U.S Equity Preview: REXX, S, RSH, PFE, PRXL, MAT, HOLX, LLY, BIIB, ADM, ALGN, RAH, POST, CRQ, & THQI

Post Holdings Inc. (POST-W) (POST-W US) will replace Comstock Resources Inc. (CRK) in the S&P MidCap 400 Index, and Comstock will take THQ Inc. (THQ)’s (THQI US) place in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, after trading closes on Feb. 3, S&P said.

The change is being made because Ralcorp Holdings Inc. (RAH) is spinning off Post in a transaction expected to be completed on or about Feb. 3, S&P said in a statement.

Align Technology Inc. (ALGN) : The maker of a teeth- straightening product forecast first-quarter profit excluding some items of no more 21 cents a share, below the average analyst estimate of 22 cents in a Bloomberg survey.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. (ADM) fell 3.1 percent to $28.80. The world’s largest grain processor posted a second- quarter profit that missed analysts’ estimates after oilseed earnings fell and corn costs rose.

Biogen Idec Inc. (BIIB) retreated 3.1 percent to $113. The world’s largest maker of multiple sclerosis medicines said it sees earnings in 2012 of no more than $6.20 a share, excluding some items, missing the average analyst estimate of $6.31.

Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY US) advanced 1.2 percent to $39.70. The pharmaceutical company whose schizophrenia drug Zyprexa lost patent protection in October said fourth-quarter profit excluding some items was 87 cents a share, beating the 81-cent average of 17 analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

Hologic Inc. (HOLX) : The Bedford, Massachusetts-based maker of X-ray systems raised its 2012 profit forecast to as much as $1.38 a share, more than the average analyst estimate of $1.36 a share.

Mattel Inc. (MAT) gained 1.2 percent to $29.87. The maker of Barbie dolls reported fourth-quarter profit of $1.07 a share, excluding some items, beating the $1 average analyst estimate.

Parexel International Corp. (PRXL) : The tester of experimental medicines for drugmakers forecast third-quarter earnings of as much as 32 cents a share excluding some items, above the average analyst estimate of 30 cents a share, according to a Bloomberg survey.

Pfizer Inc. (PFE) increased 1.3 percent to $21.85. The world’s largest drugmaker beat analysts’ earnings estimates as the company’s non-pharmaceutical divisions helped make up for sales losses from generic competition to its best-seller Lipitor. The company lowered its 2012 forecast.

RadioShack Corp. (RSH) plunged 25 percent to $7.70. The consumer-electronics retailer suspended share repurchases and reported preliminary fourth-quarter earnings that trailed analysts’ estimates. Earnings fell to 11 cents to 13 cents a share last quarter. Analysts projected 37 cents, the average of 19 estimates compiled by Bloomberg. RadioShack cited “underperformance” in the Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) postpaid wireless business.

Rex Energy Corp. (REXX) : The oil and gas company with operations in the Illinois and Appalachian basin announced plans for a public offering of 7 million ordinary shares. Additional stock may dilute the value of existing shares.

Source

Source

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) Reiterated Buy and Raised target to $80 at Argus.
AON Corporation (NYSE: AON) Raised to Neutral from Underperform at Credit Suisse.
EQT Corporation (NYSE: EQT) Raised to Hold from Sell with $50 target at Canaccord Genuity.
Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXEL) Started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.
Intrepid Potash (NYSE: IPI) Cut to Sell at Goldman Sachs.
LM Ericsson Telephone Co. (NASDAQ: ERIC) Maintained Buy but target now at $14 from $19 at Argus.
Medivation, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDVN) Started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.
Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) Raised to Buy at Argus.
NII Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: NIHD) named as Bear of the Day at Zacks.
NYSE Euronext (NYSE: NYX) Cut to Sector Perform at RBC Capital.
Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (NYSE: POT) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.
Rackspace Hosting Inc. (NYSE: RAX) named Momentum stock of the day at Zacks.
Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC) Raised to Hold from Sell with $59 target at Canaccord Genuity.
Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ: SYMC) Reiterated Buy and $24.00 price target at Argus.
Tesla Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) Started as Buy at Jefferies.
Under Armour, Inc. (NYSE: UA) Raised to Buy at Needham.
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) named as Bull of the Day at Zacks.

Gapping Up

PRXL +10.5%, HOLX +7.1%, RTEC +6.8%, AEG +6.6%, ARMH +4.5%, SCMF +4.3%, ING +2.4%, RIO +2%, MT +1.8%, UBS +1.8%, RIG +1.4%, BP +1.3%,

GOLD +1.1%, BCS +1%, DB +1%, MCK +3.8%, LLY +3.2%, X +2%, UPS +1.3%, PFE +1%, AEG +6.6%, IBN +5.6%, NBG +4%, ING +2.4%, UBS +1.8%,

JPM +1.2%, BAC +1.1%, BCS +1%, DB +1%, C +0.9%, RIO +2%, MT +1.8%, BHP +1.4%, GOLD +1.1%, GLD +0.6%, SLV +0.5%, TOT +1.6%, RIG +1.4%, WLT +1.4%,

BP +1.3%, AVL +4.3%, REE +2.4%, MCP +2.2%,

Gapping Down

RSH -19.6%, ALGN -6.6%, RCII -5.9%, REXX -5.7%, ICUI -4%, ORA -3.7%, PCL -2.7%, PHYS -2%, CSTR -1.9%, BIDU -1.9%, ALGN -6.6%, KLIC -6.6%,

LXK -2.2%, IDTI -1.4%, POT -0.3%,  VIVO -1.2%,

In Play 

On the Wires

A lot to digest here….

PFE guided five cents shy of estimates for the coming fiscal year…

The company earned $1.97 vs previous earnings of $1.85

ADM came in $0.56 short of estimates….

The company earned $0.77 per share…

They are expected to vote over the next few months.

A bubbling economy keeps on humming.

A silver pop is coming to catch up to historic values with gold….

Tough times in real estate had profits fall to 47 million euros…

Tensions with Iran also helped oil to pop.

WTI is up $1.21 @$99.99

Hackers are out of control lately. This time they were on the hunt for deal data…

The EU pact struck yesterday for budgetary control got European markets moving today to the upside…

Debt talks have progressed for what seems like an eternity…

Asia

Europe

Futures

Currencies

Commodities

LIBOR, EURIBOR, 10 year yields for Italy, Spain, France, and Germany

America has a drinking problem. No, not booze. I’m talking about soft drinks. According to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, the average American guzzles 44.7 gallons of the sweet stuff every year. Not sure what 44.7 gallons looks like? It’s about what you’d need to fill a small kiddie pool.

But the truth is, you don’t need me to tell you that soda isn’t healthy. We all know that America’s drink of choice contributes to our country’s ever-expanding obesity problem. But, as Rodale.com writer Leah Zerbe discovered, love handles are just the beginning. Read on for her report on three shocking soda facts that will have you saying “Just water, please” from now on. Read More…