>>> US Gapping up

Gapping up
In reaction to strong earnings/guidance
:
  • YUMC +12.3%, ALQA +7.3%, STZ +5%, TIG +3.1%, BBBY +2.9%,LB +2.9% (March SSS), KMX +2.6%, LW +2.5%, COST +1.8% (March SSS), MSM +1.5%
M&A news:
  • TENX +30% (announces review of strategic alternatives - engaged Ladenburg as advisor; CEO John Kelley resigned)
  • SUN +11.5% (agrees to sell a majority of its convenience stores to 7-Eleven in a $3.3 bln deal)
  • ZPIN +4.7% (enters into definitive merger agreement for $18.20/share)
Select metals/mining stocks trading higher:
  • MTL +4.8%, MT +1.7%, VALE +1.7%, BBL +1.3%, CLF +1.1%, RIO+1%, BHP +1%, AU +0.9%, X +0.9%
Other news:
  • FSLR +-1.2% (First Solar says reviewing alternatives for the sale of its interests in 8point3 Energy Partners)
  • LEDS +19.6% (may be related to new credit agreement; also the company confirmed earnings release date will be April 12)
  • MSDI +13.8% (announces a new customer relationship with ZUMM Everything for Android)
  • RWLK +13.2% (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs purchased 28 ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton Systems to support an ongoing national multi-center clinical trial)
  • URRE +12.4% (reports positive geophysical results at its Columbus Basin lithium project; plans for drilling to commence in July of this year)
  • WYY +11.9% (very thinly traded; Nokomis Capital affirms 15.4% active stake, has engaged, and intend to continue to engage, in discussions with the management and the Board)
  • KOPN +9% (announces two agreements w/ 'two leading global OLED companies' as part of its manufacturing strategy for its OLED displays introduced at CES in January 2017)
  • BSTG +8.7% (presents preclinical data of its Cellspan Esophageal Implant)
  • JAZZ +6.6% (Jazz Pharma resolves patent litigation w/ Hikma Pharma related to Xyrem / sodium oxybate oral solution)
  • MACK +5.8% (announces a special cash dividend of $140 million on the company's common stock)
  • BLDP +4.6% (receives $11 mln supply agreement with Zhongshan Broad-Ocean Motor Co)
  • SUPN +2.8% (receives final FDA approval for Trokendi XR for migraine prophylaxis in adults and adolescents)
  • CARA +2.4% (among stocks with favorable commentary on Wednesday's Mad Money)
  • MDT +1.9% (Reuters reporting that Medtronic medical supplies business could fetch $6 bln in sale to Cardinal Health)
  • VRX +1.1% (confirms that its Bausch + Lomb unit received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for the Stellaris Elite Vision Enhancement System)
  • UN +0.9% (provides outcome of co's strategy review; Reconfirms commitment to long-term model; to launch a share buy-back of €5 bln this year; dividend hike of 12%)
Analyst comments:
  • AKTX +16.6% (initiated with an Outperform at William Blair)
  • SCON +16.4% (upgraded to Buy at Rodman & Renshaw; tgt $3)
  • PLUG +5.3% (target raised to $4 from $3 at Rodman & Renshaw)
  • GOGL +4.3% (upgraded to Buy at DNB Markets )
  • NTNX +4.2% (initiated with a Buy at BofA/Merrill)
  • RNN +3.3% (resumed with a Buy at Rodman & Renshaw; tgt $2)
  • GBX +2.1% (upgraded to Buy from Neutral at BofA/Merrill)