Benzinga’s Top News Round-up (DDS, AGO, COV, APOL, HD, BT, APWR, UBS, IAPLY, EJ)

Dillard's, Inc. (NYSE: DDS) reported third-quarter profit of $8 million and sales of $1.36 billion compared to $1.51 billion while analysts estimated a loss of $0.51 a share on sales of $1.31 billion. As a result, Dillard's, Inc. (NYSE: DDS) is trading at $13.45, increased 0.90% in the pre-market session.

Assured Guaranty Ltd. (NYSE: AGO) is up 0.85% to $21.39 in the pre-market. Yesterday AGO announced third-quarter net loss of $35 million, or $0.22 a share. So far this year, AGO climbed up 86%.

Covidien PLC (NYSE: COV) today announced its fourth quarter net income of $56 million, or $0.11 a share, compared to $409 million, or $0.81 a share, in the year-ago period, while analysts were expecting earnings of $0.70 a share. Covidien also said that it expects sales to grow between 6%-9% for fiscal 2010. Covidien PLC (NYSE: COV) is trading at $44.40, up by 0.70%. The 52 week trading range for COV is $27.27 - $45.00. So far this year, COV gained over 21%.

Apollo Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: APOL) is up 0.40% at $57.23 in the pre-market after Apollo Global appointed John Baule as its Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE: HD) reported third quarter net income of $689 million, or $0.41 per share, from $756 million, or $0.45 per share, a year ago. Sales decreased to $16.36 billion, as compared to $17.78 billion last year. Analysts expected Home Depot to post profit of $0.36 a share on sales of $16.36 billion. Yesterday, HD closed at $27.65. HD is down 1.63% in the pre-market session.

BT Group plc (ADR) (NYSE: BT) was today downgraded at J.P. Morgan from overweight to Neutral due to increased pension liability. Yesterday, BT Group plc (ADR) (NYSE: BT) closed at $. In the current fiscal, BT gained around 25%. BT also made a new high yesterday at $25.26.

A-Power Energy Generation Systems, Ltd. (NASDAQ: APWR) is currently trading at $12.41, gained 7.17% in the pre-market session after The U.S. Renewable Energy Group and A-Power Energy Generation Systems, Ltd. signed an agreement to construct wind energy turbine production and assembly Plant In United States.

UBS AG (USA) (NYSE: UBS) today announced that UBS expects annual pre-tax profit for the next 3-5 years to be around $14.89 billion. UBS also expect cost-to-income ratio to be in between 65%-70% and ROE to be between 15%-20%. Yesterday, UBS AG (USA) (NYSE: UBS) closed at $17.35. In the current fiscal UBS climbed up over 21%. UBS is down 0.58% in the pre-market session.

ICAP plc (ADR) (OTC: IAPLY) today reported that its fiscal first-half revenue increased 6% to GBP 809 million as compared to GBP 764 million, while pre-tax profit went down 5% due to investments and lower margin revenue. However, ICAP expects fiscal year profit to be in line with analysts’ estimates. ICAP plc (ADR) (OTC: IAPLY) closed at $14.50 in the last trading session.

E-House (China) Holdings Limited (NYSE: EJ) climbed up 5.53% in the pre-market session after EJ announced its third quarter financial results. The 52 week trading range for EJ is $4.00 - $24.39. Yesterday, EJ closed at $20.42.