>>> US Gapping up



Gapping up
In reaction to strong earnings/guidance
: PRSC +22.1%, CALL +14.9%, REN +14.6%, CVSL +11.8%, WYY +11.8%, VRTU +9.1%, ORIG +7.8%, RGSE +7%, PLAB +6.2%, PNX +5.4%, XON +5%, NSPH +4.9%, CHRS +4.4%, PRKR +4.4%, NCMI +4.4%, SCLN +4.3%, VBLT +3.7%, ARNA +3.6%, CPRX +3.5%, PFSW +3%, USAT +2.8%, DTSI +2.7%, OPHT +2.5%, SYN +2.4%, RICK +2.3%, OVAS +2.1%, CYTX +2%, RDY +1.8%, FF +1.6%, PRTS +1.5%, LBMH +1.4%, INUV +1.4%, TCRD +1.3%, ARCO +1.3%, ELTK +1%, PFIN +1%, SCAI +0.8%, OTIV +0.7%

M&A news: PLL +20.8% (WSJ reporting that Danaher (DHR) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) may consider possible takeover of PLL), AOL +17.9% (to be acquired by Verizon (VZ) for $50 per share, or ~$4.4 bln), PRE +2.2% (Exor confirms it has increased its all-cash binding offer to acquire PartnerRe to $137.50 per Share), VZ +-0.7% (acquired by AOL for $50 per share, or ~$4.4 bln)

Select metals/mining stocks trading higher: MT +2.1%, ABX +1.6%, GOLD +1.5%, GG +1.2%, GDX +1.1%, NEM +0.9%, BHP +0.8%, SLV +0.7%, .


Other news: THLD +15.4% (Threshold Pharma and Partner Merck KGaA (MKGAY.PK) receive FDA fast track designation for Evofosfamide, to treat advanced pancreatic cancer), EOX +10.1% (entered into definitive agreement to acquire core Delaware Basin acreage in Lea and Eddy Counties, New Mexico for $75.2 mln; increases FY15 production and CapEx guidance), SPPI +8.9% (Armistice Capital discloses 5.4% stake in 13D filing, sends letter to the company requesting it initiate a complete or partial sale), OCN +7.2% (filed 2014 Form 10-K without a qualification about its ability to operate as a going concern; expects to file its first quarter Form 10-Q on or before May 18), STM +5.3% (provides investor update in Analyst Day presentations; says back to y/y revenue growth starting from 2H 2015), NAVB +4.6% secured $60 Million loan with CRG; funding to support Lymphoseek commercialization and advancement of development pipeline), ARNA +3.6% (co and Roivant Sciences enter into collaboration for nelotanserin, a novel inverse agonist of the 5-HT2A receptor; co also reported earnings), HK +3.1% (Franklin Resources disclosed 13.5% passive stake in 13G filing), CDK +2.5% (Elliott Associates disclosed 7.6% active stake in 13D filing), ZIXI +2.2% (announces share repurchase program of up to $15 mln)

Analyst comments: ANTH +2.5% (upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Citigroup), SYT +2.2% (upgraded to Mkt Perform from Underperform at Bernstein), DEG +1.6% (upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies; also confirmed talks with AHONY ), EW +1.3% (upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan), JNPR +1% (upgraded to Buy from Neutral at BofA/Merrill)