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Contact Kara Crawford at kara@traderplanet.com for further details.en-ushttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134471-dr_pepper_ups_shareholder_returns_analyst_bloghttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134471-dr_pepper_ups_shareholder_returns_analyst_blog<p> <strong>Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc.</strong> , a leading manufacturer and distributor of non-alcoholic beverages in the U.S., has increased its quarterly dividend to 34 cents per share, bringing its annualized dividend rate to $1.36 per share.</p><p> The new dividend rate reflects a 6.3% growth over the previous quarterly dividend of 32 cents per share , which was paid in January 2012. As per the company, its new dividend rate of 34 cents will be paid on April 6, 2012, to shareholders of record as of March 19, 201...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134471-dr_pepper_ups_shareholder_returns_analyst_blog'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/832/?a=1073><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/jobman.gif border=0 /></a></p> ZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 23:48:01 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134472-positive_results_on_forest_gedeon_drug_analyst_bloghttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134472-positive_results_on_forest_gedeon_drug_analyst_blog<p> <strong>Forest Laboratories, Inc.</strong> and partner Gedeon Richter recently presented positive top-line results on their antipsychotic candidate, cariprazine . Preliminary top-line results were presented from a phase III study that was conducted in patients with acute mania associated with bipolar I disorder.</p><p> Results from the five-week multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study showed that patients in the cariprazine arm experienced significant symptom improvement compared to pat...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134472-positive_results_on_forest_gedeon_drug_analyst_blog'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/815/?a=1071><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/murphy.gif border=0 /></a></p> ZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 23:33:01 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134473-bristol_myers_sny_win_plavix_damages_analyst_bloghttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134473-bristol_myers_sny_win_plavix_damages_analyst_blog<p> Apotex recently settled its dispute regarding the blockbuster blood thinner Plavix with <strong>Bristol-Myers Squibb Company</strong> and partner <strong>Sanofi</strong> . The patent related dispute, which started in 2002, was resolved after Apotex paid Bristol-Myers and Sanofi approximately $444.2 million as damages.</p><p> Apotex parted with the amount following the decision of an US appeals court in October 2011 which upheld the intellectual property rights related to Plavix. Apotex made further payments to the tune of $1.26 mil...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134473-bristol_myers_sny_win_plavix_damages_analyst_blog'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/834/?a=1070><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/wyckoff.gif border=0 /></a></p> ZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 23:20:01 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134474-update_on_vphm_s_industrial_facility_analyst_bloghttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134474-update_on_vphm_s_industrial_facility_analyst_blog<p> <strong>ViroPharma Inc. </strong> recently announced that the US Food and Drug Administration has issued a complete response letter for Cinryze's industrial scale manufacturing facility.</p><p> The regulatory body made three comments related to a portion of the cleaning validation for industrial scale manufacturing, of which only one requires additional unplanned activity. ViroPharma does not expect this activity to take much time to complete.</p><p> The FDA also said that it has not finished reviewing the company's Janua...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134474-update_on_vphm_s_industrial_facility_analyst_blog'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/834/?a=1070><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/wyckoff.gif border=0 /></a></p> ZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 23:06:01 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134475-outperform_on_abiomed_analyst_bloghttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134475-outperform_on_abiomed_analyst_blog<p> We retain our Outperform recommendation on <strong>Abiomed</strong> following its impressive third-quarter fiscal 2012 results which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimates.</p><p> Adjusted earnings per share of 6 cents a share for the quarter outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 1 cent. The company swung to a profit in the quarter on the heels of solid revenues from its popular Impella cardiac pumps. Revenues soared 18% year over year to $32.2 million.</p><p> Abiomed raised its revenue guidance for fisca...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134475-outperform_on_abiomed_analyst_blog'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/624/?a=1067><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/dinapoli.gif border=0 /></a></p> ZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 22:56:01 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134451-newfield_kept_at_neutral_rec_analyst_bloghttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134451-newfield_kept_at_neutral_rec_analyst_blog<p> We are maintaining our Neutral recommendation on Texas-based <strong>Newfield Exploration Company</strong> . Newfield is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas. The company's domestic operation spreads over the Mid-Continent, Rocky Mountains, onshore Texas, Appalachia and the Gulf of Mexico, while overseas exposure includes Malaysia and China.</p><div> Newfield's diversified portfolio of assets provides both flexibility and significant growth potential. We...</div><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134451-newfield_kept_at_neutral_rec_analyst_blog'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/744/?a=1072><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/firman.gif border=0 /></a></p> ZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 22:46:01 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134452-citi_entangled_in_lawsuit_again_analyst_bloghttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134452-citi_entangled_in_lawsuit_again_analyst_blog<p> <strong>Citigroup Inc. </strong> is again making headlines for landing into another legal mess. Recently, Citibank, the banking unit of the company, has been sued by Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. for wrongly confiscating nearly $2.5 billion, which was transferred by Lehman just before its bankruptcy filing in 2008.</p><p> Currently, Lehman is pursuing a liquidation plan and will likely pay 18 cents per dollar to its creditors. However, about $2 billion that it has so far gathered is actually pledged to Citi. Hence,...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134452-citi_entangled_in_lawsuit_again_analyst_blog'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/834/?a=1070><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/wyckoff.gif border=0 /></a></p> ZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 22:35:01 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134453-aflac_values_750m_notes_analyst_bloghttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134453-aflac_values_750m_notes_analyst_blog<p> Yesterday, <strong>Aflac Inc.</strong> announced the pricing of long-term fixed rate notes worth $750 million in two tranches. One set of 5-year senior notes are priced at par value of $400 million with a coupon rate of 2.65%. These notes are issued at a price of $99.911 that should generate yield of 2.669%.</p><p> The other tranche of 10-year fixed rate senior notes are priced at par value of $350 million with a coupon rate of 4.00%. These notes are issued at a price of $99.820 and are expected to yield 4.022%.</p><p> Ma...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134453-aflac_values_750m_notes_analyst_blog'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/834/?a=1070><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/wyckoff.gif border=0 /></a></p> ZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 22:22:01 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134454-o_charley_s_to_join_fidelity_analyst_bloghttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134454-o_charley_s_to_join_fidelity_analyst_blog<p> <strong>O'Charley's Inc. </strong> recently inked a definitive agreement with <strong>Fidelity National Financial Inc.</strong> . Under the agreement, Fidelity will acquire all the outstanding shares of O'Charley's for a total equity value of approximately $221 million on a fully diluted basis. </p><p> The purchase price is at a 42% premium to O'Charley's closing stock price of $6.92 on February 3, 2012 and at a 57% premium over the closing 20-day average trading price of $6.27. The transaction is expected to close in the second qu...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134454-o_charley_s_to_join_fidelity_analyst_blog'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/744/?a=1072><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/firman.gif border=0 /></a></p> ZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 22:14:01 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134455-contracts_flowing_in_for_northrop_analyst_bloghttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134455-contracts_flowing_in_for_northrop_analyst_blog<p> <strong>Northrop Grumman Corporation </strong> has received a contract worth $103 million from the U.S. Department of Defense under which it will provide support to the Mission Command Training Support Program of the National Guard Bureau Mission Training Complexes at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Camp Dodge, Iowa, and Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania.</p><p> The purpose of MTC is to provide individual and collective training support with the help of live, virtual, and serious gaming; constructive and individual learn...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134455-contracts_flowing_in_for_northrop_analyst_blog'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/744/?a=1072><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/firman.gif border=0 /></a></p> ZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 22:07:01 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134456-fujiy_retains_neutral_territory_analyst_bloghttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134456-fujiy_retains_neutral_territory_analyst_blog<p> We maintain our Neutral rating on <strong>Fujifilm Holdings Corporation</strong> .</p><p> We believe that Fuji's relentless focus on technological innovation in response to growing market needs coupled with its strong sales promotion is anticipated to lay a solid foundation for the company's future.</p><p> Moreover, we presume that the company's proactive investments in priority business fields of significant potential will continue to outpace the market, positioning Fujifilm as a sustained and profitable business with la...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134456-fujiy_retains_neutral_territory_analyst_blog'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/832/?a=1073><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/jobman.gif border=0 /></a></p> ZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 21:59:01 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134457-market_percolates_doubters_wait_voice_of_the_peoplehttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134457-market_percolates_doubters_wait_voice_of_the_people<p> Zacks highlights commentary from People and Picks Member <MightyMo>.<br /><br /> For more Voice of the People, visit http://at.zacks.com/?id=7872</p> <p> <b>Featured Post</b></p> <p> <b>The Market percolates upward as doubters sit on a wall of worry</b></p> <p> They're coming out. The doubters, the doomsayers, the media 'fools' and of course the troll community. They're telling you the market is 'too high', they're telling you the 'market is over-valued'. They're telling you 'the market has moved too fast too quickly and wait for a consolidation'....</p></MightyMo><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134457-market_percolates_doubters_wait_voice_of_the_people'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/815/?a=1071><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/murphy.gif border=0 /></a></p> ZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 21:58:01 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134458-mcdonald_s_comps_remain_solid_analyst_bloghttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134458-mcdonald_s_comps_remain_solid_analyst_blog<p> <strong>McDonald's Corp. </strong> has maintained its impressive run of posting solid comparables sales results, driven by its value offerings, premium products and growing global footprint. Global comparable sales of the company grew 6.7% in January, on the heels of strong sales of beverage and core menu products. Comparable sales growth also climbed from 5.3% in January 2011.</p><p> The fast-food restaurant operator witnessed an uptrend across its domestic and international markets on a year-over-year basis. Geog...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134458-mcdonald_s_comps_remain_solid_analyst_blog'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/834/?a=1070><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/wyckoff.gif border=0 /></a></p> ZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 21:51:01 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134459-petrochina_buys_into_canadian_asset_analyst_bloghttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134459-petrochina_buys_into_canadian_asset_analyst_blog<p> Chinese energy giant<strong> PetroChina Co. Ltd. </strong> inked an asset acquisition deal with <strong>Royal Dutch Shell plc </strong>. Per the agreement, PetroChina purchased 20% stake in a Canadian shale gas project - Groundbirch - from Shell. However, neither of the companies disclosed the financial terms of the deal.</p><p> Located in northeastern British Columbia, Shell owns 100% interest in the Groundbirch project that holds a production capacity of 1 billion cubic feet equivalents per day and has an estimated producing life...</p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134459-petrochina_buys_into_canadian_asset_analyst_blog'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/832/?a=1073><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/jobman.gif border=0 /></a></p> ZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 21:41:01 +0000http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134460-sprint_extends_m2m_coverage_analyst_bloghttp://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134460-sprint_extends_m2m_coverage_analyst_blog<p> The M2M market is growing rapidly in the cellular industry and is being used by a number of mobile network operators in North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region in particular. Major operators are entering into M2M services as their voice and data service markets reach a saturation point.</p><p> M2M refers to technologies that allow both wireless and wireline systems to communicate with other devices of the same capacity. In this regard, the third-largest U.S. wireless carrier <strong>Sprint Nexte...</strong></p><a href='http://www.traderplanet.com/commentaries/view/134460-sprint_extends_m2m_coverage_analyst_blog'>Read More at TraderPlanet.com &#187;</a><p align=center><a href=http://www.traderplanet.com/tradertube/index/624/?a=1067><img src=http://www.traderplanet.com/themes/trader_plain/gfx/dinapoli.gif border=0 /></a></p> ZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comZacksResearch, TraderPlanet.comThu, 09 Feb 2012 21:32:01 +0000