Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Allegheny Energy, Inc., Vivus, Inc., Georgia Gulf Corporation, Sempra Energy and The Medicines Company.

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – May 14, 2009 - Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Allegheny Energy, Inc. (AYE - Analyst Report), Vivus, Inc. (VVUS - Analyst Report), Georgia Gulf Corporation (GGC - Analyst Report), Sempra Energy (SRE - Analyst Report) and The Medicines Company (MDCO - Analyst Report).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=4579.

Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:

Allegheny Energy Offers Stability

Allegheny Energy, Inc. (AYE - Analyst Report) reported financial results for the 1st quarter of 2009.

Adjusted net income for the 1st quarter of 2009 decreased by $22.0 million compared with the year-ago period.

Adjusted operating revenues increased by $49.8 million in the reported quarter, reflecting higher generation rates in Pennsylvania and Maryland, increased purchased power cost recovery in Virginia and higher sales to third parties. These benefits were partially offset by reduced generation volume due to lower power plant availability and less demand.

Vivus’ Qnexa in the Driver’s Seat

We view Qnexa as the leading phase III obesity candidate under development today. Vivus, Inc. (VVUS - Analyst Report) has shown that Qnexa offers a synergistic benefit off added weight loss to patients beyond what can be achieved with phentermine or topiramate alone.

Phase III data released by the company from the EQUATE program in December 2008 demonstrated the drug to be both highly efficacious and well tolerated. Patients on the full commercial dose of Qnexa lost a placebo-adjusted 16.5 lbs, or 7.5% of their body weight, after only 28 weeks of treatment. Additionally, we are less concerned with the safety, specifically the cardiovascular or psychiatric side effects, of the drug compared to recently rejected and discontinued cannabinoid type 1 receptor molecules at several large pharmaceutical companies.

Georgia Gulf Nears Bankruptcy

Georgia Gulf Corporation (GGC - Analyst Report) today announced that it has received an amendment to its senior secured credit agreement that allows the Company to continue to withhold interest payments due on its 2014 senior notes and 2016 senior subordinated notes without constituting a default. Georgia Gulf previously announced that it had withheld payment of $34.0 million of interest due April 15, 2009 for the 2014 senior notes and 2016 senior subordinated notes.

All three of the Company's note issues are the subject of previously disclosed and currently pending private exchange offers. Under the indentures governing the 2014 senior notes and 2016 senior subordinated notes, Georgia Gulf has a 30-day grace period to pay the withheld interest before the note holders can seek remedies.

Sempra - Higher EPS, Lower Revs

Sempra Energy (SRE - Analyst Report) announced improved financial results for its 1st quarter ended March 31, 2009.

Amazingly, the company's mixed results for the quarter yielded significantly improved earnings from a nearly comparable decline in revenues.

Breaking News on Medicines Co.

This morning, The Medicines Company (MDCO - Analyst Report) announced that an interim analysis review committee (IARC), along with the data safety monitoring board (DSMB), after conducting a review of the ongoing CHAMPION phase III program with Cangrelor, notified the company that the ongoing CHAMPION-PLATFORM program would not meet the primary endpoint of a persuasive evidence of clinical effectiveness that could serve as the basis for regulatory approval.

Management noted that the bleeding risk seen in the CHAMPION program was similar between Cangrelor and clopidogrel, so the trials were not stopped due to safety concerns.

Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2649.

About Zacks Equity Research

Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2677

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD in mathematics Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=4580.

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

Contact:
Mark Vickery
Web Content Editor
312-265-9380
Visit: www.zacks.com