WGA & AMPTP Agree To Extend Current Film & TV Contract; Bargaining To Start Week Of May 11

The WGA and the AMPTP have agreed to extend their film and TV contract to June 30 and to start bargaining during the week of May 11. Their current pact had been set to expire Friday night at midnight.

“Due to the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WGA and the AMPTP have agreed to extend the 2017 WGA Minimum Basic Agreement expiration date from May 1 to June 30, 2020,” the guild’s negotiating committee said today in an email to members. “Therefore, writers will continue to be covered by the current contractual terms through the end of June.”

“The WGA Negotiating Committee will be meeting via video conference with the AMPTP starting the week of May 11th to negotiate a successor MBA contract,” the committee said. “Our entire committee remains committed to gaining the best possible deal for writers. “Thank you for your encouragement and support as we have prepared for this negotiation. Communication from the committee may be limited during the course of negotiations, but we will update you when there are any significant developments.”

National Instruments Q1 Profit Rises

National Instruments (NATI) Thursday reported first-quarter net income of $132.66 million or $1.01 per share, up from $23.22 million or $0.17 per share last year.

On an adjusted basis, earnings dropped to $0.26 per share from $0.30 per share last year.

First-quarter revenues dropped to $309.38 million from $311.07 million last year.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $0.70 per share on revenues of $315.2 million.

Moving ahead, the company said, “The total impact of COVID-19 on our economy remains highly uncertain and we have limited visibility into the second quarter making the impact hard to quantify. As a result, we will not provide guidance for Q2 2020 at this time. We do plan to release a business update on June 9 when we expect to have clearer insight into the quarter.”

Los Angeles First Major City To Offer Free Covid-19 Testing To All Residents

Los Angeles has become the first major city in the US to offer free coronavirus testing for all residents.

During a press conference, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that all residents can now get free coronavirus testing. The free testing is now only available to city residents, however, a similar plan is being planned for residents of Los Angeles County as well.

Garcetti tweeted the news, “Announcing that L.A. is now the first major city in America to offer free COVID-19 testing to all residents. While priority will still be given to those with symptoms, individuals without symptoms can also be tested. Sign up at Coronavirus.LACity.org/Testing.”

Those with symptoms will be given first priority, but even asymptomatic residents can get tested for free.

“If you feel you need a test, get one. If you want to be safe, get one,” Garcetti said.

On Wednesday, the LA County reported 1,541 new cases, bringing the total number of people tested positive for coronavirus to 22,485.

There are 34 testing sites across the city and county of Los Angeles, with a capacity to test 18,000 people per day. More than 140,000 people have been tested throughout those testing sites, Garcetti said.

Coronavirus: Rural Albertans needing outpatient lab work now have to make appointments

Patients in rural areas of Alberta will have to make appointments to have outpatient lab work done as Alberta Health Services continues to introduce new measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The temporary change goes into effect on Monday, May 4, and covers hospitals and urgent care centres.

London fire: Huge blaze erupts in east London – emergency services on scene

Firefighters are battlign the blaze with witnesses on Twitter saying plumes of smoke was coming out of the building on the busy street. Eyewitness Dan Madison wrote on Twitter: “There’s a fire near Maryland Station, Maryland, Newham, London. Fire engines and police in attendance and thick smoke pouring out of building.”

This is a breaking news story. Come back for updates. Press refresh

Brooks Automation Q2 Profit Tops Estimates

Brooks Automation, Inc. (BRKS) reported second quarter earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.25, up 48% over the prior year. On average, six analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report profit per share of $0.24, for the quarter. Analysts’ estimates typically exclude special items. Adjusted EBITDA was $34.8 million, up 6% from prior year.

Second quarter revenue was $220 million, up 11% year over year. Analysts expected revenue of $217.57 million for the quarter.

For the third quarter, the company expects non-GAAP earnings per share to be in the range of $0.16 to $0.24, and revenue to be in the range of $200 million to $215 million.

The company announced that the Board has reiterated a dividend of $0.10 per share payable on June 26, 2020 to stockholders of record on June 5, 2020.

EastGroup Properties Q1 FFO Rises

EastGroup Properties Inc. (EGP) reported that its first-quarter funds from operations attributable to common stockholders increased to $51.18 million from $43.94 million in the prior year. Funds from operations were $1.31 per share compared to $1.20 per share for the same quarter last year.

Net income attributable to common stockholders was $23.30 million or $0.60 per share from $22.53 million or $0.62 per share in the prior year.

Quarterly revenue for the quarter were $88.63 million, up from $78.80 million in the prior year.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $0.56 per share and revenues of $87.69 million for the quarter. Analysts’ estimates typically exclude special items.

Looking forward, the company expects full year 2020 earnings of $2.07 to $2.19 per share and FFO of $5.11 to $5.23 per share. Analysts currently estimate earnings of $2.25 per share.