>>> US Gapping Up

Gapping up
In reaction to strong earnings/guidance:
  • BANC +6.1%, APH +2.8%, HPE +2.5%, ASML +2.4%, STX +2.4%, ADTN +2.2%, YHOO +1.2%, HAL +0.9%, SVU+0.4%, ABT +0.4%
M&A news: GNC +5.7% (has met with a number of Chinese firms in recent weeks about a possible acquisition, according to the WSJ)

Select metals/mining stocks trading higher:
  • SBGL +3.9%, KGC +3.2%, AG +3%, AUY +2.1%, ABX +2%, SLW +2%, NEM +1.8%, GDX +1.7%, HMY +1.5%, SSRI+1.4%, GOLD +1.3%, MT +1.1%
Select oil/gas related names showing strength:
  • EPE +3.8%, WLL +2.8%, SDLP +2.3%, SDRL +2.2%, CHK +1.7%, PBR +1.3%
Other news:
  • CERU +94.1% (enters into a strategic collaboration with Novartis (NVS); enters $20 million common stock purchase agreement and a registration rights agreement w/ Aspire Capital; Aspire purchased 800K shares of common stock for $1.25/share)
  • MRNS +22.3% (announces that its Phase 1 dose-escalation study ganaxolone intravenous achieved dose levels targeted for efficacy in patients with status epilepticus and other indications)
  • RLJE +9.3% (thinly traded; AMC Networks shows 79.8% active stake)
  • OMER +3.7% (announces 'positive' results from a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the effects of a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonist in patients with cocaine use disorder)
  • STLD +1.3% (Steel Dynamics authorized share repurchase program of up to $450 mln of common stock)
  • TMH +1.4% (following late move higher on Reuters report that Blackstone is top bidder)
  • BLDP +1.4% (light volume; announced the commissioning and deployment of 10 fuel cell-powered buses in the City of Yunfu, in the Province of Guangdong, China)
Analyst comments:
  • AMRN +7.7% (initiated with a Buy at Citigroup)
  • IAG +2.2% (upgraded to Buy from Hold at Canaccord Genuity)
  • OAS +2.2% (upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at Piper Jaffray)
  • CANF +2% (resumed with a Buy at ROTH Capital)
  • STO +1.4% (upgraded to Reduce from Sell at Handelsbanken)
  • BCS +1.2% (upgraded to Buy from Hold at Investec)
  • TWTR +0.7% (upgraded to Hold from Sell at Loop Capital)