NEW YORK, December 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Editor Note: For more information about this release, please scroll to bottom.

Today, Analysts' Corner announced new research reports highlighting Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD), St. Jude Medical Inc. (NYSE: STJ), Cigna Corp. (NYSE: CI), Pharmacyclics Inc. (NASDAQ: PCYC), and LifePoint Hospitals Inc. (NASDAQ: LPNT). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.

Gilead Sciences Inc. Research Report

On December 6, 2013, Gilead Sciences Inc. (Gilead) announced the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Sovaldi for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection as a component of a combination antiviral treatment regimen. Gilead reported that Sovaldi's efficacy has been established in subjects with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1, 2, 3 or 4 infection, including those with hepatocellular carcinoma meeting Milan criteria (awaiting liver transplantation) and those with HCV/HIV-1 co-infection. "It is our hope that Sovaldi will mark the beginning of a new era in hepatitis C treatment. Gilead is proud to have played a role in bringing about this important therapeutic advance and we would like to extend our thanks to the many patients and physicians who partnered with us on Sovaldi's clinical studies," said John C. Martin, PhD, Chairman and CEO, Gilead. The Full Research Report on Gilead Sciences Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at:

http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/9898_GILD

St. Jude Medical Inc. Research Report

On December 9, 2013, St. Jude Medical, Inc. (St. Jude Medical) announced that its Board of Directors has authorized and declared a Q4 2013 dividend in the amount of $0.25 per common share. The Company also reported that this dividend declaration brings the total dividend declared for the year to$1.00 per share. The dividend is payable on January 31, 2014, to shareholders of record on December 31, 2013. The Full Research Report on St. Jude Medical Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at:

http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/b338_STJ

Cigna Corp. Research Report

On December 10, 2013, Cigna Corp. (Cigna) announced that it has achieved 100% on the HRC's 2014 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) and has been recognized as one of the "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality" by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation. "The diversity of our employee base is one reason Cigna is so accomplished at serving our customers. We respect and value our differences because they are good for our communities and for our company," said John Murabito, Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Services. "We're proud to provide an open and affirming workplace for all people." According to the Company, Cigna and the Cigna Foundation support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LBGT) non-profit charities such as The Hetrick Martin Institute (HMI), Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), and several others. The Full Research Report on Cigna Corp. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at:

http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/7307_CI

Pharmacyclics Inc. Research Report

On December 9, 2013, Pharmacyclics, Inc. (Pharmacyclics) announced the publishing of results of a study evaluating ibrutinib in previously untreated elderly patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) by The Lancet Oncology. The Company reported that the primary endpoint of the study was safety, as assessed by the frequency and severity of adverse events (AEs). Pharmacyclics informed that across all patients, the estimated progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival at 24 months were 96.3% and 96.6%, respectively. "Older patients with CLL and SLL are at particularly high risk, and the standard of care therapies for these patients can often lead to significant and burdensome complications," said Susan O'Brien, M.D., Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, who is also the lead author of the study. "There is a need for new treatment options, and we are encouraged by the high response rate and tolerability seen with ibrutinib as a first line therapy." The Full Research Report on Pharmacyclics Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at:

http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/df74_PCYC

LifePoint Hospitals Inc. Research Report

On December 2, 2013, LifePoint Hospitals Inc. (LifePoint) reported that the Board of Directors ofBell Hospital (Bell) has finalized its agreement to be acquired by LifePoint. LifePoint informed that under the terms of the agreement, LifePoint will make $5 million in capital investments at Bell over the next decade. "We are excited to welcome Bell Hospital to LifePoint," said LifePoint Chairman and CEO William F. Carpenter III. "Providing quality healthcare to patients is a top priority that Bell and LifePoint share. We look forward to becoming part of the Ishpeming community and working with the management team, physicians, staff and volunteers at Bell to explore ways to help the hospital grow and prosper." According to LifePoint, the proceeds from the acquisition transaction have eliminated Bell's debt, andthe Company expects nearly $4 million in excess proceeds to be available from the transaction. LifePoint further reported that Bell plans to use these funds to support charitable activities in the community. The Full Research Report on LifePoint Hospitals Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at:

http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/f06d_LPNT

EDITOR NOTES: 


        
        1) This is not company news. We are an independent source and our views do
          not reflect the companies mentioned.
        2) Information in this release is fact checked and produced on a best efforts
          basis and reviewed by Ananya Ghosh, a CFA charterholder. However, we are only human
          and are prone to make mistakes. If you notice any errors or omissions, please notify
          us below.
        3) This information is submitted as a net-positive to companies mentioned, to
          increase awareness for mentioned companies to our subscriber base and the investing
          public.
        4) If you wish to have your company covered in more detail by our team, or wish
          to learn more about our services, please contact us at
          pubco@EquityNewsNetwork.com.
        5) For any urgent concerns or inquiries, please contact us at
          compliance@EquityNewsNetwork.com.
        6) Are you a public company? Would you like to see similar coverage on your
          company? Send us a full investors' package to research@EquityNewsNetwork.com for
          consideration.

COMPLIANCE PROCEDURE

Content is researched, written and reviewed on a best-effort basis. This document, article or report is prepared and authored by Equity News Network. An outsourced research services provider represented by Ananya Ghosh, CFA, has only reviewed the information provided by Equity News Network in this article or report according to the Procedures outlined by Equity News Network. Equity News Network is not entitled to veto or interfere in the application of such procedures by the outsourced provider to the articles, documents or reports, as the case may be.

NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE

Equity News Network makes no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness or fitness for a purpose (investment or otherwise), of the information provided in this document. This information is not to be construed as personal financial advice. Readers are encouraged to consult their personal financial advisor before making any decisions to buy, sell or hold any securities mentioned herein.

NO WARRANTY OR LIABILITY ASSUMED

Equity News Network is not responsible for any error which may be occasioned at the time of printing of this document or any error, mistake or shortcoming. No liability is accepted by Equity News Network whatsoever for any direct, indirect or consequential loss arising from the use of this document. Equity News Network expressly disclaims any fiduciary responsibility or liability for any consequences, financial or otherwise arising from any reliance placed on the information in this document. Equity News Network does not (1) guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness or correct sequencing of the information, or (2) warrant any results from use of the information. The included information is subject to change without notice.

CFA(R) and Chartered Financial Analyst(R) are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

http://www.AnalystsCorner.com

SOURCE Analysts' Corner