The move comes at a challenging time for natural gas companies struggling with a supply glut that has pushed prices to 10-year lows. The planned system unveiled Tuesday will also handle natural-gas liquids, which have fetched higher prices.

In its latest deal, the natural-gas company partnered with M3 Midstream LLC and EV Energy Partners LP EVEP +1.92% to develop the complex, which Chesapeake called the largest of its kind in eastern Ohio.

The partnership plans to spend about $900 million over the next five years, with most capital invested in the first two years. Affiliates of Chesapeake’s midstream subsidiary own 59% of the partnership. M3 Midstream and EV Energy own 33% and 8%, respectively.

French oil major Total SA (FP.FR, TOT), which holds a 25% stake in a separate Chesapeake partnership to develop wells in the Utica shale play, also has an option to participate in the midstream project.

Chesapeake has been under pressure from some shareholders and analysts to reduce spending and pare debt. The company is responding with asset sales but also says it doesn’t want to pass up opportunities to buy shale properties before prices rise.

Total bought its stake in a swath of Chesapeake’s Ohio shale discovery for $2.32 billion in January, helping the U.S. producer move toward its goal of reducing long-term debt by 25% while boosting production 30%.

Chesapeake shares were recently off 9 cents at $24.61 after hours, while EV Energy was up 22 cents at $72.73.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/chesapeake-in-900-mln-ohio-shale-gas-venture-2012-03-13

Clean Wind Energy Tower, Inc.

Clean Wind Energy Tower, Inc. (OTCBB:CWET) was established to commercialize a number of proven and validated technologies and construction systems into a single large downdraft tower structure that produces abundant inexpensive electricity.

Please click here to Download the Fact Sheet (PDF).

About Clean Wind Energy, Inc.

Clean Wind Energy, Inc. has designed and is preparing to develop, and construct large “Downdraft Towers” that use benevolent, non-toxic natural elements to generate electricity and clean water economically by integrating and synthesizing numerous proven as well as emerging technologies.

Our Company’s core objective and focus is to become a leading provider of clean efficient green energy to the world communities at a reasonable cost without the destructive residuals of fossil fuel, while continuing to generate innovative technological solutions for today and tomorrow’s electrical power needs.

In addition to constructing Downdraft Towers in the United States and abroad, the Company intends to establish partnerships at home and abroad to propagate these systems and meet increasing global demand for clean water and electricity. Clean Wind has assembled a team of experienced business professionals, engineering and scientific consultants with access to the breakthrough energy research upon which this technology is founded and the proven ability to bring the idea to market. Clean Wind has filed several patents that the Company believes will further enhance this potentially revolutionary technology. Clean Wind Energy, Inc. is based in Annapolis MD, and is traded on the OTCBB under the symbol ‘CWET’.

Innovative Renewable Energy Technology

The Downdraft Tower is a hollow cylinder with a water spray system at the top. Pumps deliver water to the top of the Downdraft Tower to spray a fine mist across the entire opening. The water evaporates and cools the hot dry air at the top. The cooled air is denser and heavier than the outside warmer air and falls through the cylinder at speeds up to and in excess of 50 mph, driving the turbines located at the base of the structure. The turbines power generators to produce electricity.

In geographic areas where atmospheric conditions are conducive, the exterior of the Downdraft Tower may be constructed with vertical “wind vanes” that capture the prevailing wind and channel it to produce supplemental electrical power. This dual renewable energy resource enhances the capability and productivity of the Clean Wind system.

Intellectual Property

The Company has filed several patent applications with the U.S. Patent Office to protect its technology including:

• A modified mobile base for large tower cranes incorporating a multi-wheeled air ride suspension system for even load distribution on 20 or more wheels, with the ability to keep the tower plumb in all working conditions.
• Improved Wind Energy Power Transmission System – To more effectively transmit energy via a new multi-stage variable hydraulic drive system that operates efficiently through a very broad range of wind and turbine speeds.
• Energy Tower Having External Wind Capturing Capacity – To supplement the available energy of an energy tower by capturing existing winds aloft (800 to 4,000 ft).

Environmental

Various parties in the United States and other nations are pursuing clean energy solutions that use efficient and cost-effective renewable resources to serve society while avoiding the adverse effects associated with fossil and nuclear fuels, and also the obvious limitations of solar collectors that work only when the sun shines or wind turbines that work only when the wind blows.

The Downdraft Tower has the capability of being operated with virtually no carbon footprint, fuel consumption, or waste production. The technology has the potential to generate clean, cost effective and efficient electrical power without the damaging effects caused by using fossil or nuclear fuels, and other conventional power sources. The Company also believes that increasing emphasis on green technologies and governmental incentives in the energy industry should have a positive long-term effect on the Company’s planned business and the wind energy industry in general.

Abundant, Clean, Affordable Energy Production

As currently designed, the Company anticipates that each Downdraft Tower will be capable of generating up to 2,500 megawatts per hour, gross, of which approximately 1/3 will be used to power its operations. From normal to ideal circumstances the Tower should have a potential yield of 1,100 to 1,500 megawatts per hour available for sale to the power grid. One megawatt equates to 1,000,000 watts or 1,000 kilowatts of electricity. Currently, avoided costs per kilowatt in California are running approximately $0.11 per kilowatt hour.

The annual capacity factor for the downdraft portion of the Energy Tower is predicted at approximately 51%. Prime production periods are daytime and evening during spring, summer and fall, which closely align with electricity demand patterns. However, the External Wind Capture keeps working 24/7, whenever a wind is blowing, including cold winter months and at night. Its capacity factor is estimated at approximately 75%, which raises the Energy Tower’s overall capacity factor to above 60%.

Economic Benefits

Jobs Created -Since the Downdraft Tower will be constructed using conventional materials, equipment and techniques, associated industries surrounding each Tower site will benefit significantly from the creation of professional jobs, manufacturing, construction and transportation jobs.

The Clean Wind Energy downdraft tower is a U.S. based invention that will provide clean renewable energy at a cost more favorable than nuclear plants with no negative impacts to our planet.

Partners

The Company has entered into a number of agreements with potential partners to meet the development aspects of the tower. Specifically, three of the largest companies in the world are working with Clean Wind Energy, Inc., providing final bids to meet the tower´s specifications.

SOURCE: http://www.ir-site.com/cleanwind/default.asp

SYDNEY (MarketWatch) — Qantas Airways Ltd. has been hit by a major setback in its plan to establish a premium subsidiary carrier in Asia, saying Friday talks with possible partner Malaysian Airlines have broken down.

Qantas said talks with Malaysian Airlines on a partnership, including the establishment of a new premium airline, ceased after the parties couldn’t agree on commercial terms.

Chief Executive Alan Joyce said Australia’s flag carrier will continue to explore opportunities in the region, including joint ventures and alliances.

“However, mindful of global economic uncertainty, and consistent with Qantas’ focus on disciplined financial management, the group will allocate minimal capital to such ventures,” Joyce said in a statement.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/qantas-ends-malaysian-airlines-jv-talks-2012-03-08

Ardent Mines also exercised its exclusive option to acquire the mineral rights on the Serra do Sereno property, located in Carajas, Brazil, one of the better known mining districts in the world. Ardent Mines is headquartered in New York, and has a field office in Brasilia. The Company has 16.3 million shares outstanding, and trades under the ticker symbol ADNT.

Ardent Mines is committed to developing gold, silver, and copper mines around the world, with strong emphasis on Latin America and on Brazil in particular.

The corporate policy is to develop mining properties with maximum care for the environment.

The company has assembled an extraordinary Board of Directors and experienced Management, our most precious corporate resource.

The Mission of the Company is to create value for our shareholders by acquiring and developing a diversified portfolio of gold, silver, and copper mines, with significant reserves, as well as assembling the best professional talent, in order to effectively execute a profitable operation of these mines.

Ardent Mines has completed the acquisition of Gold Hills Mining, Ltda. in Brazil. They have retained SRK Consulting to assist us in organizing a comprehensive Exploration Program for the property, expected to start during the Summer or 2011.

On May 4, 2011, Ardent Mines signed an exclusive option to acquire the mineral rights on Serra do Sereno, a 10,000 Has. property located in Carajas, the leading mining district of Brazil, known to host the largest Iron, Gold and Copper reserves of this nation.

Upon completing the acquisition of Gold Hills Mining Ltda. and securing the mineral rights of Serra do Sereno, Ardent Mines will focus on the exploration and development of these two extraordinary properties.

Share Structure

Total Shares Outstanding: 16,273,391

Trading float: 5,895,150

Options: 1,300,000 at $4,75

Warrants: 51,600 with an exercise price of $3.85/share for 1 year, 259,741 with an excersise price of $4.15/share

Management stock ownership: 12%

Shares authorised(not issued): 100,000,000

Reporting Status U.S. Registered & Reporting: SEC Filer
Audited Financials Audited
Latest Report

CIK 0001129018
Fiscal Year End 6/30

Incorporated In: NV, USA
Year of Inc. 2000

Legal Counsel
WUERSCH & GERING LLP
100 Wall Street, 21st Fl. | New York, New York 10005
212-509-5050 (firm)| 212-509-9559 (fax)
www.wg-law.com

Stock Transfer Agent 
Pacific Stock Transfer Company
4045 South Spencer Street, Suite 403
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Tel: (702) 361-3033
Fax: (702) 433-1979
www.pacificstocktransfer.com

Auditors:
MaloneBailey, LLP
10350 Richmond Avenue, Suite 800
Houston, TX 77042
o: 713.343.4253
f: 713.343.3453
www.MaloneBailey.com

SOURCE: Ardent Mines Ltd. http://www.ardentmines.com

The company said it is still testing the service, called Groupon VIP, which gives members early access to deals, allows them to buy closed or sold-out deals and provides refunds at any time, among other perks.

Frequent users in Chicago; Cleveland; Columbus, Ohio; Minneapolis and California’s Orange County on Tuesday received the invitations to the program. The service costs $29.99 a year after a free three-month trial period.

Groupon began testing the VIP program earlier last month in Charlotte, N.C.; Indianapolis; Miami; Milwaukee; Tampa, Fla.; and Hampton Roads, Va.

Groupon offers subscribers an array of discounts by arranging deals with merchants looking to attract new business. The service has grown since 2008 from a small Chicago-based website to a 10,000-person organization that generates more revenue overseas than it does in North America.

The company posted a loss in its first quarterly report as a public company, stung by higher marketing costs and several one-time charges.

A subscription-based program would help address a frequent concern among analysts and others who note the lack of engagement among Groupon subscribers who use the service seldom or not at all.

Shares were recently off 3 cents at $18.30 after hours. The company went public in November at $20.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/groupon-expands-vip-program-test-to-new-markets-2012-03-06

Shares fell 9.2% to $18.42 after-hours Wednesday as the company forecast adjusted fiscal fourth-quarter earnings between 18 cents and 22 cents a share on revenue of $235 million to $250 million. Analysts’ average projection called for a 25-cent per-share profit with $253 million in revenue.

The second-biggest fiber-optic equipment maker behind JDS Uniphase Corp. JDSU -2.61% has reported declining earnings in recent quarters due to new inventory issues and soft demand from some telecom customers.

The latest results faced a tough comparison against a year-earlier profit that more than tripled amid strong sales growth.

Still, the company pointed to relatively stable margins compared with the previous quarter and said sales of datacom products were strong.

For the quarter ended Jan. 29, Finisar reported a profit of $8.9 million, or 9 cents a share, down from $18.8 million, or 22 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding stock-based compensation costs, earlier debt conversion charges and other items, per-share earnings dropped to 23 cents from 47 cents as revenue slipped 7.6% to $243 million.

The company’s downbeat earnings forecast in November called for a profit between 20 cents and 24 cents a share with $235 million to $250 million in revenue.

Gross margin narrowed to 29.3% from 32% a year ago.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/finisar-q3-net-drops-53-q4-view-downbeat-2012-02-29

PricewaterhouseCoopers, which is responsible for auditing Barclays’ accounts, is understood to have raised concerns with the bank over the structure of the schemes that would have saved it from paying hundreds of millions of pounds in tax, The Telegraph said.

PwC wasn’t responsible for providing specific advice to the bank on the use of the now prohibited structures, The Telegraph said. But, due to PwC’s concerns, Barclays took a provision in its annual results against the possibility of the scheme being rejected that means it will not have to restate its financial results to take into account the extra tax it will have to pay, The Telegraph said.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/barclays-auditor-raised-tax-scheme-concern-report-2012-02-28

Kraft on Monday disclosed in its 10-K that it expects the arbitration proceeding to begin July 11 in Chicago and conclude by July 31.

The hearing stems from Starbucks’ move to take control of its packaged-coffee business from long-time partner Kraft, which for 13 years distributed bags of Starbucks coffee to retailers under a licensing agreement.

Starbucks brought the business in-house on March 1, 2011, after Kraft tried to block the move through legal proceedings.

Kraft is looking to get Starbucks to pay a termination fee that analysts have estimated would top $1 billion.

Shares of Kraft, which is splitting up into global snacks and North American grocery businesses, were recently up 28 cents to $38.16. Starbucks shares were up 6 cents to $48.36.

Calls to Kraft and Starbucks representatives weren’t immediately returned.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/kraft-starbucks-arbitration-hearing-set-for-july-2012-02-27

Skullcandy, founded in 2003, first sought to court the action sport and youth crowd by selling its headphones in specialty retailers focused on sports such as skateboarding but has since expanded distribution to major retailers such as Target Corp. (TGT) and Best Buy Co. (BBY).

The company revamps its product slate often with new models and fresh packaging. Analysts expect Skullcandy to focus more on the $100-or-more premium headphone category and audio innovation this year, as that space has few players. Skullcandy has said it plans to introduce as many as a dozen new premium products over the next several years.

Skullcandy reported a profit of $12.3 million, or 44 cents a share, compared with a prior-year loss of $9.7 million, or 69 cents a share. Excluding legal-related expenses, adjusted profit in the latest quarter was 47 cents.

Net sales climbed 29% to $83.4 million as the top line jumped 27% in the U.S. and 19% abroad. Online net sales, which are included in the U.S. segment, surged 73%.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected earnings of 43 cents a share on revenue of $83 million.

Gross margin dropped to 49.9% from 56%.

Skullcandy projected full-year earnings of $1.10 to $1.20 a share on revenue of $275 million to $295 million. Wall Street expected $1.16 and $285 million, respectively.

Shares slid 2.9% to $15.40 in after-hours trading.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/skullcandy-swings-to-profit-on-strong-sales-2012-02-22

The contract was received from the Al Habtoor Group as part of the US$1.33 billion complex that will include 1,600 hotel rooms and is being developed on the site of the existing Metropolitan Hotel, Dubai’s oldest hotel.

“We have successfully completed a number of projects for the Al Habtoor Group in the past–including the Habtoor Grand and Metropolitan Hotels–and have always maintained a good working relationship with them,” said Laurie Voyer, chief executive of Habtoor Leighton Group.

Demolition of the Metropolitan is scheduled to begin in March, with early work likely to start in June and the development set for completion in the second half of 2016, Habtoor Leighton said in a statement.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/leighton-unit-gets-515-mln-dubai-deal-2012-02-20