A strategic partner of Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA)’s finance affiliate, Megvii Inc. is looking to lift funds at a evaluation of to the extent that $2B, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter. Alibaba as well as Internet firms from Facebook Inc. (FB) to Google Inc. (Goog) and Baidu Inc. (BIDU) are embracing biometric technologies and artificial intelligence to improve security and smooth e-commerce. A $2 billion valuation would be 10 times Megvii’s May appraisal, when it raised $47 million from investors including Qiming Venture Partners and Innovation Works, the incubator founded by Google’s former China head. Megvii is working with Ant Financial on a system allowing users to set up bank accounts online through facial scans, provided it receives regulatory approval. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) stock has highest price of $81.20 in last session, beginning with a price of $81.07 and reported a gain of 1.59% to close at $80.30 with a day range of $79.84-$81.20. The stock is going forward its 52-week low with 5.37% and moving down from its 52 week high price with -33.08%.
Clothing retailer, Ascena Retail Group Inc. (NASDAQ:ASNA) slashed its earnings outlook for the fiscal year 2015, mainly to reflect a recent decision to accelerate its planned merchandise transition at Justice brand and to incorporate lower than expected top-line performance at Justice and dressbarn brands. “While we expected a challenging quarter at Justice due to the sell-down of Spring/Summer merchandise coupled with a significant reduction in promotional activity, our revised fourth quarter expectation incorporates a more complete exit from the existing season’s merchandise mix,” said Ascena CEO David Jaffe. Shares of Ascena Retail Group Inc. (NASDAQ:ASNA) traded at $16.37 by moving up 0.80% with price volatility of 2.58% for a week and 2.29% for a month. Its beta stands at 1.53 times.
Baker Hughes Incorporated (NYSE:BHI) and Halliburton Co (HAL) reported that they signed into a timing contract with the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice pursuant to which both firms have decided to expand the quarter for the DOJ’s review of Halliburton’s purchase of Baker Hughes to the later of November 25, 2015 or 90 days after both companies have certified substantial compliance with the DOJ’s second request. Both Halliburton and Baker Hughes expect to certify substantial compliance with the DOJ’s second requests, issued to each company, by mid-summer. Baker Hughes Incorporated (NYSE:BHI) stock hit highest price at $60.66, beginning with a price of $60.45 and reported a loss of -0.73% to close at $59.71 with a day range of $59.67-$60.66. The total market capitalization remained 25.95 Billion, total volume of 2.62 Million shares held in the session was surprisingly higher than its average volume of 2822.33 shares.