Hot Equity Movers Jan. 25th: Verizon, Quest Diagnostics, Kimberly Clark, Texas Instruments

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ): company added 1.5 million retail customers, including 1.2 million retail postpaid customers. While the wholesale channel grew during the fourth quarter, a loss of telematics customers resulted in a net decrease of 490,000 wholesale and other connections in the quarter. At year-end 2011, smartphones accounted for 44% of the Verizon Wireless retail postpaid customer phone. Shares of Verizon Communications Inc. are trading 2.06% lower today.

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX): Quest Diagnostics announced that its Board of Directors increased the company’s share repurchase authorization by $1B. This action increases the current share repurchase authorization to $1.1B. During 2011, the company repurchased approximately 17M shares of common stock for $935M. The company had 157M shares outstanding as of Dec. 31, 2011. Shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated are trading 5.68% higher today.

Kimberly Clark Corp (NYSE:KMB): The company expects the increase in operating cash flow will be helped by modest pension contributions. Comments taken from Q4 earnings conference call. Shares of Kimberly Clark Corp are trading 2.71% lower today.

BioLineRx Ltd. – American Depositary Shares (NASDAQ:BLRX): BioLineRx announced it has signed a worldwide, exclusive license agreement with Genoscience, a French company focused on viral disease therapeutics, to develop and commercialize BL-8020, an orally available treatment for Hepatitis C. Shares of BioLineRx Ltd. – American Depositary Shares are trading 77.81% higher today.

Texas Instruments Incorporated (NASDAQ:TXN): After Texas Instruments reported stronger than expected Q4 revenues, Gabelli believes that multiple factors will cause the company’s margins to accelerate in 2012. The firm maintains a Buy rating on the stock. Susquehanna raised its price target on Texas Instruments following Q4 results. The firm believes Q1 will represent the bottom of the current cycle and the company should receive a tailwind from customers and distributors inventory replenishment. Shares are Positive rated. Shares of Texas Instruments Incorporated are trading 0.21% lower today.

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To contact the reporter on this story: Derek Hoffman at staff.writers@wallstcheatsheet.com

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Damien Hoffman at editors@wallstcheatsheet.com