SmallCapReview - Stocks to Watch - ARIA, BID, ROSE

Ariad Pharmaceuticals $2.54. (Nasdaq" ARIA) $2.54. Today announced that its investigational pan-BCR-ABL inhibitor, AP24534, has been granted orphan drug designation by both the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). In the U.S., the orphan designation of AP24534 is for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) and in the E.U., its orphan designation is for CML and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

“While impressive medical gains have been made over the past decade in treating various forms of leukemia, it is clear that the disease can be severe and life-threatening when it progresses,” said Frank Haluska, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, clinical affairs of ARIAD. “Orphan drug designation for AP24534 highlights the lack of therapeutic options available for patients with CML or Ph+ ALL, who are resistant or refractory to currently available therapies. We expect to advance AP24534 into a pivotal registration trial later this year and pursue subsequent regulatory submissions for marketing authorization in these hematological cancers.”

Sotheby's ( NYSE: BID) $24.30. Today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2009 is the second highest in Company history at $73.6 million, or $1.09 per share, compared to a net loss of ($9.3) million, or ($0.14) per share, for the prior period. This significant improvement in profitability is especially attributable to a $52.1 million, or 31%, increase in operating revenues from the prior period. This increase is largely due to a 440 basis point, or 28%, improvement in auction commission margin, from 16.0% in the fourth quarter of 2008 to 20.4% in the fourth quarter of 2009, resulting from management's revenue enhancement strategies. Also positively impacting revenues is a $19.9 million reduction in principal activities losses over the period due to the substantial levels of prior year auction guarantee losses and inventory writedowns. The Company continues to significantly limit its use of auction guarantees. Fourth quarter results also reflect a $47.5 million, or 28%, reduction in expenses, driven by the Company's cost reduction initiatives.

What They Do: Sotheby's is a global company that engages in art auction, private sales and art-related financing activities. The Company operates in 40 countries, with principal salesrooms located in New York, London, Hong Kong and Paris.

Rosetta Resources Inc. ( Nasdaq: ROSE) $18.73. Announced Friday after market close financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and full year 2009 and provided an outlook for 2010. For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009, Rosetta reported net income of $9.2 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, versus a net loss of ($155.5) million, or ($3.06) per diluted share, for the same period in 2008.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, Rosetta reported a net loss of ($219.2) million, or ($4.30) per diluted share, versus a net loss of ($188.1) million, or ($3.71) per diluted share, for the same period in 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2009, these results include a non-cash impairment of oil and gas properties of $238.1 million, net of tax, and $278.9 million for the same period in 2008.