8:54 am S&P futures vs fair value: -4.30. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -0.30. (:WRAPX) : The S&P 500 futures trade four points below fair value.

Markets in the Asia-Pacific region finished mostly higher on Monday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index and China's Shanghai Composite continued their bull runs, rallying 2.7% and 2.2%, respectively in the face of weaker than expected trade data out of China. The latter reportedly left traders inclined to think further policy stimulus will be provided.

• In economic data: 
  • China's March Trade Balance $3.08 billion (expected $45.40 billion; prior $60.60 billion) as Exports -15.0% year-over-year (expected +12.0%; prior +48.3%) and Imports -12.7% year-over-year (expected -11.7%; prior -20.5%) 
  • Japan's February Core Machinery Orders -0.4% month-over-month (expected -2.8%; prior -1.7%); +5.9% year-over-year (expected +3.7%; prior +1.9%) while M2 Money Stock +3.6% year-over-year (expected +3.6%; prior +3.5%) 
  • South Korea's March Export Price Index -6.8% year-over-year (prior -8.1%) and March Import Price Index -17.1% year-over-year (prior -17.8%) 

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• Japan's Nikkei drifted through Monday's trade and ended basically flat for the session. Gains in the communications (+0.9%) and energy (+0.3%) sectors were offset by weakness in the financial (-0.8%) and consumer non-cyclical (-0.8%) sectors. Nippon Electric Glass Co (+17.7%) and Mitsumi Electric Co (+7.2%) led all gainers while Kikkoman Corp (-3.6%) and Tokyo Gas Co (-3.5%) paced the losers. Out of the 225 index members 95 finished higher, 118 ended lower, and 12 were unchanged. 
• Hong Kong's Hang Seng surged another 2.7% and closed at its high for the session. The Hang Seng has soared a little over 3500 points, or 14.4%, over its last eight trading sessions with mainland investors helping to power the move. Monday's advance was led by the financial (+4.5%) sector. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (+19.4%), Kunlun Energy Corp (+11.5%), Bank of China (+8.6%), and China Construction Bank (+7.8%) topped the list of winners. Out of the 50 index members, 30 ended higher, 15 closed lower, and 5 were unchanged. 
• China's Shanghai Composite jumped 2.2% in the wake of weaker than expected trade data for March, which fueled a trade based on the notion that further policy stimulus will be provided. The consumer non-cyclical (+2.5%) and industrial (+2.4%) sectors led the Chinese market. Over its last eight trading session, the Shanghai Composite has tacked on 374 points or 10%. 

Major European indices trade in mixed fashion with Spain's IBEX (+0.6%) showing relative strength. Elsewhere, Germany's FAZ has reported that Greece has to prepare a list of reforms by April 20 in order to receive the next installment of EU bailout funds.

• Economic data was limited: 
  • French Current Account deficit widened to EUR1.80 billion from EUR300 million (expected deficit of EUR1.20 billion) 
  • Italy's February Industrial Production +0.6% month-over-month (expected 0.5%; prior -0.7%); -0.2% year-over-year (consensus -1.3%; last -2.2%) 

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• UK's FTSE is lower by 0.5% with miners and homebuilders on the defensive. Anglo American, Antofagasta, and BHP Billiton are all down near 3.0% while Barratt Developments and Taylor Wimpey trade lower by 3.0% and 2.2%, respectively. 
• Germany's DAX has given up 0.2% with Volkswagen trading lower by 1.2%. On the upside, financials outperform with Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank showing respective gains of 0.6% and 0.4%. 
• In France, the CAC trades flat. Growth-sensitive names lag with ArcelorMittal, Valeo, and Solvay all down near 0.9%. Telecom listings outperform with Alcatel-Lucent and Orange up 3.3% and 1.1%, respectively. 
• Spain's IBEX has added 0.6% with help from financials. Santander, BBVA, and Bankinter are up between 0.4% and 1.2%.

8:51 am Silvercrest Mines announces record production in 1Q15 from its Santa Elena Mine (SVLC) : Co reported:

• Silver production of 465,391 ounces 
• Gold production record of 13,255 ounces
• AgEq(3) production record of 1,349,527 ounces
• Average mill throughput of 3,015 tonnes per day
  

8:51 am Cipher Pharma announces it has acquired INNOCUTIS Holdings, a privately held specialty dermatology company, for $45.5 mln in cash (CPHR) : Co announces it has acquired INNOCUTIS Holdings, a privately held specialty dermatology company, for $45.5 mln in cash. The transaction is expected to accelerate development of the North American dermatology company and add U.S. commercial infrastructure for CPHR's acquisition/in-licensing activities. Additionally, CPHR raised $100 mln Senior Notes to finance acquisition and future growth.

8:49 am Teekay Offshore announces public offering of Series B Preferred units (TOO) : Co announced that it plans to offer Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units representing limited partner interests, in a public offering. Teekay Offshore intends to apply to have the Series B Preferred Units listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

8:45 am Golub Capital announces middle-market originations of $161.9 mln for 2Q15 (GBDC) : Co announced that it originated $161.9 million in new middle-market investment commitments during the three months ended March 31, 2015. Approximately 63% of the new middle-market investment commitments were one stop loans, 35% were senior secured loans and 2% were equity securities.

• Of the new middle-market investment commitments, $132.9 million funded at close. Total investments at fair value are estimated to have increased by $22.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015

8:42 am On the Wires (:WIRES) :

• Semtech Corporation (SMTC) announced the addition of five new products as part of its new multi-rate UHD-SDI platform strategy. 
• ADP (ADP) announced the launch of AdvancedMD Marketplace, which offers private practices a broad array of innovative products and services that operate seamlessly with the ADP AdvancedMD practice management and EHR product suite. 
• Level 3 Communications, Inc. (LVLT) today announced it is enhancing its Vyvx broadcast network by extending Level 3's fiber directly into 29 additional professional sports venues in the U.S. 
• Altera Corporation (ALTR) today announced the company has joined the Industrial Internet Consortium, a collaborative industry organization facilitating development of a global ecosystem for the Internet of Things (IoT). 
• Sprint (S) announced the introduction of Sprint Direct 2 You. With Sprint Direct 2 You, a Sprint-trained expert will bring a Sprint mobile device to a customer's location, set it up and transfer all of their content, including contacts, pictures, videos and apps, from their old device to a new one. 
• AMD (AMD) announced certification for Avid Media Composer 8.4 to support broadcast and digital content creation customers for successful HD and 4K workflows powered by AMD FirePro professional graphics, both for Microsoft Windows and the Mac Pro workstations. 
• Textron Systems Marine & Land Systems, a Textron Inc. (TXT) business, announced today it has been awarded a $84,087,095 contract option from the U.S. Navy Naval Sea Systems Command for two next-generation Landing Craft, Air Cushion vehicles and associated technical manuals. Deliveries are expected in the fourth quarter of 2019.
  

8:37 am Zoetis Board of Directors has appointed Paul Bisaro, Executive Chairman of Actavis (ACT), to the company's Board of Directors (ZTS) : Bisaro's term will begin immediately following the company's 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which is scheduled for May 1, 2015.

8:35 am European Markets Update: FTSE -0.6%, DAX -0.1%, CAC UNCH, IBEX +0.6% (:SUMRX) : Major European indices trade in mixed fashion with Spain's IBEX (+0.6%) showing relative strength. Elsewhere, Germany's FAZ has reported that Greece has to prepare a list of reforms by April 20 in order to receive the next installment of EU bailout funds.

• Economic data was limited: 
• French Current Account deficit widened to EUR1.80 billion from EUR300 million (expected deficit of EUR1.20 billion) 
• Italy's February Industrial Production +0.6% month-over-month (expected 0.5%; prior -0.7%); -0.2% year-over-year (consensus -1.3%; last -2.2%) 

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• UK's FTSE is lower by 0.6% with miners and homebuilders on the defensive. Anglo American, Antofagasta, and BHP Billiton are all down near 3.0% while Barratt Developments and Taylor Wimpey trade lower by 3.0% and 2.2%, respectively. 
• Germany's DAX has given up 0.1% with Volkswagen trading lower by 1.2%. On the upside, financials outperform with Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank showing respective gains of 0.6% and 0.4%. 
• In France, the CAC trades flat. Growth-sensitive names lag with ArcelorMittal, Valeo, and Solvay all down near 0.9%. Telecom listings outperform with Alcatel-Lucent and Orange up 3.3% and 1.1%, respectively. 
• Spain's IBEX has added 0.6% with help from financials. Santander, BBVA, and Bankinter are up between 0.4% and 1.2%.
  

8:35 am Aerohive Networks lowers Q1 guidance (HIVE) : Co lowers Q1 guidance: EPS to ($0.28-0.26) from ($0.24)-(0.21) vs ($0.22) Capital IQ Consensus; rev to $25-26 mln from $29-31 mln vs $30.02 mln Capital IQ Consensus.

• "While our international business performed to expectations, our North America business fell well short of expectations," stated David Flynn, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This result primarily reflects the combination of significantly lower than expected U.S. education business during the quarter, orders received late in the quarter that could not be recognized as revenue, and continued sales execution challenges that we have seen during the last few quarters."
• Co has appointed a new Senior Vice President (:SVP) of Worldwide Sales to grow the capacity and productivity of Aerohive's global salesforce and facilitate future growth.
  

8:34 am MGM Resorts files definitive proxy materials and sends letter to shareholders; says 'MGM's board has the track record and expertise to drive sustainable growth in shareholder value' (MGM) : Co announces that it has filed definitive proxy materials with the SEC in connection with its 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be held on May 28, 2015. The Board also sent a letter to shareholders and recommends that shareholders vote FOR the election of MGM's nominees on the WHITE proxy card. Here are the key points: 1) MGM'S board has track record and expertise to drive sustainable growth in shareholder value, 2) the land & buildings proposal is seriously flawed, 3)  board change at MGM is not warranted and is not in the best interests of shareholders, and 4) please vote the white proxy card today in favor of your board.

8:33 am Great Panther Silver and Cangold Limited announce a definitive arrangement agreement pursuant to which Great Panther will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Cangold (GPL) : Co and Cangold Limited announce a definitive arrangement agreement pursuant to which GPL will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Cangold by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement. Total share consideration is valued at approximately $1.7 mln.

• The transaction will result in Great Panther adding more than 6,000 hectares of the advanced stage Guadalupe de los Reyes Gold-Silver Project to its existing portfolio of projects and two primary silver producing mines in Mexico at Guanajuato and Topia. The transaction also adds Cangold's Plomo Gold Project in Mexico, and its past-producing Argosy Gold Mine in the Red Lake Mining Division of northeastern Ontario, Canada.

8:33 am Karyopharm Therapeutics announces the issuance of a U.S. Patent for Selinexor (KPTI) : Co announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 8,999,996 entitled "Hydrazide Containing Nuclear Transport Modulators and Uses Thereof." This patent, which will expire in 2032 absent any patent term extensions, covers the composition-of-matter of Karyopharm's lead product candidate, selinexor (KPT-330), a first-in-class, oral SINE compound, as well as certain other compositions and related methods.

8:32 am ARCA biopharma announces the FDA has designated as a Fast Track development program the investigation of Gencaro for the prevention of atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (ABIO) : Co announces that the FDA has designated as a Fast Track development program the investigation of Gencaro for the prevention of atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter in a genetically modified heart failure population (heart failure patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, HFREF).

• Gencaro is the company's investigational, pharmacologically unique beta-blocker and mild vasodilator.
  
  
• Gencaro is currently being evaluated as a potential treatment for atrial fibrillation in a genetically-defined heart failure population in GENETIC-AF, a Phase 2B/3 adaptive design clinical trial.
  
  
• ARCA anticipates that enrollment of approximately 200 patients in the Phase 2B portion of the trial will be completed by the end of 2016.
  

8:31 am Lightbridge announces it has regained compliance with the NASDAQ continued listing requirement regarding minimum market cap (LTBR) :  

8:31 am Tutor Perini announces its subsidiary, Cherry Hill Construction, has recently been awarded a contract by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation valued at ~$58.3 mln (TPC) : Co announced that its subsidiary, Cherry Hill Construction, has recently been awarded a contract by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for the Interstate 83 Exit 18 (Mt. Rose Avenue) Interchange Improvements Project in York County, Pennsylvania. I-83 is a major highway in south central Pennsylvania. The contract value is approximately $58.3 million. Notice to Proceed will be issued in April 2015 and substantial completion is scheduled to be achieved in June 2018. The contract value will be included as part of the Company's reported first-quarter backlog.

8:31 am Sungy Mobile announces the receipt of a preliminary non-binding 'going-private' proposal at $4.90 per ADS (halted) (GOMO) :

• Co has received a preliminary non-binding proposal letter, dated April 13, 2015, from Mr. Yuqiang Deng, chairman and chief executive officer of Sungy Mobile, and Mr. Zhi Zhu, co-chief operating officer of the Company. According to the proposal letter, Mr. Deng and Mr. Zhu are interested in acquiring all of the Company's outstanding ordinary shares that are not currently beneficially owned by them, including ordinary shares represented by the Company's American depositary shares or "ADSs" (each representing six Class A ordinary shares of the Company), at a price of $4.90 in cash per ADS (or approximately $0.82 in cash per ordinary share).
• The proposal letter states that they intend to finance the proposed transaction with debt capital. Furthermore, the proposal letter specifies that Mr. Yuqiang Deng and Mr. Zhi Zhu's proposal constitutes on a preliminary indication of their interest, and is subject to negotiation and execution of definitive agreements relating to the proposed transaction. There can be no assurance that any definitive offer will be made by Mr. Yuqiang Deng, Mr. Zhi Zhu or any other person, that any definitive agreement will be executed relating to the proposed transaction, or that the proposed transaction or any other transaction will be approved or consummated.
  

8:30 am Versartis Initiates Phase 2/3 trial of VRS-317 in Japan (VSAR) :

• Co an endocrine-focused biopharmaceutical company that is developing a novel, long-acting form of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), announced the initiation of its Phase 2/3 study of VRS-317 in Japan for children with growth hormone deficiency (:GHD).
• Assuming comparable safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics between U.S. and Japanese GHD children in the Phase 2 stage, the Phase 3 stage will use the same dose under evaluation in the global Phase 3 VELOCITY trial (3.5 mg/kg VRS-317 twice monthly).
• The Japan Phase 3 stage will be a single arm study of twice monthly VRS-317 for 12 months and will enroll pre-pubertal nave to treatment GHD children. The co will also conduct an open label Extension Study in Japan to allow Phase 2/3 patients to continue treatment with VRS-317 and allow enrollment of patients switching from current daily rhGH therapy to VRS-317.
  

8:30 am Jamba plans to further accelerate refranchising and movement to asset-light model (JMBA) : Co announces plans to further accelerate their refranchising initiative with a goal of becoming a 90% plus franchise-to-company-owned model by the end of fiscal year 2015. Co expects that with this further accelerated program, the Company's refranchising initiative will generate between $55 - $75 mln of cash proceeds in 2015 in the aggregate.

8:30 am Associated Estates announces letter sent by two newest independent members of the Company's Board of Directors; urging shareholder to vote company's slate of directors (AEC) : Co announces that Douglas Crocker II and Jon A. Fosheim, the two newest independent members of the Board of Directors, have sent a letter to shareholders in connection with the 2015 Annual Meeting. The letter provides an update on the recent discussions Messrs. Crocker and Fosheim have had with Associated Estates shareholders regarding the company's track record of value creation, substantially reconstituted Board, recently implemented governance enhancements, and long-term strategy to continue to create value for shareholders.

"Given the impressive and substantial progress being made at Associated Estates, we urge you to protect the value of your investment by voting the WHITE proxy card today to support the Associated Estates slate: Douglas Crocker II, Jon A. Fosheim, Jeffrey I. Friedman, John S. Gates, Jr., Michael E. Gibbons, James J. Sanfilippo, James A. Schoff and Richard T. Schwarz."

8:28 am Gapping down (:SCANX) : Gapping down

Select metals/mining stocks trading lower with Gold Futures down 0.4%: MT -1.5%, CLF -1.4%, ABX -1.3%, VALE -1.2%, GOLD -1%, GDX -0.9%, SLV -0.9%, SLW -0.9%

Other news: ANR -3.9% (discloses its subsidiary received an imminent danger order from the Mine Safety and Health Administration; also downgraded to Sell at UBS), SINA -3.3% (modestly pulling back following last weeks strength), XONE -2% (files for $150 mln mixed securities shelf offering), SHPG -1.2% (still checking), GE -0.9% (slight pull back after Friday's strength)

Analyst comments: ALLT -3.5% (downgraded to Hold from Buy at Needham ), BHP -2.7% (downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Citigroup), QLYS -2% (downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Robert W. Baird), RIO -0.7% (downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Citigroup), BP -0.5% (downgraded to Neutral from Buy at BofA/Merrill)

8:25 am Gapping up (:SCANX) : Gapping up
In reaction to strong earnings/guidance: VNET +11.3%, GBSN +9.2%, (reaffirms guidance)

M&A news: QCOM +4.8% (Jana Partners wants QCOM to consider breakup, according to WSJ)

Select China related names showing strength after Shanghai was up 2%+ last night: AXN +9.5%, JMEI +3%, SFUN +2.2%, DANG +2%, KNDI +1.6%

Other news: CPST +15.4% (announces organization structure changes; will eliminate three executive positions for annual estimated savings of $2 mln),ARWR +15.2% (cleared by FDA to proceed with multiple dose Phase 2b study of ARC-520),ASTI +12.6% (announced it has begun supplying PV for the solar wings of their vehicles as SFUAS is preparing for the production runs to fill its first commercial orders of the Silent Falcon vehicle),SINO +11.3% (announces acquisition of tanker; SINO issued 1.2 million shares of its restricted common stock representing $2,220,000 of the $10.5 million purchase price),FRO +7.2% (still checking),P +6.6% (following reports that peer Spotify may be valued at $8 bln following refinancing ),QTM +5.4% (cont strength),HRG +5.3% (positive Barron's mention),NFLX +3% (files preliminary proxy statement for June 9, 2015 Annual Meeting; one of the proposals seeks to increase the number of shares of capital stock co is authorized to issue),AEZS +2.9% (announces it has plans to initiate a Phase 3 study of Macrilen following a successful meeting with FDA),SHLD +2.1% (Sears Hldg and Simon Property Group (SPG) announce a joint venture for 10 Sears Holdings properties),TSL +1.9% (announces module supply agreement to supply 116 mw modules to Japan's largest solar power project),SUNE +1.1% (positive Barrons mention),AKER +0.7% (announces six new distributors to market its rapid tests for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in nine additional countries within Europe)

Analyst comments: CLVS +5% (upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman),HABT +2% (upgraded to Outperform at Robert W. Baird),CCJ +1.7% (upgraded to Buy from Neutral at BofA/Merrill),UNH +1.5% (upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies),AV +1.4% (resumed with a Overweight at JP Morgan),MRO +1.3% (upgraded to Buy from Neutral at BofA/Merrill),HSBC +1.3% (upgraded to Equal-Weight at Morgan Stanley),LPX +0.8% (upgraded to Sector Perform at RBC Capital Mkts)

8:25 am S&P futures vs fair value: -3.50. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -0.20. (:WRAPX) : U.S. equity futures continue holding modest losses with S&P 500 futures four points below fair value.

Elsewhere, the Dollar Index (99.70, +0.36) is higher by 0.4% as it hovers just below its March high that was established on March 13. The index experienced a 4.0% pullback over the next couple weeks, but has come charging back in recent days.

Today, the dollar has added about 0.3% against the euro, pressuring the single currency to 1.0555.

8:24 am Noble Energy announces additional Falkland Island acreage and 2015 drilling update (NBL) : Co announced that it has acquired a 75 percent interest and operatorship of the PL001 License in the North Falkland Basin from Argos Resources Limited. The PL001 License covers an area of nearly 285,000 gross acres and is located to the northwest of the PL032 License, which includes the Sea Lion oil discovery. Edison International SpA has obtained the remaining 25 percent interest in the PL001 License.

• Noble Energy and Edison will provide to Argos a 5 percent royalty override from all hydrocarbon development on the license. Company's initial operated Falkland Islands prospect, Humpback, is now expected to commence drilling by early May 2015. 
• Noble Energy has identified the Rhea prospect as its initial target on the PL001 License. 
• Rhea is anticipated to commence drilling in the third quarter of 2015 with Noble Energy's second slot on the 2015 Falkland Islands drilling campaign.

8:09 am Hanover Insurance will transfer its UK motor business to Markerstudy Group for total consideration of ~$60 million (THG) : The transaction will be executed through a 100 percent reinsurance arrangement for prior claim liabilities and in-force policies written by this division and the sale of the entities associated with this business. The transaction is not expected to have a material impact on Hanover's 2015 operating earnings

8:09 am Smart & Final Stores sees Q1 rev above estimates (SFS) : Co issues guidance in connection with proposed $100 mln offering by selling shareholders.

Co sees Q1 revs $822 mln vs $819.54 mln Capital IQ Consensus; comps +6.1%; gross margin 14.6-14.9%; adj. EBITDA $34-35 mln.

8:07 am NRG Yield Sends Letter to NRG Stockholders; requesting approval of a recapitalization of the Company's outstanding common stock (NYLD) :

• "If approved, we expect that the recapitalization will enable NYLD to continue to raise capital in the equity markets to fund its growth through the acquisition of assets while minimizing the impact on the current voting rights of existing NYLD stockholders and maintaining the current sponsorship of the Company by its parent company NRG Energy, Inc". 
• "Company and NRG have entered into an amended Right of First Offer Agreement that expands the ROFO asset list with approximately 900 megawatts of new, long-term contract natural gas assets in California, approximately 900 MWs of wind assets and up to $250 million of equity investments in residential solar and distributed generation portfolios, representing a potential new asset class for NYLD".
  

8:07 am Wynn Resorts: Wynn management announces Glass Lewis recommends Wynn Resorts stockholders vote 'FOR' ALL of Wynn Resorts' director nominees (WYNN) :

8:05 am Trinseo announced that it intends to raise $750 million equivalent in gross proceeds (TSE) : Co announced that it intends to raise $750 million equivalent in gross proceeds (in one or both of U.S. dollars and euros) through an offering of senior notes due 2022 by its subsidiaries Trinseo Materials Operating S.C.A. and Trinseo Materials Finance, Inc.

• The net proceeds from the notes offering, together with approximately $450 million of term loan borrowings expected to be available under the Issuers' new senior secured credit facility and available cash, will be used to repay all outstanding indebtedness under the Issuers' 8.750% Senior Notes due 2019.
  

8:05 am The Children's Place rejects Director nominations from Barington and Macellum (PLCE) :

• Co confirmed that it has received notice from Barington Capital Group and Macellum Advisors, which collectively own less than two percent of the Company's shares, that they have nominated three individuals in opposition to The Children's Place's three nominees -- Norman Matthews (Chairman of the Board), Kenneth Reiss (Chair of the Audit Committee) and Stanley Reynolds (member of the Audit Committee) -- standing for re-election to the Board of Directors at the Company's 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held on May 22, 2015.
• The Children's Place's Board of Directors has evaluated Barington and Macellum's nominees and concluded that the Company's three nominees and the other members of the Board have the right combination of expertise, experience and independence. As such, the Board recommends election of the Company's nominees and has rejected the Barington/Macellum nominees. Stockholders do not need to take any action at this time.
  

8:05 am Hospitality Props quarterly distribution increases 2.0% from $0.49 to $0.50 per share (HPT) : Co announced it has raised its regular quarterly common share distribution by $0.01, or 2.0%, to $0.50 per common share ($2.00 per share per year). This distribution will be paid to HPT's common shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 24, 2015 and distributed on or about May 21, 2015.

8:04 am Select Income REIT announces quarterly distribution increases 4.2% from $0.48 to $0.50 per share (SIR) :  

8:04 am NeoThetics announces initiation of Pivotal Phase 3 Clinical Trials for LIPO-202 (NEOT) : Co announced the initiation of two pivotal U.S. Phase 3 trials titled AbCONTOUR1 and AbCONTOUR2 of LIPO-202, the first non-invasive injectable drug candidate for reduction of central abdominal bulging due to subcutaneous fat in non-obese subjects.

8:03 am Avino Silver & Gold Q1 2015 silver equivalent production up 101% compared to Q1 2014 (ASM) : Co reports its Q1 2015 production results from its Avino property near Durango, Mexico. Silver equivalent production increased 101% to 652,620 oz; Silver production increased 56% to 363,210 oz; Gold production increased 37% to 1,750 oz; Copper production continued from startup phase in late 2014 and 872,884 Lbs were processed.

8:03 am Quotient announces technical feasibility established for MosaiQ Hepatitis B surface antigen assay (QTNT) : Co announced that results generated using the MosaiQ methodology demonstrated a high degree of sensitivity and specificity for its Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) assay. The feasibility study was conducted in collaboration with Intuitive Biosciences, Inc., and examined a total of 96 positive and negative samples. The HBsAg assay exceeded Quotient's target of sensitivity and specificity for this phase of development, demonstrating that the MosaiQ methodology can be applied to HBsAg detection. Findings from the study demonstrated sensitivity of 98.6% (23 detected versus 24 positive samples) and 100% specificity (72 negative samples reported as negative). In addition, the MosaiQTM methodology detected the HBsAg standard of 0.2 International Units Per Milliliter. As a result of these positive study results, Quotient now plans to complete the development and validation of the HBsAg assay, including improvement of the analytical sensitivity for inclusion on the MosaiQ disease screening consumable for donor testing. MosaiQ is currently under development and is not available for sale in the United States. Quotient plans to begin field trials for its full donor disease screening consumable (comprising CMV, Syphilis, HBV, HCV, HIV, HTLV and T. cruzi) in 2016.

8:02 am Tahoe Resources sees FY15 gold production 200-220K oz (TAHO) : Subsequent to the successful completion of the Plan of Arrangement between Tahoe and Rio Alto, the Co is providing production and cost guidance as well as reserve and resource information as set out in the following tables. Note that the Rio Alto gold figures represent only three fiscal quarters of expected production in 2015 due to the companies' merger closing on April 1, 2015. Full year gold production is expected to be 200,000 to 220,000 ounces.

8:02 am EXACT Sciences announces expanded patient access to Cologuard as a result of several insurers now covering the test (EXAS) : Co announced expanded patient access to Cologuard as a result of several insurers now covering the test. Cologuard is now covered for more than 90 million Medicare and commercial lives across the U.S. Since the start of 2015, several insurers began covering Cologuard as a noninvasive colon cancer screening test.

8:02 am Las Vegas Sands announces its majority-owned subsidiary Sands China Ltd. (SCHYY) has reached an agreement with the lenders in its existing credit facility to provide an additional US dollar equivalent $1 bln term loan (LVS) :

8:02 am DepoMed announces settlement with Actavis (ACT) on Gralise ANDA litigation, confirming exclusivity to 2024 and dismissing appeal (DEPO) :

• Co announced it has entered into a settlement agreement with Actavis, Inc. in Depomed's patent infringement litigation related to Actavis's Abbreviated New Drug Application seeking approval to market generic versions of Depomed's Gralise (gabapentin) 300 mg and 600 mg tablets.
• The settlement permits Actavis to begin selling generic versions of Gralise on January 1, 2024, or earlier under certain circumstances. The settlement dismisses Actavis's pending appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit of the August 2014 trial court decision finding all seven Depomed patents asserted in the litigation, which expire between 2016 and February 2024, to be valid and infringed.
  

8:01 am Builders Firstsource to acquire ProBuild for $1.63 billion in cash (stock is halted) (BLDR) : Co announces that it has entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire ProBuild Holdings for $1.63 bln in cash. The deal is expected to close in 2H15. With approximately $4.5 billion in revenue in 2014, ProBuild is one of the largest distributors of building materials to professional builders, contractors and project-oriented consumers in the US. ProBuild operates lumberyards, component facilities, millwork shops, gypsum yards and retail stores across 40 states.

8:01 am AstraZeneca and PatientsLikeMe announce five-year agreement to provide access to PatientsLikeMe's network in support of AstraZeneca's research initiatives (AZN) : AstraZeneca (AZN) and PatientsLikeMe sign a five-year agreement to provide access to PatientsLikeMe's global network in support of AstraZeneca's patient-driven research initiatives. AstraZeneca will use patient-reported data from PatientsLikeMe to shape future medicine development and help improve outcomes across its main therapeutic areas, with an initial focus on respiratory disease, lupus, diabetes and oncology.

8:01 am Staples nominated Kunal Kamlani for election to the Board of Directors at the 2015 Annual Meeting; Kamlani was nominated pursuant to an agreement with Starboard (SPLS) : He met with the Staples' Nominating and Corporate Governance committee, which recommended that the full Board nominate him for election. In connection with the agreement, Starboard has agreed to support all of Staples' director nominees at the upcoming 2015 Annual Meeting.

7:56 am Legg Mason reported preliminary assets under management of $702.7 billion as of March 31, 2015, up from $701.8 bln in March 2014 (LM) :

• This month's AUM included preliminary long-term inflows of $2.6 billion, driven by fixed income inflows of $3.9 billion
• Equity and Liquidity outflows were $1.3 billion and $6.5 billion, respectively. March AUM included a negative foreign exchange impact of $3.2 billion.
  

7:55 am S&P futures vs fair value: -3.50. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -0.90. (:WRAPX) : U.S. equity futures trade modestly lower amid mixed action overseas. The S&P 500 futures hover four points below fair value after spending the night within a six-point range.

The new trading week has gotten off to a relatively quiet start with the dollar building on last week's strength. As a result, the Dollar Index (99.78, +0.44) hovers just below its best level from March.

Today's economic data will be limited to the 14:00 ET release of the Treasury Budget for March (Briefing.com consensus -$44.00 billion).

Treasuries hover near their lows with the 10-yr yield higher by three basis points at 1.98%.

In U.S. corporate news of note:

• Netflix (NFLX 462.50, +7.93): +1.7% in reaction to a UBS upgrade to 'Buy' from 'Neutral.' 
• Qualcomm (QCOM 72.50, +3.34): +4.8% after the Wall Street Journal reported that activist investor Jana Partners has urged a breakup of the company. 
• UnitedHealth (UNH 121.30, +2.30): +1.9% after Jefferies upgraded the stock to 'Buy' from 'Hold.' 

Reviewing overnight developments:

• Asian markets ended mostly higher. China's Shanghai Composite +2.2%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng +2.7%, and Japan's Nikkei settled flat 
  • In economic data: 
    • China's March Trade Balance $3.08 billion (expected $45.40 billion; prior $60.60 billion) as Exports -15.0% year-over-year (expected +12.0%; prior +48.3%) and Imports -12.7% year-over-year (expected -11.7%; prior -20.5%) 
    • Japan's February Core Machinery Orders -0.4% month-over-month (expected -2.8%; prior -1.7%); +5.9% year-over-year (expected +3.7%; prior +1.9%) while M2 Money Stock +3.6% year-over-year (expected +3.6%; prior +3.5%) 
    • South Korea's March Export Price Index -6.8% year-over-year (prior -8.1%) and March Import Price Index -17.1% year-over-year (prior -17.8%) 
  • In news: 
    • China's trade surplus came in at its lowest level in more than a year amid declining shipments to the US, Europe, and Japan 

• Major European indices trade mixed. UK's FTSE -0.5% while Germany's DAX and France's CAC hover near their flat lines. Elsewhere, Italy's MIB +0.5% and Spain's IBEX+ 0.6% 
  • Economic data was limited: 
    • French Current Account deficit widened to EUR1.80 billion from EUR300 million (expected deficit of EUR1.20 billion) 
    • Italy's February Industrial Production +0.6% month-over-month (expected 0.5%; prior -0.7%); -0.2% year-over-year (consensus -1.3%; last -2.2%) 
  • Among news of note: 
    • According to Germany's FAZ, Greece has to prepare a list of reforms by April 20 in order to receive the next installment of EU bailout funds

7:46 am Travelers announces it has agreed to acquire a majority interest in the property casualty business of its J. Malucelli Participaes em Seguros e Resseguros S.A. joint venture in Brazil; terms not disclosed (TRV) : Co announces it has agreed to acquire a majority interest in the property casualty business of its J. Malucelli Participaes em Seguros e Resseguros S.A. joint venture in Brazil. J. Malucelli commenced writing property casualty business in 2012. As a result of the transaction, TRV will own 95% of the property casualty business, with Paran Banco, the parent company of J. Malucelli, retaining a 5% interest. The property casualty company will operate under the TRV brand. TRV's interest in the surety business of the J. Malucelli joint venture will remain at 49.5 percent. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

7:42 am Empresas ICA announces agreement with institutional investor CDPQ to create an operational platform dedicated to transportation projects in Mexico (ICA) : The platform initially includes four projects which are the Acapulco Tunnel, the Mayab Tollroad, the Ro Verde -- Ciudad Valles Highway and the La Piedad Bypass. Under the terms of this agreement, ICA will own 51% of the platform and CDPQ, 49%. Upon closing, CDPQ will pay ICA Ps. ~$3.01 bln for its equity interest. Completion is targeted for the second quarter of 2015.

7:36 am Charter Comm announces offer of $1.5 bln in senior unsecured notes due 2023 and 2025 (CHTR) : Co intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the New Notes (together with new borrowings under its revolving credit facility) to finance a tender offer for any and all of its outstanding $1.0 billion 7.25% Senior Notes due 2017  at a purchase price equal to $1,040.50 per $1,000 principal and $700 million 8.125% Senior Notes due 2020  at a purchase price equal to $1,045.50 per $1,000 principal

7:32 am Sino-Global Shipping announces acquisition of tanker; SINO issued 1.2 million shares of its restricted common stock representing $2,220,000 of the $10.5 million purchase price (SINO) : Co announced that it agreed to acquire, subject to a number of closing conditions, Rong Zhou, an 8,818 gross tonnage oil/chemical transportation tanker from the Vessel Seller; and in connection therewith, the Company issued to the Vessel Seller 1.2 million shares of its restricted common stock representing $2,220,000 of the $10.5 million purchase price for the Vessel.  

7:32 am Arrowhead Research cleared by FDA to proceed with multiple dose Phase 2b study of ARC-520 (ARWR) : FDA informed the Company that it can proceed with a multiple-dose Phase 2b clinical study of ARC-520, its clinical candidate for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection, under an investigational new drug (IND) application previously filed with the FDA.

• "Our goal is to gain site IRB approvals and perform site initiation visits to begin recruiting and enrolling patients for this study in about a month... We are also working with various regulatory agencies outside of the United States to initiate additional Phase 2b studies."
  

7:32 am NRG Energy and NRG Yield (NYLD) establish new residential solar partnership (NRG) :

• Cos formed a partnership that will invest in and hold operating portfolios of residential solar assets developed by NRG Home Solar, a subsidiary of NRG. This partnership will hold interests in an unlevered and tax equity financed residential solar portfolio. 
• As part of the agreement, NRG will periodically monetize its residential leases through NRG Yield's upfront equity investment and still retain a residual economic interest in the portfolio, while also providing NRG Yield with additional cash available for distribution. 
• NRG Yield has committed to invest up to $150 mln of cash equity into the partnership over time.

7:31 am Furmanite announces it will mail a letter to shareholders urging them to vote the GOLD proxy card at annual meeting (FRM) : Co announces it will mail a letter to shareholders in connection with the Company's 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, scheduled for April 24, 2015. The Furmanite Board of Directors unanimously recommends that shareholders vote the GOLD proxy card FOR all five of the Company's highly qualified and experienced director nominees: Sangwoo Ahn, Kathleen G. Cochran, Kevin R. Jost, Joseph E. Milliron and Ralph J. Patitucci.

7:30 am Aeterna Zentaris announces it has plans to initiate a Phase 3 study of Macrilen following a successful meeting with FDA (AEZS) : Co announced plans to conduct a new, confirmatory Phase 3 clinical study to demonstrate the efficacy of Macrilen, a novel orally-active ghrelin agonist for use in evaluating adult growth hormone deficiency, as well as a dedicated thorough QT study to evaluate the effect of Macrilen on myocardial repolarization.

• During an end-of-review meeting with the FDA on March 6, 2015, the Company and the FDA agreed on the general design of the confirmatory study as well as evaluation criteria. 
• The study population will consist of patients with a medical history documenting risk factors for AGHD and will include a spectrum of patients from those with a low risk of having AGHD to those with a high risk of having the condition. The Company will submit a proposed final protocol to the FDA for approval prior to commencing the confirmatory study.

7:29 am Celgene: Mesoblast (MBLTY) announces that it has entered into a stock purchase and license agreement with Celgene (CELG) : Mesoblast announced that the Co has entered into an Agreement with Celgene. Pursuant to this Agreement, Celgene will purchase Mesoblast stock and has a six-month right of first refusal to certain disease fields. Under the terms of the Agreement, Celgene will purchase 15.3 million ordinary shares in Mesoblast Limited for a consideration of $45 million. In addition, Celgene has a six-month right of first refusal with respect to Mesoblast's proprietary mesenchymal lineage adult stem cell product candidates

7:12 am Juniper Pharma: Former Columbia Labs (CBRX) changed its name to Juniper Pharma, now trades under JNP ticker (:JNP) :  

7:11 am Cerulean Pharma announces a manuscript publication describing preclinical data regarding CRLX101 (CERU) : Co announced the publication of a manuscript in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, describing preclinical data that demonstrate CRLX101, Cerulean's lead proprietary investigational drug, targets breast cancer stem cells and impedes resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy in breast cancer mouse models.

• The results of the study demonstrate that CRLX101, a dual topoisomerase-1 and HIF-1a inhibitor, blocks the HIF-1a mediated increase in cancer stem cells induced by Avastin in a triple-negative breast cancer xenograft mouse model. The up-regulation of HIF-1a by Avastin is believed to be a mechanism of resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy. 
• The combined effects of CRLX101 plus Avastin on cancer stem cells and bulk tumor cells resulted in significant tumor shrinkage and delayed recurrence in this model. The manuscript posits that these data provide a compelling rationale for combining CRLX101 with angiogenic agents in patients with cancer where HIF-1a mediated increases in cancer stem cells may play a role in chemoresistance
  

7:04 am Micrel announce postponement of 2015 annual meeting from June 19, 2015 to August 4, 2015 (MCRL) : The postponement will allow the Board and the Company's management to further evaluate the Company's strategic alternatives. On January 20, 2015, the Company announced that its Board of Directors decided to undertake a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives to enhance value for shareholders.

7:03 am Northern Oil & Gas amends covenant amendments to its revolving credit facility (NOG) : Co's bank syndicate group reaffirmed and maintained the existing $550 million borrowing base under Northern's revolving credit facility during the semi-annual redetermination period.

• In addition, the bank group agreed to amend certain financial covenants. 
• The 4.0x total debt to EBITDAX covenant was removed and replaced with a secured debt to EBITDAX ratio. 
• The new covenant requires Northern to maintain a ratio of secured debt to EBITDAX of no greater than 2.5 to 1.0.
  

7:02 am Trina Solar announces module supply agreement to supply 116 mw modules to Japan's largest solar power project (TSL) :

• Co announced it signed a module supply agreement with Toyo Engineering Corporation to supply ~116 MW high efficiency modules to the largest solar power project in Japan, an ~231-megawatt facility to be built in Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture.
  

7:02 am Rentrak announces a TV measurement agreement with Gannett Television's WUSA9 in Washington, D.C. (RENT) : Co has signed a multi-year TV measurement agreement with WUSA9, the Gannett-owned CBS-affiliate in Washington, D.C. WUSA9 will utilize Rentrak's massive and passive measurement currency, including Rentrak's single-source Advanced Automotive and Political ratings

7:02 am First Majestic Silver: Q1 Silver production fell 4% YoY; total production +8% (AG) : Q1 total production +8% to 3.91 mln oz (silver equivalent); silver production -4% to 2.78 mln oz; lead +31%

7:02 am Rovi files definitive proxy materials for annual meeting to be held on May 13, 2015; sends letter recommending stockholders vote for its seven director nominees (ROVI) : The board is in a proxy fight with Engaged Capital.

7:01 am Akers Biosciences announces six new distributors to market its rapid tests for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in additional countries within Europe, the Middle East and Africa (AKER) : The Company has signed multi-year distribution agreements with Pathway Diagnostics, covering Great Britain; ACCUSCIENCE Ireland Ltd, covering Ireland and Northern Ireland; Tokra Medikal Tic Ltd Sti, covering Turkey; LabPro d.o.o, covering Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina; AVL Sofia Ltd, covering Bulgaria; and MASTERLAB SARL, covering Morocco.

7:01 am Commerce Bancshares beats by $0.03 (CBSH) : Reports Q1 (Mar) earnings of $0.61 per share, $0.03 better than the Capital IQ Consensus Estimate of $0.58.

• "Average loans grew by $142 million, or 5% annualized, this quarter compared to the previous quarter, with most of this growth occurring in business and automobile lending. Average deposits also grew by $279 million, an annualized increase of 6.0%. This quarter our net interest margin was relatively stable, exclusive of the decline in earnings on our inflation-protected securities. Fee income was up 4% over the previous year as trust fee income grew 11% while brokerage and swap fees also experienced solid growth. Our new mortgage banking initiative, which began this quarter, also generated good growth in new fees. Non-interest expense decreased $6.3 million from the previous quarter and was up 1% compared with the prior year."
  

7:01 am Fortuna Silver Mines reports Q1 production of 1.6 mln ounces of silver and 9,739 ounces of gold; on schedule to produce 6.5 mln ounces of silver and 35.3K ounces of gold in 2015 (FSM) : Co announced first quarter 2015 production figures from its two operating mines in Latin America, the San Jose Mine in Mexico and the Caylloma Mine in Peru.

• The company produced 1.6 million ounces of silver, 9,739 ounces of gold plus base metal by-products. 
• Fortuna is on schedule to produce 6.5 million ounces of silver and 35.3 thousand ounces of gold or 8.6 million Ag Eq ounces in 2015.
  

7:00 am Asian Markets Close: Japan's Nikkei flat; Hong Kong's Hang Seng +2.7%; China's Shanghai Composite +2.2% (:SUMRX) :

• Markets in the Asia-Pacific region finished mostly higher on Monday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index and China's Shanghai Composite continued their bull runs, rallying 2.7% and 2.2%, respectively in the face of weaker than expected trade data out of China. The latter reportedly left traders inclined to think further policy stimulus will be provided.
  

Economic data

• Japan
• February Core Machinery Orders -0.4% month-over-month (expected -2.8%; prior -1.7%); +5.9% year-over-year (expected +3.7%; prior +1.9%) 
• M2 Money Stock +3.6% year-over-year (expected +3.6%; prior +3.5%)
• China
• March Trade Balance $3.08 bln (expected $45.4 bln; prior $60.6 bln)
• Exports -15.0% year-over-year (expected +12.0%; prior +48.3%)
• Imports -12.7% year-over-year (expected -11.7%; prior -20.5%)
• South Korea
• March Export Price Index -6.8% year-over-year (prior -8.1%)
• March Import Price Index -17.1% year-over-year (prior -17.8%)

Equity Markets

• Japan's Nikkei drifted through Monday's trade and ended basically flat for the session. Gains in the communications (+0.9%) and energy (+0.3%) sectors were offset by weakness in the financial (-0.8%) and consumer non-cyclical (-0.8%) sectors. Nippon Electric Glass Co (+17.7%) and Mitsumi Electric Co (+7.2%) led all gainers while Kikkoman Corp (-3.6%) and Tokyo Gas Co (-3.5%) paced the losers. Out of the 225 index members 95 finished higher, 118 ended lower, and 12 were unchanged.
• Hong Kong's Hang Seng surged another 2.7% and closed at its high for the session. The Hang Seng has soared a little over 3500 points, or 14.4%, over its last eight trading sessions with mainland investors helping to power the move. Monday's advance was led by the financial (+4.5%) sector. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (+19.4%), Kunlun Energy Corp (+11.5%), Bank of China (+8.6%), and China Construction Bank (+7.8%) topped the list of winners. Out of the 50 index members, 30 ended higher, 15 closed lower, and 5 were unchanged.
• China's Shanghai Composite jumped 2.2% in the wake of weaker than expected trade data for March, which fueled a trade based on the notion that further policy stimulus will be provided. The consumer non-cyclical (+2.5%) and industrial (+2.4%) sectors led the Chinese market. Over its last eight trading session, the Shanghai Composite has tacked on 374 points or 10%.
• India's Sensex increased 0.6% ahead of the country's Consumer Price Index report for March. Gains were paced by the industrial (+2.4%) and energy (+1.5%) sectors. Individual standouts included Bharat Heavy Electricals (+3.4%), Bharti Airtel (+3.3%), and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (+2.8%).
• Australia's S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.1% with miners weighing on the proceeding amid continued concerns about weak iron ore prices. The metals and mining sector (-1.8%) sector was the weakest area, followed by materials (-1.4%) and resources (-1.1%).
• Regional advancers: Taiwan +0.5%, South Korea +0.5%, Singapore +0.4%, Vietnam +1.0%
• Regional decliners: Malaysia -0.1%, Indonesia -0.8%, Philippines -0.7%
• Closed for holiday: Thailand (Songkran Festival)

FX

• USD/CNY +0.1% at 6.2147
• USD/INR +0.3% at 62.483
• USD/JPY +0.4% at 120.64
  

6:59 am Laredo Petroleum announces business updates; announced Q1 preliminary production volumes of 4.27 million barrels of oil equivalent (LPI) : Co announced preliminary production volumes of 4.27 million barrels of oil equivalent ("MMBOE") for the first quarter of 2015, a Company record and an increase of approximately 47% from first-quarter 2014.

• Co also updated production guidance for full-year 2015 to a range of 15.6 MMBOE to 16.0 MMBOE, an expected increase of approximately 13% to 16% from 2014
  

6:46 am Blackstone Mortgage Trust commences offering of 17.5 mln shares of its Class A common stock (BXMT) :

• The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to pay for a portion of the purchase price for its proposed acquisition of a portfolio of commercial mortgage loans from GE Capital Real Estate, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes.
  

6:45 am Perrigo: Mylan (MYL) announced it has notified Perrigo of an HSR filing with regards to its cash-and-stock proposed acquisition of the co on April 6,2015 (PRGO) :  

6:43 am Bellerophon Therapeutics discloses INOpulse for PH-COPD preliminary results from its exploratory clinical study (BLPH) : The study was conducted to assess the effect of pulsed inhaled nitric oxide using high resolution computed tomography in subjects with pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

• The primary endpoint in the study was the change from baseline in blood volume of each lobe of patients' lungs after dosing with INOpulse using a 30 mcg/kg IBW/hr, or 30 mcg, dose as measured by HRCT. 
• Safety endpoints of the study included device deficiencies, elevated methemoglobin levels, signs of rebound pulmonary hypertension, left heart failure or pulmonary edema and any clinically significant decrease in blood oxygenation levels of arterial blood measured by pulse oximetry. 
  
• The results of this exploratory study show a statistically significant correlation between ventilation and vasodilation after treatment with INOpulse, indicating that the lobes of the lungs with better ventilation were likely to experience more vasodilation when treated with the 30 mcg dose of INOpulse as compared to LTOT and room air. 
• In addition, comparing changes in vasodilation and ventilation between the test and retest without the INOpulse dose showed no correlation (p = 0.476 and O2 = 0.02), suggesting that the increased vasodilation was caused by the INOpulse dose rather than measurement variations. 
• Evaluation of the safety parameters indicated no significant adverse events including no change in blood oxygenation levels as measured by pulse oximetry

6:31 am Alamos Gold and AuRico Gold (AUQ) to combine; AGI holders receive 1 MergeCo share and US$0.0001 in cash; holders of AUQ shares will receive 0.5046 MergeCo shares (AGI) : Alamos Gold (AGI) and AuRico Gold (AUQ) entered into a definitive agreement to combine.

• The transaction is structured as a merger of equals with a transaction equity value of approximately US$1.5 billion. 
• Under the terms of the Merger, holders of Alamos shares will receive, for each share held, 1 MergeCo share and US$0.0001 in cash, and holders of AuRico shares will receive, for each share held, 0.5046 MergeCo shares. 
• Upon completion of the Merger, former Alamos and AuRico shareholders will each own approximately 50% of MergeCo (named Alamos Gold Inc.). 
  

6:29 am On the Wires (:WIRES) :

• Ascent Solar Technologies (ASTI) announced it has begun supplying PV for the solar wings of their vehicles as SFUAS is preparing for the production runs to fill its first commercial orders of the Silent Falcon vehicle.
  
• Bottomline Technologies (EPAY) announced it has launched a patient privacy and data security solution called the Bottomline Healthcare Privacy and Data Security solution
  
• Intercept Pharmaceuticals (ICPT) announced today that several abstracts evaluating obeticholic acid (:OCA) in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (:PBC) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis will be presented at the International Liver Congress 2015, the 50th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (:EASL), being held in Vienna, Austria, from April 22-26, 2015
  
• Viad Corp (VVI) announced that it has entered into an agreement with a group of investors represented by JCP Investment Partnership, LP to appoint Joshua E. Schechter, a representative of the group, to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Schechter is also being appointed to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Viad Board.
  

6:29 am Statoil ASA announces new gas discovery in the Aasta Hansteen region (STO) : Operator Statoil has together with PL602 partners made a gas discovery in the Roald Rygg prospect in the Norwegian Sea. This is the second Statoil discovery in the Aasta Hansteen area this spring.

• The well 6706/12-3, drilled by the Transocean Spitsbergen rig in the Roald Rygg prospect, proved a 38-metre gas column in the Nise Formation with very good reservoir quality. Statoil estimates the volumes in Roald Rygg to be in the range of 12-44 million barrels of recoverable oil equivalent. 
• The estimated total volumes in the two discoveries correspond to about 25% of the Aasta Hansteen recoverable volumes. 
• The plan for development and operations was approved by the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy in 2013. Production start-up is expected in 2017.
  

6:14 am Ur-Energy announces 1Q15 operational results (URG) : For a sixth straight quarter, the Company's Lost Creek Project made sales to meet its contractual commitments. This included product sales of 146,000 pounds U3O8, which were sold at an average price of $50.55 per pound. Quarterly product sales revenues totaled $7.4 million.

• During the quarter, the exploration team initiated an exploration drill program south of the production area for which results are currently being analyzed. Thus far, the program has included 91 holes, of which 34 holes encountered uranium intercepts with either strong mineralization or what the Company characterizes within its technical reports specific to the property as "ore-quality." 
• The Q2 2015 production target for Lost Creek is 210,000 pounds U3O8 dried and drummed.
  

6:03 am Basic Energy Services announces March, 2015 operating data (BAS) :

• Basic's well servicing rig count remained unchanged at 421. Well servicing rig hours for the month were 56,000 producing a rig utilization rate of 55%, compared to 55% and 75% in February 2015 and March 2014, respectively. 
• Drilling rig days for the month were 186 producing a rig utilization of 50%, compared to 63% and 81% in February 2015 and March 2014, respectively
  

6:03 am Sears Hldg and Simon Property Group (SPG) announce a joint venture for 10 Sears Holdings properties (SHLD) : Sears Holdings has contributed 10 properties located at Simon malls to the JV, including property leased to outside parties. Sears Holdings will lease back from the JV and will continue to operate existing Sears Holdings stores at the properties contributed to the JV. Simon has contributed cash to the JV, and the lease arrangements between Sears Holdings and the JV provide the JV with the ability to re-develop the contributed properties and re-leasing space at each property to third-party tenants.

• The transaction values the properties contributed to the JV at $228 million in total. In exchange for $114 million and a 50% interest in the JV, Sears Holdings has contributed 10 of its properties located at Simon malls to the JV. 
• Simon contributed cash in the amount of $114 million in exchange for its 50% interest in the JV, which was then distributed to Sears Holdings
  

6:00 am Sagent Pharma announces the launch of a 10 gram offering of vancomycin hydrochloride for injection (SGNT) :  

5:49 am S&P futures vs fair value: -2.30. Nasdaq futures vs fair value: -1.30. :

5:49 am European Markets : FTSE...7064.43...+25.40...+0.40%.  DAX...12377.73...+3.00...+0.00%.

5:49 am Asian Markets : Nikkei...19905.46...-2.20...0.00%.  Hang Seng...28016.34...+744.00...+2.70%.

5:05 am On The Wires (:WIRES) :

• Stratasys (SSYS) introduced the industrial scale Objet1000 Plus 3D Production System which offers extra large print size and accelerated speeds for demanding manufacturing applications including aerospace, automotive, medical devices, and consumer products as well as for service bureaus and universities. 
• Platts, a division of McGraw Hill Financial (MHFI), and Shanxi Fenwei Energy Consulting Company have deepened their partnership to produce a new independent, editorially-assessed metallurgical coal price series for the Chinese domestic market.
• Mirth, a wholly owned subsidiary of Quality Systems (QSII) announced the launch of Mirth Care Enterprise, a comprehensive population health management suite that bridges the gap between population health management and individual patient care.
  

4:17 am On The Wires (:WIRES) :

• Orange (ORAN) Polska has selected Ericsson (ERIC) as its OSS transformation partner, signing a six-year deal whereby Ericsson will carry out the transformation and optimization of processes and information systems. 
• Southern California Gas Company, a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (SRE), has joined with the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the National Fuel Cell Research Center to launch demonstration projects to create and test a carbon-free, power-to-gas system for the first time ever in the U.S. The technology converts electricity into gaseous energy and could provide North America with a large-scale, cost-effective solution for storing excess energy produced from renewable sources. 
• UniCredit (UNCFF) has signed a three-year contract with Accenture (ACN), under which Accenture will provide a wide range of services to UniCredit's IT organization in Italy, Germany, Austria and the United Kingdom.

3:56 am Silver Standard provides Q1 2015 production results; exceeded gold production schedule at Marigold (SSRI) : Co provides its first quarter 2015 operational results, with record quarterly production at Pirquitas and another strong quarter at Marigold.

First Quarter 2015 Operating Highlights:

• Strong mine fundamentals at Pirquitas: Continued lower strip ratio and higher silver grade, along with sustained higher silver recoveries, led to strong quarterly silver production. 
• Achieved record quarterly production at Pirquitas: Record 2.7 million ounces of silver produced, 23% higher than the previous quarter, and 3.8 million pounds of zinc, on track to meet 2015 production guidance. 
• Increased material movement at Marigold: Daily material moved increased 3%, continuing the trend of more efficient mine operating performance. 
  
• Exceeded gold production schedule at Marigold: Produced 55,598 ounces of gold, on track to achieve 2015 production guidance. 
  

3:39 am Lake Share Gold reports cost performance in Q1/15 (LSG) : Co announced preliminary cash operating cost and all-in sustaining cost per ounce sold for the first quarter of 2015. Final numbers for these measures will be available on April 29, 2015 when the Company issues its full Q1/15 financial results.

• Cash operating cost per ounce sold for Q1/15 is estimated at $509 (including $27 per ounce for royalties), an 18% improvement from $623 per ounce in first quarter of 2014 and significantly better than the Company's full-year 2015 target range of $650 to $700 per ounce. 
• AISC per ounce sold in Q1/15 is estimated at $748 per ounce, an improvement of 22% from $960 in Q1/14 and well below the full-year 2015 target range of $950 to $1,000 per ounce. 
• Total production costs in Q1/15 are estimated at approximately $33.0 million compared to total production costs of $29.7 million in Q1/14 and a full-year 2015 target of $125.0 million.
  

3:33 am On The Wires (:WIRES) :

• Sprint (S) will transform forever the way customers buy or upgrade their mobile phones, tablets and other connected devices with the introduction of Sprint Direct 2 You. 
• Ericsson (ERIC) has been selected to provide the online video platform to the over-the-top and live TV subscription video-on-demand service, currently being developed by Bonnier Broadcasting, a business area within the Bonnier Group. 
• Ingersoll Rand (IR) debuted new innovations that advance the productivity, reliability and efficiency of compressed air and gas operations

3:25 am Hecla Mining reports preliminary first quarter 2015 production results of 2.9 million ounces of silver and 40,651 ounces of gold (HL) : Co announced preliminary production results for the first quarter 2015.

FIRST QUARTER 2015 HIGHLIGHTS (Comparisons to Q1 2014)

• Silver production of 2.9 million ounces, a 16% increase. 
  
• Gold production of 40,651 ounces, a 12% decrease. 
  
• Silver equivalent production of 8.7 million ounces, a 1% decrease.2 
  
• Lead production increased 3% and zinc production decreased 6%. 
  
• Cash and cash equivalents of approximately $194 million as of March 31, 2015. 
  

2:58 am On The Wires (:WIRES) :

• Microsoft (MSFT) announced their collaboration to bring innovative operational excellence to manufacturing with the help of Fujitsu devices powered by Windows 8.1 Pro, the Internet of Things services of FUJITSU Cloud A5 for Microsoft Azure, and the Fujitsu IoT/M2M (machine-to-machine) platform. 
• Grass Valley, a Belden Brand, and Cisco (CSCO) are collaborating on broadcast's new IP future with a live demonstration of Grass Valley's remote IP production workflow, leveraging SMPTE 2022-6
• Rio Tinto (RIO) will move to a ground breaking information systems and technology delivery model, partnering with Accenture (ACN) to shape and deliver the transformation. The new model will migrate core enterprise IS&T systems to an "As-a-Service" solution based in the cloud. It also incorporates consumption based pricing to ensure costs are fully flexible and in line with business demand.

2:42 am On The Wires (:WIRES) :

• Copart (CPRT) announced the opening of its second facility in the Middle East, Copart Bahrain Auctions W.L.L. This facility will open in Manama, Bahrain, on April 12, 2015, with auctions taking place every Sunday at 5 p.m. local time.
• SolarWinds (SWI) announced it will be hosting a joint channel partner event with Spire Solutions, a leader in value-added product distribution in the Middle East, in Dubai on April 12, 2015.
• Miele & Cie. KG announced a proof-of-concept study based on Microsoft (MSFT) Azure Internet of Things services that will help usher in the next generation of smart appliances and home cooking. The concept will allow home users to program their ovens to ensure their meals will come out perfectly cooked, providing an exceptional customer experience.

2:29 am Novartis reports Gilenya data at AAN to highlight Novartis leadership in innovation with new MS assessment methods to benefit patients and physicians (NVS) : Novartis announced new Gilenya analyses to be presented at the 67th American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, USA from April 18-25, 2015, showing how Novartis is advancing methods assessing the impact of relapsing multiple sclerosis for patients and physicians.

• Data will show how adding brain shrinkage (brain volume loss) to an existing tool to assess MS disease activity will give a more precise prediction of the likelihood of future disability progression. 
• Accurate assessment of disease activity is key to guide treatment decisions in RMS. A pooled analysis from the two-year phase III FREEDOMS and FREEDOMS II trials will further confirm Gilenya's high efficacy in previously-treated patients with highly-active RMS in achieving 'no evidence of disease activity' across four key measures: relapses, MRI lesions, brain shrinkage and disability progression. 
• Achieving NEDA4 is especially critical for highly-active RMS patients, who are likely to lose more physical and cognitive functions over time despite being treated.
  

2:24 am Avid Tech enters into a definitive agreement to acquire Orad Hi-Tec Systems for EUR5.67 per share (AVID) : Avid announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Orad Hi-Tec Systems for 5.67 per share in an all-cash transaction. Orad is a provider of state-of-the-art 3D real-time graphics, video servers and related asset management solutions. 
Transaction Highlights

• Avid expects that the combined company will further Avid's position as the most comprehensive provider of content creation to distribution workflows for broadcast and media customers around the world. 
• Avid believes the addition of Orad's products to the Avid platform will further enhance the value of the platform to Avid customers. 
• Joining the larger Avid organization opens opportunities for Orad to gain operating efficiencies and to make the innovation investments most important to Orad customers. 
• Avid expects the transaction to be accretive on an Adjusted EBITDA and cash flow basis, and will be financed by a new $100 million senior subordinated credit facility. 

2:00 am Ur-Energy President and CEO Wayne Heili, to depart the company (URG) : Co announced Wayne Heili, its President and CEO, will be departing the Company. Current Board Chair and Executive Director, Jeffrey Klenda, will assume the role of acting Chief Executive Officer.

1:31 am On The Wires (:WIRES) :

• Operators at PPL's (PPL) Susquehanna nuclear power plant disconnected the Unit 2 reactor from the electrical grid late Friday (4/10) to begin a scheduled refueling and maintenance outage. 
• Avid (AVID) announced another important milestone and continued momentum of The Avid Advantage, the company's transformation of service delivery in the media industry. Co also introduced the flagship Avid VENUE | S6L live sound mixing system
• Harmonic (HLIT) announced the launch of the Spectrum X next-generation media server system that elevates the industry's most trusted server platform to new levels of flexibility, efficiency and reliability.

12:59 am PPL Corp request for transfer of Susquehanna Nuclear Plant licenses approved by Nuclear Regulatory Commission (PPL) : The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Friday approved PPL Susquehanna's request for indirect transfer of control of the operating licenses for both units at the Susquehanna nuclear power plant. The decision is associated with PPL Corporation's proposal to spin off its competitive energy supply business and combine it with competitive generation assets owned by Riverstone Holdings LLC affiliate RJS Power Holdings LLC to form a new independent power producer called Talen Energy Corporation.

• After extensive review of PPL Susquehanna's filing, the NRC determined that the transfer will not adversely affect the technical or financial qualifications to operate the plant, or the assurance of funding for eventual decommissioning of the plant, and will not result in foreign ownership or control of the plant.
• When the spinoff transaction occurs, the name of the company holding the plant licenses will change from PPL Susquehanna LLC to Susquehanna Nuclear LLC, but the owner/operator arrangement will not change. Susquehanna Nuclear will operate the plant, which will continue to be jointly owned by Susquehanna Nuclear and Allegheny Electric Cooperative.

12:55 am Aetrium receives Nasdaq Notification Letter (ATRM) : Co announced today that it received a notification letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of The NASDAQ Stock Market. The letter stated that the Company is not in compliance with Nasdaq's Rule 5250(c)(1) for continued listing because the Company has not yet filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014, and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2014.

12:52 am NuStar Energy and PMI announced an expansion and extension of an existing agreement to transport and store naphtha (NS) : NuStar Energy and PMI, an affiliate of Petrleos Mexicanos, announced that the companies have expanded operations in which NuStar transports and stores naphtha, a gasoline blending component, for PMI. Under the terms of the 10-year agreement, which extends a previous 10-year agreement between the two companies that went into effect in 2005, naphtha produced at Pemex's Reynosa-Burgos Complex in northern Mexico is transported via the NuStar Burgos-Valley pipeline system to NuStar's terminal in Edinburg, Texas. The agreement and related capital investment provides a more efficient, safe and economical method of delivery as it replaces truck deliveries that were moving the naphtha from Mexico to Brownsville.