ENZ, AVOT, ASFI, FORM, STEI - Stock Updates! from CRWEfinance.com

 

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 American Video Teleconferencing Corp. (OTC:AVOT)

The generic term “Stainless Steel” covers a large group of iron-base alloys that contain chromium. The term “stainless” implies a resistance to staining or rusting in air. Stainless steels contain at least 10.5% chromium, which promotes formation of a thin, chromium-enriched surface oxide. Without this minimum amount of chromium, iron-base alloys or steels corrode in moist air, forming the familiar red rust. While chromium content determines whether or not a steel is "stainless," molybdenum improves the corrosion resistance of all stainless steels

China has been one of the main supplier to the US of the Earth's rare mineral supplies, with these rare minerals American manufacturers are able to make high-tech products such as cell phones, wind turbines, and guided missiles, but all that might come to a screeching halt now that China has stopped supplying the material, the New York Times has reported.

In the wake of China's decision America now must look for other sources, that will be more reliable for our future needs, and AVOT may just be the new source, here's why.

AVOT believes the rare earths industry is where it wants to maintain a very strong focus and is looking to expand its holdings. AVOT is currently looking for these Rare Earths Minerals in Canada, the US's Northern neighbor.

American Video Teleconferencing Corp. recently signed an option agreement to acquire two claim blocks in townships of Mekinac and Lajuene, Province of Quebec. These claim blocks are approximately 3600 acres in total and are located 120 miles east of Montreal P.Q. and 50 miles north of Three Rivers P.Q. They are accessible year round with infrastructure in the immediate vicinity. The claims adjoin a property that had one of the highest readings of Rare Earths in North America. Sampling in the 1950s gave readings of 48% combined Cerium, Lanthanum, Neoymium and Yttrium. That property has remained dormant for over 50 years but the new owners plan an extensive exploration program this fall. AVOT, after a lengthy search and after careful due diligence, believes this is going to be one of the most active areas for Rare Earths exploration and our holdings are in the same geological setting as the 48% Rare Earths showing. Rare Earths are in huge demand especially in the United States as China is closing off its exports of these strategic metals to less than 5% of its production. AVOT will aggressively continue to search world wide for opportunities in Precious, Base and Rare Earths metal projects.

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Asta Funding Inc. (Nasdaq:ASFI) reported its results for the fiscal year and fourth quarter ended September 30, 2010. The Company reported $84.2 million in cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2010, representing a substantial increase from 2009 and providing the Company the resources it needs to move into fiscal year 2011 without the immediate need for external financing. The Company reported net income of $3,129,000 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, or $0.22 per diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $90,725,000, or $6.36 per share for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009. Revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 were $45,849,000, a decrease of 34.8% as compared to $70,355,000 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009.

Asta Funding, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in purchasing, managing, and servicing distressed consumer receivables in the United States.

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FormFactor Inc. (Nasdaq:FORM) announced that Executive Chairman Carl Everett was elected to serve as non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. Current lead independent director Jim Prestridge will remain on the Board. FormFactor also announced the resignations of Board members Homa Bahrami, Chenming Hu and Harvey Wagner from the Company's Board of Directors. "Carl did an outstanding job stepping in as CEO during a very challenging time for the Company and leading the transition to our new CEO, Tom St. Dennis," stated Jim Prestridge, lead independent director. "Carl will now lead the Board as it oversees the Company's turn-around, its future growth and long-term strategic direction."

FormFactor, Inc. engages in the design, development, manufacture, sale, and support of semiconductor wafer probe card products and solutions based on MicroSpring interconnect technology.

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  Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE:ENZ)

HIV

After infection, HIV-1 runs a slow course in which immune T-cells (CD4+ cells) progressively disappear from the circulation. In the absence of treatment an infected individual loses the ability to mount an immune response. This loss of immune responsiveness leads to an increased susceptibility to infection that results in a complex of diseases know as AIDS and ultimately to death.

According to the World Health Organization, during 2007 there were more than 60 million individuals worldwide living with HIV infection. Over 5 million new infections and 3 million deaths occurred during that same year. More than 20 million individuals have died since the first cases of AIDS were identified in 1981.

At present, several classes of products have received FDA marketing approval for HIV-1 infection, including reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, fusion inhibitors and binding inhibitors.

Enzo Biochem, Inc. recently released improved sequential results for the first fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2010, the result of recent programs to reduce expenses, consolidate activities and expand operations.

Among the quarter’s highlights (all references are to sequential quarter over quarter results, normalized for an inventory charge and severance of $1.8 million where applicable):

• Enzo Life Sciences, benefiting from increased emphasis on higher margin products, realized a greater than 100% gain in operating income.
• Enzo Clinical Labs increased revenues 6%, while reducing the operating loss 62%.
• Company-wide, gross margin increased $2.0 million or 17%.
• Operating expenses decreased 7%, or to 57% of revenues, from 63%.
• EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, was $23,000, an improvement of $2.9 million from the prior quarter.
• Net loss for the quarter was reduced 70%.

To learn more about ENZ visit:  http://www.enzo.com

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Stewart Enterprises Inc. (Nasdaq:STEI) reported its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended October 31, 2010. The Company reported net earnings from continuing operations for fiscal year 2010 of $30.6 million, or $.33 per diluted share, compared to net earnings from continuing operations of $23.2 million, or $.25 per diluted share, for fiscal year 2009. For the quarter ended October 31, 2010, the Company reported net earnings from continuing operations of $8.7 million, or $.09 per diluted share, compared to net earnings from continuing operations of $3.5 million, or $.04 per diluted share, for the quarter ended October 31, 2009.

Stewart Enterprises, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides funeral and cemetery products and services in the death care industry in the United States and Puerto Rico.

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