Gapping up
In reaction to strong earnings/guidance: VDSI +7.2%, (thinly traded), NVMI +4.5%, HOLI +3.5%, BHP +2.5%, BMRN +0.9% (ALSO confirms FDA approval for VIMIZIM (elosulfase alfa) for the treatment of patients with Morquio A syndrome).
M&A news: FRX +36.6% and ACT +15.7% (Actavis to acquire Forest Laboratories for ~$25 bln or $89.48/share in cash/equity), CHDX (Chindex to be acquired by TPG and Fosun Pharma for $19.50 per share in cash ).
Select financial related names showing strength: BCS +3.2%, CS +2.4% ( initiated with a Buy at Jefferies), NBG +1.8%, HSBC +1.2% (Barron's profiles positive view on HSBC), CVS +1% (ticking higher following positive mention in Barron's ), DB +1% ( initiated with a Buy at Jefferies).
Select metals/mining stocks trading higher: BBL +2.1%, IAG +1.7%, ABX +1.7%, EGO +1%.
Solar names modestly higher: JKS +2.2%, SPWR +0.9%, FSLR +0.8%
Other news: PRAN +24.1% ( meets primary endpoint in Phase 2 REACH2HD clinical study of PBT2 for treating Huntington disease; preliminary evidence suggests PBT2 250mg reduced atrophy of brain tissue in areas affected in Huntington disease, seen in a pilot imaging sub-study ), MSTX +9.9% (Provides Additional Results From Nonclinical Heart Failure Study; Statistically significant and durable reductions in troponin and NT-proBNP), CHTP +9.9% ( issues statement regarding postponement of NORTHERA NDA PDUFA action date due to severe weather ), CAJ +3.9% (announces plan to acquire up to 18 mln of its common shares), TSLA +3.9% (Apple dealmaker Adrian Perica has met with TSLA's Elon Musk last year, according to reports), PSTI +3.5% (receives 3D cell expansion patent in Australia), VMEM +3.4% ( Announces Distribution Agreement with SYNNEX ), SINA +2.1% (Alibaba considering buying additional stake in Sina Microblog, according to Marbridge ), EPL +2% (Barron's profiles positive view), SNE +1.7% (Sony has sold 5.3 mln PS4 units, outperforming full year targets, according to reports), DDD +1.6% ( Digitimes discusses that 3D printing market may reach 6 mln units by 2018 ), UN +1.6% and DEO +0.9%(still checking), AAL +1.3% (American Airlines modestly higher following positive mention in Barron's), USG +0.7% (Berkshire Hathaway lifts stakes), SUNE +0.6% (SunEdison announces confidential submission of draft registration statement by Yieldco Vehicle ), MOS +0.5% (reaches agreement to purchase 8.2 mln additional class A shares).
Analyst comments: AIXG +9.9% (upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan), DEG +5.3% (upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley), BBRY +5.1% (upgraded to Mkt Perform at FBR Capital with $10 tgt), ATHN +1.9% (athenahealth upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at RW Baird ), LULU +1.7% (upgraded to Outperform from Perform at Oppenheimer), SEM +1.5% (upgraded to Outperform at Robert W. Baird), YELP +0.7% (initiated with a Neutral at Sun Trust Rbsn Humphrey; tgt $100)