STOCKS NEWS US-Barron's sees strength in value consumer firms

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0818 ET 01June2009-Barron's sees strength in value consumer firms
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Barron's wrote that consumer stocks that offer strong products with
outstanding value could see a rise in demand as the economy improves.

In its June 1 edition, the financial publication listed Amazon.com
(AMZN.O), Apple (AAPL.O), Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY.O), Chipotle Mexican Grill
(CMG.N), J Crew (JCG.N), Nike (NKE.N), Safeway (SWY.N), Target (TGT.N) and
Urban Outfitters (URBN.O) as companies in its "Michelle Index."

The index was named after First Lady Michelle Obama, who has championed
companies with such attributes as excellent service and value.

For details, see [ID:nN31415765]

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0811 ET 01June2009-May car sales seen down sharply from prior year
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U.S. auto sales are expected to be down steeply in May, with the sector
hurt by an economic recession and turmoil in the industry, with General Motors
GM.N filing for bankruptcy on Monday.

Despite that, sales in the month may be higher than recent months, with a
late month surge in sales from Chrysler dealerships that are losing their
franchises.

For details, see [ID:nN29328613]

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0801 ET 01June2009-Merck, AstraZeneca to test cancer drugs together
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Merck & Co (MRK.N) and AstraZeneca (AZN.N) (AZN.L) will test two
early-stage cancer drugs together in a collaboration, company official said on
Monday.

The anti-cancer regimen will be composed of AZD6244 from AstraZeneca and
MK-2206 from Merck. Preclinical evidence suggests combining the two targeted
therapies could make them more effective.

The compounds will be co-administered in an initial Phase I clinical trial
for the treatment of solid cancer tumors before the two drugmakers -- who will
share costs jointly -- decide on further development.

For details, see [ID:nL1397283]

Shares of Merck, a Dow component, rose 0.5 percent to $27.71 in premarket
trading on Monday while AstraZeneca ADRs rose 0.7 percent to $42.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0756 ET 01June2009-Strayer investors should cover positions: Barron's
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Barron's wrote that investors in Strayer Education Inc (STRA.O) might want
to cover their short positions after Lone Pine Capital's Steve Mandel singled
the education company out as his top investment pick.

The financial publication also added that the education market could be
hurt by the economy and by government efforts to squeeze costs of for-profit
education.

For details, see [ID:nN31411257]

Shares of Strayer closed Friday at $184.27.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net