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“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” ruled the box office roost for a second-straight weekend, as the $103 million it took in brought its U.S. gross to about $400 million, according to Box Office Pro. The film, distributed by Walt Disney Co. , has now grossed over $745 million since its Dec. 15 release, already enough to make it the 10th-highest grossing film of the year, but the film’s domestic take still puts it 30% behind its predecessor, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which was released in 2015, according to Box Office Pro data. For the holiday weekend, Sony Corp.’s “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” came in second with a $42.5 million box office, while “Pitch Perfect 3,” distributed by Comcast Corp.’s Universal was third and at $35.0 million. Disney’s stock edged up 0.2% in morning trade Tuesday. It has rallied 10.4% over the past three months, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average has climbed 11.1%.

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Amazon.com Inc. said Tuesday that it had a strong holiday season, with Prime membership levels rising and two Amazon products topping the company’s best-selling charts. In one week during the holiday period, more than four million people either began trial memberships of Amazon Prime or started paid memberships, according to a release. Amazon’s Echo Dot speaker and Fire TV Stick with Alexa remote were the site’s best-sellers, Amazon added. The company tends not to give specifics about device sales but said that customers bought “twice as many” Fire TV Sticks this holiday season relative to last year’s. Amazon shares are down 0.4% in Tuesday morning trading but up 56% so far in 2017. The S&P 500 is up 20% this year.

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U.S. stock indexes Tuesday opened lower as investors returned from a holiday break, with technology stocks coming under pressure as shares of Apple Inc. declined on reports of tepid sales of iPhone X. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 24 points, or 0.1%, at 24,730, the S&P 500 index was down 4 points, or 0.1%, at 2,679. The Nasdaq Composite Index retreated 0.4% at 6,933, as Apple’s shares were down about 2.2%. Several reports indicate that demand for iPhone X, the gadget maker’s costliest and most advanced mobile device.

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Shares of India Globalization Capital Inc. rocketed 135% in premarket trading Tuesday after the company announced that it would begin using blockchain in its business. The firm, which is working on a cannabis treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, said in a release that it would “leverage its existing team of technology and healthcare experts to develop methods utilizing blockchain in areas such as product identification assurance.” India Globalization Capital becomes the latest company to see its shares soar after announcing an interest in using blockchain. As of Friday’s close, its stock was up 136% this year. The S&P 500 Index is up 20% so far in 2017.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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The early drop in Apple’s stock was helping push the Dow Jones Industrial Average into negative territory. Apple shares were down 2.7% in premarket trading following several reports indicating weak iPhone X demand. The stock’s selloff comes despite a positive cover story from Barron’s suggesting that the company could achieve a $1 trillion market value in 2018. Apple’s stock price drop of $4.70 would subtract about 32 points from the Dow’s price. Dow futures were down 44 points in early trade.

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Long Blockchain Corp. , formerly known as Long Island Ice Tea Corp., said it entered into a $2 million convertible debt facility, with an additional $2 million option, to help fund the company’s change in its business focus to the exploration of and investment in blockchain technology ventures. The lender of the debt facility is U.K.-based investment firm Court Cavendish Ltd., which was granted to right to appoint two new members to the company’s board of directors. The stock had soared last week after the company said it was changing its name and business focus. “Our company recently announced we would be taking a series of steps relating to the pivot into blockchain technology, including the assembly of a world class team of industry professionals,” said Chief Executive Philip Thomas. “Our new financing arrangement with a UK-based investment firm that shares our vision is the first step of many, and further validates our commitment to a swift, responsible pivot into blockchain technology.” The stock slumped 5.0% in premarket trade, but has run up 151% over the past three months through Friday, while the S&P 500 has gained 7.5%. Meanwhile, CBOE Bitcoin futures rallied 11% in early trade Tuesday.

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Hubbell Inc. said Tuesday it has agreed to buy Aclara Technologies LLC for $1.1 billion in cash. Aclara, an infrastructure solutions provider to water, gas and electric utilities, is an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners Inc. Hubbell, a maker of electrical and electronic products with a market capitalization of $7.4 billion, said it has obtained the bridge financing needed to fund the acquisition, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018. “Aclara participates in attractive markets that complement our core with high quality products and talented people,” said Hubbell Chief Executive David Nord. “Together with Aclara, Hubbell will be even better positioned to serve customers through a differentiated smart grid solution and expanded portfolio.” The stock, which was still inactive in premarket trade, has climbed 16% year to date, while the S&P 500 has gained 20%.

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Shares of DelMar Pharmaceuticals Inc. rocketed 40% in premarket trade Tuesday, after the biopharmaceutical company said its lead-product cancer treatment, VAL-083, was granted “Fast Track” designation by the Food and Drug Administration. “Fast Track” designation helps expedite the review of drugs showing promise in treating life-threatening diseases. DelMar’s VAL-083 is a potential new treatment for recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM), a cancer of the brain and spinal cord. “We are enthusiastic about the potential of VAL-083 to offer a meaningful clinical benefit to patients with rGBM and for the opportunity to expedite the regulatory process through the FDA’s Fast Track program,” said Interim Chief Executive Saiid Zarrabian. The stock had plunged 74% year to date, while the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF had rallied 21% and the S&P 500 had gained 20%.

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Capital One Financial Corp. disclosed Tuesday that it has cut its stock repurchase program to $1.00 billion from $1.85 billion, as a result of the tax cut signed by President Donald Trump last week. The financial services company said it resubmitted its 2017 Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review plan to the Federal Reserve Board to address certain “weaknesses” identified in the capital planning process. The company said the reduced buyback program was a result of the anticipated cut in the carrying value of certain tax assets and additional tax expenses, which it expects to result in a $1.9 billion charge against net income. Capital One said the Tax Act also eliminates the ability to carryback net operating losses against prior period taxable income. The company expects to maintain its quarterly dividend of 40 cents a share. The stock, which was still inactive in premarket trade, has soared 21.4% over the past three months, while the SPDR Financial Select Sector ETF has climbed 10.5% and the S&P 500 has gained 7.5%.

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Shares of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. surged 4.7% in premarket trade Tuesday, after the biopharmaceutical company agreed to be acquired by Mallinckrodt PLC in a deal valued at $2.1 billion, including debt. Mallinckrodt shares were still inactive ahead of the open. Under terms of the deal, Mallinckrodt will pay $18 for each Sucampo share outstanding, which is 5.9% above Friday’s stock closing price of $17.00, and would give Sucampo a market capitalization of about $839.5 million. Mallinckrodt expects to fund the deal with debt and cash on hand. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018, and add at least 30 cents a share to adjusted earnings in 2018. Mallinckrodt’s stock had tumbled 53% year to date through Friday, while Sucampo shares have climbed 25% and the S&P 500 has gained 20%.

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