Medtentia International and clinicalprojects international Tap BioClinica for Express EDC, Data Mana

March 3, 2013, 8:20 pm

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Medtentia International and clinicalprojects international Tap BioClinica for Express EDC, Data Management, and Centralized Imaging Reads

International Experience, Flexibility, and Speed to Support Innovative Cardiac Device Research

NEWTOWN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BioClinica^®, Inc. (NAS: BIOC) , a global provider of clinical trial management solutions, today announced an agreement for BioClinica Express EDC, data management, and imaging core lab services with Finnish company Medtentia International, in partnership with the contract research organization (CRO) clinicalprojects international (CPI). Medtentia International Ltd. is a medical technology company which develops solutions for mitral valve repair based on its proprietary helix ring concept. Medtentia's technology has the potential to reduce the invasiveness, operation time and morbidity associated with mitral valve repair operations.

Medtentia is the latest European customer to select BioClinica eClinical and Imaging Core Lab offerings. BioClinica services will support Medtentia's multi-country, multi-year study of a medical device for mitral valve (heart) repair. "We awarded this clinical trial to CPI and BioClinica based on the excellent feedback we received from their reference clients," commented Olli Keranen, CEO of Medtentia. "We were already familiar with BioClinica's Imaging Core Lab solutions and wanted to outsource EDC and DM to a stable global eClinical vendor. We are confident that both companies' reputations for customer focus and respective strengths will well serve the needs of an innovative medical device company like Medtentia."

Based in Bonn, Germany, CPI is focused on the planning and execution of Phase I-IV as well as post-marketing studies for innovative medical devices, combination products and (Bio)Pharmaceuticals. "We are delighted that Medtentia has entrusted us with their trial and look forward to another successful collaboration with the BioClinica team," said Jörg Breitkopf, Managing Director of CPI. "BioClinica has a strong service and technology reputation among medical device companies. Our partnership will provide Medtentia with the utmost in clinical trial support."

"BioClinica's fresh and more cost-efficient approach to clinical trial support is currently driving unprecedented sponsor and CRO partnership growth across both eClinical and Imaging Core Labs solutions," said Mark Weinstein, CEO of BioClinica. We continue to expand our team, especially in Europe, adding to our experience and global reach, and are pleased to have been selected to help support this important cardiac device research."

Follow BioClinica on the Trial Blazers blog at http://info.bioclinica.com/blog, and on twitter at http://twitter.com/bioclinica.

About Medtentia International Ltd Oy

Medtentia International Ltd Oy is a clinical-stage medical technology company developing novel mitral valve therapy products based on the company's proprietary helix technology. The company, based in Helsinki, Finland, is backed by leading Nordic venture capital funds. Additional company information can be found at www.medtentia.com.

About CPI

clinicalprojects international GmbH provides professional CRO services for manufacturers of medical devices, combination products and biopharmaceuticals. Since CPI's foundation in 2007, clients have turned to it for a range of clinical research support from the completion of individual tasks to full-project outsourcing. CPI has been involved in numerous medical device studies in various indications, most recently in cardiology, neuromodulation and pain. See more at http://www.clinicalprojects.de.

About BioClinica, Inc.

BioClinica, Inc. is a leading global provider of integrated, technology-enhanced clinical trial management solutions. BioClinica supports pharmaceutical and medical device innovation with imaging core lab, internet image transport, electronic data capture, interactive voice and web response, clinical trial management and clinical supply chain design and optimization solutions. BioClinica solutions maximize efficiency and manageability throughout all phases of the clinical trial process. With over 22 years of experience and more than 2,500 successful trials to date, BioClinica has supported the clinical development of many new medicines from early phase trials through final approval. BioClinica operates state-of-the-art, regulatory-body-compliant imaging core labs on two continents, and supports worldwide eClinical and data management services from offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.bioclinica.com.

Certain matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements" intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, the Company's statements regarding trends in the marketplace and potential future results are examples of such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on our current expectations, and those made at other times will be based on our expectations when the statements are made. The forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the consummation and the successful integration of current and proposed acquisitions, the timing of projects due to the variability in size, scope and duration of projects, estimates and guidance made by management with respect to the Company's financial results, the demand for our services and technologies, growing recognition for the use of independent medical image review services, trends toward the outsourcing of imaging services in clinical trials, realized return from our marketing efforts, increased use of digital medical images in clinical trials, expansion into new business segments, backlog, critical accounting policies, regulatory delays, clinical study results which lead to reductions or cancellations of projects, and other factors, including general economic conditions and regulatory developments, not within the Company's control. The factors discussed herein and expressed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission could cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed in or implied by such statements. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstance. You should review the Company's filings, especially risk factors contained in the Form 10-K and the recent Form 10-Q.

BioClinica, Inc.
Company Contact - Jim Dorsey
267-757-3040
or
Diccicco Battista Communications
Trade Media - Morgan Dub Karpo
484-342-3600
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Porter, LeVay & Rose, Inc.
Investor Contact - Michael Porter
Financial Media - Bill Gordon
212-564-4700

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The article Medtentia International and clinicalprojects international Tap BioClinica for Express EDC, Data Management, and Centralized Imaging Reads originally appeared on Fool.com.

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Huntington Bancshares Earnings Beat Estimates

March 5, 2013, 5:26 am

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Filed under: Investing

On Thursday, Ohio-based regional lender Huntington Bancshares reported earnings for the three- and 12-month periods ended Dec. 31. Shares in the bank finished the day up by more than 4% after analysts and investors were impressed with the results.

Huntington comes through for investors
For the quarter, Huntington earned $0.19 per share. This was flat compared to the third quarter, but 36% higher than the same three-month period in 2011. For the year, the bank earned $0.71 per share, a 20% year-over-year increase.

Perhaps most impressive was Huntington's ability to expand its net interest margin by three basis points since the end of the third quarter. A number of the regional lender's competitors have struggled in this regard. Last week, Wells Fargo , the nation's fourth largest bank by assets and largest mortgage lender, reported a 10-basis-point sequential decrease in its NIM, and earlier this week, US Bancorp , the nation's largest regional bank, posted a four-basis-point sequential decline. Despite posting record earnings, both institutions suffered as the yield on their earning assets came down following the Federal Reserve's third round of quantitative easing.

Huntington also notched massive gains in terms of credit quality. For the year, its nonaccrual loans dropped by 25% and now stand at 1% of total loans and leases. Additionally, its net charge-off ratio dropped to 0.69%, down from 0.82% in the second quarter -- the third-quarter figure included a relatively large exogenous bump related to new regulatory guidance.

The bank's performance in this regard is worth noting. Like Bank of America , which continues to work through its toxic liabilities associated with the disastrous Countrywide Financial acquisition, Huntington too had a similar, though smaller, imprudent acquisition. Yet, unlike B of A, Huntington has moved on, bringing its credit metrics back to near-normalized levels, while B of A remains mired in the mistakes of former CEO Ken Lewis.

The difference in these banks' fortunes was on display on Thursday, as both banks reported before the bell. Shares of B of A took a beating, falling more than 4%, after it reported a paltry $732 million in quarterly net income due to billions of dollars in charge offs. Alternatively, as I noted at the outset, Huntington's shares shot up by roughly the same degree following its announcement.

Indeed, the only downbeat aspect of Huntington's earnings release concerned the bank's impression on the events in Washington. According to CEO Stephen Steinour: "We expect to continue seeing the strong growth of the Midwest economy relative to the broader United States. However, business sentiment continues to be negatively influenced by the uncertainty in Washington and its direct impact on the U.S. economy."

Huntington's biggest opportunity
In our premium research report on Huntington, I identified growth as the bank's biggest opportunity. I noted that the "post-financial-crisis world has been one of feast or famine in the banking industry. While less adroitly managed lenders ... have retreated to lick their wounds ... others have jumped on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to fill the void left behind. In the regional banking sector in particular, perhaps none is better positioned to exploit these dynamics than Huntington."

Suffice it to say, Huntington's performance last quarter and throughout 2012 didn't disappoint. All around, from loans and deposits to earnings and capital, growth was Huntington's overarching theme over the last 12 months. And, not surprisingly, its share price responded in kind, returning an enviable 24% since the beginning of 2012. The only question now is: How much higher can Huntington fly?

To learn why I think Huntington holds massive potential for shareholders, download our valuable in-depth report on the regional lender by clicking here now.

The article Huntington Bancshares Earnings Beat Estimates originally appeared on Fool.com.

John Maxfield owns shares of Bank of America. The Motley Fool recommends Wells Fargo. The Motley Fool owns shares of Bank of America, Huntington Bancshares, and Wells Fargo. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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What's Really Behind the Student Debt Boom

March 5, 2013, 5:26 am

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Filed under: Investing

We've been writing a lot about student loans and the value of education lately. As I wrote last week, one of my biggest peeves about this topic is that there's too much assumption and hyperbole, and too few facts. So when I found a Department of Education database of almost 4,000 U.S. colleges with tuition, average student loan balances, graduation rates, and default rates, I got excited. (What, spreadsheets don't excite you?)

Here are a few things I learned after digging through the data.

Student debt has risen precipitously over the last decade. We know that. We also know tuition prices have surged. Sure enough, rank the 4,000 colleges by tuition, and it's clear as day: Schools with the highest tuition produce students with the most debt:

That's obvious enough. But from there, it gets interesting.

You might think students with the most debt have the highest default rates. But it's the other way around. There's a negative correlation between schools that produce students with the most debt and those students' average default rates. In other words, those who borrow the most default the least:

Tuition is similar. There's no clear link between a school's tuition and how likely its students are to default on their student loans. Students from schools with the highest tuition actually default less than schools with the lowest tuition:

This is important, because the rise in student debt is dangerous to the extent that it leaves students with a burden they can't afford. But the best way to measure that burden -- default rates -- seems to have almost no correlation with the factor we most often point fingers at: Sky-high tuition.

How does any of this make sense?

There's another factor that has a screaming-in-your-face correlation with defaults: The percentage of a school's students that graduate within six years:

So, the likely reason those with the most debt have the lowest default rates is because they're more likely to have completed their degree, and hence have better employment prospects. Those with a little bit of debt default the most because they're more likely to have dropped out before graduating.

This seems blindingly obvious, but it adds a point that often goes unnoticed: People finishing college with a lot of debt aren't the problem. People dropping out of college with a little bit of debt are where the horrific numbers are found.

But what causes dropouts? Not high tuition, surprisingly. Schools with the highest tuition have the highest graduation rates, and those with the lowest tuition have the lowest graduation rates. The top quintile of schools ranked by tuition graduate twice the percentage of students as those in the lowest quintile. Anecdotally, schools like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton charge some of the highest tuition, yet consistently graduate more than 96% of their students on time. Community colleges offer some of the lowest tuition but have some of the highest dropout rates.

Several in-depth studies have looked at what causes people to drop out of college, and most end up pointing at two factors: The quality of high school preparation, and your parents' income.

If you grew up in a poverty-stricken town undergoing budget cuts with a low-quality high school system, you're less likely to finish college. "Basic academic concepts -- understanding a course syllabus, knowing how to use library and information resources, attending class regularly, doing homework -- can be elusive notions for students who had few such expectations in their prior learning experiences," writes Daniel de Vise of the Washington Post. If you grew up in a rich town with a competitive high school and attended SAT tutoring sessions after class, you begin college on a completely different path (on average).

And if you have poor parents -- particularly a poor father -- you're less likely to finish college. "By age 24, only 12 percent of students from low-income families will earn a bachelor's degree compared to 73 percent of their higher-income peers," writes a study by the Pell Institute. Coming from a low-income family reduces your odds of attending college at all, but "even low-income students who do enroll in college are less likely to persist through degree completion than their higher-income peers," it writes. "Academically, low-income students tend to be less prepared for college than their peers. They are less likely to have taken a rigorous high school curriculum, generally have lower college entrance examination scores, and are more likely to need remediation in college."

Think of it this way: There are two kinds of student loans. There are student loans, and there are former-students-who-now-have-degrees loans. Same debt, very different outcomes.

Check back every Tuesday and Friday for Morgan Housel's columns on finance and economics.

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The article What's Really Behind the Student Debt Boom originally appeared on Fool.com.

Morgan Housel doesn't own shares in any of the companies mentioned in this article. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Qualcomm Boosts Dividend by 40%, Increases Buyback

March 5, 2013, 5:33 am

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Filed under: Investing

Mobile chip giant Qualcomm announced this morning that it is increasing its quarterly dividend by 40% to $0.35 per share, up from the previous level of $0.25 per share per quarter. The increase is effective for the next quarterly dividend that will be paid on March 27, and will bring the company's annual dividend payout to $1.40 per share.

In addition, Qualcomm is instituting a new repurchase program to replace the previous one. Under the new program, which is effective immediately, Qualcomm can repurchase up to $5 billion in stock. This replaces the prior buyback program, which was for $4 billion and had $2.5 billion of repurchasing authorization remaining. The new repurchase program has no expiration date.

CEO Paul Jacobs said the business continues to generate strong operating cash flows and that Qualcomm has returned a total of $19.9 billion to shareholders since 2003 in the form of dividends and buybacks.

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Fool contributor Evan Niu, CFA owns shares of Qualcomm. The Motley Fool owns shares of Qualcomm. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Pall Corp. and Lewis University Expand Research on Interaction between Nanoparticles and Filter Medi

March 5, 2013, 5:35 am

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Filed under: Investing

Pall Corp. and Lewis University Expand Research on Interaction between Nanoparticles and Filter Media

Insights Presented at International Forum Can Help in the Development and Selection of New Chemical Mechanical Polishing Filtration Products

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Building on earlier teamwork with Lewis University, Pall Corporation (NYSE:PLL) today announced that scientists from both organizations have expanded research into optimizing filtration technology for chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) operations, a critical step in the manufacture of microchips. With the advent of new slurries containing ever finer nanoparticles, filtration is critical to removing oversized, defect-causing particles while allowing the unhindered passage of the active, small particles. The study was designed to elucidate differences in adsorption characteristics of silica and ceria particles, which are common abrasives in CMP slurry, to filter media. The results can provide guidance when designing filtration for specific slurry types, or when recommending specific filter grades or modes of usage in order to maximize filtration efficiency and service life.

A paper on the Pall/Lewis University research, "The Role of Abrasive Type and Media Surface Energy on Nanoparticle Absorption," was recently presented by Vivien Krygier, Ph.D., senior vice president of Pall Microelectronics marketing, at the International Conference on Planarization/CMP Technology (ICPT) in Grenoble, France. The conference is an international forum for academic researchers, industrial practitioners and engineers from around the world to share research in CMP technology.

For the second year in a row, Lewis University undergraduate student Jordan Kaiser and Jason Keleher, Ph.D., assistant professor of Chemistry, have collaborated with Patrick Levy, product manager at Pall Corp., and Patrick Connor, Ph.D., associate director at Pall Corp., on nanoparticle/filtration research. The research focused on gaining mechanistic insight centered on the synergy between nanoparticles and filtration media exhibiting modulated surface energy. Results revealed a significant difference in particle/filter media interaction occurring under conditions that simulate actual capture of abrasive particles or their agglomerates in a depth filter.

Pall Microelectronics supports customers in the semiconductor, data storage, fiber optic, display, and solar energy materials industries with innovative detection, filtration, and purification products, and deep applications expertise, for chemical, gas, water, chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) and photolithography processes.

To learn more about Pall's solutions for semiconductor manufacturers, please visit: http://www.pall.com/main/Microelectronics/Chemical-Mechanical-Polishing-Filtration-54166.page.

About Pall Corporation

Pall Corporation (NYSE:PLL) is a filtration, separation and purification leader providing solutions to meet the critical fluid management needs of customers across the broad spectrum of life sciences and industry. Pall works with customers to advance health, safety and environmentally responsible technologies. The company's engineered products enable process and product innovation and minimize emissions and waste. Pall Corporation is an S&P 500 company serving customers worldwide. Pall has been named a "top green company" by Newsweek magazine. To see how Pall is helping enable a greener, safer, more sustainable future, follow us on Twitter @PallCorporation or visit www.pall.com/green.

Lewis University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,500 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit www.lewisu.edufor further information.

Pall Corporation
Marie (MacLean) Baron
Director, Pall Industrial Global Marketing Communications
516-801-9282
Mobile: 516-492-1462
Marie_Baron@pall.com
or
Lewis University
Kathrynne Skonicki
Director of Media Relations
815-536-5711
Mobile: 815-210-6305
skonicka@lewisu.edu

KEYWORDS: United States Europe North America France New Hampshire

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The article Pall Corp. and Lewis University Expand Research on Interaction between Nanoparticles and Filter Media originally appeared on Fool.com.

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Oracle Releases Health Care Cloud Service

March 5, 2013, 5:39 am

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Filed under: Investing

Oracle has introduced its new Oracle Enterprise Healthcare Analytics cloud platform, a cloud-based version of the company's data management and analytics platform that boasts applications and support designed specifically with the health care sector in mind.

Oracle's new service is designed to help rein in health care IT costs while streamlining and consolidating data storage and organization. The company says the system will allow health care providers and organizations to cut down on IT infrastructure, a critical need in a time when hospitals are tightening budgets and looking to control costs.

Oracle Health Sciences senior vice president and general manager Neil de Crescenzo was quoted as saying "health care organizations have new flexibility to quickly reap the benefits of this powerful solution, while ensuring world class scalability and security, more predictable IT costs and optimized management of this business-critical analytics platform."

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The article Oracle Releases Health Care Cloud Service originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Carroll has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of Oracle. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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This Stock Is Leading the Dow to an All-Time High

March 5, 2013, 5:44 am

≫ Next: Alamos Gold Won't Raise Bid for Aurizon

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Filed under: Investing

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up to a new all-time high following two positive economic reports. As of 1:35 p.m. EST the Dow is up 157 points, or 1.1%, to 14,285. The S&P 500 is up 1.2% to 1,543.

There were two U.S. economic releases today.

Report	Period	Result	Previous
CoreLogic Home Price Index	January	0.7%	0.2%
ISM Non-Manufacturing Index	February	56%	55.2%

The first economic release was CoreLogic's Home Price Index, which rose 0.7% from December and 9.7% in the 12-month period ending Jan. 31. CoreLogic chief economist Mark Fleming noted:

The [Home Price Index] showed strong growth during the typically slow winter season. With these gains, the housing market is poised to enter the spring selling season on sound footing. The improvements are materializing across the country, with all but Delaware and Illinois showing increasing HPI and 15 states within 10 percent of their peak values.

The second economic release was from the Institute for Supply Management, which reported that its Non-Manufacturing Index rose 0.8 percentage points to 56% in February. That's above January's 55.2% and analyst expectations of 55.2%. Any reading higher than 50% indicates economic growth. The rise in the index to 56% indicates that responders believe the economy is still growing, and at a faster rate than in January.

Today's Dow leader
Leading the Dow to record highs is beleaguered tech giant Hewlett-Packard , up 2.6%. Last year was rough for HP, which finished down 46% after two $8 billion-plus writedowns for relatively recent acquisitions. The second of those writedowns was for Autonomy, which was purchased in August of 2011 for $10.3 billion and written down for $8.8 billion in November 2012.

Today, in response to the Autonomy disaster, institutional proxy advisor ISS recommended that shareholders in Hewlett-Packard vote against the re-election of HP chairman Ray Lane, as well as board members John Hammergren and G. Kennedy Thompson. John Hammergren is chairman and CEO of McKesson and chairs HP's finance and investment committee. G. Kennedy Thompson was CEO of Wachovia from 2000 to 2008 and is chairman of HP's audit committee.

Meg Whitman's turnaround of the company is beginning to take shape. A key part of that should include the removal of those who were responsible for oversight of the company's two enormously failed acquisitions.

The question remains: Is HP one of the least appreciated turnaround stories on the market, or is this a minor detour on its road to irrelevance? The Motley Fool's technology analyst details exactly what investors need to know about HP in our new premium research report. Just click here now to get your copy today.

The article This Stock Is Leading the Dow to an All-Time High originally appeared on Fool.com.

Dan Dzombak can be found on Twitter @DanDzombak or on his Facebook page, DanDzombak. He has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Alamos Gold Won't Raise Bid for Aurizon

March 5, 2013, 5:51 am

≫ Next: How Much Faster Could We Reach Dow Records on a Kraft Diet?

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Filed under: Investing

Alamos Gold said that despite Hecla Mining offering a higher bid to its own proposal to acquire Aurizon Mines , it would not raise its consideration, as it believes its bid is superior.

In January Aurizon's management urged its shareholders to reject the C$780 million offer because it was too low and added development and geopolitic risks. Instead, they voted this week to approve a C$796 million offer Hecla made.

Alamos says despite the lower bid, its offer is actually better for Aurizon shareholders because the Hecla proposal creates a "highly leveraged, hedged, debt-laden, financially constrained company."

Since Alamos is Aurizon's largest shareholder, with 16% of the stock, and because other large stakeholders have sided with it, Hecla may find it difficult to reach the required 66.67% approval threshold. Alamos also says Hecla is borrowing heavily to make the deal work; has hedged a large portion of its revenues from gold production; would dilute Aurizon shareholders' gold exposure because 80% of Hecla's revenues are from silver; and Hecla has produced less silver each year since 2009.

Alamos president and CEO John A. McCluskey was quoted as saying, "Our goals over the next few years include achieving production that positions us as one of the 25 largest gold mining companies in the world, while remaining among the 10 lowest-cost mining companies in the world."

Alamos' offer is open for acceptance until 5 p.m. today.

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The article Alamos Gold Won't Raise Bid for Aurizon originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Rich Duprey has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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How Much Faster Could We Reach Dow Records on a Kraft Diet?

March 5, 2013, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Why SandRidge Energy Is Not a Dud

≪ Previous: Alamos Gold Won't Raise Bid for Aurizon

Filed under: Investing

The Dow Jones Industrial Average finally made it back to the summit. After sniffing around just below record levels all February long, the blue-chip index broke through to brand-new all-time highs today. The 14,164 high-water mark that was set in 2007 has been washed away.

The index made a significant change in recent months when Kraft Foods spun off its snack food operations as a stand-alone company named Mondelez . Dow component Kraft no longer had the heft to stay on the index, and squeezing Mondelez into an unprecedented 31st seat was an unthinkable break with tradition. So Kraft had to go, replaced by health insurance giant UnitedHealth Group .

What if the Dow board had decided to stick with the new, slimmer Kraft instead of bringing in fresh blood to replace it? UnitedHealth and Kraft have moved in completely opposite directions lately, with UnitedHealth falling while Kraft has outgained the Dow:

UNH Total Return Price data by YCharts.

Staying with Kraft would surely have accelerated the Dow's rise to record heights. Champagne corks could have popped sooner. But how much sooner?

Not a whole lot, as it turns out.

Kraft shares have gained 8% on a dividend-adjusted basis since being dumped from the Dow. Meanwhile, UnitedHealth shares lost 4.3%. That means UnitedHealth slowed the Dow's ascent down by 19 points, while Kraft would have added 44 points. With share prices in the neighborhood of $50, either stock represents about 3% of the Dow's daily movements.

So it's safe to say that the Dow would have topped record levels yesterday, rather than closing less than 40 points out of reach. Depending on the dynamics of mass psychology in the face of a long-awaited record, the Dow might have scaled the summit at various times last week as well.

Yes, Kraft would have taken us to all-time highs sooner, but not by much. On the flip side, UnitedHealth shouldn't feel too guilty about slowing down the carousel of progress.

Kraft Foods Group is entering a new era after its recent corporate breakup. Its brand power is indisputable, and its market share dominates, but Kraft's growth potential is limited, and its heavily commoditized categories face massive pressures. In The Motley Fool's brand-new premium report on the company, we guide you through everything you need to know about Kraft, including the key opportunities and threats facing the company. To get started, simply click here now.

The article How Much Faster Could We Reach Dow Records on a Kraft Diet? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Anders Bylund holds no position in any company mentioned. Check out Anders' bio and holdings or follow him on Twitter and Google+. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of UnitedHealth Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days.

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Why SandRidge Energy Is Not a Dud

March 5, 2013, 6:00 am

≫ Next: U.S. Notches Slight Decrease in Gas Prices

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Filed under: Investing

Friend and Fool blogger Robert Zimmerman recently wrote a post entitled, "A Proven Winner, a Likely Winner and a Dud." While I agree wholeheartedly with his two winners, I have some issues with his calling SandRidge Energy a dud. Let's drill down into his thesis and why I think he, and investors like him, are letting the company's spotty past cloud its future potential.

Topping the list of criticisms is CEO Tom Ward and the eerily similar "shenanigans" (as Bob calls them) to Chesapeake Energy's CEO Aubrey McClendon. Now, I'll be quite honest with you, I have my questions, too, and after hearing about McClendon's early retirement I wondered if Ward might be next. SandRidge, with Ward at the helm, has made many of the same mistakes as Chesapeake in taking on too much debt and betting that borrowed money too heavily on a volatile commodity.

Both men have profited wildly, and in some cases questionably. It is hard to justify how Chesapeake's Founder's Well Program and SandRidge's conflicted related-party transactions were completely aligned with shareholders. Meanwhile, investors have suffered as shares of both companies have crumbled.

However, the value in the company goes much deeper than management's ability to destroy it. Bob points out that the all-in strategy to develop the Mississippian Lime will likely be the wrong one. I don't think the numbers would agree with that.

Sure, given the recently reported poor results from SandRidge's two royalty trusts, SandRidge Mississippian Trust I and SandRidge Mississippian Trust II there is reason to be concerned. It's hard to spin the numbers as SDT's sales volumes increased just 1% due to higher natural gas production and slightly lower oil production. This led SDT to produce a 10% lower distribution per unit than was targeted. Over at SDR, sales decreased 7% due to lower oil production along with slightly higher natural gas production. That caused SDR to produce an 11% lower distribution per unit than was targeted. The key takeaway on both, oil volumes were down and gas was up, not exactly the mix you want to see on what's supposed to be an oil-levered play. However, it is still very early in the play and, more importantly, the key metrics being reported by SandRidge are a bit more positive.

This is a company that delivered 20% reserve growth, with its oil reserves growing even faster at 35%. Further, its proved reserve replacement was up 454%. Reserves are the lifeblood of an oil and gas company, so growth here is important. Production was also up and the company expects its Mississippian Lime production to jump 72% in 2013. If you can find a company growing both production and reserves, then you've found a potential winner, even better if that growth is in oil and liquids.

This is a company that's also improving its financial metrics in that core Mississippian Lime play. Drilling and completion costs dropped by 14%, or half a million dollars per well, over the year. A lot of this was due to a 20% decrease in spud-to-spud cycle time as the company has the best spud-to-first sales in its class. These are really important metrics for improving margins and cash flow; it's something you really want to see from an energy investment.

Now, I'm not saying that SandRidge is the best energy investment out there, but the company really could surprise investors. If the Mississippian turns out to be even halfway decent SandRidge could have multibagger potential because the expectations are so low. SandRidge is really an intriguing story and one worth a deeper look.

SandRidge is halfway through its ambitious three-year plan to profitability and the future looks bright. If you are unsure about the future of this emerging oil and gas junior, and are looking to find out more about its strengths and weaknesses, you should view this brand-new premium report detailing SandRidge's game plan and what to expect from the company going forward. To get started -- click here!

The article Why SandRidge Energy Is Not a Dud originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Matt DiLallo has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of SandRidge Mississippian Trust II and has the following options: Long Jan 2014 $20 Calls on Chesapeake Energy, Long Jan 2014 $30 Calls on Chesapeake Energy, and Short Jan 2014 $15 Puts on Chesapeake Energy. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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U.S. Notches Slight Decrease in Gas Prices

March 5, 2013, 6:04 am

≫ Next: L-3 to Demonstrate Its ProVision® 2 Compact Advanced Passenger Screener at AVSEC

≪ Previous: Why SandRidge Energy Is Not a Dud

Filed under: Investing

Gasoline prices were down very slightly versus last week in every section of the U.S. except the West Coast and Rocky Mountain regions, according to data released Monday by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Nationally, the price of a gallon of gas was down 0.6% in the past week but still up 6% in the past month, outpacing the 3% drop in the price of WTI Crude, and the 2% drop in Brent Crude.

	Regular	WTI Crude	Brent Crude
3/4/2013	$3.759	$92.93	$113.87
Week Ago	$3.784	$92.74	$114.55
Month Ago	$3.538	$96.21	$116.06
Year Ago	$3.793	$106.7	$126.68

Source: U.S. EIA.

Price moves were varied among U.S. exchange-traded funds/exchange-traded notes that follow U.S. gasoline and crude.

Crude ETF	Change From Week Ago
United States Gasoline	(4.77%)
iPath S&P GSCI Crude Oil TR Index ETN	(2.72%)
United States Oil	(2.43%)

It could get slightly worse for consumers, as the past two years the national price of gasoline peaked sometime in April to early May. Gasoline prices this year are playing out similar to the seasonal trend over the past five years.

Regionally, gas prices vary quite a bit, with California having the highest prices. Week-to-week, gasoline prices were down in all areas except the West Coast and Rocky Mountain regions, in the latest EIA data.

The price of oil is far below its price last year, when the oil markets were worried about Iran. With the price of oil down so much since then, the obvious question is: Why is gas so high now? Here are some factors to consider.

1. Refinery outages: Many refineries do necessary maintenance in the winter months as demand is the lowest. We need to wait till tomorrow for the release of last week's refinery utilization data. For the previous week, ending Feb. 22, the EIA data showed refineries were utilizing slightly more capacity than last year across the U.S at 85.1%. Compared to last year, the biggest difference was on the East Coast, where refiners were utilizing 75% of capacity, compared to last year when they used just 58% of capacity. East Coast refiners typically get Brent crude and have a hard time competing with Midwestern refiners who have access to cheaper WTI crude.

2. Higher crack spreads: Last month, winter crack spreads were hitting recent highs after being low throughout much of the winter. Crack spreads have since come down slightly but are still high compared to last year. A crack spread is the difference between the prices for crude oil and refined products.

3. Rising global demand for petroleum products: While demand for gasoline in the U.S. has been flat, around the world demand is growing. For structural reasons, the price of oil in the U.S. (WTI) is almost $20 cheaper than the international price of oil (Brent). East Coast and Gulf Coast refineries largely rely on imported Brent crude and have had a tough few years competing with inland refiners who use the far cheaper WTI crude.

link

The article U.S. Notches Slight Decrease in Gas Prices originally appeared on Fool.com.

Dan Dzombak can be found on Twitter @DanDzombak or on his Facebook page, DanDzombak.Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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L-3 to Demonstrate Its ProVision® 2 Compact Advanced Passenger Screener at AVSEC

March 5, 2013, 6:05 am

≫ Next: Simple and Low Cost Ways for Communities to Assess Their Livability and "Aging in Place" Status

≪ Previous: U.S. Notches Slight Decrease in Gas Prices

Filed under: Investing

L-3 to Demonstrate Its ProVision ^® 2 Compact Advanced Passenger Screener at AVSEC

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- L-3 Communications (NYS: LLL) announced today that its new second-generation ProVision^® 2 system, which offers Automatic Target Detection (ATD) capability with a smaller overall footprint, will be demonstrated at the AVSEC World trade show, March 5-7, in New York City. The Provision 2 is being marketed for aviation applications and is currently under review for TSA certification. The system will be displayed daily at the show in the L-3 Security & Detection Systems exhibit, booth 27-28.

The ProVision 2 is safe, efficient, image-free and now the smallest aviation screening solution with Automatic Target Detection. (Photo: Business Wire)

The ProVision 2 offers a smaller footprint and lower height for limited-space checkpoint areas and is targeted for aviation screening applications. Its streamlined exterior design conserves space while maintaining the same interior area as earlier models. The system offers the same proven, image-free checkpoint detection and throughput as the ProVision ATD - the only TSA- and EU-approved aviation passenger screening solution with automated target recognition software. It quickly screens personnel using safe millimeter wave (MMW) technology to automatically detect concealed objects made of a wide range of materials - both metallic and non-metallic.

With more than 50,000 systems deployed and supported around the globe, L-3 Security & Detection Systems (SDS) is a leading supplier of security screening solutions. For more than 30 years, L-3 SDS has developed and manufactured cutting-edge products using advanced technologies that include 3-D computed tomography; automated, conventional and high-energy X-ray; active millimeter wave imaging; metal detection; and energetic trace explosives detection. Our solutions are used by the aviation and transportation industries, regulatory and customs authorities, government and law enforcement agencies, and commercial and other secure facilities. Applications include the screening of people, vehicles, baggage, cargo and packages for explosives, firearms, drugs, contraband and intellectual property. To learn more about L-3 SDS, please visit the company's website at www.L-3com.com/sds.

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 employs approximately 51,000 people worldwide and is a prime contractor in C³ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems, aircraft modernization and maintenance, and national security solutions. L-3 is also a leading provider of a broad range of electronic systems used on military and commercial platforms. The company reported 2012 sales of $13.1 billion.

To learn more about L-3, please visit the company's website at www.L-3com.com. L-3 uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding L-3 is routinely posted on the company's website and is readily accessible.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release are forward-looking statements. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to events or conditions or that include words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "will," "could" and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements set forth above involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any such statement, including the risks and uncertainties discussed in the company's Safe Harbor Compliance Statement for Forward-Looking Statements included in the company's recent filings, including Forms 10-K and 10-Q, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20130305006536/en/

L-3 Communications
Corporate Communications
212-697-1111

KEYWORDS: United States North America New York

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

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Simple and Low Cost Ways for Communities to Assess Their Livability and "Aging in Place" Status

March 5, 2013, 6:05 am

≫ Next: Knowledge Universe Education LLC and Knowledge Universe Education Holdings Inc. Announce Procedures

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Filed under: Investing

Simple and Low Cost Ways for Communities to Assess Their Livability and "Aging in Place" Status

How Small Towns, Big Cities and States Can Assist Their Populations and Address Their Changing Demographics

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Communities in the U.S. can follow a relatively simple and low cost initial set of indicators to determine if their services meet the needs of an aging population. These indicators can be measured using information that is readily available and adaptable to local governments, providing a low-cost way for local governments to begin to examine the specific needs of their aging populations.

According to the study, Livable Community Indicators for Sustainable Aging in Place, from the MetLife Mature Market Institute and the Stanford Center on Longevity, the best communities for people transitioning into the older age group are those that offer accessible and affordable housing options, transportation, walkability, safe neighborhoods, emergency preparedness and support services like health care, retail outlets and social integration. The study was produced as a follow-up to the Mature Market Institute's previous work in this area, Aging in Place 2.0, theAging in Place Workbook and Housing Trends Update for the 55+ Market (with the National Association of Home Builders [NAHB]).

"We know people generally prefer to remain where they are as they age, connected to friends and family, and communities lose an economic and social asset when older people leave," said Sandra Timmermann, Ed.D., director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute. "With that in mind, we supported the development of these indicators by studying the best existing tools and data. Communities can now make assessments and begin to implement change with readily available public data."

According to Amanda Lehning, who collaborated with the Stanford Center on Longevity on this report, "Every community is unique. Local governments should think about how to adapt these indicators to best meet the needs of their residents. Efforts to help older adults age in place can also potentially improve the community as a whole. For example, older adults can make valuable contributions as neighbors, caregivers and volunteers. They also patronize local businesses and are a factor in tax revenues."

Here are the most critical characteristics of an age-friendly livable community:

Housing - Accessible/visitable housing that is affordable. Zoning laws that permit flexible housing arrangements such as building assisted living facilities or private homes on relatively small lots.

Transportation - This includes mass transit, senior transport programs, walkable neighborhoods (safe for pedestrians), nearby parks and recreation, roads with visible signage, adequate lighting, and adequate vehicle and pedestrian safety at intersections.

Safe Neighborhoods - Low crime rates and emergency preparedness plans that take the needs of older residents into account.

Health Care - An adequate number of doctors (primary care and specialists), hospitals and the presence of preventive health care programs.

Supportive Services - The presence of home and community-based caregiving support services and the availability of home health care, meals-on-wheels and adult day care.

Goods, Services and Amenities - Retail outlets within walking distance, restaurants and grocery stores offering healthy foods, and policies supportive of local farmers' markets.

Social Integration - Programs and organizations that promote social activities and intergenerational contact. Places of worship, libraries, museums, colleges and universities are often underutilized resources.

The study provides detailed information about these indicators and how best to use them.

Methodology

The indicator system in the report was developed using three sources of information: 1) A review of existing livable community and sustainability indicator systems and checklists, 2) An extensive review of the existing research literature on the community characteristics that impact elder health, well-being, and the ability to age in place, and 3) Interviews with 19 aging in place experts. The final list is based on: 1) Strength of research evidence that the indicator is critical, 2) Strength of support for the indicator by aging in place experts, 3) Ability to measure the indicator using existing data sources, 4) The potential for multiple benefits, such as for the economic and environmental health of the community, and 5) The degree of adaptability to different types of communities, urban, suburban and rural.

Stanford Center on Longevity

The mission of the Stanford Center on Longevity is to redesign long life. The Center studies the nature and development of the human life span, looking for innovative ways to use science and technology to solve the problems of people over 50 in order to improve the well-being of people of all ages. http://longevity.stanford.edu

The MetLife Mature Market Institute®

Now in its 16th year, the MetLife Mature Market Institute is Metropolitan Life Insurance Company's (MetLife) center of expertise in aging, longevity and the generations and is a recognized thought leader by business, the media, opinion leaders and the public. The Institute's groundbreaking research, insights, strategic partnerships and consumer education expand the knowledge and choices for those in, approaching or working with the mature market.

The Institute supports MetLife's long-standing commitment to identifying emerging issues and innovative solutions for the challenges of life. MetLife, Inc. is a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs, serving 90 million customers. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, please visit: www.MatureMarketInstitute.com.

METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, 200 PARK AVENUE, NEW YORK, NY 10166

DJC Communications
Debra Caruso, 212-971-9708
debra@djccommunications.com
or
MetLife
Meghan Lantier, 212-578-6734
mlantier@metlife.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America New York

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article Simple and Low Cost Ways for Communities to Assess Their Livability and "Aging in Place" Status originally appeared on Fool.com.

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Knowledge Universe Education LLC and Knowledge Universe Education Holdings Inc. Announce Procedures

March 5, 2013, 6:06 am

≫ Next: Lowe's Earns Fourth Consecutive ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award

≪ Previous: Simple and Low Cost Ways for Communities to Assess Their Livability and "Aging in Place" Status

Filed under: Investing

Knowledge Universe Education LLC and Knowledge Universe Education Holdings Inc. Announce Procedures for Access to the Quarter Ended December 31, 2012 Conference Call by Holders of the 7 ¾% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2015

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Knowledge Universe Education LLC, the issuer of 7 ¾% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015, CUSIP Nos. 49926A AA3 and U50018 AA 5 (the "Notes") and Knowledge Universe Education Holdings Inc., co-obligor on the Notes, will be holding a conference call on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time to discuss the results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2012. Current holders of the Notes may gain access to the call information through a secure website hosted by the Company. In order to register to gain access to the secure website, please contact the Company in advance at KUELLCInvestorRelations@klcorp.com. Parties requesting access will be required to provide certain representations confirming their status as holders or beneficial owners before gaining access to the site. All information posted to the site will contain a legend notifying recipients that it is confidential.

The financial information for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2012 will be available on or after March 29, 2013 from either the trustee, the LENS system made available by the Depository Trust Company to its participants, or the secure website.

Knowledge Universe Education LLC
Karen Gates, 503-872-1469
kgates@klcorp.com
or
KUELLCInvestorRelations@klcorp.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America Oregon

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article Knowledge Universe Education LLC and Knowledge Universe Education Holdings Inc. Announce Procedures for Access to the Quarter Ended December 31, 2012 Conference Call by Holders of the 7 ¾% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2015 originally appeared on Fool.com.

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Lowe's Earns Fourth Consecutive ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award

March 5, 2013, 6:06 am

≫ Next: 4 Dow Stocks That Should Keep Pushing Higher

≪ Previous: Knowledge Universe Education LLC and Knowledge Universe Education Holdings Inc. Announce Procedures

Filed under: Investing

Lowe's Earns Fourth Consecutive ENERGY STAR ^® Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award

EPA awards Lowe's highest honor for energy-efficiency achievements in product retailing

MOORESVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Lowe's winner of the ENERGY STAR^® Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award for the fourth consecutive year. The 2013 award recognizes Lowe's long-standing leadership as a retailer of energy-efficient appliances and products. Lowe's will receive the EPA's most prestigious honor at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 26.

Lowe's is the only company to win multiple Sustained Excellence Awards in the product retailer category since the award's inception in 2004. The company is being honored for outstanding achievements year after year in customer outreach, employee training and product selection. Lowe's has won 11 consecutive ENERGY STAR awards (2003-2013) for product retailing, more than any other retailer.

"Lowe's support of ENERGY STAR complements our philosophy to never stop improving," said Tom Lamb, Lowe's chief marketing officer. "We want to be customers' trusted adviser at every stage of their home improvement projects, and consistently offering products that help customers save money and energy underscores that goal."

Lowe's has successfully integrated ENERGY STAR products into programs that have helped customers reduce utility bills and protect the environment. According to EPA estimates, Lowe's sold enough ENERGY STAR products in 2012 to eliminate greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly 1.8 million cars and save customers more than $1.7 billion in utility costs over the lifetime of the products.

Lowe's achievements in delivering energy-efficiency savings to customers in 2012 included:

Increasing the quantity and variety of ENERGY STAR products in stores and online.
Expanding the Lowe's Utility Program, which works with local and state utility companies to promote energy conservation, the ENERGY STAR program and utility rebates for customers. For more information, visit Lowes.com/Rebates.
Increasing national promotions for ENERGY STAR products and support for tax-free events.

"EPA is recognizing Lowe's for earning EPA's highest ENERGY STAR award - the 2013 Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award," said Bob Perciasepe, acting administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Lowe's leads the field with their commitment to energy efficiency and demonstrates how all Americans can save energy, save money and create a healthier environment."

Nearly 20,000 partners across the U.S. participate in the ENERGY STAR program, and only organizations that have won multiple Partner of the Year awards are eligible for the Sustained Excellence Award. In addition, the EPA has honored Lowe's with four consecutive WaterSense^® awards for its leadership in promoting water efficiency. Lowe's was named the 2012 WaterSense Retailer Partner of the Year and is the first retailer to win a WaterSense award in four consecutive years.

Find out more about Lowe's EPA partnerships and other environmental initiatives at Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility. For more on simple ways to save energy, water and money, visit Lowes.com/EfficientHome.

About Lowe's

With fiscal year 2012 sales of $50.5 billion, Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE^® 100 company that serves approximately 15 million customers a week at more than 1,750 home improvement stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Steve Salazar, 704-758-4345
steve.j.salazar@lowes.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America North Carolina

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article Lowe's Earns Fourth Consecutive ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award originally appeared on Fool.com.

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4 Dow Stocks That Should Keep Pushing Higher

March 5, 2013, 6:15 am

≫ Next: Chinese Solar Continues to Slide

≪ Previous: Lowe's Earns Fourth Consecutive ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award

Filed under: Investing

It's been a team effort pushing the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a fresh all-time high today. With less than two hours left in the trading day, 27 of the 30 Dow components are moving higher.

There are plenty of winners today, but let's go over four Dow stocks that are well positioned to continue to head higher beyond today's fireworks.

Disney
This family entertainment giant is also hitting a new all-time high today, up 1% to 56.40 as of 2 p.m. The company behind ABC, ESPN, and a growing arsenal of theatrically proficient characters continues to hit on nearly all cylinders. Theme park attendance is spiking. Advertisers are paying top dollar to watch ESPN viewers. Just wait until Disney begins monetizing its recently acquired Star Wars franchise.

Home Depot
The housing bubble got us into a big mess a few years ago, but now the long-awaited recovery is digging us out. The country's leading home-improvement chain has plenty to gain as home prices inch higher. Homeowners will feel more comfortable sprucing up their homes, letting go of fears that the banks will take over properties that now may actually be worth more than their mortgages. Home Depot may be missing out on the party today, slipping just below breakeven, but the future looks bright.

Cisco Systems
One of the Dow's biggest laggards during the downturn has bounced back in a major way. Up 2.1% to $21.17, Cisco is pocket change away from a fresh 52-week high, and the networking giant should thrive in an economic recovery where Corporate America is ready to invest in technology infrastructure again.

American Express
The financial-services behemoth is hitting highs last seen in the summer of 2007 today, up 2.2% to $64.30. As consumers feel more confident in spending and traveling, American Express stands to benefit. Despite the new multiyear high, the shares are fetching just 12 times next year's projected profitability. That's a "don't leave home without it" bargain for one of the more consistent performers in financial services.

The Dow rally may or may not continue, but these four stocks appear ready to do everything they can to keep the new highs coming.

Learn more about Disney
It's easy to forget that Walt Disney is more than just the House of Mouse. From its vast catalog of characters to its monster collection of media networks, much of Disney's allure for investors lies in its diversity, and The Motley Fool's new premium research report lays out the case for investing in Disney today. This report includes both the opportunities and the threats the company faces going forward. We're also providing a full year of regular analyst updates as news develops, so don't miss out -- simply click here now to claim your copy today.

The article 4 Dow Stocks That Should Keep Pushing Higher originally appeared on Fool.com.

Longtime Fool contributor Rick Aristotle Munarriz owns shares of Walt Disney. The Motley Fool recommends American Express, Cisco Systems, Home Depot, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool owns shares of Walt Disney. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Chinese Solar Continues to Slide

March 5, 2013, 6:15 am

≫ Next: Mannatech Hires Industry Veteran as President of International, COO

≪ Previous: 4 Dow Stocks That Should Keep Pushing Higher

Filed under: Investing

Yingli Green Energy reported earnings that had investors asking if the biggest module maker in the world will be able to survive? Here to tell us what the fourth-quarter earnings meant, and tell us his top picks in the industry, is Motley Fool contributor Travis Hoium.

A profitable pick in solar
Investors and bystanders alike have been shocked by the drop of renewable energy stocks over the last 12 months. The stakes have never been higher for the industry: Is it done for good, or ready for a rebound? If you're looking for our recommendation on how to play major solar company First Solar, along with continuing updates and guidance on the company whenever news breaks, we've created a brand new report that details every must-know side of this stock. To get started, just click here now.

The article Chinese Solar Continues to Slide originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Travis Hoium manages an account that owns shares of SunPower. Travis Hoium personally owns shares of SunPower and has the following options: Long Jan 2015 $7 Calls on SunPower, Long Jan 2015 $5 Calls on SunPower, and Long Jan 2015 $15 Calls on SunPower. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Mannatech Hires Industry Veteran as President of International, COO

March 5, 2013, 6:20 am

≫ Next: First Merchants Corporation Announces Cash Dividend (Revised)

≪ Previous: Chinese Solar Continues to Slide

Filed under: Investing

Mannatech Hires Industry Veteran as President of International, COO

Roy Truett brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Mannatech

COPPELL, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mannatech, Incorporated(NASDAQ: MTEX), the leading innovator and provider of naturally sourced supplements based on Real Food Technology^® solutions, announced today the hiring of Roy Truett as President of International and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.

Mr. Truett brings a wealth of experience working at the executive level in both the direct sales and nutritional industries. Most notably, he spent 12 years serving at USANA Health Sciences, beginning as Director of IT, then quickly taking on additional responsibilities for the company, including Chief Information Officer. Most recently, he began serving as the company's Global Chief Operating Officer in May 2011. As COO, he was responsible for the company's day-to-day operating activities and enhancing the internal organization process. He was also accountable for many key departments, including information technology, supply chain management, compensation plan strategies, project management and inventory control.

Mr. Truett, a seasoned veteran of the industry, will lead Mannatech's operational efforts at the corporate level globally and drive growth strategies internationally. He will oversee the company's efforts in international operations, supply chain and I.T., and will also be involved in all strategic decisions for the company as part of the Senior Executive Office.

"I'm excited about Mannatech's unique position in the market and the opportunity I have to work with a great team," said Roy Truett, President of International and Chief Operating Officer. "Mannatech has always had a reputation for offering the most advanced, scientifically-based, effective nutritional products in the industry. I'm equally impressed with the company's commitment to its mission of fighting global malnutrition. My goal is to help move the company forward to new heights and further streamline our operations so our Independent Associates can share the message of Mannatech, building their businesses and securing their own financial freedom."

"At Mannatech, we are committed to excellence. Adding Roy Truett to our team shows that we are acting on that commitment to constantly improve," said Dr. Robert Sinnott, CEO and Chief Science Officer. "The entire management team is enthusiastic about working alongside someone with Roy's skills, expertise and leadership. As a company, we've been laser-focused on driving initiatives that lead to sales growth as well as continually improving operational excellence. Roy's experience and proven track record as a successful leader in operational areas and international growth will help us to optimize those areas at an accelerated pace."

Individuals interested in Mannatech's products or in exploring its business opportunity can learn more at Mannatech.com.

About Mannatech

Mannatech, Incorporated, develops high-quality health, weight and fitness, and skin care products that are based on the solid foundation of nutritional science and development standards. Mannatech is dedicated to its platform of Social Entrepreneurship based on the foundation of promoting, aiding and optimizing nutrition where it is needed most around the world. Mannatech's proprietary products are available through independent sales Associates around the globe including the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Estonia, Finland, the Republic of Ireland, Czech Republic, the Republic of Korea, Mexico and Namibia. For more information, visit Mannatech.com.

To learn more about Mannatech and its products, visit Mannatech.com. Learn more about Mannatech science and related publications and studies at MannatechScience.org.

Mannatech, Incorporated
Brett Duncan, 972-471-7367
bduncan@mannatech.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America Texas

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article Mannatech Hires Industry Veteran as President of International, COO originally appeared on Fool.com.

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First Merchants Corporation Announces Cash Dividend (Revised)

March 5, 2013, 6:20 am

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Filed under: Investing

First Merchants Corporation Announces Cash Dividend (Revised)

MUNCIE, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The dividend dates shown in the press release dated March 4, 2013 were incorrect and are revised as shown below:

First Merchants Corporation (NAS: FRME) declared a cash dividend on March 4, 2013 of $0.03 per share, payable on March 20, 2013, to shareholders of record on March 15, 2013. For purposes of broker trading, the ex-date of the cash dividend is March 13, 2013.

About First Merchants Corporation:

First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Muncie, Indiana. The Corporation is comprised of First Merchants Bank, N.A., which also operates as Lafayette Bank & Trust, Commerce National Bank, and First Merchants Trust Company as divisions of First Merchants Bank, N.A. First Merchants Corporation also operates First Merchants Insurance Group, a full-service property casualty, personal lines, and healthcare insurance agency.

First Merchants Corporation's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market System under the symbol FRME. Quotations are carried in daily newspapers and can be found on the company's Internet web page (http://www.firstmerchants.com).

First Merchants Corporation
David L. Ortega, First Vice President/Director of Investor Relations, 765-378-8937
http://www.firstmerchants.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America Indiana

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article First Merchants Corporation Announces Cash Dividend (Revised) originally appeared on Fool.com.

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NRG Begins Operations at 26 MW Borrego Solar Photovoltaic Facility

March 5, 2013, 6:20 am

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NRG Begins Operations at 26 MW Borrego Solar Photovoltaic Facility

Utility-scale solar facility in San Diego County provides clean power to SDG&E customers

PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NRG Energy, Inc. (NYS: NRG) , through its wholly owned subsidiary NRG Solar, announced the start of commercial operations for the Borrego I Solar Generating Station, a 26 megawatt (AC) photovoltaic facility located northeast of Borrego Springs, Calif. The station's electricity will be sold to San Diego Gas & Electric under a 25-year power purchase agreement.

NRG's 26 megawatt Borrego I Solar Generating Station has begun operations in California. The electricity will be sold to San Diego Gas & Electric under a 25-year power purchase agreement. (Photo: Business Wire)

"Borrego is our first utility-scale solar facility providing power to the San Diego area, helping to create local construction jobs and meet SDG&E's demands for cost-competitive renewable sources of electricity," said Randy Hickok, Senior Vice President of NRG Solar. "Our large-scale solar facilities provide clean, renewable energy that Californians want for their homes and to power the electric vehicle infrastructure NRG is currently building in California and Texas. Taken together, solar and electric vehicles will go a long way toward reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and our carbon emissions."

"The Borrego I Solar Generating Station will provide clean renewable solar power for our customers, and is the first utility scale local renewable project to come online in San Diego County since 2006," said Matt Burkhart, vice president of electric and fuel procurement for SDG&E. "We applaud NRG Energy for their perseverance in getting this project constructed and look forward to more local renewable projects."

The Borrego facility will generate enough energy to meet the annual needs of approximately 9,000 homes. Using clean solar power also avoids the annual emission of approximately 19,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the equivalent of taking 3,500 cars off the road.

Borrego is one of eight large-scale solar facilities in NRG's ownership portfolio that is currently producing clean solar power for thousands of homes and businesses in three states. The other seven completed or partially completed plants are Agua Caliente (under construction) and Avra Valley in Arizona; Roadrunner in New Mexico; and Avenal, Blythe, Alpine and California Valley Solar Ranch (under construction) in California. A ninth solar plant that is not yet producing power, the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in California, is expected to be completed before the end of this year.

In addition to developing California's largest solar portfolio currently under contract, NRG is investing more than $100 million to build the nation's first comprehensive, privately funded electric vehicle infrastructure. NRG plans to install thousands of charging stations at homes, offices, multi-family communities and retail locations throughout major metropolitan areas in California, Texas and the Washington D.C./Maryland/Northern Virginia region.

About NRG and NRG Solar

NRG is at the forefront of changing how people think about and use energy. We deliver cleaner and smarter energy choices for our customers, backed by the nation's largest independent power generation portfolio of fossil fuel, nuclear, solar and wind facilities. A Fortune 300 company, NRG is challenging the U.S. energy industry by becoming the largest developer of solar power, building the first privately-funded electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and providing customers with the most advanced smart energy solutions to better manage their energy use. In addition to 47,000 megawatts of generation capacity, enough to supply nearly 40 million homes, our retail electricity providers - Reliant, Green Mountain Energy and Energy Plus - serve more than two million customers. More information is available at www.nrgenergy.com. Connect with NRG Energy on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @nrgenergy.

NRG Solar LLC, a subsidiary of NRG, has more than 2,000 MW of photovoltaic and solar thermal projects in operation, under construction or in development across the southwestern United States. More information is available at www.nrgsolar.com.

NRG Safe Harbor Disclosure

This news release contains 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 are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions and include NRG's expectations regarding the Company's Borrego solar project and forward-looking statements typically can be identified by the use of words such as "will," "expect," "believe," and similar terms. Although NRG believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, and actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated above include, among others, general economic conditions, hazards customary in the power industry, competition in wholesale power markets, the volatility of energy and fuel prices, failure of customers to perform under contracts, changes in the wholesale power markets, changes in government regulation of markets and of environmental emissions, and our ability to achieve the expected benefits and timing of our electric vehicle projects. NRG undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors that could cause NRG's actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included in this news release should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect NRG's future results included in NRG's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.