STOCKS NEWS US-Nymox shares soar after comments on drug

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1121 ET 26Aug2009-Nymox shares soar after comments on drug
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Nymox Pharmaceutical Corp (NYMX.O) said on Wednesday its lead experimental
drug reduced the size of liver tumors in rodents, prompting the drugmaker to
plan studies of the medicine in people with liver cancer.

The company is already conducting late-stage human trials of the product,
called NX-1207, for a different use -- to treat men with enlarged prostates. In
that late-stage study, lower doses of the drug are being used than doses in the
animal cancer studies.

For details, see [ID:nN26262293]

Shares rose 33 percent to $5.72.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
1112 ET 26Aug2009 Hedge funds prefer NDX stocks
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Favorite hedge fund positions show a strong preference for Nasdaq 100 index
.NDX stocks, said Goldman Sachs derivative strategists. Its portfolio
strategy team's Aug. 24 report shows hedge funds have boosted their net long
exposure to 31 percent from 17 percent in September 2008; are no longer net
short financials; and hold their largest long positions in technology and
health care. The team recommends a so-called VIP basket of 50 stocks,
representing the top positions of fundamentally driven hedge funds for
investors expecting hedge fund top holdings to continue to outperform. The
basket has beaten the market by 13 percent so far in 2009 after having lagged
the market by 12 percent in the second half of 2008, and suggests hedge funds
maintain a large overweight exposure to NDX stocks. With implied volatility
lower, Goldman sees options on those names as an attractive way to reduce risk
while positioning for continued leadership. NDX options are appealing for
portfolio managers, given the lower cost and high overlap with VIP positions.

The Nasdaq 100 fell 0.6 percent.

Reuters Messaging: doris.frankel.reuters.com@reuters.net
1047 ET 26Aug2009-Affiliated Managers' stock rises after upgrade
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Affiliated Managers Group Inc (AMG.N) shares hit an intraday high of $66.80
Wednesday after Credit Suisse boosted its rating on the shares and increased
its price target. The stock was up 5.5 percent at $66.10.

The firm raised its rating on the money management holding company to
"outperform" from "neutral," and raised its price target by $5 to $69, citing
positive net flows and possible acquisitions as catalysts.

Credit Suisse believes Affiliated could announce one to three accretive
acquisitions before year end, which could benefit earnings. The firm estimates
the company's net inflows will turn positive in the second half of 2009, which
could benefit its valuation.

Reuters Messaging: rm://Charles.mikolajczak.reuters.com@reuters.net
1040 ET 26Aug2009-Amgen trial finds no heart benefit with Aranesp
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A trial of Amgen Inc's (AMGN.O) blockbuster anemia drug, Aranesp, has shown
that the drug does not help prevent heart attacks and other cardiac events in
kidney patients, the company said late Tuesday.

Initial results from the large Phase III trial of patients with chronic
kidney disease, anemia and Type 2 diabetes found that treatment with Aranesp
did not have a significant effect on the risk of death, cardiovascular events,
or the time it took for a patient to progress to dialysis therapy, compared to
placebo.

The stock rose 1.2 percent to $61.08.

For details, see [ID:nN25231229]

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
(Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)