Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) reported Q3 earnings and sales that exceeded analysts' estimates and slightly revised its guidance. The cigarette and tobacco maker said adjusted earnings slipped 3.5% to $1.39 per diluted share but exceeded the $1.35 average estimate from analysts polled by Capital IQ. Revenue edged lower 0.9% to $7.9 billion but also came in ahead of the $7.63 billion consensus."Our results in the third quarter were slightly better than we expected, underpinned by a modest decline in volume, continued robust pricing and solid market share gains in each of our four regions," CEO Andre Calantzopoulos said in a statement. On a reported basis, net earnings fell 7.9% to $2.16 billion, or, on a diluted EPS basis, by 4.2% to $1.38. Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) also revised its 2014 full-year forecast and now expects adjusted EPS to increase between 6.5% and 7.5% to as much as $5.80, compared to the previous guidance of growth between 6% and 8%. Analysts have been expecting 2014 EPS of $5.09. Reported 2014 EPS is expected to be between $4.76 and $4.81.Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) has agreed to sell assets in the Southern Marcellus Shale and a portion of the Eastern Utica Shale to Southwestern Energy (SWN) for total proceeds of $5.37 billion. The deal is expected to close in Q4. Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) agreed to sell approximately 413,000 net acres and approximately 1,500 wells in Northern West Virginia and Southern Pennsylvania, of which 435 are in the Marcellus and Utica formations, along with related property, and equipment. Average net daily production from these properties was approximately 56,000 barrels of oil equivalent during the month of September, consisting of 184,000 Mcf of gas, 20,000 barrels of natural gas liquids and 5,000 barrels of condensate. As of December 31, 2013, net proved reserves associated with these properties were approximately 221 million barrels of oil equivalent."It's important to note that this transaction has no impact on our expected growth profile or on our views around maintaining a disciplined capital program," said Doug Lawler, Chesapeake's Chief Executive Officer. "We expect our full-year production guidance for 2015 to remain in the range of 7-10% growth from 2014 levels adjusted for asset sales."Stemline Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:STML) has launched its second clinical trial for SL-401 in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The trial is designed to enroll at least 33 patients who have achieved a complete response (CR) following their first course of induction chemotherapy, but display evidence of minimal residual disease (MRD) in their bone marrow and are at high risk for relapse. SL-401 is a therapy directed to the interleukin-3 receptor (IL-3R) present on cancer stem cells and tumor bulk in hematologic cancers. The trial will evaluate the drug's ability to eradicate evidence of MRD and increase CR duration. Shares of Stemline Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:STML) are at $13.03 within a 52-week range of $10.50 - $38.62.
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