Movers: E*Trade, Sprint, Sears, WellCare

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From Standard & Poor's Equity Research

The company says its objective is to achieve $500M in sales in fiscal 10, while continuing to improve gross margins.

FRED'S, INC. (FRED)

Up 1.08 to 10.48

Posted 12 cents vs. 15 cents third quarter EPS as higher costs offset 1.1% higher same-store sales, 3% higher total sales. Also says it has retained Merrill Lynch & the company to review a range of strategic and financial alternatives; has temporarily suspended its stock repurchase program. S&P maintains hold.

MEN'S WEARHOUSE, INC. (THE) (MW)

Down 6.72 to 34.33

Posted in-line 69 cents vs. 58 cents third quarter EPS as improved gross margin offset 2.1% lower U.S. same-store sales. Total sales rose 19%. Sees Q4 EPS of 43 cents-$0.48 on negative low single digit U.S. comps. Sees fiscal 08 EPS of $2.87-$2.92, vs. Street fiscal 08 view of $2.98. S&P cuts estimates, target; keeps hold. Caris reportedly downgrades to average.

AEROPOSTALE, INC. (ARO)

Down 3.53 to 24.48

Posted 48 cents vs. 41 cents third quarter EPS on 1.9% higher same-store sales, 7% higher total sales. Sees Q4 EPS of 82 cents-$0.84, Nov. comps up in mid-single-digit range. But shares seen lower on disappointment that ARO did not beat Street estimates by even wider margin. S&P maintains hold. ST Robinson Humphrey downgrades to neutral from buy.

REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (REGN)

Up 3.96 to 21.11

Enters into a global, strategic collaboration agreement with SANOFI-AVENTIS to discover, develop, and commercialize fully-human therapeutic antibodies utilizing REGN's proprietary VelociSuite of technologies (incl. VelocImmune). SNY will also increase its ownership of REGN from apx. 4% to apx. 19% after purchase of 12M newly issued shares REGN shares at $26 per share. S&P ups target, keeps buy.

NALCO HOLDING CO. (NLC)

Up 0.03 to 22.88

Jefferies upgrades to buy from hold. the company no news, notes analyst comments.

BIDZ.COM, INC. (BIDZ)

Up 1.62 to 11.72

The company says it has directed legal counsel to investigate possible wrongdoing by a Citron Research editor, who, BIDZ says, published a derogatory profile on BIDZ on Citron's website, and others in connection with recent trading in BIDZ's securities.

ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS INC. (RCI)

Down 4.63 to 41.50

Among Canadian wireless services providers seen lower after the Canadian government said it will set aside 40 Mhz of wireless spectrum for new entrants in an upcoming wireless-spectrum auction. CIBC World downgrades RCI to sector perform from sector outperform. Bear Stearns downgrades RCI to peer perform from outperform.

TIVO INC. (TIVO)

Up 1.51 to 7.49

Posted 8 cents third quarter loss vs. 12 cents loss on 14% revenue rise. Expects Q4 net loss of $9M-$12M on service and technology revenue of $58M-$60M. S&P maintains hold. JP Morgan upgrades to overweight from underweight.

SIGMA DESIGNS, INC. (SIGM)

Up 6.29 to 65.43

Posted 79 cents vs. 19 cents third quarter non-GAAP EPS on sharp revenue rise. Expects 10%-15% sequential revenue rise in Q4. RBC Capital upgrades to outperform from sector perform.