Vivus Inc. (VVUS) announced Wednesday morning that it's terminating an agreement with FemPharm to develop an experimental testosterone treatment for women. As a result, the rights for the product, Luramist, will be returned to FemPharm, and Vivus will refocus its efforts on two other drugs in the pipeline: Qnexa for obesity and avanafil for erectile dysfunction.

"The decision to terminate the agreement was made in view of the significant long-term safety requirements for the approval of testosterone products in women," explained company president Peter Tam. "We believe it is in our shareholders' best interests to pursue other therapeutic candidates."

Continue reading VIVUS Calls It Quits on Testosterone Drug

VIVUS Calls It Quits on Testosterone Drug originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Bright and early this morning, Campbell Soup Co. (CPB) lowered its forecast for fiscal 2010 sales. The company now expects sales to grow 2.5% to 3.5% during the current fiscal year, down from its previous projection for sales growth of 4% to 5%. However, earnings for 2010 are still expected to rise 9% to 11% on an annualized basis from $2.21 per share in fiscal 2009.

Campbell also announced this morning that it's launching "a comprehensive plan to boost the performance of its condensed soup portfolio" in the U.S. More than 60% of the company's condensed line will be spruced up with product improvements, sodium reductions, updated packaging, and a fresh marketing approach.

Continue reading Campbell Soup Slips After Slashing Guidance

Campbell Soup Slips After Slashing Guidance originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The day's most popular strike is the February 45 call, with more than 2,200 contracts changing hands on open interest of 4,177 contracts. Several sizable blocks have changed hands at the ask price, suggesting that traders are buying new calls at this out-of-the-money strike today.

Continue reading Speculation Heats Up on P.F. Chang's China Bistro Ahead of Earnings

Speculation Heats Up on P.F. Chang's China Bistro Ahead of Earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Humble restaurant chain Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) is scheduled to release its fourth-quarter earnings report after the market closes on Thursday, Feb. 11. Ahead of the event, analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are looking for a profit of 51 cents per share, up from 43 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. BWLD has an impressive history in the earnings spotlight, having matched or exceeded Wall Street's consensus expectations in each of the previous four reporting periods.

Continue reading Ambitious Trader Strangles Buffalo Wild Wings Ahead of Earnings

Ambitious Trader Strangles Buffalo Wild Wings Ahead of Earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

YRC Worldwide (YRCW) is preparing to release its fourth-quarter results, with the company's earnings report scheduled to hit Wall Street before the market opens on Friday, Feb. 5. Analysts are expecting YRCW to swallow a loss of $1.74 per share, wider than the company's year-ago loss of $1.63 per share.

The transportation issue has fallen short of consensus earnings expectations in each of the previous four quarters, which may explain why bearish speculation is on the rise in the days leading up to YRCW's report.

Continue reading Heavy Pessimism on YRC Worldwide Ahead of 4Q Earnings

Heavy Pessimism on YRC Worldwide Ahead of 4Q Earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

VIVUS Inc. (VVUS) is on the upswing today, after the company reported positive results from a late-stage trial of its treatment for erectile dysfunction. Not only does avanifil result in a surprisingly high "magnitude of success in the first 15 minutes," but the treatment was also well-tolerated. The company noted that "there were no drug-related serious adverse events in the study," and added that there were low rates of common side effects, including headache and flushing.

VIVUS is entering a crowded market with its erectile dysfunction drug, with heavyweights such as Viagra and Cialis boasting substantial market share. However, "Knowing that avanafil can be effective within 15 minutes should create an attractive position in the PDE5 market," asserted Charles Bowden, M.D., who serves as senior director of clinical development.

Continue reading Vivus Rallies on Positive Avanifil for Erectile Dysfunction Trial

Vivus Rallies on Positive Avanifil for Erectile Dysfunction Trial originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Finish Line (FINL) is one of the few companies stepping into the earnings spotlight during this holiday-shortened week, and traders are so far reacting with enthusiasm to the retailer's third-quarter report. Finish Line banked a surprise profit of $6.6 million, or 12 cents per share, much improved from its year-ago loss of $8.8 million, or 16 cents per share.

Revenue for the period dwindled 0.2% to $240.1 million, even as same-store sales rose 1.7%. Gross margin ticked higher to 29.5% from 27%.

Continue reading Shorts Rush to Cover After Solid 3Q from Finish Line

Shorts Rush to Cover After Solid 3Q from Finish Line originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In other Sprint news this morning, Sprint shares were upped from "neutral" to "outperform" at Credit Suisse. Analyst Jonathan Chaplin set his price target at $6, asserting that the company will benefit from cost cutting, stronger sales of prepaid service, and improved customer retention trends. Sprint's stock settled Friday at $3.10, so Chaplin's price target implies expected upside of nearly 94%.

Continue reading Sprint Nextel scores upgrade, pays off $1B loan

Sprint Nextel scores upgrade, pays off $1B loan originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In the wake of COST's report, analyst Brian Sozzi of Wall Street Strategies reiterated his Buy rating and $66 price target on the equity. "In our view, 4Q09 will go a long way in supporting a higher valuation for Costco," wrote Sozzi in a research note this morning. "The company has managed to control costs, drive traffic to its warehouses consistently throughout the economic downturn, paid $300 million in annual dividends in FY09 (payout ratio of 26.0% second to only Wal-Mart in the sector), and has catalysts on the horizon to showcase earnings power above currently modeled for consensus EPS."

Continue reading Costco Wholesale surges after topping 4Q expectations

Costco Wholesale surges after topping 4Q expectations originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Bright and early this morning, Goldman Sachs downgraded gaming guru Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) from Conviction Buy to Buy. In a note to clients, the brokerage firm explained that it sees greater relative potential for near-term price appreciation in other stocks. Goldman maintains a six-month price target of $16 on ATVI, implying expected upside of more than 29% from the shares' closing price on Wednesday.

ATVI is a ripe target for downgrades, if only because analysts are so lopsidedly optimistic toward the "Guitar Hero" parent. Zacks reports that the equity has attracted no fewer than 18 Strong Buy recommendations, plus two Buys -- with not a single Hold, Sell, or Strong Sell to be found.

Continue reading Activision Blizzard booted from Conviction Buy list

Activision Blizzard booted from Conviction Buy list originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Isle of Capri Casinos (NASDAQ: ISLE) is getting hammered today in the wake of its latest earnings report. This morning, the company reported that it swung to a fiscal first-quarter profit of $900,000, or 3 cents per share, while revenue for the period slipped 6.3% to $259.9 million. The results were far worse than expected, with consensus estimates on Wall Street predicting a profit of 13 cents per share on $273 million in revenue.

On the cost-cutting front, ISLE's previously planned departure from the international market is on pace, reported Chairman and CEO James B. Perry. "... we remain on track to exit our international operations in the near term, as we will exit the Bahamas no later than October 31, and expect to exit our remaining UK operations by the end of the calendar year."

Continue reading Bears punish Isle of Capri Casinos after disappointing earnings

Bears punish Isle of Capri Casinos after disappointing earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Short interest back on the rise originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Reports today indicate that American International Group, Inc. (NYSE: AIG) may need yet another bailout from the federal government. This time, The New York Post states that AIG will likely require additional government guarantees before it can successfully sell its International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC) aircraft leasing business.

"Already, the government has agreed to guarantee $5 billion of debt, but those remaining in the auction now want either more government aid or support from airline manufacturers," reports the Post. The newspaper notes that ILFC carries a $30 billion debt load, portions of which will soon mature, along with $50 billion in assets. The unit, which has been up on the auction block since last September, has a book value of $7.5 billion.

AIG shares slipped more than 6% this morning to trade at $1.46, extending their 52-week swoon of 95.7%. After smacking into resistance from its 10-month moving average, the stock is now struggling to maintain a foothold atop its recently supportive 10-week trendline.

Even though the security is trading fairly low on the charts already, some traders are betting on continued losses from AIG. Despite a 16.4% drop in short interest during the most recent reporting period, shorted shares still account for a hefty 9.7% of the stock's available float. Plus, peak put open interest in the June series lies at the 2 strike, with 17,975 contracts in residence.

Elizabeth Harrow is an analyst and financial writer in the research department at Schaeffer's Investment Research. She is featured in the video series Schaeffer's Daily Q&A on SchaeffersResearch.com.

Another bailout for AIG? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Goldcorp Inc. (NYSE: GG) shares turned lower this morning after the company announced a $750 million offering of convertible senior notes due 2014. The commodity issue said that proceeds from the offering will be used to repay outstanding debt under its revolving term credit facility, with any remaining funds to be applied toward general corporate purposes.

Despite today's drop, GG shares have blazed an impressive path higher during the past month. Since finding a floor near the $27 level in late April, the stock has added 48.7%.

Continue reading High-flying Goldcorp pulls back after launching $750 million note offering

High-flying Goldcorp pulls back after launching $750 million note offering originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The shares of First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) have started the week on a rocky note. Not only did Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co. downgrade the stock from Market Perform to Underperform, the alternative energy issue was also the topic of a skeptical Barron's article over the weekend.

In a note to clients, brokerage firm Friedman cited weak polysilicon prices and the stock's overrich valuation for its downgrade. FSLR closed last Friday at $191.72 per share, compared to Friedman's price target of $110.

Meanwhile, the cautious Barron's write up [subscription required] observes that the Intersolar trade show begins Wednesday in Munich, and pits FSLR against many lower-priced rivals. "One leading customer says it will ditch First Solar's 'thin-film' panels if crystalline silicon alternatives keep getting cheaper.

That seems likely. Silicon prices are expected to drop another 30% by year end. First Solar profits -- and its shares -- could get cut in half," commented the financial paper.

Continue reading First Solar gaps lower on downgrade, bearish Barron's article

First Solar gaps lower on downgrade, bearish Barron's article originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 May 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) has enjoyed a stellar run higher in 2009, with the shares up 105% year-to-date.

Today, the company announced that its board has approved a three-for-two stock split in the form of a stock dividend. All shareholders of record as of May 29 will receive one additional share of GMCR common stock for every two shares currently held, with distribution scheduled for June 8.

"This stock dividend allows us to share our success with our loyal stockholders to the extent of our authorized stock and underscores our confidence in the strength of our Company and its prospects for the future," said President and CEO Larry Blanford in a statement.

Continue reading Green Mountain Coffee Roasters spooks shorts, announces split

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters spooks shorts, announces split originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 19 May 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Late last Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Defense Department has ordered Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) to cease work on a $13 billion contract to build helicopters for the White House.

The move was widely expected, since the Obama administration has previously pointed to the revamped copters as an example of excessive defense spending. However, the contract's cancellation will no doubt bring fresh job losses to Owego, NY, where the Marine One copter is being designed.

Continue reading Layoffs loom at Lockheed Martin after Marine One cancellation

Layoffs loom at Lockheed Martin after Marine One cancellation originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 18 May 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Coal concern Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (NYSE: ANR) has spiked more than 20% today on the heels of its first-quarter earnings report. The company reported a 61% improvement in net income, which rose to $41 million, or 58 cents per share, compared to $25.5 million, or 39 cents per share, in the first quarter of 2008.

Revenue for the period inched higher to $424.4 million. ANR's profit easily exceeded Wall Street's expectations; analysts were looking for a profit of 48 cents per share on $515.5 million.

ANR gapped higher with the sound of the opening bell today, extending its year-to-date advance of 56.4%. If the stock keeps climbing, it could soon have a chance to challenge resistance from its 10-month moving average, which is currently hovering in the $33 neighborhood.

Continue reading Alpha Natural Resources crushes profit estimates, spikes 20%

Alpha Natural Resources crushes profit estimates, spikes 20% originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 06 May 2009 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"BJ's recognizes the diverse financial status and changing needs of its members," commented president and CEO Laura Sen in a statement. "We are proud to help members stretch their food budgets by offering savings on a large selection of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and baked goods, along with name-brand, non-perishable staples."

Continue reading Sign of the times: BJ's Wholesale Club now accepting food stamps

Sign of the times: BJ's Wholesale Club now accepting food stamps originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Tech stock VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW) is broadly higher today on the heels of an upbeat note from Goldman Sachs. VMW was added to the brokerage firm's Conviction Buy list, with Goldman noting an expected boost in sales. The firm also thinks that VMW is better-positioned than many of its competitors to ride out the economic recession.

In addition to the Conviction Buy nod, Goldman also hiked its price target on VMW to $29, representing a premium of 22.8% to the equity's Tuesday closing price. The stock could attract additional price-target increases during the short term, as Thomson Reuters pegs its average 12-month target from analysts as $23.31 -- a modest discount to yesterday's close.

Continue reading VMware rallies on Goldman Sachs' bullish endorsement

VMware rallies on Goldman Sachs' bullish endorsement originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.