Uncategorized

Conn’s, Inc. (CONN) Reports Results for the Quarter Ended October 31, 2010

Dec. 2, 2010 (Business Wire) — Conn’s, Inc. (NASDAQ/NM: CONN), a specialty retailer of consumer electronics, home appliances, furniture, mattresses, computers and lawn and garden products today announced its operating results for the quarter ended October 31, 2010.

Significant items for the quarter include:

  • Total revenues were $169.9 million, down 14.0% from the same period in the prior fiscal year;
  • Retail gross margin increased to 25.2% for the quarter, as compared to 22.4% for the same period in the prior fiscal year;
  • Retail segment loss before income taxes was $2.2 million for the quarter, as compared to a loss of $19.2 million for the same quarter in the prior fiscal year. The prior year loss included a goodwill impairment charge of $9.6 million and a $4.1 million litigation reserve adjustment;
  • Credit portfolio annualized net charge-off rate increased to 5.5%, as compared to 4.3% for the same period in the prior fiscal year, and the percentage of accounts 60+ days delinquent increased to 9.6% at October 31, 2010, as compared to 9.3% at October 31, 2009, though the balance of accounts 60+ days delinquent has been reduced since the same time last year;
  • Credit segment loss before income taxes was $5.6 million for the quarter, as compared to a loss of $0.1 million for the same quarter in the prior fiscal year, resulting primarily from reduced interest earnings, combined with higher collection expenses and borrowing costs, and a $2.9 million write-off of costs of financing transactions not completed, partially offset by a lower provision for bad debts;
  • Diluted loss per share was $0.23 for the third quarter of fiscal 2011, as compared to $0.64 for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The adjusted diluted loss per share was $.14 for the third quarter of fiscal 2011, after excluding the write-off of costs of financing transactions not completed, as compared to an adjusted diluted loss per share of $.18 for the same period in the prior fiscal year, after excluding the goodwill impairment charge and the litigation reserve adjustment; and
  • After the conclusion of the quarter the Company completed its previously announced refinancing plan raising $500 million of capital, including an expanded $375 million asset-based loan facility, a $100 million second lien term loan and a $25 million common stock rights offering. A portion of the net proceeds received was used to repay all of the Company’s outstanding obligations under its asset backed securitization program.

The change in total revenues was comprised of a total net sales decline of 15.2% to $136.8 million, and a decrease in finance charges and other of 8.6% to $33.0 million, as compared to the same quarter in the prior fiscal year. Same store sales (revenues earned in stores operated for the entirety of both periods) decreased 16.3% during the third quarter of fiscal 2011, as compared to a 9.3% decrease in the same quarter in the prior fiscal year. The sales results were impacted primarily by:

  • Continued challenging economic conditions in the Company’s markets during the quarter;
  • Limitations imposed by the Company’s capital structure, prior to the recently completed refinancing, and the resulting impact on its ability to extend credit;
  • The Company’s decision to tighten credit underwriting requirements to protect the quality of the credit portfolio; and
  • Management’s emphasis on improving retail gross margin while maintaining price competitiveness.

The key credit portfolio performance metrics reported for the quarter included:

  • Net charge-offs for the third fiscal quarter of 2011 totaled $9.5 million, or 5.5% of the average balance outstanding. The net charge-off percentage was negatively impacted by the declining portfolio balance as the total portfolio balance outstanding has declined to approximately $677.0 million as of October 31, 2010, from $738.2 million as of October 31, 2009;
  • A 60 basis point increase in the 60+ day delinquency rate since July 31, 2010, to 9.6% at October 31, 2010. The 60+ day delinquency rate was 9.3% at October 31, 2009, after increasing 170 basis points during the third quarter of the prior fiscal year. The delinquency rate was also negatively impacted by the declining portfolio balance as the total balance 60+ days delinquent improved to $64.9 million at October 31, 2010, as compared to $68.5 million at October 31, 2009;
  • A 30 basis point increase in the percentage of the portfolio reaged to 18.7% at October 31, 2010, from 18.4% at July 31, 2010. The percentage of the portfolio reaged at October 31, 2009 was 18.8%. The percentage of the portfolio reaged was also negatively impacted by the declining portfolio balance as the total balance reaged has decreased to $126.3 million as of October 31, 2010, from $139.1 million as of October 31, 2009; and
  • The payment rate (amount collected from customers as a percentage of the portfolio balance) increased for the third consecutive quarter, versus the same quarter in the prior year, increasing to 5.10% for the quarter ended October 31, 2010, from 5.00% for the quarter ended October 31, 2009.

More information on the credit portfolio and its performance may be found in the table included with this press release and in the Company’s filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-Q which is expected to be filed later today.

The Company reported a net loss on a GAAP basis of $5.1 million, or diluted loss per share of $0.23, for the third quarter of fiscal 2011, compared to a net loss on a GAAP basis of $14.4 million, or diluted loss per share of $0.64, for the third quarter of fiscal 2010. The reported results for the quarter ended October 31, 2010, include a $2.9 million write-off of costs of financing transactions not completed, while the reported results for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, include a $9.6 million goodwill impairment charge and a $4.1 million increase in the Company’s litigation reserves, for which no tax benefit was recorded. The reduced loss before income taxes experienced in the retail segment during the quarter was partially offset by a larger loss before income taxes in the credit segment. The adjusted net loss, excluding the write-off of costs of financing transactions not completed, was $3.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2011, compared with an adjusted net loss, excluding the goodwill impairment charge and litigation reserve adjustment, of $4.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2010.

Completion of Refinancing Plan

On November 30, 2010, the Company completed its previously announced refinancing plan. The Company’s debt facilities now include a $375 million asset-based loan maturing in November 2013 and a $100 million second lien term loan maturing in November 2014. Additionally, the Company issued 9.3 million shares under a common stock subscription rights offering, which raised gross proceeds of $25.0 million. A portion of the net proceeds from the financing transactions and rights offering were utilized to repay all of the Company’s outstanding obligations under its asset-backed securitization program. After the closing of the financing transactions, the Company had $276.0 million outstanding under its asset-based loan, including standby letters of credit issued, and $94 million, net of original issue discount, outstanding under its second lien term loan, leaving the Company with total borrowing capacity of $99.0 million, subject to borrowing base and covenant limitations.

Conference Call Information

Conn’s, Inc. will host a conference call and audio webcast today, December 2, 2010, at 10:00 AM, CT, to discuss its financial results for the quarter ended October 31, 2010. The webcast will be available live at www.conns.com and will be archived for one year. Participants can join the call by dialing 877-754-5302 or 678-894-3020.

About Conn’s, Inc.

The Company is a specialty retailer currently operating 76 retail locations in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma: with 23 stores in the Houston area, 20 in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, nine in San Antonio, five in Austin, five in Southeast Texas, one in Corpus Christi, four in South Texas, six in Louisiana and three in Oklahoma. It sells home appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers and ranges, and a variety of consumer electronics, including LCD, LED, 3-D, plasma and DLP televisions, camcorders, digital cameras, computers and computer accessories, Blu-ray and DVD players, video game equipment, portable audio, MP3 players, GPS devices and home theater products. The Company also sells lawn and garden products, furniture and mattresses, and continues to introduce additional product categories for the home to help respond to its customers’ product needs and to increase same store sales. Unlike many of its competitors, the Company provides flexible in-house credit options for its customers. In the last three years, the Company financed, on average, approximately 61% of its retail sales.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “could,” “estimate,” “should,” “anticipate,” or “believe,” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements will prove to be correct, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The actual future performance of the Company could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to:

  • the Company’s ability to fund operations, debt repayment and expansion from cash flow from operations, borrowings on its revolving lines of credit and proceeds from securitizations and from accessing debt or equity markets;
  • the ability of the Company to obtain additional funding for the purpose of funding the receivables generated by the Company;
  • the ability of the Company to maintain compliance with the covenants in its financing facilities or obtain amendments or waivers of the covenants to avoid violations or potential violations of the covenants;
  • reduced availability under the Company’s credit facilities as a result of borrowing base requirements and the impact on the borrowing base calculation of changes in the performance or eligibility of the customer receivables financed by that facility;
  • delinquency and loss trends in the receivables portfolio;
  • the Company’s ability to offer flexible financing programs;
  • the Company’s growth strategy and plans regarding opening new stores and entering new markets;
  • the effect of closing or reducing the hours of operation of existing stores;
  • the Company’s intention to update, relocate or expand existing stores;
  • the Company’s estimated capital expenditures and costs related to the opening of new stores or the update, relocation or expansion of existing stores;
  • the Company’s ability to introduce additional product categories;
  • the ability of the financial institutions providing lending facilities to the Company to fund their commitments;
  • the effect on borrowing costs of downgrades by rating agencies or changes in laws or regulations on the Company’s financing providers;
  • the Company’s ability to amend, renew or replace its existing credit facilities before the maturity dates of the facilities;
  • the cost of any amended, renewed or replacement credit facilities;
  • growth trends and projected sales in the home appliance, consumer electronics and furniture and mattresses industries and the Company’s ability to capitalize on such growth;
  • the pricing actions and promotional activities of competitors;
  • relationships with the Company’s key suppliers;
  • interest rates;
  • general economic and financial market conditions;
  • weather conditions in the Company’s markets;
  • the outcome of litigation or government investigations;
  • changes in the Company’s stock price; and
  • the actual number of shares of common stock outstanding.

Further information on these risk factors is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K/A filed on April 12, 2010 and the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on August 26, 2010. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company is not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect the events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Conn’s, Inc.
CONDENSED, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except earnings per share)
Three Months EndedOctober 31, Nine Months EndedOctober 31,
2009 2010 2009 2010
Revenues
Total net sales $ 161,382 $ 136,839 $ 551,832 $ 478,780
Finance charges and other 36,116 33,019 115,945 102,262
Total revenues 197,498 169,858 667,777 581,042
Cost and expenses
Cost of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs 120,963 99,546 407,594 343,979
Cost of parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs 2,672 1,642 8,056 6,134
Selling, general and administrative expense 65,307 56,507 192,326 178,876
Goodwill impairment 9,617 9,617
Costs related to financing transactions not completed 2,896 2,896
Provision for bad debts 12,651 9,372 26,321 24,694
Total cost and expenses 211,210 169,963 643,914 556,579
Operating income (loss) (13,712 ) (105 ) 23,863 24,463
Interest expense, net 5,649 7,722 16,692 20,234
Other (income) expense, net (34 ) (17 ) (54 ) 166
Income (loss) before income taxes (19,327 ) (7,810 ) 7,225 4,063
Provision (benefit) for income taxes (4,955 ) (2,716 ) 5,017 1,925
Net income (loss) $ (14,372 ) $ (5,094 ) $ 2,208 $ 2,138
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic $ (0.64 ) $ (0.23 ) $ 0.10 $ 0.10
Diluted $ (0.64 ) $ (0.23 ) $ 0.10 $ 0.10
Average common shares outstanding
Basic 22,459 22,493 22,453 22,484
Diluted 22,459 22,493 22,658 22,487
Note: The Company changed its presentation of the amortization of deferred financing costs. The expense was previously included in Selling, general and administrative expense and is now reflected in Interest expense, net.
Conn’s, Inc. – Retail Segment
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three Months EndedOctober 31, Nine Months EndedOctober 31,
2009 2010 2009 2010
Total revenues $ 164,326 $ 140,533 $ 559,894 $ 489,141
Cost and expenses
Cost of goods and parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy costs 123,635 101,188 415,650 350,113
Selling, general and administrative expense 50,360 41,379 146,569 130,984
Goodwill impairment 9,617 9,617
Provision for bad debts (22 ) 174 43 467
Total cost and expenses 183,590 142,741 571,879 481,564
Operating income (loss) (19,264 ) (2,208 ) (11,985 ) 7,577
Other (income) expense, net (34 ) (17 ) (54 ) 166
Segment income (loss) before income taxes $ (19,230 ) $ (2,191 ) $ (11,931 ) $ 7,411
Conn’s, Inc. – Credit Segment
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three Months EndedOctober 31, Nine Months EndedOctober 31,
2009 2010 2009 2010
Total revenues $ 33,172 $ 29,325 $ 107,883 $ 91,902
Cost and expenses
Selling, general and administrative expense 14,947 15,128 45,757 47,892
Costs related to financing transactions not completed 2,896 2,896
Provision for bad debts 12,673 9,198 26,278 24,227
Total cost and expenses 27,620 27,222 72,035 75,015
Operating income 5,552 2,103 35,848 16,887
Interest expense, net 5,649 7,722 16,692 20,234
Segment income (loss) before income taxes $ (97 ) $ (5,619 ) $ 19,156 $ (3,347 )
Conn’s, Inc.
CONDENSED, CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
January 31, October 31,
2010 2010
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,247 $ 12,422
Other accounts receivable, net 23,254 26,025
Customer accounts receivable, net 368,304 344,482
Inventories 63,499 83,729
Deferred income taxes 15,237 13,508
Prepaid expenses and other assets 16,198 14,044
Total current assets 498,739 494,210
Non-current deferred income tax asset 5,485 6,685
Long-term customer accounts receivable, net 318,341 288,738
Total property and equipment, net 59,703 51,615
Other assets, net 10,198 22,101
Total assets $ 892,466 $ 863,349
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt $ 64,055 $ 7,665
Accounts payable 39,944 39,997
Accrued compensation and related expenses 5,697 4,896
Accrued expenses 31,685 27,779
Other current liabilities 17,236 14,185
Total current liabilities 158,617 94,522
Long-term debt 388,249 419,932
Other long-term liabilities 6,437 5,677
Total stockholders’ equity 339,163 343,218
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 892,466 $ 863,349
CALCULATION OF GROSS MARGIN PERCENTAGES

(dollars in thousands)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
October 31, October 31,
2009 2010 2009 2010
A Product sales $ 148,463 $ 127,035 $ 508,669 $ 443,778
B Repair service agreement commissions, net 7,320 6,035 25,968 22,293
C Service revenues 5,599 3,769 17,195 12,709
D Total net sales 161,382 136,839 551,832 478,780
E Finance charges and other 36,116 33,019 115,945 102,262
F Total revenues 197,498 169,858 667,777 581,042
G Cost of goods sold, including warehousing and occupancy cost (120,963 ) (99,546 ) (407,594 ) (343,979 )
H Cost of parts sold, including warehousing and occupancy cost (2,672 ) (1,642 ) (8,056 ) (6,134 )
I Gross margin dollars (F+G+H) $ 73,863 $ 68,670 $ 252,127 $ 230,929
Gross margin percentage (I/F) 37.4 % 40.4 % 37.8 % 39.7 %
J Retail margin dollars (A+B+G) $ 34,820 $ 33,524 $ 127,043 $ 122,092
Retail margin percentage (J/(A+B)) 22.4 % 25.2 % 23.8 % 26.2 %
MANAGED PORTFOLIO STATISTICS
For the periods ended January 31, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 and October 31, 2009 and 2010
(dollars in thousands, except average outstanding balance per account)
January 31, October 31,
2007 2008 2009 2010 2009 2010
Total accounts 459,065 510,922 537,957 551,312 544,196 521,316
Total outstanding balance $ 569,551 $ 654,867 $ 753,513 $ 736,041 $ 738,197 $ 676,994
Average outstanding balance per account $ 1,241 $ 1,282 $ 1,401 $ 1,335 $ 1,356 $ 1,299
Balance 60+ days delinquent $ 37,662 $ 49,778 $ 55,141 $ 73,391 $ 68,512 $ 64,934
Percent 60+ days delinquent 6.6 % 7.6 % 7.3 % 10.0 % 9.3 % 9.6 %
Percent of portfolio reaged 17.8 % 16.6 % 18.7 % 19.6 % 18.8 % 18.7 %
Net charge-off ratio (YTD annualized) 3.3 % 2.9 % 3.2 % 3.9 % 3.6 % 4.9 %
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS), AS ADJUSTED
AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE, AS ADJUSTED
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except earnings per share)
Three Months EndedOctober 31, Nine Months EndedOctober 31,
2009 2010 2009 2010
Net income (loss), as reported $ (14,372 ) $ (5,094 ) $ 2,208 $ 2,138
Adjustments:
Goodwill impairment charge 9,617 9,617
Litigation reserve adjustment 4,100 4,850
Costs related to financing transactions not completed 2,896 2,896
Tax impact of adjustments (3,385 ) (1,019 ) (3,508 ) (1,019 )
Net income (loss), as adjusted $ (4,040 ) $ (3,217 ) $ 13,167 $ 4,015
Average common shares outstanding – Diluted 22,459 22,493 22,658 22,487
Earnings (loss) per share – Diluted
As reported $ (0.64 ) $ (0.23 ) $ 0.10 $ 0.10
As adjusted $ (0.18 ) $ (0.14 ) $ 0.58 $ 0.18

Basis for presentation of non-GAAP disclosures:

To supplement the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Company also provides adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted earnings (loss) per diluted share information. These non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures but should be considered in addition to results presented in accordance with GAAP, and are intended to provide additional insight into the Company’s operations and the factors and trends affecting the Company’s business. The Company’s management believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to financial statement readers because (1) they allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics the Company uses in its financial and operational decision making and (2) they are used by some of its institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze the Company’s operating results.

CONN-F

Conn’s, Inc., Beaumont

Chief Financial Officer

Michael J. Poppe, 409-832-1696 Ext. 3294

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Conn’s, Inc. (CONN) Reports Results for the Quarter Ended October 31, 2010

CAMAC Energy (CAK) Announces Early Commencement of Oyo #5 Well Intervention

Dec. 1, 2010 (Business Wire) — CAMAC Energy Inc. (NYSE Amex: CAK), a U.S.-based energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil and gas, today announced that it has been notified by its partner, Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (“NAE”), that the well intervention planned on the Oyo #5 well, located in the Oyo Field located offshore Nigeria, is scheduled to commence on December 4, 2010 with the mobilization of the Transocean Marianas to the field. The mobilization is commencing earlier than previously anticipated due to the availability of the Marianas, a fourth generation Earl & Wright Sedco 700 design semi-submersible drilling unit that will be performing the intervention. CAMAC Energy acquired a 60% contractual interest in the Oyo Field in April 2010 and NAE is the Oyo Field’s operator and a subsidiary of ENI SpA, one of the world’s largest international energy companies.

Following commencement of production from the Oyo Field in December 2009, oil production from the Oyo #5 well has been decreasing due to higher than expected gas production from the well. The intervention program is designed to address this gas breakthrough and improve oil production from the well. The intervention program will include the running of a suite of Schlumberger production logging tools, which will seek to determine the source of gas breakthrough, into the horizontal section of the wellbore. This will be followed by an engineered polymer injection in zones with identified gas breakthrough which is designed to decrease gas production and increase oil flow from these zones. The total work program, from rig up on location, to rig down, is expected to be completed in approximately 35 days.

The well intervention is expected to allow Oyo #5’s oil production to increase from approximately 3,500 Bopd currently to approximately 7,500 to 9,500 Bopd for the next 12 months following completion of the intervention, with estimated combined production from the Oyo #5 and Oyo #6 wells to between 9,500 and 11,500 Bopd following the Oyo #5 well intervention. The intervention is also anticipated to provide valuable reservoir information that will assist in the completion design of new drilling in the Oyo Field.

About CAMAC Energy Inc.

CAMAC Energy Inc. (NYSE Amex: CAK) is a U.S.-based energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil and gas. The Company focuses on early cash flow and high-return global energy projects and currently has operations in Nigeria and, through its Pacific Asia Petroleum subsidiaries, in China. The Company’s principal assets include interests in the Oyo Oilfield, an offshore oil asset in deepwater Nigeria that started production in December 2009, a 100% interest in the Zijinshan Block gas asset located in the Shanxi Province, China, and the Enhanced Oil Recovery and Production business in Northern China. The Company was founded in 2005 and has offices in Hartsdale, New York, Houston, Texas, Beijing, China, and Lagos, Nigeria.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain “forward-looking statements” relating to the business of CAMAC Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein are “forward-looking statements” including statements regarding: the Oyo #5 well intervention; the general ability of CAMAC Energy Inc. to achieve its commercial objectives; the business strategy, plans and objectives of CAMAC Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries; and any other statements of non-historical information. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. The statements are based upon management’s current expectations, estimates and projections, are not guarantees of future performance, and are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond CAMAC Energy Inc.’s control and are difficult to predict, including those discussed in CAMAC Energy Inc.’s periodic reports that are filed with the SEC and available on its website (http://www.sec.gov). You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Unless legally required, CAMAC Energy Inc. undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Media:

CAMAC Energy Inc.

Bonnie Tang, 713-364-4114

PR@camacenergy.com

or

IR:

ICR

832-209-1419

IR@camacenergy.com

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on CAMAC Energy (CAK) Announces Early Commencement of Oyo #5 Well Intervention

AdCare Health Systems (ADK) to Acquire Three Skilled Nursing Centers in Georgia

SPRINGFIELD, OH–(Marketwire – 12/01/10) – AdCare Health Systems, Inc. (AMEX:ADKNews), a recognized innovator in senior living and health care facility management, has signed a definitive purchase agreement for three skilled nursing facilities in Georgia for $18 million. Two are located near Atlanta, with one near Dublin.

The facilities have on aggregate 335 beds that generate an estimated $16.4 million in annualized revenues. The acquisition is anticipated to be immediately accretive to AdCare’s earnings upon closing, which is expected in the first quarter of 2011.

Combined with other transactions closed earlier this year, plus the Mountain Trace skilled nursing facility expected to close by year’s end, AdCare’s estimated annualized revenue run-rate would exceed $140 million. This would represent an increase of more than 424% over the company’s annual revenues of $26.7 million in 2009.

“This purchase agreement brings the total number of facilities we’ve put under contract to seventeen since we began our M&A campaign at the end of last year,” said Chris Brogdon, AdCare’s vice chairman and chief acquisitions officer. “They would expand our presence in Georgia, adding to the 10 facilities we already operate in the state.”

AdCare plans to finance the acquisition through bank loans, with the loan for one of the facilities to be guaranteed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The guarantee is provided through a program developed by the government to supply long-term financing for rural projects at favorable rates.

“Choice opportunities continue to emerge in the southern region of the U.S., as well as around our home base in the Midwest,” notes Brogdon. “Our M&A pipeline will remain a major focus as we complete the year and begin 2011.”

Brogdon joined AdCare in September 2009 when the company announced a new M&A growth strategy to build upon its strong reputation for operational efficiency and high-quality living environments.

About AdCare Health Systems
AdCare Health Systems, Inc. (AMEX:ADKNews) is a recognized innovator in senior living and health care facility management. AdCare develops, owns and manages assisted living facilities, nursing homes and retirement communities, as well as provides home health care services. Since its inception in 1988, AdCare’s mission has been to provide the highest quality of healthcare services to the elderly. For more information about AdCare, visit www.adcarehealth.com.

Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal law. Such statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “believes,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “anticipates” and variations of such words or similar expressions, but their absence does not mean such statements are not forward-looking. Statements in this announcement that are forward-looking include, but are not limited to, the expectation that when combined with other transactions closed or placed under contract earlier this year, AdCare’s estimated annualized revenue run-rate would exceed $140 million upon closing of these three facilities in Georgia, which would represent an increase of more than 424% over revenues in 2009, and that they are expected to be immediately accretive to AdCare’s earnings. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to management. The forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Such factors are identified in the public filings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and include the Company’s ability to secure lines of credit and/or an acquisition credit facility, find suitable acquisition properties at favorable terms, changes in the health care industry because of political and economic influences, changes in regulations governing the industry, changes in reimbursement levels including those under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and changes in the competitive marketplace. There can be no assurance that such factors or other factors will not affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements.

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on AdCare Health Systems (ADK) to Acquire Three Skilled Nursing Centers in Georgia

GT Solar (SOLR) Receives First Orders for Sapphire Crystallization Furnaces

Dec. 1, 2010 (Business Wire) — GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR), a global provider of polysilicon production technology, and sapphire and silicon crystalline growth systems and materials for the solar, LED and other specialty markets, today announced that it has received its first two orders totaling more than $84 million for sapphire crystallization systems. The orders come from Jiangsu Jixing New Material Co., Ltd and Jiujiang Sapphire Tech Co., Ltd. Total annual production capacity of the two orders is approximately eight million two-inch equivalents (TIE) of sapphire substrates.

“GT Solar is pleased that both Jiangsu Jixing New Material Co., Ltd and Jiujiang Sapphire Tech Co., Ltd, affiliates of two highly valued long term PV customers, have selected our sapphire crystallization equipment for their new production facilities,” said Tom Gutierrez, president and CEO of GT Solar. “The response to our sapphire equipment strategy from customers has been very positive and we are pleased to be able to announce our first orders. We continue to talk with other potential customers in the Asia region for our sapphire crystallization systems and believe we are on track to meet our projected $100 million in revenue in our FY12 from sapphire crystallization equipment sales.”

The two orders represent GT Solar’s entry into the LED equipment market, which GT Solar stated it would pursue when it announced its acquisition of Crystal Systems in July of 2010. Both Jiangsu Jixing New Material Co., Ltd and Jiujiang Sapphire Tech Co., Ltd are positioning themselves to capitalize on the expected growth of the LED market over the coming years by building the capacity to produce high quality, large area sapphire substrates. These initial customers will be targeting the high brightness LED market segment.

“Our advanced sapphire crystallization systems are built on a highly scalable and reliable architecture that lets customers quickly ramp to volume production with a lower capital investment compared with other competing crystallization technologies,” continued Mr. Gutierrez. “The combination of our technology and the depth of our regional service and installation expertise deliver compelling value to our customers by reducing the risks of equipping and commissioning a new manufacturing facility.”

The two orders in combination with other DSS and polysilicon orders bring GT Solar’s Q3 quarter-to-date bookings to more than $245 million and strengthen the company’s view for a strong FY 2012 based on the pipeline of orders still under discussion with customers.

About GT Solar International, Inc.

GT Solar International, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOLR), is a global provider of polysilicon production technology, and sapphire and silicon crystalline growth systems and materials for the solar, LED and other specialty markets. The company’s products and services allow its customers to optimize their manufacturing environments and lower their cost of ownership. For additional information about GT Solar, please visit www.gtsolar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this press release are forward-looking in nature, including statements regarding expected revenue from customer contracts for sapphire crystallization systems and for expected orders in the Company’s current third fiscal quarter of FY2010. These statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. These forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control, which could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. Factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements include the possibility that the Company is unable to recognize revenue on customer contracts, that technological changes could render existing products or technologies obsolete, the Company may be unable to protect its intellectual property rights, competition from other manufacturers may increase, exchange rate fluctuations and conditions in the credit markets and economy may reduce demand for the Company’s products and various other risks as outlined in GT Solar International, Inc.’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the statements under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal 2010 filed on June 4, 2010 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the second fiscal quarter filed on November 9, 2010. GT Solar International, Inc. is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Media

GT Solar

Jeff Nestel-Patt, 603-204-2883

jeff.nestelpatt@gtsolar.com

or

Investors/Analysts

GT Solar

Ryan Blair, 603-681-3869

ryan.blair@gtsolar.com

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on GT Solar (SOLR) Receives First Orders for Sapphire Crystallization Furnaces

Sify (SIFY) Reports Revenues of US $ 38.16 Million for Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010-11

Sify Technologies Limited (NASDAQ Global Markets: SIFY), a leader in Enterprise and Consumer Internet Services in India with global delivery capabilities, today announced its consolidated unaudited results under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for the second quarter of fiscal year 2010-11. The Company reported revenue of US$38.16 million and net loss for the quarter of US$ 3.38 million. This compares with revenue of US$ 38.69 million and net loss of US$ 2.62 million in the year-ago quarter. The revenue and net loss for prior quarter were at US$ 38.46 million and US$ 3.33 million respectively. Gross margins improved to 38%, up from 37% for the previous quarter.

“We are pleased with the positive momentum generated by the recently launched Cloud Services and the increasing maturity of our new Enterprise Model,” said Raju Vegesna, CEO of Sify Technologies Ltd. “Our efforts to configure the Company as a delivery vehicle for Managed services by vertical integration of Sify’s Private Cloud, technology infrastructure and Business Operations is progressing well. Our new alliances with world-class partners enhance our core competencies and enable us to deliver best-in-class solutions to our customers and our partners and their customers as we continue to focus on improved financial results. These alliances with major industry partners have been a matter of great satisfaction for us and with the start of our fully owned subsidiary, Sify Software Ltd. (SSL), we will begin to offer in-house products developed over open-source to our Enterprise customers. We want to create solutions for our Customers and elevate our services up by a notch”.

Sify launched its Cloud Services for Data Storage and Computing in a tie-up with Hitachi and HP in fourth quarter of fiscal 2009-10.

“Our International business has scaled up and is now contributing to 10% of the Company’s revenue,” said CVS. Suri, Chief Operating Officer. “Both the Infrastructure Management business and the eLearning business are venturing into new lines of activities; while the IMS business has added in its portfolio, hardware sales and systems integration along with IMS services, the eLearning business has started seeing traction with its customized LMS platform, having signed on its first customers. In the Enterprise segment our effort is to deepen our relationship with existing customers with Cloud offerings. On the Consumer side, we have reached out with value packages to the SOHO and mini-business segments. Our residential Broadband strategy will be around providing wireless services, following the success of our pilot in Chennai.”

“We are pleased to announce positive cash flows from operations amounting to US$ 0.62 million this quarter,” said MP Vijay Kumar, CFO of the Company. “Positive cash flows from operations have been sustained over the last three quarters through better working capital management, and continued focus on better cost control, increasing productivity by better utilization of existing resources and ensuring profitability of on-going projects. A zero-based approach to every dollar of expenditure drives our efforts to generate better financial performance. We are increasingly focusing on tax-refunds, collections and quality procurement to give added support to our business teams. The Company’s liquidity position is expected to be satisfactory with the infusion of capital.”

Sify reported in August 2010 that its promoter will infuse capital of US$ 86 million towards liquidity and expansion of the Company’s operations.

Unaudited Consolidated income statement as per IFRS (( In $ million, all translated at $1 = Rs.44.92)

                     Description              Quarter ended  Quarter Ended
                                                September      September
                                                  2010           2009
                                                Unaudited

    Enterprise                                     31.30          30.27     *
    Consumer                                        3.03           5.24
    Others                                          3.83           3.18
    Revenue                                        38.16          38.69

    Cost of Revenues                              (23.63)        (23.45)    *

    Selling, General and
     Administrative Expenses                      (13.91)        (14.11)

    EBIDTA                                          0.62           1.13

    Depreciation and Amortisation
     expenses                                      (3.89)         (3.34)

    Net Finance Expenses                           (1.30)         (1.53)

    Other Income                                    0.45           0.67

    Share of Affiliates                             0.74           0.45

    Profit / (loss) Before tax                     (3.38)         (2.62)

    Income Taxes                                       -              -

    Profit / (loss) for the period                 (3.38)         (2.62)

    Profit attributable to:

    Owners of the parent                           (3.38)         (2.62)

    Non-controlling interests                          -              -

    Net income / (loss) - After
     minority interest                             (3.38)         (2.62)

    (table continued)

                     Description                  Quarter ended  Year Ended
                                                      June         March
                                                      2010         2010
                                                    Unaudited    Unaudited

    Enterprise                                        32.13         118.77
    Consumer                                           3.20          18.81
    Others                                             3.13          11.80
    Revenue                                           38.46         149.38

    Cost of Revenues                                 (24.05)        (91.20)

    Selling, General and
     Administrative Expenses                         (13.08)        (54.90)

    EBIDTA                                             1.33           3.28

    Depreciation and Amortisation
     expensese                                        (3.89)        (15.69)

    Net Finance Expenses                              (1.39)         (5.92)

    Other Income                                       0.42          15.43

    Share of Affiliates                                0.20           2.03

    Profit / (loss) Before tax                        (3.33)         (0.87)

    Income Taxes                                          -           1.81

    Profit / (loss) for the period                    (3.33)          0.94

    Profit attributable to:

    Owners of the parent                              (3.33)          0.73

    Non-controlling interests                             -           0.22

    Net income / (loss) - After
     minority interest                                (3.33)          0.94

    * Reflects an immaterial error correction to report revenue and cost of
    revenue of USD 2.24 million relating to certain trading transactions on
    net basis. This adjustment did not have any impact on the reported net
    income or earning per share.

    Non Financial Indicators               Qtr Ended               Year Ended
                                 Sep 10    Sep 09      Jun 10          Mar 10
    e Port
    Subscribers active (000s)       104       306         134             165
    No of e Ports (Operational)   1,141     1,500       1,081            1227

    Broadband
    Subscribers (000s)               79       137          82             106
    No of CTOs                    1,645     1,994       1,767            1967
    ARPU                             36       303         273             285

    Technology
    No of PoPs                      622       573         615             604

    BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
    Enterprise Business

Sify’s Enterprise business has successfully added several large enterprise customers in all its business verticals. Riding on the back of growing demand for Cloud and Data Center services and backed by alliances with some of the industry’s leading players, Sify consolidated its position as a Managed Services Provider.

Connectivity:

Sify has successfully closed the quarter with significant wins from sectors like IT, Telecom, Retail, Manufacturing and Govt. Some of the major wins during the quarter were from Videocon Mobile Services, Planet M, Meggit, Toshiba, Maruti Suzuki etc.

The SME market is growing and in order to address this segment, Sify has launched “Just Connect” which provides Clean Internet Bandwidth with robust RF last mile connectivity.

Hosting:

The Hosting business has grown by 18% over the same quarter previous year. The Cloud Computing Services launched in Q1 have shown very high acceptance in market. This has helped Sify to win many contracts including Getit, ABP (Ananda Bazaar Patrika) etc. The Government of Maharashtra has also awarded a contract to Sify for providing Cloud Computing Services to its departments. All the customer contracts include IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) i.e. On-demand Compute, On-demand Storage and Managed Services.

The growth in the Hosting business has been driven both through the addition of new customers as well as existing customers have increased their capacities. Some of these contracts include PACNET, L’Oreal, Kelloggs etc. Sify is actively working with ISV communities to host their applications on the Cloud platform.

Managed Voice services:

Business Volume (in minutes) of International Long Distance (ILD) business (India Termination) has grown by a little over 24% this quarter over the previous quarter and the revenue grew by around 12%. 10 new carriers have been added as customers in the last quarter for voice termination.

System Integration Business:

Sify has been awarded the contract for the Kerala State Data Center. With this win, the total number of State Data Center projects won by Sify will reach five. Sify’s Data Center Build-practice in the Enterprise segment is also gaining momentum. During the last quarter we won the contract to build a Data Center for Vodafone.

CONSUMER SERVICES

Launch of India’s first Consumer Cloud Services – Sify mylife – In July 2010, Sify launched India’s first Consumer Cloud Services, branded as Sify mylife. Sify mylife is a rich ecosystem which enables consumers to access a whole new world of services, application developers to build and host solutions on Sify mylife and advertisers to talk to people who access the net, either at cafes, at home or on mobile internet devices like smart phones.

End consumers can connect to Sify mylife from the new model of cyber cafes. While Sify ePorts (cybercafes) are cloud-access-ready, any other cybercafe can also connect to Sify mylife either through a Sify Broadband connection or a specially designed ‘Sify Edge’ device. Sify mylife empowers cyber cafes with a host of benefits – cyber security tools, cafe management software, lifestyle enhancing services for consumers, online test center, economical International calling facility, advertising & brand engagement platform and lots more. Based on the initial campaign, 500+ cyber cafes have signed on to this initiative.

“Hi5 from Sify” promotion campaign for new broadband portfolio – In line with the introduction of a refreshed and more competitive broadband portfolio, Sify launched a focused registration drive, with an attractive and competitively priced multi-month plan in the range. The marketing campaign ran across 5 major markets – Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune, with the key product driver for the campaign being the 3 months 384 kbps day/ 512 kbps night unlimited plan.

Broadband to SMB/ SOHO crosses the 300 mark – To capitalize on the large SMB (Small & Medium Businesses) population in India, Sify recently launched wireless broadband for the SMB/ SOHO segment under the name Platinum. With uninterrupted connectivity, dedicated speeds up to 2 Mbps, value added features and a dedicated helpline, the product provides a superior Internet connectivity to the SMB customer. Along with superior Internet connectivity, SMB customers get a superior voice product – Sify Talk.

Launch of Sify Talk, a “Voice over Broadband” service – September 2010 saw the launch of Sify Talk, a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service, targeted at Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) and Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) businesses. Sify Talk enables customers to make International calls from any standard telephone device to any phone – saving up to 70% on their international call bills. The leading advantage is that neither does the caller need a computer to make a call nor does the recipient have to be connected to the Internet to receive the call. Further, Sify Talk is designed to work on any pre-existing broadband connection at the customer’s premise. Registration for Sify Talk is free and can be done by visiting http://www.talk.sify.com.

Sify Talk offers a wide range of plans ranging from Rs. 50 to Rs. 4000. Customers can even select plans specific to their international call destinations.

Sponsorship of Media Marketing round-table – In recognition of the increasing online audience visiting sports portals and as part of our trade marketing initiative, sify.com sponsored a Media Marketing round-table in Delhi (Gurgaon). The highlight of the event was the panel discussion which had as panelists : Joy Bhattacharjya, Chief Executive Officer, Kolkatta Knight Riders; Sandeep Singh Arora, Executive VP – Marketing, Pepsico India; Arnab Mitra, Director – India, Havas Digital and Arun Rajamani, GM Portals Business, Sify. The forum also afforded an opportunity for Sify to share and communicate its strengths in the Sports portals genre.

Launch of Sify optimized IE8 (Internet Explorer 8) – Sify-optimized IE8 comes with two key features – Web slices and Accelerators. Web Slices enable users to view the latest news, stock market updates or cricket scores just by a single click on the Favorites bar.

About Sify Technologies

Sify is among the largest Managed Enterprise and Consumer Internet Services companies in India, offering end-to-end solutions with a comprehensive range of products delivered over a common telecom data network infrastructure reaching more than 600 cities and towns in India.

A significant part of the company’s revenue is derived from Corporate Services, which include corporate connectivity, network and communications solutions, security, network management services, enterprise applications and hosting. Sify is a recognized ISO 9001:2008 certified service provider for network operations, data center operations and customer support, and for provisioning of VPNs, Internet bandwidth, VoIP solutions and integrated security solutions, and ISO / IEC 20000 – 1:2005 certified for Internet Data Center operations. Sify has licenses to operate NLD (National Long Distance) and ILD (International Long Distance) services and offers VoIP back haul to long distance subscriber telephony services. The company is India’s first enterprise managed services provider to launch a Security Operations Center (SOC) to deliver managed security services. A host of blue chip customers use Sify’s corporate service offerings.

Sify also caters to global markets in the specialized domains of eLearning Services and Remote Infrastructure Management Services. The eLearning Services designs, develops and delivers state-of-the-art digital learning solutions for non-profit, for-profit organizations and governmental organizations in the fields of Information technology, engineering, environment, healthcare, education and finance. The Remote Infrastructure Management Services provides dependable and economical solutions around managed services, hosting and monitoring.

Consumer services include broadband home access and the ePort cyber cafe chain across more than 200 cities and towns in India. Sify.com, the popular consumer portal, has channels on news, entertainment, finance, sports, games and shopping. Samachar.com is the popular portal aimed at non-resident Indians around the globe. The site’s content is available in 8 Indian languages, which include Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Tamil, Punjabi and Gujarati in addition to English.

For more information about Sify, visit http://www.sifycorp.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Sify: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Sify undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements.

For a discussion of the risks associated with Sify’s business, please see the discussion under the caption “Risk Factors” in the company’s report on Form 6-K for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, which has been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and is available by accessing the database maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

    For further information, please contact

    Sify Technologies Limited

    Mr. Praveen Krishna
    Corporate Communications
    +91-44-22540777 (extn.2055)
    praveen.krishna@sifycorp.com

    Mr. Pijush Das
    Investor Relations
    +91-44-2254-0777 (ext. 2703)
    pijush.das@sifycorp.com

    Grayling Investor Relations
    Ms. Truc Nguyen (ext. 418)
    Mr. Christopher Chu (ext. 426)
    +1-646-284-9400
    truc.nguyen@grayling.com
    christopher.chu@grayling.com

SOURCE Sify Technologies Limited

Sify Technologies Limited: Mr. Praveen Krishna, Corporate Communications, +91-44-22540777 (extn.2055), praveen.krishna@sifycorp.com; Mr. Pijush Das, Investor Relations, +91-44-2254-0777 (ext. 2703), pijush.das@sifycorp.com; Grayling Investor Relations, Ms. Truc Nguyen (ext. 418), Mr. Christopher Chu (ext. 426), +1-646-284-9400, truc.nguyen@grayling.com, christopher.chu@grayling.com

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Sify (SIFY) Reports Revenues of US $ 38.16 Million for Second Quarter of Fiscal 2010-11

Uranium Energy Corp (UEC) Initiates Operations at Hobson Processing Facility in South Texas

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE AMEX: UEC, the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the Company has started the processing of the first shipment of uranium-loaded resins at its Hobson processing plant. This shipment and the start of processing follows the Company’s announcement on November 17, 2010 of the initial in-situ recovery (ISR) of uranium at Palangana in South Texas. The shipment, received at the Hobson plant on Sunday, November 28, consisted of 500 cubic feet of uranium-loaded resins contained within one of the Company’s two U.S. Department of Transportation-approved tanker trailers specially built for this purpose.

Harry Anthony, Chief Operating Officer, stated, “Hobson is a state-of-the-art processing facility now operating under the supervision of experienced staff headed by VP Production Bob Underdown and Hobson Superintendent Greg Kroll. We are confident of standard and secure operations here. We will continue to ramp up production at the Palangana ISR project and the Hobson processing facility over the ensuing weeks and months.”

The process of converting uranium loaded resin beads to marketable yellowcake (U3O8) at Hobson is as follows: stripping the uranium from the resin beads using a salt solution, precipitating the yellowcake slurry from the salt solution, filtering it from the remaining solution, then vacuum drying and packaging the yellowcake into drums for delivery.  For more information on ISR mining, visit www.uraniumenergy.com and view the animated video noted on the home page.

About Uranium Energy Corp

Uranium Energy Corp is a U.S.-based uranium production, development and exploration company operating North America’s newest uranium mine. The Company’s fully licensed and permitted Hobson processing facility is central to all of its projects in South Texas, including the Palangana in-situ recovery project, which has just initiated production, and the Goliad in-situ recovery project which is in the final stages of mine permitting for production. The Company’s operations are managed by professionals with a recognized profile for excellence in their industry, a profile based on many decades of hands-on experience in the key facets of uranium exploration, development and mining.

Stock Exchange Information:
NYSE-AMEX: UEC
Frankfurt Stock Exchange Symbol: U6Z
WKN: AØJDRR
ISN: US916896103

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes “forward-looking statements” as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans, “estimates” or “intends”, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as “forward-looking statements”. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of exploration activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation or realization of mineral resources, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry including, without limitation, those associated with the environment, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release.

Certain matters discussed in this news release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Federal securities laws. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved.  Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Many of these factors are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For forward-looking statements in this new release, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  ‘This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities.  The securities offered and sold in the private placement Offering have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration, or an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

SOURCE Uranium Energy Corp

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Uranium Energy Corp (UEC) Initiates Operations at Hobson Processing Facility in South Texas

Dreams (DRJ) Sets Record on Cyber Monday

Nov. 30, 2010 (Business Wire) — Dreams, Inc. (NYSE Amex: DRJ), through its Internet Division, received $2.5 million in on-line orders on Monday, November 29, 2010, up 78.5%, versus $1.4 million in orders received last year on *Cyber Monday. This is an all-time, single day record.

“The dedication and commitment to excellence displayed throughout the year by the entire eCommerce team has positioned our Company to enjoy these record results,” observed Kevin Bates, www.FansEdge.com founder and president of Dreams Retail.

*The name given by online retailers and e-commerce experts to the Monday following the Thanksgiving holiday. With its Black Friday counterpart in actual store-based traffic, analysts have pointed to significant spikes in online shopping on Cyber Monday. Coined in 2005, Cyber Monday was fueled by promotions such as free gifts and free shipping as well as by the faster Internet connections many people had at work.

DREAMS, INC. trades under the ticker symbol: NYSE Amex: DRJ

www.DreamsCorp.com

www.FansEdge.com

Statements contained in this press release, which are not historical facts, are forward looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements are indicated by words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “projects,” “management believes,” “Dreams believes,” “intends,” “expects,” and similar words or phrases. Such factors include, among others, the following: competition; seasonality; success of operating initiatives; new product development and introduction schedules; acceptance of new product offerings; franchise sales; advertising and promotional efforts; adverse publicity; expansion of the franchise chain; availability, locations and terms of sites for franchise development; changes in business strategy or development plans; availability and terms of capital including the continuing availability of our credit facility with Regions Bank or a similar facility with another financial institution; labor and employee benefit costs; changes in government regulations; and other factors particular to the Company.

Dreams, Inc.

Investor Relations :

David M. Greene, Senior Vice-President, 954-377-0002

Fax: 954-475-8785

dgreene@dreamscorp.com

or

Public Relations:

Boardroom Communications

Jennifer Clarin and/or Caren Berg, 954-370-8999

Fax: 954-370-8892

cberg@boardroompr.com

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Dreams (DRJ) Sets Record on Cyber Monday

Brigus Gold (BRD) Reports Positive Exploration Drilling Results at Black Fox Complex

Nov. 30, 2010 (Business Wire) — Brigus Gold Corp. (“Brigus Gold” or the “Company”) (NYSE Amex: BRD)(TSX: BRD) has received assay results from 12 drill holes totalling 5,327 metres as part of an ongoing exploration program at the Company’s 100% owned Black Fox Complex located in the Timmins Mining District, Ontario. The current exploration program continues to return positive results and is designed to expand the Black Fox Complex gold resource by systematically drilling mineralized structures. Highlights from returned assay results include (all uncut, average gold grades with estimated true widths, unless otherwise noted):

Contact Zone

  • GF10-90:
    • 14.92 grams of gold per tonne over 2.41 metres and
    • 14.88 grams of gold per tonne over 3.58 metres
  • GF10-94:
    • 7.05 grams of gold per tonne over 6.34 metres
      • including 10.22 grams of gold per tonne over 3.62 metres
    • 25.78 grams of gold per tonne over 1.13 metres and
    • 10.47 grams of gold per tonne over 2.11 metres
  • GF10-98:
    • 2.03 grams of gold per tonne over 4.26 metres and
    • 3.68 grams of gold per tonne over 8.89 metres
      • including 6.67 grams of gold per tonne over 3.17 metres

Gibson Shear

  • Hole GF10-88:
    • 5.45 grams of gold per tonne over core length 3.0 metres
  • Hole GF10-92 :
    • 2.02 grams of gold per tonne over core length 41.8 metres
      • including 4.04 grams of gold per tonne over core length 12.0 metres

The exploration program is following up on historical data and drill results while also testing new gold occurrences within the Black Fox Complex. Three rigs are in the process of drilling at least six exploration targets at the Black Fox Complex including: the Contact Zone, the Historic Gibson Deposit, the Gibson Shear, the School House Zone and the Hislop North Zone. All targets are located within four kilometres of the Company’s operating Black Fox Mine, providing the opportunity for rapid advancement. A fourth drill rig is drilling deep exploration targets at the Black Fox Mine.

Howard Bird, Vice President of Exploration for Brigus Gold, said, “These drill results continue to expand the gold mineralization at the Contact Zone. We are also very encouraged by additional positive results at the Gibson Shear target, located approximately 500 metres west of the Contact Zone. Our exploration goal during 2011 and 2012 is to significantly expand the gold resources at the Black Fox Complex while pursuing new target areas. There is considerable near-term exploration potential at the Contact and Gibson Shear zones, as well as at the Black Fox Mine where the ore body remains open down-dip, both at depth and along strike.”

Contact Zone

The Contact Zone consists of a steeply dipping mineralized fault contact between the north-south trending metasediments and mafic volcanic rocks, and two other parallel mineralized zones. The Contact Zone extends for at least 1,200 metres (“m”) and is open along strike and at depth. The general dip of the feature is 78 degrees to the east with horizontal widths varying from 3.5 m to 35 m. During the 2008 and 2009 drill program, most of the 65 drill holes completed were concentrated within a strike length of approximately 400 m and tested to an approximate depth of 120 m from surface. During 2010, the Contact Zone drill program has concentrated on testing continuity of the gold mineralization below (down dip) and along strike of the 2008 and 2009 drill holes.

In light of recent encouraging high-grade drill results from the Contact Zone, Brigus has expanded the drill program in this area to increase the size of the mineralized zone. Assay results from the most recent six holes from the Contact Zone trend were positive and consistent with past results from the Contact Zone. A previously planned initial gold mineral resource estimate for the Contact Zone has been postponed until completion of the expanded drill program.

Drilling along strike and below the 65 drill holes from the 2008 and 2009 exploration program has confirmed good down dip continuity of significant gold mineralization.

GF10-90, highlighted above ,which followed up on GF 09-66 drilled by Brigus in 2009 and historic hole PR975-28, intersected a mineralized zone approximately 140 m from surface and 50 m down dip of GF09-66 while PR95-28 intersected the same zone approximately 75 m down dip of GF10-90. High interest assays from hole GF09-66 returned 3.37 grams per tonne (“gpt”) gold over true width 6.39 m including 11.14 gpt gold over true width 1.42 m, and from historic hole PR95-28 assays returned 3.74 gpt gold over true width 7.55 m including 7.47 gpt gold over true width 2.22 m.

GF10-94, highlighted above, intersected mineralization approximately 190 m from surface and 75 m down dip of GF09-25. Hole GF09-25 intersected the zone approximately 120 m from surface and GF09-29 intersected the zone approximately 50 m from surface. High interest assays from hole GF09-25 returned 2.17 gpt gold over true width 2.43 m, including 5.69 gpt over true width 0.81 m, and GF09-29 returned 5.31 gpt over true width 3.24 m, including 8.57 gpt over true width 0.81 m.

GF10-98, highlighted above, intersected the mineralized zone approximately 160 m from surface and 60 m down dip of GF09-64 and GF09-65. Holes GF09-64 and GF09-65 both intersected the zone approximately 80 m from surface. High interest assays from hole GF09-64 returned 3.03 gpt gold over true width 4.27 m, including 8.57 gpt gold over true width 0.78 m, and GF09-65 returned 19.37 gpt gold over true width 4.21 m, including 85.99 gpt gold over true width 0.76 m.

Assay results over 2.0 gpt gold are listed in a table in Appendix 1 of this news release and posted on the Company’s website at www.brigusgold.com.

Gibson Shear (“GS”)

Drilling results from the Gibson Shear target continue to demonstrate encouraging results with five out of six holes intercepting average gold grades over 2.0 gpt. The best hole, GF10-92, highlighted above, was drilled on the southern portion of the Gibson Shear (Gibson South) and returned 2.02 gpt gold over core length 41.8 m, including 4.04 gpt gold over 12.0 m. GF10-92 was drilled 55 m to the northwest of GF10-73, which returned 2.11 gpt gold over core length 22.94 m. Further drilling is underway; a shallow drill hole is currently in progress in order to determine the extent of mineralization closer to surface and to better define the dip of the mineralized zone.

Geophysical Programs

Brigus Gold has received the final airborne magnetic geophysical survey data results from the Black Fox Complex, which distinctly define the key gold-bearing Contact Zone and Gibson Shear linear structures, as well as numerous similar looking untested linear structures. In addition, a Quantec Titan 24 Deep IP ground based geophysical program was recently completed at the Black Fox Complex with 22 lines (each line spaced 200 m apart) surveyed. The Titan system detects conductive mineralization, disseminated mineralization, alteration, structure and geology resulting in the identification of prospective drill targets. Final survey results are expected later this quarter.

Surface drilling was conducted by Norex Drilling and was supervised by the Black Fox exploration staff. All 2010 sample analyses reported herein were performed by Polymet Labs of Cobalt, Ontario, which is ISO 9001:2000 certified in North America, and by SGS Laboratories of Sudbury, Ontario, using standard fire assay procedures. Intercepts cited do not necessarily represent true widths, unless otherwise noted. Brigus Gold’s quality control checks include insertion of blanks and standards to ensure laboratory accuracy.

Senior Exploration Project Manager John A. Dixon P. Geo reviewed the technical exploration information in this release as the Qualified Person for the Company.

About Brigus Gold

Brigus Gold is a growing gold producer committed to maximizing shareholder value through a strategy of efficient production, targeted exploration and select acquisitions. The company operates the wholly owned Black Fox Mine and Mill in the Timmins Gold District of Ontario, Canada. The Black Fox Complex encompasses the Black Fox Mine and adjoining properties in the Township of Black River-Matheson, Ontario, Canada. Brigus Gold is also advancing the Goldfields Project located near Uranium City, Saskatchewan, Canada, which hosts the Box and Athona gold deposits. In Mexico, Brigus Gold holds a 100 percent interest in the Ixhuatan Project located in the state of Chiapas, and an 80 percent interest in the Huizopa Joint Venture, an early stage, gold-silver exploration project located in the State of Chihuahua. In the Dominican Republic, Brigus Gold has a joint venture covering three mineral exploration projects.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources

This news release uses the term mineral “resources”. The Company advises U.S. investors that while these terms are defined in and required by Canadian regulations, these terms are not defined terms under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Industry Guide 7 and are generally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. The SEC generally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant “reserves” as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves.

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements regarding the resource potential, resource addition or expansion, continuity of mineralization, plans for the Company’s surface and underground exploration drilling programs and the results associated therewith, the amount of surface drilling, the drill rigs operating at Black Fox Complex and the timing associated therewith, increase of Black Fox resources, matters relating to the geophysical survey of the Black Fox Complex and the timing thereof, release date of a National Instrument 43-101-compliant mineral resource estimate for the Contact Zone, and additions to resources in 2011 and 2012 are forward-looking statements and estimates that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include environmental risks and other factors disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Brigus Gold’s and its predecessor companies’ most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and elsewhere in Brigus Gold’s documents filed from time to time with the Toronto Stock Exchange, the NYSE Amex, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. All forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Brigus Gold Corp.

Wendy Yang, Vice President of Investor Relations

303-524-3203

ir@brigusgold.com

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Brigus Gold (BRD) Reports Positive Exploration Drilling Results at Black Fox Complex

Alexco (AXU) Discovers Extension of Bellekeno Deposit, Further Underground Drilling Planned

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — (Marketwire) — 11/30/10 — Alexco Resource Corp. (TSX: AXR)(NYSE Amex: AXU) (“Alexco” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that step-out surface exploration drilling conducted to the southwest of the newly commissioned Bellekeno Mine has successfully located high grade lead-silver mineralization approximately 130 meters down plunge from the existing Bellekeno resource. The Bellekeno deep drilling program was completed as part of Alexco’s planned 2010 25,000 meter drilling program in the Keno Hill Silver District in Canada’s Yukon Territory. The one drill hole for which assay results have been received targeted the silver rich “48” vein at depth and within a stratigraphic sequence not previously tested at Bellekeno. For these reasons, the Company attaches considerable significance to this new discovery.

Highlights

Complete assay results have been received from one of two holes drilled down plunge from the Bellekeno resource area. Results include the following:

--  DDH K10-260 cut an interval grading: 2,729.0 grams per tonne silver
    (79.6 ounces per ton), 0.472 grams per tonne gold, 52.16% lead and 6.29%
    zinc over 0.40 meters from 508.15 to 508.55 meters within a wider
    interval grading 690.1 grams per tonne silver (20.1 ounces per ton),
    0.303 grams per tonne gold, 13.56% lead and 9.62% zinc over 1.91 meters
    from 508.15 to 510.06 meters.

2010 Bellekeno Surface Drilling – Deep Southwest Target

The 2010 Bellekeno deep drilling program focused on a distal but broad target developed in an untested stratigraphic zone with suspected structural conditions similar to that hosting silver-lead-zinc mineralization within the Bellekeno deposit. The successful hole penetrated the “48” vein approximately 130 meters down plunge from the southernmost zone of the existing resource. A companion hole to K10-260 has been recently completed to accurately ascertain the strike and dip of the newly discovered extension of the “48” vein. Assay results are not yet available for this hole.

Results from the deep surface drilling are currently being used to guide approximately 160 meters of underground development off the “800 level” (deepest active level in the existing mine). This new development will serve as a drill platform for close spaced definition drilling and, if warranted, calculation of additional resource in the area of the new discovery. The current resource at the Bellekeno Mine stands at 401,000 tonnes grading 921 grams silver, 9.4% lead and 6.5% zinc as outlined in 2009 (see news release dated November 11, 2009 entitled “Alexco Completes Positive Bellekeno Mine Development Plan, Silver Wheaton Concurs – Initiation of Construction Approved”).

2010 Bellekeno Surface Drilling – 99 Zone “Up Plunge” Target

A separate phase of surface exploration drilling at Bellekeno, designed to test the “up plunge” extension of the existing resource in the area of the 99 Zone, was also completed. This program, located approximately 800 meters northeast of the deep southwest target, consisted of three shallow drill holes all of which intersected the “48” and “50” veins where anticipated. Mineralization consisted mainly of oxidized siderite with local sub-ore grade silver intercepts.

The surface drill programs at Bellekeno complement an ongoing 5,000 meter underground exploration drill program testing potential down dip extensions of the 99 and Southwest resource zones. Results from this work will be used to update the current resource estimate planned for the second quarter of calendar 2011.

A composite table listing those 2010 Bellekeno surface drill holes having complete assay results is available for review along with a long section showing drill hole pierce points on the “48” vein on the Company website at www.alexcoresource.com.

Notes

True widths have not yet been determined for the above reported drill intercepts.

The 2010 exploration drill program and sampling protocol has been reviewed, verified and compiled by Alexco’s geologic staff under the oversight of Stan Dodd, Vice President, Exploration for Alexco and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. A rigorous quality control and quality assurance protocol is used on the project, including blank, duplicate and standard reference samples in each batch of 20 samples that were delivered to the lab. Drill core samples were shipped to either Agat Labs or ALS Minerals Labs at Whitehorse, Yukon Territory for preparation, with fire assay and multi-element ICP analyses done at either Agat Labs facility at Mississauga, Ontario or ALS Minerals facility in North Vancouver, British Columbia. The scientific and technical information about Alexco’s mineral projects contained in this news release has also been reviewed and verified by Mr. Dodd.

Continued 2010 District Exploration

Alexco continues exploration work within the Keno Hill district with ongoing surface core drilling at the historical Husky mine area. Core drilling programs for 2010 have been completed in the areas of the historical Lucky Queen, Silver King, Onek, Galkeno and Bermingham mines and the Flame & Moth prospect located adjacent to the new Bellekeno mill. A reverse circulation drill program in the McQuesten Valley, designed mainly to capture stratigraphic information, was also completed earlier this month.

Keno Hill Silver District History

Between 1921 and 1988, the Keno Hill Silver District produced more than 217 million ounces of silver with average grades of 40.5 ounces per ton silver, 5.6% lead and 3.1% zinc (Yukon Government’s Minfile database). The historical production grades would rank Keno Hill in the top 3% by grade of today’s global silver producers. The Keno Hill district is the second-largest historical silver producer in Canada.

About Alexco

Alexco’s business is to unlock value and manage risk at mature, closed or abandoned mine sites through integration and implementation of the Company’s core competencies which include management of environmental services, execution of mine reclamation and closure operations and if appropriate, rejuvenation of exploration and development of new mining opportunities.

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information concerning the Company’s anticipated results and developments in the Company’s operations in future periods, planned exploration and development of its properties, plans related to its business and other matters that may occur in the future, made as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future remediation and reclamation activities, future mineral exploration, the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the realization of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, the timing of activities and the amount of estimated revenues and expenses, the success of exploration activities, permitting time lines, requirements for additional capital and sources and uses of funds. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks related to actual results of remediation and reclamation activities; actual results of exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of gold, silver and other commodities; possible variations in ore bodies, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; and delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development activities.

Contacts:
Alexco Resource Corp.
Clynton R. Nauman
President and Chief Executive Officer
604-633-4888
604-633-4887 (FAX)
info@alexcoresource.com
www.alexcoresource.com

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Alexco (AXU) Discovers Extension of Bellekeno Deposit, Further Underground Drilling Planned

Etisalat Lanka Expands IP Interconnects with Acme Packet (APKT)

Nov. 30, 2010 (Business Wire) — Acme Packet® (NASDAQ: APKT), the leader in session border control solutions, today announced that Etisalat Lanka, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the United Arab Emirates-based Etisalat Telecommunications Corporation, is deploying Acme Packet Net-Net® session border controllers (SBCs) to support its IP interconnects for international calls. Etisalat Lanka uses IP interconnects to enhance international voice traffic and selected Acme Packet to secure and optimize those connections for expansion. The deployment of SBCs also complements Etisalat Lanka’s migration to all-IP networks for lower total cost of ownership and the delivery of new services.

“Acme Packet provides Etisalat Lanka with the means to securely and efficiently grow our IP interconnects so we can maximize revenue,” said Mr. Sanath Pilapitiya, CTO of Etisalat Lanka. “With the Net-Net SBCs we have the industry’s leading security and control functions for our international VoIP traffic.”

Etisalat Lanka selected Acme Packet’s Net-Net 3820 Session Director to improve revenue from international calls by increasing call completion rates and providing fault tolerance and resiliency for the network by detecting and routing around network failures. The Net-Net SBC SIP header manipulation feature enables wider interoperability and expedites time to market. Call detail records and quality of service (QoS) monitoring provide real-time information on quality of calls in the network for reporting, planning and settlement.

With Acme Packet’s policy-based routing features, Etisalat Lanka has the flexibility to implement QoS-based and codec-based routing to further optimize the network in the future.

“Mobile service providers are making the transition to IP interconnects to drive down costs and prepare for the all-IP future,” said Mr. Sumant Sharma, managing director, Asia Pacific region for Acme Packet. “Etisalat Lanka is an early mover in this regard and uses Acme Packet’s rich feature set to optimize its IP interconnections.”

The Net-Net SBCs were installed by MillenniumESP, an Acme Packet channel and integration partner in Sri Lanka. MillenniumESP pioneered the deployment of SBCs in Sri Lanka and has been a leading solutions provider for service providers in the areas of voice over IP, core networks, security and data center technologies.

“We are pleased that Etisalat Lanka chose MillenniumESP to provide for their next generation IP interconnect needs,” said Mr. Faiq Faaiz, executive vice president, MillenniumIT. “I am confident that Etisalat Lanka will benefit immensely from the vast experience of MillenniumESP in the area of session border controllers in providing future next generation network services.”

About Acme Packet

Acme Packet (NASDAQ: APKT), the leader in session border control solutions, enables the delivery of trusted, first-class interactive communications—voice, video and multimedia sessions—and data services across IP network borders. Our Net-Net family of session border controllers, multiservice security gateways and session routing proxies supports multiple applications in service provider, enterprise and contact center networks—from VoIP trunking to hosted enterprise and residential services to fixed-mobile convergence. They satisfy critical security, service assurance and regulatory requirements in wireline, cable and wireless networks; and support multiple protocols—SIP, H.323, MGCP/NCS, H.248 and RTSP—and multiple border points—service provider access and interconnect, and enterprise access and trunking. Over 10,000 Acme Packet systems have been deployed by more than 1,180 customers in 105 countries. They include 92 of the top 100 service providers in the world and 11 of the Fortune 25. For more information, contact us at +1 781.328.4400, or visit www.acmepacket.com.

About Etisalat Lanka

100% owned subsidiary of Etisalat UAE, who is the world’s 13th largest telco operator with subscribers exceeding 107 million worldwide. Etisalat UAE is on a very sound financial footing with S&P recently upgrading their rating to AA-/A-1+ and Fitch reaffirming their rating to A+.

With the entry of Etisalat into Sri Lanka and re-branding of the Sri Lankan operation as Etisalat in February 2010, the name Etisalat has become a household name in the Sri Lankan market. The local company, Etisalat Lanka with the support and guidance of the giant parent telco of UAE is making in-roads into the telco market shares in Sri Lanka. Locally one of the most efficient and dynamic operators, Etisalat Lanka will continue to grow in strength whilst contributing to the economic growth of the country too.

About MillenniumESP

Part of the London Stock Exchange Group, MillenniumESP, the enterprise and service provider business of MillenniumIT, is a leading Sri Lankan information technology solutions provider, specialising in IT solutions for the financial and telecom industries. MillenniumESP also offers information technology infrastructure and consulting services.

MillenniumIT is a premier technology solutions provider serving the global capital markets industry. The company’s products currently powers exchanges, depositories, brokerages and regulatory bodies in the United States, Europe, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.

For more information, please visit www.millenniumit.com

Acme Packet, Inc. Safe Harbor Statement

Statements contained herein that are not historical fact may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements may relate, among other things, to our position in the session border control market, our expected financial and operating results, our ability to establish and maintain intellectual property rights, our ability to build and grow Acme Packet, the benefits and advantages of our products, including any enhancements or new features, services and programs, and our ability to achieve our goals, plans and objectives. Such forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These include, but are not limited to: difficulties in growing our customer base, difficulties leveraging market opportunities, difficulties providing solutions that meet the needs of customers, poor product sales, long sales cycles, difficulty developing new products, difficulty in relationships with vendors and partners, higher risk in international operations, difficulty managing rapid growth, and increased competition. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements are contained in our recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in such filings.

Media Contact:

CHEN PR

Ramya Kumaraswamy, +1 781-672-3147

rkumaraswarmy@chenpr.com

or

Investor Relations:

Acme Packet

Brian Norris, +1 781-328-4790

bnorris@acmepacket.com

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Etisalat Lanka Expands IP Interconnects with Acme Packet (APKT)

Icagen (ICGN) and Pfizer Select Compound for Advancement in Nav1.7 Program

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Nov. 30, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Icagen, Inc. (Nasdaq:ICGN) today provided an update on its sodium channel program for pain and related disorders which is being conducted in collaboration with Pfizer. As previously reported, the companies recently conducted a clinical study in healthy volunteers of several collaboration compounds targeting the sodium ion channel Nav1.7.  Based upon data obtained in this study, the companies have now selected one of these compounds to advance into further clinical studies. The selection of this compound has triggered a milestone payment to Icagen of $1.0 million.

P. Kay Wagoner, CEO of Icagen, stated, “We are very pleased that, in collaboration with Pfizer, we have now selected a novel compound for further clinical development in our Nav1.7 program.  This marks an important achievement, as we believe, based upon a wide range of genetic and scientific evidence, that subtype selective sodium channel blockers represent a promising approach for the treatment of pain and related disorders. In achieving this milestone, we feel fortunate to be working with one of the world’s leading pain research groups at Pfizer.”

As previously noted, Pfizer and Icagen recently renewed and extended the research term of their collaboration through year-end 2011. In addition to Nav1.7, the collaboration also includes certain other sodium ion channel targets. Pfizer will continue to fund all aspects of the collaboration, including research and preclinical development efforts at Icagen, and has exclusive worldwide rights to commercialize products that result from the collaboration. Icagen is eligible to receive approximately $359 million upon achievement of specified research, development, regulatory and commercialization milestones for products under the collaboration, and is also eligible to receive tiered royalties, against which the commercialization milestones are creditable, based upon product sales.

About Icagen

Icagen, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel orally-administered small molecule drugs that modulate ion channel targets. Utilizing its proprietary know-how and integrated scientific and drug development capabilities, Icagen has identified multiple drug candidates that modulate ion channels. The Company is conducting research and development activities in a number of disease areas, including epilepsy, pain and inflammation. The Company has a clinical stage program in epilepsy and pain. To learn more about Icagen, please visit our website at www.icagen.com.

The Icagen, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5735

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations described in these forward-looking statements are set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Icagen’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on November 10, 2010. These risk factors include risks as to Icagen’s lack of liquidity and substantial doubt about Icagen’s ability to continue as a “going concern;” Icagen’s ability to raise additional funding; Icagen’s history of net losses and how long Icagen will be able to operate on its existing capital resources; general economic and financial market conditions; Icagen’s ability to maintain compliance with Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements; whether Icagen’s product candidates will advance in the clinical trials process; the timing of such clinical trials; whether the results obtained in preliminary studies will be indicative of results obtained in clinical trials; whether the clinical trial results will warrant continued product development; whether and when, if at all, Icagen’s product candidates, including ICA-105665 and Icagen’s other lead compounds for epilepsy and pain, will receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or equivalent regulatory agencies, and for which indications, and if such product candidates receive approval, whether such products will be successfully marketed; and Icagen’s dependence on third parties, including manufacturers, suppliers and collaborators. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.

CONTACT:  Icagen, Inc.
          Richard D. Katz, M.D., EVP, Finance and Corporate
           Development; Chief Financial Officer
          (919) 941-5206
          rkatz@icagen.com

Icagen, Inc. Logo

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Icagen (ICGN) and Pfizer Select Compound for Advancement in Nav1.7 Program

iMergent, Inc. (IIG) is “One to Watch”

Founded in 1999, iMergent, Inc. is focused on providing superior e-commerce solutions to entrepreneurs and businesses. The company’s proprietary software and services allows clients to sell and market their products and services, accept online orders, analyze marketing performance and manage pricing and customers efficiently over the Internet. iMergent also offers e-commerce enabled web site development and implementation, web site hosting, search engine optimization (SEO) and training.

iMergent distributes its products and services via a combination of direct sales and VARs to businesses, both domestically and internationally, including: United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. The company has firmly established itself as the leading provider of ecommerce solutions, offering a full suite of website management tools for custom web development in a point-and-click environment.

In light of the recent economic conditions, businesses are increasingly looking for new ways to increase leads and grow sales. iMergent’s feature-rich platform enables businesses to quickly develop an effective online presence, reaching millions of prospective customers across the globe. Leveraging the expertise of its proven management team, the company is poised to continue driving growth and recurring revenues through its superior product offerings and strategic partnerships.

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on iMergent, Inc. (IIG) is “One to Watch”

Rubicon (RBY) Announces 4.0 Million Ounce Inferred Gold Resource Estimate Grading 20.1 g/t gold (0.59 oz/ton gold)

TORONTO, Nov. 29 /CNW/ – Rubicon Minerals Corporation (RMX:TSX | RBY:NYSE-AMEX) (“Rubicon”) is pleased to provide a NI 43-101 compliant inferred mineral resource estimate for the F2 Gold System, part of its 100%-owned Phoenix Gold Project located in the heart of the prolific Red Lake Gold District of Ontario. The estimate is summarized below:

Inferred Resource
(5 g/t cutoff & 10 gram x metre product minimum) Tonnes Grade (g/t) Grade (oz/ton) Contained ounces
Total Inferred Resource 6,200,000 20.1 0.59 4,007,000

The inferred mineral resource estimate was prepared by Geoex Limited. (“Geoex”) based on 166,886 metres of diamond drilling in 237 drill holes carried out between February 27, 2008 (the date of the initial discovery) and July 31, 2010. The estimate does not include approximately 41,702 metres of drilling completed since July 31, 2010. The inferred resource estimate was prepared using the polygonal calculation method (see below for details) which, in the opinion of Geoex, is the appropriate method and is typically used for this type of deposit. The cut-off used is considered to be an economically reasonable estimate of breakeven mining costs.

“We are very pleased with these initial results. They demonstrate that the F2 Gold System is already a significant sized gold deposit. Importantly, the gold grade of 20.1 g/t gold is high compared to most major gold deposits around the world and is consistent with the overall Red Lake camp average grade, which is Red Lake’s key advantage. Our objective now, through our ongoing delineation program is to upgrade part of this large inferred resource, move towards development and to continue to expand the gold system. Underground development on the project has already cross-cut mineralized zones at the 305 metre level and delineation drilling is underway. Photographs of the new zones are available on the Company website at www.rubiconminerals.com.” stated David Adamson, President and CEO.

Geological Potential

In addition to the above referenced inferred resource estimate, Geoex carried out an evaluation of geological potential based on an analysis of the distribution of current drilling (strike length of 898 meters as of July 31,2010) and opportunity for infill and expansion drilling to depth. The system remains open along strike and to depth beyond the current limit of drilling.

The geological potential is based on the projection and extrapolation of the inferred resource present between 0 to 500 metres below surface as this area is considered well drilled and contains an inferred resource of 3,400,000 tonnes containing 2,680,000 oz at 24.4 g/t or 0.71 oz/ton. In the area between 500 and 1500 metres below surface, drilling is wider spaced and thus large parts of the system in this area have not been adequately drill tested, however, in the opinion of Geoex, based on a review of project data, experience from elsewhere in Red Lake and general observations on lode gold deposits, the grade and tonnage profile of the area above 500 metres is likely to be replicated to depth with additional drilling. The results of this analysis are summarized in the table below:

Depth Potential Tonnes Potential Grade Potential Ounces
Above 500m (well drilled) 3,400,000 to 3,700,000 24.4 to 26.8 g/t 2,680,000 to 3,190,000
500-1500 metres (wide spaced drilling) 6,800,000 to 7,500,000 24.4 to 26.8 g/t 5,330,000 to 6,460,000
1500-2500 metres (no drilling – open) 6,800,000 to 7,500,000 24.4 to 26.8 g/t 5,330,000 to 6,460,000
Total to 2500 metres (open at depth) 17,000,000 to 18,700,000 24.4 to 26.8 g/t 13,340,000 to 16,110,000

The potential tonnages, grades and ounces set forth in the analysis of geological potential are conceptual in nature, as there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource.

“From the early days of the discovery, we have always recognized that we are exploring a very robust and large mineralizing system, which is why we have dedicated significant drilling efforts to the 9X target area. As suggested by Geoex, the current 4.01 million ounce inferred gold resource may be only a small part of the overall gold potential of the F2 Gold System. Large areas remain to be infill-drilled and the system is open in all directions. We should also point out, we own 40% of the exploration real estate in Red Lake giving us a unique opportunity to find the next F2 Gold Deposit,” stated David Adamson, President and CEO.

Geoex will prepare an NI 43-101 compliant technical report in respect of the inferred resource estimate and geological potential discussed in this release which Rubicon will file on SEDAR within 45 days of the date this release was disseminated, and plans to complete a Preliminary Economic Assessment in respect of the F2 Gold System by the end of Q1, 2011.

Resource Calculation Methodology

The construction of the polygonal and block models was a product of collaboration between Rubicon and Geoex. Rubicon personnel included Matt Wunder P.Geo, V.P. Exploration and Eric Hinton P.Eng., Project Manager. All data in the resource evaluation were reviewed by Geoex with Mr. Peter George of Geoex assuming responsibility for the resource and geological potential estimates upon which the statements reported herein are based.

Polygonal Resource calculation

Source assay data were audited by a third party consulting firm (IoGlobal) specializing in data management and QA/QC analysis and composite intervals were calculated utilizing a minimum three and also a five gram cut-off and minimum 10 gram times metre product for all F2 system data to July 31, 2010. No top cut was applied to the data because, in the opinion of Geoex there is insufficient geostatistical data to properly determine an accurate top cut value at this time. The X, Y and Z centroid points were calculated and horizontal thickness for each composite interval was calculated utilizing a set of east-west cross sections (local mine grid). The composite intervals were classified by geological unit and centroid points for each composite interval were plotted on long sections for each geological domain utilizing AMine software. Individual zones were then interpreted in AMine.

The interpretation is largely based on a series of detailed cross sections confirming geological continuity vertically down dip and along strike (mine grid north-south). Polygons were plotted on long sections for each sub zone with ellipse parameters for the inferred resource of 75 metre vertical radius and 37.5 metre horizontal radius. Polygons were clipped where overlapping, clipped where the claim boundary and 15 metres below where the lake bottom surface was contacted. Polygon areas were calculated for each centroid point, horizontal thickness was applied to determine the volume, a specific gravity (“SG”) of 2.85 g/cm3 was applied, being derived from the average SG in preliminary metallurgical studies (see news release dated October 19, 2010). The volume of each polygon was calculated and assigned a gold grade. The sum of the polygons constitutes the inferred resource.

Block Model calculation

In addition to the polygonal resource calculation, as a means of validating the inferred resource estimate by an independent method, a block model was calculated utilizing Surpac software resulting in 5,830,000 tonnes, 3,210,000 ounces at 17.2 g/t or 0.50 opt. The block model results are within 6.7% of the tonnage, 17.1% of the contained ounces and 24.9% of the grade of the polygonal estimate (6,200,000 tonnes, 4,007,000 ounces at 20.1g/t gold or 0.59 opt). While Geoex does not consider the block model the most appropriate method for this type of deposit, the results are considered to provide strong supporting validation for the preferred polygonal estimate reported above. It should be noted that the block model results do not differ significantly regardless of whether a northeast (East Bay trend) or northwest (F2 trend) oriented search ellipse is used in the block model.

Data were audited prior to completion of the block model. For this inferred resource estimate, the data were treated as one domain. Assay data were composited at 1.0 metre intervals (no top cut was applied) and variogram analysis was completed. Two times the variogram range was utilized for oriented search ellipse parameters (list parameters) for the inferred resource calculation. A block size of 2m (E-W) by 4m (N-S) by 12m (vertical) was selected through an optimization process. Data were constrained by the lake bottom surface, the claim boundary and a western boundary was included to exclude any unrelated drilling carried out prior to February 2008. A SG of 2.85 g/cm3 was utilized.

Rubicon is a well-funded exploration and development company, focused on exploring and developing its high-grade gold discovery at its Phoenix Project in Red Lake, Ontario. Rubicon controls over 100 square miles of prime exploration ground in the prolific Red Lake gold district of Ontario which hosts Goldcorp’s high-grade, world class Red Lake Mine.

RUBICON MINERALS CORPORATION
“David W. Adamson”
President & CEO

Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues. The quantity and grade of reported inferred resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these inferred resources as an indicated or measured mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to an indicated or measured mineral resource category. The mineral resources in this press release were estimated using CIM Standards.

Qualified Persons

Rubicon has implemented a rigorous QA/QC program to ensure best practices in the sampling and analysis of drill core. Assays were conducted on sawn NQ-sized half core sections. Delineation drilling intercepts represent true horizontal width. The saw blade is routinely cleaned between samples when visible gold is noted during logging and sampling of the drill core. Assays were conducted by SGS Minerals Services using standard fire assay on a 30 gram (1 assay ton) sample with a gravimetric finish procedure. Assays are uncut as is standard practice in Red Lake. Standards, blanks and check assays were included at regular intervals in each sample batch. Check assays on 5% of samples are carried out at a third party independent laboratory. Gold standards were prepared by CDN Resource Laboratories Ltd. Exploration drill programs and all data forming the basis of the inferred resource estimate described in this release were supervised and verified by Terry Bursey, P.Geo,. Regional Manager for Rubicon and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. All data required for the block calculation described in this release was prepared and verified by Eric Hinton, P.Eng, Project Manager of Rubicon and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-10. The inferred resource estimate, including the polygonal resource calculation and the block model calculation, and the geological potential analysis were prepared by Peter George, P.Geo., President and consulting geologist of Geoex, an independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, and he verified all data received from Rubicon in connection with same.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Readers Regarding Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources

This press release uses the term “inferred resources.” We advise U.S. investors that while this term is recognized and required by Canadian regulations, it is not recognized by the SEC. “Inferred resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an “inferred mineral resource” will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of “inferred mineral resources” may not form the basis of a feasibility study or prefeasibility studies, except in rare cases. The SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute “reserves” as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. The term “contained gold ounces” used in this press release is not permitted under the rules of the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of a measured, indicated or inferred resource exists or is economically or legally mineable.

Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and “forward looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian provincial securities legislation (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) . Forward-looking statements often, but not always, are identified by the use of words such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “targeting” and “intend” and statements that an event or result “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, or “might” occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this document include statements regarding estimates of mineral resources, estimates of gold grades and in-place ounces, the preparation and timing of a technical report in respect of the inferred resource estimate and the proposed Preliminary Economic Assessment and the timing and nature of future exploration programs. Our exploration programs are dependent on projections which may change as drilling continues, or if unexpected ground conditions are encountered. In addition, areas of exploration potential are identified which will require substantial drilling to determine whether or not they contain similar mineralization to areas which have been explored in more detail. The description of the extent of mineralized zones is not intended to imply that any economically mineable estimate of reserves or resources exists on the Phoenix project. Similarly, although geological features of the F2 Gold System are interpreted to show similarities to nearby gold producing mines owned by third parties, this should not be interpreted to mean that the F2Gold System has, or that it will generate similar reserves or resources. Significant additional drilling is required at F2 to fully understand system size before a meaningful resource calculation can be completed.

The forward-looking statements that are contained in this news release are based on various assumptions and estimates by Rubicon and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. As a consequence, actual results might differ materially from results forecast or suggested in these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Rubicon to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ include; risks relating to fluctuations in the price of gold; the inherently hazardous nature of mining-related activities; uncertainties concerning reserve and resource estimates; results of exploration, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, inability to obtain required regulatory approvals, unanticipated difficulties or costs in any rehabilitation which may be necessary, market conditions and general business, economic, competitive, political and social conditions. These statements are based on a number of assumptions, including assumptions regarding general market conditions, timing and receipt of regulatory approvals, the ability of Rubicon and other relevant parties to satisfy regulatory requirements, the availability of financing for proposed transactions and programs on reasonable terms and the ability of third-party service providers to deliver services in a timely manner. Although Rubicon has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors which cause actual results to differ. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and Rubicon disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Monday, November 29th, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Rubicon (RBY) Announces 4.0 Million Ounce Inferred Gold Resource Estimate Grading 20.1 g/t gold (0.59 oz/ton gold)

Beacon Roofing Supply (BECN) Reports Fourth Quarter and Annual 2010 Results

Nov. 29, 2010 (Business Wire) — Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: BECN) announced results today for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.

Robert Buck, the Company’s Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, stated: “Our fourth quarter and fiscal 2010 results were disappointing as industry and economic conditions remained more challenging than anticipated. We were also up against a year that had significant storm business and record annual earnings. Despite these factors, our total sales declined only 1% in the fourth quarter due, in part, to the positive impact from our current year acquisitions. In addition, our non-residential roofing and complementary product sales continued to rebound. We started to see some gains in residential business later in the year in a few of our regions that did not benefit from storms last year. Our operating expenses were well-controlled and we achieved a substantial build-up of cash in the fourth quarter. We believe the favorable long-term industry growth factors remain in place and we are in a good position to expand our Company in 2011.”

Fourth Quarter

Total sales declined 1.1% to $482.6 million in 2010 from $487.7 million in 2009, while existing market (organic) sales declined 3.8%. Excluded from the existing market results were seven additional branches in operation at the end of this year compared to September 30, 2009. Residential roofing sales in existing markets decreased 16.8%, while non-residential roofing and complementary product sales increased 11.5% and 3.3%, respectively. Residential roofing sales and gross margin were unfavorably impacted by lower average selling prices in 2010 and less re-roofing activity in post storm-affected regions.

Net income for the fourth quarter was $16.9 million compared to $19.0 million in 2009, a decline of 11.4%. Diluted net income per share was $0.37 compared to $0.42 in 2009, a decline of 11.9%. The lower net income was primarily due to a lower gross margin rate, partially offset by the benefit from reduced expenses, including lower interest expense and income taxes.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and stock-based compensation (“Adjusted EBITDA”), which is reconciled to the net income in this press release, was $38.9 million in 2010 compared to $45.2 million in 2009, a decline of 13.9%.

Fiscal Year

Sales declined 7.2% to $1.61 billion in 2010 from $1.73 billion in 2009, while existing market sales decreased 8.7%. Residential roofing sales in existing markets decreased 18.0%, while non-residential roofing sales and complementary product sales increased 1.2% and 2.1%, respectively. Residential roofing sales and gross margin were unfavorably impacted by the same factors mentioned above for the fourth quarter and especially in the areas affected by Hurricane Ike in the first half of 2009.

Net income was $34.5 million compared to $52.4 million in 2009, a decline of 34.1%. Diluted net income per share was $0.75 compared to $1.15 in 2009, a decline of 34.8%. The lower net income was due to the decline in sales and a lower gross margin rate, partially offset by reduced expenses.

Adjusted EBITDA was $106.3 million in 2010 compared to $144.4 million in 2009, a decline of 26.4%.

Cash flow from operations was $74.5 million compared to $87.6 million in 2009. This year’s cash flows were influenced mostly by the lower net income and an increase in accounts receivable, partially offset by the benefits from a lower reduction in accounts payable and accrued expenses, a much larger decrease in inventories, and a decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets. The Company spent $19.3 million on acquisitions this year and continued to pay down debt. Cash on hand increased by $34.4 million in 2010 to $117.1 million at the end of this year compared to $82.7 million at September 30, 2009.

The Company will host a webcast and conference call today at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss these results. The live webcast of the call, along with a webcast replay after the call, can be accessed at http://ir.beaconroofingsupply.com/events.cfm (the “Events & Presentations” page of the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s web site). There will be a slide presentation of the results available on that page of the website as well. For those unable to connect to the Internet or who may wish to ask questions, the conference call dial-in number is 720-545-0063. To assure timely access, call participants should call in before 10:00 a.m.

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. is a leading distributor of roofing materials and complementary building products, operating 179 branches in 37 states in the United States and in three provinces in Eastern Canada.

Forward-Looking Statements: This release contains information about management’s view of the Company’s future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s latest Form 10-K. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company’s views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so other than as required by federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Fiscal Quarter Ended Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2010 % of Net Sales September 30, 2009 % of Net Sales September 30, 2010 % of Net Sales September 30, 2009 % of Net Sales
Net sales $ 482,603 100.0 % $ 487,749 100.0 % $ 1,609,969 100.0 % $ 1,733,967 100.0 %
Cost of products sold 376,196 78.0 % 374,728 76.8 % 1,249,869 77.6 % 1,322,845 76.3 %
Gross profit 106,407 22.0 % 113,021 23.2 % 360,100 22.4 % 411,122 23.7 %
Operating expenses 75,647 15.7 % 76,531 15.7 % 286,583 17.8 % 301,913 17.4 %
Income from operations 30,760 6.4 % 36,490 7.5 % 73,517 4.6 % 109,209 6.3 %
Interest expense 3,528 0.6 % 5,583 1.1 % 18,210 1.1 % 22,887 1.3 %
Income before income taxes 27,232 5.6 % 30,907 6.3 % 55,307 3.4 % 86,322 5.0 %
Income taxes 10,368 2.1 % 11,875 2.4 % 20,781 1.3 % 33,904 2.0 %
Net income $ 16,864 3.5 % $ 19,032 3.9 % $ 34,526 2.1 % $ 52,418 3.0 %
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.37 $ 0.42 $ 0.76 $ 1.16
Diluted $ 0.37 $ 0.42 $ 0.75 $ 1.15
Weighted average shares used in computing net income per share:
Basic 45,655,108 45,165,603 45,480,922 45,007,313
Diluted 46,092,099 45,640,450 46,031,593 45,493,786
BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, 2010 September 30, 2009
(In thousands)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 117,136 $ 82,742
Accounts receivable, net 241,341 227,379
Inventories 158,774 195,011
Prepaid expenses and other assets 43,115 52,714
Deferred income taxes 17,178 19,323
Total current assets 577,544 577,169
Property and equipment, net 47,751 52,965
Goodwill 365,061 354,193
Other assets, net 51,833 56,459
Total assets $ 1,042,189 $ 1,040,786
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 144,064 $ 151,683
Accrued expenses 50,132 75,536
Current portion of long-term obligations 15,734 15,092
Total current liabilities 209,930 242,311
Senior notes payable and other obligations, net of current portion 323,681 338,347
Deferred income taxes 39,734 36,555
Common stock 457 452
Additional paid-in capital 236,136 226,793
Retained earnings 233,890 199,364
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,639 ) (3,036 )
Total stockholders’ equity 468,844 423,573
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,042,189 $ 1,040,786
BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2010 September 30, 2009
(In thousands)
Operating activities:
Net income $ 34,526 $ 52,418
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 27,773 30,389
Stock-based compensation 5,001 4,780
Deferred income taxes 3,060 (599 )
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable (6,486 ) 56,143
Inventories 40,952 14,168
Prepaid expenses and other assets 8,723 (2,256 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (39,051 ) (67,467 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 74,498 87,576
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (10,107 ) (13,656 )
Acquisition of businesses (19,328 )
Net cash used in investing activities (29,435 ) (13,656 )
Financing activities:
Borrowings (repayments) under revolving lines of credit 67 (4,955 )
Repayments under senior notes & other (15,193 ) (14,969 )
Proceeds from exercise of options 3,561 1,717
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation deductions in excess of
the associated compensation cost 786 631
Net cash used by financing activities (10,779 ) (17,576 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 110 360
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 34,394 56,704
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 82,742 26,038
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 117,136 $ 82,742
BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC
Consolidated Sales by Product Line-Unaudited
For the Fourth Quarters Ended:
September 30, 2010 September 30, 2009
(dollars in millions) Net Sales Mix % Net Sales Mix % Change
Residential roofing products $ 208.2 43.1 % $ 245.3 50.3 % $ (37.1 ) -15.1 %
Non-residential roofing products 205.9 42.7 % 176.4 36.2 % 29.5 16.7 %
Complementary building products 68.5 14.2 % 66.0 13.5 % 2.5 3.9 %
$ 482.6 100.0 % $ 487.7 100.0 % $ (5.1 ) -1.0 %
Consolidated Sales by Product Line for Existing Markets*
For the Fourth Quarters Ended:
September 30, 2010 September 30, 2009
(dollars in millions) Net Sales Mix % Net Sales Mix % Change
Residential roofing products $ 204.2 43.5 % $ 245.3 50.3 % $ (41.1 ) -16.8 %
Non-residential roofing products 196.6 41.9 % 176.4 36.2 % 20.2 11.5 %
Complementary building products 68.2 14.5 % 66.0 13.5 % 2.2 3.3 %
$ 469.0 100.0 % $ 487.7 100.0 % $ (18.7 ) -3.8 %
*Excludes branches acquired during the four quarters prior to the start of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.
BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC
Consolidated Sales by Product Line-Unaudited
For the Fiscal Years Ended:
September 30, 2010 September 30, 2009
(dollars in millions) Net Sales Mix % Net Sales Mix % Change
Residential roofing products $ 745.6 46.3 % $ 898.8 51.8 % $ (153.2 ) -17.0 %
Non-residential roofing products 621.0 38.6 % 598.8 34.5 % 22.2 3.7 %
Complementary building products 243.4 15.1 % 236.4 13.6 % 7.0 3.0 %
$ 1,610.0 100.0 % $ 1,734.0 100.0 % $ (124.0 ) -7.2 %
Consolidated Sales by Product Line for Existing Markets*
For the Fiscal Years Ended:
September 30, 2010 September 30, 2009
(dollars in millions) Net Sales Mix % Net Sales Mix % Change
Residential roofing products $ 736.7 46.5 % $ 898.8 51.8 % $ (162.1 ) -18.0 %
Non-residential roofing products 605.7 38.2 % 598.8 34.5 % 6.9 1.2 %
Complementary building products 241.3 15.2 % 236.4 13.6 % 4.9 2.1 %
$ 1,583.7 100.0 % $ 1,734.0 100.0 % $ (150.3 ) -8.7 %
*Excludes branches acquired during fiscal 2010.
BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC
Results in Existing Markets-Unaudited
For the Fourth Quarter Ended:
Existing Markets Acquired Markets Consolidated
September 30, September 30, September 30,
(in thousands) 2010 2009 2010 2009 2010 2009
Net Sales $ 469,014 $ 487,749 $ 13,589 $ $ 482,603 $ 487,749
Gross Profit 103,347 113,021 3,060 106,407 113,021
Gross Margin 22.0 % 23.2 % 22.5 % 22.0 % 23.2 %
Operating Expenses 72,116 76,531 3,531 75,647 76,531
Operating Expenses as a % of net sales 15.4 % 15.7 % 26.0 % 15.7 % 15.7 %
Operating Income $ 31,231 $ 36,490 $ (471 ) $ $ 30,760 $ 36,490
Operating Margin 6.7 % 7.5 % -3.5 % 6.4 % 7.5 %
Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization and Stock-Based Compensation (“Adjusted EBITDA”)
Unaudited
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended September 30, Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2010 2009 2010 2009
Net income $ 16,864 $ 19,032 $ 34,526 $ 52,418
Interest expense, net 3,528 5,583 18,210 22,887
Income taxes 10,368 11,875 20,781 33,904
Depreciation and amortization 6,939 7,554 27,773 30,389
Stock-based compensation 1,202 1,154 5,001 4,780
Adjusted EBITDA (1) $ 38,900 $ 45,198 $ 106,291 $ 144,378

(1) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income plus interest expense (net of interest income), income taxes, depreciation and amortization and stock-based compensation (i.e. stock option expense). EBITDA is a measure commonly used in the distribution industry, and we present Adjusted EBITDA to enhance your understanding of our operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is used in our bank covenants and we use Adjusted EBITDA as an internal performance measurement and as one criterion for evaluating our performance relative to that of our peers. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is an operating performance measure that provides investors and analysts with a measure of operating results unaffected by differences in capital structures, capital investment cycles, and ages of related assets among otherwise comparable companies. Further, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure because it improves comparability of results of operations, since purchase accounting used for acquisitions can render depreciation and amortization non-comparable between periods. Management uses these supplemental measures to evaluate performance period over period and to analyze the underlying trends in the Company’s business and to establish operational goals and forecasts that are used in allocating resources. We expect to compute our non-GAAP financial measures using the same consistent method from quarter to quarter and year to year.

While we believe Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure for investors, it is not a measurement presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. You should not consider Adjusted EBITDA in isolation or as a substitute for net income, cash flows from operations, or any other items calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA has inherent material limitations as a performance measure. It does not include interest expense and, because we have borrowed money, interest expense is a necessary element of our costs. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA does not include depreciation and amortization expense. Because we have capital and intangible assets, depreciation and amortization expense is a necessary element of our costs. Adjusted EBITDA also does not include stock-based compensation, which is a necessary element of our costs since we provide stock options to key members of management as an important incentive to maximize overall company performance and as a benefit. Moreover, Adjusted EBITDA does not include taxes, and payment of taxes is a necessary element of our operations. Accordingly, since Adjusted EBITDA excludes these items, it has material limitations as a performance measure. The Company’s management separately monitors capital expenditures, which impact depreciation expense, as well as amortization expense, interest expense, and income tax expense. Because not all companies use identical calculations, our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

BECN-F

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.

Dave Grace, 978-535-7668 x14

CFO

dgrace@beaconroofingsupply.com

Monday, November 29th, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Beacon Roofing Supply (BECN) Reports Fourth Quarter and Annual 2010 Results

AMAG Pharmaceuticals (AMAG) Announces Update to Feraheme(R) Label

Nov. 29, 2010 (Business Wire) — AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAG), today announced that the company has reached agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding an update to the product label for Feraheme® (ferumoxytol) Injection for intravenous (IV) use. The updated product label, also called a package insert, includes, among other things:

  • Bolded warnings and precautions that describe events that have been reported after Feraheme administration in the post-marketing environment, including life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions and clinically significant hypotension,
  • A new section of the label entitled Adverse Reactions from Post-marketing Spontaneous Reports, and
  • An increase in the observation period following Feraheme administration from 30 to 60 minutes to observe patients for signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity.

The updated Feraheme label does not include a boxed warning. Along with the label changes, AMAG has committed to propose a registry to better understand the frequency and timing of adverse events following Feraheme administration.

“We are pleased to have reached resolution with the Agency and have this uncertainty behind us,” said Brian J.G. Pereira, M.D., president and chief executive officer of AMAG. “As we roll out the updated Feraheme label to physicians who treat adult chronic kidney disease patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA), we look forward to devoting our full attention to the commercialization of Feraheme in this patient population and the advancement of the registrational trials for the broader IDA indication.”

Conference Call and Webcast Access

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will host an audio webcast and conference call today at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss this press release. To access the conference call via telephone, please dial (877) 412‐6083 from the United States or (702) 495‐1202 for international access. A telephone replay will be available from approximately 11:00 a.m. ET on November 29, 2010 through midnight on December 1, 2010. To access a replay of the conference call, dial (800) 642‐1687 from the United States or (706) 645‐9291 for international access. The passcode for the live call and the replay is 27619200.

The call will be webcast and accessible through the Investors section of the company’s website at www.amagpharma.com. The webcast replay will be available from approximately 11:00 a.m. ET on November 29, 2010 through midnight on December 29, 2010.

About AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of a therapeutic iron compound to treat iron deficiency anemia. AMAG manufactures and sells Feraheme® (ferumoxytol) Injection for intravenous (IV) use. For additional company or product information, please visit www.amagpharma.com or http://feraheme.com.

Important Safety Information About Feraheme

Indication and contraindications

Feraheme is indicated for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in adult patients with chronic kidney disease. Feraheme is contraindicated in patients with evidence of iron overload, known hypersensitivity to Feraheme or any of its components, and patients with anemia not caused by iron deficiency.

Warnings and precautions

Feraheme may cause life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis and/or anaphylactoid reactions. Anaphylactic type reactions, presenting with cardiac/cardiorespiratory arrest, clinically significant hypotension, syncope, and unresponsiveness have been reported in the post-marketing experience. In clinical studies, serious hypersensitivity reactions were reported in 0.2% (3/1,726) of subjects receiving Feraheme. Patients should be observed for signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity for at least 60 minutes following each Feraheme injection and the drug should only be administered when personnel and therapies are immediately available for the treatment of anaphylaxis and other hypersensitivity reactions.

Severe adverse reactions of clinically significant hypotension have been reported in the post-marketing experience. Please monitor for signs and symptoms of hypotension following each Feraheme injection. Excessive therapy with parenteral iron can lead to excess storage of iron with the possibility of iatrogenic hemosiderosis. As a superparamagnetic iron oxide, Feraheme may transiently affect magnetic resonance diagnostic imaging studies for up to 3 months following the last Feraheme dose. Feraheme will not affect X-ray, CT, PET, SPECT, ultrasound, or nuclear imaging.

Adverse reactions

In clinical trials, the most commonly occurring adverse reactions in Feraheme treated patients versus oral iron treated patients reported in ≥ 2% of chronic kidney disease patients were diarrhea (4.0% vs. 8.2%), nausea (3.1% vs. 7.5%), dizziness (2.6% vs. 1.8%), hypotension (2.5% vs. 0.4%), constipation (2.1% vs. 5.7%) and peripheral edema (2.0% vs. 3.2%).

Post-marketing safety experience

Adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of Feraheme. Because adverse reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

The following serious adverse reactions have been reported from the post-marketing spontaneous reports with Feraheme: life-threatening anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions, cardiac/cardiorespiratory arrest, clinically significant hypotension, syncope, unresponsiveness, loss of consciousness, tachycardia/rhythm abnormalities, angioedema, ischemic myocardial events, congestive heart failure, pulse absent, and cyanosis. These adverse reactions have occurred up to 30 minutes after the administration of Feraheme injection. Reactions have occurred following the first dose or subsequent doses of Feraheme.

Please visit http://www.feraheme.com for a copy of the full prescribing information.

AMAG Pharmaceuticals

Amy Sullivan, 617-498-3303

Carol Miceli, 617-498-3361

Monday, November 29th, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on AMAG Pharmaceuticals (AMAG) Announces Update to Feraheme(R) Label

Mellanox Technologies Ltd. (MLNX) Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Voltaire Ltd. (VOLT) for Cash

Nov. 29, 2010 (Business Wire) — Mellanox® Technologies, Ltd. (NASDAQ:MLNX) (TASE:MLNX), a leading supplier of end-to-end connectivity solutions for servers and storage systems, and Voltaire Ltd. (NASDAQ:VOLT), a leading provider of scale-out data center fabrics, announced today that they have signed a definitive agreement under which Mellanox will acquire 100 percent of Voltaire’s outstanding ordinary shares for cash at a price of $8.75 per share, or a total equity value of approximately $218 million ($176 million net of cash). The terms of the transaction have been unanimously approved by both the Mellanox and Voltaire Boards of Directors. The transaction is currently projected to close in the first quarter of 2011, subject to certain closing conditions. The combination of the two companies will strengthen Mellanox’s position as a premier, end-to-end connectivity solutions provider for the growing worldwide data center server and storage markets. According to Gartner*, worldwide server shipments are expected to increase from approximately 9 million in 2010 to 11.2 million in 2014, and worldwide storage systems are expected to grow from approximately 1.8 million in 2010 to 3.2 million in 2014.

The combined businesses currently have approximately 700 employees and achieved revenues of $217 million for the twelve months ended Sept. 30, 2010.

Mellanox currently anticipates that the transaction will be accretive to its fiscal 2011 non-GAAP earnings by $0.02 – $0.05 or more per share. With highly complementary products, markets, customers and strategies, Mellanox expects the proposed acquisition of Voltaire to enhance its market position as a leading provider of end-to-end connectivity solutions for servers and storage systems. The combination will also help Mellanox achieve meaningful revenue and cost synergies over time, with estimated, annualized cost synergies of at least $10 million by the end of 2012.

Mellanox’s Board of Directors has indicated its intention to nominate Ronnie Kenneth, the chairman and CEO of Voltaire, to join its Board of Directors at Mellanox’s Annual General Meeting of shareholders, which it currently anticipates will be held in May 2011. Mr. Kenneth has indicated his intention to join the Board of Directors of Mellanox.

Mellanox and Voltaire believe that employees represent one of their most important assets, and Mellanox looks forward to combining employees from both organizations under one unified management team. Mellanox expects to run the combined business from both companies’ current offices located in Israel, the United States and around the world. Further, Mellanox intends to retain both companies’ existing product lines and will converge such lines in future product generations to ensure continuity for customers and partners of both companies. Through this acquisition, Mellanox expects to achieve additional scale to permit it to operate as a larger, more successful and more profitable enterprise, thus increasing value for the combined company’s shareholders and customers.

“The combination of Mellanox and Voltaire will create a leading provider of connectivity solutions for our customers by leveraging the complementary strengths of our companies. Together, we believe the combined company will be a stronger business partner and system solutions provider, delivering customers a comprehensive range of end-to-end connectivity solutions,” said Eyal Waldman, president, chairman and CEO of Mellanox Technologies. “We welcome the great talent from Voltaire and look forward to completing the integration of our employees to create a superior combined company.”

“We believe this is a great transaction for our customers, employees and shareholders,” said Ronnie Kenneth, chairman and CEO of Voltaire. “We expect the combined company to offer our customers the financial strength of Mellanox, industry-leading solutions and world-class development teams that drive innovation and enhance market opportunities.”

Mellanox believes that the Voltaire acquisition will strengthen its leadership position in providing end-to-end connectivity systems and will expand its software and product offerings in the growing worldwide data center server and storage markets it serves.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Voltaire shareholders will receive $8.75 for each ordinary share of Voltaire that they hold at the closing of the transaction. The proposed acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals and the approval of Voltaire’s shareholders.

In connection with the transaction, J.P. Morgan acted as exclusive financial adviser to Mellanox, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch acted as exclusive financial adviser to Voltaire.

Conference Call

Mellanox and Voltaire will jointly conduct an audio webcast to discuss Mellanox’s agreement to acquire Voltaire today at 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time. To listen to the call, dial 973-409-9610 approximately ten minutes prior to the start time. Presentation slides along with audio replay of the call will be available following the call on the investor relations section of the Mellanox website at http://ir.mellanox.com.

About Voltaire

Voltaire (NASDAQ:VOLT) is a leading provider of scale-out computing fabrics for data centers, high performance computing and cloud environments. Voltaire’s family of server and storage fabric switches and advanced management software improve performance of mission-critical applications, increase efficiency and reduce costs through infrastructure consolidation and lower power consumption. Used by more than 30 percent of the Fortune 100 and other premier organizations across many industries, including many of the TOP500 supercomputers, Voltaire products are included in server and blade offerings from Bull, Fujitsu, HP, IBM, NEC and SGI. Founded in 1997, Voltaire is headquartered in Ra’anana, Israel and Chelmsford, Massachusetts. More information is available at www.voltaire.com or by calling 1-800-865-8247

About Mellanox

Mellanox Technologies is a leading supplier of end-to-end connectivity solutions for servers and storage that optimize data center performance. Mellanox products deliver market-leading bandwidth, performance, scalability, power conservation and cost-effectiveness while converging multiple legacy network technologies into one future-proof solution. For the best in performance and scalability, Mellanox is the choice for Fortune 500 data centers and the world’s most powerful supercomputers. Founded in 1999, Mellanox Technologies is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California and Yokneam, Israel. For more information, visit Mellanox at www.mellanox.com.

Important Information:

In connection with the proposed transaction, Voltaire will prepare a proxy statement to be delivered to its shareholders, and intends to furnish such proxy statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission under cover of Form 6-K. Before making any voting or investment decision with respect to the transaction, investors and security holders of Voltaire are urged to read the proxy statement and the other relevant materials when they become available because they will contain important information about the transaction. The proxy statement and other documents may be obtained for free by directing such request to Voltaire Investor Relations, telephone: +1-800-865-8247 or at www.voltaire.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry and business, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by us, all of which are subject to change.

Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as “projects,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” similar expressions and variations or negatives of these words. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: the challenges and costs of closing, integrating, restructuring and achieving anticipated annualized cost synergies; the ability to retain key employees; the actual worldwide server shipment growth rate from 2011 to 2014; the actual worldwide storage systems growth rate from 2011 to 2014; the impact of the transaction discussed herein on the Company’s actual financial results; negative customer reaction to the proposed acquisition; the continued growth in demand for our products; the continued, increased demand for industry standards-based technology; our ability to react to trends and challenges in our business and the markets in which we operate; our ability to anticipate market needs or develop new or enhanced products to meet those needs; the adoption rate of our products; our ability to establish and maintain successful relationships with our OEM partners; our ability to effectively compete in our industry; fluctuations in demand; sales cycles and prices for our products and services; our success converting design wins to revenue-generating product shipments; and, our ability to protect our intellectual property rights.

In addition, if Voltaire does not receive required shareholder approval or if the parties fail to satisfy other conditions to closing, the transaction may not be consummated and the anticipated benefits to Mellanox and Voltaire of the proposed acquisition would not be realized. In any forward-looking statement in which Mellanox or Voltaire expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the statement or expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished.

In addition, current uncertainty in the global economic environment poses a risk to the overall economy as businesses may defer purchases in response to tighter credit conditions, changing overall demand for our products, and negative financial news. Consequently, our results could differ materially from our prior results due to these general economic and market conditions, political events and other risks and uncertainties described more fully in our documents filed with or furnished to the SEC.

More information about the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may impact the transaction and the parties’ businesses is set forth in Mellanox’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 5, 2010 and Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 4, 2010, and Voltaire’s Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 25, 2010, including “Risk Factors”. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Mellanox, BridgeX, ConnectX, InfiniBlast, InfiniBridge, InfiniHost, InfiniRISC, InfiniScale, InfiniPCI, PhyX and Virtual Protocol Interconnect are registered trademarks of Mellanox Technologies, Ltd. CORE-Direct, and FabricIT are trademarks of Mellanox Technologies, Ltd. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

*Gartner: 20 September 2010, ID: G00208105, Forecast: Servers by Form Factor, Worldwide, 3Q10 Update and ID: G00206858, Forecast: External Controller-Based Disk Storage, Worldwide, 2010-2014, 3Q10 Update

Mellanox Technologies, Ltd.

Brian Sparks, 408-970-3400

media@mellanox.com

or

Janine Zanelli, 408-970-3400

janine@mellanox.com

or

Voltaire, Ltd.

Asaf Somekh, +972-74-7129323

asafs@voltaire.com

or

Stapleton Communications Inc.

Deborah Stapleton, 650-470-0200

deb@stapleton.com

or

Gelbart Kahana

Nava Ladin, +972-3-6074717

nava@gk-biz.com

Monday, November 29th, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Mellanox Technologies Ltd. (MLNX) Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Voltaire Ltd. (VOLT) for Cash

Amarin’s (AMRN) AMR101 Meets Pivotal Phase 3 Study Endpoints With Highly Statistically Significant Reductions in Triglycerides

MYSTIC, Conn. and DUBLIN, Nov. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Amarin Corporation plc (Nasdaq: AMRN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a focus on cardiovascular disease, today reported positive, statistically significant top-line results from the MARINE study, its first Phase 3 clinical trial of lead drug candidate AMR101. The MARINE study, investigating AMR101 as a treatment for very high triglycerides (≥500 mg/dL), met its primary efficacy endpoints as defined in the clinical trial protocol and demonstrated a positive safety profile.  The Company believes that AMR101 has the potential to be the best-in-class product for this indication and that the MARINE study results may support additional patentable claims that could further protect the Company’s rights to this product through 2030.

The study’s primary endpoint, the percent change in triglyceride (TG) levels from baseline to week 12, was met for both the 4 gram and 2 gram dose groups. The MARINE study was required to meet a stringent level of statistical significance of 1% (p < 0.01), as agreed in the Company’s SPA (Special Protocol Assessment) with the FDA. Twenty-five percent of patients were on background statin therapy. The patient group treated with 4 grams of AMR101 showed a significant median TG decrease of 33 % (P < 0.0001) compared to placebo, and the patient group treated with 2 grams of AMR101 showed a significant median TG decrease of 20 % (P = 0.0051) compared to placebo. The median baseline triglyceride levels were 703 mg/dL, 680 mg/dL and 657 mg/dL for the patient groups treated with placebo, 4 grams of AMR101 and 2 grams of AMR101, respectively.

In a pre-specified secondary analysis in the subgroup of patients with baseline TG > 750 mg/dL, representing 39% of all patients, the effect of AMR101 in reducing TG levels was even more pronounced. In this group, the median decrease in TG levels from placebo was 45% for 4 grams and 33% for 2 grams, both statistically significant (P= 0.0001 for 4 grams and P= 0.0016 for 2 grams, respectively). The median baseline TG levels in this subgroup were 1052 mg/dL, 902 mg/dL and 948 mg/dL for placebo, 4 gram and 2 gram groups, respectively.  In addition, the subgroup of patients on background statin therapy had much greater median reductions in TG, which were also statistically significant, than those not on statin therapy.

Importantly, AMR101 did not result in an increase in median LDL-C compared to placebo at either dose (-2.3% for the 4 gram group and +5.2% for the 2 gram group [p=NS]). This is the first and only triglyceride-lowering therapy studied in this population with very high triglyceride levels to show a lack of elevation in LDL-C. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant decrease in median non-HDL-C (total cholesterol less “good cholesterol”) compared to placebo with both of the AMR101 treated groups (-18% for the 4 gram group [p < 0.001] and -8% for the 2 gram group [p < 0.05]).

There were also statistically significant reductions in several important lipid markers, including Apo B, Lp-PLA2 (Lipoprotein-phospholipase A2), VLDL-C and Total Cholesterol. These results are particularly encouraging given that no other TG-lowering therapy studies have shown such results. For these achieved endpoints, p-values were <0.01 for most and <0.05 for all.  Apo B (Apolipoprotein B) is a sensitive index of residual cardiovascular risk and is generally considered to be a better predictor than LDL-C.  Lp-PLA2 is an enzyme found in blood and atherosclerotic plaque; high levels have been implicated in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, AMR101 appeared to be very well tolerated with a safety profile that appears to be both comparable to placebo and more favorable compared to other triglyceride lowering therapies. There were no treatment-related serious adverse events in the MARINE study.  The Company will present more details of these results at an upcoming scientific meeting.

Commenting on the results of the study, Harold Bays, M.D., Medical Director, Louisville Metabolic and Atherosclerosis Research Center, and Principal Investigator of the study, stated, “The MARINE trial included a study population of patients with very high TG levels (i.e. > 500 mg/dl).  In this study, AMR101 reduced TG levels to within the range observed with common approved triglyceride-lowering drugs.  Clinicians are aware, and some may have concerns, that common TG-lowering agents may raise LDL-C by 40 – 50% in patients with very high TG levels.  In the MARINE trial, AMR101 did not significantly increase LDL-C levels.  Another surprise to me was the degree of TG-lowering efficacy in the statin-treated group, which exceeded the TG lowering in the non-statin treated group.  It was also reassuring that the safety and tolerability of AMR101 was similar to placebo.  Adding these favorable findings to the significant reductions in total cholesterol, non-HDL-C, Apo B, and Lp-PLA2 levels, this suggests that AMR101 may prove to represent an effective, and safe alternative treatment option to improve cardiovascular risk factors in patients with very high triglycerides.  In summary, the results of the MARINE trial suggest that AMR101 may prove to represent a “first in class” EPA TG-lowering agent that not only represents a new chemical entity, but a potential novel therapy with favorable lipid efficacy effects that differ from common TG-lowering agents, such as fibrates and previously approved prescription omega-3 drugs. We very much look forward to presenting the full dataset at a scientific meeting.”

Joseph S. Zakrzewski, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Amarin, added, “The MARINE study was conducted in a population representative of millions of people with very high triglyceride levels, including more than 3.8 million in the U.S. alone. We believe that these results and the overall profile of AMR101 position the drug candidate to be best in class in this market. Furthermore, the MARINE study results are encouraging, especially the positive outcomes with respect to LDL-C and other lipids, as we await the results of the ongoing ANCHOR study. This separate Phase 3 study is designed to investigate AMR101 in patients with high triglycerides (≥200 and <500mg/dL) with mixed dyslipidemia treated with statins, a patient population for which no drug in this class is currently approved. While the market for a drug labeled for treatment of triglycerides of ≥500 mg/dL is already proven to be a billion dollar market, there are ten times the number of patients with triglycerides of ≥200 and <500 mg/dL.”

Based on the timing and nature of these results, Amarin intends in 2011 to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) seeking approval to market and sell AMR101 in the U.S.  Previous Company guidance projected 2012 for the NDA submission.  The Company further added that, based on the positive results of the MARINE trial, Amarin has advanced additional patent claims to add to its growing portfolio of U.S. and international intellectual property claims related to AMR101.

Conference Call & Webcast Information

The conference call may be accessed by dialing 877-407-0778 for U.S. callers and 201-689-8565 for callers from outside the U.S. The conference call will be Webcast live under the investor relations section of Amarin’s Web site at http://www.amarincorp.com and will be archived there for 30 days following the call. Please connect to Amarin’s Web site several minutes prior to the start of the broadcast to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be necessary.

About AMR101

AMR101 is ethyl icosapentate (ethyl-EPA). Significant scientific and clinical evidence supports the efficacy of ethyl-EPA in reducing triglyceride levels. In addition to the MARINE trial, Amarin has completed patient screening in a second Phase 3 clinical trial to investigate the efficacy of AMR101 in reducing elevated triglyceride levels in a patient population with high triglycerides (≥200 and <500mg/dL) who also have mixed dyslipidemia (the ANCHOR trial). Top-line results for the ANCHOR trial are expected in mid-2011.

About AMR101 Phase 3 Clinical Trials

The MARINE trial, a multi-center, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, study enrolled 229 patients with fasting triglyceride levels greater than or equal to 500 mg/dL. Patients in this trial were characterized as having very high triglyceride levels according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III treatment guidelines.  The MARINE trial is the largest controlled therapeutic study ever conducted in patients with very high triglyceride levels (≥500mg/dL). The Company believes that AMR101 is positioned to be best-in-class in this patient population.

The ANCHOR trial is a multi-center, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, 12-week pivotal study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 2 grams and 4 grams of AMR101 in patients with high triglyceride levels from 200 mg/dL to less than 500 mg/dL who are also on statin therapy.  Patients in this trial are characterized as having high triglyceride levels with mixed dyslipidemia (two or more lipid disorders).  The trial aims to recruit approximately 650 patients into clinical sites in the U.S.  The primary endpoint in the trial is the percent change in triglyceride level from baseline to week 12.  A secondary endpoint in the ANCHOR trial is to show that the addition of AMR101 to statin therapy does not increase LDL-C compared to placebo in this population.  The Company believes that AMR101 is positioned to be first-in-class to address this patient population.

In both the MARINE and ANCHOR trials, prior to randomization into the 12-week double-blind treatment period, all patients underwent a six-to-eight week washout period of lipid altering drugs, as well as diet and lifestyle stabilization.  Both the MARINE and ANCHOR trials received Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreements in 2009 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

About Amarin

Amarin Corporation plc is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with expertise in lipid science focused on the treatment of cardiovascular disease. The Company’s lead product candidate is AMR101 (ethyl icosapentate), which is presently being investigated in a second Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of patients on statin therapy with high triglycerides (≥200 and <500mg/dL) with mixed dyslipidemia. The MARINE trial was, and the ANCHOR trial currently is, conducted under Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreements with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Amarin also has next-generation lipid candidates under evaluation for preclinical development. For more information please visit www.amarincorp.com.

Investor Contact Information:

John F. Thero

President

In U.S.: +1 (860) 572-4979

investor.relations@amarincorp.com

Lee M. Stern

The Trout Group

In U.S.: +1 (646) 378-2922

lstern@troutgroup.com

Media Contact Information:

David Schull or Martina Schwarzkopf, Ph.D.

Russo Partners

In U.S.: +1 (212) 845-4271 or +1 (212) 845-4292 (office)

+1 (347) 591-8785 (mobile)

david.schull@russopartnersllc.com

martina.schwarzkopf@russopartnersllc.com

Mark Swallow or David Dible

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

In U.K.: +44 (0)207 638 9571

mark.swallow@citigatedr.co.uk

Disclosure Notice

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the timing and success of clinical trial results and NDA submission, the potential label of any approved drug, intellectual property protection, competitive market positioning and the commercial opportunity for AMR101, including the number of patients that could potentially benefit from AMR101. These forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or projected herein are the following: anticipated operating losses and the likely need for additional capital to fund future operations; uncertainties associated generally with research and development, clinical trials and related regulatory approvals; the risk that historical clinical trial enrolment and randomization rates may not be predictive of future results; uncertainties relating to the timing of data collection and analysis for the ANCHOR trial; dependence on third-party manufacturers, suppliers and collaborators; significant competition; loss of key personnel; and uncertainties associated with market acceptance and adequacy of reimbursement, technological change and government regulation. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in Amarin’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F.  Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

SOURCE Amarin Corporation plc

Monday, November 29th, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Amarin’s (AMRN) AMR101 Meets Pivotal Phase 3 Study Endpoints With Highly Statistically Significant Reductions in Triglycerides

Orient Paper (ONP) Audit Committee Concludes Independent Investigation

BAODING, Hebei, China, Nov. 24, 2010 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ — Orient Paper, Inc. (Amex: ONP) (“Orient Paper” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer and distributor of diversified paper products in Hebei, China, today announced that the independent investigation that was conducted by the Audit Committee of Orient Paper with the assistance of Loeb & Loeb LLP (“Loeb & Loeb”) and Deloitte & Touche Financial Advisory Services Limited (“Deloitte”) has concluded.

Mr. Drew Bernstein, Chairman of Orient Paper’s Audit Committee, commented, “The independent investigation has concluded.  We would like to thank all the personnel involved in the investigation and are pleased with the results. We expect to issue a press release summarizing the results of the investigation next week.”

About Orient Paper, Inc.

Orient Paper, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary, Shengde Holdings, Inc., controls and operates Baoding Shengde Paper Co., Ltd. (“Baoding Shengde”) and Hebei Baoding Orient Paper Milling Co., Ltd (“HBOP”). Founded in 1996, HBOP is engaged in the production and distribution of products such as corrugating medium paper, offset printing paper, and other paper and packaging-related products in China. The Company uses recycled paper as its primary raw material. Baoding Shengde, founded in June 2009 and located in Baoding, is engaged in the production and distribution of digital photo paper. As one of the largest paper producers in Hebei Province, China, HBOP is strategically located in Baoding, a city in close proximity to Beijing where the majority of publishing houses are based. Orient Paper is led by an experienced management team committed to diversifying the Company’s product offering and delivering tailored services to its customers. For more information, please visit http://www.orientpaperinc.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the Company’s ability to introduce new products; the Company’s ability to implement the planned capacity expansion of corrugated medium paper; market acceptance of new products; general economic and business conditions; the ability to attract or retain qualified senior management personnel and research and development staff; and other risks detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the companies and the industry. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or to changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that its expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.

CCG Investor Relations

Mr. Crocker Coulson, President

Phone: +1-646-213-1915

Email: crocker.coulson@ccgir.com

Website: www.ccgirasia.com

Orient Paper, Inc.

Winston Yen, Chief Financial Officer

Phone: +1-562-818-3817

Email: info@orientpaperinc.com

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Orient Paper (ONP) Audit Committee Concludes Independent Investigation

PharmAthene (PIP) Announces Full Exercise of Over-Allotment Option

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Nov. 24, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — PharmAthene, Inc., (NYSE Amex: PIP) a biodefense company developing medical countermeasures against biological and chemical threats, today announced that the 645,000 share over-allotment option granted to the underwriter in conjunction with the registered public offering consummated on November 3, 2010 was exercised in full on November 22, 2010.  The closing of the sale of the related shares occurred on November 23, 2010.

The sale of the over-allotment shares generated net proceeds, before expenses, of approximately $2.1 million, which the Company intends to use for repayment of debt and general corporate purposes.

Roth Capital Partners, LLC served as sole underwriter for the offering. Noble Financial Capital Markets served as the Company’s financial advisor in connection with the offering.

The securities described above were offered by PharmAthene pursuant to a registration statement previously filed and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2009. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The securities may be offered only by means of a prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, forming a part of the effective registration statement. Copies of the prospectus and the final prospectus supplement may be obtained, when available, at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov/. Copies of the prospectus and the final prospectus supplement may also be obtained from Roth Capital Partners, LLC Equity Capital Markets, 24 Corporate Plaza, Newport Beach, CA 92660, at 800-678-9147 and Rothecm@roth.com.

About PharmAthene, Inc.

PharmAthene was formed to meet the critical needs of the United States and its allies by developing and commercializing medical countermeasures against biological and chemical weapons. PharmAthene’s lead product development programs include:

  • SparVax™ – a second generation recombinant protective antigen (rPA) anthrax vaccine
  • Valortim® – a fully human monoclonal antibody for the prevention and treatment of anthrax infection
  • Countermeasures for nerve agent poisoning by organophosphate compounds, including nerve gases and pesticides, whose active ingredient is the recombinant enzyme, butyrylcholinesterase (rBChE)

Statement on Cautionary Factors

Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words “potential”; “believe”; “anticipate”; “intend”; “plan”; “expect”; “estimate”; “could”; “may”; “should”; “will”; “project”; “potential”; or similar statements are forward-looking statements. PharmAthene disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements other than as required by law. Risks and uncertainties include risk associated with the reliability of the results of the studies relating to human safety and possible adverse effects resulting from the administration of the Company’s product candidates, unexpected funding delays and/or reductions or elimination of U.S. government funding for one or more of the Company’s development programs, the award of government contracts to our competitors, unforeseen safety issues, challenges related to the development, scale-up, technology transfer, and/or process validation of manufacturing processes for our product candidates, unexpected determinations that these product candidates prove not to be effective and/or capable of being marketed as products, challenges related to the implementation of our NYSE Amex compliance plan, (for example, if the Exchange deems PharmAthene’s progress toward compliance inadequate or if PharmAthene does not satisfy the NYSE Amex continuing listing standards by January 26, 2010), as well as risks detailed from time to time in PharmAthene’s Forms 10-K and 10-Q under the caption “Risk Factors” and in its other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Copies of PharmAthene’s public disclosure filings are available from its investor relations department and our website under the investor relations tab at www.PharmAthene.com.

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on PharmAthene (PIP) Announces Full Exercise of Over-Allotment Option

Warren Resources (WRES) to Present at the Capital One Southcoast 2010 Energy Conference

NEW YORK, Nov. 24, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Warren Resources, Inc. (Nasdaq:WRES) today announced that on Tuesday, December 7, 2010, Timothy A. Larkin, the Company’s Executive Vice President & CFO, and David E. Fleming, its Senior Vice President & General Counsel, will present at the Capital One Southcoast 2010 Energy Conference at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel located at 621 St. Louis Street, New Orleans, Louisiana.

A copy of the presentation will be available on the Company’s website beginning Monday, December 6, 2010 at www.warrenresources.com under “Investors – Webcasts & Presentations.”

Warren Resources, Inc. is an independent energy exploration, development and production company that uses advanced technologies to systematically explore, develop and produce domestic on-shore oil and natural gas reserves. Warren’s activities are primarily focused on oil in the Wilmington field in California and natural gas in the Washakie Basin in Wyoming. The Company is headquartered in New York, New York, and its exploration and development subsidiary, Warren E&P, Inc., has offices in Casper, Wyoming and Long Beach, California.

CONTACT:  Warren Resources, Inc.
          Media Contact:
          David Fleming
          212-697-9660

company logo

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Warren Resources (WRES) to Present at the Capital One Southcoast 2010 Energy Conference

CNinsure (CISG) Announces Management’s Plan to Purchase Company Shares

GUANGZHOU, China, Nov. 24, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CNinsure Inc. (Nasdaq:CISG), (the “Company” or “CNinsure”), a leading independent insurance intermediary company operating in China, today announced that Mr. Yinan Hu, its founder, chairman and chief executive officer, Mr. Peng Ge, its chief financial officer, and other senior management plan to purchase shares of the Company in the open market.

Mr. Yinan Hu commented: “CNinsure has continued its successful track record of delivering solid financial performance in the third quarter 2010 with total net revenues and net income attributable to CNinsure’s shareholders growing 30.4% and 42.7%, respectively. However, in view of the recent stock price which we believe has rendered our stocks significantly undervalued, we’ve decided to purchase shares of the Company in the open market. This plan reflects management’s full confidence in the growth prospects of the Company.”

About CNinsure Inc.

CNinsure is a leading independent insurance intermediary company operating in China. CNinsure’s distribution network reaches many of China’s most economically developed regions and affluent cities. The Company distributes a wide variety of property and casualty and life insurance products underwritten by both domestic and foreign insurance companies operating in China, and provides insurance claims adjusting service as well as other insurance-related services.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates” and similar statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about CNinsure and the industry. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those relating to CNinsure’s limited operating history, especially its limited experience in selling life insurance products, its ability to attract and retain productive agents, especially entrepreneurial agents, its ability to maintain existing and develop new business relationships with insurance companies, its ability to execute its growth strategy, its ability to adapt to the evolving regulatory environment in the Chinese insurance industry, its ability to compete effectively against its competitors, quarterly variations in its operating results caused by factors beyond its control and macroeconomic conditions in China and their potential impact on the sales of insurance products. All information provided in this press release is as of November 24, 2010, and CNinsure undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or to changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although CNinsure believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that its expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results. Further information regarding risks and uncertainties faced by CNinsure is included in CNinsure’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F.

CONTACT:  CNinsure Inc.
          Oasis Qiu, Investor Relations Officer
          +86-20-61222777-850
          qiusr@cninsure.net

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on CNinsure (CISG) Announces Management’s Plan to Purchase Company Shares

LGL (LGL) Signals Positive Outlook for 2011 in Stockholder Letter

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 23, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The LGL Group, Inc. (NYSE Amex:LGL) (the “Company”) has told stockholders that it enters 2011 with strong customer and technology positions, and its key market segments, which include Telecommunications Infrastructure and Military, Instrumentation, Space and Avionics (“MISA”) Communications, are forecasting growth. In addition, the Company noted that its balance sheet is “significantly improved.”

The Company had recently announced its results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. The Company reported earnings of $0.88 per share and revenues of approximately $12,397,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to loss per share of ($0.43) and revenues of approximately $7,321,000 for the comparable period in 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company reported earnings of $2.32 per share and revenues of approximately $35,633,000, compared to loss per share of ($1.32) and revenues of approximately $22,099,000 for the comparable period in 2009. Due to the utilization of the Company’s U.S. net operating losses, and the corresponding release of the valuation allowance against its otherwise recognizable U.S. net deferred tax assets, the Company’s estimated consolidated annual effective tax rate as of September 30, 2010 was 3.9%.

The outlook for 2011 was announced in a letter to stockholders dated November 15, 2010, by the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Greg Anderson, who also defined a framework for the Company’s growth strategy that Mr. Anderson called the “four pillars of growth.” These included the following:

  • Organic investment: Continued investment in the Company’s core components business, including new product development and efforts to increase and diversify supply capacity;
  • Joint venture: Investments to gain access to intellectual property or new technologies that move the Company higher in the “product value chain”;
  • Acquisitions: Seeking opportunities that provide synergy with our core business or further expand our core competencies in connection with our strategic vision; and
  • Greenfield investment: Exploration of true greenfield opportunities that can bring new markets, new customers and diverse new technologies to the Company

In his letter, Mr. Anderson said, “We are pleased that the improvement in our business fundamentals has been recognized by the investment community. It is management’s intent to continue to create stockholder value by growing our operating platform, aligning senior management incentives with long-term value creation, and by broadening the existing stockholder base.”

Mr. Anderson also highlighted the Company’s current new product design efforts, specifically mentioning development of small format ASIC-based timing devices for very precise timing applications. He noted that such devices will serve as a building block for many new products for both the Telecom and MISA market segments.

About The LGL Group, Inc.

The LGL Group, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary MtronPTI, manufactures and markets highly engineered electronic components used to control the frequency or timing of signals in electronic circuits. These devices are used extensively in infrastructure equipment for the telecommunications and network equipment industries, as well as in electronic systems for military applications, avionics, earth-orbiting satellites, medical devices, instrumentation, industrial devices and global positioning systems. The Company has operations in Orlando, Florida, Yankton, South Dakota and Noida, India. MtronPTI also has sales offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai, China.

For more information on the Company and its products and services, contact R. LaDuane Clifton, Chief Accounting Officer, The LGL Group, Inc., 2525 Shader Rd., Orlando, Florida 32804, (407) 298-2000, or visit the Company’s Web site: www.lglgroup.com.

The LGL Group logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7478

Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements

This document includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory factors. More detailed information about those factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT:  The LGL Group, Inc.
          LaDuane Clifton
          (407) 298-2000
          lclifton@lglgroup.com

          VJE Consultants
          Victor Emmanuel
          (914) 305-5198
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on LGL (LGL) Signals Positive Outlook for 2011 in Stockholder Letter

Uranerz (URZ) Receives Draft NRC Materials License for Nichols Ranch ISR Project

CASPER, WYOMING — (Marketwire) — 11/23/10 — Uranerz Energy Corporation (“Uranerz” or the “Company”) (TSX: URZ)(NYSE Amex: URZ)(FRANKFURT: U9E) is pleased to announce that the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“NRC”) has issued in draft form the Materials License Number SUA-1597 to the Company on its Nichols Ranch In-Situ Recovery (“ISR”) Project located in Campbell and Johnson Counties, Wyoming, U.S.A.

The draft Materials License is a fundamental step in obtaining the final NRC Materials License that, along with the State of Wyoming Permit To Mine, currently in the final stages of approval, will allow the Company to develop its first ISR uranium mine in Wyoming. “The issuance of this critical document indicates substantial progress in the permitting process,” stated George Hartman, Uranerz Chief Operating Officer. “We are now preparing to initiate the construction stage.”

The issuance of the NRC Materials License in draft form allows the Company to review the document to determine if there have been any material errors or omissions, or if there are any operational, procedural, monitoring or reporting requirements in the draft Materials License that are contrary to the requirements stated in the Company’s current revised application on file with the NRC. If there are material differences in the requirements between those stated in the draft Materials License and those stated in the revised application, the Company will have the opportunity to discuss these differences with the NRC and come to a mutually acceptable resolution. After the draft Materials License review process is completed and thirty days after the final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement is published, the NRC can then issue the final Materials License for the Nichols Ranch ISR Project; however, there can be no assurance as to when or if the NRC will issue the final Materials License for the Nichols Ranch ISR Project. The issuance of the draft Materials License does not constitute a final licensing decision by the staff of the NRC.

About Uranerz

Uranerz Energy Corporation is a U.S.-based uranium company focused on achieving near-term commercial ISR uranium production in Wyoming, the largest producer of uranium of any U.S. State. The Uranerz management team has specialized expertise in the ISR uranium mining method, and has a record of licensing, constructing, and operating commercial ISR uranium projects. The Company has already entered into long-term uranium sales contracts with two of the largest nuclear utilities in the U.S., including Exelon.

Uranerz Energy Corporation is listed on the NYSE Amex and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “URZ”, and listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol “U9E”.

Further Information

For further information, please contact Derek Iwanaka, Manager of Investor Relations at 1-800-689-1659 or by email at info@uranerz.com. Alternatively, please refer to the Company’s website at www.uranerz.com, review the Company’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) at www.sec.gov, or visit the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release may contain or refer to “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable United States and Canadian securities laws, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to anticipated progress or outcome of the Company’s permitting applications, including but not limited to its application to the NRC in respect of which the draft Materials License has been issued, statements as to anticipated plant design and construction progress, and statements which predict or project the impact of the Nichols Ranch ISR Project operations. Such forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties outlined in our most recent financial statements and reports and registration statement filed with the SEC (available at www.sec.gov) and with Canadian securities administrators (available at www.sedar.com). Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. We do not undertake to update forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Contacts:
Uranerz Energy Corporation
Derek Iwanaka
Manager of Investor Relations
604-689-1659 or 1-800-689-1659
604-689-1722 (FAX)
info@uranerz.com
www.uranerz.com

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Uranerz (URZ) Receives Draft NRC Materials License for Nichols Ranch ISR Project

Gold Resource Corp. (GORO) Commences Mining Arista Vein System

DENVER, CO — (Marketwire) — 11/23/10 — Gold Resource Corporation (GORO) (NYSE Amex: GORO) is pleased to announce the commencement of underground mining and stockpiling of its La Arista deposit ore at the Company’s El Aguila Project. The Company is also pleased to announce the hiring of Mr. Juan Manuel Flores as Mexico Country Manager. Gold Resource Corporation is a low-cost gold producer with operations in the southern state of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Gold Resource Corporation’s polymetallic Arista vein deposit contains high-grade gold and silver mineralization with by-product credits of copper, lead and zinc. The Arista Vein system is made up of multiple en echelon veins with the two predominant veins being the Baja and the Arista veins. Both veins have been intercepted and as mine development continues high-grade ore is being stockpiled.

Mr. Juan Manuel Flores joins Gold Resource Corporation as Mexico Country Manager. Mr. Flores has over 30+ years of experience in the mining, metallurgy and construction industries. His experience includes country manager, general manager, operations manager, project manager, mine superintendent of different mines and processing operations, in some of the most productive underground and open pit mines in Mexico.

Mr. Flores’ mining company associations include Minera Rio Tinto SA De CV, Constellation Copper, Pan American Gold Fields, Harrison Western, Mine Finders, Minera Frisco, Industrial Minera Mexico (ex-Asarco), Minas de Bacis, Cozamin, Grupo Mexbel and Groupo Summa. Mr. Flores graduated as a Mining and Metallurgist Engineer from the Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua and in 1973 and 1974 attended the courses of the Master of Science Program, Mineral Economics, at the Colorado School of Mines.

Gold Resource Corporation’s President, Mr. Jason Reid, stated, “We welcome Mr. Flores as he will complement our excellent team of professionals. We are building a first class underground mine under the expert direction of our Project Manager, Mr. Jorge Sanchez Del Toro, and with the addition of Mr. Flores, in concert with our dedicated staff of professionals, the Company is executing its plan for aggressive growth.”

Mr. Jason Reid continued, “Commencement of stockpiling underground Arista ore, in the fourth quarter as planned, is a significant milestone for the El Aquila Project. We are presently mining the Baja vein and developing the Arista vein on the 4th level. Our spiral decline (see photo) will be to level 5 shortly where we will add additional working faces to the mining of the Baja and Arista veins.”

“We have asked our team to evaluate an accelerated schedule to process the Arista deposit high-grade polymetallic ore as soon as practicable. We want to process our highest grade ore during this time of historically high metal prices,” stated Mr. Jason Reid.

About GRC:
Gold Resource Corporation is a mining company focused on production and pursuing development of gold and silver projects that feature low operating costs and produce high returns on capital. The Company has 100% interest in five potential high-grade gold and silver properties in Mexico’s southern state of Oaxaca. The company has 52,998,303 shares outstanding, zero warrants and zero debt. For more information, please visit GRC’s website, located at www.Goldresourcecorp.com and read the Company’s 10-K for an understanding of the risk factors involved.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. When used in this press release, the words “plan,” “target,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend” and “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding Gold Resource Corporation’s strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to Gold Resource Corporation on the date of this press release, and the company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this press release. In particular, there can be no assurance that production will continue at any specific rate. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the company’s 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1432076

Contact:
Greg Patterson
Corporate Development
303-320-7708

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Gold Resource Corp. (GORO) Commences Mining Arista Vein System

Affymax (AFFY) to Webcast Analyst Briefing on Hematide(TM)/Peginesatide Development Program

Nov. 23, 2010 (Business Wire) — Affymax, Inc. (NASDAQ:AFFY) today announced it will host an analyst briefing on Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. ET.

Affymax management will provide clinical, regulatory and commercial updates on Hematide™/peginesatide. There will also be a featured presentation by Dr. Steven Fishbane, lead investigator on the Phase 3 program and chief medical officer of Winthrop-University Hospital and chief of the division of Nephrology and medical director of Winthrop’s Dialysis Network.

The live webcast, to begin at 9:00 a.m. ET, may be accessed from the investors section of the company’s website at www.affymax.com. A replay will also be available for 30 days following the presentation.

About Hematide™/peginesatide

Peginesatide is a novel investigational synthetic, PEGylated peptidic compound that binds to and activates the erythropoietin receptor and thus acts as an ESA.

Affymax and Takeda are collaborating on the development of peginesatide and plan to co-commercialize the product once approved in the United States. Phase 3 clinical trials investigated the potential for peginesatide to treat anemia associated with chronic renal failure. The product, upon approval, will be commercialized outside the United States by Takeda.

About Affymax, Inc.

Affymax, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing novel drugs to improve the treatment of serious and often life-threatening conditions. For additional information, please visit www.affymax.com.

Affymax, Inc.

Sylvia Wheeler, 650-812-8861

Vice President, Corporate Communications

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Affymax (AFFY) to Webcast Analyst Briefing on Hematide(TM)/Peginesatide Development Program

Astrotech (ASTC) Wins Contract for NASA Mission

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 23, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Astrotech Corporation (Nasdaq:ASTC), a leading provider of commercial aerospace services, today announced that its Astrotech Space Operations subsidiary has won a fully-funded task order under the $35 million Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. The Company will provide facilities and payload processing services from its VAFB location in support of NASA’s National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP) mission scheduled to launch October 25, 2011.

Previous missions won under the VAFB IDIQ contract include the Ocean Surface Topography, Interstellar Boundary Explorer, Orbiting Carbon Observatory, GLORY and WISE missions. With the award of the NPP Mission, Astrotech has now been awarded six out of seven of the NASA VAFB IDIQ Missions awarded to date. NPP is a joint mission to extend key measurements in support of long-term monitoring of climate trends and of global biological productivity. The mission will provide atmospheric and sea surface temperatures, humidity sounding, land and ocean biological productivity, and cloud and aerosol properties.

From Titusville, Florida, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California and the Sea Launch Home Port facilities in Long Beach, California, Astrotech Space Operations provides all support necessary for government and commercial customers to successfully process their satellite hardware for launch, including advance planning; use of unique facilities; and spacecraft checkout, encapsulation, fueling, and transport. In its 29 year history, Astrotech has supported the processing of more than 285 spacecraft without impacting a customer’s launch schedule.

About Astrotech Corporation

Astrotech Corporation (Nasdaq:ASTC) is a commercial aerospace company that provides spacecraft payload processing and government services, designs and manufactures space hardware, and commercializes space technologies for use on Earth. The Company serves our government and commercial satellite and spacecraft customers with our pre-launch services from our Astrotech Space Operations (ASO) subsidiary and incubates space technology businesses now focusing on two companies: 1st Detect Corporation, which is developing a mini-mass spectrometer first developed for the International Space Station; and Astrogenetix, Inc., which is developing biotech products in space and has recently developed a vaccine candidate for Salmonella.

The Astrotech Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7456

The statements in this document may contain forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, trends, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from the forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, continued government support and funding for key space programs, product performance and market acceptance of products and services, as well as other risk factors and business considerations described in the company’s Securities & Exchange Commission filings including the annual report on Form 10-K. Any forward-looking statements in this document should be evaluated in light of these important risk factors. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

CONTACT:  Astrotech Corporation
          Scott Haywood, Corporate Marketing and Communications
          512-485-9530
          shaywood@astrotechcorp.com
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Astrotech (ASTC) Wins Contract for NASA Mission

OraSure Technologies (OSUR) Receives FDA Approval to Conduct Final Phase of Clinical Studies for OraQuick(R)

BETHLEHEM, Pa., Nov. 22, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OraSure Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:OSUR), the market leader in oral fluid diagnostics, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) has granted an investigational device exemption (IDE) for the Company to conduct the final phase of clinical testing for FDA approval of its OraQuick® Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test for sale in the consumer or over-the-counter (“OTC”) market.

Receipt of the IDE allows the Company to proceed with the final phase of clinical testing which consists of a study in which individuals will conduct unsupervised self-testing using the investigational OTC version of the OraQuick® HIV test with an oral fluid collection.

As previously announced, OraSure has already initiated site selection, training and preparation and Institutional Review Board (IRB) review for this final phase and expects enrollment to begin before the end of the year.

“We are extremely pleased to have approval to begin the final phase of studies to support our efforts to obtain FDA approval for an over-the-counter offering of our OraQuick® HIV test,” said Douglas A. Michels, President and Chief Executive Officer of OraSure Technologies. “We look forward to continuing our work with the FDA and other members of the community to make a home use rapid HIV test available in the United States.”

About OraSure Technologies

OraSure Technologies develops, manufactures and markets oral fluid specimen collection devices using proprietary oral fluid technologies, diagnostic products including immunoassays and other in vitro diagnostic tests, and other medical devices. These products are sold in the United States as well as internationally to various clinical laboratories, hospitals, clinics, community-based organizations and other public health organizations, distributors, government agencies, physicians’ offices, and commercial and industrial entities. For more information on the Company, please go to www.orasure.com.

The OraSure Technologies, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6440

Important Information

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including with respect to expected clinical studies and regulatory approvals. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results. Known and unknown factors that could cause actual performance or results to be materially different from those expressed or implied in these statements include, but are not limited to: ability to market and sell products, whether through an internal, direct sales force or third parties; ability to manufacture products in accordance with applicable specifications, performance standards and quality requirements; changes in relationships, including disputes or disagreements, with strategic partners or other parties and reliance on strategic partners for the performance of critical activities under collaborative arrangements; failure of distributors or other customers to meet purchase forecasts or minimum purchase requirements for the Company’s products; impact of replacing distributors and success of direct sales efforts; inventory levels at distributors and other customers; impact of competitors, competing products and technology changes; impact of the economic downturn, high unemployment and poor credit conditions; reduction or deferral of public funding available to customers; competition from new or better technology or lower cost products; ability to develop, commercialize and market new products; market acceptance of oral fluid testing or other products; changes in market acceptance of products based on product performance, extended shelf life or other factors; continued bulk purchases by customers, including governmental agencies, and the ability to fully deploy those purchases in a timely manner; ability to fund research and development and other products and operations; ability to obtain and maintain new or existing product distribution channels; reliance on sole supply sources for critical product components; availability of related products produced by third parties or products required for use of our products; ability to obtain, and timing and cost of obtaining, necessary regulatory approvals for new products or new indications or applications for existing products; ability to comply with applicable regulatory requirements; history of losses and ability to achieve sustained profitability; ability to utilize net operating loss carry forwards or other deferred tax assets; volatility of our stock price; uncertainty relating to patent protection and potential patent infringement claims; uncertainty and costs of litigation relating to patents and other intellectual property; availability of licenses to patents or other technology; ability to enter into international manufacturing agreements; obstacles to international marketing and manufacturing of products; ability to sell products internationally, including the impact of changes in international funding sources and testing algorithms; loss or impairment of sources of capital; ability to meet financial covenants in agreements with financial institutions; ability to retain qualified personnel; exposure to product liability and other types of litigation; changes in international, federal or state laws and regulations; customer consolidations and inventory practices; equipment failures and ability to obtain needed raw materials and components; the impact of terrorist attacks and civil unrest; ability to identify, complete and realize the full benefits of potential acquisitions; and general political, business and economic conditions. These and other factors are discussed more fully in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including its registration statements, Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other filings with the SEC. Although forward-looking statements help to provide information about future prospects, readers should keep in mind that forward-looking statements may not be reliable. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and OraSure Technologies undertakes no duty to update these statements.

CONTACT:  OraSure Technologies, Inc.
          Investor Contact:
          Ronald H. Spair, Chief Financial Officer
          610-882-1820
          Investorinfo@orasure.com
Monday, November 22nd, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on OraSure Technologies (OSUR) Receives FDA Approval to Conduct Final Phase of Clinical Studies for OraQuick(R)

Insteel Industries (IIIN) Announces Conference Call to Discuss Ivy Steel & Wire Acquisition

MOUNT AIRY, N.C., Nov. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Insteel Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: IIIN) today announced that it will conduct an investor conference call on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. ET to discuss its acquisition of certain of the assets of Ivy Steel & Wire, Inc. The conference call will be webcast live on the Company’s website at http://investor.insteel.com/ and will be archived for replay.

About Insteel

Insteel Industries is one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of steel wire reinforcing products for concrete construction applications. Insteel manufactures and markets prestressed concrete strand (“PC strand”) and welded wire reinforcement, including concrete pipe reinforcement, engineered structural mesh and standard welded wire reinforcement. Insteel’s products are sold primarily to manufacturers of concrete products that are used in nonresidential construction. Headquartered in Mount Airy, North Carolina, Insteel operates eleven manufacturing facilities located in the United States.

SOURCE Insteel Industries, Inc.

Monday, November 22nd, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Insteel Industries (IIIN) Announces Conference Call to Discuss Ivy Steel & Wire Acquisition

Citi Trends (CTRN) Announces Third Quarter 2010 Results

Nov. 22, 2010 (Business Wire) — Citi Trends, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTRN) today reported results for the third quarter of fiscal 2010.

Financial Highlights – Third quarter ended October 30, 2010

Total sales in the third quarter ended October 30, 2010 increased 10.0% to $140.0 million compared with $127.4 million in the third quarter ended October 31, 2009. Comparable store sales decreased 4.2% in the third quarter. A net loss of $394,000 was recognized in this year’s third quarter compared with net income of $606,000 in the third quarter of 2009. Loss per diluted share was $(0.03) in the third quarter of 2010 compared with earnings per diluted share of $0.04 in the third quarter of 2009.

Store activity in the third quarter of 2010 included 33 new openings and 5 relocations/expansions, resulting in a total store count of 458 at the end of the quarter.

Financial Highlights – First three quarters ended October 30, 2010

Total sales in the first three quarters of fiscal 2010 increased 17.9% to $450.5 million compared with $382.1 million in the same period of fiscal 2009. Comparable store sales increased 2.2% in the first three quarters of this year. Net income increased 35.7% to $11.5 million compared with $8.5 million in last year’s first three quarters. Earnings per diluted share increased to $0.79 in the first three quarters of 2010 compared with $0.58 in the same period of 2009.

Fiscal 2010 Outlook

The Company estimates that 2010 earnings will be in a range of $1.50 to $1.60 per diluted share which includes an anticipated comparable store sales decrease of 1% to 4% in the fourth quarter of 2010. The effective tax rate for 2010 is expected to be in a range of 34% to 35%.

The Company reminds investors of the complexity of accurately assessing future results given the difficulty in predicting fashion trends, consumer preferences and general economic conditions and the impact of other business variables. See “Forward-Looking Statements” below for more information regarding these uncertainties.

Investor Conference Call and Webcast

Citi Trends will host a conference call today at 9:00 a.m. ET. The number to call for the live interactive teleconference is (212) 231-2938. A replay of the conference call will be available until November 29, 2010, by dialing (402) 977-9140 and entering the passcode, 21463760. The live broadcast of Citi Trends’ quarterly conference call will be available online at the Company’s website, www.cititrends.com, as well as http://ir.cititrends.com/events.cfm, beginning today at 9:00 a.m. ET. The online replay will follow shortly after the call and continue through November 29, 2010.

During the conference call, the Company may discuss and answer questions concerning business and financial developments and trends. The Company’s responses to questions, as well as other matters discussed during the conference call, may contain or constitute information that has not been disclosed previously.

About Citi Trends

Citi Trends, Inc. is a value-priced retailer of urban fashion apparel and accessories for the entire family. After opening 2 stores thus far in November 2010, the Company currently operates 460 stores located in 27 states. Citi Trends’ website address is www.cititrends.com.

CTRN-E

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements other than historical facts contained in this news release, including statements regarding our future financial results and position, business policy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements that are subject to material risks and uncertainties. The words “believe,” “may,” “could,” “plans,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to Citi Trends, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements with respect to earnings guidance are forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are subject to the finalization of the Company’s quarterly financial and accounting procedures, are not guarantees of future performance or results and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements, as a result of various factors which are discussed in Citi Trends, Inc. filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties relating to economic conditions, growth risks, consumer spending patterns, competition within the industry, competition in our markets and the ability to anticipate and respond to fashion trends. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Citi Trends does not undertake to publicly update any forward-looking statements in this news release or with respect to matters described herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise.

CITI TRENDS, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirteen Weeks Ended
October 30, 2010 October 31, 2009
(unaudited) (unaudited)
Net sales $ 140,037 $ 127,356
Cost of sales 88,356 79,720
Gross profit 51,681 47,636
Selling, general and administrative expenses 47,243 41,989
Depreciation and amortization 5,324 4,851
(Loss) income from operations (886 ) 796
Interest income 41 85
Interest expense (8 ) (17 )
Unrealized gain on investment securities 57
(Loss) income before income tax (benefit) expense (853 ) 921
Income tax (benefit) expense (459 ) 315
Net (loss) income $ (394 ) $ 606
Basic net (loss) income per common share $ (0.03 ) $ 0.04
Diluted net (loss) income per common share $ (0.03 ) $ 0.04
Net (loss) income attributable to common shares (1):
Basic $ (394 ) $ 593
Diluted $ (394 ) $ 593
Weighted average shares used to compute basic net (loss) income per share 14,519 14,370
Weighted average shares used to compute diluted net (loss) income per share 14,519 14,409
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
October 30, 2010 October 31, 2009
(unaudited) (unaudited)
Net sales $ 450,485 $ 382,058
Cost of sales 278,134 234,640
Gross profit 172,351 147,418
Selling, general and administrative expenses 140,119 121,116
Depreciation and amortization 14,843 13,679
Income from operations 17,389 12,623
Interest income 140 329
Interest expense (17 ) (86 )
Income before income tax expense 17,512 12,866
Income tax expense 6,024 4,400
Net income $ 11,488 $ 8,466
Basic net income per common share $ 0.79 $ 0.58
Diluted net income per common share $ 0.79 $ 0.58
Net income attributable to common shares (1):
Basic $ 11,488 $ 8,289
Diluted $ 11,488 $ 8,289
Weighted average shares used to compute basic net income per share 14,497 14,351
Weighted average shares used to compute diluted net income per share 14,518 14,383
(1) Net of income allocated to nonvested restricted stockholders
CITI TRENDS, INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)
(in thousands)
October 30, 2010 October 31, 2009
(unaudited) (unaudited)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 69,632 $ 32,487
Short-term investment securities 4,752 42,225
Inventory 115,273 105,314
Other current assets 21,995 16,420
Property and equipment, net 76,879 62,422
Other noncurrent assets 4,470 4,282
Total assets $ 293,001 $ 263,150
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
Accounts payable $ 61,355 $ 60,762
Accrued liabilities 22,111 20,263
Other current liabilities 3,200 3,504
Noncurrent liabilities 10,422 9,719
Total liabilities 97,088 94,248
Total stockholders’ equity 195,913 168,902
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 293,001 $ 263,150
Monday, November 22nd, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Citi Trends (CTRN) Announces Third Quarter 2010 Results

Bayer and Regeneron (REGN) Report Positive Top-Line Results of Two Phase 3 Studies

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and BERLIN, Nov. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: REGN) and Bayer HealthCare today announced that in two parallel Phase 3 studies in patients with the neovascular form of age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), all regimens of VEGF Trap-Eye (aflibercept ophthalmic solution), including VEGF Trap-Eye dosed every two months, successfully met the primary endpoint compared to the current standard of care, ranibizumab dosed every month.  The primary endpoint was statistical non-inferiority in the proportion of patients who maintained (or improved) vision over 52 weeks compared to ranibizumab.

Further results will be presented at the Angiogenesis Conference in February 2011.  Bayer HealthCare and Regeneron are planning to submit regulatory applications for marketing approval in Europe and the U.S. in the first-half of 2011 based on the positive results of the VIEW 1 and VIEW 2 trials.

In the North American VIEW 1 study, 96 percent of patients receiving VEGF Trap-Eye 0.5mg monthly, 95 percent of patients receiving VEGF Trap-Eye 2mg monthly, and 95 percent of patients receiving VEGF Trap-Eye 2mg every two months achieved maintenance of vision compared to 94 percent of patients receiving ranibizumab 0.5mg dosed every month.  In the international VIEW 2 study, 96 percent of patients receiving VEGF Trap-Eye 0.5mg monthly, 96 percent of patients receiving VEGF Trap-Eye 2mg monthly, and 96 percent of patients receiving VEGF Trap-Eye 2mg every two months achieved maintenance of vision compared to 94 percent of patients receiving ranibizumab 0.5mg dosed every month.  Visual acuity was measured as a score based on the total number of letters read correctly on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) eye chart, a standard chart used in research to measure visual acuity, over 52 weeks.  Maintenance of vision was defined as losing fewer than three lines (equivalent to 15 letters) on the ETDRS eye chart.

“The currently available anti-VEGF therapies have significantly advanced the treatment of wet AMD, actually improving vision in many patients.  However, monthly injections are required to optimize and maintain vision gain over the long-term,” said Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth, M.D., Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University Eye Hospital in Vienna, Austria and the VIEW 2 Principal Investigator.  “The results of the VIEW studies indicate that VEGF Trap-Eye could establish a new treatment paradigm for the management of patients with wet AMD — predictable every-other-month dosing without the need for intervening monitoring or dosing visits.”

“In an effort to avoid the inconvenience of monthly office visits and the burden of monthly injections into the eye for their wet AMD patients, retinal specialists have tried to extend the benefits of the existing anti-VEGF therapy with less frequent dosing.  A growing body of data suggests that this practice may result in inconsistent visual acuity outcomes,” said Jeffrey Heier, M.D., a clinical ophthalmologist and retinal specialist at Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, Assistant Professor of ophthalmology at Tufts School of Medicine, and Chair of the Steering Committee for the VIEW 1 trial.  “A critical goal of these studies was to demonstrate that VEGF Trap-Eye could achieve robust improvements in vision and maintain them over time with a more convenient every-other-month dose.  Achievement of this goal could be important for patients, care givers, and physicians.”

In the VIEW 1 study, patients receiving VEGF Trap-Eye 2mg monthly achieved a statistically significant greater mean improvement in visual acuity at week 52 versus baseline (secondary endpoint), compared to ranibizumab 0.5mg monthly; patients receiving VEGF Trap-Eye 2mg monthly on average gained 10.9 letters, compared to a mean 8.1 letter gain with ranibizumab 0.5mg dosed every month (p<0.01).  All other dose groups of VEGF Trap-Eye in the VIEW 1 study and all dose groups in the VIEW 2 study were not statistically different from ranibizumab in this secondary endpoint.

A generally favorable safety profile was observed for both VEGF Trap-Eye and ranibizumab. The incidence of ocular treatment emergent adverse events was balanced across all four treatment groups in both studies, with the most frequent events associated with the injection procedure, the underlying disease, and/or the aging process.  The most frequent ocular adverse events were conjunctival hemorrhage, macular degeneration, eye pain, retinal hemorrhage, and vitreous floaters.  The most frequent serious non-ocular adverse events were typical of those reported in this elderly population who receive intravitreal treatment for wet AMD; the most frequently reported events were falls, pneumonia, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, breast cancer, and acute coronary syndrome.  There were no notable differences among the study arms.

In the second year of the studies, patients in VIEW 1 and VIEW 2 will continue to be treated with the same dose per injection as in the first year but administered only every three months, or more often for any worsening of AMD, based on protocol-defined criteria (called “quarterly capped PRN” dosing).

About the VIEW Program

The VIEW (VEGF Trap-Eye: Investigation of Efficacy and Safety in Wet AMD) program consists of two randomized, double-masked, Phase 3 clinical trials evaluating VEGF Trap-Eye in the treatment of the neovascular form of age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).  The VIEW 1 study, which randomized 1217 patients, is being conducted in the United States and Canada by Regeneron under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  The VIEW 2 study, which randomized 1240 patients, is being conducted in Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Latin America by Bayer HealthCare.  The study designs are essentially identical.  The primary endpoint evaluation was conducted at 52 weeks.

In each of the studies, VEGF Trap-Eye was evaluated for its effect on maintaining and improving vision when dosed as an intravitreal injection on a schedule of 0.5mg monthly, 2mg monthly, or 2mg every two months (following three monthly loading doses), as compared with intravitreal ranibizumab administered 0.5mg every month during the first year of the studies.  As-needed (PRN) dosing with both agents, with a dose administered at least every three months (but not more often than monthly), is being evaluated during the second year of each study.  These studies are part of the global development program for VEGF Trap-Eye being conducted by Bayer HealthCare and Regeneron.

The primary endpoint of these non-inferiority studies is the proportion of patients treated with VEGF Trap-Eye who maintain visual acuity at the end of one year, compared to ranibizumab patients.  Visual acuity is measured as a score based on the total number of letters read correctly on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) eye chart, a standard chart used in research to measure visual acuity, over 52 weeks.  Maintenance of vision is defined as losing fewer than three lines (equivalent to 15 letters) on the ETDRS chart.

The following table summarizes the VIEW 1 and VIEW 2 results for the primary and the first secondary endpoint pre-specified for testing:

Ranibizumab
0.5mg monthly

VEGF Trap-Eye
0.5mg monthly

VEGF Trap-Eye
2mg monthly

VEGF Trap-Eye
2mg every 2 months

Maintenance of vision* (% patients losing <15 letters) at week 52 versus baseline

VIEW 1

94.4%

95.9%**

95.1%**

95.1%**

VIEW 2

94.4%

96.3%**

95.6%**

95.6%**

Mean improvement in vision* (letters) at 52 weeks versus baseline (p-value versus ranibizumab 0.5mg monthly)***

VIEW 1

8.1

6.9 (NS)

10.9 (p<0.01)

7.9 (NS)

VIEW 2

9.4

9.7 (NS)

7.6 (NS)

8.9 (NS)

*Visual acuity was measured as the total number of letters read correctly on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) eye chart

**Statistically non-inferior based on a non-inferiority margin of 10%, using confidence interval approach (95.1% and 95% for VIEW 1 and VIEW 2, respectively)

*** Test for superiority

NS=non-significant

About Wet AMD

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of acquired blindness.  Macular degeneration is diagnosed as either dry (non-exudative) or wet (exudative).  In wet AMD, new blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak blood and fluid.  This leakage causes disruption and dysfunction of the retina creating distortion and/or blind spots in central vision, and it can account for blindness in wet AMD patients.  Wet AMD is the leading cause of blindness for people over the age of 65 in the U.S. and Europe.

About VEGF Trap-Eye

VEGF Trap-Eye is a fully human fusion protein, consisting of soluble VEGF receptors 1 and 2, that binds all forms of VEGF-A along with the related Placental Growth Factor (PlGF).  VEGF Trap-Eye is a specific and highly potent blocker of these growth factors.  VEGF Trap-Eye is specially purified and contains iso-osmotic buffer concentrations, allowing for injection into the eye.

VEGF Trap-Eye is also in Phase 3 development for the treatment of Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO), another major cause of blindness, in two identical studies.  The COPERNICUS (COntrolled Phase 3 Evaluation of Repeated iNtravitreal administration of VEGF Trap-Eye In Central retinal vein occlusion: Utility and Safety) study is being led by Regeneron and the GALILEO (General Assessment Limiting InfiLtration of Exudates in central retinal vein Occlusion with VEGF Trap-Eye) study is being led by Bayer HealthCare.  The primary endpoint of both studies is improvement in visual acuity versus baseline after six months of treatment.  Initial data from the CRVO program are anticipated in early 2011.

VEGF Trap-Eye is also in Phase 2 development for the treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME).  In February 2010, Regeneron and Bayer HealthCare announced that treatment with VEGF Trap-Eye in the Phase 2 DA VINCI (DME And VEGF Trap-Eye: INvestigation of Clinical Impact) study demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in visual acuity versus baseline after six months of treatment compared to focal laser therapy, the primary endpoint of the study.  Initial one-year results from this trial will be available before the end of this year.

About Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Regeneron is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes medicines for the treatment of serious medical conditions.  In addition to ARCALYST® (rilonacept) Injection for Subcutaneous Use, its first commercialized product, Regeneron has therapeutic candidates in Phase 3 clinical trials for the potential treatment of gout, diseases of the eye (wet age-related macular degeneration and central retinal vein occlusion), and certain cancers.  Additional therapeutic candidates developed from proprietary Regeneron technologies for creating fully human monoclonal antibodies are in earlier stage development programs in rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, pain, cholesterol reduction, allergic and immune conditions, and cancer.  Additional information about Regeneron and recent news releases are available on Regeneron’s web site at www.regeneron.com.

About Bayer HealthCare

The Bayer Group is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials.  Bayer HealthCare, a subgroup of Bayer AG with annual sales of more than EUR 15.9 billion (2009), is one of the world’s leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany.  The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Medical Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions.  Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide.  Bayer HealthCare has a global workforce of 53.400 employees and is represented in more than 100 countries.  Find more information at www.bayerhealthcare.com.

Regeneron Forward Looking Statement

This news release includes forward-looking statements about Regeneron and its products, development programs, finances, and business, all of which involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  These include, among others, risks and timing associated with preclinical and clinical development of Regeneron’s drug candidates, determinations by regulatory and administrative governmental authorities which may delay or restrict Regeneron’s ability to continue to develop or commercialize its product and drug candidates, competing drugs that are superior to Regeneron’s product and drug candidates, uncertainty of market acceptance of Regeneron’s product and drug candidates, unanticipated expenses, the availability and cost of capital, the costs of developing, producing, and selling products, the potential for any license or collaboration agreement, including Regeneron’s agreements with Astellas, the sanofi-aventis Group and Bayer HealthCare, to be canceled or terminated without any product success, and risks associated with third party intellectual property.  A more complete description of these and other material risks can be found in Regeneron’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. Regeneron does not undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by law.

Bayer Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management.  Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here.  These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com.  The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

Your Contact at Bayer:

Doreen Schroeder, Tel. +49 30 468-11399

E-Mail: doreen.schroeder@bayer.com

Your Investor Relations Contact at Regeneron:

Michael Aberman, M.D. Tel. +1 (914) 345-7799

E-Mail: michael.aberman@regeneron.com

Your Media Contact at Regeneron:

Peter Dworkin, Tel. +1 (914) 345-7640

E-Mail: peter.dworkin@regeneron.com

SOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Monday, November 22nd, 2010 Uncategorized Comments Off on Bayer and Regeneron (REGN) Report Positive Top-Line Results of Two Phase 3 Studies