>>> US Gapping up

Gapping up
In reaction to strong earnings/guidance
: PLUG +7%, PRGO +4.2%, AZPN +4.1%, DL +3.5%, NTES +3%, IAG +2.6%, RRGB +2.2%, CASI +2.2%, KSS +1.9%, NTAP +1.8%, RMAX +1.4%, ELP +0.9%, FRSH +0.7%, MTLS +0.5%, SAND +0.5%.

M&A news: IOC +2% (Hearing Bernstein suggesting Exxon (XOM), Total (TOT) and Woodside (WOPEY) as potential InterOil bidders).

Select financial related names showing strength: IRE +2.3%, CS +1.8%, HSBC +1.7%, RBS +1.2%.

Select battery related stocks trading higher after PLUG earnings: FCEL +2.5%, BLDP +2.3%, ZBB +1.4%.

Other news: SUPN +6.5% (receives FDA fast track designation for SPN-810), TCK +3% (still checking), GSL +2.3% (announced pricing of depositary shares representing $35 mln of preferred stock at $25 per share), IQNT +1.9% (increased quarterly dividend 100% to $0.15 from $0.075 per share), PANW +1.9% (cont momentum), PRSC +1.7% (to replace UNS Energy in the S&P SmallCap 600), RSX +1.4% (Pres Putin reportedly will do utmost to end conflict; Interfax reports the Russian govt will adjust list of banned food imports by 8/15), WY +1.4% (increases dividend by 32% and announces $700 mln share repurchase program), TPH +1.3% (positive mention on Mad Money), ZOES +1.1% (upsizes offering by 500K shares and prices 4.5 mln shares of common stock at $30.25), Q +1.1% (positive mention on Mad Money), PCP +1% (Board approved a $1 bln expansion to co's existing share repurchase program).

Analyst comments: ARUN +3% (upgraded to Buy form Hold at Stifel), TSLA +1.3% (initiated with a Outperform at Credit Suisse)