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MARKET PULSE-Dicerna, Kalobis, Under Armour, hhgregg, Qualcomm

(For more market insights, including options activity, click on ; for the Day Ahead newsletter http://link.reuters.com/mex49s; for the Morning News Call newsletter, http://link.reuters.com/nex49s)

Wall Street rose on Thursday, with the S&P 500 climbing more than 1 percent, buoyed by data showing the U.S. economy grew as expected in the fourth quarter. U.S. stock indexes xxx on Thursday. The Dow Jones industrial average was up 0.55 percent at 15,825.12, the S&P 500 was up 1.09 percent at 1,793.48 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 1.85 percent at 4,126.217.

** 3M CO, $127.92, -1.79 pct

The diversified manufacturer posted an 11 percent rise in fourth-quarter net income on Thursday, helped by higher earnings across most of its business lines, but sales missed Wall Street's target.

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** VISA INC (NYSE: V - news) , $219.68, +1.18 pct

** MASTERCARD, $79.19, +1.92 pct

** AMERICAN EXPRESS CO, $86.51, +1.12 pct

The world's largest credit and debit card company reported a better-than-expected 9 percent rise in quarterly profit as more people used cards instead of cash to make payments.

Mastercard and American Express (Xetra: AEC1.DE - news) stocks also rose on the news.

** EXXON MOBIL CORP, $93.99, -1.18 pct

The world's largest publicly traded oil company by market value posted lower-than-expected quarterly profit on Thursday as it failed to offset declining production with fresh reserves.

** DICERNA PHARMACEUTICALS INC, $40.53, +170.20 pct

The biopharmaceutical company's stock more than doubled in its debut. The company had priced its offering of 6 million shares at $15 each, raising $90 million. Dicerna develops drugs for rare inherited diseases of liver and cancer. At a high of $34.83, the company is valued at about $580 million.

** FACEBOOK INC (NasdaqGS: FB - news) , $61.17, +14.27 pct

** TWITTER INC (NYSE: TWTR - news) , $63.94, +7.55 pct

** LINKEDIN CORP, $212.05, +3.88 pct

The world's largest social networking company's resounding revenue growth underscored CEO Mark Zuckerberg's success in selling ad space on the social network's mobile app.

At least 30 brokerages raised their price targets on Facebook's shares. The stock, which has never before traded higher than $60 during market hours, was at $63.28 before the bell on Thursday.

Microblogging site Twitter and job portal LinkedIn's shares were also up on the news.

** GOOGLE INC (NasdaqGS: GOOG - news) , $1,141.35, +3.11 pct

Lenovo Group (Berlin: LHL.BE - news) said on Wednesday it agreed to buy Google's Motorola handset division for $2.91 billion, in what is China's largest-ever tech deal as Lenovo buys its way into a heavily competitive U.S. handset market dominated by Apple Inc (NasdaqGS: AAPL - news) . It is Lenovo's second major deal on U.S. soil in a week as the Chinese electronics company angles to get a foothold in major global computing markets. Lenovo last week said it would buy IBM (NYSE: IBM - news) 's low-end server business for $2.3 billion.

The internet giant is scheduled to report quarterly results after markets close.

** ALLEGIANT TRAVEL CO, $90.4, -9.24 pct

At least two brokerages lowered their price target on the airline's stock after the company indicated that its margins could be under pressure in the first quarter. Allegiant gave weak outlook for the first quarter citing higher costs and lower-than-expected unit revenues.

"...1Q14 will likely be the highest non-fuel costs the company sees in 2014", Cowen & Co analyst Helene Becker wrote in a note to clients. Allegiant forecast non-fuel unit costs to grow 13 to 15 percent in the first quarter, due to training costs and higher maintenance costs.

** PANDORA MEDIA INC (NYSE: P - news) , $37.01, +12.42 pct

Morgan Stanley (Berlin: DWD.BE - news) and Wedbush Securities said higher advertising revenue Is expected to help the company beat analysts' average estimate when it reports results next week.

** FLUIDIGM CORP, $43.805, +9.62 pct

Cantor Fitzgerald raised its price target on the company a day after it announced its deal to buy privately held DVS Sciences Inc, saying the deal would further strengthen and diversify Fluidigm (Frankfurt: FLB.F - news) 's highly differentiated capabilities in single-cell genomics.

Cantor's Sung Ji Nam raised the price target to $47 from $28 and maintained the "buy" rating on the stock.

* CARBONITE INC (NasdaqGM: CARB - news) , $10.145, -14.53 pct

The back-up storage provider forecast first-quarter revenue below expectations.

Brokerage Canaccord Genuity lowered its rating on Carbonite's stock to "hold" from "buy," citing slowdown in the growth of its back-up software business for small and medium sized companies. Carbonite has of late signaled a shift in its business from consumers to SMBs, the brokerage said.

** CALLAWAY GOLF CO (NYSE: ELY - news) , $8.33, -4.36 pct

The golfing equipment maker reported deeper-than-expected quarterly loss, hurt by a late start to the golf season in the Americas and Europe due to the bad weather. The company reported fourth-quarter loss of 65 cents per share, deeper than average analysts' estimates of loss of 32 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

** HANESBRANDS INC (NYSE: HBI - news) ,$72.29, +11.10 pct

The undergarment maker on Wednesday reported higher-than-expected fourth-quarter results and increased its 2014 earnings outlook as it expects higher profit contribution from its buyout of Maidenform.

The maker of Hanes, Champion, and Wonderbra brand of apparels said it expects 2014 adjusted earnings to be $4.60-$4.80 per share, while analysts were expecting $4.69. Buckingham Research raised its price target on HanesBrands's stock to $83 from $80.

** GERON CORP, $5.49, +26.79 pct

The biopharmaceutical company said its common stock offering of 22.5 million shares is priced at $4.00 each, fetching about $90 million in gross proceeds. The price represents a 8 percent discount to the stock's closing price on Wednesday. Geron (Frankfurt: GON.F - news) intends to use a part of the net proceeds for the planned mid-stage trial of its experimental drug blood cancer drug Imetelstat.

** DSP GROUP INC (NasdaqGS: DSPG - news) , $8.95, -5.29

The Israel (Tel Aviv: ILCO.TA - news) -based multimedia chip maker projected a weaker first quarter after slowing demand for cordless phones continued to hurt sales in the fourth quarter.

** ACCELRYS (NasdaqGS: ACCL - news) , $12.515, +28.76 pct

Dassault Systemes (Other OTC: DASTF - news) agreed to buy U.S. scientific software firm Accelrys in an all-cash deal valuing the San-Diego company at about $750 million, as it seeks to expand its product portfolio, the software company said.

** KALOBIOS PHARMACEUTICALS INC (NasdaqGM: KBIO - news) , $3.39, +11.10 pct

The company said it would stop developing asthma drug KB003 after it failed to bring about a clinically meaningful improvement in the pulmonary function of patients with severe asthma when tested against a placebo in 160 patients in a mid-stage study.

Needham & Co downgraded the stock while at least one brokerage cut its price target.

** INFINERA CORP, $9.07, +28.47 pct

The company, which makes chips used in telecom networks, reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results on Wednesday helped by new customer wins.

MKM Partners raised its price target on the stock.

** ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS INC (NasdaqGS: ALXN - news) , $163.04, +21.92 pct

The company said it expected revenue from its blood disorder drug, Soliris, to hit the $2 billion mark in 2014, sending its shares up 27 percent to a life-high.

** SPECTRUM BRAND HOLDINGS INC, $74.52, +8.79 pct

The consumer products maker reported better-than-expected quarterly results, helped by growth in its hardware and home improvement business.

** KENNAMETAL INC (Frankfurt: KM3.F - news) , $43.76, -8.22 pct

The industrial toolmaker cut its full-year organic sales growth and earnings forecast, citing slower-than-anticipated rebound in the its oil and gas markets and weak conditions in underground mining in the United States and China.

** YOU ON DEMAND HOLDINGS INC, $3, +16.73 pct

The Chinese video-on demand provider said it expanded its relationship with the Walt Disney Co to offer movies on demand via mobile devices in China.

The stock, trading nearly ten times its average 10-day volume, was one of the top percentage gainers on the Nasdaq.

** CELLADON CORP, $8.82, +10.25 pct

The biotechnology company's stock began trading on the Nasdaq, following its initial public offering of 5.5 million shares priced at $8 each.

** B/E AEROSPACE INC, $77.78, -5.93 pct

The aircraft parts supplier reported fourth-quarter earnings below analysts' estimates due to higher costs.

** WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT INC (NYSE: WWE - news) , $23.38, +9.10 pct

The company said it had extended its partnership with British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc to exclusively broadcast its weekly programming in the U.K. and Ireland (Other OTC: IRLD - news) through 2019.

** CENTERSTATE BANKS INC (NasdaqGS: CSFL - news) , $11.29, +12.90 pct

The Florida-based bank said it will buy First Southern Bancorp for about $190 million in cash and stock.

** BROADVISION INC (NasdaqGM: BVSN - news) , $11.7, -12.23 pct

The software company reported a 10 percent decline in quarterly revenue as sales from services fell about 15 percent.

** APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES (NYSE: AIT - news) , $50.09, +8.94 pct

The industrial distributor reported second-quarter earnings above analysts' estimates due to lower costs.

** QLOGIC CORP (NasdaqGS: QLGC - news) , $11.7067, +7.40 pct

The network equipment maker reported third-quarter results that beat analysts' estimates on Wednesday, helped by lower operating expenses.

** CARBO CERAMICS INC (NYSE: CRR - news) , $120.59, +14.33 pct

The oilfield services provider reported a quarterly profit that beat analysts' average estimate, helped by an increase in proppant sales volumes in North America. The company also said it expects first-quarter ceramic proppant volumes to increase from the previous quarter.

** PREMIERE GLOBAL SERVICES INC (NYSE: PGI - news) , $11.19, +6.77 pct

The cloud-based software services provider announced preliminary fourth-quarter results above Wall Street expectations. The company said on Wednesday it expects adjusted earnings from continuing operations of 20 cents per share on net revenue of $134.5 million to $135 million for the current quarter.

Analysts on average were expecting earnings of 19 cents per share on revenue of $132.1 million, according to Thomson Reuters (Frankfurt: TOC.F - news) I/B/E/S.

** MECOX LANE LTD, $4.6724, +6.92 pct

The Chinese multibrand retailer said Nanjing-based Cnshangquan E-Commerce Co Ltd bought a 63.7 percent stake in the company through a definitive share purchase agreement with certain shareholders. Mecox Lane said Cnshangquan E-Commerce paid $39 million for 290,564,842 of its ordinary shares.

** MELLANOX TECHNOLOGIES LTD, $37, -6.33 pct

The chipmaker reported fourth-quarter revenue way below Wall Street expectations and posted a net loss, compared with a net profit, a year earlier, due to higher expenses.

Brokerage Stifel Nicolaus cut its price target on the stock.

** CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS INC (NasdaqGS: CSII - news) , $34.99, +18.97 pct

The medical device company posted a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss as doctors continued to adopt its Stealth 360 device for treating accumulation of plaque in peripheral arteries.

At least two brokerages raised their price target on the stock on Thursday.

** INTERACTIVE INTELLIGENCE GROUP INC, $78.8, +14.72 pct

The telecom software maker reported fourth-quarter results way above Wall Street expectations as sales from cloud-based orders rose 61 percent.

** EXAR CORP (NYSE: EXAR - news) , $11.5, -5.74 pct

The analog chipmaker's third-quarter adjusted profit lagged expectations, as supply chain inventory exceeded networking market demand.

At least two brokerages cut their price target on the company's stock.

** MKS INSTRUMENTS INC (NasdaqGS: MKSI - news) , $30.47, +4.67 pct

The company reported better-than-expected quarterly profit as demand for its products increased. Revenue from its products jumped 65 percent in the quarter.

MKS Instruments makes instruments and subsystems that measure and monitor parameters used in manufacturing processes.

** MEN'S WEARHOUSE INC, $47.62, +3.30 pct

** JOS. A. BANK CLOTHIERS INC, $55.67, +1.48 pct

Men's Wearhouse said it was open to sweetening its buyout offer for Jos. A. Bank, under certain conditions, and called on independent directors of its smaller rival to reconsider its bid.

** HARLEY-DAVIDSON INC, $63.03, -1.58 pct

The motorbike maker reported a higher quarterly profit, lifted by growing global motorcycle sales, while its preliminary 2014 shipment forecast suggested its efforts to reach non-traditional riders will continue to gain traction.

** HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES INC, $102.12, +17.14 pct

The audio equipment maker reported a stronger-than-expected 53 percent jump in quarterly profit and raised its full-year forecast, fueled by strong sales of its infotainment systems to luxury car makers.

** RAYTHEON CO (NYSE: RTN - news) , $90.49, +2.10 pct

The U.S. arms maker reported higher-than-expected earnings in the fourth quarter, although revenues fell short of estimates with U.S. military spending in decline.

** AUTONATION INC (NYSE: AN - news) , $50.06, +6.49 pct

The largest U.S. automobile dealer group sped past Wall Street earnings expectations on robust sales of luxury cars like Mercedes (Xetra: 710000 - news) -Benz and BMW (Berlin: BMW.BE - news) .

** BALL CORP (NYSE: BLL - news) , $51.13, +4.20 pct

The company, which makes specialty packaging for the food and beverage industry, reported fourth-quarter earnings above analysts' estimates, partly due to strong sales of specialty cans in the Americas.

** LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP (Xetra: LCR.DE - news) , $77.59, +4.95 pct

The casino and resort operator on Wednesday reported fourth-quarter revenue of $3.66 billion that missed analysts' average estimate of $3.71 billion.

Susquehanna Financial Group cut its target price on the casino and resort operator's stock to $92 from $93 with a positive rating.

** CONCUR TECHNOLOGIES INC (NasdaqGS: CNQR - news) , $128.99, +18.49 pct

The company, which provides web-based travel and expense management solutions, reported better-than-expected results and forecast current quarter and 2014 profit above expectations on Wednesday.

At least seven brokerages raised their price targets on the stock.

** SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO, $181.88, -3.83 pct

The coatings maker forecast first-quarter earnings below analysts' estimates as it expects a recent acquisition to bite into profit.

** TRACTOR SUPPLY CO, $67.51, -2.15 pct

J.P. Morgan Securities cut its price target on the stock to $74 from $78 after the retailer gave a weaker-than-expected 2014 earnings forecast. The operator of farm and ranch retail stores said it expects 2014 earnings to be $2.54-$2.62 per share, lower than analysts' average expectation of $2.64 per share.

** JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORP, $9.01, +11.10 pct

The airline said it acquired 12 slot pairs at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

** HHGREGG INC (NYSE: HGG - news) , $8.98, -14.96 pct

Hhgregg's third-quarter profit fell about 70 percent and missed Wall Street estimates, hurt by declining demand for televisions and tablets, prompting the appliance and electronics retailer to slash its fiscal 2014 earnings outlook.

The company said it now expects to earn 30 to 40 cents per share in 2014, compared with its previous forecast of 75 to 90 cents.

** TETRA TECH INC (NasdaqGS: TTEK - news) , $28.97, +4.32 pct

The construction management services reported a 2 percent fall in first-quarter revenue.

** ADT CORP, $31.1, -17.75 pct

The security services provider posted first-quarter results below analysts' estimates, as costs rose. "Customer growth did not meet our expectations this quarter and we have implemented actions, including improvements in our dealer channel and lead generation process, to regain subscriber traction in the future," Chief Executive Naren Gursahaney said in a statement.

** HILLSHIRE BRANDS CO, $35.7, +6.60 pct

The company topped analysts' expectations in the second quarter as the maker of Jimmy Dean sausages and Ball Park hot dogs raised prices to offset higher commodity costs.

** WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD (NYSE: WFT - news) , $13.45, -2.68 pct

The oilfield services company said it would cut 7,000 jobs and warned that its fourth-quarter profit would miss its forecast, hurt by severe winter in North America and operational disruptions in the Middle East.

** ELI LILLY AND CO, $53.14, -1.43 pct

The drugmaker's quarterly revenue fell far less than expected, as plunging sales of its Cymbalta depression treatment were largely offset by higher sales for most of its other prescription drugs.

** BLACKSTONE GROUP LP, $32.178, +4.03 pct

The world's largest publicly listed alternative asset manager said its fourth-quarter profit surged 130 percent to cap a record earnings year, boosted particularly by strength in its real estate business.

** GOLDCORP INC (Toronto: G.TO - news) , $24.29, -1.78 pct

** FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP (NYSE: AG - news) , $10.7, -0.93 pct

** SILVER WHEATON (Xetra: SII.DE - news) , $21.8, -1.27 pct

** BARRICK GOLD CORP, $19.28, -1.23 pct

** ROYAL GOLD INC (NasdaqGS: RGLD - news) , $53.89, -3.13 pct

** ELDORADO GOLD (Toronto: ELD.TO - news) , $6.41, -3.32 pct

** NEWMONT MINING CORP, $24.28, -2.37 pct

** HARMONY GOLD MINING CO, $2.85, -3.06 pct

** RANDGOLD RESOURCES LTD, $68.67, -2.65 pct

** AURICO GOLD INC (NYSE: AUQ - news) , $4.51, -3.63 pct

** ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI LTD (LSE: AGD.L - news) , $14.48, -1.56 pct

Gold fell around 1 percent on Thursday as the dollar rose after the U.S. Federal Reserve pushed ahead with reducing its monetary stimulus and investors took profits made the previous session.

A South African labour court on Thursday blocked a planned gold sector strike by the AMCU union at Harmony Gold, AngloGold Ashanti and Sibanye Gold (Berlin: 0SG.BE - news) , SABC radio reported.

** CARDINAL HEALTH (NYSE: CAH - news) , $68.45, +3.01 pct

The pharmaceutical distributor reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit helped by strong growth of its home health and hospital network businesses.

The company also raised its full-year adjusted earnings forecast to $3.75-$3.85 per share, from its prior view of $3.62-$3.72.

** METHANEX CORP, $61.92, +9.23 pct

The methanol supplier posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit, helped by high prices and robust demand.

The Vancouver, British Columbia-based company posted a fourth-quarter adjusted profit of $1.72 per share, beating analysts' average estimates of $1.55 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

** PEABODY ENERGY CORP (NYSE: BTU - news) , $17, -2.24 pct

The coal miner posted a steeper-than-expected 14 percent fall in quarterly revenue due to weak prices of metallurgical, or steelmaking, coal and a labor stoppage at two of its Australian mines.

** INVESCO LTD (NYSE: IVZ - news) , $33.61, +1.69 pct

The company which oversees the PowerShares line of exchange-traded funds said its fourth-quarter profit jumped 81 percent, helped by strong markets and sales of alternative and equity products.

-0.87** UNDER ARMOUR INC (NYSE: UA - news) , $102.87, +20.71 pct

The company reported a quarterly profit and gave a full-year revenue forecast that beat analysts' estimates, driven by increased sales of its athletic apparel, footwear and accessories.

** CEVA INC (NasdaqGS: CEVA - news) , $17.2, +8.59 pct

The Israeli mobile chip designer reported higher quarterly net profit and revenue that beat analysts' expectations as the company broadened its portfolio of products and secured new customers.

** POTASH CORP OF SASKATCHEWAN, $31.4, -1.35 pct

The world's biggest fertilizer company reported a sharply lower quarterly profit and produced 2014 forecasts that were below Wall Street expectations. The company's disappointing outlook shows that the global potash market has far to go to recover from a slide in prices, due to years of soft demand, burgeoning supplies and last summer's breakup of rival Belarusian Potash Company.

** TIMKEN CO (NYSE: TKR - news) , $57.01, +4.55 pct

The company which makes specialty steel and ball bearings, reported a 30 percent fall in quarterly profit, hurt by weak demand from the mining industry.

** MANPOWERGROUP INC (NYSE: MAN - news) , $77.11, -2.84 pct

The world's No.3 staffing company said it expected revenue to be flat to up 2 percent in the current quarter, even after its quarterly profit doubled as hiring picked up in Europe.

** ORAMED (Stuttgart: A1CTNU - news) , $23.8895, -8.01 pct

The Israeli developer of oral drug delivery systems said a mid-stage trial for its oral insulin capsule for the treatment of type 2 diabetes met all primary and secondary endpoints.

** FLEXTRONICS INTERNATIONAL LTD (NasdaqGS: FLEX - news) , $8.33, +8.18 pct

The contract electronics maker forecast current-quarter revenue largely above Wall Street estimates and said it planned to reduce its workforce and undertake other cost cuts. China's Lenovo Group Ltd, which is also a Flextronics customer, said on Wednesday it would acquire Google Inc's Motorola Mobility smartphone business.

Citigroup (NYSE: C - news) raised its price target on the stock.

** WHIRLPOOL CORP (NYSE: WHR - news) , $134.88, -4.77 pct

The company's quarterly profit jumped 48 percent due to strong sales gains in North and South America, and Whirlpool (Frankfurt: WHR.F - news) indicated its 2014 earnings would be broadly in line with analysts' forecasts.

** TIME WARNER CABLE INC (NYSE: TWC - news) , $133.91, +1.37 pct

The second-largest U.S. cable operator which recently rejected a takeover offer from Charter Communications Inc (NasdaqGS: CHTR - news) , posted better-than-expected quarterly results as its high-speed data subscribers opted for expensive plans.

** THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC INC (NYSE: TMO - news) , $115.11, +3.01 pct

The world's largest laboratory equipment maker reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit as sales rose across its businesses.

** VIACOM INC (NasdaqGS: VIAB - news) , $84.02, +3.77 pct

The company reported lower-than-expected revenue for the first quarter as its studio Paramount Pictures released fewer movies and the home entertainment business reported lower sales. +1.65

** AVEO ONCOLOGY, $1.6684, -5.74 pct

The company said it would end a mid-stage trial testing its lead drug as a treatment for breast cancer, as the company did not have enough patients enrolled in the study. Aveo, which was developing the drug with Japan's Astellas Pharma Inc (Other OTC: ALPMF - news) , said enrollment in the study had been slower than expected and did not improve despite efforts to recruit more patients.

** QUALCOMM INC, $73.2999, +3.07 pct

The mobile chipmaker reported higher fiscal first-quarter revenue that slightly missed estimates as smartphone growth shifted to China, but it bumped up its full-year earnings outlook and said 2014 was playing out as expected. Qualcomm (TLO: QC-U.TI - news) expects demand to grow later this year as leading mobile carrier China Mobile (Berlin: CTM.BE - news) rolls out cellphone services using the advanced LTE technology Qualcomm dominates.

At least two brokerages raised their price targets on the stock to $86.

** DIAGEO (LSE: DGE.L - news) , $120.43, -5.23 pct

The world's biggest distilled drinks company, reported a slowdown in sales growth in the last six months after demand in China and some other important emerging markets dropped sharply.

** NEUSTAR INC, $35, -20.00 pct

The company which routes phone calls and manages databases used by North American telecom carriers, forecast a full-year adjusted profit below estimates.

** SYMANTEC CORP, $22.05, -8.70 pct

The maker of Norton anti-virus software reported a 5 percent fall in quarterly revenue as a decline in sales of personal computers hurt demand for its security software.

** CITRIX SYSTEMS INC (NasdaqGS: CTXS - news) , $52.65, -8.59 pct

The cloud-computing software maker forecast current-quarter and 2014 earnings far below analysts' estimates, citing "uneven" closure of some contracts, and said its long-time CEO would retire next year.

At least five brokerages downgraded the stock while a few others cut their price targets.

** SERVICENOW INC (NYSE: NOW - news) , $65.66, +13.99 pct

The software company focused on IT infrastructure reported a 67 percent rise in fourth-quarter revenue as it added more customers.

** AMAZON, $401.42, +4.48 pct

The online bookseller that transformed itself into one of the most dominant and diverse technology powerhouses in under a decade, will offer signals about consumer and technology trends when it releases holiday-quarter results after markets close on Thursday.