Pre-Market Mover For August 1 2011

Pre-Market Mover For August 1 2011 ; US stock futures were indicating a significant higher open early Monday morning, as investors cheer the deal reached by President Obama and congressional leaders that will allow the raising of the debt ceiling, eliminating the possibility of the US Government defaulting on its debt.

Last week, stocks posted their worst weekly performance in more than a year, as investors worried that Washington wouldn't reach an agreement before the deadline of Aug. 2.

Humana Inc. (HUM: News ) is gaining nearly 6% to $78.65 as its second quarter profit increased from the previous year. Consolidated revenues increased 8%. The company raised its earnings per share guidance for the year ending December 31, 2011.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (HMC: News ) is up 2% to $40.51 as the automaker lifted its earnings and sales forecast for fiscal 2012. The company's first quarter profit declined 88.3%, with sharp declines in automobile sales and in all regions due to the impact of the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake.

PAETEC Holding Corp. (PAET: News ) is surging 21% to $5.35 as it agreed to be bought by Windstream Corp. (WIN) in a transaction valued at around $2.3 billion. PAETEC shareholders would receive 0.460 common shares of Windstream for each PAETEC share owned.

Westwood One Inc.'s (WWON: News ) trading was halted amid news that the company and Dial Global, a division of Triton Media Group LLC, announced a definitive agreement to merge in a stock for stock transaction.

SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc. (SRLS: News ) is up 5% to $4 as the life sciences company initiated a process to explore and evaluate potential strategic alternatives, which may include a sale or other transaction.

Biogen Idec Inc. (BIIB: News ) is gaining more than 5% to $107.50 in pre-market trading. Apple Inc. (AAPL: News ) is up nearly 2% to $397.03.


Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.'s (TEVA: News ) trading was halted amid news that its Phase III BRAVO study, did not achieve its primary endpoint of reducing the annualized relapse rate. Phase III BRAVO study was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of oral laquinimod compared to placebo and to provide a benefit-risk assessment comparing oral laquinimod and a reference arm of injectable Interferon ß-1a.

Stocks of skilled nursing home operators are falling based on the news that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a final rule that updates Medicare payment policies and rates for more than 1,200 freestanding and hospital-based inpatient rehabilitation facilities in Fiscal Year 2012. CMS projects that total payments under the IRF PPS will increase by $150 million in Fiscal year 2012. Sun Healthcare Group Inc. (SUNH: News ) is falling 47% to $3.68. Kindred Healthcare Inc. (KND: News ) is down 26% to $13.89. Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc. (SKH: News ) is falling 28% to $6.35.