Archives for July 24, 2019

Pizza Hut tests Amazon Locker-style ‘cubbies’ for carryout orders

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No more waiting to grab your pizza on the way home.

It’s not always as quick as you might like to pick up a pizza on the way home, but Pizza Hut might have a solution: borrow a page from the online shopping world. Its Hollywood restaurant (6660 Sunset Boulevard) has started testing Amazon Locker-like “cubbies” for carryout orders purchased through any method. Each cubby includes a display that shows your partial name as well as a lining that keeps your food hot and your drinks cold. You won’t have to wait for someone at the counter — once you’ve paid, you just double-tap the screen and grab your meal.

And in case you’re wondering: the cubby doors remain locked until you’re in the store and have paid, so someone won’t make off with your Veggie Lover’s before you arrive.

Whatever happens with the pilot program, though, it’s just the start. Pizza Hut said it plans more “completely frictionless” locations in other West Coast cities in 2020. Much like its rivals, then, the chain sees a future where you won’t have to wait long for dinner (or interact with humans, for that matter) unless you’re grabbing a seat. That’s not unexpected. Online ordering has made the carryout and delivery processes more important than they used to be, and a speedy pick-up could mean the difference between keeping a customer and losing them to faster-moving competition.

LG’s 2019 TVs are ready to work with Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit

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An update is rolling out that finally plugs iOS directly into new TVs.

This year started with a slew of TV manufacturers showing off hardware ready to work with Apple’s AirPlay 2 and HomeKit protocols, and now LG says its 2019 TVs are ready to support both features. That makes it, by its claim, the first global TV manufacturer with support for Apple’s smart home control system (Apple doesn’t have a list of supported TVs on its website yet) and one of few so far to support AirPlay 2.

Samsung still has exclusive integration of Apple’s new TV app, but with AirPlay 2 built-in, LG owners can use their iPhones, iPads and Macs to stream video, podcasts, images or music directly to the display. That will include Apple’s TV+ originals when they launch later this year, and of course includes the ability to sync up with other AirPlay-ready hardware for multiroom audio.

With HomeKit support, LG TVs can be controlled via Siri or the Home app in iOS, with control of power, volume and input selection. Plus, like other accessories, it can become a part of scenes and automations to prep things for movie night, or whatever else you have in mind. The update with Apple’s features is “starting” this week, so even if you have a 2019 model TV, it could take a few weeks before it’s actually available.

LG 2019 TVs with AirPlay (from Apple’s list):

  • LG OLED
  • LG NanoCell SM9X series
  • LG NanoCell SM8X series
  • LG UHD UM7X series

Stocks to Watch: Aileron Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ALRN) Shares Down 5.6%

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Aileron Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:ALRN)’s stock price traded down 5.6% on Monday . The stock traded as low as $0.45 and last traded at $0.51, 603,139 shares traded hands during trading. An increase of 130% from the average session volume of 262,171 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.54.

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Zacks Investment Research raised shares of Flagstar Bancorp from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $38.00 price target on the stock in a report on Monday, July 8th. William Blair reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Aileron Therapeutics in a report on Monday, May 6th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity raised shares of Nuvista Energy to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. The company has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $4.33.

The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $0.76. The company has a current ratio of 3.11, a quick ratio of 3.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38.

Aileron Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ALRN) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 8th. The company reported ($0.49) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.36) by ($0.13). As a group, analysts anticipate that Aileron Therapeutics Inc will post -1.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
An institutional investor recently raised its position in Aileron Therapeutics stock. Jennison Associates LLC lifted its stake in Aileron Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:ALRN) by 649.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,040,255 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 1,768,073 shares during the quarter. Jennison Associates LLC owned approximately 13.72% of Aileron Therapeutics worth $3,828,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Institutional investors own 29.17% of the company’s stock.

Aileron Therapeutics Company Profile (NASDAQ:ALRN)

Aileron Therapeutics, Inc, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on developing and commercializing a novel class of therapeutics in the United States. The company’s lead product candidate is ALRN-6924, a stapled peptide, which is in Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of advanced solid tumors or lymphomas; Phase IIa clinical trial to treat peripheral T-cell lymphoma; Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and advanced myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS); and Phase IIb trial to treat AML/MDS in combination with cytosine arabinoside.

Stocks to Watch: ConforMIS (NASDAQ:CFMS) Shares Down 10.4%

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Shares of ConforMIS Inc (NASDAQ:CFMS) dropped 10.4% on Monday after an insider sold shares in the company. The stock traded as low as $2.64 and last traded at $2.76, approximately 2,486,466 shares changed hands during trading. An increase of 79% from the average daily volume of 1,386,594 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.08.

Specifically, Director Bradley Langdale sold 20,542 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2.88, for a total value of $59,160.96. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 115,484 shares in the company, valued at $332,593.92. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, major shareholder Archon Capital Management Llc sold 279,293 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3.77, for a total value of $1,052,934.61. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 1,317,864 shares of company stock worth $4,348,455. Corporate insiders own 3.38% of the company’s stock.

CFMS has been the topic of several research reports. Zacks Investment Research upgraded HB Fuller from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 3rd. BidaskClub lowered Xperi from a “sell” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 19th. Oppenheimer reduced their price target on Littelfuse from $215.00 to $210.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. BTIG Research lifted their price target on Yum! Brands to $114.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. Finally, ValuEngine upgraded Vistra Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 3rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. The company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $3.40.

The company has a market cap of $209.01 million, a P/E ratio of -3.73 and a beta of 2.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 3.00 and a quick ratio of 2.33. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $3.98.
ConforMIS (NASDAQ:CFMS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 1st. The medical instruments supplier reported ($0.12) earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the Thomson Reuters’ consensus estimate of ($0.12). The company had revenue of $20.64 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $20.11 million. ConforMIS had a negative return on equity of 97.85% and a negative net margin of 42.90%. Sell-side analysts forecast that ConforMIS Inc will post -0.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in CFMS. Tibra Equities Europe Ltd purchased a new position in shares of ConforMIS in the first quarter valued at $381,000. Larson Financial Group LLC grew its position in shares of ConforMIS by 588.6% in the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 24,100 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $69,000 after purchasing an additional 20,600 shares in the last quarter. CAPROCK Group Inc. grew its position in shares of ConforMIS by 300.0% in the first quarter. CAPROCK Group Inc. now owns 80,000 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $230,000 after purchasing an additional 60,000 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning grew its position in shares of ConforMIS by 133.8% in the first quarter. Creative Planning now owns 116,922 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $337,000 after purchasing an additional 66,922 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Joseph P. Lucia & Associates LLC purchased a new position in ConforMIS during the first quarter worth about $45,100,000. Institutional investors own 34.11% of the company’s stock.

About ConforMIS (NASDAQ:CFMS)

Conformis, Inc, a medical technology company, develops, manufactures, and sells joint replacement implants. The company offers customized knee replacement products, including iTotal CR, a cruciate-retaining product; iTotal PS, a posterior cruciate ligament substituting product; iDuo, a customized bicompartmental knee replacement system; and iUni, a customized unicompartmental knee replacement product to treat the medial or lateral compartment of the knee.

Stocks to Watch: UGE International (CVE:UGE) Shares Down 14.3%

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UGE International Ltd (CVE:UGE)’s share price dropped 14.3% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as C$0.06 and last traded at C$0.06, approximately 213,250 shares traded hands during trading. An increase of 267% from the average daily volume of 58,060 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.07.

The company has a 50 day moving average price of C$0.08. The stock has a market cap of $5.44 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.56.

UGE International (CVE:UGE) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 28th. The company reported C($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$2.75 million for the quarter. Equities analysts expect that UGE International Ltd will post 0.05 EPS for the current year.

UGE International Company Profile (CVE:UGE)
UGE International Ltd. provides renewable energy solutions to commercial and industrial clients in the United States, Canada, and the Philippines. It primarily offers development, consulting and project management, engineering and design, and turn-key construction services to commercial solar projects.

Stocks to Watch: Energy Fuels (TSE:EFR) Shares Down 5.3%

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Shares of Energy Fuels Inc (TSE:EFR) (NASDAQ:UUUU) fell 5.3% on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as C$2.24 and last traded at C$2.34, 208,869 shares traded hands during trading. A decline of 20% from the average session volume of 262,608 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$2.47.

The stock’s 50 day moving average price is C$3.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $248.70 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.85, a quick ratio of 4.97 and a current ratio of 7.98.

Energy Fuels (TSE:EFR) (NASDAQ:UUUU) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 8th. The company reported C($0.17) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the Zacks’ consensus estimate of C($0.04) by C($0.13). The company had revenue of C$2.22 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$15.90 million. On average, equities analysts predict that Energy Fuels Inc will post -0.37 earnings per share for the current year.

Energy Fuels Company Profile (TSE:EFR)
Energy Fuels Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the extraction, recovery, exploration, and sale of conventional and in situ uranium recovery in the United States. The company owns and operates the Nichols Ranch uranium recovery facility located in Wyoming; the Alta Mesa project located in Texas; and the White Mesa Mill located in Utah.