HAS, SRPT, and AKTX are among the stocks in the news today
Stocks are soaring today in reaction to the results from the French presidential election. Among specific names in focus are toymaker
Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS), as well as drugmakers
Sarepta Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:SRPT) and
Akari Therapeutics PLC (ADR) (NASDAQ:AKTX). Here's a quick roundup of the news moving shares of HAS, SRPT, and AKTX.
Hasbro Stock Hits New Highs After Earnings
Unlike rival
Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT), HAS stock is trading up 6.3% at $102.06 -- and earlier hit a record high of $104.14 -- after the company reported better-than-expected earnings on strong demand for
"Nerf" and "Transformer" toys. Heading into today's trading, the stock had recently established a foothold in the $95-$96 region, home to its early February post-bull gap highs. Now, Hasbro, Inc. shares are up 30% year-to-date, and a round of well-deserved upgrades could draw more buyers to the table. Currently all six of the analysts covering HAS stock maintain a tepid "hold" recommendation.
Barron's Thinks Sarepta Therapeutics Stock Could Double
SRPT was featured in a bullish
Barron's write-up over the weekend, with the financial news publication waxing optimistic over a possible buyout bid for its Duchenne muscular dystrophy, or DMD, treatment. What's more, the article said
SRPT stock could "double or more," and that it's "an attractive play on a biotech drug with large sales potential and less risk following the [Food and Drug Administration] approval last year" (
subscription required). At last check, SRPT stock was trading 3.6% higher at $33.80, bringing its 2017 advance to 23%. Options traders, meanwhile, have been busy buying to open calls over puts on Sarepta Therapeutics Inc. The stock's 10-day call/put volume ratio of 12.61 at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) ranks in the 99th annual percentile. Thursday afternoon, SRPT will report first-quarter earnings.
Akari Therapeutics Stock Reverses Sharply as Coversin Data Hits
AKTX stock was higher in pre-market trading, as positive mid-stage trial results for the company's
blood disorder drug, Coversin, hit the Street. However, the shares have since reversed on a possible "sell the news" scenario, and were last seen down 9.5% at $18.55. Nevertheless, the stock is still up over 160% year-to-date -- due in large part to a late-March bull gap after
Coversin received fast-track status at the FDA. Short sellers have jumped ship in recent weeks, with short interest down 15.6% in the most recent reporting period. These bearish bets now account for just 0.4% of Akari Therapeutics PLC's available float.