Advancers
Anika Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ-NMS:ANIK) (ANIK) received European marketing approval for commercial sale of cosmetic dermatology product Elevess. The Woburn, Mass., company said Elevess is an injectable soft tissue filler used for facial wrinkles, scar remediation and lip augmentation. Anika said commercial launch of the product in the European Union and around the world is expected to start in the second half of the year. Anika said it filed a supplement to the premarket approval application for U.S. approval of Elevess.
Bally Total Fitness (NYSE:BFT) (BFT) obtained a forbearance agreement from the lenders under its $284 million senior secured credit facility. The Chicago fitness center operator said, under the agreement, the lenders will forbear from exercising any remedies under their credit ability as a result of defaults due to Bally's inability to provide its 2006 financial statements. Bally also said the scheduled interest payment of about $15 million due on the senior subordinated notes on April 16 will not be paid.
CBS Corp. (NYSE:CBS) (CBS) canceled Don Imus's morning show, effective immediately, after a firestorm of controversy caused by his racially-charged remarks about the Rutgers University women's basketball team. Several key advertisers had pulled their ads from the show in recent days following calls for Imus's firing. In a statement, CBS Chief Executive Officer Les Moonves said individuals throughout CBS "have been deeply upset and revulsed" by Imus's statements.
Cott Corp. (NYSE:COT) (COT) on Friday responded to media reports that it's in talks with private-equity firms over merging its operations with Cadbury Schweppes' beverage division. Cott said it has responded to "interested parties" that have approached the company, and is "exploring the potential benefits of participating in possible industry consolidation." In a statement, the Canadian beverage company said: "While the board of directors of Cott is supportive of these exploratory discussions, there has been no decision regarding a change in strategy. Our goal has always been to profitably grow our business and enhance shareowner value and that continues to be our focus."
Cutter & Buck (NASDAQ-NMS:CBUK) (CBUK) agreed to be acquired by New Wave Group AB for $156.5 million. The deal values shares of the golf apparel supplier at $14.38 each.
Dow Jones & Co. (NYSE:DJ) (DJ) said Friday it has agreed to acquire privately-held U.K. media company eFinancial News Holdings Ltd. for 26.1 million British pounds, or $51.6 million.
Dyax Corp. (NASDAQ-NMS:DYAX) ( DYAX (NASDAQ-NMS:DYAX) ) shares soared Friday on results of a late-stage clinical trial in which its experimental treatment for a rare genetic condition met both its primary and secondary endpoints.
FCStone Group (NASDAQ-NMS:FCSX) (FCSX) shares gained after the West Des Moines, Iowa-based commodity risk management firm reported fiscal second-quarter net earnings of $ 6.92 million, or 48 cents a share, up from $3.94 million, or 27 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue rose to $403.4 million in the quarter from $ 268.9 million in the comparable period last year.
General Electric Co. (NYSE:GE) (GE) said its first-quarter net income rose 2% to $4.51 billion, or 44 cents a share, up from $4.44 billion, or 42 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 6% to $40.2 billion from $38.03 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial forecast earnings, on average, of 44 cents a share and revenue of $39.82 billion. GE forecast second-quarter earnings of 52 cents to 54 cents a share and affirmed its 2007 earnings outlook of $2.18 to $2.23 a share. The Fairfield, Conn.-based GE is a financial services giant and diversified industrial manufacturer, making a variety of products from jet engines to medical devices, and operates entertainment arm NBC Universal. ""GE Money's earnings were tempered by challenges at its U.S. mortgage business (WMC) , and [GE] Healthcare had a temporary regulatory suspension on shipments of its surgical supplies that affected their performance," said CEO Jeff Immelt. But those businesses are expected to rebound during 2007, he added.
House of Taylor Jewelry Inc. (NASDAQ-SMALL:HOTJ) (HOTJ) named Bob Rankin chief financial officer. Rankin succeeds Pauline Schneider, who will still be available to the company as a consultant. Rankin most recently served as CFO of Small World Kids Inc.
Infosys Technologies (NASDAQ-NMS:INFY) (INFY) posted a 70% jump in net profit for the fourth quarter as outsourcing orders grew and it benefited from a tax refund.
Lubrizol Corp. (NYSE:LZ) (LZ) expects a first-quarter profit of about $1 a share, up from the loss of 22 cents reported a year earlier.
