The Food and Drug Administration informed
Novartis AG (NVS) that it needs an additional clinical data before it can approve the company's diabetes drug Galvus, a move that analysts say could delay the drug's approval by up to a year.
TXU Corp. (TXU), the biggest power utility in Texas, said Monday that its board agreed to a deal to be taken private by an investor group led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR), Texas Pacific Group and Goldman Sachs.
Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (MRVL) said late Monday that fourth-quarter revenue rose 27% from a year ago as it sold more chips used in data storage devices and consumer electronics. Shares moved up on the news.
Apple Inc. (AAPL) shares slipped Monday evening after the company said that it has pushed back the release of its Apple TV product. "Wrapping up Apple TV is taking a few weeks longer than we projected," according to Lynn Fox, an Apple spokeswoman. No reasons were cited why.
Brocade (BRCD) shares rose 6.2% to $9.23 after the company reported fiscal first-quarter earnings of $33.3 million, or 12 cents a share, up from $9.7 million or 4 cents a share a year ago.
Threshold Pharmaceuticals (THLD) shares dropped 60% to $1.40 after the biotech firm said that a Phase III clinical trial for its drug candidate glufosfamide failed to show the drug could extend lives in patients stricken with pancreatic cancer.
NetEase (NTES) shares rose 3.7% to $22.63. The company said that its fourth-quarter net profit grew 19% to $41 million, or 30 cents per ADR, from a year-earlier profit of $34.4 million or 25 cents a share. Revenue grew nearly 15% to $69.2 million. Excluding certain items, fourth-quarter profit was $44 million compared with $34.2 million a year earlier. Analysts expected earnings of 24 cents a share on revenue of $64.8 million.
Focus Media (FMCN) shares traded up 3.2% at $85.68 after the company's fourth-quarter net income more than tripled to $30.1 million, or 55 cents per ADR, from $9.43 million or 23 cents an ADS a year earlier. Total revenue increased to $68.3 million from $24.6 million. Analysts were looking for earnings of 62 cents a share on revenue of $68.6 million.
Xilinx Inc. (XLNX) shares rose 1.1% to $26.63 after the company boosted its quarterly dividend to 12 cents a share from 9 cents a share. It also approvated a share buyback plan of up to $1.5 billion, which is in addition to the $175 million remaining from its previous program. The company is funding this through a proposed $900 million convertible notes offering.
Dow Chemical Co. (DOW) management said that it would oppose any attempt by buyout firms to break up the chemical giant. Shares, however, closed 3.5% higher on rumors that the company could be valued as high as $60 per share in a buyout.