BUZZ-U.S. Stocks on the Move-Ciena, Matrix, Methode, Mitek

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U.S. stocks opened slightly higher on Thursday, after the European Central Bank cut interest rates to record lows and a flurry of economic data indicated the U.S. economy was steadily improving. The Dow Jones industrial average was up 0.37 percent at 17,141.74, the S&P 500 was up 0.47 percent at 2,010.16 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.2 percent 4,581.71.

** AMAZON.COM INC, $347.65, +2.55 pct

Sanford C. Bernstein raised its price target on the stock of the online retailer to $450 from $360. "Amazon has built a better, more cost-effective retail model than the vast majority of brick-and-mortar retailers," Bernstein analysts said in a note. The median price target on stock is $400, according to Thomson Reuters data.

** AEROVIRONMENT INC (NasdaqGS: AVAV - news) , $32, -4.90 pct

The drone maker reported a first-quarter loss of 16 cents per share, wider than the average analysts' estimate of 11 cents, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S

** NORDSTROM INC (NYSE: JWN - news) , $70.66, +1.46 pct

The apparel retailer authorized a $1 billion share repurchase. The latest buyback excludes $323 million remaining under earlier plan.

** TASER INTERNATIONAL INC (NasdaqGS: TASR - news) , $17.95, +7.23 pct

The stun gun maker received multiple orders from the Cleveland police department for its Taser brand smart weapons. The company did not disclose the financial terms.

The stock had gained about 35 percent since Aug. 8, a day before fatal shooting in Ferguson, Missouri, through Wednesday.

** METHODE ELECTRONICS INC (NYSE: MEI - news) , $39.58, +15.53 pct

The electronic component maker said it expects full-year profit of $2.10-$2.20 per share on revenue of $870 million-$885 million, up from prior forecast of a profit of $1.85-$2 per share on revenue of $835 million-$860 million. Methode Electronics reported a better-than-expected first quarter results, helped by higher sales and better margins in its automotive unit.

The company's shares rose 16.5 percent to a 14-year-high of $40.

** IRONWOOD PHARMACEUTICALS INC (NasdaqGS: IRWD - news) , $12.39, -4.62 pct

Cowen & Co lowered its rating on the drugmaker's stock to "market perform" from "outperform", citing recent physician feedback on Ironwood's constipation drug, Linzess. The brokerage also slashed its price target to $10.50 from $16.00, saying its consultants believe adoption of Linzess by general practitioners will be slow.

** NORTHSTAR REALTY FINANCE CORP (Stuttgart: A1166D - news) , $18.35, -2.65 pct

The real estate investment trust priced its offering of 45 million shares at $18.40 per share, a discount of 2.4 percent to stock's Wednesday close. The offering represents 22.7 percent of outstanding shares as of Aug. 8.

The stock is most traded on New York Stock Exchange on Thursday. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc will borrow and sell 22.5 million shares to underwriters in the offering.

** SHOE CARNIVAL INC (NasdaqGS: SCVL - news) , $19.64, -11.37 pct

The footwear retailer reported lower-than-expected second quarter sales and profit as fewer customers visited its stores and expenses rose. Its profit has now missed estimates for the last three quarters. The company forecast third quarter comparable-store sales to either decline up to 1 percent or grow up to 1 percent.

Susquehanna Financial Group analysts cut price target to $24 from $25 on the stock which had fallen 24 percent this year up to Wednesday's close.

** SOLARCITY CORP, $70.8244, +4.58 pct

The solar panel installer said it would open 20 new operations centers in seven U.S. states. The company, backed by Tesla Motors Inc (Xetra: A1CX3T - news) founder Elon Musk, says new centers expected to create more than 600 additional jobs.

** BAZAARVOICE INC (NasdaqGS: BV - news) , $7.9808, +6.41 pct

B. Riley & Co raises price target on stock of the software maker to $10 from $9.75, saying net new client additions in Q1 were significantly higher than it had estimated.

Bazaarvoice, which provides businesses online and social media tools to interact with customers, reported higher-than-expected Q1 revenue and smaller-than-expected loss on Wednesday

** VERIFONE SYSTEMS INC (NYSE: PAY - news) , $35.93, +4.02 pct

The credit card swipe machine maker raised full-year revenue forecast for the third time, encouraged by strong sales of devices that can accept chip-embedded credit cards. VeriFone also raised full-year profit forecast and reported better-than-expected third quarter revenue.

The company is benefiting as U.S. retailers upgrade their point-of-sale terminals to systems compatible with more secure credit cards in the wake of several data breaches. Up to Wednesday's close, the stock had risen nearly 30 percent this year.

** ARLINGTON ASSET INVESTMENT CORP, $27.197, -4.20 pct

The mortgage investor said it was offering 2.75 million shares of Class A common stock - 14 percent of its total outstanding shares - at $27.61 each, a 2.7 pct discount to Wednesday's close.

Arlington said it plans to use the proceeds to acquire assets. Up to Wednesday's close, the stock had risen 7.6 percent this year.

** STEREOTAXIS INC (NasdaqCM: STXS - news) ,$3.35, +17.54 pct

The medical device maker received U.S. FDA's marketing approval for its device used during procedures to assess heart activity. The device, called Vdrive Robotic Navigation System, is designed to remotely control catheter during such procedures.

** KAMADA LTD (NasdaqGS: KMDA - news) , $5.75, -19.69 pct

The Israel-based drugmaker's experimental drug to treat an inherited condition that raises the risk of lung and liver disease failed in a mid-stage study. The drug, Inhaled Alpha-1 Antitrypsin, did not show a statistically significant difference, compared with a placebo. Glassia, an intravenous version of the drug, is already being marketed by Baxter Inc in the United States.

** CIENA CORP, $18.76, -8.31 pct

The network equipment forecast fourth quarter revenue of $570 million-$610 million, below the average analyst estimate of $628.9 million. The company said it expects fourth quarter adjusted gross margin in the high 30s to low 40s percent range.

** MITEK SYSTEMS INC (NasdaqCM: MITK - news) , $3.55, +49.79 pct

The mobile imaging software maker agreed on Wednesday to settle all pending litigation with financial services group USAA over five of its patents relating to image capture on mobile devices. Mitek's lawsuit filed in 2012 also included allegations of misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract and fraud. The company said neither party will make any payment or admit liability on any claims.

** GOPRO INC (Xetra: A1XE7G - news) , $54.4, -4.33 pct

J.P. Morgan cut its rating on the stock of the maker of camera makers to "neutral" from "overweight", saying the stock is trading above its price target of $51. The median price target on stock is $46.50. Of nine analysts covering the stock, 2 have "buy" ratings and 7 have "hold" or equivalent ratings. Up to Wednesday's close, the stock had risen 137 percent since its debut on June 26.

** MEMORIAL PRODUCTION PARTNERS LP (NasdaqGS: MEMP - news) , $22.42, -3.20 pct

The oil and gas producer said it would offer 13 million common units; representing 18 percent of outstanding shares as of Wednesday. The company said it plans to use net proceeds from the underwritten public offering to pay down debt.

** MATTRESS FIRM HOLDING CORP, $63.41, +11.62 pct

The company said it would buy privately held bedding retailer The Sleep Train Inc for $425 million, its sixth and largest acquisition announced in the past year, to expand its presence on the West Coast.

** NEWLINK GENETICS CORP, $26.79, +3.16 pct

NewLink Genetics said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed the company to start testing an experimental Ebola vaccine in humans.

The move follows a decision to begin initial human testing of a GlaxoSmithKline (Other OTC: GLAXF - news) vaccine this month and an approval to fast track tests of a Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ - news) vaccine.

** TIBCO SOFTWARE INC (NasdaqGS: TIBX - news) , $21.9101, +4.14 pct

The business software maker said it was reviewing its strategic and financial alternatives as part of a process initiated by its board on Aug. 16 to maximize shareholder value. The company has formed a special committee of independent directors to undertake the review.

** MATRIX SERVICE CO, $22.7, -22.07 pct

The engineering and construction services provider's fourth quarter revenue and profit missed analysts' estimates due to a 47 percent rise in costs. Revenue from the company's oil, gas and chemical segment, which provides construction and maintenance services to North American oil producers, fell about 22 percent to $52.1 million. Matrix also forecast full-year earnings below estimates.

** PVH CORP (NYSE: PVH - news) , $128.12, +9.38 pct

The apparel company's second quarter profit beat expectations, helped by strong sales of its Tommy Hilfiger-branded clothes. PVH cut its full-year revenue forecast to $8.4 billion from $8.5 billion, but it reaffirmed its profit forecast. (Compiled by Rohit T.K. in Bangalore; Editing by Joyjeet Das)