(ADS) - buy
Alliance Data Systems 4Q profit surges 53 percent. Company posted earnings of $51.9 million, or 79 cents per share, up 53 percent from $33.9 million, or 42 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

(EW) - buy
Edwards Lifesciences Corp, Q4 net more than doubles. Net income rose to $38.1 million, or 66 cents a share, from $15.8 million, or 27 cents a share, a year ago.

(BHP) - short
BHP Billiton Ltd, misses forecasts. Co said its first half net profit fell 56.5% on year to $2.62 bln from $6.02 bln in the same period a year earlier.

(ACE) - short
Ace Ltd. said that fourth-quarter net income came in at $20 million, down 97% from a year earlier when the insurance and reinsurance company made $572 million.

(AJG) - short
Arthur J Gallagher Q4 profit from cont ops falls 67 pct. The company reported fourth-quarter earnings from continuing operations of $11.7 million, or 12 cents a share, compared with $35.1 million, or 37 cents a share, a year earlier.