ESCO receives order for 88,000 meter readers – Radio Frequency (RF) utility meters are coming to your neighborhood soon. Yes, everything is going to get networked, even your gas, electric, and water meters. ESCO Technologies (ESE) just sold a bunch to PG&E Corporation (PCG) and if you don’t live in California, expect your utility to follow suit.

Perdigao Reports Increase in Net Income of 174% in 2007 – Food prices keep rising – an issue I’ve mentioned here before. Brazilian pork and poultry producer Perdigao S.A. (PDA) has been a big beneficiary. Fred Fuld at Stockerblog.com has an overview of Brazilian food stocks. I’m making some jerk chicken this weekend, pass the Pickapeppa Sauce.

Herbalife President Exercises Options – Multi-level marketing companies run hot or cold. I wouldn’t short this stock, but buyers (of product or stock) should be aware of the sales tactics used by these companies’ “independent agents.” Herbalife (HLF) has knocked the ball out of the yard lately but a cursory look at USANA Health Sciences (USNA) or Mannatech (MTEX), which sell similar products, can show how things quickly go wrong.

Healthcare left behind in the rally – Wellpoint’s (WLP) lowered outlook has caused its peers to drop in sympathy. Humana (HUM), UnitedHealth Group (UNH), Health Net (HNT), Aetna (AET), and Cigna Corporation (CI) all took sizable plunges. There’s value in them thar health care stocks?

Immucor to Buy BioArray Solutions for $117M – Market participants sold Immucor (BLUD) hard after it announced its intention to buy BioArray Solutions. BioArray’s products look to fit well with Immucor’s portfolio of blood transfusion and testing technology.