Mark DeFrance

Mark DeFrance is a senior research analyst at Tech Insider, focusing on the enterprise software sector. Prior to joining TI, Mark covered enterprise software for First Albany, and prior to that he worked in equity research at B.T. Alex Brown and Bankers Trust. Mark has written software applications in various programming languages including BASIC, Pascal, and COBOL. He has also been recognized in The Wall Street Journal's "Best on the Street" survey and was recognized by Forbes Magazine as the No. 1 sell-side stock picker in the software industry for a five-year period, with returns of 115% versus 26% for the software industry.

Stocks in the news: Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:DG), Mondelez International (NASDAQ:MDLZ), AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU), The Blackstone Group (NYSE:BX), Extra Space Storage (NYSE:EXR)

On Dec 04, Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:DG) reported financial results for its fiscal 2014 third quarter (13 weeks) ended October 31, 2014. The Company reported net income of $236 million, or $0.78 per diluted share in the 2014 third quarter compared to net income of $237 million, or $0.74 per diluted share in the 2013…

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Morning Alert: KKR & Co. L.P. (NYSE:KKR), Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR), Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN), Southside Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ:SBSI), Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS)

KKR & Co. L.P. (NYSE:KKR) has agreed to acquire a significant minority stake in Arbor Pharmaceuticals LLC, in a deal that values the privately held specialty drugmaker at more than $1 billion, including debt, people familiar with the matter said on Dec 04. KKR & Co. L.P. (NYSE:KKR) belongs to Financial sector. Its net profit…

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Hot Stock List: Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT), Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB), U.S. Concrete, Inc. (NASDAQ:USCR), Viasystems Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAS), Rio Tinto plc (NYSE:RIO)

U. S. authorities on Wednesday approved Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) ’s $43 billion merger with fellow medical device maker Covidien PLC after requiring the spinoff of a drug-coated catheter business. Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) belongs to Healthcare sector. Its net profit margin is 22.90% and weekly performance is 2.40%. On last trading day company shares ended up…

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Moving Stocks: Actavis plc (NYSE:ACT), Arch Coal Inc. (NYSE:ACI), B Communications Ltd (NASDAQ:BCOM), Northrim Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ:NRIM), Neonode, Inc. (NASDAQ:NEON)

Generic drugmaker Actavis plc (NYSE:ACT), which earlier in November agreed to acquire Botox maker Allergan Inc. for $66 billion, plans to cut its workforce and expand in China, Bloomberg reported Monday, citing Actavis Chief Executive Officer Brent Saunders. Actavis plc (NYSE:ACT) belongs to Healthcare sector. Its net profit margin is -8.10% and weekly performance is…

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Investors Watch List: Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTPH), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), PCTEL, Inc. (NASDAQ:PCTI), National Bankshares Inc. (NASDAQ:NKSH), NXP Semiconductors NV (NASDAQ:NXPI)

Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:TTPH), a maker of antibiotics to treat serious infections, is exploring a sale after attracting interest from potential buyers, people familiar with the matter said. Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTPH) belongs to Healthcare sector. Its weekly performance is -2.30%. On last trading day company shares ended up $22.09. Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTPH) distance…

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Today’s Watch List: Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. (NYSE:SRC), Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD), VSE Corp. (NASDAQ:VSEC), Mizuho Financial (NYSE:MFG), SunCoke Energy Partners, (NYSE:SXCP)

Spirit Realty Capital, Inc (New) (NYSE:SRC) was downgraded by Zacks from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report issued on Thursday, 13 November 2014. Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. (NYSE:SRC) belongs to Financial sector. Its net profit margin is -4.10% and weekly performance is -0.78%. On last trading day company shares ended up…

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