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U.S. stocks fell on Thursday following comments from a topFederal Reserve official that interest rate increases shouldcome sooner rather than later. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 0.17 percent at 16,839, the S&P 500 wasdown 0.22 percent at 1,955.28 and the Nasdaq Composite was down 20.92 points, or 0.48 percent, to 4,358.84.
** ROYALE ENERGY INC, $3.2648, +8.47 pct
The oil and gas producer said a review found up to 325.3million barrels of oil in two locations in Alaska's North Sloperegion. The assessed regions were among company's recentacquisition of Big Bend seismic survey.
** METHODE ELECTRONICS INC, $37.4, +13.26 pct
The electronic products maker forecast sales for year endingMay 2015 above analysts' estimates. Methode, whose productsinclude touchscreens, sensors, remote controls and high-speeddata cables, said it expects to launch new products in fiscal2015. The company also reported better-than-expected revenue forfourth quarter, helped by higher sales in automotive,interconnect and power products segments.
** CONCERT PHARMACEUTICALS INC, $9.815, +10.28 pct
Ladenburg Thalmann analysts initiated coverage on the drugdeveloper's stock with a "buy" rating. Analysts said theybelieve in the potential of the company's strategy of developingmedicines using deuterium, a naturally occurring relative ofhydrogen that strengthens molecular bonds.
** NATURE'S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS INC, $17.73, +13.15pct
The healthcare company said it entered into a joint venturewith Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Co to market and distributeNature's Sunshine and Synergy products in China.
Fosun Pharma will also invest about $46.3 million inNature's Sunshine common stock in a private placementtransaction.
** HARVARD BIOSCIENCE INC, $3.955, +6.03 pct
Janney Capital Markets started coverage of the scientificapparatus maker's shares with a "buy" rating. Janney analystssaid they expected the new management's initiatives to translateinto double-digit earnings per share growth over the nextseveral years.
** OHR PHARMACEUTICAL INC, $9.74, +33.24 pct
Vista Partners raised the price target on the drugdeveloper's stock to $31 from $14, saying Ohr's Squalamine eyedrops has potential to change the way patients are treated forage-related macular degeneration.
** XEROX CORP, $12.35, -1.89 pct
Brokerage Argus Research cut rating on the company's stockto "hold" from "buy", according Streetinsider.com.
** GOPRO INC, $31.3101, +30.46 pct
Shares of GoPro, which makes wearable cameras, rose as muchas 26 percent in their market debut. The stock's high of $30.19in early Nasdaq trading valued the company at $3.7 billion.
** BARCLAYS PLC, $14.69, -6.49 pct
** UBS AG, $18.43, -2.64 pct
** LAZARD LTD, $50.4, -2.87 pct
** CREDIT SUISSE GROUP AG, $28.311, -3.47 pct
** DEUTSCHE BANK AG, $26, -2.38 pct
The New York State's attorney general has filed a securitiesfraud lawsuit against Barclays, accusing the British bank ofgiving an unfair edge in the United States to high-frequencytrading clients even as it claimed to be protecting othercustomers from such traders. Barclays could suffer a litigationcost of $163 million from the activities and Deutsche Bank andUBS could face similar costs from an industry-wideinvestigation, said analysts at Credit Suisse. They gave noestimate for their own bank.
** STEELCASE INC, $15.86, -10.19 pct
The office furniture maker forecast adjusted current-quarterprofit of 22-26 cents per share, below the average analystestimate of 28. The company reported lower-than-expected firstquarter profit, citing weak growth in the Americas and highercosts associated with warranties and freight and distribution,some of which may impact results in current quarter
Steelcase shares were the biggest loser on the New YorkStock Exchange.
** POWERSECURE INTERNATIONAL INC, $9.92, +3.33 pct
The utility and energy technology provider said it madechanges to a contract with an unnamed utility customer,including adjustments to pricing. Lake Street Capital Marketsraised rating on the company's stock to "buy" from "hold".Analysts said renegotiated utility contract gives them greaterconfidence in forward estimates for the company.
** SCHLUMBERGER NV, $116.19, +2.06 pct
Six brokerages raised price targets on the world's largestoilfield services company's stock to $127-$140 after it forecast2017 earnings per share largely above analysts' averageestimate. Schlumberger's margins can improve due to continuedgrowth in the Gulf of Mexico, the introduction of newtechnologies, and increasing operational efficiencies, accordingto RBC Capital Markets.
** TCP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LTD, $10.44, -5.09pct
The lamp maker's shares fell as much as 7.36 pct to $10.19,valuing company at about $282.2 million. The IPO of 7.1 millioncommon share, which were priced at $11 each, below expectedrange of $13-$15, raised about $78.6 million.
** SERVICEMASTER GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC, $17.7, +4.12pct
Shares of ServiceMaster rose about 3.64 percent in theirdebut, valuing the owner of Terminix pest control and AmericanHome Shield brands at about $2.25 billion.
The IPO raised about $610.3 million after its offering waspriced at $17, slightly below its expected price range of$18-$21 per share.
** CANADIAN SOLAR INC, $29.71, +4.21 pct
The solar panel maker's unit signed a deal with KingstonSolar LP for the construction of a 140 megawatt DC Solar Farm inOntario. The project is expected to be fully operational in thethird quarter of 2015 and generate over C$300 million ($276million) in revenue.
** GLU MOBILE INC, $4.41, +8.89 pct
The mobile game maker announced support for Google's Android TV platform. Glu said gamers can now play itstop games, Deer Hunter 2014 and Eternity Warriors 2, on a bigscreen in high definition. The company also integrated the newGoogle Play Game Services into several of its games.
** HB FULLER CO, $47.06, -6.35 pct
The adhesive provider's second-quarter revenue and full-yearearnings missed average analyst estimate, while gross profitmargin fell 2 percentage points.
** UNIPIXEL INC, $7.54, +9.59 pct
The touchscreen sensor maker said it started pilotproduction of its new InTouch Sensors, overcoming technicalchallenges.
Cowen & Co raised price target on the company's stock to$7.50 from $5.00. Analyst Robert Stone said a modest penetrationof the touch device market could support strong sales growth.
** IRON MOUNTAIN INC, $35.75, +20.09 pct
The document storage company said its board has approved itsconversion to a REIT for 2014 tax year after favorable IRSruling.
** CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC, $14.9, +3.76 pct
The coal miner issued an open letter to shareholdersrejecting activist investor Casablanca Capital LP's claimsagainst the current management.
The hedge fund, which wants to replace Cliffs Natural'schief executive, responded by asking shareholders to vote forits board nominees.
** ELIZABETH ARDEN INC, $22.13, -18.04 pct
South Korea's LG Household & Health Care Ltd said it is no longer interested in acquiring Elizabeth Ardenafter the U.S. cosmetics firm announced this week it wouldembark on extensive restructuring due to mounting losses.
** AUXILIUM PHARMACEUTICALS INC, $21.005, -1.06 pct
** QLT INC, $6.16, +14.08 pct
Drugmaker Auxilium said it would buy Canadian eye drug makerQLT in an all-stock deal to gain access to QLT'sexperimental treatment for retinal diseases caused by genemutations. For QLT shareholders, the transaction represents a 25percent premium based on a calculation of the closing prices ofAuxilium and QLT shares on the Nasdaq on June 25.
** AGENUS INC, $3.51, +2.33 pct
The biotechnology company reported promising data frommid-stage trial of its experimental vaccine for treating genitalherpes. The company said more than half of those vaccinateddeveloped a robust immune response.
** ALCOA INC, $14.94, +2.68 pct
The aluminum giant has agreed to acquire aircraft partsmaker Firth Rixson from private equity firm Oak Hill CapitalPartners for $2.85 billion in cash and stock, the company saidon Thursday. The deal will grow Alcoa's aerospace segment, andboost the aluminum giant's production of nickel and titaniumgoods.
** C&J ENERGY SERVICES INC, $32.51, -0.91 pct
** NABORS INDUSTRIES LTD, $29.09, +6.56 pct
Oilfield services provider Nabors will merge its wellmaintenance business with C&J Energy and receive $2.86 billionin cash and stock. After the deal, Nabors will own about 53percent of the combined company, which will be listed on the NewYork Stock Exchange as C&J Energy Services Ltd.
** BED BATH & BEYOND INC, $56.48, -7.58 pct
The home goods retailer reported weaker-than-expectedresults and forecast. The company said it expects second-quarterearnings of $1.08-$1.16 per share, lower than average analystestimate of $1.20. Two brokerages cut price targets on thecompany's stock, citing weak earnings.
** PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL INC, $86.48, -2.71 pct
The cigarette maker cut its earnings forecast for 2014 andsaid it is proving to be a "complex and truly atypical" year forthe company. Philip Morris and its rivals are grappling withdeclining sales in a number of markets due to increasinggovernment regulation and more health-aware consumers, as wellas smuggling and an economic downturn. (Compiled by Amrutha Gayathri in Bangalore; Editing by JoyjeetDas)
Barclays (BARC)
