Today’s Stock Alerts include: Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL), Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: KERX), Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ANPI), General Mills Inc. (NYSE: GIS), Pep Boys (NYSE: PBY) and The Talbots Inc. (NYSE: TLB).

Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) Stock Alert - AAPL Packs Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2009 with Several Software and Hardware Announcements

Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) shares slipped 1.45% to $141.73 this morning. Apple’s highly anticipated annual Worldwide Developers’ Conference got investors and consumers excited as company executives unveiled everything from a cheaper Mac Air notebook to a new operating system, although CEO Steve Jobs did not put in a much speculated-about appearance.

The company announced several updates to its MacBook line of notebook computers, including price cuts and updates to its Mac operating system, Snow Leopard. Snow Leopard Server is a full 64 bit UNIX server operating system based on open standards that is up to twice as fast as its predecessor. The new OS boasts of new features such as Podcast Producer 2, for automating the creation and publishing of podcasts, and Mobile Access Server with secure access to firewall protected network services for iPhone and Mac. On top of everything, Snow Leopard Server is priced more affordably than ever at $499 with unlimited client licenses.

Apple also unveiled its next generation iPhone 3GS, boasting nearly three times faster to download Web page. It comes with a 3-megapixel autofocus camera, voice-control features and a built-in compass. The new iPhone boast of a lower price for the entry-level phone at $99.

Apple reportedly reduced pricing on virtually all of its machines. It announced new versions of the MacBook Pro - a 15-inch version that starts at $1,699, a lower-priced 17-inch that starts at $2,499 and a 13-inch version that starts at $1,199.

Apple designs, manufactures and markets personal computers, portable digital music players, and mobile communication devices and sells a variety of related software, services, peripherals and networking solutions.

The company sells its products worldwide through its online stores, its retail stores, its direct sales force, and third-party wholesalers, resellers, and value-added resellers. In addition, the company sells a variety of third-party Macintosh (Mac), iPod and iPhone compatible products, including application software, printers, storage devices, speakers, headphones, and various other accessories and peripherals through its online and retail stores, and digital content through the iTunes Store. It sells to consumer, small and mid-sized business (SMB), education, enterprise, government and creative customers.

In its recent chart, AAPL’s MACD reflects a strong bullish signal, with the indicator above the 9-day moving average signal line, and also above the 0 level, indicating that moving averages are trending higher. Trading near its upper Bollinger Band, the stock reflects high price relative to its recent price action. Bollinger Bands indicate greater than normal volatility as reflected by an increase in distance between the upper and lower bands. Trading within its Bollinger Bands, the stock reflects neither an overbought nor oversold condition relative to its recent price trend.

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: KERX) Stock Alert - KERX Shares Up on Positive Zerenex Study

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: KERX) shares dropped 6.67% in today’s early trading, moving to $1.26. Shares of the New York-based company comfortably secured the green Monday after it reported positive midstage safety results for its kidney disease drug. Shares earlier reached $1.58, their highest point in the past 52 weeks.

Keryx is developing Zerenex, currently in its phase II clinical development stage, as a treatment of elevated serum phosphorous levels, or hyperphosphatemia, in patients with end-stage kidney disease. Those patients are on hemodialysis, which is used to remove waste products from the blood. Zerenex (ferric citrate) is an oral, iron-based compound that has the capacity to bind to phosphate and form non-absorbable complexes.

The company reported that the candidate met its key safety goals in the study. Meanwhile, the midstage study results suggested that the drug is effective in regulating serum phosphorous levels, though the study is not designed to test for effectiveness. It said it is now in the process of developing a late-stage development program for the drug and is consulting with the Food and Drug Administration.

“The promising safety and efficacy profile of Zerenex indicates there is significant market potential for the drug in the phosphate binder space,” said CEO Ron Bentsur in a press release. “We’re excited to have two late stage clinical drug candidates, Zerenex and KRX-0401 (perifosine), both with compelling phase 2 data.”

Keryx is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of life-threatening including renal disease and cancer. The company is also developing KRX-0401 (perifosine), an oral anti-cancer agent that modulates Akt, a protein in the body associated with tumor survival and growth. The drug candidate is in phase II clinical development for multiple tumor types.

In its recent chart, KERX’s Bollinger Bands indicate greater than normal volatility as reflected by an increase in distance between the upper and lower bands. Trading within its Bollinger Bands, the stock reflects neither an overbought nor oversold condition relative to its recent price trend. MACD reflects a strong bullish signal, with the indicator above the 9-day moving average signal line, and also above the 0 level, indicating that moving averages are trending higher. With share prices currently above the stock’s 13-day moving average, a bullish trend is indicated. Also, a rising moving average signals that there has been buying interest in this stock.

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ANPI) Stock Alert - ANPI announces FDA 510(k) Clearance of the Option(TM) Inferior Vena Cava Filter

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ANPI) shares sank 8.86% this morning, trading at $2.16. The company discovers, develops and markets technologies primarily focused on acute and surgical applications, and recently announced it has received marketing clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its implantable device to prevent pulmonary embolism, or the sudden blockage of a lung artery.

In a press release, the company said its Option Inferior Vena Cava Filter will be sold in the United States for use in both permanent and retrievable implants.

According to the report, Option IVC Filter is used for the prevention of recurrent pulmonary embolism (PE). The device is implanted, typically by interventional radiologists in a minimally invasive procedure, into the body’s inferior vena cava to prevent PE. Option is specifically designed for use as both a permanent or temporary implant (in temporary, or retrievable, indications, a physician may later perform a second surgical procedure to remove the Option IVC Filter if necessary or where mandated clinically).

“This important FDA clearance of the Option IVC Filter continues Angiotech’s mission of offering the most highly innovative technology solutions to our physician customers and their patients,” Angiotech president and CEO William Hunter said in a release. “We are excited to commence commercial sales of Option through our dedicated Interventional Sales Team in the very near future. We believe the flexibility to use the Option IVC Filter in both permanent and retrievable indications, with clinical study data indicating 92% retrieval success, and a retrieval at up to 175 days post-implantation, provides Option the opportunity to be the market leading product in PE prevention.”

Angiotech generates its revenue through the sales of medical products and components, as well as from royalties derived from sales by its partners of products utilizing certain of its own technologies.

The company operates in two segments: Pharmaceutical Technologies and Medical Products. The Pharmaceuticals Technologies segment includes royalty revenue generated from licensing its paclitaxel technology to various partners. The Medical Products segment manufactures and markets a range of single use, specialty medical devices. The Medical Products segment also manufactures finished medical devices and medical device components for third party medical device manufacturers and marketers.

In its recent chart, ANPI is trading within its Bollinger Bands, a normal condition signaling that the stock is neither overbought nor oversold relative to the recent price action. MACD reflects a strong bullish signal, with the indicator above the 9-day moving average signal line, and also above the 0 level, indicating that moving averages are trending higher. With share prices currently above the stock’s 13-day moving average, a bullish trend is indicated. Also, a rising moving average signals that there has been buying interest in this stock.

General Mills Inc. (NYSE: GIS) Stock Alert - GIS Boosts Outlook

General Mills Inc. (NYSE: GIS) shares climbed .77% to $54.63 this morning. The manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer foods recently offered a strong fiscal 2009 adjusted earnings forecast, attributable to its lower fourth-quarter tax rate and solid operating performance.

In a press release, the cereal maker said its current estimates of fiscal 2009 earnings-per-share exceed the company’s most recent guidance of $3.87 to $3.89 excluding certain items. It said it would provide specific guidance for its 2010 financial targets on July 1.expressed comfort with the current Reuters mean consensus.

Mean consensus is for the company to earn $4.15 per share for fiscal 2010, according to data provided Reuters. General Mills said it is comfortable with the consensus analyst target.

General Mills is scheduled to appear at the Deutsche Bank Global Consumer and Food Retail Conference in Paris, France, on June 9, 2009. The company’s presentation will be Web cast, beginning at noon Paris time. Interested parties may access the company’s Web site: www.generalmills.com.

In a research note, RBC Capital analyst Edward Aaron wrote, “We expect that much of the earnings growth in FY-10 (fiscal 2010) will be driven by gross margin expansion.”

The analyst his Outperform rating on General Mills shares.

General Mills is a supplier of branded and unbranded food products to the foodservice and commercial baking industries. It manufactures its products in 16 countries and markets them in more than 100 countries. Its joint ventures manufacture and market products in more than 130 countries and republics worldwide.

The company’s major product categories in the United States are ready-to-eat cereals, refrigerated yogurt, ready-to-serve soup, dry dinners, shelf stable and frozen vegetables, refrigerated and frozen dough products, dessert and baking mixes, frozen pizza and pizza snacks, grain, fruit and savory snacks, microwave popcorn, and a variety of organic products including soup, granola bars and cereal.

In its recent chart, GIS’s MACD reflects a strong bullish signal, with the indicator above the 9-day moving average signal line, and also above the 0 level, indicating that moving averages are trending higher. With share prices currently above the stock’s 13-day moving average, an indication of a bullish trend is generally considered. Trading near its upper Bollinger Band, the stock reflects high price relative to its recent price action.

Pep Boys (NYSE: PBY) Stock Alert - PBY Posts Q1 Profit on Store Traffic and Cost Reductions

Pep Boys (NYSE: PBY) shares surged 8.19% this morning, trading at $9.11. Pep Boys-Manny, Moe & Jack is an automotive service and retail chain. Citing promotion-driven store traffic and cost reductions, the Philadelphia-headquartered company posted a quarterly profit that more than doubled from a year ago.

In its latest report, the company reported first-quarter profit of $10.9 million, or 21 cents per share, compared with $4.7 million, or 9 cents a share, in the year-ago quarter. Net earnings from continuing operations came in at $11.1 million. The results include a $6.2 million gain resulting from bond repurchases. Revenue fell $1.5 million to $496.5 million. Comparable sales decreased 0.3% during the quarter.

“We are pleased with our progress and our first-quarter results,” said CEO Mike Odell. “As our turnaround continues, we will build upon this momentum in the second quarter and throughout 2009. Our television and radio promotions continue to drive customer traffic and sales in our core categories and our expense reductions are making us profitable.”

“Our disciplined approach towards category management and spending reduced our Total Cost of Revenue as a percentage of sales by 40 basis points and our SG&A costs by 210 basis points in Q1 2009 vs. Q1 2008,” remarked CFO Ray Arthur. “In the first quarter, we also capitalized on our strong liquidity position by repurchasing almost $17 million of the company’s senior subordinated notes for an average purchase price of 63 cents on the dollar.”

Pep Boys-Manny, Moe & Jack is engaged in automotive repair and maintenance, and the sale of automotive tires, parts and accessories.

The company’s primary operating unit is its SUPERCENTER format. As of January 31, 2009 (fiscal 2008), the company operated 562 stores consisting of 552 SUPERCENTERS and one SERVICE & TIRE CENTER, having an aggregate of 5,845 service bays, as well as nine non-service/non-tire format PEP BOYS EXPRESS stores.

The company operates approximately 11.5 million gross square feet of retail space, including service bays. The SUPERCENTERS average approximately 20,700 square feet and the PEP BOYS EXPRESS stores average approximately 9,500 square feet. In most of its stores, the company has a commercial sales program that provides commercial credit and delivery of tires, parts and other products to local, regional and national repair garages and dealers.

In its recent chart, PBY’s MACD reflects a strong bullish signal, with the indicator above the 9-day moving average signal line, and also above the 0 level, indicating that moving averages are trending higher. With share prices currently above the stock’s 13-day moving average, a bullish trend is indicated. Also, a rising moving average signals that there has been buying interest in this stock. PBY is trading within its Bollinger Bands, a normal condition signaling that the stock is neither overbought nor oversold relative to the recent price action.

The Talbots Inc. (NYSE: TLB) Stock Alert - TLB to Sell J. Jill to Golden Gate for $75 million; Reports Mixed Q1 Results

The Talbots Inc. (NYSE: TLB) shares rose 1.80% this morning, trading at $5.09. Talbots is a specialty retailer and direct marketer of women’s apparel, shoes and accessories. The company recently announced it will sell J. Jill, which it bought for $517 million in 2006, to private-equity firm Golden Gate Capital for $75 million.

As per definitive agreement, 75 J. Jill stores are to close within two months, with the remaining 204 leased stores remaining open under Golden Gate’s care. Jill president Paula Bennett is to retain her post after the sale, while the company will keep its headquarters in Quincy, Mass. The closing of the proposed transaction is anticipated to occur in the second quarter of fiscal 2009

For its first quarter ended May 2, 2009, the company reported a fiscal first loss of 23 cents per share, ex-items, beating consensus estimates for a loss of 49 cents. Revenues in the quarter declined 26.2% year-over-year to $306.2 million, missing consensus estimates of $313.23 million.

Going forward, Talbot expects to report a loss from continuing operations in the second quarter 2009 in the range of approximately 50 cents to 58 cents per share, excluding any restructuring and impairment charges, above analysts’ loss expectations of 68 cents for the period.

CEO Trudy F. Sullivan stated, “We are making steady progress in implementing our strategic initiatives to better position our company for long-term success. This includes the announced signing of an asset sale agreement for J Jill, the opening of eight upscale outlet stores, and additional actions that will further contribute to achieving our goal of $150 million in annualized cost reduction.”

The company operates stores in the United States and Canada. In addition, its customers may shop online or via its catalogs. The company’s products are sold through its 587 stores, its circulation of approximately 55 million catalogs during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, and through its Web site.

Talbots offers a collection of classic sportswear, casual wear, dresses, coats, sweaters, accessories and shoes, consisting almost exclusively of Talbots own branded merchandise in misses, petites, woman and woman petite sizes. As of January 31, 2009, Talbots operates in two business segments: Retail Stores and Direct Marketing.

In its recent chart, TLB’s Bollinger Bands indicate greater than normal volatility as reflected by an increase in distance between the upper and lower bands. Trading within its Bollinger Bands, the stock reflects neither an overbought nor oversold condition relative to its recent price trend. MACD reflects a strong bullish signal, with the indicator above the 9-day moving average signal line, and also above the 0 level, indicating that moving averages are trending higher. With share prices currently above the stock’s 13-day moving average, a bullish trend is indicated. Also, a rising moving average signals that there has been buying interest in this stock.

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