Morning Links: 18 July 2008

Texas billionaire still buying Gaylord, Pinnacle raises more capital, another local bank teases earnings, Fitch says CHS making progress, and more...

Email | Print By Geert De Lombaerde

"Oliver Twist has asked for more!" Texas investor Robert Rowling on Tuesday and Wednesday snapped up more than $14 million worth of the stock. He now owns 13 percent of the company. (Ticker: GET)

Pinnacle Financial Partners is raising more than $21 million through a private placement that is expected to wrap up next week. The fast-growing bank (Ticker: PNFP) also has lined up another loan with SunTrust to keep its capital ratios in line.

Tennessee Commerce Bancorp CEO Art Helf says his bank will report strong profits later this month. The company's stock (Ticker: TNCC) has seesawed this week.

Fitch Ratings has affirmed its opinion of Community Health Systems, saying the hospital company (Ticker: CYH) has made good progress digesting its Triad purchase.

CBRL Group (Ticker: CBRL) is being moved from Standard & Poor's mid-cap index to its small-cap collection.

Green Bankshares (Ticker: GRNB) earned just $1.5 million last quarter – versus $7.1 million a year ago – as its loan loss provisions ballooned eightfold.

Animal hospital operator PetDRx (Ticker: VETS) has acquired a California facility and signed a deal to buy another.

Dollar General has signed on to sponsor IndyCar driver Sarah Fisher for two races.

Brentwood logistics player Ozburn-Hessey has expanded its transportation services group.