. (TSX: BNC), a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the first of two Phase III clinical trials using the Company's proprietary Mycobacterial Cell Wall-DNA Complex (MCC) for the treatment of bladder cancer.
Approximately 142,000 patients in North America and Europe are newly- diagnosed with high-risk superficial bladder cancer each year. Approximately 96,000 of these are high-risk cases, of which 30%+/- are refractory to standard therapy.

In this first part of the Phase III program, 105 patients will be involved in an open-label study showing the efficacy of MCC as therapy in superficial bladder cancer refractory (unresponsive) to Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). BCG is a live, attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis, the current standard therapy for bladder cancer, but one that is often associated with treatment- limiting side effects. This Bioniche study will be conducted in North America. Patient enrolment will commence in the second quarter of calendar 2006. This clinical trial is expected to take between three and four years to complete.

The FDA is currently reviewing the IND for the second part of the Company's Phase III program, in which approximately 600 patients will be involved in a randomized, double-blind, multi-centre study comparing MCC to BCG as first-line therapy in superficial bladder cancer at high risk of recurrence or progression. This study will take place in both North America and Europe. "We are optimistic that we will receive the go-ahead on this second part of our Phase III program shortly," said Dr. Francois Charette, Chief Medical Officer at Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. "In approving part one, the FDA has responded positively to our data package, including results of previous human and laboratory animal studies; the mode of action of MCC against bladder cancer; its safety profile: the schedule of treatment; and how it is manufactured."

"This is a significant event in the history of Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.," stated Graeme McRae, President & CEO. "We have been working with our proprietary mycobacterial cell wall technology since 1997, with the intent to develop it as a treatment for human cancers. Bladder cancer, our first indication, is a debilitating disease, affecting more than 140,000 people annually in North America and Europe."

Mycobacterial Cell Wall-DNA Complex (MCC) is formulated from Mycobacterium phlei, a non-pathogenic strain of mycobacteria. MCC has been shown to have immune stimulatory and apoptosis (programmed cell death) activity against cancer cells. The product is a sterile biological composition in a sub-micron suspension. The product is produced at the Bioniche manufacturing facility in Pointe-Claire, Quebec.

"We have conducted numerous studies with MCC over the past nine years," added Dr. Nigel Phillips, Chief Scientific Officer at Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. "MCC's anticancer activity appears to be independent of cell mutational status and does not appear to select for resistance in cancer cell lines. In addition, it has been shown to be effective against multi-drug resistant bladder cancer cells. It is a very impressive technology."

Phase II clinical studies were conducted with MCC as a treatment for bladder cancer. In one study, 55 patients were enrolled. All had been suffering from carcinoma in situ (CIS), one of the most aggressive forms of superficial bladder cancer. Their cancer was not responding to the standard treatments of superficial bladder cancer (BCG and/or chemotherapy). During the study, the patients received one of two doses of MCC -- either 4 mg or 8 mg -- with evaluation at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. The complete response as demonstrated by cystoscopy, biopsy, and cytology ranged was dose-related, with the 8 mg dose obtaining a response rate of approximately 50% in previously BCG treated patients. The safety profile in the study was superior to standard therapy.

Dr. Alvaro Morales, Professor of Urology and Oncology at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario was the Principal Investigator in the Phase I/II study, and will be the International Principal Investigator for the Phase III program.

"I am pleased to be joined by approximately 70 urologists internationally in the execution of the Phase III program," said Dr. Morales. "I am particularly pleased that Dr. Harry Herr, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York has agreed to be the North American Principal Investigator and Dr. Laurent Boccon-Gibod, from Hopital Bichat in Paris has agreed to be the European Principal Investigator. Their expertise in the treatment of bladder cancer will ensure a successful clinical study."

About Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.

Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. is a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of proprietary products for human and animal health markets worldwide. The fully-integrated company employs approximately 175 skilled personnel and has three principal operating divisions: Human Health, Animal Health, and Food Safety. The Company's primary goal is to develop proprietary cancer therapies supported by revenues from marketed products in human and animal health. For more information, please visit http://www.Bioniche.com Except for historical information, this news release may contain forward- looking statements that reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events. These forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties, which may cause, but are not limited to, changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's ongoing quarterly and annual reporting

actr

08.02.2006, 15:07

Oscient Pharmaceuticals Acquires Expanded Worldwide Rights to Lead Clinical Candidate Ramoplanin; Key milestone for commencing Phase III program

WALTHAM, Mass., Feb 08, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Oscient Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Nasdaq: OSCI) and Pfizer Inc subsidiary Vicuron Pharmaceuticals Inc., have restructured the business relationship for Oscient's lead clinical candidate, Ramoplanin, currently in development for the potential treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD). As part of the new arrangement, Oscient, which previously licensed Ramoplanin from Vicuron for the U.S. and Canada only, acquired worldwide rights and assumes full control of Ramoplanin manufacturing, development and commercialization on a global basis. Oscient recently agreed on a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the Phase III program of Ramoplanin.
"Acquiring worldwide rights to Ramoplanin is a major milestone for Oscient," stated Steven M. Rauscher, President and Chief Executive Officer of Oscient Pharmaceuticals. "With full ownership of Ramoplanin, we have significantly strengthened our asset portfolio and, after securing a long-term source of product supply, will be poised to advance the product candidate into Phase III development."

As announced previously, the SPA from the FDA calls for two, pivotal Phase III trials to study Ramoplanin in CDAD. The two non-inferiority studies will enroll, in each trial, approximately 490 patients diagnosed with CDAD, from centers in the United States, Canada and other parts of the world. Each patient will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment arms, in a double-blind regimen: Ramoplanin 200 mg orally twice daily or vancomycin 125 mg orally four times daily for ten days. The primary endpoint will be the response rate at end of therapy.

In exchange for the expanded worldwide rights, Oscient has made a one-time, up-front payment to Pfizer, and will make additional payments upon the achievement of specified regulatory milestones and for royalties on net sales. Additionally, Oscient has assumed all responsibility for drug manufacture and is currently in discussions with potential third-party manufacturers for Ramoplanin. Royalty obligations to Vicuron have been adjusted to reflect the elimination of Vicuron's manufacturing responsibility. Pfizer has agreed to transfer the technological know-how related to the manufacture of Ramoplanin.

About C. difficile-Associated Disease

C. difficile is a spore-forming bacterium known to cause diarrhea and colitis. In the past, C. difficile-associated disease has been mainly a concern in patients who have had recent antibiotic therapy and/or are hospitalized. In recent years, the incidence and severity of CDAD has increased and anecdotal cases are being reported where no antibiotic therapy or exposure to hospitals has occurred. Many countries across the globe have reported rising numbers of CDAD cases, including Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Currently, it is estimated that 400,000-500,000 cases of CDAD occur each year in the U.S. The disease generates an estimated $1.1 billion in hospital health care costs annually in the U.S., and can prolong hospital stays by one to three days. Presently, vancomycin and metronidazole are used to treat CDAD, although only vancomycin is FDA-approved for such use.

About Ramoplanin

Oscient Pharmaceuticals' Ramoplanin is an investigational new drug being studied for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD). Ramoplanin has been shown to be bactericidal in vitro against Clostridium difficile. Because it is not absorbed systemically from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract following oral dosing and exerts its bactericidal activity in the GI tract, Ramoplanin represents a potential new method for managing certain pathogens commonly found in the hospital.

About Oscient Pharmaceuticals

Oscient Pharmaceuticals Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company committed to the clinical development and commercialization of novel therapeutics to address unmet medical needs. The Company is marketing FACTIVE(R) (gemifloxacin mesylate) tablets, approved by the FDA for the treatment of acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and community-acquired pneumonia of mild to moderate severity. In addition to the oral tablet form, Oscient is developing an investigational FACTIVE intravenous formulation for use in hospitalized patients. The Company is also promoting Auxilium Pharmaceuticals' TESTIM(R) 1% testosterone gel to primary care physicians in the U.S

actr

08.02.2006, 15:10

WJ Communications Announces Generation 2 Firmware Upgrade to Support MPR Reader Modules Smallest Hand-Held Solution Available With Gen 2 Capability

SAN JOSE, CA, Feb 08, 2006 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- WJ Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: WJCI), a leading designer and supplier of RF solutions for the wireless infrastructure and RFID reader markets, today announced the availability of a firmware upgrade to support the EPCglobal Class 1 Generation 2 standard for its MPR series PCMCIA type II reader cards(TM). Generation 2 RFID technology provides significantly better read range and performance and can be used anywhere, worldwide. The MPR series are designed for UHF Gen 2 functionality and are FCC certified. These readers represent a new level for size, standards-based compatibility, ease of use and performance. WJ is the first company to offer the industry's smallest solution with Gen 2 capability for compact RFID form factors, such as handhelds and printers.
"In an effort to support the second-generation global RFID standard, WJ has committed to providing its customers with an easy to install firmware upgrade. The Gen 2 firmware upgrade allows customers to immediately begin using any of WJ's multi-protocol MPR series reader cards to effectively read Gen 2 tags without hardware changes," said Chuck Lau, senior vice president and general manager for WJ Communications. "The firmware provides support for multiple inventory sessions, flexible tag filtering and inventory selection, writing to tag memory, control of lock and permalock functions, and other Gen 2 capabilities."

Product Overview

The MPR firmware upgrade, version 3, is available for download from WJ's web site. This version features the following:

-- Added complete Class 1 Generation 2 tag support

-- Significantly faster and enhanced Class 1 inventory performance

-- Improved Class 0 inventory

-- Added support for Non-EPC compliant tag IDs for Class 1

-- Improved Class 0+ write performance

About WJ Communications

WJ Communications, Inc. is a leading provider of radio frequency (RF) solutions serving multiple markets targeting wireless communications, RF identification (RFID), and broadband cable. WJ addresses the RF challenges in these multiple markets with its highly reliable amplifiers, mixers, RF integrated circuits (RFICs), RFID reader modules, chipsets, and multi-chip (MCM) modules. For more information visit www.wj.com or call 408-577-6200 About EPCglobal

EPCglobal Inc. is a joint venture between EAN International and the Uniform Code Council (UCC). EPCglobal is leading the development of industry-driven standards for the Electronic Product Code(TM) (EPC) to support the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in today's fast-moving, information rich trading networks. EPCglobal is a member-driven organisation comprised of leading firms and industries focused on creating global standards for the EPCglobal Network(TM) with the goal of increased visibility and efficiency throughout the supply chain and higher quality information flow between your company and its key trading partners. For more information visit http://www.epcglobalinc.org

actr

08.02.2006, 15:15

China-AsiaStocks.com-Supply and Demand Issues Fuel China's Automobile, Steel, and Coal Industries

POINT ROBERTS, WASHINGTON, Feb 8, 2006 (CCNMatthews via COMTEX) -- China-AsiaStocks.com and SORL Auto Parts, Inc. (OTCBB: SAUP) and China Automotive (NASDAQ: CAAS) and Mittal Steel (NYSE:MT) and Puda Coal, Inc (OTCBB: PUDA) and BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP) -
Suppliers and Participants Mittal Steel, PUDA Coal, SORL Auto Parts, and China Automotive Systems Benefit From China's Growing Industrial Economy

www.China-AsiaStocks.com (CAS), an investor and industry news portal for the China-Asia sector, provides an overview "Supply and Demand Issues Fuel China's Automobile, Steel, and Coal Industries". Massive construction projects all over China are spurring the growth in the steel and coal industry as well as in the heavy duty vehicle and commercial vehicle market.

SORL Auto Parts (OTCBB: SAUP) is meeting the increasing demand as a manufacturer and distributor of automotive air brake valves and hydraulic brake valves mainly for the commercial vehicles market. David He, SORL's Senior Manager of Investor Relations and International Business Strategy and Planning explains, "The trend of urbanization gives China's construction sector a historic opportunity. The booming construction sector also stimulates the development of construction materials and construction machinery, resulting in tremendous increase in demand for transportation, particularly the use of heavy duty vehicles."

Jie Li, Investor Relations Officer for China Automotive (NASDAQ: CAAS) states, "Infrastructure build up reflected in highway, transportation and bridge construction will continue to increase. With the trend of global purchasing of auto parts, the Chinese auto parts market will enjoy 20% annual growth."

The Chinese steel industry has continued to experience double digit annual rates of growth as it has worked to keep pace with the construction boom with Mittal Steel (NYSE:MT) showing great confidence in China's steel industry through its acquisition efforts.

As China continues to expand its infrastructure demand for coal is on the rise globally and within China. Puda Coal (OTCBB: PUDA), a Chinese coking coal producer, is benefiting significantly from the high profitability provided by this trend. According to Puda CEO Zhao Ming, "The factor that drives the demand for coking coal is the mass construction of infrastructure, including but not limited to real estate development, extended urbanization process, western region development and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. These projects require the use of large amounts of steel, and coking coal is essential in making coke, which is largely used in the steel making process."

Mark Lidiard, Vice President Investor Relations and Communications in BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP), the biggest coking coal producer around the world states, "Metallurgical coal is used in steel making industries, and incremental demand for metallurgical coal is primarily being driven by the growth in the Chinese steel market."

To Read the Full Overview: www.China-AsiaStocks.com/Articles/China_Construction.asp

The CAS Website does not make recommendations, but offers a unique information portal for investors to explore news, articles, and recent research.

Featured Company Disclosure: (CAS is compensated by SORL and PUDA as disclosed in disclaimer.)

Puda Coal, Inc. (OTCBB: PUDC) through its affiliates and controlled entities, supplies premium grade coking coal to the steel making industry for use in making coke. The Company currently produces 1.1 million metric tons of cleaned coking coal annually, and management believes it is one of the largest suppliers of top grade coking coal in the Shanxi province of China. Shanxi province provides 20-25% of China's coal output and supplies nearly 50% of China's coke. www.Puda-Coal.com

For additional information on Puda Coal, Inc., click here: www.china-asiastocks.com/CO/PUDC/Default.asp

SORL Auto Parts, Inc. (OTCBB: SAUP) is engaged primarily in the manufacture and distribution of automotive air brake valves and hydraulic brake valves mainly for the commercial vehicles market, such as trucks, vans and buses, in the People's Republic of China (PRC). The Company distributes products both in China and internationally under SORL trademarks. The Company's product range includes 36 types of brake valves with over 800 different specifications. www.Sorl-Autoparts.com

For more information click here: www.china-asiastocks.com/CO/SAUP/Default.asp

www.China-AsiaStocks.com, a portal within the InvestorIdeas.com content umbrella, offers investors research, news, blogs, RSS Feeds, conferences and links to public companies within the China-Asia sector.

Our Current List of China-Asia Stocks: www.China-AsiaStocks.com/Companies/China-AsiaStocks/Stocks_List.asp

actr

08.02.2006, 15:18

Legend Investment to Acquire Majority Owned Control of GiraSolar B.V.

DETROIT, MI AND DEVENTER, THE NETHERLANDS, Feb 08, 2006 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Legend Investment Corp. (OTC: LVCP) today announced that it has entered into a binding letter of intent to acquire fifty-one (51%) percent of Netherlands-based GiraSolar B.V. www.girasolar.nl
In fiscal 2004/2005, GiraSolar generated $12,000,000 in sales revenue. In fiscal 2005/2006, GiraSolar is projecting revenues of approximately $16,000,000, with a further revenue projection of $30,000,000 for fiscal 2007. GiraSolar expects to achieve profitable results in fiscal 2006.

GiraSolar three main divisions consist of 100% owned DutchSolar B.V., 51% owned GiraSolar Turkey Ltd. Ste. (GST), and 100% owned GiraMundo B.V. DutchSolar BV is based in the GiraSolar headquarters in Deventer, The Netherlands, and has production locations in the Netherlands and abroad. DutchSolar carries the GiraSolar brand of photovoltaic solar modules (GS125, GS135, GS145, GS155) and the GiraSolar DPE range of electronic devices, ranging from regulators for PV systems to heavy duty automatic voltage stabilizers, batteries and battery chargers for application in developing countries and disaster or crisis areas (emergency relief applications) as well as 3rd party products. Further, DutchSolar is involved in solar cell supply to manufacturers of solar modules and R&D projects, i.e. fundamental solar cell research and application development and research to improve silicon manufacturing processes. DutchSolar BV exclusively supplies its products to entities associated with the GiraSolar Group. www.dutchsolar.nl

GiraSolar Turkey (GST) supports clients in its geographical area of operation, stretching from Turkey and nearby Mediterranean countries into the Middle East. GST provides a full-service package and currently supplies solar energy components and systems to various governmental solar energy projects, as well as B2B and private clients. Further, it supplies various electronic devices and other components to the group's entities. www.girasolar.com.tr

GiraMundo is primarily a project development company, aiming at identifying possibilities for solar energy applications in rural areas of developing countries. To this end, GiraMundo works closely with partners in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The project team of GiraMundo has extensive experience and was part of the team realizing the electrifying and award-winning "Yeelen Kura" project in Mali, West Africa, bringing light to approximately 20.000 rural dwellers in Southern Sahel.

W.M. Koornstra, CEO of the GiraSolar group, issued the following statement: "Integrating the GiraSolar group with Legend Investment is one of the most exiting events in the history of the company. We expect that the now combined expertise of GiraSolar and Legend will enable even faster growth of revenue and results. This event also allows us to share our international success with those who entrust us to get the job done: clients, business partners and shareholders.

"The solar market is already booming worldwide with rapidly increasing double-digit growth rates over the last 7 years, even exceeding 45% in 2005. With the growing awareness that fossil fuel dependency cannot last, growth rates are not expected to drop below a double-digit figure for another decennium. Now that California has approved its multi-billion dollar 'California Solar Initiative' -- with other states and more countries likely to follow, as in Europe and Asia -- the same growth rates may be expected in the USA as elsewhere. Further, the recently expressed federal support for further development of alternative energy sources by Mr. Bush himself proves that the solar industry has moved passed the phase of being 'alternative' and is ready to assume a solid position in the energy economy. The GiraSolar team members are most excited about joining Legend and we expect to have a significant impact on Legend's development, which just entered into the solar industry in 2005. And not just this year, but for many years to come."

"We are very excited to expand our relationship with GiraSolar BV with this acquisition. We expect it to create significant value for our shareholders in the months and years ahead," said Peter Klamka, President of Legend Investment.

Legend Investment expects to pay for the acquisition of GiraSolar through the issuance of up to eight million shares restricted of Legend Investment common stock. Upon closure, Legend Investment would have approximately 12,678,480 shares issued and outstanding after the closing of the acquisition. The transaction is expected to close by February 28, 2006.

About Legend Investment Corp.

Based in the Detroit area, Legend Investment Corp. is committed to the acquisition and development of commercial enterprises in the alternative energy sector. Legend Investment looks to integrate new technologies with sustainable businesses in alternative and renewable energy. The company is fully reporting.

About GiraSolar B.V.

GiraSolar is a Dutch holding company, based in the Netherlands, but with a focus on the solar energy world market. It is an umbrella organization for subsidiaries, partners and affiliated entities, active in the field of solar energy product development, production and application. The GiraSolar group aims at incorporating excellence in problem solving at competitive quality and price levels. As a holding company GiraSolar is mainly a management and investment company, combining the capacities of its subsidiaries, partners and affiliates, creating economies of scale for each partner. GiraSolar represents various international companies in the Netherlands and abroad and we aim to provide these partners a solid gateway to Europe, Latin America, and Africa. www.girasolar.nl

actr

08.02.2006, 15:26

EMJ Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2006 Results: Revenues Increase 6.8%; Net Income up 302%

LYNWOOD, Calif., Feb 08, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Earle M. Jorgensen Company (NYSE:JOR) ("EMJ"), a leading distributor of metal bar and tubular products in North America, today reported sales and earnings for its third fiscal quarter ended December 30, 2005.
For the three months ended December 30, 2005, revenues increased 6.8% to $428.8 million, compared to $401.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. Volume for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was approximately 195,000 tons, compared to approximately 185,000 tons shipped in the third quarter of fiscal 2005. Pretax income for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was $30.1 million, a 13-fold increase over the third quarter of fiscal 2005 pretax income of $2.3 million. Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was $18.2 million, compared to net income of $4.5 million for the same period in fiscal 2005. EBITDA for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was $47.0 million, compared to $19.4 million in the same period in fiscal 2005. Third quarter fiscal 2006 financial results include a pretax LIFO (last-in-first-out) charge of $1.9 million versus a charge of $18.1 million for the same quarter last year, which is included in cost of sales. Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was $0.35 per share, based on 52.5 million diluted weighted shares outstanding, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.29, based on 15.7 million diluted weighted shares outstanding for the third quarter of fiscal 2005. The significant increase in the diluted weighted shares outstanding in fiscal 2006 compared to fiscal 2005 is the result of the shares issued in conjunction with our merger and financial restructuring and initial public offering in April 2005. The third quarter of fiscal 2006 results include a non-cash $0.6 million mark-to-market adjustment to value our common stock obligation to our retirement savings plan, based on the per share price of our common stock at December 30, 2005. The mark-to-market adjustment was recorded as a decrease in general and administrative expenses. Further, during the third quarter of fiscal 2005, EMJ incurred $28.8 million of certain expenses related to the financial restructuring and IPO, including a $17.3 million non-cash charge for the initial valuation of the special contribution to the stock bonus plan and a $6.3 termination fee to Kelso & Co.

For the nine months ended December 30, 2005, revenues increased 11.5% to $1,285.7 million from $1,152.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2004. Volume for the first nine months of fiscal 2006 was approximately 586,000 tons, compared to approximately 572,000 tons in the same period in fiscal 2005. Pretax income for the first nine months of fiscal 2006 was $91.2 million, a 118.2% increase over pretax income of $41.8 million for the same period in fiscal 2005. Net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2006 was $59.6 million, an increase of 56.6% over $38.1 million during the same period in fiscal 2005. EBITDA for the first nine months of fiscal 2006 was $140.9 million, compared to $112.5 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2005. The first nine months of fiscal 2006 financial results include a pretax LIFO charge of $9.7 million versus a charge of $42.5 million for the same period last year, which is included in cost of sales. Diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of fiscal 2006 was $1.18 per share, based on 50.7 million diluted weighted shares outstanding, compared to diluted earnings per share of $2.10, based on 15.5 million diluted weighted shares outstanding for the third quarter of fiscal 2005. The first nine months of fiscal 2006 included a one-time IPO cash bonus of $8.5 million, partially offset by a non-cash credit of $3.7 million to mark-to-market the value our common stock obligation to our retirement savings plan, based on the per share price of our common stock at December 30, 2005. The mark-to-market adjustment was recorded as a decrease in general and administrative expenses.

Maurice S. Nelson, Jr., EMJ's Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are very pleased with the strong results in the December quarter, which historically has been our slowest quarter. EMJ's line items shipped were the second highest quarterly total in company history. As we noted last quarter, we have seen gradual improvement in gross margin, which at 25.7% for the third quarter was 50 basis points higher than the second quarter at 25.2%. In addition, we continue to see a small amount of inflation in our inventory which resulted in a $9.7 million LIFO charge in the first nine months of this year compared to $42.5 million in the same period last year." Mr. Nelson continued, "We continue to develop the business and are pursuing strategies to strengthen our position in the marketplace. During the third quarter of fiscal 2006 we made substantial progress on our new Quebec City, Canada and Lafayette, Louisiana facilities. Quebec City began operations in January and we expect to begin operations in Lafayette in March. In each case these facilities will increase the service levels to our customers and those markets in which they serve. We have seen our locations that serve energy-related customers continue to have very solid performances with record-level volumes."

Our revolving line of credit facility decreased $13.3 million during our third quarter of fiscal 2006 to $29.3 million from $42.6 million at September 28, 2005, while the balance at March 31, 2005 was $16.9 million. At December 30, 2005, we had $257.1 million available under our revolving line of credit facility. Largely, as a result of our increased investments in new and expanded facilities, we currently expect our capital expenditures for fiscal 2006 to be approximately $33 million. Our Board has approved a new capital budget of $18.7 million for fiscal 2007. This 2007 budget includes expenditures for the previously announced development of a new facility in Portland, Oregon and significant expenditures for value-added processing equipment purchases throughout EMJ.

We expect business to improve during our historically strong March quarter with increased volumes and substantially unchanged pricing and gross margin levels. As such, we currently expect revenue for our fiscal fourth quarter ending March 31, 2006, to be in the range of $480-$500 million, EBITDA to be within a range of $54-$59 million and diluted earnings per share to be within a range of $0.48-$0.53, based on approximately 53.0 million diluted weighted shares outstanding. Full year totals for fiscal 2006 would be revenues in the range of $1.77 billion to $1.79 billion, EBITDA in the range of $195 million to $200 million, and diluted earnings per share in the range of $1.65 to $1.70, based on approximately 52.0 million diluted weighted shares outstanding.

On January 17, 2006 EMJ and Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (NYSE:RS) ("Reliance") signed a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Reliance will acquire all outstanding shares of EMJ in a cash and stock merger. A preliminary proxy statement/prospectus has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the"SEC"), and both parties made their filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, on January 20, 2006 with the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice. EMJ and Reliance expect the transaction to close as early as the second quarter of 2006, following approval from the EMJ stockholders and regulatory clearance.

EMJ is one of the largest distributors of metal products in North America with 39 service and processing centers. EMJ inventories more than 25,000 different bar, tubing, plate, and various other metal products, specializing in cold finished carbon and alloy bars, mechanical tubing, stainless bars and shapes, aluminum bars, shapes and tubes, and hot-rolled carbon and alloy bars.

actr

08.02.2006, 15:31

Stocks to Watch for Wednesday, February 8, 2006: CEAT -- Creative Eateries & Partner Open Third Kokopelli Sonoran Grill Franchise and Expects to Generate $3 Million Plus per Year in Gross Revenues From All 61 Units Sold to Date! NOTE TO EDITORS: The

ATLANTA, GA, Feb 08, 2006 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Market Pulse is pleased to introduce our featured stock, Creative Eateries Corporation (OTC BB: CEAT), to the investment community! Creative Eateries is new to Market Pulse and is poised to become a significant player in the restaurant industry! CEAT just had excellent news out in a press release before today's opening bell announcing that each Kokopelli Sonoran Grill franchise is expected to generate annual royalties of more than $50,000, or more than $3,000,000 per year in gross revenues from all 61 units sold to date! This could be great news for investors! Other notable stocks that should be watched because they look great lately from a fundamental and technical perspective include:
Generex Biotechnology Corp. (NASDAQ: GNBT) : Market Outperform

Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRI) : Attractive

Conexant Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CNXT) : Bearish

Recommendation Meanings

These recommendations are investment opinions of Market-Pulse.com and reflect the stock's potential to move over the next one to four weeks of trading. This analysis is done from a technical and fundamental perspective.

After Tuesday's Bell Market Commentary

On Tuesday, the markets slipped into negative territory to close lower even as oil prices fell. A barrel of light crude settled at $63.09, down $2.02. The Nasdaq composite fell for a fourth consecutive session. The National Association of Realtors said the U.S. housing market will slow in 2006 but remain relatively strong. Existing-home sales are expected to fall 4.7%, new-home sales are seen dropping 8.5%, and housing starts are predicted to slip 9.3%. The Dow Jones fell 48.51, or 0.45 percent, to 10,749.76. The Nasdaq composite fell 13.84, or 0.61 percent, to 2,244.96. The S&P 500 index fell 10.24, or 0.81 percent, to 1,254.78. The Russell 2000 fell 10.71, or 1.47 percent, to 717.18.

actr

08.02.2006, 15:31

actr

08.02.2006, 15:33

DJ PepsiCo In Talks Over Red Bull - Austrian Magazine -2-

Feb 08, 2006 (Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex) -- The report said that Pepsico had talks with Red Bull founder and shareholder Dietrich Mateschitz about his stake.
However, in an e-mailed statement, Red Bull said: "Mr. Mateschitz hasn't seen nor spoken to anyone from PepsiCo within the past decade."

Mateschitz also hadn't talked to anybody else concerning that matter, the statement said.

Company Web site: http://www.ats.net

actr

08.02.2006, 15:45

PowerTech increases its manufacturing capacity to support its development activities and meet anticipated growing demand Entrepreneur, Roxboro Excavation, calls the PicBucket the "new market standard"

BLAINVILLE (Quebec), Feb. 8, 2006 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Mr. Carol Murray, President and Chief Executive Officer of Power Tech Corporation Inc., "PowerTech" or "Company" (TSX-V: PWB), is pleased to announce that the Company's commercialization strategy is generating tangible results. This strategy has three main development components: an introduction strategy centred on trial programs with leading entrepreneurs in different market sectors (the V.I.PIC program); the establishment of a distribution network geared to the company's product line; and a prospecting strategy on the front line. "We are well aware that our dynamic commercialization plan requires increased manufacturing capacity. This is why we are moving to a new 23,000 square-foot plant in March. This plant will enable us to adequately meet the demand from our distributors, to respect delivery deadlines and ensure the availability of replacement parts for our clients, " said Mr. Murray. This new plant is located in the Haut Terrebonne industrial park.
The initial phase of the V.I.PIC trial program involving renowned entrepreneurs, municipalities and the military industry was highly successful. "The program obtained results that met our expectations. We are thrilled that the participating entrepreneurs all report that they are very satisified with the performance of our technology. Recorded efficiency gains surpassed 100%," noted Mr. Murray.

Roxboro Excavation purchases its first PicBucket

Among the entrepreneurs who participated in the V.I.PIC trial program was Roxboro Excavation, based in Dorval, Quebec. This construction industry leader has just purchased its first PicBucket unit. "We were very impressed by the PicBucket's performance and ruggedness during our trials. It is a major innovation for our industry. The PicBucket provides us with high operational versatility and generates significant cost reductions due to the substantial efficiency gains. At the end of the day, as an entrepreneur this enables us to be more competitive. The PicBucket is bound to become the new standard in the construction industry," said Daniel Théorêt, manager of the machinery park for Roxboro.

Several other entrepreneurs have also accepted to carry out trials of the technology developed by PowerTech. These trials will be gradually conducted as the construction sites, which PowerTech's tools are designed for, begin their work. Some 38 entrepreneurs and potential clients have accepted to participate in the V.I.PIC program with a view to making an eventual purchase of PicBucket units. Fifteen of these are currently trying out the PicBucket. "We are proud to have major entrepreneurs participating, such as the company Neilson Inc., located in Saint-Nicolas on Quebec's south shore. This level of participation demonstrates the industry's serious interest in our technology," said Mr. Yves Sicotte, Vice-President, Sales and Marketing of PowerTech.

Commercialization strategy implementation

PowerTech's roll-out strategy for the North American market is backed by the establishment of a distribution network made up of select heavy equipment distributors who are specialized in the construction and demolition sector. "Until now, our priorities have been to build our business relationships with some key distributors in Canada and the United States by providing demonstration units in their territories. The success achieved to this point enables us to extend our efforts to the whole North American market by tapping into the power of a distribution network adapted to our products. Once complete, our network will include more than 125 distributors with 450 branches. This vast network will include the majority of urban centres in Canada and the United States," added Mr. Sicotte. Internationally, PowerTech's strategy is centred on concluding agreements with large heavy equipment manufacturers who are thoroughly knowledgeable about their markets.

New Internet site

Furthermore, PowerTech is pleased to announce that its new Internet site is on-line as of today. This site offers complete information, in a user-friendly format, for current and potential clients, shareholders and business partners.

In addition, PowerTech is holding its annual meeting this morning at 10:00 a.m. in Montreal at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel.

About PowerTech (www.powertechci.com)

PowerTech is the only company in the world that manufactures and commercializes a percussion bucket for the construction, demolition, aluminum, mining, tunnel digging, forestry and military industries. PowerTech's PicBucket is a technological breakthrough that combines the power of a hydraulic hammer with the stripping force and maneuverability of a conventional bucket.

Powertech intends to position itself as a leader in the development, integration and commercialization of leading edge technologies that allow for substantial improvements in equipment performance, productivity and functionality.

actr

08.02.2006, 21:58

HEUTE FRISCH:

CROCS INC
08.02.06 21:37 Uhr

29,70 USD

+0,00 % [+0,00

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Börse
NASDAQ

Aktuell
29,65 USD

Zeit
08.02.06 21:41

Diff. Vortag
+0,00 %

Tages-Vol.
330,44 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
11 Mio.

Crocs, Inc. Prices Its Initial Public Offering

NIWOT, Colo., Feb 08, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Crocs, Inc. (NASDAQ: CROX) today announced that its initial public offering of 9,900,000 shares of common stock has been priced at $21.00 per share. Crocs, Inc. is offering 4,950,000 shares of common stock and selling stockholders are offering the remaining 4,950,000 shares. In addition, the selling stockholders have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,485,000 shares at the initial public offering price to cover over-allotments. The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders. Crocs, Inc. common stock will be listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol "CROX."
Piper Jaffray and Thomas Weisel Partners LLC are serving as joint book runners with SG Cowen & Co., BB&T Capital Markets, D.A. Davidson & Co. and Wedbush Morgan Securities serving as co-managers for the offering.

actr

08.02.2006, 22:28

Adolor Corporation
08.02.06 22:00 Uhr

22,29 USD

+41,43 % [+6,53]
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Börse
NASDAQ

Aktuell
22,29 USD

Zeit
08.02.06 22:00

Diff. Vortag
+41,43 %

Tages-Vol.
136,80 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
7 Mio.

Study results positive for Entereg: The drug, which Adolor and Glaxo are developing, is to speed recovery from gastrointestinal surgery

Feb 08, 2006 (The Philadelphia Inquirer - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News via COMTEX) -- Adolor Corp. and its partner GlaxoSmithKline P.L.C. announced yesterday positive results from a pivotal late-stage study of their experimental drug Entereg to speed gastrointestinal recovery after bowel-resection surgery. Shares of Exton-based Adolor, which closed at $15.76, soared 24.4 percent to $19.61 at one point in after-hours trading on the Nasdaq. Shares of London-based GlaxoSmithKline closed at $50.31 on the New York Stock Exchange. In July, the Food and Drug Administration issued an "approvable" letter for Entereg, but asked for more proof of the drug's effectiveness. The companies said the latest results from a 654-patient study showed that a 12-milligram dose of Entereg, also known as alvimopan, achieved "statistically significant" results, compared with a placebo, for the study's primary goal of quicker recovery of gastrointestinal function after surgery. "We believe these data address the FDA's request for additional data outlined in the approvable letter received by Adolor in July," said Adolor's chief scientific officer and president of research, James Barrett. The companies said they intend to submit the final study results as part of a complete response to the FDA by June. The most frequently reported side effects were nausea, vomiting and abdominal distention. Entereg treats a condition known as postoperative ileus, a temporary impairment of the gastrointestinal tract after bowel-resection surgery, which is exacerbated by narcotic opioid painkillers. Adolor and GlaxoSmithKline, which are collaborating in the worldwide development and commercialization of Entereg, submitted four late-stage clinical trials involving 2,100 volunteers in their new drug application to the FDA. But the fourth study, while showing a favorable trend, did not prove Entereg restored patients' GI function as much as intended. Then, in December 2004, a European study by GlaxoSmithKline found that Entereg failed to meet the study's main goal. In January 2005, the FDA asked for more information from the European study. Contact staff writer Linda Loyd at 215-854-2831 or lloyd@phillynews.com.
By Linda Loyd

actr

09.02.2006, 08:29

Gut Reaction

By Lawrence Carrel
February 8, 2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adolor Corp. (ADLR1)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share price as of Tuesday's close: $15.76
Share price now: $22.29
Change: 41.4%
Volume: 6.9 million shares, daily average 350,800 shares
Last time this high: July 3, 2001
52-week high: $16.75
52-week low: $7.95
Forward P/E before announcement: n/a
Forward P/E after announcement: n/a

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTORS ADORED ADOLOR (ADLR2) on Wednesday.
After three years of fits and starts, the drug developer released trial results that suggest its postsurgery bowel treatment is closing in on regulatory approval. Shares of Adolor climbed 41% to a five-year high of $22.29.

"Based on the data we've seen, we think regulators will find a positive benefit/risk ratio," says Greg Wade, an analyst at San Francisco investment bank Pacific Growth Equities. "There's a good chance it will be approved by the end of the year and be on the market in early 2007." (Wade owns shares of Adolor; Pacific Growth has an investment-banking relationship with the company.)

Late Tuesday, the Exton, Pa., company reported promising results from its Phase III trial of Entereg. The drug is designed to speed up the recovery time from bowel resection surgery, which involves the removal of a diseased portion of the intestines.

It the clinical trial, a 12-milligram dose of Entereg achieved a statistically significant improvement over a placebo. Not only were Entereg patients able to tolerate solid foods 20 hours sooner than placebo patients, but they were also discharged from the hospital 18 hours sooner. If approved, the drug could be a boon to patients who want to get home faster, hospitals that want to make beds available to new patients, and insurers that don't want to pay for an extra night of recovery.

Abdominal-surgery patients typically receive opiate-based pain killers such as morphine and codeine. These provide pain relief, but paralyze the gastrointestinal system, causing a condition called postoperative ileus (POI). That keeps patients from eating solid foods and prolongs hospital stays, which in turn increases treatment costs. Entereg blocks opioids from attaching to the intestines, thereby speeding up the time it takes them to start working again. In the trial, the drug was generally well tolerated, with nausea, vomiting and abdominal distention as the most common side effects.

It's been a stomach-churning journey for the company, which has no drugs on the market. Adolor's stock doubled in 2003 after successful trials concluded in April3 and September4. In June 2004 it filed a new drug application for Entereg with the Food and Drug Administration. But in December, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK5), Adolor's collaborator on the drug, produced disappointing results in a European trial. The FDA demanded another U.S. trial. Last July the FDA sent Adolor an approvable letter, saying it wanted yet another study demonstrating statistically significant results. The FDA sends an approvable letter if a drug application substantially meets the requirements for approval, but specific additional information is required before it can be approved.

"The results are robustly positive across all the endpoints," says James Barrett, Adolor's chief scientific officer. "We feel strongly that these results position us well to move forward to an approval status."

For the first three quarters of 2005, Adolor posted a loss of $41 million, vs. a loss of $32.0 million for the same period in 2004. Sales for the same period fell 46% to $11.5 million. As of Sept. 30 the company had $118.9 million in cash, down from $162.3 million at the end of 2004.

Adolor's pipeline consists of a sterile lidocaine patch for postsurgical incisional pain that's currently in a Phase II clinical trial and some preclinical compounds. Entereg is also in Phase III trials for an alternate use called opioid bowel dysfunction. The drug would act as a constipation aid for chronic users of prescribed pain killers like morphine. The drug would also conceivably work for users of illicit drugs like heroin, say analysts.

Pacific Growth's Wade forecasts Adolor could post revenues of $29 million in 2007, with peak sales of $400 million within three years.

Lou Lemos, director of research at Variant Research, an independent research house in Boca Raton, Fla., forecasts Entereg achieving revenues for treatment of postoperative ileus in excess of $200 million by 2010. Should Entereg get approved for opioid bowel dysfunction, he predicts revenues for this condition could hit $500 million. Both analysts expect Adolor to achieve profitability by 2009.

Quote:
"We expected a few dollars upside based on favorable results," says Variant's Lemos. "More important, Adolor started the Phase III trial for opiate-induced constipation in September. We took a look at the previous Phase II trial, and for people that take narcotics it clearly showed strong efficacy. We think there is a 60% probability Entereg will be approved for this in 2008."

actr

09.02.2006, 13:47

09.02.2006 13:35
Timberland steigert Gewinn im vierten Quartal, weitet Aktienrückkauf aus
Der amerikanische Bekleidungshersteller Timberland Co. (ISIN US8871001058 (Nachrichten)/ WKN 873525) konnte im vierten Quartal trotz Einmalaufwendungen einen Gewinnanstieg verbuchen.

Wie der auf die Herstellung von Bekleidung und Schuhen am Donnerstag erklärte, lag der Nettogewinn im Berichtszeitraum bei 46,9 Mio. Dollar bzw. 71 Cents je Aktie, nach 45,0 Mio. Dollar bzw. 64 Cents je Aktie im Vorjahreszeitraum. Ohne die Berücksichtigung von Einmalbelastungen in Zusammenhang mit der Schließung von Produktionsniederlassungen in der Karibik lag der Nettogewinn bei 73 Cents je Aktie. Die erfreuliche Ergebnisentwicklung steht dabei in Verbindung mit gesteigerten Absätzen bei Kinder- und Herrenbekleidung, welche die Rückgänge im Damenmodesegment sowie bei Stiefeln kompensieren konnten. Der Konzernumsatz verbesserte sich im Vorjahresvergleich von 454,66 Mio. Dollar auf 465,29 Mio. Dollar.

Analysten hatten im Vorfeld ein EPS von 62 Cents sowie einen Umsatz von 456 Mio. Dollar erwartet. Für das laufende Quartal liegen die Markterwartungen bei einem EPS von 60 Cents sowie einem Umsatz von 372 Mio. Dollar.

Des Weiteren gab der Konzern bekannt, dass das Board of Directors den Rückkauf von bis zu sechs Millionen weiteren eigenen Aktien beschlossen hat. Im Rahmen eines zuvor beschlossenen Rückkaufprogramms hat Timberland das Recht, weitere 1,5 Millionen eigene Aktien zu erwerben.

Die Aktie von Timberland notierte zuletzt bei 34,07 Dollar.

actr

09.02.2006, 15:00

09.02.2006 14:55
US Vorbörse: Positive Vorzeichen

http://img.godmode-trader.de/charts/46/2005/ISLAND42.gif

actr

09.02.2006, 15:05

L-3 Communications' Henschel Inc. Receives Multiple Awards to Provide Announcing Systems for U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Vessels

NEW YORK, Feb 09, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today that its Henschel subsidiary (L-3 Henschel), a major supplier of communications and announcing systems to the U.S. Armed Forces, received the following contract awards:
-- Lockheed Martin awarded L-3 Henschel a contract to provide a fully integrated Alarm and Announcing System (A&AS) for the United States Coast Guard's Deepwater Maritime Security Cutter, Large (WMSL) as an integral component of the Integrated Voice Communications System (IVCS). This program includes eight vessels. The announcing systems will also meet the needs of other deepwater vessels, such as the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) and Fast Response Cutter (FRC), in accordance with their individual requirements.

-- U.S. Navy Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Charleston selected L-3 Henschel to assume design authority over the CVN-69 announcing system and to manufacture three systems for the CVN-70, 71 and 72 through a contract for system deliverables and technical support. The contract also includes a partial system for a land-based test site. L-3 Henschel's experience and expertise with surface ship communications and announcing systems were critical factors in this award.

-- Northrop Grumman Ship System's Ingalls Operations awarded a follow-on contract for the L-3 Henschel-designed announcing system for the LPD-21. This program includes system deliverables, documentation and technical support. Additional contracts for the LPD-22 and 23 are anticipated in 2006 and 2007.

L-3 Henschel's A&AS provides the means for ship-wide broadcasts of all alarms and announcements for tactical, damage control and general purpose communications. Operators can access the system through dedicated microphone stations, ship phone systems and integrated communication systems from anywhere on the ship.

"These awards reinforce L-3 Henschel's position as a leading supplier of quality communications systems to the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and we look forward to follow-up contracts in support of these on-going programs and new ship construction programs, such as DDX, CVN21, JHSV, Seabasing and others," said Don Roussinos, president of L-3 Henschel.

Located in Newburyport, Massachusetts, L-3 Henschel is a leading supplier of design, engineering, manufacturing and integration of shipboard communications, navigation and control systems and produces other technologically advanced solutions for naval applications, such as the integrated communications system for the USS VIRGINIA-class attack submarines, the amplified announcing system for the SAN ANTONIO-class amphibious ships, the video data distribution system for the ARLEIGH BURKE-class Guided Missile Destroyers and the computer information system and integrated communication system for the UK HMS ASTUTE-class submarines.

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications is a leading provider of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, secure communications systems, aircraft modernization, training and government services. The company is a leading merchant supplier of a broad array of high technology products, including guidance and navigation, sensors, scanners, fuzes, data links, propulsion systems, simulators, avionics, electro optics, satellite communications, electrical power equipment, encryption, signal intelligence, antennas and microwave components. L-3 also supports a variety of Homeland Security initiatives with products and services. Its customers include the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, selected U.S. Government intelligence agencies and aerospace prime contractors.

actr

09.02.2006, 15:07

Millennium Cell to Host Fourth Quarter Conference Call

EATONTOWN, N.J., Feb 09, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Millennium Cell Inc. (NASDAQ: MCEL), will host a conference call that will be simultaneously Webcast on Thursday, February 16, 2006. The Company's management will discuss the financial and operational results for the fourth quarter.
The conference call and live Webcast will begin at 10:00 a.m. ET. Please call the following number approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time of the call: 1-800-706-7745 passcode 33547879. A telephonic replay of the conference call will also be available through February 23, 2006, by calling 1-888-286-8010, passcode 23474214.

To listen to a live broadcast of the call over the Internet or to review the archived call, please visit: www.millenniumcell.com under the "Investor Relations" section.

About Millennium Cell

Millennium Cell develops hydrogen battery technology through a patented chemical process that safely stores and delivers hydrogen energy to power portable devices. The borohydride-based technology can be scaled to fit any application requiring high energy density for a long run time in a compact space. The Company is working with market partners to meet demand for its patented process in four areas: military, medical, industrial and consumer electronics. For more information, visit www.millenniumcell.com.

SOURCE: Millennium Cell Inc.

actr

09.02.2006, 15:11

Rick's Cabaret Reports January 2006 Nightclub Sales up 78.9% over Previous Year; Same Store Sales Grow 27.7%

HOUSTON, Feb 09, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Rick's Cabaret International, Inc. (NASDAQ: RICK) said today its consolidated adult nightclub sales for January 2006 increased by 78.9 percent over the same month last year. Same-club-same-period nightclub monthly revenue rose by 27.7 percent over January 2004.
Total nightclub revenue for the month of January 2006 was $1,758,455, compared with $982,800 in January 2004. Same club sales in January 2006 were $1,255,396 compared with $982,800. The figures do not include revenues from the company's Internet activities or from discontinued operations.

"Club Onyx in Houston, the XTC Club in Austin and the Rick's Cabaret clubs in New York City and Minneapolis all performed very well in January as our brand name awareness marketing programs throughout the system continue to have a positive impact," said CEO Eric Langan.

About Rick's Cabaret

Rick's Cabaret International, Inc. (NASDAQ: RICK, ricks.com) operates upscale adult nightclubs serving primarily businessmen and professionals that offer live adult entertainment, restaurant and bar operations. The company owns, operates or licenses adult nightclubs in New York City, New Orleans, Houston, Minneapolis and other cities under the names "Rick's Cabaret," "XTC" and "Club Onyx," as well as the "Hummers" sports bar in Houston. No sexual contact is permitted at any of these locations. Rick's Cabaret also owns the adult Internet membership Web site, couplestouch.com, and a network of online auction sites for adult products under the flagship URL naughtybids.com. Rick's Cabaret common stock is traded on the NASDAQ SmallCap market under the symbol RICK. For further information contact ir@ricks.com.

actr

09.02.2006, 15:13

09.02.2006 14:59
Coca-Cola Enterprises weist Quartalsverlust aus
Die Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (ISIN US1912191046 (Nachrichten)/ WKN 871964), das größte Abfüllunternehmen für Getränke der Coca-Cola Co. (ISIN US1912161007 (Nachrichten/Aktienkurs)/ WKN 850663), verbuchte im Schlussquartal 2005 einen Nettoverlust.

Wie das Unternehmen am Donnerstag verkündete, wuchsen die Umsatzerlöse auf 4,49 Mrd. Dollar, nach 4,40 Mrd. Dollar im Vorjahresquartal. Dies entspricht einem Anstieg von 2 Prozent.

Ferner verschlechterte sich das Nettoergebnis von 82 Mio. Dollar oder 17 Cents je Aktie im vierten Quartal 2004 auf nun -57 Mio. Dollar bzw. -12 Cents pro Aktie. Bereinigt um Sondereffekte betrug das EPS 15 Cents, während Analysten durchschnittlich mit einem EPS von 14 Cents gerechnet hatten.

Im gesamten Jahr 2005 erhöhten sich die Umsätze um 3 Prozent auf 18,71 Mrd. Dollar, wogegen der Nettogewinn um 14 Prozent auf 514 Mio. Dollar oder 1,08 Dollar pro Anteilschein zurückging.

Für das laufende erste Quartal 2006 gehen Analysten von einem Gewinn pro Aktie von 9 Cents sowie Umsatzerlösen in Höhe von 4,33 Mrd. Dollar aus.

Gestern stiegen die Aktien an der NYSE um 0,36 Prozent und schlossen bei 19,46 Dollar.

actr

09.02.2006, 15:17

Genzyme Launches Key Test to Monitor Gleevec(R) Resistance Two Additional Personalized Medicine Tests Also Now Available

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb 09, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Genzyme Corporation (Nasdaq: GENZ) announced today the availability of an important new test to monitor drug resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients who are treated with Gleevec(R) (imatinib mesylate). Despite high response rates to Gleevec, approximately four to five percent of patients who were initially treated successfully will develop resistance during therapy. Genzyme's new BCR-ABL Mutation Analysis test will assist physicians in evaluating resistance to therapy and facilitate appropriate adjustments to treatment.
The molecular hallmark of CML is a mutation known as BCR-ABL. This mutation is the specific target for Gleevec and is found in 95 percent of patients with CML. In relapse patients, the majority of secondary mutations in the ABL portion of the gene correlate with treatment failure. Genzyme's new test detects all secondary BCR-ABL mutations and therefore predicts resistance to Gleevec.

"This is a very exciting time for leukemia patients and their caregivers because this test will provide them with more information about their disease and will give them the ability to personalize their treatment," said Mara Aspinall, president of Genzyme Genetics, the business unit of Genzyme Corp. focused on the research and development of high quality, complex testing services.

"We are pleased to offer another important predictive test that can play a critical role in the way oncologists and patients manage their cancer," she added. Genzyme recently launched several other personalized medicine tests in the areas of lung cancer and leukemia and lymphoma.

Because of its high efficacy and limited side effects, Gleevec as a first- line therapy is considered to have revolutionized long-term survival of patients with CML. Gleevec was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in May, 2001 as the first drug in a new class of molecular targeted therapies for CML. Over 90 percent of patients treated with Gleevec respond initially to treatment, and many experience a complete remission. However, four to five percent of these patients eventually develop resistance to the treatment and experience a relapse of their disease.

The discovery of the BCR-ABL mutations was made by researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Jonsson Cancer Center in 2001, who are currently working to determine if the same mutations in patients with CML may also lead to resistance to newer investigational treatments.

In October, Genzyme announced that it entered into a license agreement with UCLA to obtain exclusive, worldwide diagnostic rights to UCLA's discovery of gene mutations believed to be associated with drug resistance to Gleevec.

A Commitment to Personalized Medicine -- EGFR FISH & JAK2 Expand Cancer Menu

Genzyme Genetics offers two tests that identify non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients likely to respond to therapies. The presence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations have been shown to correlate with clinical response to certain drugs, including Tarceva(R) (erlotinib) and IRESSA(R) (gefitinib), used in treating this deadly form of cancer. Genzyme now offers EGFR by FISH (fluorescence in-situ hybridization), which detects over amplification of the EGFR gene. This new test complements Genzyme's EGFR Mutation Assay, which also detects the presence of EGFR in patients with NSCLC.

Genzyme has also made available a new assay that detects a mutation in the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene common in chronic myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs). MPDs are a large group of pathogenetically related diseases (including CML) characterized by proliferation of one or more myeloid cell lines in the bone marrow and increased numbers of mature and immature cells in the peripheral blood diseases. This new JAK2 test allows for the classification, diagnosis, and potential treatment of these diseases.

About Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Chronic myeloid leukemia is also known as chronic myelogenous leukemia. According to the American Cancer Society, CML is a type of cancer that starts in blood-forming cells of the bone marrow and then invades the blood. It can spread to the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and other parts of the body. CML can also change into a fast-growing acute leukemia that invades almost any organ in the body.

The American Cancer Society estimated that there were approximately 4,600 new cases of CML diagnosed in 2005. Approximately 25,000 CML patients are living in remission on therapy in the U.S. today. The average age of people with CML is around 50 years.

About Genzyme Genetics

Genzyme Genetics is a leading, nationwide provider of high-quality, complex testing services for physicians and their patients. With CLIA- certified laboratories and counseling facilities located across the U.S., Genzyme Genetics offers extensive diagnostic testing services, supported by innovative technology and a commitment to quality service and trusted information. Genzyme Genetics is a business unit of Genzyme Corporation.

About Genzyme Corporation

One of the world's leading biotechnology companies, Genzyme is dedicated to making a major positive impact on the lives of people with serious diseases. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Genzyme's founding. Since 1981, the company has grown from a small start-up to a diversified enterprise with more than 8,000 employees in locations spanning the globe and 2005 revenues of $2.7 billion. Genzyme has been selected by FORTUNE as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for" in the United States.

With many established products and services helping patients in more than 80 countries, Genzyme is a leader in the effort to develop and apply the most advanced technologies in the life sciences. The company's products and services are focused on rare inherited disorders, kidney disease, orthopaedics, cancer, transplant and immune diseases, and diagnostic testing. Genzyme's commitment to innovation continues today with a substantial development program focused on these fields, as well as heart disease and other areas of unmet medical need.

actr

09.02.2006, 15:27

Westport Reports Third Fiscal 2006 Quarter Results and 30% Revenue Increase Year to Date

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Feb 9, 2006 (CCNMatthews via COMTEX) -- Westport Innovations Inc. (TSX:WPT), a leading developer of environmental technologies that allow engines to operate on clean-burning gaseous fuels, today reported its third quarter financial results for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2005, and provided an update on business operations.
Westport's loss for the three months ended December 31, 2005 was $3.6 million, or $0.05 per share, a 13% improvement from the same period last year. Consolidated revenues were $8.6 million compared to $9.2 million for the third quarter last year. For the nine months ended December 31, 2005, net loss was $13.1 million, a 22% improvement from the prior year's loss of $16.9 million with loss per share of $0.18 and $0.25 respectively. Consolidated revenues for the same period were $31.4 million, a 30% increase over the prior year period. Product revenue rose 24% and parts revenue increased by 46%.

During the third quarter, better warranty claims experience than anticipated in Cummins Westport Inc. (CWI) and lower amortisation and depreciation compensated for the slightly lower sales volume. Quarterly sales volumes are volatile and dependant on the timing of major engine shipments. For the three months ended December 31, 2005, net research and development expenses decreased by $1.1 million primarily as a result of increased government and partner funding of R&D programs. Sales and marketing expenses increased by $0.9 million as several global marketing initiatives continue to develop.

Cash used in operations before changes in working capital was $2.2 million for the quarter and $6.7 million year to date, up $0.1 million from the same period last year but $3.8 million better year to date. Cash and short term investments as of December 31, 2005 totalled $11.5 million.

"We are pleased with CWI's sales growth year to date, which is better than our goal of 20% annual revenue growth in US dollar terms. While our quarterly results will be volatile from quarter to quarter, CWI products have shown steady improvements in quality and increasing market penetration around the world," said David Demers, Westport's Chief Executive Officer. "With CWI's recent launch of production in India with Cummins India Ltd., and the recent conclusion of a similar production agreement with Dongfeng Cummins Engine Company Ltd. in China, CWI is now positioned to move into the largest potential markets in the world with lower cost, locally assembled products. We expect continued strong growth as high oil prices, an ever-increasing focus on urban air pollution and climate change draw new customers to the demonstrated benefits of natural gas vehicles."

"We are also continuing to improve bottom line performance year over year while still making strategic investments in new products, technologies and markets," added Mr. Demers. "To fund commercialisation, we will continue to look for industry, strategic partner, and government funding to finance operations. If needed, we also have the option of realising gains on some of our non-core assets. We are excited by our business progress over the last three quarters and are positioning ourselves to capitalize on several near-term opportunities for growth, including our LNG tank joint venture with Beijing Tianhai Industry Co. and large scale demonstration projects."

Business Programs Update - Third Quarter 2006

Cummins Westport Inc.

Cummins Westport continues to execute on its strategy of maintaining a leading position in environmental leadership and product quality. Lower overall cost of ownership is emerging as the primary reason for shifting to natural gas as a fuel for commercial fleets. To effectively compete in India and China, local manufacturing through local alliances has been the primary strategy.

In China, Cummins Westport finalised its agreement with Dongfeng Cummins Engine Company (DCEC) to manufacture Cummins Westport B-series engines which will be jointly marketed and sold. Under CWI's agreement, DCEC will manufacture engines for CWI for resale in China, but will also supply its other parent, Dongfeng Motors, with this natural gas engine. Dongfeng Motors was ranked the largest manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks and buses in China in 2005.

In India, with Cummins India Ltd. (CIL), the manufacturing launch in January marks the start of production of B Gas International engines by CIL with natural gas-specific components from Cummins Westport. CIL will market the engines in India to Tata, the largest manufacturer of buses in that market.

Local manufacturing will also allow CWI and its partners to build a base for potentially exporting from India and China to price-sensitive, developing regions.

On the quality and emissions side, a Cummins Westport-powered bus won two awards in Russia for "Best City Bus" and "Development of Ecological Transport" at the Moscow International Motor Show.

Cummins Westport recently signed a contract with Utilization Technology Development, with program management and research by Gas Technology Institute, for US$350,000 for demonstration of the advanced Cummins Westport ISL G natural gas engine. The ISL G will meet US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) 2010 emissions regulations at launch in 2007, while also improving fuel efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions.

actr

09.02.2006, 15:30

MGM MIRAGE Provides Update on Las Vegas Development Plans Approves Design and Budget for Project CityCenter; Releases Profitability Forecast for Current Residential Program at MGM Grand Las Vegas

Feb 09, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) today announced that its Board of Directors has approved the design and budget for Project CityCenter, the Company's previously announced urban development project at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. Project CityCenter will feature approximately 2.3 million square feet of residential space; a 4,000-room luxury hotel and casino; two 400-room, non-gaming boutique hotels; and over 470,000 square feet of retail, dining and entertainment space. The approved design will further enhance the overall significance and profitability of Project CityCenter, which is expected to provide owners and visitors alike a truly unique experience.
The overall cost of Project CityCenter is estimated at approximately $7 billion, excluding preopening and land costs. After estimated proceeds of $2.5 billion from the sale of residential units, the Company believes that the net project cost will be approximately $4.5 billion. Project CityCenter will be located on approximately 66 acres between Bellagio and Monte Carlo on the Las Vegas Strip, and will be connected to these resorts via a state-of-the-art people mover system. The Company expects to break ground in mid-2006, and estimates that Project CityCenter will open in the fourth quarter of 2009. The detailed design phase of the project is still under way, and the budget, scope and timing of Project CityCenter are subject to change.

"The market for casino resorts and vertical residential space in Las Vegas is very robust," said Terry Lanni, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MGM MIRAGE. "We believe the most important aspects of successful casino resorts and residential and retail developments are embodied within Project CityCenter: location, brand and amenities. Our Board and management believe that Project CityCenter will be the catalyst for a new kind of experience on the Las Vegas Strip, and forever change the way we view Las Vegas."

Jim Murren, President, CFO and Treasurer of MGM MIRAGE noted, "Our financing plan for Project CityCenter calls for significant residential proceeds to supplement our available borrowing capacity and free cash flow to efficiently fund this major development, while maintaining maximum flexibility for other expansion initiatives. We also continue to explore potential partnerships and other financing vehicles to ensure the most efficient use of capital. We expect to earn cash flow returns in the mid-teens on the net project cost, which is considerably above our cost of capital."

The Company, along with its partner Turnberry Associates, is constructing The Signature at MGM Grand, three 576-unit towers which are designed as condo- hotels. Towers 1 and 2 are sold out, under construction, and are expected to be completed in the second and fourth quarters of 2006, respectively. Tower 3 is also under construction, with available units being nearly fully sold out at prices significantly above the first two towers. The Company believes that these sales and pricing trends will continue with the residential offerings at Project CityCenter.

Mr. Murren added, "Our belief in the Las Vegas residential market has been confirmed with the very strong sales at The Signature at MGM Grand, where we expect to record our 50% share of that venture's profit on Tower 1 in the second quarter and Tower 2 in the fourth quarter, at approximately $45 million and $60 million, respectively. Our estimated share of profits on Tower 3 is in excess of $100 million. We see residential development as a long-term competitive advantage for our Company, particularly given our substantial real estate holdings on the Las Vegas Strip, and as a key component in future resort developments."

MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM), one of the world's leading and most respected hotel and gaming companies, owns and operates 23 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi and Michigan, and has investments in three other properties in Nevada, New Jersey and Illinois. MGM MIRAGE has also announced plans to develop Project CityCenter, a multi-billion dollar mixed-use urban development project in the heart of Las Vegas, and has a 50 percent interest in MGM Grand Macau, a hotel-casino resort currently under construction in Macau S.A.R. MGM MIRAGE supports responsible gaming and has implemented the American Gaming Association's Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming at its properties. MGM MIRAGE also has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for its industry-leading Diversity Initiative and its community philanthropy programs. For more information about MGM MIRAGE, please visit the company's website at http://www.mgmmirage.com.

actr

09.02.2006, 15:35

XOMA Announces Successful Exchange Offer With A Tender of 100% of Its Existing Notes and Placement of $12 Million of New Notes

BERKELEY, Calif., Feb 09, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- XOMA Ltd. (Nasdaq: XOMA) announced today that $60 million in aggregate principal amount of the Company's 6.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2012, or 100% of the total outstanding, were tendered and not withdrawn in its previously-announced exchange offer which expired at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on February 8, 2006. As a result of the exchange offer, the Company will issue $60 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Convertible SNAPssm due 2012. The Company also announced the placement of $12 million in aggregate principal amount of additional Convertible SNAPssm to the public for cash. Due to investor demand, the size of the offering was increased from $10 million to $12 million and the public offering price was set at 104% of principal. Both the exchange offer and the placement of new notes are expected to close on February 10, 2006.
Piper Jaffray & Co. and Canaccord Adams Inc. served as dealer managers for the exchange offer and placement agents for the cash offer. A prospectus related to the exchange offer and the new money offering is available free of charge from the information agent, Georgeson Shareholder Communications Inc., 17 State Street, 10th Floor, New York, New York 10004 (888-867-6963).

About XOMA

XOMA is a pioneer and leader in the discovery, development and manufacture of therapeutic antibodies, with a therapeutic focus that includes cancer and immune diseases. XOMA has a royalty interest in RAPTIVA(R) (efalizumab), a monoclonal antibody product marketed to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. XOMA's discovery and development capabilities include antibody phage display, bacterial cell expression, and Human Engineering(TM) technologies. The company pipeline also includes proprietary and collaborative programs in preclinical and clinical development.

actr

10.02.2006, 12:24

CHORDIANT SOFTWARE: Chordiant Software announces financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2006 ended December 31, 2005 Deferred revenue increased to $27.5 million; Backlog up 12% sequentially to $37.2 million

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, Feb 10, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Chordiant Software, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHRD) today announced financial results for the first quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2006, ended December 31, and that it filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
First Quarter Fiscal Year 2006 Highlights

* Chordiant signed five $1 million plus license transactions with new and existing customers;

* Chordiant sold its first financial transactions services product (formerly known as Chordiant Teller);

* Chordiant announced a Premier Alliance with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS);

* Chordiant's total revenues consisted of 57 percent from North America and 43 percent from International for the first quarter of FY 2006;

* Chordiant's deferred revenue of $27.5 million is at its highest level in the past three years;

* Chordiant's backlog increased 12 percent sequentially to $37.2 million; and

* Chordiant generated positive cash flow from operations in the first quarter of FY 2006.

First Quarter Fiscal Year 2006 Results Total revenues for the first quarter of FY 2006 were $22.6 million, an increase from the $21.7 million reported for the three months ended December 31, 2004. License revenues for the first quarter of FY 2006 were $9.1 million, compared to $8.8 million reported for the three months ended December 31, 2004. Service revenues for the first quarter of FY 2006 were $13.4 million, compared to $12.8 million reported for the three months ended December 31, 2004.

Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue increased to $27.5 million as of December 31, 2005, compared to $26.2 million as of September 30, 2005, and a balance of $20.2 million as of December 31, 2004. Deferred revenue in the first quarter of FY 2006 is at its highest level in the past three years.

Customer Success "From a market perspective, Chordiant's momentum remains strong," said Steven R. Springsteel, Chordiant's President and Chief Executive Officer.

"We are continuing to win significant license transactions with world-class customers in our core vertical markets of financial services and telecommunications and completed five $1.0 million-plus license transactions with new and existing customers. Notable customer wins included Lloyds TSB, where Chordiant's Mortgage Case Manager Solution will orchestrate the mortgage loan application process from initiation through resolution across multiple channels; CompuCredit Corporation, where Chordiant's Financial Transactions Component Applications will enable them to implement services-oriented applications for lending which will drive a range of consumer focused desktop applications, web self-service and back-office BPM; O2 added Chordiant's Marketing Director Solution; and AOL Germany added Chordiant's Decision Management and Marketing Director Solutions" Mr.

Backlog of Business For the first quarter of FY 2006, Chordiant's backlog increased 12 percent to $37.2 million, compared to $33.1 million reported for the September FY 2005 quarter. Backlog is comprised of non-cancelable current software license orders which have not met all of the required criteria for revenue recognition, deferred revenue from customer support contracts, and deferred consulting and education orders for services not yet completed or delivered.

Cash Position Chordiant increased its cash balances in aggregate by $1.4 million in the first quarter and had $42.3 million in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at December 31, 2005.

About Chordiant Software, Inc.

Chordiant solutions automate and manage operational business processes for leading service-driven global organizations with a focus on retail finance and telecommunications.

Chordiant orchestrates the unique processes of an organization from the point of customer interaction, through the front and back offices to multiple transactional systems, corporate applications and data stores. Our solutions integrate existing infrastructure to orchestrate the assembly, enhancement and delivery of optimal role based business processes to the appropriate channels. Business value is realized through improved employee productivity, savings in operational costs, and increased business adaptability. Chordiant is headquartered in Cupertino, California.

actr

10.02.2006, 14:23

Diagnostic Products Corporation Announces Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2005 Results

LOS ANGELES, Feb 10, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Diagnostic Products Corporation (NYSE:DP) today reported fourth quarter sales of $123.8 million, a 4% increase over the fourth quarter of 2004. Earnings were $13.1 million, or $.43 per diluted share, up 17% from $11.1 million or $.37 reported for the fourth quarter of 2004. The Brazilian Real strengthened relative to the dollar while the Euro weakened, and the net effect of foreign currency movements was a 2% decrease in sales. Domestic sales increased 8% to $38.2 million while international sales grew at 3%.
Sales of IMMULITE products grew 5% over the fourth quarter of 2004. IMMULITE product line sales reached $114.0 million for the quarter. IMMULITE reagent sales increased 6% this quarter over the fourth quarter of 2004 to $95.4 million, and IMMULITE instrument and service revenue increased by 5% to $18.6 million. Sales of RIA products were $5.1 million, a 13% decline from last year's fourth quarter. Sales of other products were $4.7 million, the same as the fourth quarter last year.

Sales for the year ended December 31, 2005 were $481.1 million, an 8% increase over the $446.8 million recorded in 2004. Net income for the year was $67.2 million, or $2.23 per diluted share, versus $61.7 million, or $2.06, per share last year. The Brazilian Real strengthened relative to the dollar and the Euro weakened slightly, the net effect of foreign currency was a 2% increase in sales.

For the year, IMMULITE product line sales were $440.4 million, compared to $404.9 million in 2004, an increase of 9%. Sales of the mature RIA product line were $21.4 million for the year, down 11% from last year. Sales of other products were $19.3 million for the year, up from $17.8 million in 2004. The Company shipped a total of 256 IMMULITE Instruments in the fourth quarter, including 184 IMMULITE 2000's and 2500's. The total number of IMMULITEs shipped is now over 10,900.

"While reagent sales were disappointing we are very pleased with the number of instruments shipped," said Michael Ziering, CEO of DPC. "We believe the strong shipments coupled with the release of certain key assays put us in a very good position going forward."

Diagnostic Products Corporation, founded in 1971, is a global leader dedicated to immunodiagnostics. DPC's product menu includes over 75 immunoassays and more than 375 specific allergens and allergy panels. In addition, DPC addresses the chemistry and laboratory automation testing needs of its customers through partnerships with manufacturers of chemistry systems and reagents. The combined chemistry and immunoassay menu is one of the largest and most diversified available, covering most laboratory tests requested. DPC also designs and manufactures automated laboratory instrumentation, which provides fast, accurate results while reducing labor and reagent costs. DPC sells its products to hospitals, clinics and laboratories in more than 100 countries. Additional Company information can be found on DPC's website at www.dpcweb.com.

actr

10.02.2006, 14:49

Atheros Communications Delivers a Cellular/Wi-Fi Connectivity Solution Compatible with QUALCOMM Chipsets Strategic Collaboration Contributes to the Development of Advanced Cellular Mobile Handsets with Wi-Fi Connectivity

Feb 10, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Atheros Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATHR), a leading developer of advanced wireless solutions, today announced a collaboration with QUALCOMM Incorporated to develop interoperability between Atheros' highly integrated, single-chip Radio-on-Chip for Mobile(TM) (ROCm) solution and select QUALCOMM Mobile Station Modem(TM) (MSM(TM)) chipsets. The ROCm solution will initially interoperate with the MSM6550(TM) for CDMA2000(R) networks and the MSM6280(TM) chipset for WCDMA (UMTS) networks. The combined solutions will enable cellular devices to support 802.11g and 802.11a/g wireless LAN (WLAN) technology.
"We are pleased to work with QUALCOMM, the recognized leader in CDMA and 3G cellular technologies," said Craig Barratt, president and chief executive officer of Atheros Communications. "Our relationship has resulted in the combination of two of the world's most popular wireless technologies in a single solution. This will result in true mobility, enabling wireless users to achieve anywhere, anytime connectivity to people, content and services."

"The strategic collaboration between QUALCOMM and Atheros focuses on the growing worldwide demand for additional connectivity features in mobile handsets," said Mike Concannon, vice president of strategic products for QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies. "Having support for Atheros' ROCm solutions on our MSM chipsets helps us continue to bring a new level of mobility to wireless users and deliver numerous new possibilities to the wireless industry."

The ROCm solutions supported by QUALCOMM's MSM chipsets will provide handset OEMs and ODMs with an additional way to address the rapidly growing market for advanced mobile phones that deliver voice, data, multimedia content and services across both cellular and Wi-Fi networks. WLAN technology offers support for applications such as Voice-over-IP (VoIP), voice calls with simultaneous data transfer and other data-intensive applications.

The Atheros ROCm solution offers cellular device OEMs and ODMs the benefit of significant time-to-market advantage delivered with this turnkey, pre-packaged, cellular/Wi-Fi solution. In addition, this optimized solution satisfies the demanding design requirements for WLAN inclusion in mobile phones with its small form factor, low power consumption and high-performance connectivity. ROCm Wi-Fi solutions have achieved significant design wins with leading OEMs in every segment of the mobile market based on their ability to satisfy these requirements.

The initial interoperable Atheros ROCm and QUALCOMM MSM solution will be demonstrated next week at 3GSM in Barcelona and is scheduled to be commercially available by June 2006.

About Atheros Communications, Inc.

Atheros Communications is a leading developer of semiconductor system solutions for wireless communications products. Atheros combines its wireless systems expertise with high-performance radio frequency (RF), mixed signal and digital semiconductor design skills to provide highly integrated chipsets that are manufacturable on low-cost, standard complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes. Atheros technology is being used by a broad base of leading customers, including personal computer, networking equipment and handset manufacturers. For more information, visit www.atheros.com or send email to info@atheros.com

actr

10.02.2006, 14:57

ChipMOS ANNOUNCES ThaiLin ENTERED INTO A NT$3 BILLION SYNDICATED LOAN AGREEMENT

HSINCHU, Taiwan, Feb 10, 2006 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. ("ChipMOS" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: IMOS) announced today that ThaiLin Semiconductor Corp. ("ThaiLin"), a subsidiary 34.1% owned by the Company's 69.8% subsidiary, ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. ("ChipMOS Taiwan") has signed a syndicated loan agreement with a bank syndicate consisting of six local banks in Taiwan. ThaiLin currently expects to use the loan to expand its capacity in providing testing services for flash memory, high speed DRAM, and LCD TV peripheral IC. Mr. S.J. Cheng, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ChipMOS, together with Mr. Lafair Cho, President of ThaiLin, and representatives from the bank syndicate were present at the signing ceremony held in Taipei, Taiwan.
The six-year floating-rate loan provides a NT$3 billion (approximately US$93.8 million) credit line to ThaiLin. Among the participating banks, Hua Nan Commercial Bank, Bank of Taiwan, and China Development Industrial Bank are acting as the co-lead managers of the syndicate. The other three participating banks are Land Bank of Taiwan, The Farmers Bank of China, and Hsinchu International Bank.

S.J. Cheng, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ChipMOS, said, "The purpose of this loan facility is to fund a major portion of ThaiLin's required capital expenditure investments in 2006 as we support our existing customers, new programs scheduled to be rolled out this year and the overall expected growth in flash, DDR II memory and LCD TV peripheral IC products. I would like to express my appreciation to Hua Nan Commercial Bank, Bank of Taiwan, China Development Industrial Bank and the other three banks for their confidence in and support of ThaiLin and its management team."

About ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD.:

ChipMOS ( http://www.chipmos.com.tw/ ) is a leading independent provider of semiconductor testing and assembly services to customers in Taiwan, Japan, and the U.S. With advanced facilities in Hsinchu and Southern Taiwan Science Parks in Taiwan and Shanghai, ChipMOS and its subsidiaries provide testing and assembly services to a broad range of customers, including leading fabless semiconductor companies, integrated device manufacturers and independent semiconductor foundries.

actr

10.02.2006, 15:03

Unity Wireless to Acquire Wireless Broadband System Developer and Supplier

BURNABY, British Columbia, Feb 10, 2006 (CCNMatthews via COMTEX) -- Unity Wireless Corporation (OTCBB: UTYW), a developer of wireless systems and coverage-enhancement solutions, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Israeli-based Avantry Ltd. Avantry develops and supplies wireless point-to-point microwave radio-for-broadband backhaul solutions for wireless and wireline communications networks.
The acquisition, which is subject to certain standard terms and conditions, will broaden the Unity Wireless product line and customer base and will allow for cross-selling opportunities that are expected to increase revenues. The Company believes that revenues from the acquisition, combined with an expected increase in worldwide sales in its existing core business, could result in 2006 revenues that are significantly greater than those generated in fiscal 2005. In addition, joint-integration initiatives are expected to bring the Company closer to profitability. The combination of certain sales, marketing and product distribution activities is expected to help reduce overhead costs and create better operational efficiency throughout the entire organization.

The prospective acquisition of Avantry will bring to Unity Wireless a broad transmission product line that integrates microwave radio systems aimed at carrying flexible combinations of SDH, PDH voice and data and Ethernet traffic. Avantry systems are widely installed and supported in more than 25 countries through an extensive network of VARs, distributors and OEM's. Its customer base includes major national cellular and fixed-network operators, ISPs, and a variety of enterprises, government agencies and prestigious vendors.

The purchase agreement provides for a purchase price of $1,750,000 in notes that are convertible at $0.25 per share and are due April 15, 2007, and 600,000 warrants that are exercisable at $0.40 per share. The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies, and is expected to close within 90 days.

Ilan Kenig, President and CEO of Unity Wireless, commented, "Avantry's products complement our coverage-solutions business by offering proven, carrier-grade wireless backhaul solutions in addition to offering a line of scalable voice and data transmission solutions for both OEM and enterprise customers. According to published market research, the market for this equipment is expected to exceed $5 billion this year. Entering this market through the acquisition of Avantry, with its mature product lines, should help us accelerate our top-line growth as we can now provide a broader line of products to new and existing customers. I am pleased to welcome Avantry's excellent team into the Unity Wireless family."

"Our team is excited about this transaction and looks forward to making a positive contribution to the success of Unity Wireless," said Avantry CEO Dror Wertman. "We feel that the business cultures of the organizations are well aligned, which should facilitate a rapid and smooth integration of our business. Together, we are positioned to grow our business in new markets and with new opportunities, while the combined customer and revenue base adds up to a very respectable organization."

Benny Maidan, Partner of venture capital company Formula Ventures and current Chairman of Avantry, added, "While Avantry is gaining commercial market share on its own, we definitely see the benefit the combination, with its inherent synergies, could have on accelerating Avantry's growth. Furthermore, we have significant confidence in Ilan and his team at Unity Wireless to successfully integrate Avantry's dedicated individuals and management team into an organization positioned to capitalize on the many opportunities in the wireless markets."

About Avantry (www.avantry.com)

Avantry is a leader in the area of advanced broadband business transmissions. With solid technological foundations in digital microwave radio, optical and Ethernet networking, Avantry enables rapid and cost-effective high-capacity network connectivity for mobile cellular infrastructure, fixed networks, private networks and enterprises.

About Unity Wireless (www.unitywireless.com)

Unity Wireless is a developer of wireless systems and coverage-enhancement solutions for wireless communications networks. The products that Unity Wireless develops and sells are an integral part of the base station and repeater infrastructure that comprise the backbone of wireless communications networks around the world. From analog cellular to 3G mobile, and from 450 MHz to 3.5 GHz, Unity Wireless products deliver enhanced efficiency and performance with field-proven quality and reliability in thousands of wireless products around the world.

actr

10.02.2006, 15:10

Fortune Brands Announces Home Products Acquisition; Company to Buy SBR, Inc., Maker of Simonton Windows, a Leader in Growing Vinyl-Framed Window Category; High-Return Acquisition Expected to Benefit EPS in 2006

DEERFIELD, Ill., Feb 10, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO) today announced a definitive agreement to acquire SBR, Inc. and its leading brands in the growing markets for vinyl-framed windows and composite millwork.
The largest brand of privately-held SBR is Simonton Windows, the fast-growing #3 vinyl-framed window brand in North America and a leader in the replacement window category.

Simonton, which accounts for more than three quarters of SBR's approximately $565 million in annual revenues, is an innovative brand that benefits from several favorable industry trends in the fragmented $10 billion windows market.

-- Vinyl-framed windows, which offer excellent energy efficiency and durability, are benefiting from a materials conversion at the expense of wood and aluminum-framed windows.

-- Vinyl-framed windows currently represent more than half of all windows sold and 60% of the windows used in the retrofit (replacement) market.

-- The demand for vinyl windows is projected to grow in both the retrofit and new construction segments over the next several years.

-- The majority of Simonton's sales come from the retrofit segment.

Simonton a Leader in Attractive Retrofit Window Category

--------------------------------------------------------

"This acquisition is another excellent high-return growth opportunity and the next logical step in building our successful Home & Hardware business," said Fortune Brands chairman and chief executive officer Norm Wesley. "As a leader in the most attractive segment of the windows market - highly-profitable vinyl replacement windows - Simonton is a strong and growing brand with unsurpassed nationwide reach. With its innovative StormBreaker Plus windows, Simonton is also number one and growing in the rapidly expanding vinyl hurricane-resistant window category. Just as we're seeing our Therma-Tru fiberglass entry doors gain share from wood and steel, vinyl has become the material of choice in windows and that trend is expected to continue, especially as consumers increasingly seek to enhance the energy efficiency and aesthetics of their homes.

"We expect this high-return acquisition to be accretive from the start, adding six to eight cents per share in the first 12 months and even more in succeeding years," Wesley continued. The purchase price is approximately $630 million and is within the company's target valuation range for high-return acquisitions. The acquisition will be financed with a combination of stock and debt. "The use of stock for part of the purchase price was very appealing to the seller and gave us added flexibility in making a high-return acquisition at an attractive valuation that we believe serves our shareholders well. At this point, we expect the stock component will be in the range of 60-70% of the total purchase price, contingent on the elections by SBR's shareholders."

Simonton Well Positioned for Continued Growth

---------------------------------------------

"Simonton benefits from many of the same favorable demographics that support our faucet, cabinet and exterior door brands," said Bruce Carbonari, president and CEO of Fortune Brands Home & Hardware. "With its product quality and innovation, industry-leading commitment to 7-day delivery, national distribution, retrofit market strength and excellent management team, Simonton is well positioned to keep growing share. The addition of SBR's brands also creates opportunities for valuable cost synergies in materials, transportation and best practices across our Home & Hardware business, as well."

In addition to the Simonton brand, the acquisition also includes leading brands in adjacent growing markets: Fypon, the #1 brand in the fast-growing urethane millwork market; Dixie-Pacific and Hartmann-Sanders, leading brands of advanced-materials architectural columns and porch railings; and Hy-Lite, the leading brand of acrylic block windows. "We like the adjacent moldings category, which is seeing a migration to the advanced materials that are helping drive growth for Fypon, Dixie-Pacific, Hartmann-Sanders and Hy-Lite," Carbonari added. The acquisition does not include SBR's Woodcraft Supply business.

The acquired brands will join the Home & Hardware business of Fortune Brands, which includes Moen, the #1 faucet brand in North America, MasterBrand Cabinets, the #2 kitchen & bath cabinet business, Therma-Tru, the #1 brand of residential entry doors, Master Lock, the world's #1 padlock brand, and Waterloo, the world's largest manufacturer of tool storage. Fortune Brands' home and hardware brands generated more than $4 billion in sales in 2005.

SBR is based in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and operates 12 manufacturing facilities in seven U.S. states and one in China.
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, and is expected to close within the next few months.

About Fortune Brands

Fortune Brands, Inc. is a leading consumer brands company with annual sales exceeding $7 billion. Its operating companies have premier brands and leading market positions in home and hardware products, spirits and wine, and golf equipment. Home and hardware brands include Moen faucets, Aristokraft, Omega, Diamond and Schrock cabinets, Therma-Tru door systems, Master Lock padlocks and Waterloo tool storage sold by units of Fortune Brands Home & Hardware LLC. Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. is the company's spirits and wine business. Major spirits and wine brands include Jim Beam and Maker's Mark bourbons, Sauza tequila, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, DeKuyper cordials, Starbucks(TM) Coffee Liqueur, Laphroaig single malt Scotch and Clos du Bois and Geyser Peak wines. Acushnet Company's golf brands include Titleist, Cobra and FootJoy. Fortune Brands, headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol FO and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index.

actr

10.02.2006, 15:13

Cybex Reports 2005 Results; Q4 Pro Forma EPS of $.19 vs. $.10; Q4 Sales Increase 20%

MEDWAY, Mass., Feb 10, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cybex International, Inc. (AMEX: CYB), a leading exercise equipment manufacturer, today reported results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2005. Net sales for the fourth quarter 2005 were $36,000,000, compared to $29,890,000 for the corresponding 2004 period, an increase of 20%. For the year ended December 31, 2005, net sales were $114,646,000, compared to net sales of $103,421,000 for 2004, an increase of 11%. Excluding a fourth quarter 2005 litigation-related charge, the Company's fourth quarter 2005 pro forma net income was $2,943,000 or $0.19 per fully diluted share, compared to net income of $1,607,000, or $0.10 per fully diluted share, for the corresponding 2004 period. Excluding third and fourth quarter 2005 litigation-related charges, the pro forma net income for the year ended December 31, 2005 was $4,666,000, or $0.30 per fully diluted share, compared to net income of $2,949,000, or $0.24 per fully diluted share, for the corresponding 2004 period. On a GAAP basis, the Company reported net income for fourth quarter of $2,439,000, or $0.16 per fully diluted share and for the year ended December 31, 2005 of $61,000, or $0.00 per fully diluted share.
Actual GAAP results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2005 include an increase in the Company's litigation reserve primarily related to the previously announced appellate decision in the Kirila matter, resulting in a pre-tax charge of $504,000. Actual GAAP results for the year ended December 31, 2005 also include increases in the Company's litigation reserve related to a jury verdict and a reversal of summary judgment in two patent infringement cases during the third quarter which, together with the fourth quarter increase described above, resulted in pretax charges for the year totaling $4,605,000. While CYBEX will continue to vigorously appeal or defend each of these matters, the Company believes it has sufficient liquidity to satisfy any final awards if these matters are ultimately determined adversely to the Company.

John Aglialoro, Chairman and CEO, stated, "The results of our efforts over the last nine months culminated in our strong fourth quarter. We are pleased with our sales performance and the improvement in gross margins for the quarter. Most importantly, we introduced two new product categories, the LCX 425T light commercial treadmill and the virtual reality Trazer, which will open new markets for CYBEX. We also solidified our core strength business with the introduction of the exciting VR3 line. We are determined to continue our momentum in 2006 with an aggressive new product development schedule."

Cybex International, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of premium exercise equipment for commercial and consumer use. The CYBEX product line includes a full range of both strength training and cardio training machines sold worldwide under the CYBEX brand. Products and programs are designed and engineered to reflect the natural movement of the human body, assisting each unique user - from the professional athlete to the first-time exerciser - to improve daily human performance. For more information on CYBEX and its product line, please visit the Company's website at www.cybexinternational.com.

actr

10.02.2006, 15:17

10.02.2006 15:07
US Vorbörse: Gemischtes Bild

http://img.godmode-trader.de/charts/46/2005/ISLAND43.gif

actr

10.02.2006, 15:21

MORNING UPDATE: Seven Summits Research Issues Alerts MFE, MET, CVH, ACI, and AMLN

CHICAGO, Feb 10, 2006 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Seven Summits Research issues the following Morning Update at 8:30 AM EST with new PriceWatch Alerts for key stocks.
Before the open... PriceWatch Alerts for MFE, MET, CVH, ACI, and AMLN, Market Overview, News Leaders and Laggards, Today's Economic Calendar, and the Quote Of The Day.

Michael Moskow, President, Chicago Federal Reserve Bank

New PriceWatch Alerts MFE, MET, CVH, ACI, and AMLN

PRICEWATCH ALERTS -- HIGH RETURN COVERED CALL OPTIONS --

-- McAfee Inc. (NYSE: MFE)

Last Price 21.88 - JUN 20.00 CALL OPTION@ $3.20 -> 7.1 % Return assigned*

-- MetLife Inc. (NYSE: MET)

Last Price 49.20 - SEP 45.00 CALL OPTION@ $6.50 -> 5.4 % Return assigned*

-- Coventry Health Care Inc. (NYSE: CVH)

Last Price 59.32 - JUL 55.00 CALL OPTION@ $7.60 -> 6.3 % Return assigned*

-- Arch Coal Inc. (NYSE: ACI)

Last Price 78.80 - APR 75.00 CALL OPTION@ $8.10 -> 6.1 % Return assigned*

-- Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: AMLN)

Last Price 38.10 - APR 35.00 CALL OPTION@ $5.30 -> 6.7 % Return assigned*

MARKET OVERVIEW

In overseas trading only four of the 15 foreign markets that we track are in positive territory. The cumulative average return is -0.157 percent. The Japan, the Nikkei plunged 181.8 points. The Bank of Korea raised interest rates by a quarter point, and speculation in Tokyo turned to the Bank of Japan's response. In Europe, the French CAC40, the German DAX and the FTSE 100 are all down, but in percentage terms, the losses are so small, they appear as 0.0 in our tables.

Strong investment and physical demand for gold picked up after prices fell to a three-week low yesterday. The precious metal gained $14.30 an ounce, or 2.6 percent, to close at $566.10 an ounce after climbing as high as $568.40 an ounce. Other metals were able to follow gold's lead. March silver futures tacked on 22 cents to close at $9.66 an ounce. April platinum finished $18.50 an ounce higher at $1.073.90 an ounce, palladium added $11.70 an ounce to finish at $304.45, and copper added 3.05 cents to close at $2.305 a pound.

Natural gas futures dropped more than three percent yesterday, propelling the March contract to its lowest closing level in nearly a year. This drop seems to indicate that most traders are convinced that U.S. inventories of the commodity will continue to run well above normal. Crude prices inched seven cents higher to finish at $62.62 per barrel following yesterday's surprise decrease in supplies. One analyst theorized that prices will "probably stay above $60 for the remainder of the first quarter." March unleaded gasoline finished at $1.5143 a gallon, 3.38 cents lower, and at their lowest point since last June.

Yesterday, the hotel chain Marriott reported a 25% jump during the fourth quarter, which smashed Wall Street earnings estimates by a full nine cents. Marriott expects to remain strong in 2006 thanks to higher room rates and a surge in business travel, both domestically and abroad. Wedding planning company The Knot also beat earnings expectations, but by a lesser margin of two cents. The company's 2005 net income tripled on a 24% revenue gain, while profits from online advertising jumped 47%. In response, shares raced to a new 52-week high of US$15.29. Among others raising earnings guidance was Best Buy and Aetna. And earlier this week, Cisco reported a rise in earnings, while Pepsi's profits grew by 12%. The proverbial sky is not falling. According to Bloomberg, 66% of the 378 S&P 500 companies that have reported results so far have beaten analysts' estimates. That's up from the 63% that exceeded estimates by the end of January and compares with an average of 59% since 1994. And as earnings season winds down, the Financial Times is sticking by its predictions for the S&P 500 companies to finish with 13.4% growth in earnings per share. That would make it ten straight quarters in which the market has hit double-digit corporate earnings growth. At the recent World Money Show in Orlando, Florida, author Harry Dent remained adamantly bullish. He says the Dow will reach 14,000 and oil prices will decline US$40 per barrel by the end of 2006. In addition, the real estate market is overvalued by 35% and the stock market undervalued by 35%. Anything publicly traded will provide great returns for the next couple of years. The US has been able to harness the three fastest growing markets -- China, India and Russia. China will have US$1 trillion in currency surpluses in about six months, while GDP growth hit 9.8% in 2005. India is growing at 8%, with US$136 billion in foreign reserves, while Russia is swimming in cash and growing at a 7% rate, with US$164 billion in foreign reserves.

So far today, Microsoft, MetLife, and Pfizer lead the list of companies with the most news stories while Internet Initiative Japan and Arch Coal are showing a spike in news. Tribune Company, Boyd Gaming, and Panera Bread have the highest srtIndex scores to top the list of companies with positive news while Coventry Health Care and Expedia lead the list of companies with negative news reports. Dow Chemical has popped up with a high positive news sraIndex score.

actr

10.02.2006, 15:25

Freddie Mac Prices New $5 Billion Three-Year Reference Notes(R) Security

MCLEAN, Va., Feb 10, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) announced today that it priced its new 4.875% $5 billion three-year USD Reference Notes(R) security due on February 17, 2009. The issue, CUSIP number 3137EAAA7, was priced at 99.983 to yield 4.881%, or 28.0 basis points more than three-year U.S. Treasury Notes.
The new three-year Reference Notes security was offered via a syndicate of dealers headed by joint-leads Banc of America Securities, J.P. Morgan Chase and Merrill Lynch. An application was also made to list the issue on the Euro MTF market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.

Including today's offering, Freddie Mac has issued $14 billion of Reference Notes securities during 2006 and has approximately $218 billion in Reference Notes and Reference Bonds(R) securities outstanding.

Freddie Mac is a stockholder-owned company established by Congress in 1970 to support homeownership and rental housing. Freddie Mac fulfills its mission by purchasing residential mortgages and mortgage-related securities, which it finances primarily by issuing mortgage-related securities and debt instruments in the capital markets. Over the years, Freddie Mac has made home possible for one in six homebuyers and nearly four million renters in America. http://www.FreddieMac.com

actr

10.02.2006, 15:28

Second Progress Update on the Tailings Leak at North American Palladium's Lac des Iles Mine Trading Symbol TSX - PDL AMEX - PAL

TORONTO, Feb. 10, 2006 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- North American Palladium Ltd. announced today that milling operations at its Lac des Iles mine were resumed last night.
The leak, which occurred on Saturday, flooded the milling and primary crusher areas, leading to an initial shutdown of these operations. The mill has since been brought back online; however there was significant damage to the electrical switchgear at the primary crusher. Mill feed from the crushed ore stockpile will be supplemented with crushed ore from portable crushers. It is expected that the primary crusher will be fully operational by Tuesday of next week.

In making this announcement, Jim Excell, President and CEO, stated, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated team of employees at the mine site for their perseverance during this challenging time. Their hard work has proved to be invaluable and I am confident that the primary crusher will be operating by mid-next week."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

North American Palladium's Lac des Iles Mine is Canada's only primary producer of platinum group metals and is one of the largest open pit bulk mineable palladium reserves in the world. The Company also earns substantial revenue from by-product nickel, platinum, gold and copper. In addition to operating Lac des Iles, the Company's mandate is to expand its production profile through an aggressive exploration campaign, designed to increase its exposure to base and precious metals. Palladium use in the auto industry continues to be an important component in controlling exhaust emissions as mandated by more stringent hydrocarbon emissions standards for cars, particularly in the United States, Europe and Japan. Palladium is also used in the dental, electronics, jewellery and chemical sectors.

actr

10.02.2006, 15:30

10.02.2006 15:23
US-Markt dürfte unentschlossen starten
Knapp vor Beginn des Handels in den USA treten die Futures weitgehend auf der Stelle. Sowohl NASDAQ-Future als auch S&P-Future notieren jeweils nahe der Nullzone. Gemäß den vorbörslichen Indikatoren ist daher von wenig veränderten Eröffnungsverläufen beim Dow Jones und an der Technologiebörse NASDAQ auszugehen.

Für nur geringe vorbörsliche Impulse sorgte die Veröffentlichung des US-Handelsbilanzsaldos zu Dezember. Das Defizit nahm gegenüber dem Vormonat um 1,5 Prozent auf 65,7 Milliarden Dollar zu. Volkswirte rechneten mit einem weniger starken Anstieg auf 64,6 Milliarden Dollar. Nachdem am Vortag die US-Indizes aufgrund von Ängsten über weitere Zinsanhebungen durch die US-Notenbank ihre zwischenzeitlich eingefahrenen Zugewinne zum Schmelzen brachten, sind die Aussichten für den Wochenausklang vorerst von Unsicherheit getragen. Zur Zeit halten sich auch die Chancen, dass der Softwarekonzern Oracle mit seinen am Vortag nach Börsenschluss veröffentlichten Prognosen einen Impuls für eine Erholung liefert, in Grenzen. Orcacle geben vorbörslich um 1 Prozent auf 12,56 Dollar nach.

actr

10.02.2006, 18:50

TriZetto Group, Inc. (The)
10.02.06 18:33 Uhr

19,03 USD

+14,23 % [+2,37
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Börse
NASDAQ

Aktuell
19,03 USD

Zeit
10.02.06 18:33

Diff. Vortag
+14,23 %

Tages-Vol.
34,57 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
2,4 Mio

BUYINS.NET: TriZetto Group (TZIX) SqueezeTrigger Price Is $13.34. Short Sellers Are Down Approximately $11 Million After Q4 Beats Expectations And Guidance Updated.

Feb 10, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- BUYINS.NET, www.buyins.net, announced today that the 1.9 million shares declared short on TriZetto Group (NASDAQ: TZIX) have a SqueezeTrigger Price of $13.34 per share. TriZetto reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the full-year 2005 of $0.48, on revenue of $292.2 million. EPS performance was $0.03 better than the high end of the company's guidance range and represents an increase of 167% over full-year 2004 EPS. The health insurer said it expects first-quarter earnings of 11 cents to 14 cents a share on revenue of about $77 million to $81 million. For 2006, TriZetto said it expects to earn 52 cents to 60 cents a share, which includes stock-based compensation expense of 10 cents to 14 cents a share. Revenue for the year is expected to be between $315 million and $330 million for the year. According to Reuters Estimates, two analysts on average expect the company to report first-quarter earnings of 14 cents a share, excluding exceptional items, on revenue of $77.0 million. For 2006, three analysts on average expect the company to earn 56 cents a share, excluding exceptional items, on revenue of $315.9 million. Short sellers are down approximately $11 million as the stock is currently trading near $19.27. To access SqueezeTrigger Prices ahead of short squeezes beginning, visit http://www.buyins.net From January 2005 to January 2006, an aggregate amount of 24,107,601 shares of TZIX have been shorted for a total dollar value of $321 million. The TZIX SqueezeTrigger price of $13.34 is the volume weighted average price that all shorts are short in shares of TZIX. Since crossing above the SqueezeTrigger Price, shares of TZIX are up nearly 44%. There is still approximately $36 million worth of potential short covering in shares of TZIX.
The TriZetto Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: TZIX) engages in the development, licensing, and supporting of proprietary and third party software products for the healthcare industry in the United States. It offers proprietary enterprise administration software, including Facets, QicLink, and Facts; specialized component software, including NetworX products, CareAdvance care management software, HealthWeb suite of Web application software, and Workflow add-on modules; outsourced business services, including software hosting, business process outsourcing, physician credentialing, and information technology outsourcing; and consulting services, such as software implementation and hosting. The TriZetto Group provides access to its hosted solutions either through the Internet or through traditional networks. The company offers its products and services to health payers, benefits administrators, and physician groups. The TriZetto Group was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Newport Beach, California.

actr

10.02.2006, 18:57

Pain Therapeutics
10.02.06 18:41 Uhr

10,18 USD

+11,87 % [+1,08]
http://isht.comdirect.de/charts/big.chart?hist=1d&type=CONNECTLINE&ind0=VOLUME&&currency=&&lSyms=PTIE.NAS&lColors=0x000000&sSym=PTIE.NAS&hcmask=
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Börse
NASDAQ

Aktuell
10,18 USD

Zeit
10.02.06 18:41

Diff. Vortag
+11,87 %

Tages-Vol.
67,20 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
8 Mio.

About Pain Therapeutics, Inc.

We are a biopharmaceutical company that develops novel drugs. We have two drug candidates, Remoxy(TM) and Oxytrex(TM), in Phase III clinical programs. Both drugs target different segments of the multi-billion dollar market to treat severe chronic pain, such as persistent low-back pain or pain due to advanced stages of osteoarthritis.

actr

10.02.2006, 19:12

SALESFORCE.COM INC
10.02.06 18:50 Uhr

33,64 USD

-14,55 % [-5,73]
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Börse
NYSE

Aktuell
33,64 USD

Zeit
10.02.06 18:50

Diff. Vortag
-14,55 %

Tages-Vol.
207,60 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
6,1 Mio.

Schaeffer's Daily Market Blog Features Cisco Systems, Delta Petroleum, Salesforce.com, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Citigroup

CINCINNATI, Feb 08, 2006

:43 PM More Skepticism on Salesforce.com

Salesforce.com (NYSE:CRM) is at an interesting juncture... You might remember that I discussed the stock last week after an article in Barron's raised some concerns. In that post I said:

"While there seems to be some concerns about how far the stock has run, the daily charts show a very orderly uptrend. The shares recently paused at resistance near 36 and this former resistance should now be expected to serve as support since it has been penetrated. This zone also lines up with the lower rail of the uptrending channel and the 50-day moving average (black line). "

Then, this morning, we saw more skepticism from an article in BusinessWeek, which comes as the stock is pulling back to test that support.

I just checked data from Zacks and found analysts are still on the sidelines, as just 8 of 23 analysts (35 percent) rank the stock with a "buy" rating. Combine that apathy with relatively high short interest (13-percent of float), and the sentiment still looks encouraging, especially if the stock can hold above this support.

In my last post, I noted that I couldn't find a firm date listed for the next earnings release, but it looks like their events calendar now shows February 22 as the expected date, so keep that in mind.

actr

10.02.2006, 19:26

MCAFEE, INC
10.02.06 19:04 Uhr

24,8099 USD

+13,39 % [+2,9299]
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Börse
NYSE

Aktuell
24,8099 USD

Zeit
10.02.06 19:04

Diff. Vortag
+13,39 %

Tages-Vol.
170,70 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
7,6 Mio

McAfee, Inc. Participates in Homeland Security Cyber Storm Exercise Cyber Storm Provides DHS a Nationwide Cyber Security Exercise to Assess the Preparedness Capabilities in Response to a Cyber Incident of National Significance

WASHINGTON, Feb 10, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- McAfee, Inc. (NYSE: MFE), the leading dedicated security technology company, today announced that it participated in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cyber Storm Exercise -- the federal government's first national full scale exercise to assess preparedness capabilities in response to a cyber incident of national significance. Cyber Storm exercised prevention and response capabilities across the private sector as well as international, federal and state governments.
Cyber Storm simulated a sophisticated cyber attack scenario in which the attacks were pre-scripted and executed in a closed and secure environment to simulate realism for the participants. The cyber attacks included disrupting elements of the energy and transportation infrastructure and also targeted federal, state and international governments with the intent of disrupting government operations and degrading public confidence.

"Defending the nation's critical infrastructure is a vital task," said Jimmy Kuo, research fellow, McAfee(R) AVERT(R) Labs. "We are pleased that we were able to assist DHS in this endeavor. We will review the lessons learned through this exercise to better prepare in the event of a national cyber incident."

Cyber Storm is intended to provide an assessment of communications, coordination and partnerships across critical infrastructure sectors. Participants included members of the public sector, both federal and state agencies; the private sector including IT, telecommunications, energy and transportations companies; and international government partners. The participants provided additional support staff to assist in the plan and control of the exercise to ensure that it met their organizations' training needs and supported the interests of their constituents.

About McAfee, Inc.

McAfee, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, California, the leading dedicated security technology company, delivers proactive and proven solutions and services that secure systems and networks around the world. With its unmatched security expertise and commitment to innovation, McAfee empowers home users, businesses, the public sector, and service providers with the ability to block attacks, prevent disruptions, and continuously track and improve their security. www.mcafee.com

actr

10.02.2006, 21:28

Forschung: Google investiert in Handschriften-Texterkennung 10.02.2006, 20:29
zur Übersicht
Google hat an der Dublin City University (DCU) ein Projekt ins Leben gerufen, bei dem die Forschungsgruppe Adaptive Information Cluster (AIC) mit zwei amerikanischen Unis zusammen daran arbeitet, alte Manuskripte und andere historische Dokumente durchsuchbar zu machen. Dazu muss eine Handschrifterkennung vorgenommen werden, was ungleich größeren Probleme mit sich bringt, als sie sich bei ausschließlich gedruckten Buchstaben ergeben.

Das Forschungsvorhaben ist Teil des von Google formulierten Ziels, irgendwann alle Informationen recherchierbar zu machen. Die Forschung in Irland hat zum Ziel, beispielsweise das Book of Kells oder die Tagebücher von George Washington textlich zu erfassen und damit weltweit verfügbar zu machen.

Derzeit befinden sich solche Dokumente meist hinter verschlossenen Türen oder sind nur Seite für Seite für das Internet eingescannt, was zwar die Verfügbarkeit verbessert, das Durchsuchen aber nicht erleichtert.

Das Forschungsteam der DCU wird angeführt von Professor Alan Smeaton und Dr.

Noel OConnor, die international anerkannte Experten auf dem Gebiet der Videoanalyse sind und dieses Wissen auf die Handschrifterkennung in Dokumenten anwenden wollen.

Die verwendeten Algorithmen stammen ursprünglich aus der Objekterkennung in Videos. Dabei müssen Bilder von Menschen, Autos und anderen Objekten in verschiedenen Winkeln und Positionen zuverlässig wiedererkannt werden. Mit einigen Abwandlungen konnte man das System auch zum Erkennen von Handschriften einzelner Wörter und Buchstaben in verschiedenen Variationen nutzen.

Dr. OConnor führte aus, dass man bei Handschriften sehr gute Erkennungsraten erziele, wenn nach der Form ganzer Wörter gesucht würde, selbst wenn der Autor beim Schreiben jedes Mal leichte Veränderungen vornimmt. Man habe mit der Methode bereits hunderte Seiten der Tagebücher Washingtons erfasst, so OConnor.

Professor Smeaton bemerkte, dass mit der Methode historische Manuskripte für Forscher und andere in einer Art und Weise aufbereiten werden könnten, die niemals zuvor möglich war. Weltweit erfassen Bibliotheken mittlerweile ihre historischen Bestände digital - die Texterkennung könnte sich dem anschließen und man könnte die Inhalte über Google weltweit verfügbar und durchsuchbar machen.

Das Forschungsprojekt wird am ACI der DCU in Partnerschaft mit der Universität Buffalo und der Universität Massachusetts am Standort Amherst durchgeführt.

Der Adaptive Information Cluster (AIC) an der Dublin City University (DCU) wurde vor zwei Jahren ins Leben gerufen und wird von der Science Foundation Ireland finanziert. Die multidisziplinäre Forschungsgruppe besteht aus Informatikern, Elektroingenieuren sowie Spezialisten auf dem Gebiet der Sensortechnik und der Software-Entwicklung.
Links zu diesem Artikel:
DCU - Dublin City University (.ie)

actr

10.02.2006, 21:47

Genta Incorporated
10.02.06 21:22 Uhr

2,82 USD

-10,19 % [-0,32]

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Börse
NASDAQ

Aktuell
2,82 USD

Zeit
10.02.06 21:22

Diff. Vortag
-10,19 %

Tages-Vol.
44,64 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
16 Mio.

About Genta

Genta Incorporated is a biopharmaceutical company with a diversified product portfolio that is focused on delivering innovative products for the treatment of patients with cancer. The Company's research platform is anchored by two major programs that center on oligonucleotides (RNA- and DNA- based medicines) and small molecules. Genasense(R) (oblimersen sodium) Injection is the Company's lead compound from its oligonucleotide program. The Company has recently submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the use of Genasense plus fludarabine and cyclophosphamide for treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Genta has also completed a Marketing Authorization Application to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for use of Genasense plus dacarbazine for treatment of patients with advanced melanoma. The leading drug in Genta's small molecule program is Ganite(R) (gallium nitrate injection), which the Company is exclusively marketing in the U.S. for treatment of patients with cancer related hypercalcemia that is resistant to hydration. For more information about Genta, please visit our website at: www.genta.com.

actr

13.02.2006, 14:23

US Financial Network: Wal-Mart Seen Key to Mexico Port Expansion and Pet Ecology Brands, Inc. Announces Initiatives to Extend Its Brand Identification in the Consumer Market

Feb 13, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- City of Industry, CA - Specialty Retail industry news provided by Financial News USA (OTC: FNWU) Top retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE:WMT) and Hong Kong magnate Li ka-Shing are key players in a $300 million expansion of Mexico's Pacific port of Lazaro Cardenas aimed at ensuring goods reach U.S. shelves, according to the U.S. railroad that serves the port. Port of Chelan County officials said that Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq: YHOO) plans to open a new facility at the north-central Washington area's Confluence Technology Center in Wenatchee. The number of jobs to be created by the online information firm, which will become the center's largest tenant, was not disclosed, but port officials said it "is not expected to be a large number."
Skype(TM), an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY), recently announced SkypeWeb, a Web presence feature that is already integrated into more than 50 Web sites in 20 countries around the world. SkypeWeb allows people to see Skype users' online status and call or chat with them from any Web site as well as Skype people from each site with the simple click of a mouse. Pet Ecology Brands, Inc. (Other OTC:PECB) -- www.petecology.com -- announced that the Company has adopted several initiatives to increase consumer awareness of its product lines and national recognition of its corporate identity. Pet Ecology is now an official sponsor of ARFHouse, the third largest care-for-life, no-kill pet sanctuary in the U.S. As part of its sponsorship, the Company will be participating in the "Love a Homeless Pet" campaign

actr

13.02.2006, 14:41

LabCorp(R) Now Offering UGT1A1 Pharmacogenetic Test for Dosing Colorectal Cancer Therapy Rights to Test for UGT1A1 Mutations Associated with Serious Adverse Reaction to Irinotecan Hydrochloride Sublicensed from Mayo Foundation

BURLINGTON, N.C., Feb. 13, 2006 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Laboratory Corporation of America(R) Holdings (LabCorp(R)) (NYSE: LH) today announced the availability of a test for genetic variants in the UGT1A1 gene associated with excessive toxicity in individuals treated with the late-stage colorectal cancer drug irinotecan hydrochloride (Camptosar(R)). The rights to perform the test have been sublicensed to LabCorp by the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
In the US, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women, affecting approximately 145,000 people each year. As many as 50 percent of those cases are metastatic and candidates for irinotecan-containing therapy. Polymorphisms in the UGT1A1 gene can affect an individual's ability to efficiently metabolize irinotecan, and are known to increase that individual's risk for severe toxicity from the drug. By identifying the genetic variants in the gene, physicians can better understand the potential risk of an adverse reaction and customize the dosage of irinotecan to optimize its benefits while minimizing potentially serious side effects.

"Physicians try to be aggressive in treating metastatic colorectal cancer with powerful drugs like irinotecan, yet the therapeutic level can be very close to the toxic level in those individuals with genetic variants in UGT1A1," said Myla P. Lai-Goldman, M.D., Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer and Medical Director of LabCorp. "Pharmacogenetic tests like UGT1A1 are a critical tool for helping physicians set drug dosage levels appropriate for each of their patients, and LabCorp is pleased to add this test to our growing arsenal of leading-edge diagnostic tests."

About LabCorp(R)

Laboratory Corporation of America(R) Holdings, an S&P 500 company with a BBB investment-grade credit rating, is a pioneer in commercializing new diagnostic technologies and the first in its industry to embrace genomic testing. With annual revenues of $3.1 billion in 2004, approximately 24,000 employees nationwide, and more than 220,000 clients, LabCorp offers clinical assays ranging from routine blood analyses to HIV and genomic testing. LabCorp combines its expertise in innovative clinical testing technology with its Centers of Excellence: The Center for Molecular Biology and Pathology, in Research Triangle Park, NC; National Genetics Institute, Inc. in Los Angeles, CA; ViroMed Laboratories, Inc. based in Minneapolis, MN; The Center for Esoteric Testing in Burlington, NC; DIANON Systems, Inc. based in Stratford, CT, US LABS based in Irvine, CA, and Esoterix and its Colorado Coagulation, Endocrine Sciences, and Cytometry Associates laboratories. LabCorp clients include physicians, government agencies, managed care organizations, hospitals, clinical labs, and pharmaceutical companies. To learn more about our growing organization, visit our web site at: www.LabCorp.com.

actr

13.02.2006, 14:44

Replidyne and Forest Laboratories Announce Faropenem Medoxomil Licensing Agreement

Feb 13, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Replidyne, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company and Forest Laboratories Holdings, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX) announced today that the two companies have entered into an agreement for the commercialization, development and distribution of Replidyne's new oral antibiotic, faropenem medoxomil, in the United States.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001011/FORESTLOGO )

On December 20, 2005, Replidyne submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for faropenem medoxomil for the treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis, community-acquired pneumonia, acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections in adults. The NDA is based on the results of 11 Phase III efficacy studies in these indications and a safety database of more than 5,000 patients treated with the product. Replidyne and Forest are coordinating additional studies including studies in support of pediatric indications.

Under the terms of the agreement, Forest will make a $50 million upfront payment to Replidyne as well as potential future milestone payments. In addition, Replidyne will receive royalty payments based on faropenem medoxomil sales. Forest and Replidyne will jointly oversee the development and regulatory approval of faropenem medoxomil and share all expenses for current and future development programs. Forest will be primarily responsible for sales and marketing of faropenem medoxomil and Replidyne intends to market the product to infectious disease specialists and otolaryngologists. Replidyne also has an option to market and promote the product to pediatricians upon FDA approval of a pediatric formulation.

"Forest has a proven track record of launching branded products in the primary care market, and they will be an ideal partner," said Kenneth Collins, President and Chief Executive Officer of Replidyne. "Forest has consistently demonstrated the commitment and knowledge necessary for a successful product launch. The Replidyne team looks forward to working with Forest on co- promotion and continued development of faropenem medoxomil to maximize its significant market potential."

Howard Solomon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Forest, said: "We are very pleased to have entered into this agreement with Replidyne for faropenem medoxomil. Antibiotics are a new and we believe important area for Forest to add to our CNS and cardiovascular franchises. Upon FDA approval, faropenem medoxomil will be the first orally available penem in the U.S. Faropenem medoxomil also has other desirable features which we expect will enable it to achieve a significant position in the armamentarium of antibiotics prescribed by physicians. We are also especially delighted to be entering into this partnership with Replidyne, whose principals have expertise in the development and marketing of antibiotics, which will be immensely useful in establishing faropenem medoxomil."

About Faropenem Medoxomil

Faropenem medoxomil is an ester prodrug derivative of the beta-lactam antibiotic faropenem. The prodrug form of faropenem offers dramatically improved oral bioavailability and leads to higher systemic concentrations of the drug. Faropenem medoxomil is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is highly resistant to beta-lactamase degradation. The NDA submitted to the FDA in December 2005 is subject to FDA acceptance.

Replidyne licensed exclusive rights to faropenem medoxomil in March 2004 from Daiichi Asubio Pharma Co., Ltd. for the U.S. and Canada and an exclusive option to the rest of the world, except Japan. The product was known at that time as faropenem daloxate. In addition to five years of Hatch-Waxman exclusivity granted upon approval, faropenem medoxomil is protected by an issued U.S. composition of matter patent expiring in 2015. Extension of exclusivity under Hatch-Waxman legislation is expected.

About Replidyne

Replidyne, Inc., is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative anti-infective products. Replidyne's current development programs include higher dose/shorter course therapy, additional indications for adults, and a pediatric formulation of faropenem medoxomil. Replidyne's pipeline also includes a topical antibiotic, REP8839, which has a novel mechanism of action for addressing the major challenge of methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Replidyne also has discovery programs directed to the inhibition of bacterial DNA replication, which could result in therapies to treat a wide range of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. For additional information about Replidyne, Inc., please visit: www.replidyne.com.

About Forest Laboratories Inc. and Its Products:

Forest Laboratories' (www.frx.com) growing line of products includes: Lexapro(R) (escitalopram oxalate), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant indicated for the initial and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder and for generalized anxiety disorder in adults; Namenda(R) (memantine HCl), an N- methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease; Benicar(R)* (olmesartan medoxomil), an angiotensin receptor blocker indicated for the treatment of hypertension; Benicar* HCT(R) (olmesartan medoxomil hydrochlorothiazide), an angiotensin receptor blocker and diuretic combination product indicated for the second- line treatment of hypertension; Campral(R)* (acamprosate calcium), a glutamate receptor modulator, indicated for the maintenance of abstinence from alcohol in patients with alcohol dependence who are abstinent at treatment initiation in combination with psychosocial support; and Combunox(TM) (oxycodone HCl and ibuprofen), an opioid and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) combination indicated for the short-term management of acute, moderate to severe pain.

actr

13.02.2006, 14:49

Stockguru.com: Guru Alerts for Monday, February 13, 2006 HSTT, USXP, WDPT, EYII.

Dallas, Texas, Feb 13, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Stock Guru Alerts for Monday include HS3 Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: HSTT), Universal Express, Inc (OTCBB: USXP), WidePoint Corporation (OTCBB: WDPT), and EYI Industries, Inc (OTCBB: EYII)

HS3 Technologies Inc. (OTCBB: HSTT) traded as much as 2.22% over open on Friday To View the of HS3 Technologies, Inc., provides 'best of breed' proprietary homeland security surveillance products that broadcast real-time video and data on the new cost-effective, higher-speed satellite Ka-band. HS3 products coupled with the Ka-band platform provides customers with a complete, one-stop solution to current and future high-speed internet and surveillance needs. HS3 can supply high-speed satellite internet access and integrated security technologies to any location in the country, at higher speeds and lower costs. The combination of technologies, in an integrated system, is capable of securely transmitting information, high speed internet, random numerical biometric authorization and remote security systems for multiple users at distant locations is unique and gives HS3 a competitive advantage. For more information visit http://www.HS3tech.com.

Universal Express, Inc. (OTCBB: USXP) traded as much as 35.71% over open on Friday.

Universal Express, Inc. is a 23 year old logistics and transportation conglomerate with multiple developing subsidiaries and services. For additional information please visit www.usxp.com.

WidePoint Corporation (OTCBB: WDPT) traded as much as 7.14% over open on Friday WidePoint (OTC Bulletin Board: WDPT - News) is a technology-based provider of products and services to both the government sector and commercial markets. WidePoint presently specializes in providing systems engineering and information technology services as well as PKI eAuthentication and credentialing services. WidePoint's wholly owned subsidiary, Operational Research Consultants, Inc. (ORC) is at the forefront of implementing public key infrastructure eAuthentication and credentialing services. The company's identity management and eAuthentication services have received three major U.S. federal government certifications. WidePoint's profile of customers encompasses U.S. federal government agencies such as the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S Treasury Department and the Department of Justice as well as major transnational corporations such as Abbott Laboratories, Baxter Healthcare, Conseco, Boeing Aerospace, and Northrup Grumman. For more information including an online investor (OTCBB: EYII) closed down at 9.11%, trading 12,285,868 shares on Friday.

EYI Industries Inc., through its subsidiary Essentially Yours Industries, Inc. (EYI), markets products that promote health and well-being. Recently, EYI launched a consumer product that removes arsenic and other contaminates to a negligible level from drinking water. The portable water filtration product's name is Code Blue(tm) and is exclusively provided to EYI. In addition, EYI sells dietary supplements and personal care products. A large portion of sales are from CALORAD(r), a liquid protein supplement that has brought weight loss benefits to its customers. More than six million bottles of CALORAD(r) have been sold since EYI was founded in 1995. The newest product, PROSOTEINE(r), is experiencing similar success to CALORAD(r) and bringing customers the benefits of a natural energy drink.

EYI markets its products through an extensive network of independent business associates. The Company's sales force is staffed by knowledgeable, experienced men and women and supported by its comprehensive training programs.

actr

13.02.2006, 14:52

Stockguru.com: Guru Alerts for Monday, February 13, 2006 NXPW, PTSC, PAPO, CAMH.

Dallas, Texas, Feb 13, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Stock Guru Alerts for Monday include NextPhase Wireless, Inc. (OTCBB: NXPW), Patriot Scientific Corporation (OTCBB: PTSC), Pangea Petroleum Corporation (OTCBB: PAPO), and Cambridge Heart, Inc. (OTCBB: CAMH)

NextPhase Wireless, Inc. (OTCBB: NXPW) closed down at 8.00%, trading 22,127 shares on Friday.

To Wireless is a next-generation connectivity company that specializes in delivering integrated Internet, voice and data communication solutions to its customers. The Company designs, deploys and operates its own wireless networks and also provides wireless technology solutions to businesses and municipalities. The Company is an active member of the WiMAX Forum(TM) and the Wireless Communications Association International (WCA). Leveraging its full-service capabilities and world-class infrastructure, NextPhase Wireless offers a comprehensive portfolio of broadband solutions that meet customers' needs today, and can anticipate and grow to meet their needs of tomorrow.

Patriot Scientific Corporation (OTCBB: PTSC) traded as much as 8.65% over open on Friday.

Patriot Scientific (OTC Bulletin Board: PTSC.OB - News) has emerged as an effective and dynamic intellectual property company, developing and marketing innovative and proprietary semiconductor technologies. The company's portfolio of proprietary designs encompasses what is believed to be fundamental ultra-low-power array microprocessor technology, as well as pending patents designed to protect Patriot's proprietary technology and architecture. Detailed information about Patriot Scientific can be found on the website www.ptsc.com

Pangea Petroleum Corporation (OTCBB: PAPO) traded as much as 46.67% over open on Friday.

Pangea Petroleum Corporation (www.pangeapetroleum.com) is a Texas-based independent diversified crude oil and natural gas exploration and production company. Pangea's primary focus is to explore for, produce and sell oil and natural gas by establishing production reserves through exploration and acquisitions. Pangea's niche or specialty is the small or moderate operations that do not fit the strategy of the larger oil and gas producers, but are none-the-less contributors to the US energy supply.

Cambridge Heart, Inc. (OTCBB: CAMH) closed down at 17.64%, trading 1,790,114 shares on Friday.

Cambridge Heart is engaged in the research, development and commercialization of products for the non-invasive diagnosis of cardiac disease. Using innovative technologies, the Company is addressing such key problems in cardiac diagnosis as the identification of those at risk of sudden cardiac arrest. The Company's products incorporate its proprietary technology, Microvolt T-Wave Alternans, and are the only diagnostic tools cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to non-invasively measure microvolt levels of T-wave alternans. The Company, founded in 1990, is based in Bedford, Massachusetts and is traded on the OTCBB under the symbol CAMH. Cambridge Heart can be found on the World Wide Web at www.cambridgeheart.com.

actr

13.02.2006, 14:55

Stockguru.com: Guru Alerts for Monday, February 13, 2006 CKPY, GZFX, MVOG, CWPC.

Dallas, Texas, Feb 13, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Stock Guru Alerts for Monday include ClickPay Solutions, Inc. (OTC:CKPY), GameZnFlix, Inc. (OTCBB: GZFX), Maverick Oil & Gas, Inc (OTCBB: MVOG), and CanWest Petroleum Corporation (OTCBB: CWPC

ClickPay Solutions, Inc. (OTC:CKPY) remained unchanged at .66 per share, trading 9,119 shares on Friday.

ClickPay Solutions, Inc is a premier sales and marketing organization that provides 'Cashless-Check-Cashing' services to retail locations nationwide. The Company's unique service enables consumers to cash paychecks and have the funds loaded onto a stored value card (ATM). Funds from the paycheck are guaranteed to the merchant and the consumer is immediately able to utilize the value card wherever PIN-based MasterCards are accepted. Visit www.clickpaysolutions.com for more information GameZnFlix, Inc. (OTCBB: GZFX) traded as much as 12.86% over open on Friday GameZnFlix is a company that offers video games/DVDs for rental or purchase on the Internet with access to over 40,000 titles. With four different membership levels beginning at $8.99 a month to annual membership with an average price of $20.75 per month subscribers can rent a combination of both video games and/or DVD movies with no late fees or due dates or members can purchase video games and/or DVD movie titles at a membership discount.

Maverick Oil & Gas, Inc. (OTCBB: MVOG) traded as much as 2.13% over open on Friday.

Maverick Oil & Gas, Inc. is an early stage independent energy company engaged in oil and gas exploration, exploitation, development and production. The Company currently participates in these activities through the interests it holds in oil and gas exploration and development projects in Arkansas, Texas and Colorado. Its strategy is to continue the development of its current exploration projects and to expand operations by acquiring additional exploration opportunities and properties with existing production, taking advantage of the industry experience of its management team and modern techniques such as horizontal drilling and 3D seismic analysis.

CanWest Petroleum Corporation (OTCBB: CWPC) remained unchanged at 4.92 per share, trading 1,560,630 shares on Friday.

- CanWest Petroleum has the largest land holdings in the Athabasca Oil Sands region being 846,680 acres known as the Firebag East project.

- 3.4 billion barrel bitumen oil resource, known as the Eagle Nest Project, in the Athabasca Oil Sands of Alberta.

- 4.3 billion barrel oil shale resource, known as the Pasquia Hills Project, which contain petrochemical feedstocks including Benzenes and Naphthas.

- A senior US listings is planned in the near term.

actr

13.02.2006, 15:06

Sprint Nextel and Communications Workers of America Reach Agreement on Labor Issues Union Withdraws From Regulatory Review of New Local Service Company

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Feb 13, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) today announced an agreement covering labor relations issues for employees of Sprint Nextel's local communications company. The separation of the local communications company, which will be known as Embarq Corporation, from Sprint Nextel is expected to occur in the second quarter of this year.
CWA Telecommunications Vice President Jimmy Gurganus said in recent talks with Sprint Nextel that, "We received assurances over questions we had regarding the financial characteristics of the new company and the transfer of pension assets." As a result, he said, CWA has withdrawn its interventions in state regulatory proceedings.

"We wanted to make sure that the new company would have the resources to invest in the future, have the ability to compete successfully and provide quality service and secure jobs," Gurganus said. "As a result of our talks, we are now satisfied on that score."

"We are pleased that we were able to address the CWA's questions regarding the structure of the separation from Sprint Nextel," said Mike Fuller, Chief Operating Officer designee of Embarq. "We look forward to continuing to partner with the CWA to offer our customers the great products and services they have come to expect," he said.

CWA represents approximately 3,800 workers in the local telecommunications operations at Sprint Nextel in 12 states. Among the terms of the agreement:

actr

13.02.2006, 15:11

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(Printer friendly version) Glamis Gold Net Income More than Doubles in Fourth Quarter 2005

RENO, NEVADA, Feb 13, 2006 (CCNMatthews via COMTEX) -- All amounts in United States Dollars
Glamis Gold Ltd. (TSX:GLG)(AMEX: GLG) today reported net income of $15.1 million, or $0.12 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2005 compared to net income of $6.1 million, or $0.05 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2004. For the full year, net income was $27.1 million, or $0.21 per share.

Fourth Quarter and 2005 Highlights

- Achieved new quarterly and annual gold production records, producing 140,377 ounces of gold in the fourth quarter at a total cash cost of $181 per ounce, and 434,010 ounces of gold in 2005 at a total cash cost of $195.

- Increased cash flow from operations to $35.5 million in the fourth quarter and $89.0 million in 2005.

- Commenced commercial production at Marlin Mine in Guatemala.

- Completed first full year of commercial production at El Sauzal Mine in Mexico, exceeding production estimates by 13 percent.

- Updated the mineral resource estimate at Cerro Blanco Project in Guatemala, adding 1.27 million ounces of gold to the indicated category.

- Top performing stock in 2005 among precious metals mining companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange (independent research).

actr

13.02.2006, 15:17

Opsware Announces Worldwide Distribution Agreement with Cisco; Multimillion Dollar Global Distribution Agreement to Accelerate Opsware's Market Lead

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb 13, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Opsware Inc. (Nasdaq: OPSW), the leading provider of IT automation and utility computing software, today announced a multimillion dollar worldwide distribution agreement with Cisco Systems.
Under the terms of the agreement, Cisco will distribute Opsware's award-winning Network Automation System (NAS) under the Cisco Systems brand, through its worldwide direct sales force and channel partners. Opsware and the Cisco Network Management Technology Group will also collaborate on advanced network management solutions built on Opsware's Network Automation System.

Opsware's CEO, Ben Horowitz, stated, "This groundbreaking agreement for Opsware cements our lead in network automation and provides a strong upsell opportunity for Opsware's flagship product, the Opsware Server Automation System. Our Network Automation System will bring advanced network automation capabilities to Cisco's customer base, enabling them to lower the cost of network management including change, compliance and configuration management. Cisco's credibility in the marketplace and excellent customer relationships represent a tremendous opportunity to reach a broad range of customers who can benefit from our technology and its strong support for Cisco's products."

"Cisco is committed to providing customers with an automated management system that saves cost and time associated with network management operations," said Cliff Meltzer, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cisco's Network Management Technology Group. "Opsware's network configuration and change control management solution is an important extension to Cisco's Network Application Performance Analysis (NAPA) solution. This functionality helps customers automate configuration management across increasingly complex IT infrastructures, typically a manual and expensive process, and be able to meet regulatory and compliance procedures."

Opsware's Network Automation System, consistently ranked #1 in the market, is the leading network automation solution with the largest installed base of customers and the largest enterprise deployments. Opsware's NAS product excels in real-time change detection, configuration management and compliance management. Further, it is the only solution on the market proven to scale to tens of thousands of devices. Opsware NAS automates management of devices from all leading network manufacturers and supports over 500 device types.

About Opsware Inc. (Nasdaq: OPSW)

Opsware Inc. is the world's leading IT automation and utility computing software company. The growth of the Internet is driving a shift from client/server computing to Web architecture. With this shift comes an overwhelming proliferation of servers, networking devices and applications, creating massive complexity that makes an automated IT model a necessity. Opsware automates the complete IT lifecycle and delivers utility computing by enabling IT to automatically provision, patch, configure, secure, change, scale, audit, recover, consolidate, migrate, and reallocate servers, network devices and applications. Over 250 of the world's largest companies, outsourcers and government agencies use Opsware to deliver this new, automated model of IT. For more information on Opsware Inc., please visit our Web site at www.opsware.com.

Opsware is a service mark and trademark of Opsware Inc. All other product names, service marks, and trademarks mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

actr

13.02.2006, 15:21

Canon Expands Line of High Resolution REALiS Multimedia Projectors with Powerful Features for Multiple Market Needs New REALiS SX6, SX60, and X600 Projectors Feature Benefits for Photography, Design, CAD/Engineering, Medical Imaging, Higher Education

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., Feb 13, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Canon's three new Multimedia Projectors, the REALiS SX6, REALiS SX60, and REALiS X600 models now join the award-winning REALiS SX50 projector(1) to create a full line-up. Whether professional photographers or graphic artists needing to display large, high-resolution digital images with precise color; or educators projecting spreadsheets and technical drawings in stunning detail; or even the discerning home theatre enthusiasts, Canon's new REALiS Multimedia Projector line provides the features and performance to meet their needs.
"Our new family of REALiS Multimedia Projectors meets the needs of professional photographers, business presenters and home cinema enthusiasts, with outstanding image quality and detail," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group of Canon U.S.A., Inc. "These new projectors combine excellent value with the combination of exceptional brightness and contrast from our 'AISYS Enhanced' LCOS technology; and the one-touch simplified projector set-up for an unprecedented level of ease."

Unlocking the Power of LCOS: AISYS Technology

At the very heart of this new line of REALiS Multimedia Projectors is Canon's patented, proprietary latest generation AISYS (Aspectual Illumination System) optical system. In Canon's REALiS Multimedia Projectors, AISYS enhances LCOS technology to achieve crisp, color-rich, intricately detailed images by efficiently utilizing and equalizing light from the projector lamp. Canon's AISYS-enhanced LCOS technology displays exceptionally detailed, seamless, lattice-free motion or still images.

Astounding Color Reproduction: Canon REALiS SX6 Multimedia Projector

Canon's new REALiS SX6 Multimedia Projector offers smooth, lattice-free images, outstanding color reproduction with Adobe RGB and sRGB color support for professional artists, photographers, and printing professionals who require accurate results. This projector enables users to project their images with the clarity and color accuracy that matches the original images.

At 3500 ANSI Lumens, the REALiS SX6 projector clearly displays large images even in brightly lit environments, which can include shopping malls and museum exhibits. The model features 1400 x 1050 Super High Resolution (SXGA+) and 1000:1 contrast ratio. The manufacturers' suggested list price of the REALiS SX6 Multimedia Projector is $6,999, available in mid of May.

Canon's new REALiS SX6, SX60, and X600 Multimedia Projectors also include:

-- a wide, 1.7x Powered Canon Zoom Lens that increases the range of projector placement;

-- Auto Set-Up, which instantly identifies and selects the input source, corrects keystone distortion, sharpens focus, and adjusts for wall color; and

-- Off and Go, which allows users to simply unplug the power cord when they finish a presentation and start packing up while internal circuitry runs the fan and cools the projector.

-- HDCP Compliant DVI-I terminal, Motion Adaptive IP conversion and Film Mode (2-3 Pull down).

For more information, visit www.canonprojectors.com.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America and is rated #35 on the BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent holder of technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2005, with global revenues of $31.8 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

(1)Presentations, a long-time leading authority in the projector industry, recently selected the Canon REALiS SX50 Multimedia Projector as the winner of its "Standing Ovations Award" for the SXGA+ projector category.

actr

13.02.2006, 15:27

13.02.2006 15:11
VeriSign übernimmt österreichische 3united mobile solutions AG
Die amerikanische VeriSign Inc. (ISIN US92343E1029 (Nachrichten/Aktienkurs)/ WKN 911090), ein Anbieter von intelligenten Infrastrukturdiensten für das Internet und Telekommunikationsnetzwerke, meldete am Montag, dass sie die 3united mobile solutions AG, einen österreichischen Anbieter von Premium-SMS, M-Commerce-Lösungen und Mobile-Content, für 55 Mio. Euro übernehmen wird.

3united ist nicht börsennotiert und beschäftigt rund 100 Mitarbeiter. Das Unternehmen verfügt über Niederlassungen in Österreich, den USA, Russland, der Tschechischen Republik, Kroatien, Rumänien und der Ukraine. Die Transaktion soll im ersten Quartal 20006 abgeschlossen werden.

Die Aktie von VeriSign schloss am Freitag an der NASDAQ bei 23,70 Dollar.

actr

13.02.2006, 15:29

Lexmark's new multifunction printers simplify complex business processes

LEXINGTON, Ky., Feb 13, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Lexmark International, Inc. (NYSE: LXK) today announced five new monochrome multifunction laser printers, the Lexmark X644e, X646dte, X850e, X852e and X854e, with best-in- class features that help enterprise customers work easier, smarter and faster.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060213/CLM020)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020819/LEXMARKLOGO)

All five devices feature a new design of Lexmark's innovative eTask interface, which can be customized to simplify complicated business processes with the touch of a single icon. The vivid new color eTask interface is intuitive so users can easily perform basic or advanced tasks without training. It can also be adjusted to each customer's optimal viewing angle.

"Our newest generation of multifunction devices is designed to improve productivity by helping customers bridge the digital and paper worlds easily, quickly and more securely," said Paul Rooke, Lexmark executive vice president and president of its Printing Solutions and Services Division. "Customers using Lexmark's new MFPs and solutions will see business processes speed up and their total costs go down."

With maximum speeds ranging from 35 to 55 pages per minute (ppm), these multifunction printers offer fast, reliable performance that can handle the demands of large workgroups. All five devices feature duplex color scanning capabilities. Color scanning can help customers reduce their margin for error, especially for documents that might lose meaning if color portions are captured only in black and white.

These devices are also the first in their class to offer standard scan preview capabilities as well as the ability to scan to or print from a USB flash memory device.

Embedded Solutions Framework

These multifunction printers can also be enhanced with Lexmark's new Embedded Solutions Framework (eSF), which is a platform that allows for the development of Java-based applications directly on Lexmark MFPs. In many cases, the Lexmark eSF eliminates the need for a server to run customized applications. Customers in large enterprise environments will benefit from this new scalable architecture because Lexmark's eSF allows solutions to expand as more devices are added without the need for additional server expenses.

"The new Lexmark eSF takes Lexmark's applications capabilities to a whole new level and will allow us to address customers' workflow issues in an even more comprehensive way," Rooke said.

actr

13.02.2006, 15:32

actr

13.02.2006, 15:47

Universal Security Instruments Posts Record Earnings, Significant Increase in Sales For Third Quarter Earnings Rise 84% on 26% Increase in Sales

OWINGS MILLS, Md., Feb 13, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Universal Security Instruments, Inc. (Amex: UUU) today announced its third consecutive quarter of record earnings on sharply increased sales for its third quarter ended December 31, 2005. The Company cited strong sales growth in the U.S. within its core product lines as the primary impetus during the period.
The Owings Mills, MD-based designer and marketer of safety and security equipment posted net earnings for the quarter of $1,456,809, or $0.87 per basic share ($0.80 per diluted share), on net sales of $7,353,597 compared with net earnings of $793,569 or $0.49 per basic share ($0.45 per diluted share), on net sales of $5,849,144. Included in the results was a net tax benefit of $139,095 for the Company's quarter ended December 31, 2005.

For the nine months ended December 31, 2005, sales rose 23 percent to $21,396,507 versus $17,346,147 for the same period last year. Nine-month earnings rose 36 percent to $3,509,274 or $2.11 per basic share ($1.93 per diluted share) compared to $2,571,184 or $1.62 per basic share ($1.45 per diluted share) last year. Included in the results for the nine months ended December 31, 2005 was a net tax benefit of $326,523.

Universal said that sales of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, the company's core product lines, continued to rise in both the electrical distribution and retail markets. The Company's newest carbon monoxide alarms and combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, introduced last spring, performed particularly well.

"It was a very solid quarter, particularly on the domestic sales front. Wholesale and retail markets alike continue to recognize and reward our fundamental commitment to high-value products and responsive, reliable customer service. As a result, we have accelerated our momentum and solidified our identity as a supplier of choice, particularly in our core smoke and carbon monoxide alarm lines," said Harvey Grossblatt, chief executive officer of Universal Security Instruments. "I am also pleased with our ability to scale operations in such a highly efficient manner, as our top- line growth was effectively translated to bottom-line profitability."

UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC. is a U.S.-based manufacturer (through its Hong Kong Joint Venture) and distributor of safety and security devices. Founded in 1969, the Company has a 36-year heritage of developing innovative and easy-to-install products, including smoke, fire and carbon monoxide alarms. For more information on Universal Security Instruments, visit our website at http://www.universalsecurity.com

actr

13.02.2006, 15:51

THQ Announces Publishing Agreement With People Can Fly Creators of Painkiller Working on New Original Property for Next Gen Systems

Feb 13, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) today announced that a deal has been signed with critically-acclaimed Polish developer People Can Fly to bring their forthcoming title to consumers worldwide. Through this strategic relationship, People Can Fly joins THQ's studio system, which includes 12 internal studios and more than 25 independent development teams. Under the terms of the agreement, the as-yet untitled game is expected to be developed for a global release across next-gen platforms in fall 2007.

"THQ's strategy is to work with world-class developers to bring highly innovative, original IP to market," said Dan Kelly, Senior Vice President, Business Development. "It was immediately obvious to us that the team at People Can Fly has great talent and an exciting, innovative idea that supports this strategy."

"THQ has always been our publisher of choice and we are delighted to be working with them. They have consistently proven to us that they are able to provide the right environment for a great business partnership," commented Adrian Chmielarz, President, People Can Fly. "Their open, communicative approach to the evaluation, analysis and ultimate signing of this deal has allowed us a great amount of creative flexibility and support for our development process. We look forward to working with them to bring an innovative, genre-defining product to gamers."

About People Can Fly

People Can Fly is a 50-person game development studio founded in February 2002 and located in Warsaw, Poland. The PCF team is composed of industry veterans, some with experience dating back to 1993. Previous projects include Odium (aka Gorky 17 in Europe), Project Earth (aka Starmageddon in Europe), Archangel, Katharsis, RoboRumble and Grom). The main idea behind funding and establishing People Can Fly was to create a world-class game development studio, and that's how the company and its first project -- Painkiller -- were born.

About THQ

THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ is a top producer of original intellectual properties including titles such as Destroy All Humans!(TM), Juiced(TM) and Full Spectrum Warrior(TM) as well as the upcoming Saints Row(TM), Titan Quest(TM) and Company of Heroes(TM). More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, THQ Wireless, Destroy All Humans!, Juiced, Saint's Row, Titan Quest, Company of Heroes, and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

actr

14.02.2006, 15:01

TASER International Successfully Demonstrates Wireless TASER(R) eXtended Range Electro-muscular Projectile to Military Officials First Non-Lethal Wireless TASER Projectiles Demonstrated at Ranges up to 30 Meters

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb 14, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq: TASR) today announced that it successfully completed a live-fire demonstration of the TASER XREP(TM) (eXtended Range Electro-Muscular Projectile), completing a research and development program for the Office of Naval Research (ONR). Multiple rounds were fired from a 12-gauge shotgun, one of the most prevalent shoulder fired launchers in use today, at ranges up to 30 meters demonstrating a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 (system prototype demonstration in relevant environment).
"The Marine Corps Systems Command conveyed an interest in this type of technology to ONR. The requirement was to 'clear facilities,' basically what our Marines are doing today in Iraq and elsewhere, going building to building and room to room. Our goal was to 'cut the tether' by projecting non-lethal electro-muscular disruptive effects to ranges greater than existing handheld devices. The XREP demonstration is a significant milestone toward providing America's war fighters with this non-lethal option," stated Mr. John Beadling, an ONR support contractor working for Ms. Vickie Williams, the government Project Officer for XREP.

In addition, more than 35 human volunteers have been exposed to the electrical discharge from the TASER XREP demonstrating a similar incapacitating bio-effect to the TASER X26 device used by law enforcement and military personnel around the world. Mr. Stephen Kunich, representing the Air Force Air Combat Command Security Forces, volunteered for a five-second exposure during the demonstration. After the exposure, Mr. Kunich commented, "The effect locked up muscles and totally overwhelmed the senses. I was completely incapacitated. Additionally, I was amazed at the instantaneous physical recovery. There isn't much doubt of full compliance after exposure to a TASER weapon like XREP."

"This was a major technological breakthrough -- a wireless projectile that contains a fully operational TASER circuit payload, packaged in a non-lethal 12-gauge shotgun round," said Rick Smith, CEO of TASER International, Inc. "This demonstration was the culmination of several years of intensive research and development funded through ONR. The XREP technology will now begin the transition from research to production. For this reason, specifications and visual images of the XREP will not be released until a formal product launch, expected in 2007. The TASER XREP will augment our current product offering of hand-held non-lethal weapons with a long-range shoulder fired option. The XREP provides a higher level use-of-force response delivering blunt impact similar to other impact rounds combined with the revolutionary wireless advancement of continued incapacitation from our proven TASER technology," concluded Mr. Smith.

About TASER International, Inc.

TASER International provides advanced electronic control devices for use in the law enforcement, military, private security and personal defense markets. TASER(R) devices use proprietary technology to incapacitate dangerous, combative or high-risk subjects who pose a risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens or themselves in a manner that is generally recognized as a safer alternative to other uses of force. TASER(R) technology saves lives every day, and the use of TASER(R) devices dramatically reduces injury rates for police officers and suspects. For more information on TASER life-saving technology, please call TASER International at (800) 978-2737 or visit our website at www.TASER.com.

actr

14.02.2006, 15:02

ChipMOS TO PRESENT AT THE PIPER JAFFRAY CHINA INTERNET & TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE

HSINCHU, Taiwan, Feb 14, 2006 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. ("ChipMOS" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: IMOS) today announced that the Company is scheduled to present at the Piper Jaffray China Internet & Technology Conference on March 1, 2006 in Beijing, China. S. K. Chen, Chief Financial Officer, will be presenting. The presentation will not be webcast.
About ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD.:

ChipMOS ( http://www.chipmos.com.tw/ ) is a leading independent provider of semiconductor testing and assembly services to customers in Taiwan, Japan, and the U.S. With advanced facilities in Hsinchu and Southern Taiwan Science Parks in Taiwan and Shanghai, ChipMOS and its subsidiaries provide testing and assembly services to a broad range of customers, including leading fabless semiconductor companies, integrated device manufacturers and independent semiconductor foundries.

actr

14.02.2006, 15:03

SanDisk Joins Forces with Top Security Providers to Protect Consumers against Online Fraud; SanDisk Announces Plans to Partner with VeriSign, RSA Security and Safend to Limit Online Fraud and Theft of Corporate Data

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb 14, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- SanDisk(R) Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) today announced strategic partnerships with the two leading providers of authentication security solutions to provide an easy-to-use way to protect consumers against online fraud. SanDisk has forged an additional partnership to protect enterprises against the theft of corporate data.
SanDisk will add highly secure functionality to its line of USB flash drives and mobile cards using TrustedFlash(TM) technology. TrustedFlash combines SanDisk's 32-bit controller architecture with an embedded high-performance cryptographic engine to provide real-time encryption and tamper-resistant security to keep stored data highly secure. As a secure platform that is transparent to the consumer, TrustedFlash is ideal for supporting one time passwords and other secure value-added applications.

The partnerships include: VeriSign, the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure services for Internet and telecommunications networks; RSA Security Inc., experts in protecting online identities and digital assets; and Safend which offers software that controls data access from the physical ports of all enterprise endpoints.

The first two of these partnerships will enable consumer-friendly, two-factor authentication (based on something you know such as a password or PIN and something you have, such as a USB flash drive) for end users who purchase SanDisk mass-storage devices at retail outlets and then use them at VeriSign or RSA SecurID(R)-enabled web sites such as auction houses, and banks and other financial institutions. The generic term for a device with this functionality is called a token.

The main benefit for enterprises over existing token based authentication solutions is that the institution does not need to bear the expense of stocking and supplying tokens to their user base but can simply advise their customers to buy a standard SanDisk memory device in whatever capacity they like at any one of over 150,000 stores. As incentive, the institution can offer a rebate to customers that use a memory device as their authentication method. The main benefit for consumers is that they can use their existing SanDisk device which they already carry as an authentication device.

-- VeriSign partnership. Under terms of the partnership, SanDisk plans to embed VeriSign(R) Identity Protection (VIP) Service capability and Open Authentication (OATH) compliant One-Time-Password (OTP) algorithms into SanDisk TrustedFlash(TM) devices. The solution will enable consumer-friendly, two-factor authentication for end users who purchase SanDisk mass-storage devices at retail outlets and then use them at VIP-enabled web sites.

-- RSA Security partnership. SanDisk plans to embed the industry-leading RSA SecurID one-time-password (OTP) algorithm into SanDisk TrustedFlash(TM) devices, enabling consumer-friendly, two-factor authentication for end users who purchase SanDisk mass-storage devices at retail outlets.

"We at VeriSign are excited that consumers will soon be able to purchase SanDisk's flash storage drives and cards at their nearest retailer to use across the VeriSign Identity Protection shared authentication network," said Nico Popp, vice president, Authentication Services, VeriSign Security Services. "The combination of VIP, OATH open standards and SanDisk storage devices creates a unique identity protection solution for consumers who want to secure their online interactions with financial institutions and e-commerce sites without compromising the convenience of today's Web lifestyle."

"RSA is the leading provider of highly secure, OTP technology and authentication options that are easy for businesses to deploy and consumers to use," said Toffer Winslow, vice president of product marketing and management at RSA Security. "Teaming with SanDisk to integrate RSA SecurID technology into TrustedFlash devices gives security-conscious organizations and their customers a wider range of authentication options that are flexible, effective and easy to use. We look forward to a continued relationship with SanDisk."

SanDisk is also partnering with Safend, which provides comprehensive end-point security solutions for the enterprise. This offers a way for companies to securely deploy removable USB storage and help to ensures that corporate information doesn't "walk out the door" in someone's purse or pocket.

-- Safend partnership. In many enterprises, it is possible today to walk up to any personal computer or laptop, insert a flash drive, copy sensitive files off of the target hard drive and disconnect, even if the computer was locked by the user. The partnership with Safend will allow corporate users of secure SanDisk USB devices to backup, store, and transfer information within the company while protecting from unauthorized data from being transferred to outside systems.

"The growing popularity of USB flash drives can be a security headache for many enterprises," said Dor Skuler, vice president of business development at Safend. "Our partnership with SanDisk will make it easy for businesses to maintain a high level of security by distinguishing between the legitimate use of these devices and preventing any unauthorized access."

"We carefully selected the leading players in the security industry as partners to develop 'out of the box' consumer online identity protection on SanDisk mobile TrustedFlash cards and USB flash drives," said Sanjay Mehrotra, Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President. "The plan is to offer robust security capabilities to both consumers and enterprises that have been previously unavailable. This demonstrates the ability for SanDisk products to support a variety of new functionality in addition to mass storage."

TrustedFlash Technology Benefits Consumers & Enterprises

Under these partnerships, consumers will gain new security functionality in a storage device that has already gained wide acceptance as consumers use them to store personal information, digital images, data and music. Enterprises will gain the use of enhanced security solutions without the costs associated with the procurement and distribution of proprietary two-factor authentication tokens.

This robust new technology will be easy to use. For example, financial institutions, online merchants and other enterprises become members of the VeriSign VIP service or sign-up to support the RSA SecurID solution, and notify their customers. Consumers purchase a SanDisk device with VeriSign's embedded strong authentication capabilities, plug it in, and begin an automated process to link it to one or more accounts. Once an account is linked in this manner, access to it is blocked unless the device is detected and validated during the logon process -- thus providing an additional identification factor.

Companies seeking additional information on this new solution can contact:

-- USB Devices: Ron LaPedis, 1-408-548-7477 or rlapedis@sandisk.com

-- Mobile devices: Fabrice Jogand-Coulomb, 1-408-542-0426 or fjogand@sandisk.com

About SanDisk

SanDisk is the original inventor of flash storage cards and is the world's leading supplier of flash data storage card products using its patented, high-density flash memory and controller technology. SanDisk is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA and has operations worldwide, with more than half its sales outside the U.S. Additional news and information about the company is available at www.sandisk.com

actr

14.02.2006, 15:04

U.S. Global Investors Reports Net Income of $0.16 Per Share For Second Quarter, a 220% Year-Over-Year Increase; Revenues Grow 89% Year-Over-Year

SAN ANTONIO, Feb 14, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- U.S. Global Investors Inc. (NASDAQ: GROW), a boutique registered investment advisory firm, announced net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2005, of $1,168,000, or $0.16 income per share, unaudited, compared to net income of $407,000, or $0.05 income per share, unaudited, for the comparable period last year.
Revenues for the quarter ended December 31, 2005, increased $3.65 million to $7.76 million, 89 percent higher than revenues of $4.11 million in the comparable period last year.

"Our team approach and dynamic quant models along with stronger growth metrics in emerging markets and resource-based companies have continued to generate excellent performance in the majority of the equity funds under our management," says Frank Holmes, Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Global Investors. "These asset classes have out-performed the S&P 500 for the past five years, and our funds' strong performance has attracted record new money flows to several of our funds," he adds.

Investment advisory fees, which accounted for most of the increase in revenues, grew by $2.94 million, primarily the result of a 69 percent increase in average assets under management from $1.67 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2004, to $2.83 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2005. Total assets under management have grown approximately 70 percent year-over-year from $1.81 billion as of December 31, 2004, to $3.05 billion as of December 31, 2005.

Expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2005, were approximately $2.55 million higher than the quarter ended December 31, 2004. Consistent with increased fund assets and strong fund performance, certain subadvisory fees, platform distribution costs, and performance-driven compensation costs contributed to the increases in expenses.

"We continue to focus on improving our profit margin," continues Holmes. "The dramatic rise in third-party platform fees and compliance costs, two external and unexpected factors, has in recent years had significant impact on the Company's profit margins."

Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

U.S. Global Investors Inc.

Quarter Ended Quarter Ended

December 31, 2005 December 31, 2004

----------------- -----------------

Total Revenues $7,760,832 $4,105,898

Total Expenses $6,047,942 $3,495,481

Tax Expense $545,300 $203,230

Net Income $1,167,590 $407,187

Basic Net Income Per Share $0.16 $0.05

Diluted Net Income Per Share $0.15 $0.05

About U.S. Global Investors Inc.

U.S. Global Investors Inc. is a registered investment adviser with a focus on profitable niche markets around the world. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, the Company offers financial solutions and provides transfer agency and other services to U.S. Global Investors Funds and U.S. Global Accolade Funds. The groups consist of 13 no-load mutual funds that invest in a variety of investment options, from emerging markets to money markets.

actr

14.02.2006, 15:06

AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES: Agilent Technologies Demonstrates Leadership at 3GSM in Wireless Design, Test and Service Management

Feb 14, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- BARCELONA, Spain, 3GSM World Congress - Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced several new products and initiatives that underline its commitment to its customers in the wireless communications market. These products and solutions will help customers achieve challenging time-to-market and quality-of service goals in today's environment of fast technology change and increasing end-user expectations.
Agilent is making the following announcements today:

o New initiatives for WiMAX design and deployment. Agilent will consolidate its position as the leading supplier of WiMAX test solutions by showing an extensive product portfolio to support WiMAX customers.

o New IP UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) Signaling Analyzer. By utilizing its proven technology leadership in UMTS and IP analysis, Agilent is providing customers with a first-in-class solution for analysis, troubleshooting and optimization of IP UTRAN networks

o New base station test systems compliant with the latest CPRI (Common Public Radio Interface) standards. Agilent is announcing the first commercially available test solution for the CPRI standard. CPRI defines a publicly available specification for the interface between the radio equipment control and the radio equipment in a base station.

o New Bluetooth EDR capabilities. Agilent's N4010A Wireless Connectivity Test Set supports the Bluetooth Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) test modeand now offers new audio generation and analysis capabilities for Bluetooth audio test.

o Collaboration with Freescale Semiconductor to create ZigBee test solutions. Agilent and Freescale Semiconductor have worked together to create a test solution that can be used to efficiently test chipset platforms to the standards set by the ZigBee Alliance.

o New capabilities for testing W-CDMA/HSDPA and GSM/GPRS. Agilent will announce new lab application features for the 8960 Wireless Test Set that provide real-life network emulation for GSM/GPRS and W-CDMA/HSDPA.

o First pre-conformance test system for HSDPA test cases. This GCF-certified pre-conformance test system allows cellular phone design engineers to perform early design verification for HSDPA RF test cases as well as for WCDMA, GSM/GPRS, EGPRS, CDMA and 1xEV-DO.

o New Wireless Quality of Service Management solution. Agilent's QoS management solution for GSM, UMTS and CDMA measures the end-to-end telecom service experience to ensure a high-quality customer experience, while reducing capital and operational expenditures.

Agilent is committed to creating leading edge design, test and service management solutions for its customers. Agilent focuses on delivering solutions needed by its customers at the right time and with the right performance. Companies that design, build and deploy the latest-generation products and services for WiMAX, UMTS (HSDPA, W-CDMA, EGPRS, GPRS and GSM), Bluetooth, ZigBee, CPRI, UWB and others are using Agilent's products now to accelerate their time-to-market and improve their revenue flows.

"Test is a critical enabler in R&D, manufacturing, installation and service management," said Benoit Neel, Agilent vice president and general manager of the company's European field operations. "We are delivering leading-edge solutions now that allow our customers to address the challenging technologies that continue to emerge in wireless communications."

For additional and detailed information about the test solutions on display, see Agilent's 3GSM 2006 virtual press kit at www.agilent.com/comms/3gsmpresskit About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 21,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $5.1 billion in fiscal 2005. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

actr

14.02.2006, 15:06

Playboy Enterprises Reports Strong 2005 Results Reaffirms Guidance of Significant Improvement in 2006 EPS

Feb 14, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Playboy Enterprises Inc. (PEI) (NYSE: PLA, PLAA) today reported results for the 2005 full year and fourth quarter. For full year 2005, PEI reported a net loss of $0.7 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share, which included a $19.3 million, or $0.58 per share, debt extinguishment charge. Excluding this charge, 2005 net income totaled $18.6 million, or $0.56 per share, in line with the company's 2005 financial guidance. This compares to 2004 net income of $10.0 million, or $0.30 per basic and diluted share. The 2004 results included a $5.9 million or $0.19 per share debt extinguishment charge, mostly offset by a $5.6 million or $0.18 per share insurance recovery. Excluding those items, net income totaled $10.3 million, or $0.31 per share. The 2005 results benefited from substantially lower interest expense and a significant growth in the Entertainment and Licensing businesses, which offset a decline in Publishing Group profits. Year-over-year operating income was flat at $30.9 million while revenues increased 3% in 2005 to $338.2 million.
Net income for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2005 was $4.6 million, or $0.14 per basic and diluted share. This compares to 2004 fourth quarter net income of $14.5 million, or $0.43 per basic and diluted share, which included the $5.6 million insurance recovery.

Fourth quarter 2005 segment income was $7.4 million, down from $14.3 million. Licensing Group segment income rose nearly 90%, but, as anticipated, was more than offset by a $4.1 million negative swing in Publishing Group results. Entertainment Group results were down versus the prior year's very strong quarter and Corporate Administration and Promotion expense increased, also contributing to the decline. Revenues rose by 2% to $91.0 million.

Christie Hefner, chairman and chief executive officer of PEI, said: "We are pleased to have delivered on our financial guidance in 2005, despite the significant industry-wide challenges that faced the Publishing Group. For the year, our growth businesses of Entertainment and Licensing recorded segment income increases of 24% and 54%, respectively. In addition, we successfully restructured the company's debt, streamlining our balance sheet and reducing net interest expense by nearly 65%.

"We enter 2006 in a stronger competitive and financial position than a year ago. We expect that our Entertainment and Licensing businesses will show another year of strong profit growth that again will mitigate continued weakness in Publishing. As required, we will begin expensing stock options, a non-cash charge that we expect will total approximately $0.10 per share this year. Despite this additional charge, we are projecting that 2006 earnings per share will increase by 20 - 25% to $0.67 to $0.70 per share," Hefner said.

Playboy Enterprises is a brand-driven, international multimedia entertainment company that publishes editions of Playboy magazine around the world; operates Playboy and Spice television networks and distributes programming globally via DVD and a network of websites including Playboy.com, a leading men's lifestyle and entertainment website; and licenses the Playboy and Spice trademarks internationally for a range of consumer products and services.

actr

14.02.2006, 15:07

Austin Chalk Oil & Gas, Ltd. Announces Completion of Negotiations for $500,000 Credit Line With Pan American Oil and Gas Investments, S. A.

Feb 14, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Austin Chalk Oil & Gas, Ltd. (OTC Bulletin Board: ACKO) is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed its negotiations for a credit line in the amount of $500,000 with Pan American Oil and Gas Investments, S. A.
Management is currently evaluating several prospects for the drilling of new, grass roots gas wells in South Central Texas, utilizing the funds provided by its new line of credit. In addition, management is investigating several possibilities for the purchase of interests in producing oil and gas properties.

About Austin Chalk Oil & Gas

Austin Chalk Oil & Gas is an emerging oil and gas company focused on participating in low- to medium-risk re-completion projects, along with higher risk drilling opportunities.

Austin Chalk Oil & Gas is focused on increasing production by means of: continuing acquisitions, development projects and exploration drilling within a joint venture framework.

actr

14.02.2006, 15:08

Air Force Awards MTC $7.3 Million Contract for Obsolescence Management

DAYTON, Ohio, Feb 14, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- MTC Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: MTCT), a significant provider of engineering, information technology, and other technical solutions to the Department of Defense and national security agencies, announced today that through its subsidiary, Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI), it has been awarded a 12-month, $7.3 million follow-on contract from the 542nd Combat Sustainment Wing (CSW), Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. The Company will provide obsolescence management support for more than 1,800 systems, subsystems, components, and support equipment used on multiple aircraft types and ground equipment. The work will be performed primarily at the MTC Warner Robins, Georgia facility.
Under the contract, MTC will load new systems and perform data updates and maintenance for the Advanced Components Obsolescence Management (AVCOM) analysis tool used by the 542nd CSW for system support. AVCOM is an MTI software product used for system logistics support, obsolescence management, and evaluation of proposed engineering projects. The work will include providing all specialized engineering services and materials to load avionics systems bills of materials into the database; tracking part availability problems; comparing current sources of supply to identify vendors and organic sources for sustainment efforts; verifying and updating manufacturer part data and availability for electronic parts and specific non-electronic part types; providing Applications, Programs, & Indentures (API) data support; and identifying Original Equipment Manufacturers of items loaded into the database. MTC will also provide technical assistance in the use, interpretation, and functionality of AVCOM throughout the 542nd CSW.

"We are pleased to continue providing obsolescence management services to the 542nd," said MTC Chief Executive Officer David Gutridge. "The Wing sustains many important systems in support of our warfighters, and we are proud that our AVCOM Obsolescence Management System is deemed instrumental in delivering that support."

MTC, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, delivers warfighter solutions involving systems engineering, information technology, intelligence, and program management services primarily to the Department of Defense. Cited by BusinessWeek as the 11th fastest growing small company in the United States, by Forbes as 23rd of America's 200 best small businesses, by Washington Technology as 59th in revenue growth among the "Top 100" of IT Federal Prime Contractors, and ranked 2nd by Aviation Week & Space Technology as the "Top Performing Small Company," MTC employs over 2,500 people in more than 40 locations. The company was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Dayton, Ohio.

actr

14.02.2006, 15:09

Xilinx Collaborates With Xylon to Develop World's First Programmable Development Board for Automotive Infotainment FPGA-Powered Board Offers Greater Benefits to Automotive Customers

NUREMBERG, Germany, Feb 14, 2006 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- At the Embedded World Exhibition and Conference today, Xilinx, Inc. (Nasdaq: XLNX), the world's leading programmable logic supplier announced a collaboration with Xylon, supplier of logicBRICKS(TM) optimized IP cores, resulting in the world's first programmable development board designed specifically for the automotive infotainment market. The logiCRAFT2 system, enabled by Xilinx Spartan(TM)-3 FPGAs will be demonstrated at Embedded World February 14 - 18, in hall 12, stand 511.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020822/XLNXLOGO )

Capable of driving up to three displays (one front navigation and two rear seat), the logiCRAFT2 system can simultaneously display different video streams on each screen. This capability is enabled by the gate-density, logic performance and high-bandwidth provided by the Xilinx Spartan-3 FPGA family and the flexibility of the Xilinx MicroBlaze(TM) 32-bit soft processor. Potential video applications include game consoles, digital TVs, DVD players, and external cameras. The board supports a wide variety of video input and output standards including LVDS, CMOS, RGB digital and analogue, COG and CVBS. With a number of onboard PHYs selected for automotive interfacing, the board provides an ideal platform for evaluating the latest automotive and telematics IP cores.

Many automotive designs have limited success because they rely on ASSP devices that are prone to obsolescence. The Xilinx Spartan-3 family was selected for this project due to the high level of integration possible in the FPGA (up to 1.5 million gates) and the superior longevity of the Spartan-3 devices in the marketplace. The reconfigurable nature of Xilinx FPGAs allows designers to make changes up until the final stage of implementation, and the designs are easily migrated into future generations of products. This not only provides designers with more design flexibility, it also reduces total project cost over the life of the product.

"The demanding nature of the automotive industry means flexibility is now a key consideration," said Kevin Tanaka, Worldwide Automotive Marketing and Product Planning manager at Xilinx. "Xilinx FPGA solutions present customers with the scope they need to alter designs and build in next-generation features as well as being cost effective."

"Our goal is to provide an optimal automotive Spartan-3 centric demonstration and development platform -- logiCRAFT2 is targeted to both OEMs and Tier 1 customers for either advanced development or product development groups," said Davor Kovacec, Xylon CEO. "logiCRAFT2 demonstrates modularity on all levels: software, board, FPGA and IP core, which provides the customers with additional flexibility, faster development cycles, and lower development and production cost."

Although aimed at the automotive infotainment sector, the FPGA-based design can be easily adapted to suit many display interface applications such as those used in the consumer, media and industrial fields. Because it is based on programmable logic, it's a simple task to add features or capabilities to the logiCRAFT2 hardware with zero NRE costs. This type of flexibility is not possible with ASSP-based solutions.

The logiCRAFT2 system offers both Basic and Elite Packages. The Basic package contains the PCB, CD with user documentation, PCB schematics, logicBRICKS evaluation IP cores, the FPGA design and sample infotainment application software including an evaluation version of the used Graphic Library. The Elite package includes a complete infotainment development environment with two 800x480 rear seat displays, one 400x234 navigation COG display, a rear seat camera, infrared headphones, remote control, portable DVD player, Games Console MP3 player and loudspeakers.

Pricing and Availability

Available from March 2006 the price for the basic logiCRAFT2 package is listed at 1950 (Euro). Pricing for the Elite system is available by request only. To learn more about the logiCRAFT2 series or to order, please visit www.logicbricks.de. For pricing enquires please email sales@logicbricks.de

About Xilinx Spartan-3 Series FPGAs

In 1998, Xilinx ignited the low cost FPGA revolution with the introduction of the Spartan Series. The Spartan Series now represents over 24 percent of quarterly Xilinx sales, with over $1.3B in cumulative revenue -- more than twice the nearest competitor. With the recent introduction of its Spartan-3E family, Xilinx continues to add new market-specific features to its low cost Spartan Series while reducing the cost by 30X since its introduction, offering devices priced under $2*. For more information on the Spartan-3 and Spartan-3E FPGA families, visit www.xilinx.com/spartan.

actr

14.02.2006, 15:11

14.02.2006 14:43
US Vorbörse: Kurse ziehen an

http://img.godmode-trader.de/charts/46/2005/ISLAND45.gif

actr

14.02.2006, 15:13

14.02.2006 14:50
Aktien NYSE/NASDAQ Ausblick: Gut behauptet - Einzelhandelsdaten stützen
Die US-Börsen dürften am Dienstag nach den jüngsten Kursverlusten mit Gewinnen starten. Händler verwiesen auf die deutlich besseren Konjunkturdaten zum Einzelhandelsumsatz im Januar. Es sei mit einem Anstieg um 0,9 Prozent gerechnet worden - tatsächlich erhöhte sich der Umsatz aber um 2,3 Prozent. IG Index sah den Dow Jones <INDU.IND> am Mittag bei 10.931 Punkten. Am Vortag hatte der US-Leitindex 0,24 Prozent auf 10.892,32 Punkte eingebüßt.

Der Future auf den S&P-500-Index <INX.IND> legte gegen 14.35 Uhr 3,10 Punkte auf 1.268,90 Zähler zu. Am Montag hatte der marktbreite Index 0,21 Prozent auf 1.265,60 Punkte verloren. Der Future auf den NASDAQ-100-Index <NDX.X.IND> <NDX.X.NQI> gewann 6,50 Punkte auf 1.659,50 Zähler. Am Vortag hatte der Auswahlindex der NASDAQ 1,08 Prozent auf 1.645,83 Punkte eingebüßt.

General Motors (GM) <GM.NYS> <GMC.FSE> (Nachrichten/Aktienkurs) dürften erneut im Interesse der Anleger stehen. Einem Bericht des "Wall Street Journal" (Onlineausgabe vom Montag) zufolge will der US-Autobauer trotz massiver Kostensenkungen in den Ausbau seiner Werke in Michigan bis zu 500 Millionen Dollar investieren.

Auch Target-Aktien <TGT.NYS> <DYH.FSE> (Nachrichten/Aktienkurs) rücken laut Händlern in den Fokus. Der Discount-Einzelhändler musste den Ausblick für den Umsatz auf vergleichbarer Fläche für den Februar nach unten korrigieren. Bislang sei mit einem Anstieg von 2,5 bis 4,5 Prozent gerechnet worden - jetzt habe Target die Schätzung auf 2,5 bis 3,5 Prozent korrigiert.

Waste Management <WMI.NYS> <UWS.FSE> (Nachrichten) haben nach Zahlen vorbörslich 2,91 Prozent auf 34,00 Dollar gewonnen. Im vierten Quartal hatte das Unternehmen einen deutlich höheren Gewinn erwirtschaftet als erwartet. Der Reingewinn je Aktie lag bei 52 Cent je Aktie, Analysten hatten mit 40 Cent gerechnet.

Umstufungen werden Händlern zufolge kleinere Titel bewegen. AG Edwards hat die Einschätzung für den Chipausrüster Applied Materials <AMAT.NAS> <AP2.FSE> (Nachrichten/Aktienkurs) auf "Buy" angehoben. Die Aktie gewann vorbörslich 1,21 Prozent auf 20,10 Dollar. Piper Jaffray hat für das Software-Unternehmen RealNetworks <RNWK.NAS> <RNW.ETR> (Nachrichten) das Kursziel von 8,70 auf 10 Dollar angehoben. Die Titel legten daraufhin vorbörslich 5,81 Prozent auf 7,83 Dollar zu.

Im Einzelhandelssektor hat die Citigroup die Einschätzung für Circuit City Stores <CC.NYS> von "Hold" auf "Buy" angehoben. Das Unternehmen stehe erst am Anfang der Restrukturierungen und erwarte daher in den kommenden zwei bis drei Jahren ein überdurchschnittliches Gewinnwachstum./dr/fat

AXC0151 2006-02-14/14:44

actr

14.02.2006, 15:14

actr

14.02.2006, 15:20

Natural Resource Partners L.P. Reports Record 2005 and Strong Fourth Quarter Results Record 2005 Results: * Net income increases 56% over 2004 to a record $91.8 million or $3.39 per unit * Coal royalty revenues increase 33% over 2004 to a record $142

Feb 14, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Natural Resource Partners L.P. (NYSE: NRP and NYSE: NSP) today reported record net income of $91.8 million for 2005, a 56% increase over the $59.0 million reported for 2004. Net income per unit rose 48% to $3.39 per unit. Distributable cash flow for 2005 rose 38% to a record $112.3 million from $81.5 million last year.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060109/NRPLOGO )

For the fourth quarter 2005, NRP reported that net income improved by 87% to $25.0 million from $13.3 million for the same period last year, while distributable cash flow rose 29% to $27.4 million from $21.2 million in 2004. Net income per unit rose 82% to $0.91 per unit from $0.50 per unit for the quarter.

"Increased production from our properties together with higher prices realized by our lessees combined to produce a record year for NRP and our unitholders," said Chief Operating Officer Nick Carter. "We are particularly excited about the acquisitions we made during 2005, which have performed exceptionally well. They give us more diversity in our cash flow and provide a strong foundation for our future. As a result of the continued strong coal market, we were able to use $30 million of our cash to help fund these acquisitions while continuing to regularly increase our quarterly distributions to our unitholders.

"We now own in excess of two billion tons of coal, giving us a current reserve life of approximately 37 years and we are constantly looking for opportunities to increase those reserves through accretive acquisitions."

"As we look to the future, our goal is to continue to grow the partnership through acquisitions and by actively managing and developing our current assets. Consistent growth will permit us to continue to increase our distributions to our partners," said Corbin J. Robertson, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Distributions

On January 19, 2005, NRP announced its tenth consecutive increase in its quarterly distribution, raising the distribution to $0.7625 per unit, or $3.05 per unit on an annualized basis. This represents a 15% increase in Natural Resource Partners' distributions compared to the fourth quarter of 2004.

Natural Resource Partners L.P. is headquartered in Houston, TX, with its operations headquarters in Huntington, WV. NRP is a master limited partnership that is principally engaged in the business of owning and managing coal properties in the three major coal producing regions of the United States: Appalachia, the Illinois Basin and the Powder River Basin.

For additional information, please contact Kathy Hager at 713-751-7555 or khager@nrplp.com . Further information about NRP is available on the partnership's website at http://www.nrplp.com Forward Looking Statements

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14.02.2006, 15:21

actr

14.02.2006, 15:24

NVIDIA Introduces the Industry's Highest Performing Quad Display Graphics Solution NVIDIA Quadro(R) NVS 440 Card Integrated into HP xw6200 Workstation to Help Maximize Productivity with Today's Graphics Intensive Business Applications

Feb 14, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA), the worldwide leader in programmable graphics processor technologies, today announced that the NVIDIA Quadro NVS 440 card, the industry's highest performing(1) four-display professional graphics solution, is now available as a configuration option in the HP xw6200 Workstation and through channel partners worldwide. Designed to meet a broad range of business needs, from financial trading desks to digital signage displays, NVIDIA Quadro NVS solutions have come to define the graphics standard for numerous corporate and enterprise customers, with over four million total units shipped to date, including Chevron Corporation and Thomas Weisel Partners LLC.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020613/NVDALOGO )

"Our professional products deliver performance, stability and the extended product life cycles required to maintain specific configurations and lower total cost of ownership," said Jeff Brown, general manager for NVIDIA professional products. "Four years ago NVIDIA introduced business application testing and certification to our enterprise graphics and our customers and partners like HP are now reaping the reward of this investment."

Introduced four years ago, NVIDIA Quadro NVS solutions have become the established market leader in multi-display business graphics for industries that include finance, support, process control, and data display. NVIDIA Quadro NVS products offer desktop management software that allows organizations to efficiently manage their corporate PCs, with support for a range of platforms and multi-display options that allow these customers to quickly deploy solutions in environments that can total thousands of seats.

"The NVIDIA Quadro NVS 440 is a great match for HP workstations, including the xw4300 and xw6200, that allow customers a mix of performance and flexibility," said Jeff Wood, director of marketing, Personal Workstations, HP. "Combined with the NVIDIA Quadro NVS 285, these high-bandwidth PCI Express graphics offer some of the industry's highest performance in a configurable, multi-display environment to enable increased productivity for our customers."

The NVIDIA Quadro NVS 440 card offers a choice of PCI Express x16 and x1 connectors, which can enable a typical business PC to drive up to eight high end displays, like the HP L2335, at an industry best 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) resolution. The product offers both flexibility and expandability, allowing users to increase screen real estate to display numerous enterprise applications. 256MB of dedicated 128-bit graphics memory offers the performance required when running multiple applications at the same time.

NVIDIA Quadro NVS graphics solutions offer support for the latest business applications to meet the needs of today's demanding business user. Quad and dual display solutions for PCI Express, PCI, and AGP based systems offer the flexibility and support for both current and future business platforms. All products feature NVIDIA(R) nView(R) multi-display technology and connect to displays using VESA supported high density DMS-59 display connectors.

NVIDIA Quadro NVS products are available through OEM partners, including HP, and channel partners PNY Technologies (US and Europe), Leadtek (Asia-Pac), and ELSA Japan (Japan). For more information on these and other NVIDIA Quadro products, please visit www.nvidia.com/quadro.

About NVIDIA

NVIDIA Corporation is the worldwide leader in programmable graphics processor technologies. The Company creates innovative, industry-changing products for computing, consumer electronics, and mobile devices. NVIDIA is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA and has offices throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas. For more information, visit www.nvidia.com.

actr

14.02.2006, 15:31

Nortel Joins Trusted Computing Group, Will Participate in Trusted Network Connect Work Group Industry Initiative Accelerates Open Standards for Network Access Security and Integrity www.nortel.com

SAN JOSE, CA, Feb 14, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Nortel(x) (NYSE/TSX: NT) today announced that it has joined the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) and will participate in its Trusted Network Connect (TNC) work group. Members of the non-profit group develop open industry specifications that ensure secure interoperability across multi-vendor network security solutions.
Nortel is integrating TNC specifications into its Secure Network Access Solution, including the Nortel Secure Network Access Switch that was unveiled today as the new cornerstone of the Company's enterprise-wide endpoint security and policy compliance solution.

"Nortel customers, both enterprise and carrier, have been asking for an industry-wide approach to securing their networks and data," said Steve Slattery, president, Packet and Enterprise Networks, Nortel. "By joining forces with other leading proponents of an industry-standard approach, we can help create momentum for interoperability in delivering secure network access throughout the industry. Nortel expects to aggressively support the rapid development of relevant security standards supporting converged communications."

"We are delighted Nortel will bring its networking expertise to TNC and plans to support the open specification in its products," said Brian Berger, chair, TCG marketing work group. "Nortel joining the efforts of TNC helps to further accelerate the adoption of the open security specification in the industry and benefits customers by providing interoperable products across multiple product lines."

Initial TNC specifications were first introduced by TCG in May 2005 and several TCG members now support these specifications in their products. Over 60 industry vendors have joined the work group to support and implement the TNC architecture and ensure interoperability in access security across multi-vendor networks.

"As a cofounder and an active participant in the TNC, we are pleased that Nortel has joined the TNC and we look forward to working with them to help enable interoperability in access security and integrity across multi-vendor networks," said Enrique Salem, senior vice president of Security Products and Solutions, Symantec Corporation.

Reliable security standards developed through industry groups like TNC can drive innovation, reduce cost of implementation, and enhance security. Enterprise interest in security standards is growing rapidly as more and more users, companies, governments, and developers seek to practice, and profit from it.

"Companies still need to deploy network access control technologies - which Forrester calls network quarantine - to ensure network safety," said Rob Whiteley, Forrester Research, Inc. "The last key element of network quarantine - and one critical to making it a true network-wide solution - is standardization. Users need standards to tie together endpoints, network elements, and backend policy servers from different vendors."

About the Trusted Computing Group

The Trusted Computing Group (TCG) is a not-for-profit organization formed to develop, define, and promote open standards for hardware-enabled trusted computing and security technologies, including hardware building blocks and software interfaces, across multiple platforms, peripherals, and devices. TCG specifications will enable more secure computing environments without compromising functional integrity, privacy, or individual rights. The primary goal is to help users protect their information assets (data, passwords, keys, etc.) from compromise due to external software attack and physical theft. More information and the organization's specifications are available at the Trusted Computing Group's website, www.trustedcomputinggroup.org.

About Nortel

Nortel is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities that enhance the human experience, ignite and power global commerce, and secure and protect the world's most critical information. Our next-generation technologies, for both service providers and enterprises, span access and core networks, support multimedia and business-critical applications, and help eliminate today's barriers to efficiency, speed and performance by simplifying networks and connecting people with information. Nortel does business in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit Nortel on the Web at www.nortel.com. For the latest Nortel news, visit www.nortel.com/news.

actr

15.02.2006, 14:24

PNC to Report $1.6 Billion Gain on the Merger of BlackRock and Merrill Lynch Investment Managers PNC Retains Its Significant Investment in BlackRock BlackRock To Become Largest Publicly Traded Asset Management Company

Feb 15, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) announced today that BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) and Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER) have signed a definitive agreement to create one of the top ten investment management companies in the world with assets under management approaching $1 trillion. BlackRock will acquire Merrill Lynch's investment management business in exchange for a 49 percent ownership interest.
This transaction is expected to dramatically increase BlackRock's net income. As a result, PNC anticipates having a greater earnings contribution from BlackRock. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to PNC.

"Our partnership with Larry Fink and BlackRock over the past decade has created an extraordinary asset management platform with an unprecedented record of performance and growth," said James E. Rohr, chairman and chief executive officer of PNC. "This transformational merger is the next logical step in BlackRock's evolution as a global leader in asset management. The transaction also enables PNC to retain a sizable investment in BlackRock, significantly improve our capital flexibility and create substantial strategic opportunities and earnings benefits for our shareholders."

Upon the closing of this transaction, PNC will continue to own 44.5 million shares of BlackRock, representing an ownership interest of approximately 34 percent. Thereafter, BlackRock will be deconsolidated from PNC's financial statements and will be accounted for using the equity method. As a result of this transaction, PNC's investment will increase to approximately $3.2 billion and PNC will record an after-tax gain of approximately $1.6 billion based on BlackRock's closing share price of $131.51 on February 10, 2006. This gain will substantially improve PNC's capital position. On a pro forma basis, PNC's tangible common capital to tangible assets ratio of 5.0 percent at December 31, 2005 would improve to 7.3 percent, thereby providing PNC with enhanced capital flexibility to invest in its businesses and/or repurchase shares of common stock. Currently, the PNC Board of Directors has authorized the purchase of up to 20 million shares. Further, PNC will have an additional unrecognized pretax gain of approximately $2.6 billion related to its 34 percent ownership in BlackRock.

PNC will have two seats on the new combined company's Board of Directors including one director on the Executive Committee. The transaction must be approved by BlackRock shareholders and is expected to close later this year subject to securing appropriate regulatory and other approvals. PNC currently controls more than 80 percent of the voting interest in BlackRock and will vote its interest in support of the transaction.

PNC purchased BlackRock in February 1995 for approximately $240 million. Since then, BlackRock's assets under management have grown from approximately $24 billion to $453 billion, contributing to a current market capitalization of approximately $8.4 billion and a $5.6 billion increase in the value of PNC's initial investment.

actr

15.02.2006, 14:27

Eli Lilly and Company and Boehringer Ingelheim Announce Changes to Their Contractual Agreements for Yentreve(R)/AriClaim(R)

INDIANAPOLIS, and INGELHEIM, Germany, Feb 15, 2006 (PR Newswire Europe via COMTEX) -- - Eli Lilly and Company and Boehringer Ingelheim Announce Changes to Their Contractual Agreements for Yentreve(R)/AriClaim(R)
Eli Lilly and Company and Boehringer Ingelheim announced today that the alliance will change the nature of its contractual agreements for Yentreve(R)/AriClaim(R) (duloxetine hydrochloride), a pharmaceutical treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI), which is currently approved for marketing in 38 countries outside of the United States.

Lilly will repurchase sole worldwide commercialization rights to Yentreve/AriClaim (duloxetine for SUI and future related urinary incontinence indications) and will continue marketing this indication outside the U.S. The Lilly-Boehringer Ingelheim agreement to market duloxetine outside the U.S. for major depressive disorder (MDD), diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP) and other potential indications (under the trademarks Cymbalta(R)/Xeristar(R)) remains unaffected by today's announcement.

"Based on our collective experiences to date in the marketplace, both companies believe that the Yentreve/AriClaim opportunity is best suited and can be best commercialized in markets outside the U.S. with the support of one company," said John Lechleiter, Ph.D., president and chief operating officer of Lilly. "This is about 'right sizing' our investments to address our greatest opportunities and the greatest patient needs."

"There has been an excellent spirit of collaboration in our alliance with Lilly. Based on this, we are committed to the continued success in our partnership to commercialize duloxetine for indications other than SUI in markets outside the U.S.," said Dr. Alessandro Banchi, chairman of the Board of Managing Directors at Boehringer Ingelheim.

Additionally, the alliance has determined it will not seek marketing authorization for Yentreve in the U.S. following its decision to rescind the initial new drug application in January 2005.

"The decision not to pursue approval for Yentreve in the U.S. was a difficult one given the belief both companies share about the importance of SUI as a medical condition and Yentreve's proven ability to address a significant unmet medical need," Lechleiter stated.

"Collectively, these business decisions will ensure focused resources in markets where Yentreve is already approved and aggressive investments in newer areas of duloxetine's development and commercialization that relate to depression and pain. We are very optimistic about our ability to build on the achievements we have experienced in our alliance with Boehringer Ingelheim," he added.

Both parties are finalizing the terms of the agreement and will work closely together in 2006 to ensure a smooth transition of all related activities to Lilly. Lilly plans to take over full commercialization of Yentreve/AriClaim in markets outside the U.S. by the end of 2006.

Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim will continue to market Cymbalta/Xeristar outside the U.S. for major depressive disorder and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, and to develop potential new indications including generalized anxiety disorder and fibromyalgia. Lilly owns the rights to commercialize Cymbalta in the United States.

About AriClaim and Xeristar

In Greece, Italy and Spain, the contractual agreement for duloxetine for stress urinary incontinence allowed the product to be available under the trade names Yentreve (marketed by Lilly) and AriClaim (marketed by Boehringer Ingelheim). Similarly, duloxetine for depression and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (MDD and DPNP) in Greece, Italy and Spain will continue to be available as Cymbalta (marketed by Lilly) and Xeristar (marketed by Boehringer Ingelheim).

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information -- for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available on www.lilly.com. LLY-P

About Boehringer Ingelheim

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 144 affiliates in 45 countries and nearly 36,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

In 2004, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of 8.2 billion euro while spending nearly one fifth of net sales in its largest business segment Prescription Medicines on research and development. Additional information about Boehringer Ingelheim is available on www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

actr

15.02.2006, 14:37

Motorola and Cleartone Announce Agreement for Enhanced TETRA Gateway / Repeater Mobile Radio

BASINGSTOKE, England, Feb 15, 2006 (PR Newswire Europe via COMTEX) -- Relationship Enhances Motorola's TETRA Portfolio and Provides Wider Market Access to Proven Cleartone TETRA Technology
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced a long-term development and supply relationship with Cleartone Telecoms Ltd, UK, to design and manufacture an enhanced Gateway / Repeater Mobile Radio that will work seamlessly with Motorola's existing TETRA portfolio. The addition of the Gateway / Repeater mobile radio to Motorola's extensive TETRA terminal portfolio will deliver significant benefits and added features to public safety, military, transportation and other TETRA radio users through a common user interface and feature set, resulting in more effective training and support delivery.

The use of Gateway / Repeater Mobile radios can deliver operational benefits for many users through the enhancement of radio coverage in certain situations. In addition to operating as a standard TETRA Mobile radio, the Gateway / Repeater can enhance communications through two additional operating modes:

- As a Gateway, rebroadcasting and extending communications from the TETRA network (TMO) to radios operating off-network in "back-to-back" mode (DMO).

- As a Repeater, extending the range of DMO communications by rebroadcasting, or repeating signals from radios in DMO operation.

Motorola will distribute the new Gateway / Repeater Mobile to all TETRA markets though its extensive distribution channel. Customers will further benefit from Motorola's global product support and training programmes. The new product will initially operate in the 380-430 MHz frequency band and will be available during the second half of 2006.

Charles Couchman, product manager, Motorola TETRA subscribers, comments: "This product is an important addition to Motorola's product portfolio. This new product is designed to complement Motorola's existing products, and builds on the success of our TETRA portfolio. We are extending our broader radio products by working with Cleartone and this deal recognises not only the important contribution made by Cleartone to TETRA, but Motorola's commitment to deliver complete solutions to its customers."

Ed Balding, Managing Director, Cleartone, said: "Working with Motorola provides an exciting opportunity for us to provide a broader range of services to our existing customers, and to reach new ones in the process. Two companies working closely together such as this can only benefit the TETRA user community by providing seamlessly integrated products.

About TETRA

TErrestrial Trunked RAdio (TETRA) is an open digital trunked radio standard defined by the European Telecommunications Standardisation Institute (ETSI) to meet the needs of the most demanding professional mobile radio users. www.motorola.com/tetra

About Motorola

Motorola is known around the world for innovation and leadership in wireless and broadband communications. Inspired by our vision of Seamless Mobility, the people of Motorola are committed to helping you get and stay connected simply and seamlessly to the people, information, and entertainment that you want and need. We do this by designing and delivering "must have" products, "must do" experiences and powerful networks -- along with a full complement of support services. A Fortune 100 company with global presence and impact, Motorola had sales of US $36.8 billion in 2005. For more information about our company, our people and our innovations, please visit www.motorola.com

About Cleartone

Cleartone Telecoms is a UK company that has been manufacturing and supplying VHF and UHF radio communications products for the emergency services both in the UK and overseas for over 25 years. The Company is located South Wales where all product design, development, manufacturing and sales are based. Product portfolio consists of Tetra mobile and associated products together with mobile data systems, automatic number plate recognition systems (ANPR) and a range of analogue / digital mobile video systems.

actr

15.02.2006, 15:02

Progress Energy Announces 2005 Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results Highlights: - Reports 2005 ongoing earnings per share of $3.33, GAAP earnings of $2.82 per share - Reports 2005 core ongoing earnings of $2.70 per share, up $0.12 or 5 percent, over

RALEIGH, N.C., Feb 15, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN) announced full-year net income of $697 million, or $2.82 per share, compared to $759 million, or $3.13 per share, for the same period last year. Full-year 2005 ongoing earnings increased to $824 million, or $3.33 per share, up from $717 million, or $2.96 per share, last year. (See the discussion later in this release for a reconciliation of GAAP earnings per share to ongoing earnings per share).
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020923/CHM008LOGO-c )

"We had a very successful year in 2005, with ongoing earnings of $3.33 per share significantly exceeding our 2005 guidance range of $2.90 to $3.20 per share. These positive results reflected the benefit of positive weather as well as actions our management team took to manage costs," said Bob McGehee, chairman and CEO of Progress Energy.

"We are pleased that the IRS National Office agreed with our position that our Earthco facilities met the placed-in-service criteria. The resolution of this issue removes a significant uncertainty for our company."

Core ongoing earnings, which exclude earnings from synthetic fuels, increased to $2.70 per share, up 5 percent from $2.58 per share last year. The regulated utilities benefited from higher wholesale and retail electric margins during the year, which were partially offset by higher O&M expenses. Lower margins at the competitive commercial operations and the loss of margin from the sale of North Texas Gas contributed to a decline in earnings for the nonregulated core businesses of Progress Ventures.

Non-core ongoing earnings from synthetic fuel operations increased to $0.63 per share for the year, up from earnings of $0.38 per share for the same period last year, primarily due to higher synthetic fuel production, monetization and the recognition of additional tax credits from 2004.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2005, net income was $155 million, or $0.62 per share, compared with $194 million, or $0.80 per share, for 2004. Ongoing earnings increased to $176 million, or $0.71 per share, up from $156 million, or $0.65 per share, for last year.

2006 EARNINGS GUIDANCE

"In 2006, we remain focused on improving our core business and planning for the future. Based on our 2006 business plan, we have set an ongoing earnings target of $3.15 to $3.35 per share. Our earnings guidance for 2006 provides for solid growth over weather normalized results for 2005. This positive business projection allowed our Board of Directors to raise our dividend to shareholders for the eighteenth consecutive year," said McGehee.

actr

15.02.2006, 15:05

RPC, Inc. Reports 2005 Fourth Quarter and Annual Results - Revenues for the Fourth Quarter were $117.6 million, an increase of 37.3 Percent over Prior Year - Including a $0.05 per share Income Tax Credit, Diluted EPS for the Fourth Quarter Increased

ATLANTA, Feb 15, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- RPC, Incorporated (NYSE: RES) announced its unaudited results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2005. RPC provides a broad range of specialized oilfield services and equipment primarily to independent and major oilfield companies engaged in the exploration, production and development of oil and gas properties throughout the United States and in selected international markets.
For the quarter ended December 31, 2005, revenues increased 37.3 percent to $117,567,000 compared to $85,643,000 last year. Operating profit for the quarter was $27,350,000 compared to $15,474,000 in the prior year. Operating profit in the fourth quarter of 2004 included a net gain on disposition of assets of $3,307,000, or $0.03 per diluted share. Net income was $21,540,000, or $0.33 diluted earnings per share, compared to $11,261,000 or $0.17 diluted earnings per share last year. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2005 included an income tax credit of $0.05 per diluted share.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2005, revenues increased 25.9 percent to $427,643,000, compared to $339,792,000 last year. Operating profit for the twelve months ending December 31, 2005 was $97,713,000 compared to $51,340,000 last year. The gain on disposition of assets, net was $12,169,000, compared to $5,551,000 last year. This increase was due primarily to a net gain on disposition of assets of $10,718,000, or $0.10 per diluted share, relating to the sale during the third quarter of 2005 of the operating assets of RPC's hammer, casing, laydown and casing torque-turn services. The gain on disposition of assets in 2004 was due primarily to the gain on the sale of RPC's domestic liftboat fleet, which occurred during the fourth quarter of that year. Net income was $66,484,000 or $1.01 diluted earnings per share, an increase from $34,773,000, or $0.53 diluted earnings per share last year.

Cost of services rendered and goods sold during the fourth quarter of 2005 was $59,911,000, or 51.0 percent of revenues, compared to $47,130,000, or 55.0 percent of revenues, in the prior year. The increase in these costs was due to the variable nature of many of these expenses, including materials and supplies, employment costs, and maintenance and repair expenses. As a percentage of revenues, however, these costs decreased because of improved pricing and higher equipment and personnel utilization. In addition, insurance expense was lower during the fourth quarter of 2005 than in the prior year. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 12.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2005 to $19,884,000 from $17,658,000 in the prior year, due to higher salary and wage expenses and bad debt expense consistent with higher activity levels. These costs decreased as a percentage of revenues to 16.9 percent in 2005 compared to 20.6 percent last year because of our success in leveraging these costs over higher revenues. Depreciation and amortization were $10,379,000 during the quarter, 18.8 percent higher than last year, due to increased capital expenditures made during 2005.

Net income for the quarter compared to the prior year increased due to higher revenues, higher gain on disposition of assets, and a lower effective tax rate, partially offset by the higher costs of services rendered and goods sold and higher selling, general and administrative expenses. The effective tax rate during the quarter was 23.9 percent compared to 34.8 percent in the prior year. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to receipt of tax refunds related to successful resolution of certain tax matters during the fourth quarter of 2005, which had a positive impact of $0.05 diluted earnings per share.

"RPC's fourth quarter results reflect continued high activity levels, an increase in pricing, and growth in our capacity," stated Richard A. Hubbell, RPC's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The average domestic rig count during the fourth quarter was 1,478, 18 percent higher than the same period in 2004. Our domestic revenues grew at a higher rate than the rig count because of a price increase during the third quarter and continued investment in operating capacity. In addition, our international business grew in the fourth quarter of 2005 compared to the prior year, principally due to increases in West Africa, South America, and the Middle East.

Hubbell continued, "We have invested over $17 million in capital expenditures during the quarter, compared to approximately $13 million in the fourth quarter of last year. We have increased our capital expenditures in order to take advantage of the favorable operating environment. The majority of these capital expenditures have been used to grow our largest service lines. This was an exceptional year for RPC, marked by a strong domestic market and a continued focus on areas in which we have already had proven success.

"RPC experienced a strong year in 2005, especially in the fourth quarter. In a continued favorable environment, we plan to continue to focus on our largest service lines in 2006, increasing our capacity in the domestic market while continuing to expand our opportunities in the international markets. Assuming that the environment for our services continues to remain strong, we plan to increase the level of our capital expenditures for new equipment in 2006. The industry environment continues to look promising, but we will remain aware of the volatility in this industry and be prepared to take necessary action in response to changing conditions."

actr

15.02.2006, 15:15

Hot Stocks To Watch for Wednesday, February 15, 2006: Key Goal Recognized! NOTE TO EDITORS: The Following Is an Investment Opinion Being Issued by Peter Antipatis of Capital Research Group Inc.

WESTON, FL, Feb 15, 2006 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- TheSUBWAY.com announces the following stocks to its Hot Stocks List: Genesis Technology Group, Inc. (OTC BB: GTEC), SIRIUS Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI), Infosys Technologies Limited (NASDAQ: INFY), Caliper Life Sciences, Inc (NASDAQ: CALP)
Genesis Technology Group, Inc. (OTC BB: GTEC), a business development and marketing firm that specializes in procuring opportunities in China, announced that it has completed the sale of the Company's 80% ownership in Shanghai Chorry Technology Development Company, Limited to Dragon Capital Group Corp. (DRGV). DRGV issued $500,000 worth of common stock to Genesis as consideration. The acquisition was based on the closing price of DRGV on December 15, 2005 at $0.027, resulting in Genesis obtaining in excess of 18.5 million shares. The average closing price for DRGV for this month through February 10th reached $0.625, giving the stock holdings a current value exceeding $1.15 million.

Other stocks highlighted include SIRIUS Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI): Hot Stocks List, up 1% on 48 million shares, Infosys Technologies Limited (NASDAQ: INFY): Hot Stocks List, down 1% on 1 million shares, Caliper Life Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: CALP): Hot Stocks List, up 3% on 1 million shares "

actr

15.02.2006, 15:17

15.02.2006 14:43
US Vorbörse: Gemischtes Bild

http://img.godmode-trader.de/charts/46/2005/ISLAND46.gif

actr

15.02.2006, 15:19

15.02.2006 14:44
Merrill Lynch legt Vermögensverwaltung mit BlackRock zusammen
Die US-Investmentbank Merrill Lynch <MER.NYS> <MER.FSE> (Nachrichten/Aktienkurs) will seine Vermögensverwaltung mit BlackRock <BLK.NYS> zusammenlegen. Durch die Transaktion werde Merrill Lynch einen Sondererlös von rund 1,1 Milliarden Dollar verbuchen, teilte das Unternehmen am Mittwoch in New York mit.

Nach der Fusion werde Merrill Lynch 49,8 Prozent des Kapitals sowie 45 Prozent der Stimmrechte an dem neuen Unternehmen halten, das mit einem zu verwaltenden Vermögen von rund einer Billion Dollar in die Top Ten der weltweit größten Vermögensverwalter aufsteigen wird.

Der Anteil von PNC Financial Services <PNC.NYS> <PNP.FSE> (Nachrichten) an BlackRock werde im Zuge der Transaktion von 70 Prozent auf 34 Prozent sinken. PNC erwartet aus der Transaktion einen Buchgewinn von 1,6 Milliarden Dollar./zb/tb

ISIN US5901881087 US6934751057

AXC0135 2006-02-15/14:38

actr

15.02.2006, 15:35

Arrow Electronics to Acquire SKYDATA Corporation; Expands Storage Business in Canada

MELVILLE, N.Y., Feb 15, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:ARW) announced that it has signed a definitive agreement pursuant to which Arrow will acquire SKYDATA, a leading value-added distributor of data storage solutions based in Mississauga, Canada.
"We are pleased to be joining with such a well-respected organization as SKYDATA. Recognized for the value-add it provides, SKYDATA represents a significant expansion of our EMC business in North America and extends Arrow's ability to help VARs sell, implement and support industry-leading storage solutions," stated J. Edward Coleman, President of Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions.

SKYDATA maintains sales offices in Mississauga, Ottawa, Calgary and Laval, Quebec and is the largest distributor of EMC product in Canada. Total 2005 sales were approximately CDN$50 million (US$43 million).

"We are extremely excited to become part of the Arrow family. This transaction will enable SKYDATA to further strengthen its position in value-added distribution in Canada," stated Howard Goldberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of SKYDATA.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed during the current fiscal quarter.

Arrow Electronics is a major global provider of products, services and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and computer products. Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Arrow serves as a supply channel partner for nearly 600 suppliers and 150,000 original equipment manufacturers, contract manufacturers and commercial customers through a global network of more than 200 locations in 53 countries and territories.

actr

15.02.2006, 15:37

15.02.2006 15:19
US Vorbörse: Aktien mit dem größten Orderflow
Anbei eine aktuelle Kursliste der US Aktien, die vorbörslich den größten Orderflow pro Zeiteinheit und damit das stärkste Momentum aufweisen.

http://img.godmode-trader.de/charts/46/2005/Orderflow43.gif

actr

16.02.2006, 07:05

Blue Coat, Red Quote

By Lawrence Carrel
February 15, 2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Coat Systems, Inc. (BCSI1)

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Share price as of Tuesday`s close: $24.50
Share price now: $19.07
Change: -22.2%
Volume: 6.8 million shares, daily average 580,700 shares
Last time this low: May 27, 2005
52-week high: $52.73
52-week low: $13.86
Forward P/E before announcement: 23.1 (based on $1.06 a share)
Forward P/E after announcement: 20.3 (based on 94 cents a share)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BLUE COAT SHOULD feel a little red faced.

Shares of Blue Coat Systems (BCSI2) dropped 22% to $19.07 Wednesday after the network-security specialist issued its second earnings warning in just over a week.

On Feb. 6, the Sunnyvale, Calif., company said its third-quarter earnings would fall well short of Wall Street`s expectations. After the close of trading Tuesday, the company issued third-quarter results, managing to miss analysts` already-reduced forecasts. Worse, it said the fourth-quarter numbers would disappoint, too.

Blue Coat shares have now lost 53% of their value in little more than a week.

"Management acknowledged seeing dwindling pipelines and slowing growth rates for its core products," wrote Horacio Zambrano, an analyst at investment bank Wedbush Morgan Securities, in a note Wednesday. "On the execution side, the company admitted its sales model in North America makes it difficult to reach companies below 1,000 users and it looks to invest more in channel sales and marketing going forward."

For the third quarter ended Jan. 31, Blue Coat posted earnings of $3 million, or 20 cents a share. That marks a sharp improvement from the $267,000, or two cents a share, the company earned in the same quarter last year. But it also shows a decline from the $4.2 million, or 28 cents a share, the company earned in its fiscal second quarter.

Sales surged 43.5% year-over-year, but fell 3% on a sequential basis, to $35.5 million.

Adjusted earnings came to 21 cents a share. That beat the top of the guidance range Blue Coat offered last week by two cents, but missed analysts` expectations by three cents.

Blue Coat sells proxy appliances, or devices companies use to combat spyware, viruses and inappropriate web surfing and messaging, while managing their bandwidth and improving web performance. Trailing 12-month sales for Blue Coat total $257 million. It competes with companies like Cisco Systems (CSCO3), which booked sales of $26 billion over the past year.

On Feb. 6, Blue Coat stunned Wall Street by warning that its adjusted third-quarter earnings would total 15 cents to 19 cents a share, a dramatic drop from its Nov. 15 guidance of 30 cents to 32 cents. Shares that day plunged 39%.

Blue Coat blamed the disappointing quarter on its inability to close two significant orders. In addition, it said its market share gains in the proxy-appliance market will proceed at a slower pace than in the past.

"I believe there is a product transition issue going on," says Erik Suppiger, a network and securities specialist at San Francisco investment bank Pacific Growth Equities. "I think that it has lost the mindshare of its channel partners and some customers because, from a product improvement perspective, it hasn`t introduced new features for its core product in about a year."

Suppiger says Blue Coat didn`t anticipate the "lost focus" on the part of customers, resellers and even their own salespeople, as they waited for a new application to be released. He says the company plans to introduce a new product by April. The product`s new features, he says, will enable customers to target remote company locations, as well as their core networks.

"I would expect when the new features come out, it will generate an acceleration in the company`s growth," says Suppiger. "And while the product transition is a least a quarter out before it gets meaningful, I still think it`s a good buy at this level."

For the fourth quarter ending April 30 Blue Coat sees adjusted earnings totaling $800,000 and $1.6 million, or five cents to 11 cents a share. Sales are expected in the range of $34.5 million to $35.5 million. As of Tuesday, First Call had estimates of 25 cents a share in earnings on sales of $39.3 million.

Management did not return calls seeking comment.

Quote:
"We believe that the company has essentially captured the low hanging fruit in terms of share and is now seeing tougher competition," wrote Jeffrey Englander, an analyst at America`s Growth Capital, a Boston investment bank, in a Wednesday note. "Management stated that it would continue to have to invest for the next two quarters in bringing its application acceleration product to market, and does not expect to see any revenues from this until the [October quarter]. With proxy appliance growth seeming to have hit a wall, strategically we think investing in the application acceleration market is the right move but fear it could be late. With management visibility needing improvement, we believe upside is limited."

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actr

16.02.2006, 13:55

Stockguru.com: Guru Alerts for Thursday, February 16, 2006 OGHC, NIHK, VRDI, CKEI.

Dallas, Texas, Feb 16, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Stock Guru Alerts for Thursday include On The Go Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: OGHC), NightHawk Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: NIHK), Veridicom International, Inc (OTCBB: VRDI), and Clickable Enterprises, Inc. (OTCBB: CKEI) To feature your publicly traded company in our alerts, email feature@stockguru.com or call (469)252-3031 and we will gladly send more information on featuring your company with StockGuru.com.
On The Go Technologies Group (OTCBB: OGHC) closed down at 7.94%, trading 213,245 shares on Wednesday.

NightHawk Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: NIHK) traded as much as 20.95% over open on Wednesday.

Nighthawk is a leading provider of intelligent wireless power control products that enable simultaneous activation or de-activation of multiple assets or systems on demand. Nighthawk's installed customer base includes major electric utilities, internet service providers and fire departments in forty states. Nighthawk's products also enable custom message display, making them ideal for use in traffic control and emergency notification situations. Individuals interested in Nighthawk Systems can sign up to receive email alerts by visiting the Company's website at www.nighthawksystems.com.

Veridicom International, Inc. (OTCBB: VRDI) traded as much as 15.11% over open on Wednesday.

Veridicom International offers a suite of identity management products, including hardware and software that utilize public key infrastructure (PKI), secure token-based technology, and fingerprint biometrics to authenticate and manage personal identities for a wide variety of applications and transactions. This platform provides a biometrically authenticated digital signature for financial, travel, and other applications. Individuals can use VKI anytime, anywhere, via the Internet, point-of-sale, security kiosk, and mobile devices.

Veridicom's patented authentication and transaction technology enables real-time authentication of VKI which is available with storage capacity ranging from 256MB to 2GB, allowing on board storage of sensitive data. VKI is bundled with Veridicom's VPAS suite of authentication software, providing the latest PC/network logon applications, file encryption, secure password storage, and digital signature capabilities for MS Office. The intuitive user interface provides administrative capabilities, including user enrollment and editing, and allows dynamic partitioning between public and private areas on the device.

Clickable Enterprises, Inc. (OTCBB: CKEI) closed down at 7.89%, trading 15,444,898 shares on Wednesday.

Clickable Enterprises, through its wholly owned subsidiary, ClickableOil.com, Inc., is the first Internet-based home heating oil company to offer customers affordable home heating oil and related services. Based in Mount Vernon, New York, ClickableOil.com specializes in price control, risk management and product positioning, leaving the oil delivery and services to specially chosen vendors. The company currently operates in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, and has a license to operate in Maryland. It continues to grow geographically along the East coast. For more information, please visit www.clickableoil.com.

actr

16.02.2006, 13:58

Stockguru.com: Guru Alerts for Thursday, February 16, 2006 GRYW, PTSC, CTUM, IVOC.

Dallas, Texas, Feb 16, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Stock Guru Alerts for Thursday include for Grayling Wireless USA, Inc. (OTC:GRYW), Patriot Scientific Corporation (OTCBB: PTSC), CSMG Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: CTUM), and iVoice, Inc (OTCBB: IVOC)

Grayling Wireless USA, Inc. (OTC:GRYW) closed down at 5.26%, trading 87,099 shares on Wednesday.

Patriot Scientific Corporation (OTCBB: PTSC) traded as much as 54.81% over open on Wednesday.

Patriot Scientific (OTC Bulletin Board: PTSC.OB - News) has emerged as an effective and dynamic intellectual property company, developing and marketing innovative and proprietary semiconductor technologies. The company's portfolio of proprietary designs encompasses what is believed to be fundamental ultra-low-power array microprocessor technology, as well as pending patents designed to protect Patriot's proprietary technology and architecture. Detailed information about Patriot Scientific can be found on the website www.ptsc.com.

CSMG Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: CTUM) traded as much as 133.33% over open on Wednesday.

CSMG TECHNOLOGIES, INC. "CSMG" (OTC Bulletin Board: CTUM.OB) (OTC Pinksheets, Symbol: CTUM) referred to throughout as "CSMG" or the company is a diversified corporation formed in 1992. Since inception CSMG has invested heavily and formed strong relationships in a portfolio of state of the art technologies suitable for US and international niche markets. CSMG has been instrumental in working with Ukraine Scientific, Space, Electronics, Defense, Agriculture, Medical Institutes and Research Clinics in identifying advanced technologies and financing the completion of research and development (R & D) of these technologies. Through these activities CSMG has secured ownership and exclusive world rights for several cutting edge technologies including medical devices, environment related and other high tech niche market products. The company's exclusive rights include patents, licensing, manufacture, marketing and distribution. In 2000 CSMG began introducing these products to the US and International markets.

In addition to the R & D activities CSMG is a founder, largest shareholder and foreign investor of a successful Ukraine engineering company "United Engineering Joint Stock Company with Foreign Investments (UEC)" Founded in 1994, UEC is involved in defense industry and defense conversion projects and employs more than 250 Ukraine executive, office staff, engineers and technicians.

CSMG is a Texas corporation with offices in Corpus Christi, Texas, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Georgia, and Kiev, Ukraine.

iVoice, Inc. (OTCBB: IVOC) closed down at 12.50%, trading 318,302,733 shares on Wednesday.

iVoice has determined that the best way to create shareholder value, separate and apart from the operating performance of iVoice, is to implement new business opportunities by distributing shares of spin-offs to the Company's shareholders. The common stock distributions are part of a broader strategy relating to the transition of iVoice into a company focused on the development and licensing of proprietary technologies. The Company also continues to search for potential merger candidates with or without compatible technology and products, which management feels may make financing more appealing to potential investors.

actr

16.02.2006, 14:01

Stockguru.com: Guru Alerts for Thursday, February 16, 2006 CEMI, SDRG, CAMH, ONEV.

Dallas, Texas, Feb 16, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Stock Guru Alerts for Thursday include Chembio Diagnostics Inc. (OTCBB: CEMI), Silver Dragon Resources, Inc. (OTCBB: SDRG), Cambridge Heart, Inc (OTCBB: CAMH), and One Voice Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: ONEV)

Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. (OTCBB: CEMI) remained unchanged at .42 per share, trading 13,200 shares on Wednesday.

Chembio Diagnostics, Inc (OTCBB: CEMI) is a US-based producer of rapid HIV and other rapid tests for infectious diseases using innovative, socially responsible marketing approaches to help meet testing challenges in Africa, South America, and Asia. Chembio's goal is to ensure sustainable supplies of simple, accurate, cost-effective rapid tests to all those who need them.

Formed in 1985 as a research and development company, Chembio began manufacturing rapid HIV tests in 2001 and is currently developing a rapid test for tuberculosis that will leverage existing marketing efforts.

Silver Dragon Resources, Inc. (OTCBB: SDRG) traded as much as 32.56% over open on Wednesday.

Silver Dragon Resources Inc. is a mining and metal company focused on the exploration, acquisition, development and operation of silver mines in proven silver districts globally. Silver Dragon's objective is to acquire silver mining assets that contain promising exploration targets, have highly-leveraged, out-of-the-money silver deposits, and/or are producing properties with significant untapped exploration potential. For more information, please visit www.silverdragonresources.com.

Cambridge Heart, Inc. (OTCBB: CAMH) traded as much as 6.06% over open on Wednesday.

Cambridge Heart is engaged in the research, development and commercialization of products for the non-invasive diagnosis of cardiac disease. Using innovative technologies, the Company is addressing such key problems in cardiac diagnosis as the identification of those at risk of sudden cardiac arrest. The Company's products incorporate its proprietary technology, Microvolt T-Wave Alternans, and are the only diagnostic tools cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to non-invasively measure microvolt levels of T-wave alternans. The Company, founded in 1990, is based in Bedford, Massachusetts and is traded on the OTCBB under the symbol CAMH. Cambridge Heart can be found on the World Wide Web at www.cambridgeheart.com.

One Voice Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: ONEV) closed down at 11.48%, trading 12,508,029 shares on Wednesday.

One Voice Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:ONEV - News) is the world's first developer of 4th Generation voice solutions for the Telecom and Interactive Multimedia markets. Our Intelligent Voice(TM) solutions employ revolutionary, patented technology that allows people to send messages (E-mail, SMS, Instant Messaging and paging), purchase products, get information and control devices -- all by using their voice. The company is headquartered in San Diego, California. For more information, please visit http://www.onev.com.

actr

16.02.2006, 14:04

US Financial Network: Raytheon Awarded $31.7 Million U.S. Navy Contract for Submarine Combat Systems and Northrop Grumman's Defense Travel System Usage Surges

Feb 16, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- City of Industry, CA - Defense industry news provided by Financial News USA (OTC: FNWU) Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $31 million contract from Naval Sea Systems Command for integrated combat control systems for the next five Virginia class submarines. As the prime systems integrator for the submarine combat control suite, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) will procure, produce, test and integrate all combat control hardware and software. SiberLogic, a leading provider of innovative XML content technology, recently announces that Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) has selected SiberSafe S1000D, the company's XML/RDF/OWL-based Content Management System, to manage the Interactive Electronic Technical Manual (IETM) documentation on the Multifunction Utility/Logistics and Equipment (MULE) vehicle project in support of the U.S. Army's Future Combat System.
The Defense Travel System (DTS), designed and developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), has successfully processed more than one million authorizations, including more than 110,000 last month for its growing U.S. Department of Defense user base. DTS is now available to more than 810,000 uniformed and civilian employees at more than half of the Defense Department's 11,000 sites. U.S. BioDefense, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: UBDE) announced recently that part of a new $100 million gift by Mayor Michael Bloomberg that will go to stem cell research is the latest dissent from powerful sentiment in the New York Republican's own party. The donation was made anonymously to Johns Hopkins University but a source with knowledge of the details confirmed it came from Bloomberg, a graduate of the University and its former board chairman. For many years, he has been the major benefactor to its public health programs.

actr

16.02.2006, 14:09

ProLogis Reports Strong Growth in FFO and Earnings Per Share for 2005 Strong Results Driven by Continued Improvement in Operating Property Performance and Increases in Development and Property Fund Income

DENVER, Feb 16, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- ProLogis (NYSE: PLD), a leading global provider of distribution facilities and services, today reported adjusted funds from operations as defined by ProLogis (FFO) for the year ended December 31, 2005 of $2.71 per diluted share, up 11.5% from $2.43 in 2004. For 2005, FFO per share excludes $0.20 in relocation and merger integration expenses and cumulative translation losses and impairment charges related to the sale of ProLogis' temperature-controlled business. For 2004, FFO per share excludes $0.32 per share in charges related to redemption of preferred shares, relocation expenses and the temperature-controlled related charges noted above. For the year, net earnings were $370.7 million, or $1.76 per diluted share, up from $202.8 million, or $1.08 in the comparable period in 2004.
For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2005, FFO was $0.58 per diluted share, a 3.6% increase over $0.56 per share in the fourth quarter of 2004. Fourth quarter 2005 FFO excludes a $0.01 per share charge related to merger integration expenses, while FFO for the same period in 2004 excludes $0.28 per share in relocation expenses and impairment charges related to the sale of ProLogis' temperature-controlled business. For the fourth quarter of 2005, net earnings were $109.1 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, compared with $262,000, or less than $0.01 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2004.

In addition, on February 14, ProLogis announced that it increased the range for 2006 FFO by $0.05 per share, resulting in a new range of $2.95 to $3.15 per share, prior to charges of $0.01 to $0.03 per share for the remaining costs associated with the Catellus merger and the move of the company's Denver headquarters. The increase relates to the continued strength of ProLogis' business as well as the company's expectation that value created through certain strategic initiatives will be recognized in 2006. The range established for earnings per share for 2006 is $1.85 to $2.25 per share, prior to the charges identified above.

"Our strong financial performance in 2005 reflects the significant

Selected Financial and Operating Information

* Achieved FFO from CDFS dispositions for the year of $233.3 million, up

11.3% from $209.7 million in 2004. For the quarter, FFO from CDFS

dispositions was $33.8 million, compared with $44.0 million in the

fourth quarter of 2004. FFO amounts do not include net unrecognized

deferred gains of $49.8 million for the year and $7.8 million for the

quarter. Full-year post-deferral, post-tax CDFS margins were 22.4%,

driven largely by strong returns in Japan.

* Increased average same-store occupancies for 2005 by 2.22%, while

same-store net operating income increased 1.46% over 2004 (a 2.08%

increase when straight-lined rents are excluded). For the quarter,

average same-store occupancies increased by 2.35%, while same-store net

operating income increased 0.52% over the fourth quarter of 2004

(a 0.89% increase when straight-lined rents are excluded).

* Recycled $1.29 billion of capital through CDFS dispositions and

contributions during the year and $249.4 million for the quarter.

* Started new developments, including those within CDFS joint ventures,

with a total expected investment of $2.15 billion for the full year and

$364.7 million for the quarter.

* Increased ProLogis' share of FFO from property funds to $96.3 million in

2005, from $80.5 million in 2004. For the quarter, ProLogis' share of

FFO from property funds was $26.7 million, compared with $23.7 million

ProLogis is a leading provider of distribution facilities and services with 377.2 million square feet (35.0 million square meters) in 2,340 properties owned, managed and under development in 77 markets in North America, Europe and Asia as of December 31, 2005. We continue to expand the industry's first and largest global network of distribution facilities with the objective of building shareholder value. We expect to achieve this through the ProLogis Operating System(R) and our commitment to provide exceptional facilities and services to meet our customers' expansion and reconfiguration needs.

actr

16.02.2006, 14:12

China Digital Communication Group Executes Agreement to Acquire Shenzhen Zhuo Tong --Brings Unaudited Revenues of $5.4M and Unaudited Net Income of $1.9M to CHID--

LOS ANGELES and SHENZHEN, China, Feb 16, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- China Digital Communication Group ("China Digital") (OTC Bulletin Board: CHID), one of the fastest growing battery components manufacturers in China, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire UPE (Far East) Limited ("UPE"), which operates through its wholly owned subsidiary company, Shenzhen Zhuo Tong Power Supply Industry Co., Ltd. ("Zhuo Tong"). Zhuo Tong is one of the leading power suppliers to the domestic market (China) and is a pioneer of third generation (3G) power supply technologies and equipment. In 2005, Zhuo Tong had unaudited revenues of $5.4 million USD, and unaudited net income of US$1.85 million. The closing of the acquisition is subject to various conditions, including the completion of an audit of Zhuo Tong's financial statements, the completion of financial due diligence on UPE and Zhuo Tong by China Digital and the receipt of customary consents, approvals and opinions.
Pursuant to the acquisition agreement, China Digital will acquire 100% of UPE in an all stock transaction valued at approximately US$11.1 million. China Digital will issue 18.5 million shares to the shareholders of UPE in exchange for all of the shares UPE. Upon completion of the acquisition, the shareholders of UPE will own approximately 25% of China Digital.

Changchun Zheng, CEO and Chairman of China Digital, stated, "The acquisition of Zhuo Tong is a pivotal step in transforming China Digital from a mobile phone components manufacturer into a 3G technology and equipment system provider. Zhuo Tong leads the 3G power supply market in China with an impressive customer base and technological intellectual property, and will be immediately accretive to our earnings. The combination of Zhuo Tong and our battery shell manufacturing subsidiary Shenzhen E'Jenie provides a synergistic platform to drive aggressive future growth."

Zhuo Tong provides power supply technology and equipment to China's "Big Four" -- China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom, and China Netcom. Zhuo Tong serves large-scale commercial and industrial telecommunication operators; electrical power supply system providers, electricity utilities and other ancillary service providers. Zhuo Tong is ISO9001 quality control certified; holds a TLC license for producing telecommunication equipment and components in China; and is a member of the Chinese Power Source Academic Society.

About Shenzhen Zhuo Tong Power Supply Industry Co.

Shenzhen Zhuo Tong Power Supply Industry Co., Ltd. is specialized in manufacturing and distributing high frequency power supply products; reversible power supply products; and other related power supply products including an Intelligent Temperature Control System for the commercial computer industry. Zhuo Tong has promulgated the TLC license for producing telecommunication equipment and components in China. Shenzhen Zhuo Tong partners include Germany Phoenix Electric Co. and American Luminous Network Co. Shenzhen Zhuo Tong's major customers are communication equipment producers for the IT, power, and radio and television broadcast industries. For more information, visit http://www.zhuotong.com.

About China Digital Communication Group

China Digital Communication Group, through its Shenzhen E'Jenie subsidiary, is a rapidly growing manufacturer of battery shells and related technology for use in electronic products, primarily mobile phones. Since December 2003, the Company has adopted the approach of using licenses, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions to bring battery and telecom equipment makers in China to markets overseas. The Company's products now power digital cameras, camera phones, PDAs and laptop computers in East Asia and beyond. China Digital is continuing its expansion across China, while also seeking distribution partners in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.chinadigitalgroup.com.

actr

16.02.2006, 14:15

Clark Consulting Reports Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results Company Reports Fourth Quarter EPS of $0.37 and Full-Year EPS of $0.58

Feb 16, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Clark Consulting (NYSE: CLK), a national firm dedicated to helping companies keep their best people through integrated compensation, benefits and funding solutions, today announced its preliminary fourth quarter results, pending completion of our annual goodwill impairment testing, which includes receipt of a third-party valuation.

Fourth Quarter Overview

-- New business revenue was $32.0 million, down 25.7% from fourth quarter

2004

-- Renewal revenue decreased 10.0% from the prior year period to

$45.5 million

-- Operating income totaled $16.8 million, down 24.8% from the same period

in 2004

-- Net income declined 38.7% from fourth quarter 2004, to $6.5 million, or

$0.37 per share

-- Amortization, a non-cash charge, was $3.9 million, which equates to

$0.22 per share on a pre-tax basis

-- During the quarter the Company acquired Stratford Advisory Group, a

Chicago-based institutional investment consulting firm; and MedEx, one

of the nations top five non-direct providers of wholesale medical stop

loss insurance

-- The Company used its free cash flow to fund the Stratford and MedEx

acquisitions, reduce outstanding debt, repurchase shares and pay a

quarterly dividend

Financial Summary of Operations ($ in millions except EPS)

Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended

December 31, December 31,

2005 2004 2005 2004

Total Revenue $ 77.5 $ 93.6 $ 273.8 $ 315.6

Operating Income 16.8 22.3 37.1 52.9

Net income 6.5 10.6 10.6 18.2

EPS (Diluted) $ 0.37 $ 0.57 $ 0.58 $ 0.97

as of 12/31/05 12/31/04

Outlook

"Although we are confident about the long-term opportunities that lie ahead for our company, we feel it necessary to caution that current business conditions remain difficult," stated Tom Wamberg. "We continue to streamline our core operations and are well positioned for future growth. However we have not yet seen a ramp-up in COLI sales based on an improved legislative environment, and we continue to feel the impact of a flat yield curve on BOLI sales. Further, the Pearl Meyer & Partners practice will contribute less in 2006 than 2005 due to the departure of several consultants, and we will incur start-up costs with our Clark Benson operations with only modest revenue expectations for 2006."

Mr. Wamberg continued, "Our growth initiatives include the development of a BOLI product that is attractive even in the current flat yield curve environment, acquisitions we completed this past quarter, other core acquisitions in the pipeline and expected acquisitions from Clark Benson, which is expected to be a future growth driver for the Company."

actr

16.02.2006, 14:19

DS Nordion to Supply Cardiac Imaging Pharmaceutical for Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

OTTAWA, Feb 16, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- MDS Nordion, a world leader in nuclear medicine, and Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (MIP) have signed a six-year renewable contract to manufacture and supply Zemiva(TM), a molecular imaging pharmaceutical being developed for cardiac ischemia, or insufficient blood flow to the heart. Zemiva(TM), currently in clinical trials, is targeted for the emergency department setting.
"MDS Nordion is recognized by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide for a suite of unique drug development services, which span from the discovery of new radiopharmaceuticals to the manufacture and reliable commercial supply of products used in the patient care setting," said Steve West, President of MDS Nordion. "This contract will enable MDS Nordion to build upon our strong development partnership with Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals through the use of our significant development and manufacturing capabilities to meet the commercial market needs of Zemiva(TM)."

Zemiva(TM) is currently manufactured at MDS Nordion's facility in Vancouver, Canada. As a result of the contract, MDS Nordion will expand its Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing capabilities at this facility to support the clinical program and commercial supply of Zemiva(TM).

Zemiva(TM)'s first indication is expected to be for the rapid diagnosis of cardiac ischemia in a hospital's emergency department. Data suggests that Zemiva(TM) administered to patients at rest can detect ischemia through imaging patients up to 30 hours after a cardiac event has occurred - potentially enabling the widespread use of imaging in the emergency department for more rapid diagnosis. Zemiva(TM) allows for the imaging of patients in acute care settings and has the potential to significantly reduce the time to treatment, thereby limiting damage to the heart tissue and eliminating unnecessary hospitalizations. It is estimated that five to eight million patients in the United States annually require determination of whether their chest pain is caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart or heart attack.

MDS Nordion has 60 years of experience in offering consistent product quality, flexible product options, responsive customer service and strong technical and scientific expertise to its customers. MDS Nordion's GMP-compliant facilities located in Ottawa and Vancouver, Canada, and Fleurus, Belgium, accommodate a variety of development, manufacturing and supply requirements.

About MDS Nordion

MDS Nordion (www.mds.nordion.com) is a world leader in radioisotopes, radiation and related technologies. MDS Nordion is part of MDS Inc. (TSX:MDS; NYSE:MDZ). MDS Inc. has more than 8,800 highly skilled people in 28 countries. We provide a diverse range of superior products and services to increase our customers' speed, precision and productivity in the drug development and disease diagnosis processes. We are a global, values-driven health and life sciences company, recognized for our reliability and collaborative relationships as we help create better outcomes in the treatment of disease. Find out more at www.mdsintl.com or by calling 1-888-MDS-7222, 24 hours a day.

actr

16.02.2006, 14:33

UltraStrip Sells Robotic System to Japanese Company

STUART, Fla., Feb 16, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- UltraStrip Systems, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: USTP), the Stuart, Florida-based homeland security technology company, announced a $665,000 sale and delivery of one of its patented robotic waterjetting systems to USJ Investment Co, Ltd., a Japanese investment company. Included among the partners in USJ Investment are Chiba Marine Yokohoma Co., Ltd., Shuwa Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd., and Ihara Co., Ltd. The Japanese partnership will utilize UltraStrip's robotic technology to perform high-speed coating removal services to shipyard customers in Japan. The customers will include the shipyards, as well as the owners of oil tankers, cruise ships, bulk carriers, and container ships that bring their ships to the various Japanese shipyards
UltraStrip Systems, Inc.'s Chief Financial Officer, J.C. "Jim" Rushing III, commented, "The first quarter 2006 immediate revenue from the sale in the Japanese market is an extremely important milestone for UltraStrip. The focused interest and investment of the Japanese marine industry in UltraStrip's technology signals an increased potential for additional revenue in the first half of 2006 from Far East markets."

Stephen R. Johnson, President of UltraStrip Envirobotic Solutions, a subsidiary of UltraStrip, said, "This is a significant first step for us in Asia. The Japanese market is well known to be technically demanding, so to have our robotic system chosen by sophisticated customers is an important achievement. It has taken several years to create the necessary partnerships, demonstrate our product quality and reliability, and to achieve customer acceptance of our cutting-edge coating removal technology. We now look forward to significant additional sales in Japan serving the ship repair and above-ground storage tank markets."

UltraStrip is a technology firm that develops and manufactures patented equipment to provide solutions to homeland security, military, and environmental problems. UltraStrip's patented robotic water jetting systems are provided through its UltraStrip Envirobotic Solutions subsidiary and are designed to provide an environmentally and cost-effective coatings removal process for a range of commercial and military vessels, including military support vehicles. The robotic systems have been utilized for U.S. Navy ships (including the U.S.S. Cole after its attack off the coast of Yemen), cruise ships, and tankers in shipyards throughout the world.

Additionally, The Company's proprietary Mobile Emergency Filtration Systems and Tactical Water Filtration Trucks, provided through its Ecosphere Technologies subsidiary, are breaking new ground by transforming its powerful water-filtration and purification technology for use in the world's most challenging applications, including the military (e.g., for troop deployments) and Homeland Security (e.g., to areas hit by man-made or natural events that damage vital water resources). The Company's Mobile Emergency Filtration System successfully operated for six weeks in Waveland, MS following that community's devastation from Hurricane Katrina, providing bulk water for drinking, bathing, cooking, and cleaning purposes. In December 2005, UltraStrip announced it entered into a Joint Manufacturing and Marketing Agreement with Pierce Manufacturing Corp., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corp (NYSE: OSK). Further information on UltraStrip can be obtained through its websites http://www.ultrastrip.com and http://www.ecospheretech.com

actr

16.02.2006, 14:56

Juniper Networks Delivers Threat Control for SSL VPN Remote Access; Market Leading SSL VPN and IDP Provides Unmatched Security for Employee and Partner Remote Access

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb 16, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Juniper Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: JNPR) today announced software integration enhancements for its Secure Access SSL VPN and Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDP) appliances to provide coordinated threat control for remote employee and partner access. The Secure Access SSL VPN's IVE 5.3 release combined with the IDP 3.2R2 release delivers on Juniper's Enterprise Infranet strategy to give customers secure and assured application delivery with new identity-based threat prevention technology. This technology enables the two appliances to tie session identity of the SSL VPN with the threat detection capabilities of IDP to protect against both network- and application-layer threats.
Juniper's new offering combines two award-winning platforms for a solution that is unique in the market. Network administrators can leverage the new Secure Access SSL VPN software and IDP software to reliably identify the source of an attack and respond to the security event by not only blocking attacks before they reach their targets, but also by taking action against the source of the attack, such as quarantining or disabling the user's account. The offering also provides unmatched visibility into user behavior and security events with detailed identity, endpoint and application usage logging for mitigation, auditing and compliance.

"We're excited to see the new enhancements that Juniper has introduced to the Secure Access SSL VPN and IDP product lines. By adding the ability to identify the source of threats and coordinate responses to these threats, the SSL VPN and IDP solution provides the most advanced end-to-end security for remote access in the industry," said Werner Schmidt, CISSP and president of Altaware, Inc., a Juniper Networks Elite J-Partner. "The integrated threat control features continues to poise Juniper Networks as the market leader and demonstrate the value and importance of a market leading integrated approach."

"Juniper Networks continues to be a market leader by demonstrating its ongoing focus and innovation in delivering a remote employee and partner access solution with features required by every enterprise from small-to-medium businesses to large service providers," said Charles Kolodgy, research director for Content Security and Threat Management Products at IDC. "Through the newly enhanced SSL VPN and IDP products and new interoperability capabilities of the two product lines, Juniper offers a comprehensive SSL VPN solution that provides robust application security for remote employee and partner extranet deployments in the industry."

In addition to Juniper's new Secure Access IVE 5.3 integration capabilities with IDP, the new IVE 5.3 software provides customers with continued ease of use and flexibility for deploying SSL VPN solutions with new configuration tools, enhanced SharePoint support and increased troubleshooting capabilities.

"We are continuing to deliver on our customers' security needs outlined in the Enterprise Infranet strategy with this innovative threat control solution that integrates the company's proven security technologies. The new capabilities of the Secure Access and IDP appliances protect networks and can reduce support costs by creating a link between the user session and threats with multiple containment and remediation options," said Hitesh Sheth, vice president of Security Products at Juniper Networks. "We continue to bring industry firsts and best-in-class technology to the security market to ensure we deliver secure and assured networking solutions to enterprises and carriers around the world."

The Juniper Networks Secure Access appliances, which have earned the most awards and industry accolades in the SSL VPN market since its first products shipped in 2001, represent the market's leading SSL VPN product line. Enterprises and service providers worldwide have selected the Juniper Networks SSL VPN to help them increase efficiency and productivity.

The Juniper Networks IDP products use industry recognized stateful detection and prevention techniques to provide zero day protection against worms, trojans, spyware, keyloggers and other malware. The Juniper Networks IDP can be quickly and confidently deployed inline to effectively identify and stop network and application-level attacks before they inflict any damage, minimizing the time and costs associated with intrusions.

Availability

The Juniper Networks Secure Access appliances with IVE 5.3 and the new IDP 3.2R2 are available in Q1 2006 through Juniper Networks and its global network of reseller partners. For more information, please visit http://www.juniper.net/products/ssl/.

About Juniper Networks, Inc.

Juniper Networks is the leader in enabling secure and assured communications over a single IP network. The company's purpose-built, high performance IP platforms enable customers to support many different services and applications at scale. Service providers, enterprises, governments and research and education institutions worldwide rely on Juniper Networks to deliver products for building networks that are tailored to the specific needs of their users, services and applications. Juniper Networks' portfolio of proven networking and security solutions supports the complex scale, security and performance requirements of the world's most demanding networks. Additional information can be found at www.juniper.net.

actr

16.02.2006, 15:01

16.02.2006 14:55
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actr

16.02.2006, 15:13

Market Pulse Breaking News Alert for Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006: DNAG -- South Louisiana Serial Killer Workshop to Be Presented at the American Academy of Forensics Science (AAFS) Annual Meeting on February 20, 2006 in Seattle, Washington! NOTE TO EDITO

ATLANTA, GA, Feb 16, 2006 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Market Pulse News Alert for this AM, Stocks to Watch are: DNAPrint Genomics, Inc. (OTC BB: DNAG), eOn Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: EONC), Amgen Inc (NASDAQ: AMGN) and Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) Investors need to be watching DNAPrint Genomics, Inc. (OTC BB: DNAG) this AM! DNAPrint is a developer of genomics-based products and services focused on drug development, pharmacogenomic diagnostic tests, forensics technology, and consumer genetic tests. DNAPrint's family of products for the law enforcement forensics and consumer markets include DNAWitness(TM), RETINOME(TM) (a predictive test for inferring eye color from a DNA sample), ANCESTRYbyDNA(TM), and EURO-DNA(TM). DNAPrint's management sees exciting growth opportunity in these markets to introduce and sell their novel products and services. DNAG just had excellent news out in a press release before Thursday's opening bell announcing that Dr. Matthew Thomas, Senior Scientist, is a scheduled speaker at the South Louisiana Serial Killer Workshop at the AAFS Annual Meeting on February 20, 2006 in Seattle, Washington! This could be great news for investors!
DNAPrint Genomics, Inc. (OTC BB: DNAG) today announced that Dr Matthew Thomas, Senior Scientist, is a scheduled speaker at the South Louisiana Serial Killer Workshop at the AAFS Annual Meeting on February 20, 2006 in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Thomas will explain DNAPrint Genomics' role in focusing investigation efforts towards the correct suspect, Derrick Todd Lee, in the South Louisiana Serial Killer case. Dr. Thomas's presentation will explain the science behind the DNAWitness(TM) product and demonstrate the process that resulted in test results reflecting Derrick Todd Lee's 85% Sub-Saharan African ancestry. This information was instrumental in focusing investigation efforts on appropriate suspects. The refocused investigation resulted in an arrest less than two months after DNAPrint Genomics provided the information and the suspect was ultimately convicted.

The American Academy of Forensic Sciences is one of the world's largest and most renowned organizations of forensic scientists, with nearly 6,000 members in 57 countries. The annual meeting involves presentation of scientific papers and workshops designed to keep forensic scientists on the cutting edge of solving crime. One such workshop at this year's meeting involves a very complex, multifaceted investigation, which culminated in the apprehension and conviction of a serial killer. The experts involved in the case, including an investigator, several scientists, the profiler and legal experts, will come together to share their expertise and learning experiences, in the hopes of educating attendees so they can solve similar crimes more efficiently in their home jurisdictions.

In 2002 and 2003, murders of six victims were linked to a single assailant in Southern Louisiana. Multiple agencies were involved in the investigation and eventual prosecution of the cases, culminating in the death penalty sentence of Derrick Todd Lee in 2004. The hunt for the serial killer generated considerable media coverage, and resulted in wide sweeping effects to policy, legislation and funding. A variety of approaches were taken in the forensic investigation and prosecution of the crimes, including a blending of new technologies and trusted older techniques. The investigative use of databases generated unique leads when applied to the field of physical matching and comparison. A variety of DNA analytical methods, techniques, and applications were employed to link crimes together, eliminate suspects, implicate Lee, and bring novel investigative information to the serial killer task force, including ancestry determination which demonstrated that he was 85% African.

"The successful outcome of the Louisiana Serial Killer case in 2003 was a milestone for our DNAWitness forensic technology and brought nationwide attention to DNAPrint's capabilities in helping to solve complex crimes," stated President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Gabriel. "Since that time, DNAWitness or Retinome(TM) technologies are currently being utilized in more than 100 cases worldwide. Retinome(TM) provides an accurate inference of iris (eye) color from the measurement of proprietary single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distributed throughout the human genome and is a further advancement of DNAWitness technology. We are proud of our role in this investigation and we believe that there are many cases that would benefit from the application of our forensic technologies."

The forensic community will benefit by learning the keys to success, and avoiding the pitfalls, in large, multidiscipline, multiple murder investigations. Techniques learned will be immediately employable by forensic scientists, investigators and administrators in their own jurisdictions and casework. The forensic community and society as a whole will benefit through protection of individuals' rights by rapid exoneration of innocent suspects, the increased public safety resulting from early apprehension of serial predators, and the reduced-cost benefit of an effective investigation using the latest technology.

About DNAPrint Genomics, Inc.

DNAPrint Genomics, Inc. (www.dnaprint.com) is a developer of genomics-based products and services in two primary markets: biomedical and forensics. DNAPrint Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, develops diagnostic tests and theranostic products (drug/test combinations) using the Company's proprietary ancestry-informed genetic marker studies combined with proprietary computational modeling technology. Computational Biology and Pharmacogenomics services are also offered externally to biopharmaceutical companies. The Company's first theranostic product is PT-401, a "Super EPO" (erythropoietin) dimer protein drug for treatment of anemia in renal dialysis patients (end stage renal disease). Pre-clinical and clinical development of all the Company's drug candidates will benefit from simulated pre-trials to better design actual trials and are targeted to patients with a genetic profile indicating their propensity to have the best clinical response. DNAPrint is proud of its continued dedication to developing and supplying new technological advances in law enforcement and consumer ancestry heritage interests. Please refer to www.dnaprint.com for information on law enforcement and consumer applications which include DNAWITNESS(TM), RETINOME(TM), ANCESTRYbyDNA(TM) and EURO-DNA(TM). DNAWitness-Y and DNAWitness-Mito are two tests offered by the Company. The results from these tests may be used as identification tools when a DNA sample is deteriorated or compromised or other DNA testing fails to yield acceptable results.

Stocks in the news and acting well as of late include: eOn Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: EONC), Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) and Applied Materials, Inc (NASDAQ: AMAT).

actr

16.02.2006, 15:23

IBM Initiative to Capture New Growth Opportunities in Information Management; $1 Billion Software Investment, 15,000 Skilled Practitioners Target Opportunity

ARMONK, N.Y., Feb 16, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- IBM today announced a company-wide initiative that combines its software and industry consulting expertise to help clients better compete in the global economy through uninhibited access to accurate, reliable and trustworthy business information.
To capture this business opportunity, IBM will make a $1 billion investment over the next three years to expand its information management software development. IBM will also expand its commitment to helping clients deliver more business value from innovative uses of information by dedicating 15,000 skilled practitioners globally to this opportunity and growing this base of expertise by 65 percent over the next three years.

IBM is further aligning its software and consulting arms to address an emerging business opportunity estimated to reach $69 billion by 2009 (18% CAGR), driven by a convergence of emerging challenges facing businesses today - including globalization, mergers and acquisitions and regulatory compliance. These factors have ignited client demand for new insight and technology to enable them to innovate and grow their business while managing the complexities of increased competitive pressures and information overload.

Additionally, IBM is announcing six new solution portfolios and new software products to help clients transform their businesses from an outdated model in which data is managed as an afterthought from within applications, to an environment in which information is set free and managed as a strategic asset and to drive better decision making. IBM is also introducing step-by-step assessment tools and a new center of excellence to help clients quickly assess and tackle their individual information requirements.

"Next to people, information is a company's greatest asset, but it's value can't be realized if it's not effectively managed and delivered to the right people, business applications and processes," said Steve Mills, senior vice president, IBM Software Group. "While there's no shortage of individual piece-part products out there to help manage, search, secure and store information, companies drowning in data need a holistic approach if they have any hope of using their information for real business advantage. By combining our software and consulting expertise, IBM is helping clients unlock the real value of their business information."

The closer alignment and combination of IBM's middleware portfolio and consulting expertise will help clients rapidly plan and deploy new initiatives that unlock information from departmental silos and use it in innovative ways across their enterprises.

"For most companies, isolated business process reengineering is no longer enough," said Ginni Rometty, senior vice president, IBM Enterprise Transformation Services. "They now realize the importance of tying together data across disparate business processes, because this provides a holistic view of enterprise operations, and enables the company to innovate at a business model level, whether it's linking price to demand and supply variables in real-time, or understanding risk as it is being incurred to drive customized insurance policies. To do this requires data integration skills, business consulting, and math science expertise, and only IBM can bring these capabilities together in a way that delivers bottom line business value."

IBM BCS today unveiled six solution portfolios to help clients leverage information as a strategic asset and established worldwide centers of excellence designed to help companies deliver business value through innovative uses of information. These centers are designed to provide clients with a quantitative summary of their current needs and prescriptive guidance on how and where to begin focusing their efforts. The centers of excellence will be staffed by solution architects, information architects, and researchers from across IBM BCS, IBM Software Group and IBM Research.

The solutions provide an integrated approach to managing information as a service and were created using the extensive experience IBM consultants have amassed from hundreds of direct client engagements, as well as feedback from IBM researchers and internal software and systems deployments. They enable clients to exploit both existing information assets as well as proactively take advantage of emerging information sources to create a seamless flow of all forms of information, regardless of format, platform or location to improve business decision making for competitive advantage. The offerings address a wide range of specific business information challenges including risk and compliance, business analysis and discovery, business performance and process management, master data management, process innovation and workforce productivity.

For example, IBM's Master Data Management solution provides a complete set of services, technologies and solutions to create and maintain a "single version of truth" for enterprise data such as customer, product and supplier information for all stakeholders, across and beyond the enterprise. These offerings support clients with not only the technologies to achieve master data integration, but also the best practices governance processes to assure sustainability as well as analytical strategies for its use to improve business decision making.

IBM today also announced the IBM WebSphere Information Server, industry-first software that addresses the need for a unified information integration solution. IBM WebSphere Information Server leverages a service-oriented architecture to ensure data quality, data transformation, data movement, federation and metadata management, enabling trusted information to be leveraged throughout an organization. This allows companies to quickly understand and integrate the large amounts of heterogeneous information stored within their enterprises, and ensures the quality of that information over time -- delivering it as needed to any application, process, or individual user. This software is already being used by beta customers and is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2006.

For more details and information about IBM's efforts around helping clients leverage information as a strategic asset, visit www.ibm.com.

About IBM

The desire by businesses to access, manage and deliver information more efficiently is driving rapid change in the IT marketplace. Companies that are grappling with new government mandates and business demands are striving to capture and integrate information in a more seamless, real-time fashion across the enterprise. IBM's information on demand approach combines deep business insight with open standards, advanced storage systems, and sophisticated software to manage and secure information as a service to create efficient, cost effective and flexible information infrastructures. Regardless of industry, IBM helps companies transform data into insight to enable information on demand.

actr

16.02.2006, 19:32

Wild Oats Markets, Inc.
16.02.06 19:11 Uhr

17,02 USD

+16,26 % [+2,38]

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Börse
NASDAQ

Aktuell
17,05 USD

Zeit
16.02.06 19:12

Diff. Vortag
+16,46 %

Tages-Vol.
81,18 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
5 Mio.

Wild Oats Markets Reports Strong Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2005 Results Continued Sales Growth Drives Earnings Per Share of 11 Cents in 2005

Feb 16, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Wild Oats Markets, Inc. (Nasdaq: OATS), a leading national natural and organic foods retailer, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2005.

Highlights

2005 Results:

* The Company reported a 7.2 percent net sales increase to $1.1 billion,

and excluding the 53rd week in 2004, sales increased 9.1 percent.

* Comparable store sales increased 3.8 percent.

* Net income was $0.11 per diluted share versus a net loss of $1.37 in

2004.

* Adjusted EBITDA increased 89.8 percent to $41.0 million versus

$21.6 million last year.

* Store contribution increased 38.0 percent over 2004 to $84.7 million.

* The Company opened eight new Wild Oats and Henry's stores -- two of

which were relocations of older, smaller Wild Oats stores -- and

completed the major remodeling of four stores in 2005.

About Wild Oats

Wild Oats Markets, Inc. is a nationwide chain of natural and organic foods markets in the U.S. and Canada. With more than $1.1 billion in annual sales, the Company currently operates 113 natural foods stores in 24 states and British Columbia, Canada. The Company's markets include: Wild Oats Natural Marketplace, Henry's Farmers Markets, Sun Harvest and Capers Community Markets. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.wildoats.com.

actr

16.02.2006, 19:43

Emdeon Corporation
16.02.06 19:20 Uhr

10,09 USD

+11,74 % [+1,06]
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Börse
NASDAQ

Aktuell
10,06 USD

Zeit
16.02.06 19:26

Diff. Vortag
+11,41 %

Tages-Vol.
100,56 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
11 Mio.

Emdeon Corporation to Explore Strategic Alternatives Related to Emdeon Business Services and Emdeon Practice Services

Feb 16, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Emdeon Corporation (Nasdaq: HLTH) today announced that, in connection with inquiries received from several third parties expressing an interest in acquiring its Emdeon Business Services and Emdeon Practice Services segments, its Board of Directors has authorized commencing a process to evaluate strategic alternatives relating to these businesses to maximize stockholder value. Management has been authorized to engage financial advisors to assist the Board in this process. Emdeon's ViPS business unit will not be included in this process and will be retained by Emdeon.
Emdeon cautioned that there could be no assurance that the exploration of strategic alternatives would result in any definitive agreement or transaction and that its Board may determine to retain Emdeon Business Services and Emdeon Practice Services. Emdeon does not plan to provide updates until this process has been concluded.

Emdeon also announced that it has amended its existing Tax Sharing Agreement with WebMD Health Corp. so that Emdeon will compensate WebMD for any use of WebMD's net operating losses that may result from a sale of Emdeon Business Services and Emdeon Practice Services.

About Emdeon

Emdeon (Nasdaq: HLTH) is a leading provider of business, technology and information solutions that transform both the financial and clinical aspects of healthcare delivery. At the core of Emdeon's vision is the commitment to connect providers, payers, employers, physicians and consumers in order to simplify business processes, to provide actionable knowledge at the right time and place and to improve healthcare quality.

Emdeon Business Services provides revenue cycle management and clinical communication solutions that enable payers, providers and patients to improve healthcare business processes. Emdeon Practice Services provides physician practice management and electronic health record software and services that increase practice efficiency and enhance patient care. WebMD Health (Nasdaq: WBMD) provides health information services for consumers, physicians, healthcare professionals, employers and health plans through its public and private online portals and health-focused publications. Porex is a developer, manufacturer and distributor of proprietary porous plastic products and components used in healthcare, industrial and consumer applications.

actr

16.02.2006, 20:06

ADMINISTAFF INC
16.02.06 19:42 Uhr

47,95 USD

+15,77 % [+6,53]
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Börse
NYSE

Aktuell
47,90 USD

Zeit
16.02.06 19:45

Diff. Vortag
+15,64 %

Tages-Vol.
66,70 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
1,4 Mio.

Administaff Announces Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2005 Results - Fourth quarter revenues up 23% on 16% unit growth - Fourth quarter gross profit up 31% - Fourth quarter EPS up 179% to $0.39 - 2005 operating income up 98% on 21% revenue growth

Feb 16, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Administaff, Inc. (NYSE: ASF), the nation's leading Professional Employer Organization (PEO), today announced a 208% increase in fourth quarter net income to $10.9 million in the 2005 period from $3.5 million in the 2004 period. Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.39 from $0.14 in 2004. For the year ended December 31, 2005, the company reported net income and diluted net earnings per share of $30.0 million and $1.12, versus $19.2 million and $0.72 for 2004. Diluted earnings per share increased 111.3% over 2004, excluding the $0.19 per share impact of proceeds associated with a lawsuit settled in 2004.
"Our 2005 results demonstrate solid execution of our proven business model," said Paul J. Sarvadi, Administaff chairman and chief executive officer. "The dynamics that produced these results are in place for a successful 2006."

Fourth Quarter Results

Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2005 increased 22.8% over the 2004 period to $305.6 million. This increase was due to a 16.2% increase in the average number of worksite employees paid per month, while revenues per worksite employee per month increased 5.8% to $1,083 compared to $1,024 in the 2004 period.

Gross profit for the fourth quarter increased 30.7% to $67.2 million, due to higher unit growth and pricing, combined with better than expected health insurance and workers' compensation costs. The average gross profit per worksite employee per month increased to $238 in the 2005 period from $212 in the 2004 period.

Operating expenses for the quarter increased 12.4% to $51.8 million on the 16.2% increase in the average number of worksite employees. Accordingly, operating expenses on a per worksite employee per month basis declined from $190 in the 2004 period to $184 in the 2005 period.

Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2005 increased 187.0% to $15.4 million, with an average operating income per worksite employee per month of $55 compared to $22 in the 2004 period.

Full Year Results

Revenues in 2005 increased 20.6% to $1.2 billion, due to a 13.9% increase in the average number of worksite employees paid and a 5.9% increase in revenues per worksite employee per month.

Gross profit increased 19.3% to $236 million. The average gross profit per worksite employee per month was $221 compared to $211 in the 2004 period, as a result of increased service fee markup and a higher surplus from the company's direct cost programs.

Operating expenses increased 9.4% over the 2004 period to $192.0 million on the 13.9% increase in the average number of worksite employees. Therefore, on a per worksite employee per month basis, operating expenses decreased 4.3% to $180 compared to $188 in the 2004 period.

The resulting operating income for the year ended December 31, 2005 increased 97.8% to $43.8 million compared to $22.1 million in the 2004 period, with an average monthly operating income per worksite employee of $41 in 2005 compared to $24 in 2004.

At December 31, 2005, the company had working capital of $93.2 million compared to $47.5 million at December 31, 2004.

"For the year, Administaff increased operating income by 98% and generated over $65 million in EBITDA, which contributed to an increase of $46 million in working capital," said Douglas S. Sharp, vice-president of finance, chief financial officer and treasurer. "Our financial strength positions the company to achieve its profitability and growth objectives."

Administaff is a leading personnel management company that serves as a full-service human resources department for small and medium-sized businesses throughout the United States. The company operates 38 sales offices in 21 major markets. For additional information, visit Administaff's Web site at http://www.administaff.com

actr

16.02.2006, 20:25

Educate, Inc.
16.02.06 19:57 Uhr

8,99 USD

-24,45 % [-2,91]

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Börse
NASDAQ

Aktuell
8,99 USD

Zeit
16.02.06 19:57

Diff. Vortag
-24,45 %

Tages-Vol.
12,94 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
1,4 Mio.

Educate, Inc. Releases 2005 Results and Outlines 2006 Growth Objective

BALTIMORE, Feb 16, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Educate, Inc. (Nasdaq: EEEE), a leading pre-K-12 education company delivering supplemental education services and products to students and their families, today reported financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2005.

We were disappointed by our fourth quarter operating performance. The company could have and should have done better. Parents continue to increase spending on educational programs and our services and products continue to demonstrate success. The decline of Learning Center same territory revenues actually reflects the need for operational and management improvements to better leverage our leading position in this growing market" stated Chris Hoehn-Saric, Educate, Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We have taken aggressive action to restore growth to the company and have already noted a change in the trajectory of the business in the first quarter of 2006."

Business Overview:

During the first half of 2005, the company experienced solid same territory revenue growth and strong growth in total revenues and operating income. During the second half of the year overall revenue growth remained strong; however, the company experienced a slowdown in the learning center business and integration costs in company-owned centers that culminated in a weak fourth quarter.

Although the fourth quarter 4% same territory revenue decline impacted both franchise and company-owned operations, the decline was significantly greater in the company-owned territories. The combination of fewer inquiries and operating challenges in the company-owned territories resulted in poor financial performance for the fourth quarter. Additionally, integration problems experienced in recently acquired territories resulted in lower than expected enrollments and unanticipated operating expenses.

In response to these business conditions, management has developed a three-point strategy to restore growth, initially focused on revenues and subsequently on the income of the company. The initiatives include -- (1) management changes, designed to add additional strength while eliminating unneeded layers in the key company-owned center portion of the team, (2) implementation of new inquiry and enrollment conversion tools, and (3) development of premium and value based programs.

Management -- In an effort to streamline the company's structure and upgrade key positions, the company has made management changes. Peter Cohen has assumed the role of President of Sylvan Learning Centers, focusing on the responsibilities that he held from 1996 to 2001. Mary Foster, who has done an excellent job in guiding the Learning Centers over the past four years, has now moved to the role of Senior Vice President of Strategy for Educate, Inc. The company has hired a new director of its contact center operation. The contact center plays a critical role in responding to consumer inquiries and is the initial step in converting consumers to enrolled students. The combined leadership role overseeing both the franchise system and company-owned centers has been split between two seasoned executives in the roles of Vice President, Company-Owned Centers and Vice President, Franchise Services, each of whom will report directly to Peter Cohen. The role of Vice President of Operations and Sales for company-owned centers has been eliminated so that the five company-owned center regional managers will report directly to the Vice President, Company-Owned Centers. Additionally, the company has replaced two of these five regional managers. The result of these changes is a more focused, streamlined management team that is now closer to the day-to-day operations of the profitable franchise and company-owned territory businesses.

actr

16.02.2006, 20:37

Google Inc.
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Google stumbles on Wall Street may foreshadow future suspicion

Feb 16, 2006 (The Baltimore Sun - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News via COMTEX) -- Google Inc. became the unexpected darling of Wall Street when stock in the Internet search engine skyrocketed over the past two years to a peak of about $475 a share.
In recent weeks, however, the company whose philosophy holds that you can be serious without a suit and make money without "doing evil" has seen its market fortunes shift. The stock plunged more than $120 in the past month, including a 10 percent dive over the last week.

Google's rise and fall can be attributed in part to overzealous investors who, in a flashback to the Internet bubble of the late 1990s, were willing to overlook risks to the company's business model, analysts and industry experts said. The wild ride also comes as Google has become entangled in controversy, such as efforts by the Chinese government to censor the Internet, an issue that led lawmakers to call executives from Google and other companies to Washington yesterday.

But in a broader sense, Google's market stumble might be a foreshadowing of the knocks the company will have to take as the world's most-used search engine. Despite its do-gooder credo, Google could face a fate similar to that of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., McDonald's Corp., Microsoft Corp., and other groundbreaking giants that rose to dominance in their industries and then met with suspicion.

"For the longest time, Google was the magical and untouchable company, and so investor confidence hasn't reflected all of the realities," said Jim Harper, director of information policy studies at the Cato Institute, a Washington think tank. "It's just a natural progression. If you're successful, you're going to get someone to hate on you."

One need not look further than the Internet to find Google detractors. The Web site, google-watch.org, for instance, posts cartoons lampooning the company and references to Google as an Orwellian "Big Brother."

Google has faced some of its harshest criticism for its recent decision to launch a version of its search engine in China that excludes information censored by the Chinese government, following similar decisions by Yahoo Inc. and Microsoft. Cisco Systems Inc. has sold filtering equipment to China, which has come under fire for human rights abuses.

In moving into the lucrative market, Google said it sought to satisfy the interests of users, expand access to information, and respond to local conditions. The company also said it will tell users when content has been blocked.

Rep. Christopher Smith, a New Jersey Republican, said in an opening statement for the congressional hearing that Google, Yahoo, Cisco and Microsoft "have compromised both the integrity of their product and their duties as responsible corporate citizens. They have aided and abetted the Chinese regime."

On Tuesday, Tibetan groups that agitate for an end to Chinese rule in the Asian region staged Valentine's Day protests against Google in London, Toronto and Mountain View, Calif., where the company has its headquarters. They posted their activities on noluv4google.com.

"For people who put themselves on a pedestal and say we will do no evil and then to start dealing with China under the Chinese-dictated terms, that would undermine some of the high ground they wanted to take," said Asher Epstein, managing director of the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business.

Google has won kudos from privacy rights groups for fighting a Justice Department subpoena for search records it says it needs to combat online child pornography, although the case has shed light on the fact that Google retains personal information on users.

The company also has become embroiled in legal tangles with the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers, who have sued over Google's plan to create a digital Internet library of printed books, alleging copyright infringement. In a separate development, the World Association of Newspapers has lashed out at search engines, particularly Google, that grab news from other sites and post it online.

Google's much-watched founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, have been under scrutiny as well. Critics take issue with Brin, who earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of Maryland at College Park in 1993, and Page for unloading billions of dollars worth of Google stock. Investors typically want top management to hold sizable stakes in their companies, and often take insider sales of stock as a sign that something might be amiss.

"For them to say we don't care about profits, we just want to generate a growing enterprise, well, they have the luxury to do that because they've already cashed in enough chips," said Andrew M. Schroepfer, president of Tier 1 Research, an independent firm.

Brin and Page continue to own Google shares, and they insist they aren't in business for the money. If that were their motivation, the former Stanford University classmates "would have sold the company a long time ago and ended up on a beach," Page said in a recent interview with Time magazine.

The duo are known for espousing frugality, and both have owned the environmentally friendly, economically priced Toyota Prius cars, though they recently started using a refurbished Boeing 767 airplane for more extended travel.

At the same time, they have snubbed Wall Street ways. They refuse to give analysts any guidance on the company's quarterly earnings, saying they are focused on building the business over the long term and not on short-term profits. And when the company went public in August 2004, it cut out investment banks by selling shares directly to investors through auctions.

After critics sniffed that its initial stock price was too rich at $85, the stock zoomed past $200 by early 2005, past $300 by last summer and beyond $400 last fall.

Google, which attracts an audience of more than 80 million people in English-speaking markets and offers search results in 35 other languages, makes money through advertisements. Among the risks to that business is "click fraud," in which a person or automated software clicks repeatedly on an ad to drive up the ad bills of competitors.

Another risk has to do with keyword pricing in which retailers and other customers pay higher prices for their names to appear higher on the list of search results. Analysts said Google's revenue might not rise as quickly if customers decide the rates have gotten too expensive and turn to either Google's competitors or other media to advertise.

Google got a taste of disappointing "the Street" two weeks ago when the company reported higher-than-anticipated taxes and spent more on marketing and infrastructure than analysts had projected for the fourth quarter. Though revenue nearly doubled, the number missed analysts' expectations, and the stock slid in an investor sell-off.

The earnings report came on the heels of two analysts -- Scott Devitt of Stifel Nicolaus in St. Louis and Scott Kessler of New York's Standard & Poor's -- downgrading Google's stock from "hold" to "sell" in mid-January, which spooked some investors.

"I think people were unaccustomed to seeing the words 'Google' and 'sell' in the same sentence," Kessler said.

"The magic is gone from the stock at this point," he added. "Whatever happens from here on, it's never going to be that way again."

Still, about three-quarters of analysts following Google recommend that investors buy the shares, and some predict the stock price will soar back toward $500 within the year. Both Stifel Nicolaus and Standard & Poor's have re-evaluated their positions and raised their recommendations back to "hold." Kessler said he expects the stock to be in the $390 range over the next year.

In spite of the recent, conspicuous stumble, many analysts say Google's prospects are almost as infinite as the Internet's.

This month, the company joined a group that included Skype Technologies SA to invest in Fon, a venture that's developing a network of wireless fidelity, or Wi-Fi, locations for Internet access. Last month, Google announced plans to buy a broadcasting station for more than $1 billion, and the company has launched "Google Video," a clearinghouse for downloadable TV shows and movies. It also has Froogle.com, a comparison shopping service.

A January report by Bear, Stearns & Co. speculates that Google is "in the midst of creating its own iTunes competitor" to compete with Apple on digital music. "This fits in with Google's recent moves and its ultimate goal of organizing the world's information," the report said.

"Google's chances of having complete and utter domination is far greater than, say, Wal-Mart," said Schroepfer of Tier 1 Research. "If you could do all of your phone calls, all of your shopping and have all of your TV shows delivered over a Web browser, everything except for actual human interaction could be done over the Internet."

By Laura Smitherman and Tricia Bishop

actr

17.02.2006, 07:05

Cooked on Phonics

By Lawrence Carrel
February 16, 2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Educate, Inc. (EEEE1)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share price as of Wednesday's close: $11.90
Share price now: $8.89
Change: -25.3%
Volume: 2.2 million shares, daily average 146,400 shares
Last time this low: All-time low
52-week high: $17.11
52-week low: $9.96
Forward P/E before announcement: 17.2 (based on 69 cents a share)
Forward P/E after announcement: n/a

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WALL STREET GAVE EDUCATE (EEEE2) an "F" for its financial report Thursday.

The Baltimore tutoring company reported a sizable and unexpected loss for its fourth quarter due in large part to a big jump in expenses. Its shares sank 25% to an all-time low of $8.89.

"The results are a significant disappointment, nearly irrespective of which performance metric is considered," wrote Howard Block, an analyst at Bank of America Securities, in a Thursday note. "Investors should find little comfort in fiscal 2006 guidance which appears prematurely optimistic in light of the long list of formidable challenges inventoried by management in its press release."

Educate posted a fourth-quarter loss of $4.7 million, or 11 cents a share. A year ago the company earned $1.9 million, or four cents a share. Sales increased 22% to $76.6 million. Excluding one-time charges for employee stock-option expensing and "other financing costs" the company said it lost four cents a share. Analysts were looking for a nickel a share profit, according to Thomson First Call.

Educate provides in-center and online tutoring for pre-kindergarten through high school students. Its Sylvan Learning Center is North America's largest tutoring network. The company also sells Hooked on Phonics kits to parents and teachers. They consist of CDs, workbooks, flashcards and more that teach reading. Other Hooked On kits teach writing, math and study skills. Educate also partners with schools to provide supplemental courses, including No Child Left Behind programs, through its Catapult Learning division.

While Sylvan is 25 years old, Educate went public in September 2004 at $11 a share. The stock peaked in September 2005 at $16.68.

"There's a long list of things that didn't go right this quarter," says Trace Urdan, an analyst at Milwaukee investment bank Robert W. Baird & Co. Urdan says the company's strategy of buying existing Sylvan centers from franchisees while opening new company-owned centers has been carried out at an unsustainable rate.

Educate bought eight franchise centers in the fourth quarter, bringing its total franchise purchases for 2005 to 60. It also opened 10 company-owned centers during the quarter and 47 during the year.

Sales at learning centers opened at least a year declined 4% during the fourth quarter. Investors tend to look warily at companies that rapidly open new stores while sales at existing ones are eroding.

"We were disappointed by our fourth-quarter operating performance," said Chris Hoehn-Saric, Educate's chairman and chief executive, in a written statement. "The decline of Learning Center same-territory revenues actually reflects the need for operational and management improvements to better leverage our leading position in this growing market."

Integration problems resulted in lower than expected enrollments and an unanticipated 13% increase in operating expenses to $4.5 million, the company said.

"It all came home to roost," says Urdan. "While revenues were in line, costs were out of control. Too much staff needed to integrate the new and existing centers. There was also the sense it has been marketing products too aggressively. In its enthusiasm to sell new products and drive up the average spend per customers; it may have driven people away."

The company has nearly doubled the amount of money families spend on classes and books in each center, says Urdan. But aggressive selling has created a backlash among customers, he says. Urban also says the company must respond faster to Internet and phone inquiries made by prospective customers.

Educate officials didn't return phone calls seeking comment.

Educate said it will introduce lower-cost programs at Sylvan beginning in the first half of 2006. But it also said operating income and revenues for the first half of 2006 will fall short of year-earlier figures.

For the full year, Educate sees earnings increasing 15% to 20%, and sales, 20% to 25%.

"Educate is at a place where it is feeling the pressure in its ability to attract customers," says Urdan. "While it is tackling a lot of small issues, the elephant in the room is it has effectively saturated this market of affluent families that would pay for this service. So, Educate ceases to be a straightforward growth company and more of a consumer cyclical that will move with the cycles in the economy."

Quote:
"This second material miss has caused us to question the growth characteristics of Educate's business and the credibility of management," wrote Merrill Lynch analyst Lauren Rich Fine in a Thursday note downgrading the stock to Sell. "Further, management indicated the seasonally important first half earnings roughly two thirds of full year 2005 earnings are going to be down year-over-year in 2006 due to investment spending, though the company did note "a change in the trajectory of the business" in the first quarter. Nonetheless, we expect continued pressure on the shares as there are few catalysts near term and management needs to rebuild credibility."

actr

17.02.2006, 08:56

HANDELSBLATT, Donnerstag, 16. Februar 2006, 22:19 Uhr

Aufstockung um elf Prozent

Coca-Cola erhöht seine Dividende

Der weltgrößte Getränkhersteller Coca-Cola will seine Quartalsdividende von 28 auf 31 Cent je Aktie erhöhen.

HB ATLANTA. Dies stelle eine Aufstockung um elf Prozent dar, erklärte Coca-Cola am Donnerstag. Dies entspricht einer Jahresdividende von 1,24 Dollar je Aktie gegenüber bisher 1,12 Dollar je Aktie. Die höhere Dividende wird ab 1. April gezahlt.

Coca-Cola hat den Aktionären im vergangenen Jahr 2,7 Mrd. Dollar in Form von Dividenden und zwei Mrd. Dollar durch Rückkäufe von Coca-Cola-Aktien zukommen lassen.

actr

17.02.2006, 13:06

SIRIUS Satellite Radio Reports Record Subscriber Growth and Revenue for Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2005 - Subscribers Increased 190% to Over 3.3 Million at Year-End 2005 - Satellite Radio Market Share Leader For Fourth Quarter 2005 - 2005 Revenue G

Feb 17, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) today announced record fourth quarter and full-year 2005 financial and operating results, driven by better-than-expected subscriber growth across its distribution channels.

SIRIUS ended 2005 with 3,316,560 subscribers, reflecting a 190% increase in total subscribers for the year and record net subscriber additions of 2,173,302. For the fourth quarter, the company added 1,142,640 net subscribers, making SIRIUS the market share leader in terms of net satellite radio subscriber additions for the quarter. This was the best quarterly gain in the company's history, and a 138% increase over net subscriber additions in the year-ago quarter. SIRIUS' market share of satellite radio net subscriber additions was approximately 45% for full-year 2005 and approximately 56% for the fourth quarter.

Full-year 2005 revenue grew to $242.2 million, up 262% from $66.9 million in 2004, and ahead of guidance for the year. Average monthly churn for the fourth quarter and full-year 2005 was 1.5%, in line with guidance. Subscriber acquisition costs (SAC) per gross subscriber addition was $113 for the fourth quarter and $139 for full-year 2005, a 21% improvement over the full-year 2004 level and ahead of guidance of under $145 for 2005.

"2005 was our best year ever and a major milestone for SIRIUS, setting new records in subscribers, market share and revenue," said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS. "We continue to be the fastest growing U.S. provider in this exciting new entertainment category, with strong growth driven by tremendous demand for our products and our programming, including the NFL, Martha Stewart and Howard Stern. In 2006, we believe this positive momentum will be further reflected in our automotive OEM channel, where we expect to more than double our subscriber base."

During 2005, SIRIUS added 1,554,108 net subscribers from its retail channel, a 123% increase from 696,028 net retail subscriber additions in 2004. The company also added 620,224 net subscribers from its automotive OEM channel, more than 241% above net automotive OEM subscriber additions of 181,646 in 2004. For the fourth quarter, SIRIUS added 900,645 net subscribers from its retail channel and 241,705 net subscribers from its automotive OEM channel.

SIRIUS reported a net loss of ($311.4) million, or ($0.23) per share, for the fourth quarter of 2005, and a net loss of ($863.0) million, or ($0.65) per share, for the full-year.

2005 Achievements

During the year, SIRIUS achieved significant operational milestones including the following:

* Satellite radio market share parity in the retail channel -- retail

market share of 55% for the full-year and 61% for the fourth quarter,

according to The NPD Group

* Rapid acceleration in OEM subscriber additions, with further

acceleration expected in 2006

* Material reduction in SAC per gross subscriber addition, with further

improvements expected in 2006 and beyond

* Long-term exclusive agreements extended with SIRIUS' automotive OEM

partners DaimlerChrysler (Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz), Ford and BMW

* Exciting new programming exclusives with Martha Stewart, Richard

Simmons, the NBA, Adam Curry's Podcast Show, Howard Stern (January

2006) and NASCAR (2007)

* Introduced the critically acclaimed SIRIUS S50, the satellite radio

industry's first wearable device with MP3/WMA capabilities

* Launched SIRIUS Music on the Sprint wireless network, a satellite radio

SIRIUS expects to generate approximately $600 million of total revenue in 2006, and approximately $1 billion in 2007. SIRIUS expects an adjusted loss from operations of approximately $540 million in 2006.

SIRIUS ended the fourth quarter of 2005 with approximately $879 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. SIRIUS' first quarter of positive free cash flow, after capital expenditures, could be reached as early as the fourth quarter of 2006, and the company continues to expect to generate positive free cash flow for the full-year 2007.

The company expects capital expenditures to be approximately $110 million in 2006, which includes investments for new revenue generating opportunities such as telematics, video and other data services, as well as network infrastructure expansion, including payments related to the previously disclosed contract to secure a slot for a possible satellite launch prior to year-end 2010.

SIRIUS also believes that in 2010 the company will generate approximately $3 billion in revenue and approximately $1 billion in free cash flow, after capital expenditures.

actr

17.02.2006, 13:10

Western Gas Resources, Inc. Announces 13 Percent Increase in Reserves

Feb 17, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Western Gas Resources, Inc. ("Western") (NYSE: WGR) today announced that proved reserves at December 31, 2005 increased approximately 13 percent to 921 billion cubic feet of gas equivalents ("Bcfe"). The Company replaced 275 percent of 2005 production of 63 Bcfe. Net production increased 14 percent in 2005 from the prior year. Reserves increased 173 Bcfe before production and divestures. Rocky Mountain natural gas reserves represent 100 percent of the proved reserve base. The Company drilled or participated in 1,154 gross wells (532 net wells) in 2005, a 36 percent increase above the prior year. Ninety-nine percent of the wells were successful. At year-end, 43 percent of reserves were proved developed. The above results are based on a full independent reserve report prepared by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. ("NSAI"). At December 31, 2005 the pretax present value of the reserves discounted at ten percent was $2.2 billion, based on year-end NYMEX prices of $10.08 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) of gas and $61.00 per barrel of oil, adjusted for regional pricing differentials and existing hedging positions.
In addition to the proved reserves, NSAI estimates the Company has approximately three trillion cubic feet of gas equivalents ("Tcfe") of probable and possible reserves per the 2005 reserve report by NSAI

Company Description. Western is an independent natural gas explorer, producer, gatherer, processor, transporter and energy marketer. The Company's producing properties are located primarily in Wyoming, including the developing Powder River Basin coal bed methane play, where Western is a leading acreage holder and producer, and the rapidly growing Pinedale Anticline. The Company also owns and operates natural gas gathering, processing and treating facilities in major gas-producing basins in the Rocky Mountain, Mid-Continent and West Texas regions of the United States. For additional Company information, visit Western's web site at www.westerngas.com.

actr

17.02.2006, 14:12

Sohu.com to Present at The Deutsche Bank Access China 2006 Conference

BEIJING, Feb 17, 2006 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Sohu.com Inc. (Nasdaq: SOHU), China's leading online media, search and mobile value-added services company, will present at the Deutsche Bank Access China 2006 Conference. The conference is being held from February 27 to March 2, 2006 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Beijing, China. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Charles Zhang, and Chief Financial Officer, Carol Yu, is scheduled to present at 3:00 p.m. Beijing Time on Thursday, March 2, 2006.
The Deutsche Bank Access China 2006 Conference will showcase over a hundred listed and privately held companies including a broad spectrum of premier multinationals and a wide range of industry experts. In attendance will be a series of specialist speakers, multinational companies, and prominent officials from regulatory and government bodies based in China.

About Sohu.com

Sohu.com Inc. (Nasdaq: SOHU) is China's premier online brand and indispensable to the daily life of millions of Chinese who use the portal network for their news, search, e-mail, wireless messaging, instant messaging, browsing, games and shopping. Sohu has built one of the most comprehensive matrices of Chinese language web properties and proprietary search engines, consisting of the mass portal and leading online media destination www.sohu.com; interactive search engine www.sogou.com; #1 online alumni club www.chinaren.com; #1 games information portal www.17173.com; the top real estate website www.focus.cn; wireless value-added services provider www.goodfeel.com.cn; and leading online mapping service provider www.go2map.com. This network of web properties offers vast Sohu user community very broad choices regarding information, entertainment, communication and commerce.

Sohu corporate services consist of brand advertising on its matrix of websites as well as paid listing and bid listing on its in-house developed search directory and engines. Sohu also offers three types of consumer services. Sohu offers wireless value-added services such as news, information, ringtone and picture content sent over mobile phones. The company also operates two massively multi-player online role-playing games as well as a casual game platform, and manages an e-commerce platform. Sohu.com, established by Dr. Charles Zhang, one of China's Internet pioneers, is in its ninth year of operation.

actr

17.02.2006, 14:17

OPTI Canada Announces 2005 Year End Results -- Reports an increase to 2.6 billion barrels of recoverable bitumen resources -- -- Long Lake Phase 1 on track for first steam in late 2006 -- TSX: OPC

CALGARY, Feb. 17, 2006 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- OPTI Canada Inc. ("OPTI") announced today the Company's financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2005.
OPTI is building Canada's fourth and next integrated oil sands project and advancing future phases of growth via a multi-stage expansion strategy. Key accomplishments in 2005 include the:

- Significant construction progress at Phase 1 of the Long Lake site; at

year end, construction was over 30 percent complete in preparation for

the scheduled start-up of steam assisted gravity drainage operations

in late 2006 and Upgrader start-up in mid-2007;

- Completion of the 156 well (78 well pair) Phase 1 SAGD commercial

drilling program;

- Announcement of increased recoverable resource estimates to

2.6 billion barrels as a result of our ongoing resource delineation

program;

- Advancement of Phase 2-4 growth plans and OPTI's strategy to reach

120,000 barrels per day of Premium Sweet Crude production net to OPTI.

"These significant achievements are the direct result of our detailed up-front planning process," said Sid Dykstra, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Phase 1 is progressing well and, while we have many challenges ahead of us, I believe we have the team and execution strategy in place to achieve our targets."

"We are continuing with the delineation of all our oil sands leases to develop future projects and achieve 240,000 bbl/day gross (120,000 bbl/day net to OPTI) of Premium Sweet Crude production via our multi-phase expansion plans. Activity on Phase 2 has commenced with sanctioning targeted for 2008 and anticipated completion in 2011. OPTI, as operator of the Upgrader, is well-positioned with our unique combination of substantial resources and proprietary OrCrude(TM) process to create long-term value for our shareholders," continued Mr. Dykstra.

actr

17.02.2006, 14:55

Here is a synopsis of today's Zacks Rank Buy Stocks:

Aggressive Growth - ECI Telecom Ltd. (Nasdaq:ECIL)

ECI Telecom Ltd. has exceeded earnings estimates for eight straight quarters, each time by at least 10%. One out of the two analysts covering the stock raised numbers for 2006. ECIL is a cheap stock, trading at 15.4X 2006 estimates, which is lower than the 20% long-term growth rate.

Growth & Income - JLG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:JLG)

JLG Industries, Inc., a Zacks #1 Rank stock, has topped the consensus earnings estimate for the past four quarters, most recently by 58.8%. Strong first-quarter fiscal 2006 results prompted the company to raise its fiscal 2006 revenue and earnings per share outlook. Analysts continue to be optimistic about the stock.

Momentum - Aspen Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:AZPN)

Aspen Technologies reported earnings for the December quarter on Feb 7 at 14 cents per share, versus four cents in the same quarter in 2004, an improvement of 250%. In addition, the earnings caught analysts off guard as the report was a 100% surprise over their consensus.

Value - Shoe Carnival, Inc. (Nasdaq:SCVL)

Shoe Carnival, Inc., due to its strong fourth-quarter sales performance, recently issued fourth-quarter and fiscal 2005 earnings per share guidance above analysts' estimates. This Zacks #1 Rank stock has increased revenues and expanded gross margins for the past eight years. Analysts' earnings estimates have been trending higher for the company. SCVL has a price-to-book ratio of 1.7.

Truly taking advantage of the Zacks Rank requires the understanding of how it works. The free special report, "Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions," provides an insightful background about this wealth-building tool. Download your free copy of the report now to prosper in the years to come by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=93.

actr

17.02.2006, 15:00

17.02.2006 14:55
US Vorbörse: Gemischtes Bild

http://img.godmode-trader.de/charts/46/2005/ISLAND48.gif

actr

17.02.2006, 15:21

BUYINS.NET: NAT, RSO, UCNN, CPTH, MOTG, POIG have also been added to naked short lists today

Feb 17, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- BUYINS.NET, www.buyins.net, announced today that these select companies have been added to the NASDAQ, AMEX and NYSE naked short threshold lists: Nordic American Tanker Shipping Limited (NYSE: NAT), Resource Capital Corp. (NYSE: RSO), UCN, Inc. (OTCBB: UCNN), Critical Path, Inc. (OTCBB: CPTH), Modern Technology Corp (OTCBB: MOTG), Petrol Oil and Gas, Inc. (OTCBB: POIG)

Nordic American Tanker Shipping Limited (NYSE: NAT) engages in the ownership and operation of double-hull Suezmax crude oil tankers. As of September 26, 2005, the company's fleet consisted of 7 Suezmax tankers with a capacity of 1,069,827 dead weight tons. One of these seven vessels is on long term contract and other six vessels are employed in the spot market or on spot related contracts. Nordic American Tanker Shipping was founded by Herbjrn Hansson in 1995 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. With 16.64 million shares outstanding and 645,590 shares declared short as of January 10th, there is a failure to deliver in shares of NAT.

Resource Capital Corp. (NYSE: RSO) and subsidiaries engage in the purchase and management of a portfolio of real estate-related assets and commercial finance assets in the United States. It intends to qualify and elect to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. As a REIT, it would not be subject to federal income tax, provided the company distributes atleast 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders. Resource Capital Manager, Inc. serves as the manager of the company. Resource Capital was organized in January 2005 and is based in New York City. With 17.80 million shares outstanding and an undisclosed short position, there is a failure to deliver in shares of RSO.

UCN, Inc. (OTCBB: UCNN) a telecommunications company, provides a range of long distance and related communication services to business and residential customers in the United States. Its services include real time call management, automatic call distribution, interactive voice response, access long distance service, data transmission, private line data services, calling card services, conference calling, outbound dialing and voice message broadcasting, fax to email, and switched long distance services, as well as voice mail. The company, formerly known as BUI, Inc., was founded by Paul Jarman in 1994 and changed its name to BuyersOnline.com, Inc. in 2001. Further, BuyersOnline.com changed its name to Buyers United, Inc. in 2001 and to UCN, Inc. in 2004. UCN is based in Bluffdale, Utah. With 22.11 million shares outstanding and an undisclosed short position, there is a failure to deliver in shares of UCNN.

Critical Path, Inc. (OTCBB: CPTH) delivers software and services for messaging and identity management. The company's messaging application products include a messaging server, a personal address book server, a calendar server, an Internet file server, and a notification server. These solutions, which are available both as licensed software and as hosted services, provide integrated access to a range of communication and collaboration applications from wireless devices, Web browsers, desktop customers, and voice systems. Critical Path's identity management products include a meta-directory server, a directory server, and password management. These products organize and manage user identity information, such as names, user ids, passwords, email addresses, telephone numbers, and group affiliations. Its customers include enterprises, wireless carriers and telecommunications providers, broadband companies and service providers, and government agencies and postal authorities. The company offers its products and services in North America, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The company has strategic partnerships with LogicaCMG, Comverse Technology, Inc., Capgemini, the Hewlett-Packard company, EMC Corporation, Epok, Inc., Orasi Software, Inc., VIA NET. WORKS, Inc., CTI2, SAIC, RSA Security, Inc., Entrust, Inc., and Computacenter. Critical Path was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. With 37.26 million shares outstanding and an undisclosed short position, there is a failure to deliver in shares of CPTH.

Modern Technology Corp. (OTCBB: MOTG) operates as a diversified technology development and acquisition company. It provides business infrastructure, substantial intellectual capital, strategic investments, and ongoing support and revenue growth assistance to each individual company within its portfolio. In addition, the company offers mentoring and assistance through collective operations experience, significant industry contacts, and strategic and tactical advice. The company was founded in 1982 and is based in Oxford, Mississippi. With 32.60 million shares outstanding and an undisclosed short position, there is a failure to deliver in shares of MOTG.

Petrol Oil and Gas, Inc. (OTCBB: POIG) engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas. It also involves in the development of Coalbed Methane gas production projects located in the Cherokee Basin along the Kansas and Missouri border. As of December 31, 2004, the company had approximately 169,000 gross acres of mineral leases in Coffey County, Kansas; and the adjacent counties of Anderson, Osage, Lyon, Franklin, Woodson, Wilson, and Neosho, as well as Cass and Bates counties in western Missouri. As of the same date, it had net proved gas reserves of 12.69 billion cubic feet. The company was organized in 2000 as Euro Technology Outfitters and changed its name to Petrol Oil and Gas, Inc. in 2002. Petrol Oil and Gas is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. With 26.07 million shares outstanding and an undisclosed short position, there is a failure to deliver in shares of POIG.

actr

17.02.2006, 15:24

DJ Kellogg To Buy 12.78M Shares From W.K. Kellogg Trust >K

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Feb 17, 2006 (Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex) -- Kellogg Co. (K) Friday said it agreed to repurchase about 12.78 million of its shares from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Trust for $550 million, or $43.02 a share.
In a press release, the maker of Frosted Flakes, Pop-Tarts and Eggo waffles said it expects to complete the privately negotiated transaction on Tuesday.

The trust will remain Kellogg's largest shareholder with a roughly 25% stake.

New York Stock Exchange-listed shares of Kellogg closed Thursday at $44.44, up 66 cents, or 1.51%.

actr

17.02.2006, 15:51

17.02.2006 15:35
Kellogg kauft erneut eigene Aktien vom größten Aktionär zurück
Der US-Nahrungsmittelkonzern Kellogg Co. (ISIN US4878361082 (Nachrichten)/ WKN 853265) gab am Mittwoch bekannt, dass er beabsichtigt, für 550 Mio. Dollar insgesamt 12.784.751 eigene Aktien vom W.K. Kellogg Foundation Trust zurückzukaufen.

Der Trust wird den Angaben zufolge auch nach der Transaktion mit rund 25 Prozent der größte Aktionär von Kellogg sein. Die Aktien werden zum einem Stückpreis von 43,02 Dollar erworben. Der Erwerb soll am 21. Februar abgeschlossen werden.

Die Aktie von Kellogg beendete den Handel gestern an der NYSE bei 44,44 Dollar.

actr

17.02.2006, 18:59

Spherix Incorporated
17.02.06 18:42 Uhr

2,85 USD

+29,55 % [+0,65]

http://isht.comdirect.de/charts/big.chart?hist=1d&type=CONNECTLINE&ind0=VOLUME&&currency=&&lSyms=SPEX.NAS&lColors=0x000000&sSym=SPEX.NAS&hcmask=
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Börse
NASDAQ

Aktuell
2,85 USD

Zeit
17.02.06 18:42

Diff. Vortag
+29,55 %

Tages-Vol.
4,28 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
1,6 Mio

Spherix Incorporated (NASDAQ: SPEX) Spherix Incorporated With 12.10 million shares outstanding and 660,410 shares declared short as of January 10th, there is no longer a failure to deliver in shares of SPEX.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
( BUYINS.NET: AX, SCU, SPEX, KHLM, SVMI Have Been On BUYINS.NET Naked Short List For 13 Consecutive Trading Days

Jan 05, 2006

Spherix Incorporated (NASDAQ: SPEX) engages in the research and development of biotechnology and in the provision of information services. The company operates in two divisions, BioSpherix and InfoSpherix. BioSpherix division engages in the development of proprietary products for commercial applications. It offers tagatose, a naturally occurring ketose, under the brand name Naturlose. The company has a license agreement with Arla Foods Ingredients amba of Denmark for the worldwide rights to manufacture, market, and distribute tagatose. It also offers pesticides under the brand name FlyCracker. InfoSpherix division consists of Commercial Information Services (CIS) and Government Information Services (GIS) units. The GIS unit provides contact center services, which include consulting, information management, and materials management to the public, as well as reservation and tourism solutions. It researches, collects, organizes, and disseminates information by providing customized contact center services through combining data collection systems, decision support systems, and tele-support. The CIS unit focuses on health, pharmaceutical, medical data, and clinical trials management services. It provides information to and for clients on a range of diseases and disabilities, disease prevention, and health education. Spherix was founded by Dr. Gilbert V. Levin in 1967. The company is based in Beltsville, Maryland. With 12.1 million shares outstanding and 648,000 shares declared short as of December 12th, the failure to deliver in shares of SPEX has not been resolved and a buy-in is imminent.

actr

17.02.2006, 19:24

Sirius Satellite Radio

http://focus.squaregain.co.uk/_common/informer/lib/chart/middlechart.chart?minYear=779414400&sSymbol=SIRI.NAS&sTimeframe=iD&sTimestamp=iD+iD+779414400
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NASDAQ Stock Market - Most Active
Pos.... Symbol Company ..Name.. Last.. Change (%).. Volume
1 SIRI SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO 5.299 0.34 (6.02) 83,607,419

Q4 2005 Sirius Satellite Radio Earnings Conference Call - Research and Markets Offers a Transcript of `Sirius Satellite Radio` Conference Call

DUBLIN, Ireland, Feb 17, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Sirius Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) Corporate Conference Call took place on 17-Feb-06 8:00am ET SIRI reported full-year 2005 revenue of $242m, which was up 262% vs. 2004. 4Q05 total revenue increased by 217% to just over $80m. SIRI expects 2006 revenue to jump to approx. $600m. The Co. estimates revenue of approx. $1b in 2007

SIRIUS Satellite Radio to Carry FOX News and FOX News Talk Channels Long Term Agreement Returns FOX News to SIRIUS FOX News Talk features analysis and commentary from FOX News` Bill O`Reilly, Tony Snow, John Gibson and Alan Colmes

Feb 17, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) today announced a new long term agreement to carry FOX News and FOX News Talk channels beginning March 14th.

The previous agreement between FOX and SIRIUS expired at the end of 2005. FOX News, which has more viewers than all other cable news networks combined, now rejoins SIRIUS` broad lineup of news and information at channel 131. FOX News Talk channel, which offers news, analysis, listener call-ins, and commentary from popular FOX News personalities such as Bill O`Reilly, Tony Snow, John Gibson and Alan Colmes, among others, will air on channel 145.

"We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with FOX to bring back its news service to SIRIUS and to add what is a compelling talk channel," said Scott Greenstein, SIRIUS President of Entertainment and Sports. "Our goal was to negotiate a new agreement that would be in the best interest of our subscribers and shareholders, and the new agreement fulfills that objective."

actr

17.02.2006, 20:28

SAFLINK Corporation - Com..

Sedol: 2820648 Exch: NASDAQ Sym: SFLK.NAS

http://focus.squaregain.co.uk/_common/informer/lib/chart/middlechart.chart?minYear=1006128000&sSymbol=SFLK.NAS&sTimeframe=iD&sTimestamp=iD+iD+1006128000
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SAFLINK Corporation (NASDAQ: SFLK) provides software and hardware solutions for the protection of critical business assets. It offers biometric security, smart card, and public key infrastructure solutions that protect intellectual property, secure information assets, and eliminate passwords. The company's solutions provide Identity Assurance Management, which enables administrators to verify identity and control access to computer networks, physical facilities, and applications, as well as time and attendance systems. SAFLINK offers its products to end-user customers in the healthcare, manufacturing, education, government, and financial services industries in North America. It also resells iris recognition, voice verification, and facial feature recognition software from various companies through licensing arrangements. In addition, the company provides maintenance, installation, and integration consulting services related to its software and hardware products. SAFLINK markets its products through direct sales representatives, distributors, resellers, original equipment manufacturer resellers, and sales agents. The company has strategic alliances with Microsoft, Citrix, Computer Associates, Healthcast, Novell, and Passlogix to market its products. SAFLINK was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. With 88.89 million shares outstanding and 612,620 shares declared short as of January 10th, there is a failure to deliver in shares of SFLK

actr

17.02.2006, 22:31

PXRE GROUP LTD
17.02.06 22:01 Uhr

4,05 USD

-65,94 % [-7,84
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Börse
NYSE

Aktuell
4,05 USD

Zeit
17.02.06 22:01

Diff. Vortag
-65,94 %

Tages-Vol.
120,12 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
36 Mio.
Schluss Vortag
11,89

Eröffnung
4,22

Hoch
4,68

Tief
3,82

52W Hoch
26,75

52W Tief
10,22

A.M. Best Downgrades Ratings of PXRE

OLDWICK, N.J., Feb 16, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to B++ (Very Good) from A- (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) to "bbb" from "a-" for the reinsurance subsidiaries of the PXRE Group Ltd. (PXRE) (NYSE: PXT) (Bermuda). The rating actions apply to PXRE Reinsurance Ltd. (Bermuda) and PXRE Reinsurance Company (Hartford, CT). A.M. Best has also downgraded the ICR to "bb" from "bbb-" and all existing and indicative debt ratings of PXRE. All ratings have a negative outlook.
The downgrades follow PXRE's announcement that it increased its net loss estimates for hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma by a pre-tax amount between $281 - $311 million. As a result of the magnitude and composition of this most recent loss revision and with consideration of the company's longer-term track record, A.M. Best now has greater concern regarding PXRE's risk management capability. The most recent range of loss increase accounts for over 60% of reported actual shareholder's equity on September 30, 2005, which resulted in a deterioration of PXRE's risk-adjusted capital position.

As a result of the 2005 storm losses, PXRE has taken actions to significantly reduce its maximum net exposure for first event, full limits in its largest zone to a more manageable level. Nonetheless, the ratings have been assigned a negative outlook until these new strategies and risk mitigation procedures have been fully tested. Going forward, A.M. Best will closely monitor the effectiveness of the new strategies and procedures with each catastrophic event.

The following debt rating has been downgraded:

PXRE Capital Trust I--

-- to "b+" from "bb" on $100 million 8.85% trust preferred

securities, due 2027

The following indicative debt ratings for securities available

under shelf registration have been downgraded:

PXRE Group Ltd.--

-- to "bb" from "bbb-" on senior unsecured

-- to "bb-" from "bb+" on subordinated

-- to "b+" from "bb" on preferred stock

PXRE Capital Trust IV--

-- to "b+" from "bb" on trust preferred securities

For Best's Debt Ratings, all other Best's Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating methodologies, please visit www.ambest.com/ratings.

A.M. Best Co., established in 1899, is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit A.M. Best's Web site at www.ambest.com.

actr

19.02.2006, 09:36

Time Warner und Icahn handelseinig - Keine Aufspaltung

Time Warner und Icahn handelseinig - Keine Aufspaltung
Time Warner-Chef Dick Parsons hat sich mit Carl Icahn geeinigt.

New York - Die Time Warner Inc. hat sich nach einer erbitterten halbjährigen Auseinandersetzung mit dem Multimilliardär Carl Icahn auf einen Kompromiss geeinigt.
Dabei verzichtet der Großaktionär auf seine Hauptforderung, die Aufspaltung des weltgrößten Medienkonzerns in vier Einzelunternehmen. Icahn erhielt dafür von Time-Warner-Konzernchef Dick Parsons einige andere Zugeständnisse.

Time Warner wird sein Aktienrückkauf-Programm bis Ende nächsten Jahres von 12,5 auf 20 Milliarden Dollar (17 Mrd Euro) erhöhen. Außerdem will das Unternehmen die Kosten statt um nur 500 Millionen Dollar um insgesamt eine Milliarde Dollar senken. Es sollen auch zwei neue unabhängige Verwaltungsratsmitglieder nach Rücksprache mit Icahn und anderen Großaktionären in das Aufsichtsgremium kommen. Dies haben Parsons und Icahn am Freitag nach Börsenschluss bekannt gegeben.

Die Time-Warner-Aktien legten nachbörslich um 1,52 Prozent auf 18,05 Dollar zu und waren damit insgesamt mehr als 84 Milliarden Dollar wert. Sie hatten im Sommer vergangenen bei 16,10 Dollar gelegen.

Im Zuge der ursprünglichen Icahn-Pläne sollte die verbleibende Time Warner die Kabel-TV-Netze wie CNN und HBO sowie die Filmsparte mit dem Hollywood-Studio Warner Bros. erhalten. Die Onlinesparte America Online, die Verlagssparte und Time Warner Cable, der zweitgrößte Kabelfernseh-Systembetreiber der USA, sollten abgespalten und in selbstständige Unternehmen überführt werden.

Damit ist die halbjährige Offensive des 70 Jahre alten Multimilliardärs Icahn zur Zerschlagung von Time Warner beendet. Icahn wollte den seit Jahren in engem Kursrahmen dümpelnden Aktienkurs mit einer Serie von Maßnahmen in die Höhe treiben, die Time Warner jetzt nur teilweise akzeptiert hat.

Icahn verzichtet auf die Nominierung einer eigenen Gruppe von Kandidaten für den Time-Warner-Verwaltungsrat. Mit deren Hilfe wollte er dann seine Aufspaltungspläne realisieren und Parsons ausbooten. Die Zerschlagungspläne Icahns für den New Yorker Medienriesen waren aber offensichtlich bei anderen Anteilseignern nicht auf Gegenliebe gestoßen, so dass Icahn sich jetzt mit den anderen Konzessionen von Parsons zufrieden gab. Icahn und seine Investorengruppe kontrollierten nur 3,3 Prozent der Time-Warner-Aktien.

Time Warner wolle auch seinen Dialog mit den Icahn-Partnern fortsetzen. Das Time-Warner-Management sei der Ansicht, dass eine unterschiedliche Kapital- und Unternehmensstruktur für Time Warner Cable zukünftig angemessen sein könnte, solange sie eine strategische Flexibilität im Hinblick auf das inhaltliche Geschäft des Unternehmens gewährleiste.

Parsons begrüßte die Einigung mit Icahn, dessen Rolle als wichtiger Aktionär sowie seine "konstruktiven Vorschläge". Parsons habe "kritischen Unternehmensreformen zugestimmt, die wir seit Monaten unterstützten", betonte Icahn in einer eigenen Erklärung.

© dpa - Meldung vom 18.02.2006 15:51 Uhr

actr

19.02.2006, 10:00

Samstag, 18. Februar 2006
Tod nach Vioxx-Einnahme
Merck gewinnt Prozess

Das erste Urteil auf US-Bundesebene um das umstrittene Schmerzmittel Vioxx ist zu Gunsten des Herstellers Merck & Co. gefallen. Nach Ansicht der Jury muss der US-Pharmariese nicht für den Tod eines Mannes im Jahre 2001 haften, der zuvor das inzwischen vom Markt genommene Medikament eingenommen hatte. Die Geschworenen gelangten am Freitag zudem zu der Auffassung, dass Vioxx kein mangelhaftes Produkt sei. Merck habe sich auch nicht fahrlässig verhalten und es ferner nicht versäumt, vor Risiken bei der Einnahme zu warnen.

Insgesamt muss sich Merck wegen Vioxx mehr als 9.000 Klagen in den USA stellen. Auf Bundesstaatsebene gab es bisher zwei Prozesse, von denen der Konzern einen gewann. In dem anderen wurde er wegen des Todes eines Mannes zur Zahlung von 253 Millionen Dollar an dessen Witwe verurteilt. Merck hat dagegen Widerspruch eingelegt.

Der am Freitag in einem US-Bezirksgericht in Louisiana entschiedene Prozess drehte sich um Richard Irvin, der im Alter von 53 Jahren starb. Seine Familie hatte geklagt, Vioxx habe bei dem Mann einen Herzinfarkt verursacht. Mercks Anwälte wiesen die Vorwürfe zurück. Der Herzinfarkt sei vielmehr auf Irvins ungesunden Lebenswandel und eine dadurch verursachte Verstopfung der Arterien zurückzuführen gewesen. Die Entscheidung der Jury bestätige, dass es keinen medizinischen oder wissenschaftlichen Beweis dafür gebe, dass die Einnahme von Vioxx über einen kurzen Zeitraum das Risiko eines Herzinfarkts erhöhe oder in irgendeiner Weise zu Irvins Tod beigetragen habe, erklärte Merck. Irvins Witwe verließ das Gericht mit geballter Faust und unter Tränen. Ihr Anwalt sagte, die Hinterbliebenen Irvins würden möglicherweise eine Berufung in Erwägung ziehen. Im Dezember war der Prozess zunächst gescheitert, weil sich die Geschworenen nicht auf ein Urteil einigen konnten.

Merck-Aktien legten in New York nach der Verkündung des Urteils nachbörslich ein Prozent zu auf 36,50 Dollar. Der Sieg vor Gericht sei gut für den Konzern, sagte ein Analyst. "Je mehr sie diese Fälle zu einem frühen Zeitpunkt gewinnen, umso besser stehen sie da." Bislang habe sich Merck beim Abwehren der Klagen bewundernswert geschlagen. "Die Frage ist: Wird ihnen das weiterhin gelingen. Das wird ein langer, sich hinziehender Vorgang."
Merck & Co hatte Vioxx im September 2004 vom Markt genommen, nachdem eine Studie ein erhöhtes Risiko von Herzproblemen durch das Medikament bei Patienten aufgedeckt hatte, die das Mittel mindestens 18 Monate einnahmen.

Viele der Kläger argumentieren, dass das Unternehmen über Jahre hinweg nicht ausreichend auf die möglichen Herzkreislauf-Risiken bei dem Mittel hingewiesen habe. Im Jahr 2003 machte Merck mit dem Medikament einen Umsatz von mehr als 2,5 Milliarden Dollar.

actr

23.02.2006, 06:47

Healthy, Wealthy and Rise

By Lawrence Carrel
February 22, 2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NutriSystem (NTRI1)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share price as of Tuesday's close: $37.71
Share price now: $42.72
Change: 13.3%
Volume: 5.6 million shares, daily average 1.4 million shares
Last time this high: Feb. 3, 2006
52-week high: $50.00
52-week low: $4.85
Forward P/E before news: 32.0 (based on $1.18 a share)
Forward P/E after news: 31.9 (based on $1.34 a share)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOW THAT'S THE kind of gain dieters can get behind.

Shares of NutriSystem (NTRI2) jumped 13% to $42.72 Wednesday after the provider of weight-management and fitness products swung to a fourth-quarter profit on a 783% surge in revenues. The company also offered full-bodied guidance for 2006.

The stock is now up more than fifty-fold in three years.

"[NutriSystem is] executing on all cylinders," wrote Sameet Sinha, an analyst at New York-based investment bank Kaufman Brothers Equity Research, in a note Wednesday. "We came away impressed on all fronts new customer additions remain strong, old customers are reactivating at higher rates, price increases are not hurting growth, further efficiencies are being derived from cost of sales due to increased scale and leverage, customers are being added at lower costs and new initiatives are ahead of plan."

The Horsham, Pa., company late Tuesday posted a fourth-quarter profit of $6.3 million, or 17 cents a share, reversing its net loss of $605,000, or two cents a share, a year earlier. That beat the Thomson First Call consensus estimate by a penny. Revenues rocketed to $69.6 million from $7.9 million a year ago. For the full year, net income soared to $21.0 million, or 59 cents a share, compared with $1.0 million, or three cents a share, for 2004. Sales for 2005 swelled 459% to $212.5 million.

The company attributed the dramatic quarterly results to an eight-fold increase in direct-channel customer additions Internet dieters, basically.

Founded in 1972, NutriSystem originally offered diet-center programs similar to Weight Watchers International (WTW3), Diet Workshop and Jenny Craig. Customers would show up weekly for a weigh-in and counseling, then purchase prepackaged meals. Apart from the inconvenience of traveling, many dieters didn't like the stigma of going into the centers and receiving, to say nothing of paying for, counseling. Realizing that prepackaged meals drove its earnings, the company decided in 2000 to begin closing its centers. Today NutriSystem has no membership fees and offers free online and telephone counseling. Dieters simply pay for prepackaged food shipments.

"We're doing to diet programs what Geico did for insurance and Dell (DELL4) did for computers," says Chief Financial Officer James D. Brown. "We make it easier for the consumer to do business with us. It's all about convenience. In addition to providing a portion control program in which the customers don't have to weigh food or count calories, they like the anonymity of not going to a center and the convenience of having the food shipped right to them. Also, it's an excellent price point relative to other offerings."

A typical NutriSystem plan costs about $290 a month, vs. as much as $1,200 a month for popular diet-by-delivery plans like Zone Chefs in New York and California. Whereas those plans typically provide freshly prepared meals daily, NutriSystem ships as much as a month's worth of food at a time. The packaged meals don't require refrigeration, but dieters must purchase certain items like fresh fruit separately.

"The model continues to appear scalable, and management continues to focus on initiatives to further increase productivity in customer activation and service," wrote William Sutherland, director of research at Boenning & Scattergood, an investment bank based in West Conshohocken, Pa., in a Wednesday note. "Customer acquisition costs may benefit as the company begins to focus on its database of current and former customers. Reactivating a prior customer through direct marketing is much more cost efficient than the typical customer acquisition cost." Sutherland forecast operating margins could remain in the 25% to 30% range even as the model reaches maturity.

The company said its customer acquisition cost for the fourth quarter was $143, slightly above the average cost for all of 2005. According to Brown, the CFO, it costs a bit more to recruit new customers during the final three months of the year since fewer people start diets then.

Like any good diet program, NutriSystem ended its earnings report with a tasty dessert. It raised its first-quarter earnings guidance to a range of 40 cents to 42 cents a share, excluding stock-based compensation, from a previously forecasted range of 35 cents to 38 cents a share. Revenues, the company said, should increase 225% year-over-year to between $122 million and $127 million, vs. earlier guidance of $115 million to $120 million. The company said its direct-channel customer additions would soar 210% to at least 200,000. Earlier it had forecasted 175,000 additions.

For 2006, the company predicted earnings of $1.36 to $1.46 a share, before stock-based compensation, on sales between $415 million and $425 million.

First Call had per-share profit estimates of 37 cents for the quarter and $1.30 for the year.

Quote:
"If NutriSystem invests and grows at this pace, it could very quickly become the largest weight-management company in the country, with industry-leading margins and growth rates," wrote Kaufman Brothers's Sinha, raising his price target to $55 from $46. "It is within the realm of possibility that with increased marketing and marketing efficiency, the company could once again grow through seasonality in 2006. The story is just evolving and management is doing a good job of balancing all the moving pieces with discipline and dexterity."

actr

23.02.2006, 15:29

Sunrise Telecom Reports Preliminary Unaudited Results of $21.7 Million Sales for Fourth Quarter of 2005 - 11% sales growth for the year - Fourth Quarter GAAP loss per share of $(0.01)

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb 23, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Sunrise Telecom Incorporated (Pinksheets: SRTI.PK), a leading provider of service verification equipment for telecommunications, cable broadband and Internet networks, today reported sales for the fourth quarter of 2005 of $21.7 million, compared with $16.8 million in the third quarter of 2005 and $20.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. GAAP net loss per share was $(0.01), compared with a GAAP net loss of $(0.03) per share in the third quarter and with a GAAP net income of $0.02 per share for the fourth quarter of 2004. On a non-GAAP basis, fourth quarter results were break-even with net income of $0.00 per share. Backlog at quarter-end was $7.6 million, compared with $7.5 million at the end of the third quarter of 2005 and $5.3 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2004.
Sales for the fiscal year 2005 were $68.5 million, up 11% from $61.7 million for 2004. GAAP net loss per share for 2005 was $(0.19) compared with GAAP net loss per share of $(0.15) in 2004. Excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense, and establishment of a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets during 2004, all of which are non-cash expenses, non-GAAP net loss in 2005 was $(0.17) per share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $0.03 for 2004. Refer to the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjustments" in the financial tables section of this release for a detailed presentation of the differences between GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures.

Sunrise Telecom President and CEO, Paul Marshall, said, "The fourth quarter revenues were driven by a growing demand for our products supporting carrier FTTx initiatives, as well as a strong performance of Sunrise's international direct sales offices. The market is at the very early stages of the FTTx deployment cycle, and we anticipate further acceleration of orders for our products targeting these applications. Our outlook is supported by a strong backlog entering 2006."

Outlook

Added Paul Marshall, "Our first quarter is typically seasonally weak, and we expect our sales to be in the range of $14 to $17 million. Although this represents a sequential decline, it does provide for a strong year-over-year growth as compared to $11.7 million in revenue for the first quarter of 2005. Also, although our end of year backlog was strong, we do not expect to ship nearly half of it until the second quarter, as we spend the first quarter preparing some special features for a large Q4 order. We see several positive catalysts for our business this year, including aggressive deployments of VoIP services by cable operators, accelerating FTTx roll-outs by telecom providers and the proliferation of Ethernet over SONET. We also expect to continue benefiting from several major contract wins announced over the past few months, including the standardizations of Verizon, Deutsche Telecom, O2 Germany and Bellsouth on a variety of our platforms. Finally, in 2006 I will seek to optimize the performance of our assets and trim unnecessary expenditures. With those actions our net income, cash, and short-term investments should fare better this year than in 2005 and better mirror the success of our top line."

About Sunrise Telecom Incorporated

Sunrise Telecom develops and manufactures communications test and measurement solutions that enable service providers to deliver high-quality voice, video, data and next-generation digital multimedia services quickly, reliably, and cost-effectively, thus improving their customers' overall satisfaction. The company offers a robust portfolio of feature-rich, easy-to-use products that pre-qualify, verify, and diagnose telecommunications, cable TV, and Internet networks from a variety of access points including wireline, DSL, optical fiber, coaxial cable, and signaling networks. Based in San Jose, California, Sunrise Telecom distributes its products through a direct sales force and a network of sales representatives and distributors throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, and Latin America. For more information, visit www.sunrisetelecom.com.

actr

23.02.2006, 15:35

23.02.2006 15:23
Reuters nach Ausblick unter Druck
Bei der Reuters Group (Nachrichten) ist der Nettogewinn im Gesamtjahr 2005 um 25 Prozent auf 456 Millionen britische Pfund gestiegen. Die Umsätze verbesserten sich auf Jahressicht um 2,9 Prozent auf 2,41 Milliarden Pfund. Dabei konnte der Finanzdaten-Dienstleister durch den Verkauf seines Mehrheitsanteils an der elektronischen Börse Instinet einen Sondergewinn von 191 Millionen Pfund verbuchen.

Die Zahlen lagen im Rahmen der Analystenerwartungen. Allerdings geht Reuters im laufenden Jahr lediglich von einem Umsatzplus von 3 Prozent auf. Am Markt hatte man mit mindestens 4 Prozent Umsatzwachstum gerechnet.

Im vorbörslichen US-Handel rutschen Reuters Group derzeit um 10,62 Prozent auf 42,18 Dollar ab.

actr

23.02.2006, 15:51

Chemokine Therapeutics to present anti-metastasis data at the American Association for Cancer Research TSX: CTI & OTCBB: CHKT

VANCOUVER, Feb. 23, 2006 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Chemokine Therapeutics Corp. (the Company) (TSX: CTI; OTCBB: CHKT), a biotechnology company developing drugs in the field of chemokines, today announced that the 97th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in 2006 has accepted the results of the research study of Chemokine Therapeutics' Anti-Cancer compound, CTCE-9908, in a model of prostate cancer for presentation. The presentation, entitled "A peptide antagonist of chemokine receptor CXCR4 reduces tumor metastasis in a murine orthotopic model of human prostate cancer", will be presented on April 3rd in Washington, DC.
The study previously announced by the company demonstrated that CTCE-9908 prevented the spread of established human prostate cancer to distant organs in preclinical models by an average of 61%. This reduction was apparent with daily sub-cutaneous and intraperitoneal administration of the drug, CTCE-9908. Further findings will be presented at the conference. The abstract will be available on the AACR website at www.AACR.org.

About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men after skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 234,460 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2006. About 27,350 men will die of this disease. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, second only to lung cancer.(1)

About CTCE-9908

CTCE-9908 is designed to block the receptor (CXCR4) that has been identified as critical in the process of tumor metastasis to other tissues in the body. The CXCR4 receptor is present on most human tumors cells, including lung, breast, prostate, colon, ovarian, bone, brain, and skin cancer. Leading cancer researchers have demonstrated that a high level of CXCR4 expression in cancer cells is correlated to tumor progression, high metastasis rate and low patient survival rate.

The Company has completed a Phase I, dose-escalation clinical trial using CTCE-9908 in healthy volunteers. The completed single dose Phase I clinical trial demonstrated CTCE-9908 to be safe and well tolerated by the study subjects. The Company recently received approval from Health Canada to initiate a phase Ib/II clinical trial using CTCE-9908. With this notice, the Company is now in a position to initiate the clinical trial. The Company plans to test the drug in approximately up to 30 patients with late stage cancers to evaluate safety as well as early efficacy. The trial is designed to study a mixed group of tumors that will include the most common cancers such as ovarian, lung, and breast.

About Chemokine Therapeutics Corp. (TSX: CTI, OTCBB: CHKT)

Chemokine Therapeutics is a product-focused biotechnology company developing drugs that harness the therapeutic potential of stem cells through chemokine pathways. Chemokines are a class of proteins which signal biological responses from stem cells that play a critical role in the growth, differentiation and maturation of cells necessary for fighting infection, as well as tissue repair and regeneration. Stem cells are the master primitive cells that give rise to all of the cells and organs in the body. Chemokines are one of the major mediators of stem cell activity including stem cell growth, differentiation and maturation. Chemokine Therapeutics is a leader in research in this field. The Company has five products with two lead product candidates in clinical trials; CTCE-0214, for enhancing the immune system, and CTCE-9908, to prevent the spread of cancer and its continued growth. For more information, please visit its website at www.chemokine.net.

actr

23.02.2006, 16:41

Ivanhoe Energy, Inc. - Common Shares
23.02.06 16:22 Uhr

2,76 USD

+8,66 % [+0,22]
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Börse
NASDAQ

Aktuell
2,76 USD

Zeit
23.02.06 16:23

Diff. Vortag
+8,66 %

Tages-Vol.
17,79 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
8 Mio.

Ivanhoe Energy pursues U.S. listing for its China operations Sunwing Energy plans US$125 million merger with U.S. public company

BEIJING, China, Feb 23, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Ivanhoe Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: IVAN and TSX: IE, IE.U) and China Mineral Acquisition Corporation (OTCBB: CMAQ, CMAQU, CMAQW) have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding a proposed merger of Ivanhoe Energy's 100%-owned China operating subsidiary, Sunwing Energy Ltd., with China Mineral Acquisition Corporation (CMA), a U.S. public corporation with US$21 million in cash and no other assets or current operations.
If the proposed merger is successfully completed, the resulting public corporation - which the parties are valuing at approximately US$125 million - would be approximately 75%-80% owned by Ivanhoe Energy. CMA intends to change its name to China Ivanhoe Energy following the proposed merger.

Sunwing Energy is the corporate flagship for Ivanhoe Energy's existing operations in China. CMA, a Delaware corporation, is a "blank check" company, formed to effect a merger or other similar business combination with a company having its primary operations in China. CMA raised approximately US$21 million (net) in an initial public offering in August 2004. CMA has no current operating business or full-time employees.

The proposed merger follows Ivanhoe Energy's February 21, 2006 announcement of the investment in Ivanhoe Energy by CITIC Resources, a subsidiary of China's CITIC Group, and Ivanhoe Energy's purchase from CITIC of a 40% working interest in the Kongnan Project in China's Dagang oil field.

Sunwing's operating subsidiaries have carried out oil and gas activities in China for more than 11 years and have interests in the Kongnan enhanced oil recovery (EOR) project at Dagang, in Hebei Province and a large natural gas exploration project on a 900,000-acre Zitong block in Sichuan Province. The Kongnan Project is being operated by Sunwing under a 30-year production-sharing contract signed in 1997 between a Sunwing subsidiary and China National Petroleum Corporation. Sunwing's net production in Dagang of approximately 1,680 barrels of oil per day reflects the recently announced acquisition from CITIC Resources of 40% of the working interest in Dagang, taking Sunwing's working interest share to 100%. Sunwing recently signed a farmout agreement with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Corporation (MGC), in which MGC acquired a 10% working interest in the Zitong block for US$4 million.

Robert Friedland, Ivanhoe Energy's Deputy Chairman and proposed Chairman of the newly merged company said, "Sunwing was one of the first - and is still one of the few - foreign producers of light, sweet crude oil on the Chinese mainland, one of the world's most important energy markets. This transaction provides Sunwing with capital and a financing platform, which together with the enhanced cash flow resulting from the recently announced acquisition of a 40% working interest in the Kongnan Project, will assist Sunwing in its objective of growing its oil and gas operations in China. We have held initial discussions with entities in China and abroad regarding expansion opportunities for Sunwing."

The valuation of Sunwing assumes successful completion of the purchase of the 40% working interest of the Kongnan Project in China's Dagang oil field from CITIC Resources. This acquisition will increase Sunwing's working interest in the Kongnan Project to 100%, and will increase Sunwing's gross production in China by 67% to approximately 2,050 barrels of oil per day (net approximately 1,680 barrels of oil per day). The Kongnan production-sharing agreement provides that Sunwing is paid 82% of the net revenue from oil production until cost recovery, at which time Sunwing's entitlement will revert to 49%. A total of 36 wells are in production as part of the ongoing Dagang development program. Dagang oil, a sweet crude of 34 API, is sold at a price slightly less than West Texas Intermediate. The oil price for the first 18 days of February 2006 averaged US$56.02, an increase from the average of US$54.27 received during January 2006.

Ivanhoe Energy is an independent international oil and gas exploration and development company pursuing long-term growth in its reserve base and production. Ivanhoe Energy is a leader in technologically innovative methods designed to significantly improve reserves of oil and gas through the upgrading of heavy oil to light oil, state-of-the-art drilling techniques, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and the conversion of natural gas to liquids (GTL). Core operations are in the United States and China, with business development opportunities worldwide.

actr

23.02.2006, 16:49

GTC Biotherapeutics Inc
23.02.06 16:30 Uhr

1,32 USD

-41,33 % [-0,93]

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Börse
NASDAQ

Aktuell
1,3102 USD

Zeit
23.02.06 16:31

Diff. Vortag
-41,77 %

Tages-Vol.
14,09 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
14 Mio.

GTC Biotherapeutics Expects CHMP to Issue Negative Opinion on ATryn(R)

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Feb 23, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- GTC Biotherapeutics, Inc. ("GTC", Nasdaq: GTCB) announced today that it has been told that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) intends to issue a negative opinion on the market authorization application (MAA) for ATryn(R), GTC's recombinant form of human antithrombin. On the basis of recent conversations, GTC understands that the CHMP, after excluding data from pregnant patients, determined that an insufficient number of surgical patients were enrolled to support approval. In addition, GTC understands that the CHMP has concerns about sufficient immunologic data and the lack of clinical data from ATryn(R) produced with an additional filtration step. GTC intends to take advantage of the appeal process to request a CHMP re-examination of GTC's submission.
GTC's European development and commercialization partner, LEO Pharma A/S, has affirmed that they remain committed to their collaboration with GTC and will continue to pursue the primary goal of development of an acquired deficiency indication for Europe. Acquired deficiency indications represent the most significant market opportunity for the product. GTC and LEO entered into a collaborative development and commercialization agreement for ATryn(R) in Europe, Canada, and the Middle East in November 2005. GTC is also continuing a multinational study of ATryn(R) in hereditary antithrombin deficient patients in preparation for submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) in the U.S. Enrollment is planned to be completed in 2006 and a BLA submitted in the first half of 2007.

"Although we are very disappointed with the late-breaking concerns on the clinical data and the negative opinion, we are pleased by the commitment of LEO Pharma to continue working on further development of this important product in Europe in acquired antithrombin deficiency," stated Geoffrey F. Cox, Ph.D., GTC's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. "In addition we remain committed to completing our submission for BLA approval in the US. The US remains a major long term opportunity for ATryn(R) in a range of hereditary and acquired deficiency indications. It is also important for our transgenic technology platform that the CHMP has not identified to us any significant outstanding issues related to the manufacturing and production control systems for ATryn(R)."

Antithrombin is a protein in human plasma that has anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory properties. Patients that have a hereditary deficiency indication are prone to developing blood clots during high-risk procedures, such as surgery and childbirth. Providing supplemental antithrombin during these procedures may prevent the occurrence of DVT's and other thromboembolic events. Antithrombin supplementation therapy may also be useful in the treatment of patients who acquire temporary antithrombin deficiency during certain clinical situations such as burns, coronary artery bypass surgery, disseminated intravascular coagulation, sepsis, and bone marrow transplant.

actr

23.02.2006, 16:53

23.02.2006 16:47
Deere kündigt Anleiherückkauf über 500 Mio. Dollar an
Der amerikanische Landmaschinenhersteller Deere&Co. (ISIN US2441991054 (Nachrichten)/ WKN 850866) kündigte am Donnerstag den Rückkauf von Unternehmensanleihen an.

Demnach wird der weltweit größte Hersteller von landwirtschaftlich genutzten Maschinen bis zum 22. März ausstehende Unternehmensanleihen im Gesamtwert von bis zu 500 Mio. Dollar zurückkaufen. Im Zusammenhang mit der vorzeitigen Tilgung der Unternehmensanleihen erwartet der Konzern im ersten Quartal einen Gewinn in Höhe von 675 bis 700 Mio. Dollar. Für das laufende Fiskaljahr erwartet Deere einen Nettogewinn in Höhe von 1,65 Mrd. Dollar.

Analysten erwarten für das erste Quartal ein EPS von 2,42 Dollar sowie einen Umsatz von 6,33 Mrd. Dollar. Im Gesamtjahr gehen Marktbeobachter von einem EPS von 6,34 Dollar sowie einem Umsatz von 20,85 Mrd. Dollar aus.

Die Aktie von Deere notiert aktuell mit einem Minus von 1,27 Prozent bei 77,89 Dollar.

actr

23.02.2006, 17:10

Amedisys Inc
23.02.06 16:51 Uhr

31,15 USD

-23,28 % [-9,45]
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Börse
NASDAQ

Aktuell
31,12 USD

Zeit
23.02.06 16:52

Diff. Vortag
-23,35 %

Tages-Vol.
128,05 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
5,5 Mio.

Amedisys Reports Fourth Quarter and 2005 Year End Results Company Announces Resignation of CFO Amedisys To Host Conference Call Tomorrow at 9:00 AM ET

BATON ROUGE, La., Feb 22, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Amedisys, Inc. (Nasdaq: "AMED", "Amedisys" or "the Company"), one of America's leading home health nursing companies, today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2005.
For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company reported net income of $30.1 million, or $1.88 per diluted share, on net service revenue of $381.6 million. For the same period in the previous year, Amedisys reported net income of $20.5 million, or $1.51 per diluted share, on net service revenue of $227.1 million. The diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding approximated 16.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2005 and 13.5 million in the comparable period of 2004.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2005, the Company reported net income of $7.3 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, on record net service revenue of $118.9 million. Net service revenue increased 85 percent when compared with the $64.4 million reported for the comparable period in the prior year. Amedisys reported net income of $6.1 million, or $0.39 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2004. The diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding approximated 16.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2005 and 15.6 million for the comparable period of 2004.

The net service revenue for both the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 reflect the impact of the recently adopted Deficit Reduction Act.

"I am proud of what we have accomplished at Amedisys in the past four years," said Mr. Browne. "I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the Company for their support, and I have every confidence in Amedisys' continued success."

The Company will provide further information tomorrow on these results during a teleconference call that is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. ET. To access this call, please dial 1-877-691-0877 (domestic) or 1-973-582-2767 (international). A replay of the conference call will be available until March 2nd 2006, by dialing 1-877-519-4471 (domestic) or 1-973-341-3080 (international). The replay pin number is 7006010.

Amedisys, Inc., a leading provider of home health nursing services, is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Its common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol "AMED".

actr

24.02.2006, 14:22

MyDailyStockPix.com: StockFlash - IMGM Commences Scanning of Patients in New York City (Up 14%)

Feb 24, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- DailyStockPix.com began featuring Imagin Diagnostic Centres, Inc. (OTCBB: IMGM) on Jan 30 when it was trading at .29. On Feb. 23, IMGM hit a new recent high of $1.08 and traded close to 4 Million in volume.
Visit DailyStockPix.com to subscribe to our FREE Newsletter and "Stay Ahead of the Gain".

FEATURED STOCK PROFILE

Imagin Molecular Corporation (OTCBB: IMGM) announced today that the Company's wholly owned subsidiary Imagin Nuclear Partners Corporation has purchased a Positron Emission Tomography Camera from Positron Corporation for its initial joint venture at a New York City medical center.

Imagin Nuclear Partners also announced it has commenced scanning patients at a cardiac imaging center operating within the a New York City medical center, pending the completion of formal definitive agreements and the medical center's final consent and approval. "The significance of this centers relationship is that it establishes Imagin Nuclear Partners' business model as a leader in nuclear imaging partnerships. Imagin Nuclear Partners plans to role out and replicate coronary disease reversal and prevention centers through the thousands of potential imaging partners across the North America," stated Joseph Oliverio, Imagin's Chief Executive Officer. "We are excited to begin patient scanning and look forward to formalizing our relationships."

OTHER STOCK ALERTS

Fit After Fifty, Inc. (OTC: FTFY) "Up 10.00%, 757K in Volume"

Fit After Fifty Inc. is a franchisor of fitness studios that offer a thirty-minute moderately paced exercise program for mature active adults. The company sells franchises of the studios across the country. For more information about Fit After Fifty Inc. go to www.fitafterfifty.com.

ABOUT DailyStockPix.com

DailyStockPix.com is an Internet destination for investors seeking information on smallcap and microcap companies. The web site features companies in Profile Campaigns, Executive Interviews and Profile Research Reports authored by our financial writers. We publish a Newsletter three times a week to subscribers and we also publish a newsletter StockFlash which is sent out on the M2 Presswire several times daily highlighting hot OTC and OTCBB stocks. To feature a company on our web site or in our Newsletter or StockFlash, please contact C. Knutson via email at admin@mydailystockpix.com.

actr

24.02.2006, 14:26

Sanofi-aventis Reports Strong Growth of 25.7% in 2005 Adjusted EPS(1); Nearly 90% of synergies delivered by end 2005; Dividend increased by 26.7%

PARIS, Feb 24, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- The consolidated income statement for the year ended December 31, 2005, is provided in the appendices. Consolidated net income for the year came to euro 2,258 million, after the euro 4,077 million post-tax impact of the accounting treatment of the Aventis acquisition (including restructuring costs).
In order to give a better representation of our underlying economic performance, we have decided to publish and explain adjusted consolidated income statements(1) for 2005 and the fourth quarter of 2005, and to compare them with adjusted pro forma income statements(1) for 2004 and the fourth quarter of 2004, respectively. Full-year adjusted net income for 2005 was euro 6,335 million, against euro 5,025 million for 2004.

FOURTH QUARTER

-- Net sales: euro 7,007 million, up 7.0% (4.8% on a comparable basis(1));

the fourth quarter was affected by the introduction of generics of 4

products(2) in the United States

-- Significant commercial spend on the launch of Ambien CR(TM) and on

preparing for the Japanese launch of Plavix(R) and the launch of

Rimonabant

-- Adjusted net income up 20.8% at euro 1,444 million

-- Adjusted EPS up 20.0% at euro 1.08 (vs. euro 0.90 for the fourth

quarter of 2004)

2005 FULL YEAR

-- Net sales: euro 27,311 million, up 8.4% (9.3% on a comparable basis(1))

-- Increase of 18.7% in Adjusted operating income -- current

-- Adjusted net income up 26.1% at euro 6,335 million

-- Adjusted EPS up 25.7% at euro 4.74 (vs. euro 3.77 for 2004).

NEARLY 90% OF CUMULATIVE SYNERGIES DELIVERED BY END 2005

-- euro 1.4 billion of cumulative pre-tax synergies were delivered by end

2005, well ahead of the initial forecast of euro 960 million,

confirming the outstanding success of the integration process.

SEVERAL R&D PROJECTS ADVANCE TO PHASE II AND III

-- 55 projects in Phase II and III (vs. 48 in March 2005)

OUTLOOK FOR 2006

Commenting on 2006 outlook, the Chairman and CEO Mr Jean-Francois Dehecq said: "Barring major adverse events, and after taking account of the full-year impact of generics of Allegra(R), Amaryl(R), Arava(R), and DDAVP(R), we expect 2006 full-year adjusted EPS growth around 10%, based on an exchange rate of euro 1:$1.25, with sensitivity to the euro/dollar exchange rate estimated at 0.6% of growth for a 1-cent movement in the exchange rate".

About sanofi-aventis

Sanofi-aventis is the world's third largest pharmaceutical company, ranking number one in Europe. Backed by a world-class R&D organization, sanofi-aventis is developing leading positions in seven major therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, thrombosis, oncology, metabolic diseases, central nervous system, internal medicine, and vaccines. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY)

actr

24.02.2006, 14:36

US Financial Network: Verizon Launches Extensive Broadband and Video-On-Demand Lineup and AT&T Announces New Five-Year Contract with Aurora Pharmacy, Inc.

Feb 24, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- City of Industry, CA - Internet Service Provider industry news provided by Financial News USA (OTC: FNWU) As more consumers turn to the Internet and on-demand TV services for entertainment, Verizon (NYSE:VZ) is introducing to its consumer broadband and FIOS TV customers an extensive, new lineup of entertainment and informational programming from ABC News, Disney Online, ESPN and Movies.com. Verizon is the only broadband provider to offer a full collection of content from Disney and ESPN Networks on both its consumer broadband and television platforms. SifyMax (Nasdaq: SIFY), India's leading broadband content website from Sify Limited, a leader in Consumer Internet and Enterprise Services in India with global delivery capabilities, announced recently the live webcast of the internationally acclaimed Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) 2006. SifyMax will cover the event as one of the Official Sponsors of LFW 2006. Sify is a leader in Consumer Internet Access, Portals, and Enterprise Services in India.
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) recently announced a new contract with Aurora Pharmacy, Inc., a Milwaukee-based pharmacy chain, with pharmacies in more than 80 communities throughout eastern Wisconsin. Under the terms of the contract, AT&T companies will provide a virtual private network utilizing Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology and Cisco Systems routers to deliver highly differentiated network services to Aurora's nearly 100 traditional and grocery store pharmacy locations throughout eastern Wisconsin. China Direct Trading Corp. (OTC BB: CHDT) (CHDT) announced recently that its subsidiary, Complete Power Solutions (CPS), has received a $500,000 loan from CPS Executive Bill Dato. The funds will be used to purchase Guardian-brand power generators as inventory in order to shorten the delivery time for customer orders. The inventory in Guardian-brand power generators will eliminate the 4 to 12 week delivery time for direct orders from the manufacturer and allow CPS to immediately fill customer orders and expedite customer payment.

actr

24.02.2006, 14:43

OrthoLogic Announces Acquisition of New Class of Molecules, ICARMs(TM) Company Expands and Diversifies Product Portfolio

TEMPE, Ariz., Feb 24, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- OrthoLogic Corp. (Nasdaq: OLGC) announced today it has agreed to acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities of AzERx Inc. (AzERx) for $390,000 cash and the issuance of 1,355,000 shares of OrthoLogic common stock valued at approximately $7.7 million, based on the closing share price of $5.67 on February 23, 2006.
The acquisition provides the Company with a new technology platform that diversifies the portfolio and may provide more than one potential product. AzERx's lead compound is AZX100, a 24-amino acid peptide. AZX100 is currently being investigated for medically and commercially significant applications, such as the treatment of vasospasm associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage, the prevention of keloid scarring, and the treatment of asthma. Preclinical and human in vitro studies have shown that this novel compound has the ability to relax smooth muscle in multiple tissue types.

"We are encouraged by the early work completed by the AzERx team and are looking forward to advancing AZX100 toward the clinic. This compound and its related technology have the potential to treat several diseases with significant unmet medical need," stated James Pusey, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of OrthoLogic. "In addition, through this transaction we have the opportunity to broaden and strengthen our product pipeline and intellectual property portfolio, while maintaining our strong financial position."

Under the terms of the transaction, OrthoLogic is acquiring an exclusive license for the core intellectual property relating to AZX100 and will continue to develop the new class of compounds in the field of smooth muscle relaxation, called Intracellular Actin Relaxing Molecules, or ICARMs(TM), based on the unique technology invented by AzERx.

About AzERx

Founded at Arizona State University, AzERx is developing peptide drugs for disorders involving smooth muscle. The company's founders have conducted innovative research on the function of the crucial intracellular protein at the end of the natural smooth muscle relaxation cascade. The company has an exclusive license to AZX100, a 24-amino acid biomimetic peptide in preclinical development whose efficacy has been demonstrated in multiple animal studies and human in vitro smooth muscle experiments. Potential applications for the lead molecule include the treatment of vasospasm associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage, the prevention of keloid scarring, and the treatment of asthma. Valley Ventures III, L.P., an investment fund affiliated with the Chairman of the OrthoLogic Board of Directors, John M. Holliman, III, is a minority stockholder of AzERx. Mr. Holliman did not participate in the evaluation or approval of this transaction on behalf of OrthoLogic.

About OrthoLogic

OrthoLogic is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of the novel synthetic peptide Chrysalin(R) (TP508) in two lead indications, both of which represent areas of significant unmet medical need - fracture repair and diabetic foot ulcer healing. Based on the Company's pioneering scientific research of the natural healing cascade, OrthoLogic has become a leading company focused on tissue and bone repair. OrthoLogic is committed to developing a pipeline of novel peptides and other molecules aimed at helping patients with equally under-served conditions. The Company owns exclusive worldwide rights for Chrysalin. OrthoLogic's corporate headquarters are in Tempe, Arizona. For more information, please visit the company's Web site: www.orthologic.com.

actr

24.02.2006, 15:01

24.02.2006 14:55
US Vorbörse: Überwiegend freundlich

http://img.godmode-trader.de/charts/46/2005/ISLAND52.gif

actr

24.02.2006, 15:06

Zacks Brokerage Buy List: Automatic Data Processing, ConocoPhillips, Eli Lilly and Medtronic

CHICAGO, Feb 24, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Today Zacks.com releases the names of four more stocks that are on their coveted Brokerage Buy List portfolio. This portfolio includes just those stocks that currently appear on the core recommended lists of at least three of the top 14 brokerage firms. These stocks are considered the best large-cap stocks to own for the long term according to Wall Street's top players. Since January 2003, this portfolio has generated an annualized double-digit return. Here are four stocks that are currently members of this prestigious list: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NYSE:ADP), ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP), Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) and Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT). View the entire list of stocks on the Brokerage Buy List at http://at.zacks.com/?id=139
Here are the explanations as to why these stocks are on the Brokerage Buy List:

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NYSE:ADP) said positive momentum continued in its core businesses during the fiscal second quarter. Earnings per share from continuing operations reached 47 cents in the quarter, which advanced from 42 cents in the year-ago period and beat the consensus by more than 4%. Revenue grew 9% to $2.2 billion. The company said results were ahead of its expectations, with particular strength in its Employer Services business. Automatic Data Processing now expects revenue growth of 10% in fiscal 2006, compared to its previous guidance of high single-digit revenue growth. The company also raised the bottom end of its forecast for earnings per share from continuing operations, and now expects between $1.93 and $1.96. Automatic Data Processing is considered a large-cap stock to own for the long term, according to three top brokerage firms.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP), which remains on the lists of three of the leading brokerages, said its operations ran well in the fourth quarter. Income from continuing operations was $2.69 per share, which topped the consensus by approximately 1.5%. The result also marked a solid year-over-year advance. Meanwhile, revenues reached $52.2 billion in the quarter, compared to $40.1 billion in the same quarter of 2004. For 2005, income from continuing operations was $9.63 per share, versus $5.79 a year-earlier. Total revenues grew to $183.4 billion from $136.9 billion. Furthermore, the company spent $11,620 million during the year on capital expenditures and investments, which effectively reflects an 86% reinvestment of 2005 net income.

Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) posted fourth quarter adjusted earnings per share of 80 cents, which beat the consensus by more than 2.5%. The result also marked a year-over-year improvement from 75 cents. Worldwide sales improved 6% to $3.88 billion. The company's newer products contributed $791.2 million to the quarter's sales and accounted for 20% of total sales. That compares with 14% of total sales in the fourth quarter 2004. In 2006, Eli Lilly said its newer products should grow to about 24% of revenues while earnings per share should advance 8% to 11%, representing top-tier growth for large-cap pharmaceutical companies. Three of the top brokerages believe Eli Lilly is one of the best large-cap stocks to own for the long-term.

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) recently announced fiscal third quarter earnings of 55 cents per share on revenue of $2.77 billion. The earnings result matched the consensus and improved upon the previous year, while revenue advanced 9% from $2.53 billion. The company said that solid overall growth was led by its two largest product lines: implantable defibrillators and spinal products. These two product lines accounted for 45% of revenue. Furthermore, Medtronic raised its earnings per share guidance to the upper end of its previously-stated ranges for fiscal years 2006 through 2008. However, Medtronic's revenue result in the quarter fell short of expectations, which disappointed Wall Street. But analysts remain optimistic for its future and three of the top firms continue to view the company as one of the best large-cap stocks to own for the long term.

actr

24.02.2006, 15:15

The Fund's Quality Assets Generate a Strong Increase in 4th Quarter Results, for Continued Solidity and Stability in 2005

MONTREAL, Feb. 24, 2006 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- For the three months ended December 31, 2005, Boralex Power Income Fund (the "Fund") announced that revenue from power sales rose 21% to $30.4 million, compared to $25.2 million for the same period in 2004. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) totalled $17.6 million, compared to $13.4 million in 2004. These increases result directly from the excellent hydrologic conditions, which were fully exploited by the Fund's hydroelectric power stations. Production volume for the hydroelectric segment increased 40% over last year and, in this fourth quarter, 44% over the historical average for these power stations. The 27% increase in the price of steam over 2004 for the natural gas cogeneration plant also contributed to the Fund's good performance in the fourth quarter of 2005. The Fund generated net earnings of $8.8 million, or $0.15 per trust unit, compared to $4.1 million, or $0.09 per trust unit, for the corresponding period in 2004.
For its fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, revenue from power sales rose to $107.9 million, compared to $106.3 million in 2004. EBITDA was at $61.8 million, down $0.3 million from the previous year. Net earnings rose to $24.3 million for 2005, up 8% over the restated net earnings of $22.6 million in 2004. Net earnings per trust unit were the same as 2004, that is, $0.50 per unit. Distributions to unitholders remained stable at $53.2 million.

The higher revenue from power sales results from several factors: the annual contract indexing of about 3% in the electricity selling price for the power stations in Quebec, and the increase in generation at the U.S. hydroelectric facilities. The hydroelectric segment generated 45% of consolidated revenue in 2005.

Revenue in the natural gas segment also rose $2.4 million or 10.6%, mainly due to a 21% increase in the price of steam, and despite the major turbine maintenance performed in 2005. Total cost of this work amounted to $3.1 million. The wood-residue segment reported higher revenue due to higher electricity and steam prices and improved productivity at the Senneterre power station, which increased its total generation despite the fact that its scheduled downtime was longer than in 2004.

Results for 2005 are in line with the Fund's expectations. The Fund performed major maintenance work on a number of its power stations, as planned and on schedule. The investment in the promising development of its Buckingham facility, combined with initiatives to improve productivity and profitability at other facilities, the contract indexing of electricity selling prices and significant liquidities will enable the Fund to continue paying stable and sustainable distributions to unitholders in the future.

Boralex Power Income Fund is an unincorporated open-ended trust that indirectly owns ten power generating stations located in the province of Québec and the United States producing energy from different sources including wood-residue or natural gas-fired thermal and cogenerating facilities as well as hydroelectric power stations. In total, these power stations have an installed capacity of 190 MW. The Fund's units are listed for trading on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol BPT.UN.

actr

24.02.2006, 17:12

Netease.com, Inc. - American Depositary Shares
24.02.06 16:19 Uhr

84,60 USD

+12,05 % [+9,10]
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Börse
NASDAQ

Aktuell
84,63 USD

Zeit
24.02.06 16:20

Diff. Vortag
+12,09 %

Tages-Vol.
173,89 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
2,6 Mio.

BUYINS.NET: Netease.com (NTES) SqueezeTrigger Price Is $62.08. Short Sellers Are Down Approximately $61 Million After Company Beats Q4 Earnings Estimates By $0.08.

Feb 24, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- BUYINS.NET, www.buyins.net, announced today that the 2.73 million shares declared short on Netease.com (NASDAQ: NTES) have a SqueezeTrigger Price of $62.08 per share. According to AP, NetEase.com Inc., a Chinese Internet advertising and online gaming provider, said Thursday its fourth-quarter profit rose thanks to higher revenues on its games, beating Wall Street estimates. The company said it earned $34.3 million, or 96 cents per American Depositary share, up 7 percent from a year ago. Revenue rose about 5 percent to $60.4 million. Analysts, on average, were looking for earnings of 88 cents per ADS on sales of $55.1 million, according to a poll by Thomson Financial. For the full year, the company earned $115.5 million, or $3.27 per ADS, more than double last year's results. Sales surged 77 percent to $210 million. Of this, online game revenue totaled $170.9 million, more than double last year's gaming revenue. The company said its in-house games, Fantasy Westward Journey and Westward Journey Online II, helped boost sales. Short sellers are down approximately $61 million as the stock is currently trading near $84.00. To access SqueezeTrigger Prices ahead of short squeezes beginning, visit http://www.buyins.net.

Netease.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES), through its subsidiaries and affiliates, operates an interactive online and wireless community in China. It provides Chinese language content and services, including content, community and communication, and commerce, through its online games, wireless services, and Internet portal. The company's Web sites consolidate and distribute content through 21 channels, including channels focusing on news, entertainment, sports, finance, information technology, automobiles, astrology, and cartoons, as well as regional sites in Guangdong and Shanghai. It also provides an array of community and communication services, including email, instant messaging, personal advertisements, matchmaking, alumni directories, personal homepages, clubs, e-cards, chat rooms, classified advertisements, job posting services, and community forums. In addition, the company offers an online shopping mall, providing Internet users in China an online location at which they can shop from the convenience of their homes and offices or in Internet cafes, and access products and information. Further, the company provides Web directory, Web search service, and classified advertisements. The company was founded by William Ding. Netease.com was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Beijing, China.

actr

24.02.2006, 18:26

Terabeam, Inc.
24.02.06 18:05 Uhr

4,9789 USD

+16,88 % [+0,7189]
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Börse
NASDAQ

Aktuell
4,99 USD

Zeit
24.02.06 18:06

Diff. Vortag
+17,14 %

Tages-Vol.
6,56 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
1,4 Mio.

marketgainer.com: Administers Report on Terabeam Inc.

Feb 24, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Market Gainer is quickly emerging as the one stop shop for international small-cap investors looking to stay a step ahead of the markets. Today's activity on the Terabeam, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRBM), to the attention of our research team. Our goal is to create a community of international investors who consistently and effectively capitalize on the enormous gains that the small-cap Canadian and American exchanges offer.
Terabeam, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRBM), a leading developer and supplier of broadband wireless solutions, announced that it will issue a news release regarding its fourth quarter and full year 2005 financial results on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 after markets close. Terabeam will then host a conference call to discuss the release, financial results, developments at the company.

Shares of Terabeam Inc. have risen over 16% ths morning on very strong Volume. Investors are confident that the release of the 2005 financials will bring good news.

Terabeam Announces Dates for Release of Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2005 Financial Results and Conference Call

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb 22, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Terabeam, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRBM), a leading developer and supplier of broadband wireless solutions, today announced that it will issue a news release regarding its fourth quarter and full year 2005 financial results on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 after markets close. Terabeam will then host a conference call to discuss the release, financial results, developments at the company, and other matters of interest to investors and others on that same day, February 28, 2006, starting at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

actr

24.02.2006, 18:40

Merge Technologies Inc.
24.02.06 18:18 Uhr

19,54 USD

-20,24 % [-4,96]

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Börse
NASDAQ

Aktuell
19,52 USD

Zeit
24.02.06 18:20

Diff. Vortag
-20,33 %

Tages-Vol.
211,30 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
14 Mio.

Merge Healthcare Provides Update on Fourth Quarter Performance; Delays Full Earnings Release Investor Call and Webcast Will Be Held As Scheduled

MILWAUKEE, Wis., Feb. 24, 2006 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Merge Technologies Incorporated, d.b.a. Merge Healthcare (Nasdaq: MRGE; TSX: MRG), announced today that it will delay the issuance of its fourth quarter results in order to allow additional time to complete the audit of the Company's financial statements.

2005 was a year of significant change and growth for Merge Healthcare, including a strategic business combination with Cedara Software," said Richard A. Linden, President and CEO. "As a result of the complexities associated with accounting for sales transactions in the fourth quarter, our year-end audit has not been sufficiently completed and, accordingly, we are not publishing complete financial results at this time. However, during the quarter we strengthened our core operations, further broadened our product portfolio for our customers, and improved our competitive positioning."

The Company will hold its investor call and webcast as originally scheduled at 10:00 a.m. eastern time today to discuss this update. The Company will issue a complete earnings release and hold a conference call when the full financial results are available.

Merge Healthcare is a market leader in the development and delivery of medical imaging and information management software and services. Our innovative software solutions use leading-edge imaging software technologies that accelerate market delivery for our OEM customers, while our end-user solutions improve our customers' productivity and enhance the quality of patient care they provide. For additional information, visit our website at http://www.merge.com.

actr

24.02.2006, 21:38

LANDAMERICA FINL GRP
24.02.06 21:14 Uhr

68,00 USD

+11,00 % [+6,74]
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Börse
NYSE

Aktuell
68,00 USD

Zeit
24.02.06 21:14

Diff. Vortag
+11,00 %

Tages-Vol.
102,28 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
1,5 Mio.

LandAmerica posts another quarter of record revenue Title insurance brings in more than $1 billion

Feb 24, 2006 (Inman News Features via COMTEX) -- LandAmerica Financial Group's operating revenue once again passed the billion-dollar mark, hitting $1.07 billion in the fourth quarter of 2005, an increase of $151.9 million over third-quarter -2004. Net income was $59.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2005.
Operating revenue for the company's title operations segment for fourth-quarter 2005 was $1 billion, an increase of $142.1 million, or 16.4 percent over the fourth quarter of 2004.

The company had reported record consolidated operating revenue of over a billion dollars for the third quarter of 2005 as well.

Operating revenue in the Lender Services segment for fourth quarter 2005 decreased $1.2 million, or 3.1 percent, compared to fourth-quarter 2004. Before the impact of acquisitions completed since Sept. 30, 2004, operating revenue for the segment decreased $4.6 million for fourth-quarter 2005.

Direct orders opened were 267,400 for fourth-quarter 2005, compared with 263,800 for fourth-quarter 2004, an increase of 1.4 percent over fourth-quarter 2004.

Cash flows provided by operating activities were a record $422.5 million for the full-year 2005 period, compared with $256.6 million for 2004.

actr

24.02.2006, 21:51

Geron Corporation
24.02.06 21:34 Uhr

9,38 USD

+15,95 % [+1,29]
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Börse
NASDAQ

Aktuell
9,38 USD

Zeit
24.02.06 21:34

Diff. Vortag
+15,95 %

Tages-Vol.
30,68 Mio.

Gehandelte Stück
3,4 Mio.

Geron Announces Studies Demonstrating That Cardiomyocytes Derived From Human Embryonic Stem Cells Engraft and Prevent Heart Failure in the Infarcted Rodent Heart

MENLO PARK, Calif., Feb 22, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN) announced today the presentation of studies showing that cardiomyocytes differentiated from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) survive, engraft and prevent heart failure when transplanted into an infarcted rat heart. The results provide proof-of-concept that transplanted hESC-derived cardiomyocytes show promise as a treatment for myocardial infarction and heart failure.
The studies were reported at the meeting on Molecular Mechanism of Cardiac Disease and Regeneration (Santa Fe, New Mexico), and were performed by Drs. Michael LaFlamme, Charles Murry and colleagues at the University of Washington in collaboration with scientists at Geron Corporation. In these studies, cardiomyocytes were produced from hESCs and injected into the left ventricular wall of rats that had undergone reversible coronary ligation to produce myocardial infarctions. In one arm of the study, cardiomyocytes were injected with a combination of agents that increased their survival post transplantation. The hearts were examined one and four weeks after injection. Human cardiomyocytes had populated the infarcted myocardium at both time points. At the four week time point, all animals showed the presence of hESC-derived cardiomyocytes.

In another arm of the study, survival agents only -- without cardiomyocytes -- were administered to the rats. Comparative analysis at four weeks showed that animals that received both cells and survival agents had significantly improved heart function by echocardiography compared to animals that received survival agents alone.

The echo data showed that animals receiving cells had reduced left ventricular end systolic and end diastolic diameters demonstrating that the hESC-derived cardiomyocytes had decreased the degree of infarct-induced heart failure.

"The durable engraftment of the hESC-derived cardiomyocytes accompanied by the restoration of cardiac function in the animals that received cells provides further evidence for the feasibility of using these cells in myocardial repair," stated Jane S. Lebkowski, Ph.D., Geron's senior vice president of regenerative medicine.

"There are over 5 million patients with congestive heart failure in the U.S. alone and each year over 800,000 Americans suffer a heart attack," said Thomas B. Okarma, Ph.D., M.D., Geron's president and chief executive officer. "The studies reported today are the first to demonstrate survival of hESC-derived heart muscle cells in the infarcted myocardium that significantly improved cardiac function. These results are in contrast to studies by others using adult bone marrow-derived hematopoietic or skeletal myoblast stem cells which do not produce new cardiac muscle tissue after injection into infarcted hearts."

Geron is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing three groups of products: i) therapeutic products for oncology that target telomerase; ii) pharmaceuticals that activate telomerase in tissues impacted by senescence, injury or degenerative disease; and iii) cell-based therapies derived from its human embryonic stem cell platform for applications in multiple chronic diseases.

actr

25.02.2006, 10:03

Salvageable or Salvage Yard?

By Will Swarts
February 24, 2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dana Corp. (DCN1)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share price as of last Friday's close: $4.23
Share price now: $1.51
One-week change: -64.3%
Volume: 55.4 million shares, daily average 2.9 million shares
Last time this low: All-time low
52-week high: $17.03
52-week low: $1.50
Forward P/E before news: 13.2 (based on last Friday's share price)
Forward P/E after news: 4.7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AN AUTO-PARTS MAKER'S stock spent the week knocking, pinging and bottoming out.

Investors sent shares of Dana Corp. (DCN2) skidding 52.1% Friday and 64.3% for the week as new troubles beset the already sputtering Toledo, Ohio, company. Dana's announcement on Tuesday that it would delay its dividend payment started investors toward the exit. A Friday Wall Street Journal report that the company was working with restructuring firm Miller Buckfire & Co. sparked a stampede. Struggling corporations usually hire such firms for advice on turning things around or on filing for bankruptcy.

Dana, a major supplier of frames for Ford Motor's (F3) F-150 pickup truck, epitomizes the sector's woes. General Motors (GM4) lost $8.6 billion last year on ballooning pension, labor and materials costs. Ford, while profitable, saw its earnings drop 42% to $2 billion. Although the light truck sector has been relatively strong, Dana also makes frames for Ford's soon-to-debut Expedition sport utility vehicle, a large model in a market that has dipped in popularity amid high fuel prices.

Dana shares hit an all-time low by Friday, thanks in no small part to the dividend delay announcement. The company has provided a regular stream of sour news in recent months. In September it halved its 2005 earnings guidance. In October it said it would restate results for all of 2004 and the first half of 2005, reducing earnings for the 18-month stretch by $44 million. A week later Dana cut its dividend to a penny a share from 12 cents.

The company's bonds also took a beating this week as fixed-income investors lost faith in Dana's prospects.

Dana spokesman Chuck Hartlage shed little light on the dividend delay and hiring of Miller Buckfire. "We're still not commenting on that," he said.

Reactions Friday ranged from mildly pessimistic to overwhelmingly so. Shelley Lombard, a bond analyst at Gimme Credit, an independent credit research firm, says Dana made at least one smart move, regardless of how the story spins out. "I won't necessarily say they're in a death spiral, but they certainly needed somebody like Miller Buckfire," she said. "I think Miller Buckfire can help them in two ways they may be able to stay out of bankruptcy, or they may be able to help them out if they go in."

"Any way you slice it, it doesn't look good," wrote Brian Johnson, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein, an independent research firm, in a research note published Friday. He predicted the company would again lower its earnings estimates. The 2005 consensus estimate stands at 32 cents a share, according to earnings tracker Thomson First Call, but it ranges from a high estimate of a dollar profit to a low one of a 55-cent loss. Dana is due to report 2005 earnings on April 18, according to earnings tracker Briefing.com.

"With debt/capital in the 70% range and anemic [free cash flow] levels that leave little room to pay down debt, Dana is almost certain to shrink," Johnson wrote. With total debt of $2.3 billion, he said that even below its tangible book value of $3.68 a share the amount it would theoretically receive from an asset liquidation the stock is "clearly not cheap at these levels."

That diminishes the possibility of a private equity buyer coming in and scooping up what the investment community nicely calls "distressed assets," and heralds more trouble for Dana, Johnson argues.

More critical to a turnaround is what lenders decide to do about future credit for Dana, wrote Glenn Reynolds, an analyst at CreditSights, an independent New York-based capital structure research firm. The company has only $185 million left in a $400 million short-term revolving credit facility, and is seeking a new bank deal. Reynolds wrote that the rumor mill says it's looking less and less likely.

"If banks have actually reached this level of risk aversion (which we doubt) on a larger Tier 1 name with a hefty base of unencumbered assets, this would be an extraordinary development," he wrote in a note published Thursday.

Quote:
"Their truck business is profitable, but for most other companies it's really profitable," says Lombard of Gimme Credit. "They're not making hay while the sun shines. That market is roaring right now and they're not making as much as they should be."

actr

27.02.2006, 14:29

Stockguru.com: Guru Alerts for Monday, February 27, 2006 OGHC, SUWN, DOIG, CKEI.

Dallas, Texas, Feb 27, 2006 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Stock Guru Alerts for Monday include On The Go Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: OGHC), Sunwin International Neutraceuticals, Inc. (OTCBB: SUWN), Delta Oil & Gas, Inc (OTCBB: SUWN), and Clickable Enterprises, Inc. (OTCBB: CKEI)

On The Go Technologies Group (OTCBB: OGHC) traded as much as 7.41% over open on Friday.

On The Go Technologies Group is a leading, North American corporation focused on acquiring versatile and profitable companies in the IT sector. By way of its four divisions to date: Value Added Resellers Compuquest and Infinity Technologies, both catering to Fortune 1000 clientele and vendors like HP, Apple, IBM, Extreme Networks and Adobe; Helios|Oceana, a prominent systems integrator in the US and Canadian entertainment and education industries; and Go Motion and Design, the Company's complete in-house multimedia studio, On The Go has established itself as a respected industry competitor. The Company's intention is to maintain sustained growth in the years to come via both continued development in their existing divisions and an aggressive acquisition schedule.

For more information, visit: www.oghc.com or www.otcfn.com/oghc

To be added to On The Go's email list for Company news, please visit: www.onthegohealthcare.com/new_site/inv_pkg_form.htm

Sunwin International Neutraceuticals, Inc. (OTCBB: SUWN) traded as much as 25.58% over open on Friday.

Sunwin International Neutraceuticals, Inc. ("Sunwin") (OTC BB: SUWN) is engaged in the areas of essential traditional Chinese medicine, 100% organic herbal medicine, neutraceutical products, natural sweetener (Stevioside), and animal medicine prepared from 100% organic herbal ingredients. As an industry leader in agricultural processing, Sunwin has built an integrated global firm with the sourcing and production capabilities to meet the needs of consumers throughout the world. Sunwin also makes such value-added products as specialty veterinary food ingredients and specialty feed ingredients. The Sunwin family works closely with consumer to provide a quality, value, and a hybrid mix of agricultural products and services that meet growing demand. In 2002, Sunwin was recognized as one of the first 2,000 state-level companies that China authorized as the most important innovative high-tech pioneer businesses by the Chinese central government. In 2002, Sunwin was awarded as one of 2002 state-level biological product manufacturers in China. In 2003, Sunwin ranked as one of the top 50 companies of China Animal Related Health Care Product Pharmaceutical Industry. In 2003, Sunwin received award of Shandong Top-Ten Innovative, High-Tech Businesses by the Province Government of Shandong. For more info about Sunwin, please visit http://www.sunwin.biz.

Delta Oil & Gas, Inc. (OTCBB: DOIG) closed down at 2.22%, trading 411,989 shares on Friday.

Delta Oil and Gas is a growing exploration company focused on developing North American oil and natural gas reserves. The Company's current focus is on the exploration of its land portfolio comprised of working interests in highly prospective acreage in the Southern Alberta Foothills area, its interest in the Cache Slough Project in California and its newest interest in the Strachan Prospect. Delta Oil & Gas is seeking to expand its portfolio to include additional interests in Canada and the USA.

Clickable Enterprises, Inc. (OTCBB: CKEI) closed down at 7.89%, trading 13,737,135 shares on Friday.

Clickable Enterprises, through its wholly owned subsidiary, ClickableOil.com, Inc., is the first Internet-based home heating oil company to offer customers affordable home heating oil and related services. Based in Mount Vernon, New York, ClickableOil.com specializes in price control, risk management and product positioning, leaving the oil delivery and services to specially chosen vendors. The company currently operates in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, and has a license to operate in Maryland. It continues to grow geographically along the East coast. For more information, please visit www.clickableoil.com