BUZZ-U.S. STOCKS ON THE MOVE-Echo, Gevo, Mylan
(For faster updates on individual market-movers, Eikon users please use search string "STXBZ US"; for the Day Ahead newsletter, http://link.reuters.com/mex49s; for the Morning News Call newsletter, http://link.reuters.com/nex49s) U.S. stocks ticked lower on Tuesday, with the Dow industrials weighed by companies reporting earnings while the Nasdaq gained on the back of a proposed merger in the biotech sector. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 0.38 PCT at 17,966.7, the S&P 500 was down 0.09 PCT at 2,098.51 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 20.46 points, or 0.41 percent, at 5,015.06.
** LUMBER LIQUIDATORS HOLDINGS INC, $33.31, +3.32 pct
Cantor Fitzgerald analysts started covering the hardwood flooring retailer's stock with a "buy" rating and a $45 price target. Lumber Liquidators (NYSE: LL - news) is facing U.S. government investigations after CBS's "60 Minutes" show last month alleged that laminates sourced by the company from China had excessive levels of cancer-causing formaldehyde.
** ALIGN TECHNOLOGY INC (NasdaqGS: ALGN - news) , $56.62, +4.46 pct
Morgan Stanley (Xetra: 885836 - news) upgraded the dental product maker's stock to "overweight" and raises its price target to $79 from $56 as concerns about intellectual property, a CEO transition and U.S. growth faded.
** LRR ENERGY LP, $8.46, +6.68 pct
** VANGUARD NATURAL RESOURCES LLC, $16.11, -0.74 pct
Vanguard said on Monday it would buy LRR Energy for $539 million, including debt. The deal includes $251 million of Vanguard's common units and $288 million in LRR's debt. The companies said the deal valued LRR at $8.93 per unit, representing a 13 PCT premium to Monday's close.
** GEVO INC (NasdaqCM: GEVO - news) , $2.175, -14.96 pct
The renewable chemicals and biofuel producer announced a 1-for-15 reverse stock split. The company's common stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis on Tuesday. The reverse split reduced Gevo's number of outstanding shares to about 9.8 million from about 146.3 million.
** ARCH COAL (NYSE: ACI - news) , $0.9547, -9.93 pct
The coal miner's stock stayed below its 100-day moving average for the 100th straight session. The company's loss and revenue missed Wall Street estimates due to lower prices.
** ECHO GLOBAL LOGISTICS INC (NasdaqGS: ECHO - news) , $31.89, +25.60 pct
The logistics company's stock touched a record high and was among the biggest percentage gainers on the Nasdaq. The Company's revenue for the first quarter increased 14 PCT, helped by a 33 PCT jump in truckload volumes. The company will buy privately held truckload services provider Command Transportation LLC for $420 million.
** BIOCEPT INC (Stuttgart: B00.SG - news) , $3.45, +2.68 pct
The cancer test maker's shares rose for the second straight day after data spelt positive news for its liquid biopsy cancer tests.
** GASLOG LTD (Other OTC: GKLGF - news) , $22.57, +5.86 pct
The LNG carrier operator agreed to charter three uncontracted newbuilds currently under construction to Methane Services Ltd, a unit of BG Group Plc (LSE: BG.L - news) . Charters will add about $845 million of fixed rate revenue to GasLog's existing contracted revenue backlog.
** ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS INC (NasdaqGS: ALNY - news) , $123.59, +4.14 pct
The drugmaker's experimental drug for familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) showed benefit in patients. FAPs are a group of life-threatening multisystem disorders caused due to protein buildups in nerves.
** OMNICOM GROUP INC (NYSE: OMC - news) , $76.64, -1.59 pct
The No. 1 U.S. advertising company reported its first fall in quarterly revenue in four years and said the strong dollar would reduce 2015 revenue more than it had expected.
** GANNETT CO INC, $35.48, +0.97 pct
The publisher of USA Today reported a 5 PCT rise in quarterly revenue, helped by increased broadcasting revenue. Net income attributable to Gannett rose to $112.9 million, or 49 cents per share, in the first quarter ended March 29, from $59.2 million, or 25 cents per share, a year earlier.
** DUPONT, $70.79, -2.81 pct
The chemical conglomerate reported a 28 PCT fall in first-quarter profit, hurt by a strong dollar. Net income attributable to DuPont fell to $1.03 billion, or $1.13 per share, in the quarter ended March 31, from $1.44 billion, or $1.54 per share, a year earlier.
** KIMBERLY-CLARK CORP, $111.93, +4.26 pct
The company reported a 4 PCT fall in quarterly sales as demand for personal care products such as Huggies diapers fell for the third straight quarter in North America and a strong dollar hurt sales in other markets.
For a graphic on the stock's performance vis-a-vis its peers, click (http://graphics.thomsonreuters.com/15/proc-col-kim/index.html)
** UNDER ARMOUR INC (Xetra: U9R.DE - news) , $83.85, -4.46 pct
The sports apparel maker reported a 13.4 PCT fall in quarterly profit, hurt by higher costs related to its recent acquisitions.
** TRAVELERS COS INC, $103.08, -2.88 pct
Property and casualty insurer reported a 21 PCT fall in quarterly net profit due to lower net investment income and a drop in underwriting gains. [ID: nL4N0XI4AH]
** MYLAN NV, $74.58, +9.60 pct
** TEVA PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES, $64.45, +1.83 pct
** PERRIGO CO PLC, $193.64, -2.24 pct
Teva offered to buy Mylan (Berlin: 6MY.BE - news) at $82 per share in cash and stock. The Israeli company said its proposal was contingent on Mylan not proceeding with its planned acquisition of Perrigo, which it offered to buy for $29 billion earlier this month.
** JAKKS PACIFIC INC (NasdaqGS: JAKK - news) , $6.71, -2.75 pct
The toymaker reported better-than-expected first-quarter revenue, helped by its dolls based on Disney characters. The company secured licenses for entertainment franchises with releases in 2016.
** SUPERTEL HOSPITALITY INC (NasdaqGM: SPPR - news) , $2.82, +2.92 pct
JCP Investment Management LLC reported a 5.5 PCT stake in the real estate investment trust, as of April 20.
** SHAKE SHACK INC (NYSE: SHAK - news) , $60.84, -4.41 pct
Stifel analysts cut its rating on the Hamburger chain's stock to "hold", citing valuation due to recent appreciation in share price.
** TD AMERITRADE HOLDING CORP, $35.79, -1.76 pct
The discount broker reported a 2.6 PCT fall in quarterly profit, hurt by higher expenses. The company's net income fell to $189 million, or 35 cents per share, for the second quarter ended March 31, from $194 million, or 35 cents per share, a year earlier.
** BAKER HUGHES INC, $67.21, -1.65 pct
** HALLIBURTON CO, $47.12, -1.53 pct
Oilfield services provider Baker Hughes, in the process of being bought by Halliburton (Swiss: HAL.SW - news) for $35 billion, posted a quarterly loss compared with a year-earlier profit as it recorded a $772 million charge related to restructuring and other items.
For a graphic on the companies' share performances, click (http://graphics.thomsonreuters.com/14/oilfield-earns/index.html)
** HARLEY-DAVIDSON INC, $56.46, -8.60 pct
The motorcycle maker posted a higher quarterly net profit, but lowered its sales forecast for 2015, citing an aggressive price discounting by competitors.
** TECK RESOURCES LTD, $13.11, -5.21 pct
The Canadian miner slashed its half-yearly dividend and posted a quarterly profit below analysts' estimates as prices for steel-making coal and copper remained depressed.
** LAM RESEARCH CORP, $77.8, +8.07 pct
The chip gear maker's revenue for the first quarter rose 13 PCT to $1.39 billion as shipments jumped 19 PCT.
** FORTINET INC (NasdaqGS: FTNT - news) , $37.73, +8.95 pct
The security software maker reported a better-than-expected first-quarter profit and revenue. (Compiled by Rosmi Shaji in Bengaluru; Editing by Joyjeet Das)