*PUMA SALE PROCESS SAID NOT TO BEGIN BEFORE NEXT YEAR
BlackBerry higher by 3% pre-market; strength attributed to renewed chatter that Microsoft (MSFT) could acquire the company
Microsoft is now rumoured to have bankers working on a possible offer for Blackberry, which it is said to want to beef up its own lacklustre mobile phone operation.
A market source said: "The only way Microsoft can compete with Apple is to buy a company like Blackberry that has all the technology patents and add it to its own business."
A spokesman for Microsoft told Proactive Investors: "Microsoft does not comment on rumour or speculation". Blackberry did not respond to a request for comment.
Gapping down
In reaction to earnings/guidance: XENT -23.9%, GUID -21.5%, FEYE -18.4%, BLUE -17.9%, ALR -14.5%, CSLT -14.2%, LCI -14.1%, AVG -14%, FRSH -12%, ACLS -11.8%, MGA -8.2%, G -7.4%, CF -7.3%, WAC -7.3%, WFM -7.2%, ETP -7.1%, EPAM -6.9%, TUMI -6.2%, ENVA -5.8%, LPSN -5.4%, MBI -5.4%, CSTM -5.4%, ANDE -5.1%, QCOM -5%, PDLI -4.7%, ESI -4.7%, ATHM-4.6%, ZUMZ -4.1%, RLYP -3.4%, XNPT -3.3%, SEAS -3.2%, HOLX -3.1%, RGR -2.8%, VVUS -2.6%, RIG -2.6%, MET -2.6%, VER -2.3%, SBAC -2.2%, TWO -2.2%, FNHC -1.9%, HDP -1.8%, FUEL -1.8%, (appoints Randy Wootton as CEO), BKCC -1.7%, SFY -1.7%, SPPI -1.1%, (Eagle Pharma and Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (SPPI) enter into a co-promotion agreement for six Eagle products; Eagle to pay Spectrum a base fee of $12.8 mln and potential milestones), INOV -1.1%, SQNM -1.1%, WMGI -1%, PEIX -1%
Other news: LCI -14.1% (discloses update on pending acquisition of Kremers Urban Pharmaceuticals regarding transition of one of its customers), AVG -14% (announces that John Little will transition from his role as Chief Financial Officer), SABR -1.7% (announces the secondary public offering of 30 mln shares of common stock by existing stockholders; Co will repurchase ~$100 mln of the 30 mln shares from the underwriter), SPPI -1.1% (Eagle Pharma and Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (SPPI) enter into a co-promotion agreement for six Eagle products; Eagle to pay Spectrum a base fee of $12.8 mln and potential milestones), TVPT -0.9% ( files mixed securities shelf offering), VLRS -0.9% (reported October traffic)
Analyst comments: AVP -2.3% (downgraded to Sell from Neutral at UBS ), DYAX -0.9% (downgraded to Hold from Buy at Needham
In reaction to earnings/guidance: XENT -23.9%, GUID -21.5%, FEYE -18.4%, BLUE -17.9%, ALR -14.5%, CSLT -14.2%, LCI -14.1%, AVG -14%, FRSH -12%, ACLS -11.8%, MGA -8.2%, G -7.4%, CF -7.3%, WAC -7.3%, WFM -7.2%, ETP -7.1%, EPAM -6.9%, TUMI -6.2%, ENVA -5.8%, LPSN -5.4%, MBI -5.4%, CSTM -5.4%, ANDE -5.1%, QCOM -5%, PDLI -4.7%, ESI -4.7%, ATHM-4.6%, ZUMZ -4.1%, RLYP -3.4%, XNPT -3.3%, SEAS -3.2%, HOLX -3.1%, RGR -2.8%, VVUS -2.6%, RIG -2.6%, MET -2.6%, VER -2.3%, SBAC -2.2%, TWO -2.2%, FNHC -1.9%, HDP -1.8%, FUEL -1.8%, (appoints Randy Wootton as CEO), BKCC -1.7%, SFY -1.7%, SPPI -1.1%, (Eagle Pharma and Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (SPPI) enter into a co-promotion agreement for six Eagle products; Eagle to pay Spectrum a base fee of $12.8 mln and potential milestones), INOV -1.1%, SQNM -1.1%, WMGI -1%, PEIX -1%
Other news: LCI -14.1% (discloses update on pending acquisition of Kremers Urban Pharmaceuticals regarding transition of one of its customers), AVG -14% (announces that John Little will transition from his role as Chief Financial Officer), SABR -1.7% (announces the secondary public offering of 30 mln shares of common stock by existing stockholders; Co will repurchase ~$100 mln of the 30 mln shares from the underwriter), SPPI -1.1% (Eagle Pharma and Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (SPPI) enter into a co-promotion agreement for six Eagle products; Eagle to pay Spectrum a base fee of $12.8 mln and potential milestones), TVPT -0.9% ( files mixed securities shelf offering), VLRS -0.9% (reported October traffic)
Analyst comments: AVP -2.3% (downgraded to Sell from Neutral at UBS ), DYAX -0.9% (downgraded to Hold from Buy at Needham
Gapping up
In reaction to earnings/guidance: CCRN +24.4%, PCOM +21%, SD +16.9%, CDXS +16.4%, MHGC +14.8%, BOJA +13.6%, AHS +13.4%, SCSS +13.1%, SEDG +10.9%, FLT +8.3%, MRIN +8.1%, HABT +8%, GDDY +7.7%, MELI +7.5%, TXMD +7%, HDSN +5.9%, POWR +5.8%, BRKR +5.7%, LNTH +5.7%, XPO +5.5%, ACAS +5.1%, OSUR +4.9%, FB +4.8%, MATR +3.7%, HUBS+3.6%, KW +2.9%, COHR +2.8%, LFVN +2.8%, AHT +2.2%, BREW +2.1%, MCHP +2%, OME +1.8%, CLR +1.8%, CTL +1.6%, SUN +1.5%, UHAL +1.4%, IMH +1.3%, TNH +1.2%, WSR +1.1%, PSEC +1%
M&A news: SD +16.9% (acquired the assets of EE3 for $190 mln in cash, adds 136,000 largely contiguous net acres and multiyear niobrara shale drilling inventory in North Park Basin, Colorado; co also reported earnings), AWAY +23.3% (HomeAway to be acquired by Expedia (EXPE) for $38.31/share, or ~$3.9 bln), EXPE +4.1%
Other news: NRX +13.3% (announced successful results from a preclinical toxicity study of intravenous Pyridorin), ETRM +10.3% (presents two year follow up results from the ReCharge Study of vBloc Neurometabolic Therapy in obesity ), OASM +4.8% (confirms the previously published findings from a head-to-head comparison study of its lead human cancer product Paclical and Celgene's Abraxane), INO +4.7% (reports interim data analysis showing that its INO-3112 DNA-based immunotherapy generated specific T-cell responses), RXII +4.5% (initiates a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of RXI-109, as a potential treatment to prevent the progression of retinal scarring), EXPE +4.1% (HomeAway to be acquired by Expedia (EXPE) for $38.31/share, or ~$3.9 bln), ADSK +3.7% (: Sachem Head Capital Management discloses 5.7% active stake in 13D filing; Sachem Head intends to engage with management ), GLUU +3.2% (Integrated Core Strategies (Millennium International Management) discloses 5.2% passive stake in 13G filing), .
Analyst comments: ISIS +3% (upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at Piper Jaffray), MCHP +2% (upgraded to Buy from Neutral at B. Riley & Co), SHOP +1.9% (upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital Mkts)
In reaction to earnings/guidance: CCRN +24.4%, PCOM +21%, SD +16.9%, CDXS +16.4%, MHGC +14.8%, BOJA +13.6%, AHS +13.4%, SCSS +13.1%, SEDG +10.9%, FLT +8.3%, MRIN +8.1%, HABT +8%, GDDY +7.7%, MELI +7.5%, TXMD +7%, HDSN +5.9%, POWR +5.8%, BRKR +5.7%, LNTH +5.7%, XPO +5.5%, ACAS +5.1%, OSUR +4.9%, FB +4.8%, MATR +3.7%, HUBS+3.6%, KW +2.9%, COHR +2.8%, LFVN +2.8%, AHT +2.2%, BREW +2.1%, MCHP +2%, OME +1.8%, CLR +1.8%, CTL +1.6%, SUN +1.5%, UHAL +1.4%, IMH +1.3%, TNH +1.2%, WSR +1.1%, PSEC +1%
M&A news: SD +16.9% (acquired the assets of EE3 for $190 mln in cash, adds 136,000 largely contiguous net acres and multiyear niobrara shale drilling inventory in North Park Basin, Colorado; co also reported earnings), AWAY +23.3% (HomeAway to be acquired by Expedia (EXPE) for $38.31/share, or ~$3.9 bln), EXPE +4.1%
Other news: NRX +13.3% (announced successful results from a preclinical toxicity study of intravenous Pyridorin), ETRM +10.3% (presents two year follow up results from the ReCharge Study of vBloc Neurometabolic Therapy in obesity ), OASM +4.8% (confirms the previously published findings from a head-to-head comparison study of its lead human cancer product Paclical and Celgene's Abraxane), INO +4.7% (reports interim data analysis showing that its INO-3112 DNA-based immunotherapy generated specific T-cell responses), RXII +4.5% (initiates a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of RXI-109, as a potential treatment to prevent the progression of retinal scarring), EXPE +4.1% (HomeAway to be acquired by Expedia (EXPE) for $38.31/share, or ~$3.9 bln), ADSK +3.7% (: Sachem Head Capital Management discloses 5.7% active stake in 13D filing; Sachem Head intends to engage with management ), GLUU +3.2% (Integrated Core Strategies (Millennium International Management) discloses 5.2% passive stake in 13G filing), .
Analyst comments: ISIS +3% (upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at Piper Jaffray), MCHP +2% (upgraded to Buy from Neutral at B. Riley & Co), SHOP +1.9% (upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital Mkts)
FireEye: Color on Qtr
- FBR Capital notes it is downgrading shares of FireEye from Outperform to Market Perform. While firm (and many on the Street) have been patient during this roller coaster ride over the past 18 months, it appears DeWalt and the FireEye growth story have run into a brick wall as evidenced by the soft 3Q15 performance/4Q15 outlook. Although FireEye delivered 45% top-line growth and is still seeing relatively healthy deal flow, it appears FireEye is seeing a number of company-specific execution issues, and product issues are slowing down growth prospects heading into 2016 despite massive cybersecurity tailwinds. Firm incorrectly believed that FireEye would be able to successfully integrate Mandiant into the fold but it was proven wrong last night. Firm lowers tgt from $53 to $28.
- Wunderlich Securities notes FEYE CEO Dave Dewalt introduced a significant "Sea Change" to the industry as customers have stopped their "EMERGENCY" spending on security and are trending back to more normalized industry spending levels. FEYE was significantly impacted more than its peers in EMEA, which came in short of expectations. FEYE also had achange in revenue recognition for its email product that affected 3Q results. Despite a significant decrease in firm's tgt to $32 from $62, it is maintaining Buy rating on FEYE. We expect that a estimated 30%+ revenue growth in FY16 combined with expected operating margin expansion garners a market multiple that is in line with industry peers.
- Stifel Research notes FEYE reported 3Q15 results that fell short of expectations across both revenue and billings. Firm's concerns following Cyber Defense Summit were largely founded as the combination of a tough government compare and European weakness ultimately drove both a sizable miss and a meaningful reduction to the forward outlook. Stifel continues to see FEYE benefiting from both a best-of-breed incident response offering (Mandiant) and FireEye-as-a-Service, both of which grew more than 50% y/y. New CFO has a clear focus on cash flow generation and conservative forward outlooks with incremental cushion. Maintain Buy Rating: but is lowering target price to $45 from $55.
- Topeka Capital notes it is reiterating Buy rating while lowering the PT to $40 from $56 to reflect; 1) disappointing 3Q billings; 2) a lowering of full year 2015 revenue and billings guidance, and 3) a more conservative valuation given the new financial metrics. For those "glass half full" investors, FEYE did take another positive step toward reaching profitability over the next few years. FEYE needs to fix EMEA to get back on track.
- D.A. Davidson notes it is reiterating a Buy rating and $51 tgt. Billings miss guidance, primarily driven by weakness in Europe, a shorter average contract length in the United States (resulting from a tough compare with a 5 year, 8-figure deal in 3Q14), and a lower average deal size in large enterprise transactions. FEYE added 299 new customers in 3Q15 (compared to 256 in 3Q14) bringing the cumulative customer count to 3,999. Large enterprise deals (>$1 million) increased 31% YoY. Customer renewal rates remained above 90%, and management also noted that competitive win rates remain "extraordinarily high". Management noted that following 18 months of elevated or ‘emergency' spending, customers are taking a more strategic approach to upgrading security infrastructure.
Early premarket gappers
Gapping up: IO +30.8%, AWAY +22%, PCOM +21%, CDXS +18.4%, SD +16.6%, AHS +15.7%, CCRN +13.5%, NRX +13.3%, SCSS +10.8%, MHGC +10.5%, ETRM +10.3%, BOJA +9.4%, FLT +8.3%, SEDG +8.2%, MRIN +8.1%, HABT +8%, GDDY +7.5%, TXMD +7%, MELI +6.8%, HDSN +5.9%, POWR +5.8%, BRKR +5.7%, LNTH +5.7%, ACAS +5.1%, OSUR +4.9%, EXPE+4.4%, FB +4.3%, XPO +3.8%, ADSK +3.7%, HUBS +3.6%, GLUU +3.2%, KW +2.9%, COHR +2.8%, AHT +2.2%, BREW +2.1%, MCHP +2%, OME +1.8%, CLR +1.8%, CTL +1.6%, UHAL +1.4%, IMH +1.3%, TNH +1.2%, WSR +1.1%, PSEC +1%, MYRG +0.9%
Gapping down: XENT -23.7%, GUID -21.5%, FEYE -16.9%, LCI -15.7%, CSLT -14.2%, AVG -14%, FRSH -12%, ACLS -11.8%, G -7.4%, EPAM -6.9%, QCOM -6.6%, WFM -6.5%, TUMI -6.2%, ENVA -5.8%, ANDE -5.1%, PDLI -4.7%, ALR -4.4%, ZUMZ -4.1%, LPSN -4%, CF -3.4%, XNPT -3.3%, MRO -3.3%, HOLX -3.1%, RGR -2.8%, MET -2.6%, ETP -2.2%, TWO -2.2%, RIG -1.9%,FNHC -1.9%, HDP -1.8%, FUEL -1.8%, SABR -1.7%, BKCC -1.7%, TVPT -1.5%, SPPI -1.1%, WMGI -1%, PEIX -1%
Gapping down: XENT -23.7%, GUID -21.5%, FEYE -16.9%, LCI -15.7%, CSLT -14.2%, AVG -14%, FRSH -12%, ACLS -11.8%, G -7.4%, EPAM -6.9%, QCOM -6.6%, WFM -6.5%, TUMI -6.2%, ENVA -5.8%, ANDE -5.1%, PDLI -4.7%, ALR -4.4%, ZUMZ -4.1%, LPSN -4%, CF -3.4%, XNPT -3.3%, MRO -3.3%, HOLX -3.1%, RGR -2.8%, MET -2.6%, ETP -2.2%, TWO -2.2%, RIG -1.9%,FNHC -1.9%, HDP -1.8%, FUEL -1.8%, SABR -1.7%, BKCC -1.7%, TVPT -1.5%, SPPI -1.1%, WMGI -1%, PEIX -1%
Pourquoi le nom de Benzema a été cité dans l'affaire Air Cocaïne
Relaxé dans l'affaire Zahia et mis en cause dans le chantage à la sextape de Mathieu Valbuena, le buteur du Real Madrid doit soigner ses fréquentations.
La star du Real Madrid pourrait bien – malgré elle – avoir joué un rôle dans le dénouement d'un des plus gros trafics de drogue de ces dernières années. Il y a quelques mois, Le Point.fr révélait que le suspect n° 1 de l'affaire dite Air Cocaïne, celui que l'on accuse d'avoir payé et commandité les vols transtlantiques à destination de la République dominicaine et de l'Équateur, avait été identifié grâce à ses liens avec Karim Benzema. Depuis le début de cette affaire, la juge d'instruction marseillaise, Christine Saunier-Ruellan, s'interroge en effet : qui a la surface financière pour payer plusieurs vols transatlantiques de centaines de milliers d'euros ? Quel gros bonnet du grand banditisme a la faculté d'acheter 700 kilos de drogue sur le marché andin, pour l'écouler ensuite en Europe, pour des millions et des millions d'euros de bénéfices ? Nécessairement quelqu'un qui a beaucoup d'argent.
Or, l'organisateur présumé des vols, Franck Colin, et Nicolas Pisapia, le passager VIP arrêté à Punta Cana en mars 2013, ont toujours dit que le véritable commanditaire des voyages transtlantiques était un certain "Daryan" ou "Rayan" (cela varie selon les versions), agent de joueurs et grand amateur de ballon rond. C'est lui qui aurait apporté le cash pour payer la SN THS, la compagnie aérienne qui emploie les deux pilotes, Bruno Odos et Pascal Fauret. Selon plusieurs personnes qui l'ont rencontré, et qui ont ensuite témoigné devant les enquêteurs, "Daryan" se présentait toujours comme vivant en Espagne ou en Italie, et se disait à chaque fois proche de Karim Benzema. Interrogé à de multiples reprises par les policiers et par la juge, Franck Colin, peut-être par peur, n'a jamais voulu révéler la véritable identité du fameux "Rayan" ou "Daryan".
Des chaussures dédicacées !
Les gendarmes, en lien avec la Guardia civil espagnole, vont alors activer leur réseau, puis repérer leur suspect sur plusieurs "rencards" à Nice, mais également sur la Costa del Sol*. L'homme n'est pas très discret : il arpente les rues de Marbella en Bentley cabriolet rouge. Les enquêteurs attendent patiemment qu'il se grille sur un gros coup pour l'arrêter. Le flag' aura lieu quelques jours plus tard, le 16 octobre 2014, à Carthagène. Huit personnes sont arrêtées alors qu'elles déchargent dans un entrepôt plus de 400 kilos de cocaïne !
Une perquisition est immédiatement dilligentée chez un des caïds arrêtés, Ali Bouchareb, 43 ans, sous le coup de plusieurs mandats d'arrêt internationaux émis notamment par la France, pour braquage. À son domicile, plusieurs faux papiers d'identité, dont un au nom de... "Ryan". Jackpot pour les enquêteurs, qui poursuivent leurs saisies et découvrent avec stupéfaction plusieurs photographies du malfrat au côté de Karim Benzema, ainsi que des chaussures dédicacées ! Après quelques vérifications d'usage (réquisitions téléphoniques, planche photographique présentée aux témoins...), le fameux Ali Bouchareb, pris avec 400 kilos de coke en Espagne, et qui se dit proche de Karim Benzema, est bien le suspect numéro un de l'affaire Air Cocaïne. Emprisonné en Espagne, l'homme sera cependant, à la surprise générale, libéré quelques semaines plus tard, avant que les enquêteurs français aient eu le temps de l'interroger...
Joint par Le Point.fr, l'agent de Karim Benzema, Karim Djaziri, dit ne pas en revenir : « Je n'ai pas connaissance de cette histoire et n'ai jamais entendu parler d'un membre de l'entourage de Karim qui aurait été emprisonné en Espagne pour trafic de drogue. Vous savez, Karim a 20 millions de fans sur Facebook. N'importe quel fan fou furieux peut avoir pris des selfies avec lui à plusieurs reprises. Cela ne signifie pas que c'est un de ses proches. »
Des fréquentations à surveiller
Karim Benzema ferait bien, à l'avenir, de surveiller ses fréquentations. Relaxé dans l'affaire Zahia, les juges d'instruction l'avaient soupçonné d'avoir eu, alors qu'il passait une soirée avec son agent, une relation sexuelle tarifée avec la prostituée alors qu'elle était mineure. Karim Benzema avait finalement été mis hors de cause, le tribunal estimant que le footballeur ne pouvait pas, dans tous les cas, connaître l'âge de la jeune femme.
Dans l'affaire du chantage à la sextape de Mathieu Valbuena, Karim Benzema a été placé en garde à vue mercredi à Versailles, puis déféré à un juge jeudi matin. Selon une source proche du dossier citée par l'Agence France-Presse, « Karim Benzema a reconnu être intervenu auprès de Valbuena à la demande d'un ami d'enfance, approché par trois escrocs qui avaient en leur possession la sextape. Il a déclaré s'être mis d'accord avec l'ami d'enfance sur ce qu'il devait dire pour que son coéquipier négocie exclusivement avec lui », a affirmé cette source. L'attaquant a affirmé qu'il avait « voulu rendre service à son ami » sans penser qu'il portait tort à Valbuena.
Der Umtausch koennte bis zu zehn Milliarden Euro kosten. Die Idee, die rund 500.000 inkriminierten Diesel-Pkw des Konzerns im Problemmarkt USA einzuziehen und durch Neuwagen zu ersetzen, ist im Unternehmen umstritten, boete aber erhebliche Vorteile: Die Empoerung der Kunden wuerde gemildert, den Behoerden Entgegenkommen signalisiert. Das koennte sich guenstig auf die zu erwartenden milliardenhohen Strafzahlungen auswirken.