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U.S. stocks opened slightly higher on Thursday, after theEuropean Central Bank cut interest rates to record lows and aflurry of economic data indicated the U.S. economy was steadilyimproving. The Dow Jones industrial average was up 0.37percent at 17,141.74, the S&P 500 was up 0.47 percent at2,010.16 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.2 percent4,581.71.
** AMAZON.COM INC, $347.65, +2.55 pct
Sanford C. Bernstein raised its price target on the stock ofthe online retailer to $450 from $360. "Amazon has built abetter, more cost-effective retail model than the vast majorityof brick-and-mortar retailers," Bernstein analysts said in anote. The median price target on stock is $400, according toThomson Reuters data.
** AEROVIRONMENT INC, $32, -4.90 pct
The drone maker reported a first-quarter loss of 16 centsper share, wider than the average analysts' estimate of 11cents, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S
** NORDSTROM INC, $70.66, +1.46 pct
The apparel retailer authorized a $1 billion sharerepurchase. The latest buyback excludes $323 million remainingunder earlier plan.
** TASER INTERNATIONAL INC, $17.95, +7.23 pct
The stun gun maker received multiple orders from theCleveland police department for its Taser brand smart weapons.The company did not disclose the financial terms.
The stock had gained about 35 percent since Aug. 8, a daybefore fatal shooting in Ferguson, Missouri, through Wednesday.
** METHODE ELECTRONICS INC, $39.58, +15.53 pct
The electronic component maker said it expects full-yearprofit of $2.10-$2.20 per share on revenue of $870 million-$885million, up from prior forecast of a profit of $1.85-$2 pershare on revenue of $835 million-$860 million. MethodeElectronics reported a better-than-expected first quarterresults, helped by higher sales and better margins in itsautomotive unit.
The company's shares rose 16.5 percent to a 14-year-high of$40.
** IRONWOOD PHARMACEUTICALS INC, $12.39, -4.62 pct
Cowen & Co lowered its rating on the drugmaker's stock to"market perform" from "outperform", citing recent physicianfeedback on Ironwood's constipation drug, Linzess. The brokeragealso slashed its price target to $10.50 from $16.00, saying itsconsultants believe adoption of Linzess by general practitionerswill be slow.
** NORTHSTAR REALTY FINANCE CORP, $18.35, -2.65 pct
The real estate investment trust priced its offering of 45million shares at $18.40 per share, a discount of 2.4 percent tostock's Wednesday close. The offering represents 22.7 percent ofoutstanding shares as of Aug. 8.
The stock is most traded on New York Stock Exchange onThursday. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc will borrow and sell 22.5million shares to underwriters in the offering.
** SHOE CARNIVAL INC, $19.64, -11.37 pct
The footwear retailer reported lower-than-expected secondquarter sales and profit as fewer customers visited its storesand expenses rose. Its profit has now missed estimates for thelast three quarters. The company forecast third quartercomparable-store sales to either decline up to 1 percent or growup to 1 percent.
Susquehanna Financial Group analysts cut price target to $24from $25 on the stock which had fallen 24 percent this year upto Wednesday's close.
** SOLARCITY CORP, $70.8244, +4.58 pct
The solar panel installer said it would open 20 newoperations centers in seven U.S. states. The company, backed byTesla Motors Inc founder Elon Musk, says new centersexpected to create more than 600 additional jobs.
** BAZAARVOICE INC, $7.9808, +6.41 pct
B. Riley & Co raises price target on stock of the softwaremaker to $10 from $9.75, saying net new client additions in Q1were significantly higher than it had estimated.
Bazaarvoice, which provides businesses online and socialmedia tools to interact with customers, reportedhigher-than-expected Q1 revenue and smaller-than-expected losson Wednesday
** VERIFONE SYSTEMS INC, $35.93, +4.02 pct
The credit card swipe machine maker raised full-year revenueforecast for the third time, encouraged by strong sales ofdevices that can accept chip-embedded credit cards. VeriFonealso raised full-year profit forecast and reportedbetter-than-expected third quarter revenue.
The company is benefiting as U.S. retailers upgrade theirpoint-of-sale terminals to systems compatible with more securecredit cards in the wake of several data breaches. Up toWednesday's close, the stock had risen nearly 30 percent thisyear.
** ARLINGTON ASSET INVESTMENT CORP, $27.197, -4.20pct
The mortgage investor said it was offering 2.75 millionshares of Class A common stock - 14 percent of its totaloutstanding shares - at $27.61 each, a 2.7 pct discount toWednesday's close.
Arlington said it plans to use the proceeds to acquireassets. Up to Wednesday's close, the stock had risen 7.6 percentthis year.
** STEREOTAXIS INC,$3.35, +17.54 pct
The medical device maker received U.S. FDA's marketingapproval for its device used during procedures to assess heartactivity. The device, called Vdrive Robotic Navigation System,is designed to remotely control catheter during such procedures.
** KAMADA LTD, $5.75, -19.69 pct
The Israel-based drugmaker's experimental drug to treat aninherited condition that raises the risk of lung and liverdisease failed in a mid-stage study. The drug, Inhaled Alpha-1Antitrypsin, did not show a statistically significantdifference, compared with a placebo. Glassia, an intravenousversion of the drug, is already being marketed by Baxter Inc in the United States.
** CIENA CORP, $18.76, -8.31 pct
The network equipment forecast fourth quarter revenue of$570 million-$610 million, below the average analyst estimate of$628.9 million. The company said it expects fourth quarteradjusted gross margin in the high 30s to low 40s percent range.
** MITEK SYSTEMS INC, $3.55, +49.79 pct
The mobile imaging software maker agreed on Wednesday tosettle all pending litigation with financial services group USAAover five of its patents relating to image capture on mobiledevices. Mitek's lawsuit filed in 2012 also included allegationsof misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract andfraud. The company said neither party will make any payment oradmit liability on any claims.
** GOPRO INC, $54.4, -4.33 pct
J.P. Morgan cut its rating on the stock of the maker of camera makers to "neutral" from "overweight", saying the stockis trading above its price target of $51. The median pricetarget on stock is $46.50. Of nine analysts covering the stock,2 have "buy" ratings and 7 have "hold" or equivalent ratings. Upto Wednesday's close, the stock had risen 137 percent since itsdebut on June 26.
** MEMORIAL PRODUCTION PARTNERS LP, $22.42, -3.20pct
The oil and gas producer said it would offer 13 millioncommon units; representing 18 percent of outstanding shares asof Wednesday. The company said it plans to use net proceeds fromthe underwritten public offering to pay down debt.
** MATTRESS FIRM HOLDING CORP, $63.41, +11.62 pct
The company said it would buy privately held beddingretailer The Sleep Train Inc for $425 million, its sixth andlargest acquisition announced in the past year, to expand itspresence on the West Coast.
** NEWLINK GENETICS CORP, $26.79, +3.16 pct
NewLink Genetics said the U.S. Food and Drug Administrationallowed the company to start testing an experimental Ebolavaccine in humans.
The move follows a decision to begin initial human testingof a GlaxoSmithKline vaccine this month and an approvalto fast track tests of a Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
** TIBCO SOFTWARE INC, $21.9101, +4.14 pct
The business software maker said it was reviewing itsstrategic and financial alternatives as part of a processinitiated by its board on Aug. 16 to maximize shareholder value. The company has formed a special committee of independentdirectors to undertake the review.
** MATRIX SERVICE CO, $22.7, -22.07 pct
The engineering and construction services provider's fourthquarter revenue and profit missed analysts' estimates due to a47 percent rise in costs. Revenue from the company's oil, gasand chemical segment, which provides construction andmaintenance services to North American oil producers, fell about22 percent to $52.1 million. Matrix also forecast full-yearearnings below estimates.
** PVH CORP, $128.12, +9.38 pct
The apparel company's second quarter profit beatexpectations, helped by strong sales of its TommyHilfiger-branded clothes. PVH cut its full-year revenue forecastto $8.4 billion from $8.5 billion, but it reaffirmed its profitforecast. (Compiled by Rohit T.K. in Bangalore; Editing by Joyjeet Das)
