Grupo Simec Announces Audited Results of Operations for the Twelve Month Period Ended December 31, 2014

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, April 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Simec, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: SIM) ("Simec") announced today its results of operations Audited for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Twelve-Month Period Ended December 31, 2014 compared to Twelve-Month Period Ended December 31, 2013.

Net Sales

Net sales increased 10% by the combination of higher shipments of finished steel products by 6% and the average sales price per ton of 3% compared the same period of 2013, the sale rose from Ps. 24,369 millions in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013 to Ps. 26,829 millions in the same period of 2014. Shipments of finished steel products increase 6% to 2 million 197 thousand tons in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2014 compared to 2 million 064 thousand tons in the same period of 2013. Total sales outside of Mexico in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2014 increased 17% to Ps. 13,314 million compared with Ps. 11,347 million in the same period of 2013. Total sales in Mexico increased 4% from Ps. 13,022 millions in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013 to Ps. 13,515 millions in the same period of 2014.  The increase in sales is due to the increase of the average sales price of 3% and higher shipments of finished steel products by 6%.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales increased 14% from Ps. 22,410 millions in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013 to Ps. 25,492 millions in the same period of 2014. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales in twelve months ended on December 31 of 2014 represented 95% and 92% in the same period of 2013. The average cost of finished steel produced in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period of 2013 increased approximately 7% by higher costs of SBQ steel.

Gross Profit

Gross profit of the Company in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2014 was of Ps. 1,337 million compared to Ps. 1,959 millions in the same period of 2013. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales represented 5% in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2014 and 8% in the same period of 2013. The decrease in the gross profit is due to higher shipments of finished steel products and higher inputs costs in 2014, compared with the same period of 2013.

Operating Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 7% from Ps. 1,117 millions in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013 to Ps. 1,194 million in the same period of 2014. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales represented 5% during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013 and 4% in the same period of 2014.

Other Expenses (Income) net

The company recorded other expenses of Ps. 59 millions in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013 compared to other net income of Ps. 61 millions in the same period of 2014.

Operating Income

Operating income decreased 74% from Ps. 783 million for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013 to Ps. 203 millions in the same period of 2014. Operating income as a percentage of net sales represented 3% during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013 and 1% in the same period of 2014.

EBITDA

The EBITDA of the Company decreased 28% from Ps. 1,836 millions in the twelve-month prior ended December 31, of 2013, to Ps. 1,321 millions in the same period of 2014.

Comprehensive Financial Cost 

Comprehensive financial cost in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2014 represented a net income of Ps. 477 million compared with a net expense of Ps. 75 millions in the same period of 2013. The net interest was an income of Ps. 3 millions in 2014 compared with a net interest expense of Ps. 9 million in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013. As a result, we registered a net exchange income of Ps. 474 millions in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2014 compared with a net exchange loss of Ps. 66 millions in the same period of 2013, reflecting a 13% increase in the value of the peso versus the dollar in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013.

Income Taxes

The Company have recorded an expense net tax of Ps. 162 millions in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2014 (including the income of deferred income tax of Ps. 116 millions) compared with a net income tax of Ps. 282 millions in the same period of 2013 (including the expense tax deferred of Ps. 339 millions).

Net Income (loss) (After Minority Interest)

As a result of the foregoing, net income decreased by 21% from Ps. 1,517 millions in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013 to a net income of Ps. 1,204 millions in the same period of 2014. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2014, Simec's total consolidated debt consisted of U.S. $302,000 of 8 7/8% medium-term notes ("MTN's") due 1998, Ps. 4.5 million (accrued interest on December 31, 2014 was U.S. $555,585 or Ps. 6.9 millions).  As of December 31, 2013, Simec's total consolidated debt consisted of U.S. $302,000 of 8 7/8% medium-term notes ("MTN's") due 1998, Ps. 3.9 million (accrued interest on December 31, 2013 was U.S. $527,048, or Ps. 6.9 millions).

Comparative fourth quarter 2014 vs third quarter 2014.

Net Sales

Net sales decreased 6% from Ps. 7,021 millions in the third quarter of 2014 to Ps. 6,604 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. Sales in tons decreased from 583 thousand ton in the third quarter of 2014 to 548 thousand ton in the fourth quarter of the same period a decrease of 6%. Total sales outside of Mexico for the fourth quarter of 2014 decreased 9% from Ps. 3,482 millions in the third quarter to Ps. 3,176 millions in the four quarter of 2014. Sales in Mexico diminish to 3,428 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared Ps. 3,539 millions in the third quarter of 2014 an decrease of 3%. Prices of finished products sold in the fourth quarter of 2014 remained compared to the third quarter of the same period.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales increased to Ps. 6,858 millions in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to Ps. 6,564 million for the third quarter of 2014. With respect to sales, in the fourth quarter of 2014, the cost of sales represented 104% for the fourth quarter of 2014 while for the third quarter of 2014 was of 93%. The average cost of sales by ton increased 11% in the fourth quarter of 2014 versus the third quarter of 2014.

Gross Profit

Gross profit of the Company for the fourth quarter of 2014 decreased 156% to Ps. -254 million compared to Ps. 457 millions in the third quarter of 2014. The gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the fourth quarter was of -4% and 7% for the third quarter of 2014.

Operating Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 35% to Ps. 367 millions in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to Ps. 271 million for the third quarter of 2014. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales represented 6% during the fourth quarter of 2014 and 4% for the third quarter of 2014.

Other Expenses (Income) net

The company recorded other net income of Ps. 3 millions in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to other net income of Ps. 49 million for the third quarter of 2014.

Operating (Loss) Income

Operating income was of Ps -618 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to an operating income of Ps. 235 millions in the third quarter of 2014. The operating income as a percentage of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2014 represented -9% while the operating income for the third quarter of 2014 represented 3%.

EBITDA

The EBITDA was Ps. 487 millions in the third quarter of 2014 compared to Ps. -249 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 due to the above explained.

Comprehensive Financial Income (Cost)

Comprehensive financial cost for the fourth quarter for 2014 was a net income of Ps. 415 million compared with a net income of Ps. 89 million for the third quarter of 2014. The net interest income in the fourth quarter was Ps 11 million compared to Ps 5 millions in the third quarter of 2014. At the same time we registered an exchange net income of Ps. 84 millions in the third quarter of 2014 compared with an exchange net income of Ps. 404 millions in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes for the fourth quarter of 2014 had an expense net tax of Ps. 225 million (including an income tax deferred for Ps. 71 millions) compared to an income of Ps. 28 million for the third quarter of 2014, (including an expense tax deferred of Ps. 6 millions).

Net Income (loss) (After Minority Interest)

As a result of the foregoing, the Company had a net income of Ps. 21 millions in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to Ps. 460 million of net income in the third quarter of 2014.

Comparative fourth quarter 2014 vs fourth quarter 2013

Net Sales

Net sales increased 19% from Ps. 5,532 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 to Ps. 6,604 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. Sales in tons of finished steel in the fourth quarter of 2013 were 485 thousand tons versus to 548 thousand tons in the fourth quarter of 2014. Total sales outside of Mexico increase 30% from Ps. 2,437 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 to Ps. 3,176 millions in the fourth quarter of 2014. Sales in Mexico increased 11% from Ps. 3,095 millions in the fourth quarter of 2013 to Ps. 3,428 millions in the fourth quarter of 2014. The average sales prices of finished products sold in the fourth quarter of 2014 increased approximately 6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2013.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales increased 26% from Ps. 5,446 millions in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to Ps. 6,858 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. With respect to sales, the cost of sales represented 104% during the fourth quarter of 2014 and 98% during the fourth quarter of 2013. The average cost of steel products increased 11% in the fourth quarter of 2014 versus the fourth quarter of 2013.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2014 decreased 395% from Ps. 86 millions in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to Ps. -254 millions in the fourth quarter of 2014. The gross profit as a percentage of net sales represented -4% during the fourth quarter of 2014 and 2% during the fourth quarter of 2013.

Operating Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 58% from Ps. 233 millions in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to Ps. 367 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales represented 6% during the fourth quarter of 2014 and 4% during the fourth quarter of 2013.

Other Expenses (Income) net

The company recorded other expenses net of Ps. 68 millions in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared with other income net of Ps. 3 million for the fourth quarter of 2014.

Operating (Loss) Income

Operating loss was of Ps. 618 millions in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to an operating loss of Ps. 215 millions in the fourth quarter of 2013. The operating income as a percentage of net sales in the fourth quarter of 2014 was -9%, compared to an operating loss of -4% in the fourth quarter of 2013.

EBITDA

The EBITDA from the fourth quarter of 2014 increased 3,457% from a loss of Ps -7 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 to a loss of Ps -249 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Comprehensive Financial Income (Cost)

Comprehensive financial cost for the fourth quarter of 2014 was a net income of Ps. 415 million compared with a net income of Ps 84 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. Net interest income was of Ps. 11 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared with a net interest expense of Ps. 18 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. At the same time we registered a net exchange income of Ps. 404 millions in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared with an exchange income of Ps. 66 millions in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Income Taxes

The Company  recorded an expense net taxes for the fourth quarter of 2014 of Ps. 225 million (including an income of deferred income tax of Ps 71 millions),  compared to an income taxes of Ps. 35 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, (including an expense of deferred income tax of Ps. 198 millions).

Net Income (loss) (After Minority Interest)

As a result of the foregoing, the Company recorded a net income of Ps. 21 millions in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to Ps. 151 million of net income in the fourth quarter of 2013.

(millions of pesos)	Jan - Dec '14		Jan - Dec '13		Year 14 vs '13
Sales	26,829		24,369		10%
Cost of Sales	25,492		22,410		14%
Gross Profit	1,337		1,959		(32%)
Selling, General and Administrative Expense	1,194		1,117		7%
Other Income (Expenses), net	61		-59		(203%)
Operating Profit	203		783		(74%)
EBITDA	1,321		1,836		(28%)
Net income	1,204		1,517		(21%)
Sales Outside Mexico	13,314		11,347		17%
Sales in Mexico	13,515		13,022		4%
Total Sales (Tons)	2,197		2,064		6%
Cost by ton	11,603		10,858		7%

Quarter
(millions of pesos)	4Q'14	3Q '14	4Q '13	4Q´14vs 3Q´14	4Q´14 vs 4Q '13
Sales	6,604	7,021	5,532	(6%)	19%
Cost of Sales	6,858	6,564	5,446	4%	26%
Gross Profit	-254	457	86	(156%)	(395%)
Selling, General and Adm. Expenses	367	271	233	35%	58%
Other Income (Expenses), net	3	49	-68	(94%)	(104%)
Operating Profit	-618	235	-215	(363%)	187%
EBITDA	-249	487	-7	(151%)	3457%
Net Income	21	460	151	(95%)	(86%)
Sales Outside Mexico	3,176	3,482	2,437	(9%)	30%
Sales in Mexico	3,428	3,539	3,095	(3%)	11%
Total Sales (Tons)	548	583	485	(6%)	13%
	12,515	11,259	11,229	11%	11%

Product	Thousands of Tons Jan-Dec 2014	Million of Pesos Jan-Dec 2014	Average Price per Ton Jan-Dec 2014	Thousands of Tons Jan – Dec 2013	Million of Pesos Jan- Dec 2013	Average Price per Ton Jan-Dec 2013
Special Profiles	1,199	16,985	14,166	1,175	15,965	13,587
Commercial Profiles	998	9,844	9,864	889	8,404	9,453
Total	2,197	26,829	12,212	2,064	24,369	11,087

Product	Thousands of Tons Oct-Dec 2014	Million of Pesos Oct-Dec 2014	Average Price per Ton Oct-Dec 2014	Thousands of Tons Jul-Sep 2014	Million of Pesos Jul-Sep 2014	Average Price per Ton Jul-Sep 2014	Thousands of Tons Oct-Dec 2013	Million of Pesos Oct-Dec 2013	Average Price per Ton Oct-Dec 2013
Special Profiles	253	3,605	14,249	311	4,326	13,910	266	3,633	13,657
Commercial Profiles	295	2,999	10,166	272	2,695	9,908	219	1,899	8,671
Total	548	6,604	12,051	583	7,021	12,043	485	5,532	11,406

Any forward-looking information contained herein is inherently subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions which, if incorrect, may cause actual results to vary materially from those anticipated, expected or estimated. The company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained herein.

Contact:
Sergio Vigil Gonzalez
Mario Moreno Cortez
Grupo Simec, S.A.B. de C.V.
52 55 1165 1025
52 33 3770 6734

SOURCE Grupo Simec, S.A.B. de C.V.


RELATED LINKS
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Thomas Franco Joins Virtus Investment Partners As Divisional Sales Manager for Wirehouse Channel

HARTFORD, Conn., April 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRTS), which operates a multi-manager asset management business, today announced that Thomas Franco has joined the company as managing director and divisional sales manager.

Franco will lead the Western regional sales directors who support the wirehouse channel for Virtus' open- and closed-end mutual funds and separately managed accounts. John McCormack continues to lead regional directors in the Eastern region. Both report to Barry M. Mandinach, executive vice president, head of distribution.

"Tom is an experienced leader who brings a proven track record of building durable relationships with financial advisors and growing the business. He understands the challenges advisors face in providing investment solutions for their clients, and will be instrumental in helping us further distinguish our value proposition among our distribution partners," Mandinach said.

Franco joins Virtus from UBS Global Asset Management, where he was managing director and head of national sales since 2009, responsible for leading the wholesale distribution sales team for the private client and ultra-high-net-worth channels. Prior to becoming head of national sales, he was executive director and national sales manager at UBS for the PACE Select Funds.

He joined UBS in 2001 from Phoenix Investment Partners (PXP), the predecessor to Virtus, where he was a regional sales manager, a position he also held at Zweig Mutual Funds, which was acquired by PXP in 1999.

About Virtus Investment Partners

Virtus Investment Partners (NASDAQ: VRTS) is a distinctive partnership of boutique investment managers singularly committed to the long-term success of individual and institutional investors. Virtus offers access to a variety of investment styles across multiple disciplines to meet a wide array of investor needs, and provides products and services through affiliated managers and select subadvisers, each with a distinct investment style, autonomous investment process and individual brand. Its affiliates include Cliffwater Investments, Duff & Phelps Investment Management, ETF Issuer Solutions, Euclid Advisors, Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management, Kleinwort Benson Investors International, Newfleet Asset Management, Newfound Investments, Rampart Investment Management and Zweig Advisers.

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SOURCE Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.


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Republic Bank's Pennsylvania Commercial Lending Team Continues to Grow

PHILADELPHIA, April 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRBK), the parent company of Republic Bank, today announced that Eric Tweer was named Vice President Commercial Lender for Pennsylvania. In this role, Tweer will develop commercial lending opportunities for Republic Bank throughout the Delaware Valley. Most recently, Tweer was a Commercial Lender at Citibank where he executed on a strategic business plan to grow portfolio assets by marketing to multi-national commercial clients.

Prior to his time at Citibank, Tweer served as Vice President of Commercial Banking at TD Bank. While at TD Bank, he contributed to the success of the bank's middle market lending portfolio by cultivating high quality new credit opportunities while focusing on long-term relationship building through providing elite customer service.

"Eric Tweer brings twenty years of diverse lending experience to his new role, making him an ideal candidate for the position," said Harry Madonna, Chairman and CEO of Republic Bank. "He has worked at a number of banking institutions across the Philadelphia region, and has an excellent track record for building strong relationships with a variety of sophisticated clients. Eric's passion for client service and work ethic will be invaluable as we continue our expansive regional growth."

Tweer commented, "I am thrilled to be joining the Republic Bank team, especially during a time when it is experiencing such impressive growth. I look forward to embracing the bank's Customer-centric philosophy to provide our clients throughout Pennsylvania with the highest level of service and convenience."

Building on the momentum of its aggressive growth plan, coined "The Power of Red is Back," Republic Bank continues to rapidly expand its regional footprint with new stores under construction in Evesham Township and Berlin, NJ.  New store locations are planned for the next year in Washington Township, Moorestown, Medford, Gloucester Township and a second store in Cherry Hill, NJ.  In addition, relocation is underway of its Ardmore store to an innovative all-glass store in Wynnewood, PA. As one of the largest Philadelphia-based retail banking institutions with 15 convenient locations regionally, Republic Bank stores are open seven days a week, 361 days a year, with extended lobby and drive-thru hours, providing customers with the longest hours of any bank in the area. The bank also offers absolutely free checking, free coin counting, ATM/Debit cards issued on the spot and access to more than 55,000 surcharge free ATMs worldwide via the Allpoint network. 

About Republic Bank

Republic Bank is the operating name for Republic First Bank. Republic First Bank is a full-service, state-chartered commercial bank, whose deposits are insured up to the applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The Bank provides diversified financial products through its 15 offices located in Abington, Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, Plymouth Meeting, Media and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Glassboro, Cherry Hill, Voorhees and Haddonfield, New Jersey.

Forward Looking Statements

Republic First Bancorp, Inc. ("the Company") may from time to time make written or oral "forward-looking statements", including statements contained in this release and in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Company's beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates, and intentions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. These factors include competition, timing, credit risks of lending activities, changes in general economic conditions, price pressures on loan and deposit products, and other factors detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The words "may", "could", "should", "would", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "plan", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All such statements are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company, except as may be required by applicable law or regulations.

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SOURCE Republic First Bancorp, Inc.

ShoreTel, Ingram Micro and HP Team to Provide Unified Communications Solutions for SMBs

ORLANDO, Fla., April 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- At the ShoreTel® (NASDAQ: SHOR) Champion Partner Conference today, ShoreTel, Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE: IM) and HP announced they will jointly bring to market unified communications offerings for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs).  The new solution sets are sold through Ingram Micro's channel partner network and will include ShoreTel cloud services and HP routers and POE switches.

Ingram Micro has been selling the ShoreTel on-premises solution for four years, and is now certified to offer ShoreTel Sky®, making them both a Valued Added Distributor (VAD) and Cloud Service Distributor (CSD). (See press release issued earlier today titled ShoreTel Sky Now Available to Ingram Micro Channel Partners.)

"Unified Communications-as-a-Service is a growing sales and ongoing service opportunity for channel partners who specialize in the IT needs and business outcomes of SMBs," said Eric Kohl, executive director of Ingram Micro Advanced Solutions. "By working closely with HP and ShoreTel, we're able to bring to market a tightly integrated, seamless, end-to-end hosted IP telephony and UC solution that is built for SMBs and easy for channel partners to market, sell and support."

"Our SMB customers are looking to reap the benefits of a hosted solution, and this solution complements the existing on-prem HP-ShoreTel offering and provides the network backbone for ShoreTel's complete UC&C solution," said Bob Johnson, vice president of HP Networking Americas. "This is HP's first offering for the ShoreTel Sky cloud solution and will help SMB customers realize benefits including ease of management, increased efficiency and lower costs."

With this joint solution, named HP Networking for ShoreTel Solutions, customers purchase the ShoreTel cloud offering and can choose from an HP Switch or both an HP switch and an HP router, depending on their needs. The offers will be available via joint HP and ShoreTel channel partners who work with Ingram Micro. 

"We have been working closely with Ingram Micro and HP – as a member of the HP AllianceOne Network partner program – to offer premises solutions to our joint customers, and now this is the next evolution in our relationships," said Sam Koury, vice president of channels and strategic alliances at ShoreTel. "This collaboration between leading solutions will provide the SMB marketplace a brilliantly simple way to address their core communications needs. Users will gain high value, productivity enhancing tools that make a difference in today's always-on workplace."

HP Networking for ShoreTel Solutions will be available in calendar Q3 2015.

About ShoreTel
ShoreTel, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHOR) is a leading provider of brilliantly simple IP phone systems and unified communications solutions. Its award-winning on-premises IP-PBX solution and cloud-based hosted phone system eliminate complexity and improve productivity. Recognized for its industry-leading customer experience and support, ShoreTel's innovative business phones, application integration, collaboration tools, mobility, and contact center applications enable users to communicate and collaborate no matter the time, place or device, with minimal demand on IT resources. ShoreTel is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., and has regional offices and partners worldwide. For more information, visit www.shoretel.com.

ShoreTel, ShoreTel Sky and the ShoreTel logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of ShoreTel, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. HP and HP AllianceOne are registered trademarks that belong to Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. All other trademarks, trade names and service marks herein are the property of their respective owners.

Media contact: Katie Maller
408-962-2786
kmaller@shoretel.com

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SOURCE ShoreTel


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Microsoft empowers Windows, iOS, Android, Mac and Linux developers to reach billions of new customers

SAN FRANCISCO, April 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday announced new features in Windows 10 and unveiled a set of software development kits (SDKs) to help developers bring their code for the Web, .NET, Win32, Android and iOS to Windows 10. At the company's annual Build developer conference, Microsoft also announced new Microsoft Azure data services for intelligent applications; Visual Studio and .NET tools and runtimes for Windows, Mac and Linux; and APIs that enable developers to build rich apps with Office 365.

"Microsoft has bold ambitions for platforms that empower developers across Windows, Azure and Office," said Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. "Together, we will create more personal and more intelligent experiences that empower billions of people to achieve more."

Windows 10 offers unique scale and opens up new platform opportunities for developers Microsoft showcased several new features in Windows 10, from new capabilities to scale applications across devices to new ways for developers to build code for Windows 10. Capturing the breadth of opportunity, the company declared its ambition to have 1 billion active Windows 10 devices by FY18.

The company further detailed ways in which developers can create a single app that scales across all Windows 10 devices, automatically adapting to different screen sizes. With the Universal Windows Platform, developers can tailor their apps to the unique capabilities of each device, integrate Cortana and Xbox Live into their apps, offer trusted commerce, create holograms, and publish their apps into the Windows Store. Also as part of the Universal Windows Platform, the company shared how apps can scale using Continuum for phones, enabling people to use their phones like PCs for productivity or entertainment.¹

The Windows Store will also offer a single unified experience for Windows 10 customers across devices and make finding great content easier than ever — across apps, games, music, video and other content.² Transactions will take advantage of a range of popular payment options, including the largest carrier billing footprint of any ecosystem supporting 90 mobile operators. USA Today, WeChat, Disney and Netflix Inc. are a few of the partners referenced in the keynote already building apps for the Windows Store.

Microsoft welcomed all developers to the Universal Windows Platform by announcing four new software development toolkits that will make it easy to bring their code for the Web, .NET, Win32, iOS and Android to the Windows Store with minimal code modifications. This will enable developers to start with an existing code base such as Android or iOS, integrate with the Universal Windows Platform capabilities, and then distribute their new application through the Windows Store.

New features for Microsoft Edge, the new browser for Windows 10, were also unveiled, offering developers better discoverability of their apps and future extensibility with JavaScript and HTML.

Highlighting the opportunity with Windows 10, Microsoft shared the progress it has made in fewer than 100 days since unveiling Microsoft HoloLens — the world's first untethered holographic computer powered by Windows 10 — and showcased how customers like Trimble, Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic are using this innovative new technology.

More information on Windows 10 and Microsoft HoloLens can be found at Blogging Windows.

Azure and Visual Studio help developers build intelligent apps on multiple platforms and devices 

Microsoft previewed Azure SQL Database elastic database, which allow ISVs and software-as-a-service developers to pool capacity across thousands of databases, enabling them to benefit from efficient resource consumption and the best price and performance in the public cloud. To help developers manage massive datasets, Microsoft introduced Azure SQL Data Warehouse, the industry's first enterprise-class cloud data warehouse as a service that can grow, shrink and pause in seconds. Microsoft also announced Azure Data Lake, an open and massively scalable data repository that supports petabyte-size files and provides high-speed integration with Azure HDInsight, Azure Machine Learning, Cloudera and Hortonworks to quickly derive insights from vast amounts of data.

To help every developer be more productive, Microsoft announced new best-in-class tools and runtimes for multiple platforms and devices. In preview on Windows, Mac and Linux, Visual Studio Code is a free code-focused editor optimized for Web and cloud applications. Furthering its work with open source and .NET communities, Microsoft released a preview of the .NET Core for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. Microsoft also released Visual Studio 2015 Release Candidate, which makes it easier for developers to build and deploy applications to Windows, Linux, iOS and Android platforms.

Office gives developers opportunities to reach more users and build intelligent solutions Microsoft introduced more ways for developers to reach 1.2 billion Office users, including the new Office Graph API, expanded add-in capabilities for the iPad and Outlook, and unified APIs. The Office Graph API allows customers and developers to access, add to and build with the Office Graph, an intelligent store of Office 365 user, service and relationship data. Unified APIs across OneNote, Outlook and OneDrive, combined with the Office Graph, will enable developers to help consumers and organizations take advantage of some of their most valuable and useful data.

More about Microsoft Azure, Visual Studio and the Office Graph API can be found here.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

¹ Limited to select premium phones at launch. External monitors must support HDMI input. Accessories sold separately.
² App availability and experience may vary by market.

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SOURCE Microsoft Corp.

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Trimble Partners with Microsoft to Bring Microsoft HoloLens Wearable Holographic Technology to the AEC Industry

SAN FRANCISCO, April 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) announced today that it is working with Microsoft to develop a new generation of tools, integrated with the HoloLens holographic platform on Windows 10, which are intended to improve quality, collaboration and efficiency in the design, construction and operation of buildings and structures. A proof of concept was demonstrated at Microsoft's Build Developer Conference held this week in San Francisco. 

Microsoft HoloLens is a head-mounted, holographic computer that provides a mixed-reality experience for a range of commercial and consumer applications. When used by architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) professionals, the HoloLens device extends interaction with 3D models beyond the confines of a 2D computer screen, creating new ways for the many stakeholders of complex, multi-phase construction projects to visualize, collaborate, share ideas and manage change. 

Demonstration Highlights Design and Collaboration Scenarios

During the Build Conference keynote session, Microsoft demonstrated how the integration of HoloLens with Trimble's SketchUp 3D modeling software and the Trimble Connect collaboration platform could improve design and construction processes. Using HoloLens, architects were able to experience their SketchUp models as holograms placed in the real world—enabling them to quickly analyze various "what if" design scenarios in the context of the physical environment. The demonstration also illustrated how using Trimble Connect with HoloLens holographic technology enables remote teams to effectively review and collaborate in order to resolve constructability issues in real time. 

A recording of the demonstration is available at:  www.buildwindows.com. Additional information on the Trimble and Microsoft collaboration is available at:  http://buildings.trimble.com/hololens.   

"Trimble has a mission to deliver solutions that transform the user experience and work processes in many industries," said Bryn Fosburgh, vice president responsible for Trimble's Construction Technology Divisions. "We believe that HoloLens is a game-changer for design and construction teams by facilitating improved communication, and enhanced transparency. We're excited to partner with Microsoft in creating what could be a new era for technology in the AEC market."

"Microsoft HoloLens is a revolutionary tool for people and businesses enabling professionals in industries like design and construction to do more and achieve more," said Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president, devices & studios, at Microsoft. "Trimble's deep knowledge of design and construction processes makes it a natural partner in bringing holographic computing to this industry." 

Initial Development Focus

Trimble's initial research is focused on the integration of HoloLens with three Trimble solutions: 

• Trimble® Connect – a collaboration environment for design, engineering and construction projects, based on Gehry Technologies' GTeam™ software acquired by Trimble in in 2014, Trimble Connect enables teams to access and manage project data via a cloud platform. 
• SketchUp – the world's most popular 3D modeling platform, used by millions around the world to create, update and communicate designs in 3D. 
• Trimble V10 Imaging Rover – an integrated camera system that precisely captures 360-degree digital panoramas for efficient visual documentation and measurement of the surrounding environment that can be transformed into data-rich geospatial deliverables.

Trimble's HoloLens-enabled solutions are currently under development. Details on availability were not disclosed at the Build Conference. Information on Trimble's broad range of existing solutions for the design, construction and operation of building and infrastructure is available at: http://www.trimble.com/Industries/Construction/index.aspx. 

About Trimble

Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location—including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif. 

For more information, visit: www.trimble.com. 

GTRMB

SOURCE Trimble


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Energy Sector Volume Sizzlers – Exxon Mobil (XOM), Chevron (CVX), Schlumberger (SLB), Total SA (ADR) (TOT), Halliburton (HAL)

Energy shares were elevated in pre-market trade Wednesday as crude oil futures gained. Light, sweet crude oil for March delivery moved to higher value of 0.3% at $46.72 per barrel. In other energy outlooks, heating oil was up 0.5% at $1.59 per gallon while natural gas was up 5.2% at $2.78 British thermal units.

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) remained a volume gainer of 2.75 million shares and the average volume of the stock remained 17.38 million shares. The stock opened the session at $91.74 and was recently trading at $91.58 and the stock escalated 0.54%. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) recently declared that production has started at the Sakhalin-1 project’s Arkutun-Dagi field – the last of the three fields to be developed. Peak daily production from the field is expected to reach 90,000 barrels. The field, located off the northeast coast of Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, will bring total daily production at Sakhalin-1 to more than 200,000 barrels. The other two fields – Chayvo and Odoptu – began production in 2005 and 2010, correspondingly.

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), explores and produces for crude oil and natural gas. As of December 31, 2013, the company had approximately 37,661 gross and 31,823 net operated wells.

In the recent trading session, Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) exchanged 1.98 million shares and the average volume remained 10.33 million shares. The stock, in the current trading session, was at $107.46, with the gain of 0.93%. Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) recently declared its Australian subsidiaries have entered into a binding Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with SK LNG Trading Pte Ltd (SK). Under the SPA, SK LNG Trading, which is part of a leading industrial conglomerate in South Korea, will receive 4.15 million tons of LNG over a five-year period opening in 2017.

Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX), through its subsidiaries, is engaged in petroleum, chemicals, mining, power generation, and energy operations worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream.

Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB) enhanced 1.55% and its trading price was $81.73 recently. The volume of the stock was 2.08 million shares and the average volume remained 10.41 million shares. Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB) recently reported results for the full-year and fourth-quarter 2014. Schlumberger CEO Paal Kibsgaard commented, “Full-year 2014 income of $48.6 billion amplified 7% year-on-year and grew for the fifth consecutive year. Performance was driven by North America where income grew 16%, while International Area growth of 4% was led by a 10% increase in Middle East & Asia Area revenue. Full-year pretax operating income grew by 13%, with pretax operating margin mounting 113 basis points to 21.8%. International margin expanded by 168 basis points to reach 23.9%, reflecting an incremental operating margin of 69%.

Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB), together with its subsidiaries, supplies technology, integrated project management, and information solutions to oil and gas exploration and production industries worldwide.

Total SA (ADR) (NYSE:TOT) exchanged 2.41million shares in the recent trading session, and its average trading remained 2.36 million shares. TOT advanced 2.75% and was trading at $51.65. Total SA (ADR) (NYSE:TOT) has initiated gas and condensate production from the West Franklin Phase 2 project in the Central Graben area of the UK North Sea. The project will supply 40,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) to the Elgin/Franklin hub. “With the start-up of the West Franklin Phase 2 project, Total consolidates the production capacity of its operated Elgin/Franklin hub. The hub holds major reserves as well as promising exploration opportunities”, outlined Michael Borrell, Total’s Senior Vice President Exploration & Production, Europe and Central Asia.

Total SA (ADR) (NYSE:TOT), together with its subsidiaries, operates as an oil and gas company worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Upstream, Refining & Chemicals, and Marketing & Services.

Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) remained a volume gainer of 4.83 million shares and the average volume of the stock remained 22.30 million shares. The stock opened the session at $40.23 and was recently trading at $40.77and the stock escalated 2.33%. Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) declared that revenue from ongoing operations for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $1.0 billion, or $1.19 per diluted share, exclusive of restructuring charges of $90 million, after-tax, or $0.11 per diluted share, and Baker Hughes acquisition-related costs of $19 million, after-tax, or $0.02 per diluted share. This contrasts to income from ongoing operations for the third quarter of 2014 of $1.0 billion, or $1.19 per diluted share, excluding Macondo-related items.

Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) provides a range of services and products for the exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas to oil and gas companies worldwide.

source: http://www.wsnewspublishers.com/basic-material/volume-sizzlers-exxon-mobil-xom-chevron-cvx-schlumberger-slb-total-sa-adr-tot-halliburton-hal/

Biotechnology Stocks News Review-Avalanche Biotechnologies (AAVL), Arca Biopharma (ABIO), ACADIA Pharmaceuticals (ACAD), Achillion Pharmaceuticals, (ACHN)

The presence of Sciences explanation's rundown of biotech little top stocks to watch in 2015 imprints the third year a group of experts has come commonly to incorporate a bushel of stocks focused around impetus standpoints for the New Year. Biotech financial specialists are an idealistic parcel, so in a boiling over buyer business like the one the division's been surviving for as long as two or more years, talk of valuation bloat subsides into the separation. Barclays Analyst Sees Biotech FY15 EPS Growth Outstripping Market The biotech area's evaluated 2015 income improvement of 19% will far outpace the more extensive business while prescription repayment rates will stay solid, an examiner. These biotech stocks are balanced for occasions of change, which perusers can screen year-round progressively utilizing the Portfolio Tracker. Biotech Showcase actively present people can hear the experts' contemplations on these biotech stocks at a restrictive board discourse on Jan. 13 or sign up beneath to get a rundown of the discussions and upgrades on an organization's advancement as the year progressed. Despite the fact that the wide market picks up left victors in just about every corner of the U.S. economy, the Biotech division emerged unmistakably as a star entertainer of the year. The NASDAQ Biotechnology file conveyed a stellar 34% return in 2014 - developing as the greatest victor among all the segments.

Avalanche Biotechnologies Inc(NASDAQ:AAVL) a clinical-stage biotechnology organization concentrated on finding and creating novel quality treatments to change the lives of patients with sight-debilitating ophthalmic sicknesses, affirmed the estimating of its open offering of 2,399,457 shares of its basic stock at an open offering cost of $59.00 every offer, before guaranteeing rebates, commissions and assessed costs. 2,009,457 of the shares of basic stock are being offered by Avalanche and 390,000 of the shares are being offered by existing stockholders. The EPS growth this year was -212.50% while the EPS growth prior year was 33.20%. The company has $1.32B market capitalizations and the institutional ownership was 66.70%. AAVL published that it documented an enlistment proclamation on Form S-1/A with the Securities and Exchange Commission identifying with a proposed open offering of 2,000,000 shares of its regular stock. This take after on offering is relied upon to comprise of 1,762,500 shares to be offered by Avalanche and 237,500 shares to be offered by existing stockholders. Also, the guarantors have been allowed a 30-day choice to buy up to an extra 300,000 shares from the offering shareholders and Avalanche.

A biopharmaceutical organization Arca Biopharma Inc(NASDAQ:ABIO) creating hereditarily focused on helps for cardiovascular infections, promulgated the initiation of the first GENETIC-AF medical trial site in Canada. This site brings the aggregate current number of dynamic trial destinations to thirty-three. ABIO has Insider Ownership of 1.90% and its EPS growth this year was 46.40%. offered  Annual EPS growth prior past year was 63.20%. ARCA arrangements to enact an aggregate of pretty nearly 60 clinical trial locales in the United States and Canada for the Phase 2b parcel of the trial.

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.(NASDAQ:ACAD) concentrated on creative medications that address unmet therapeutic needs in neurological and related focal sensory system issue, affirmed that it will introduce at the 33rd yearly J.p. Morgan Healthcare symposium on Tuesday, January 13, 2015, that will be commence at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time in San Francisco. ACADIA Pharmaceuticals has market capitalization was 3.33B while EPS in next five years is expected to reach 20.00%.The company has has the institutional ownership of 95.30%. NUPLAZID is ACADIA's restrictive little atom that is a specific serotonin converse agonist specially focusing on 5-Ht2a receptors that assume a critical part in psychosis. ACADIA has reported positive Phase III trial results with NUPLAZID, which can possibly be the first medication affirmed in the United States for psychosis connected with Parkinson's ailment. The company has quarterly revenue growth of -93.80% while its short interest share was 18.34%.

Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(NASDAQ:ACHN) disclosed 100 percent Svr4 results from the progressing six-week trial. This study is a without interferon, without ribavirin, Phase 2 open-name, randomized study to assess the viability, security, and mediocrity of six weeks of 50 mg of ACH-3102 and 400 mg of sofosbuvir, a promoted nucleotide polymerase inhibitor, once every day, in treatment-innocent genotype 1 HCV-contaminated patients. The company offered 17.58% EPS for prior five years. The company has $1.46B market capitalizations and the institutional ownership was 90.70%. Its price to book ratio was 1.21. Volatility of the week stock was 7.62% and for the month stock was 8.88%.