Goldman Sachs added Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:DG) to its "conviction buy" list this morning, and raised its price target to $87 from $85, in never-before-seen territory. The stock is failing to capitalize on the bullish brokerage note -- down 0.1% at $73.46, and paring its year-to-date gain to 3.9% -- most likely to the disappointment of recent option traders.

In fact, at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), traders have bought to open more than eight calls for each put over the past 50 sessions. What's more, the resultant call/put volume ratio of 8.03 sits just 12 percentage points from a 52-week peak.

Echoing this call-skewed trend is DG's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 0.22. Not only does this show that call open interest more than quadruples put open interest among options expiring in three months or less, but it ranks lower than 76% of similar readings taken in the past year. Simply stated, speculative traders are more call-focused than usual toward DG.

It's more of a mixed bag outside of the options pits, where nine analysts maintain a "strong buy" rating, versus nine "holds" or worse. Additionally, the average 12-month price target of $81.45 stands at an 11% premium to current trading levels, but also represents a record high.

Meanwhile, short interest jumped more than 24% in the latest reporting period, but still only accounts for 2.1% of the stock's available float. Looking ahead, Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:DG) is slated to host its annual shareholder meeting tomorrow, and unveil first-quarter earnings one week from today.

Casino stocks are getting hammered on negative brokerage attention today. Among the sector's notable losers are Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS), MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM), and Wynn Resorts, Limited (NASDAQ:WYNN). Here's a look at what the analyst community has to say about this trio of names.

LVS saw its price target cut at Sterne Agee CRT (to $57) and Morgan Stanley (to $50) -- echoing the bearish brokerage attention the security received last week, and pressuring the shares 3.6% lower to $50.07. Now, the stock is down 16.4% since its early April high of $59.90.

Despite this troubling technical trajectory, Las Vegas Sands Corp.'s (NYSE:LVS) consensus 12-month price target still stands at $57.44, a nearly 15% premium to current trading levels. What's more, half of the analysts covering the shares consider them a "buy" or better, with the other half doling out a "hold" opinion -- with not a single "sell" to be found. This could pave the way for a round of downgrades and/or additional price-target reductions.

In a similar vein, MGM has dropped 2.6% to trade at $19.98, after Sterne Agee CRT and Morgan Stanley trimmed their respective price targets to $26.50 and $23. Year-over-year, the shares have given back more than one-fifth of their value. This pitiful performance could be in focus this Thursday as the gaming company holds its annual shareholder meeting.

Options traders have been surprisingly bullish toward MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) in recent months. The stock's 50-day call/put volume ratio at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) is 3.82, with nearly four calls bought to open for every put. What's more, this ratio ranks just 2 percentage points from a 52-week peak. A capitulation among these optimists could send MGM lower.

Finally, WYNN is fresh off a two-year low of $103.75 -- and was last seen 2.1% south of breakeven, at $104.34 -- after Sterne Agee CRT and Morgan Stanley slashed their price targets to $131 and $122, respectively. The stock has fallen precipitously since reaching an all-time best of $249.31 in March 2014, pressured by its 10- and 20-week trendlines. What's more, the shares are on pace to put another disastrous May in the books.

Nevertheless, short-term options traders have displayed an unusually strong affinity toward Wynn Resorts, Limited (NASDAQ:WYNN) calls over puts. The equity's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 0.92 ranks in the bottom quartile of its annual range. Should these bullish speculators change their tune, it could exacerbate WYNN's technical struggles.

Analysts are weighing in today on drugmaker Amgen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN), coal producer Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE:BTU), and circuit manufacturer Cirrus Logic, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRUS). Here's a quick roundup of today's brokerage notes on AMGN, BTU, and CRUS.

• AMGN is tumbling this afternoon, dropping 2.9% at $158.90 -- which puts it back in the red on a year-to-date basis -- on news from Friday that the company is ending its partnership with AstraZeneca plc (NYSE:AZN). Analysts have since weighed in, with J.P. Morgan Securities and Morgan Stanley cutting their price targets to $160 and $171, respectively. In the options pits, call open interest on Amgen, Inc. is still higher than put open interest, among options expiring in three months or less, according to the stock's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 0.82. This reading also ranks in the bottom third of similar readings from the past year, meaning short-term options traders are more call-skewed than what's normally seen.


• Like some of its sector peers, BTU has fallen to an all-time low, with the shares giving back 5.7% today to trade at $3.42. In the past 52 weeks, the shares have fallen over 80%. Hurting the commodity name is a fresh "neutral" rating at Credit Suisse, which also set a $4.50 price target. This mirrors the general opinion on the Street, where 10 of 18 analysts say Peabody Energy Corporation is a "hold" or worse.


• After jumping out to a two-year high of $38.20, CRUS has reversed course, last seen 5.1% lower at $36.21. The shares saw a spark in early trading, thanks to a price-target increase at Barclays to $39 from $37. Today notwithstanding, the stock has been strong in recent months, more than doubling since touching an annual low of $16.80 on Dec. 2. As such, calls have been bought to open over puts by a significant margin. During the past two weeks at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), close to four Cirrus Logic, Inc. calls have been bought to open for every put.

Analysts are weighing in today on drugstore chain Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE:RAD), online travel concern Expedia Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE), and tobacco giant Reynolds American, Inc. (NYSE:RAI). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on RAD, EXPE, and RAI.

• With its close at $8.63 yesterday, RAD is sitting on a 14.8% lead in 2015. The shares are poised to add to their gains, pointed 1% higher in electronic trading, after Mizuho initiated coverage on the stock with a "buy" rating and $10 price target -- marking 15-year-high territory. Option traders are likely pleased, as call buying has been popular in the equity's options pits. During the past 10 days at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), Rite Aid Corporation has accumulated a call/put volume ratio of 19.54, which lands in the 90th percentile of its annual range.


• Ahead of the open, EXPE is modestly higher, thanks to a $10 price-target hike to $120 at Cantor -- representing expected upside of 8.5% to Tuesday's finish at $110.64, and territory never before explored. So far in 2015, Expedia Inc has gained almost 30%, while touching a record high of $115 last Friday, after the company sold its stake in eLong, Inc. (NASDAQ:LONG). Still, EXPE's Schaeffer's put/call volume ratio (SOIR) stands at 2.04, meaning put open interest more than doubles call open interest when looking at contracts that expire in the next three months. Additionally, this reading is higher than all others from the past year, revealing the stock's short-term speculators to be more put-skewed than normal.


• Cowen and Company raised its outlook on RAI to "outperform," naming the stock its top pick in the U.S. tobacco industry. This comes after the company's planned purchase of fellow cigarette maker Lorillard Inc. (NYSE:LO) won antitrust approval from the Federal Trade Commission. RAI is pointed 2% higher in pre-market trading, putting it in position to potentially take out the all-time high of $77.68 it hit on May 15. There's potential for a short-covering rally to propel Reynolds American, Inc. higher, too. Short sellers control over 18 million shares, which would take almost six sessions to repurchase, at the equity's average daily trading pace. RAI settled at $75.43 yesterday.  

Analysts are weighing in today on handbag designer Coach Inc (NYSE:COH), telecom issue T-Mobile US Inc (NYSE:TMUS), and cloud concern Workday Inc (NYSE:WDAY). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on COH, TMUS, and WDAY.

• COH is down 3.5% ahead of the bell, after BB&T Capital started coverage on the equity with an "underweight" rating. This negativity is fairly normal for the shares, which have received 15 "hold" or worse ratings from the analyst community, versus eight "buy" or better opinions. On the charts, Coach Inc hasn't done much to warrant optimism. The stock has tumbled 16% since its pre-pearnings peak of $43.45 to close at $36.56 yesterday, and a recent upside move was contained by COH's declining 20-day moving average.


• Macquarie downgraded TMUS to "neutral" from "outperform." The skeptical note is surprising, given the stock's 43% year-to-date advance to trade at $38.55. Just yesterday, in fact, T-Mobile US Inc hit a nearly seven-year high of $38.70, following positive comments last week from parent company Deutsche Telekom. Elsewhere on the Street, options traders have grown bearish toward the security. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), TMUS has racked up a 10-day put/call volume ratio of 0.86 -- in the 82nd percentile of its annual range. 


• WDAY is getting roughed up ahead of the bell, down 9.1% on a disappointing second-quarter billings outlook and a round of bearish brokerage notes. Specifically, no fewer than six firms lowered their price targets on the stock -- the bleakest of which came from Piper Jaffray, which set a target of $87. Today's expected bear gap will wipe out most of Workday Inc's year-to-date gains of 13.3%, as of Tuesday's close at $92.49. This is good news for short sellers. Almost 10% of WDAY's float is sold short, which would take more than six sessions to buy back, at typical daily trading levels.

Stocks are signaling a rebound, following yesterday's sharp sell-off. Meanwhile, among specific equities in focus are retailers Michael Kors Holdings Ltd (NYSE:KORS) and Tiffany & Co. (NYSE:TIF), as well as meat manufacturer Hormel Foods Corp (NYSE:HRL).

• To the delight of option traders, KORS is bracing for a 17% drop out of the gate -- and is on its way to two-year lows -- after the firm posted its slowest quarter of revenue growth since its December 2011 IPO. Additionally, Michael Kors Holdings Ltd missed analysts' fiscal fourth-quarter profit forecast, and offered up a full-year outlook that arrived below expectations. Today's projected bear gap just mirrors the stock's longer-term trajectory, with KORS down nearly 37% year-over-year. A round of downgrades and/or price-target cuts could be on the horizon, which may apply additional pressure to the security. Currently, 36% of covering analysts still maintain a "buy" or better rating, while the average 12-month price target of $81.65 represents expected upside of 35% to last night's close at $60.59.


• TIF, on the other hand, unveiled better-than-expected first-quarter results, sending the shares higher in electronic trading. Longer term, though, shares of TIF have struggled near the $90 mark since taking a forecast-induced dive in mid-January, and settled Tuesday at $85.53. Option traders have kept the faith, however, and at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), they have bought to open 6.70 calls for each put in the last two weeks. What's more, this ratio ranks just 5 percentage points from a 52-week peak, meaning long calls have been initiated over long puts at a near-annual-high clip. Should Tiffany & Co. again stall in the $90 region, an unwinding of this optimism could send the shares lower.


• HRL is throwing its hat into the natural-food ring, agreeing to purchase organic meat maker Applegate Farms for $775 million -- the company's largest acquisition to date. "Clearly, the natural and organic space is a dynamic and growing category," commented Hormel Foods Corp CEO Jeffrey M. Ettinger. "We really look at it as a movement and not a fad, and the Applegate team has been a leader in that marketplace." Wall Street is cheering the news, with HRL up 4.4% ahead of the bell, and on pace to add to its 8.7% year-to-date advance, as of Tuesday's close at $56.61. Should the stock continue its uptrend, option traders may be encouraged to switch sides. The stock's 50-day ISE/CBOE/PHLX put/call volume ratio of 2.00 sits higher than 88% of all similar readings taken in the past year, meaning speculators have bought to open puts over calls at a faster-than-usual clip in recent months.

Biotechs are having a big day, and sector components Five Prime Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:FPRX), OXiGENE Inc (NASDAQ:OXGN), and XBiotech Inc (NASDAQ:XBIT) are no exception. All three stocks are soaring in the wake of well-received fundamental developments -- moves that for at least one of the stocks could have short sellers shaking in their boots.

Specifically, FPRX is up 11.6% at $21.92 -- and on track to close north of its 40-day moving average for the first time since April 24 -- on reports of a new partnership with fellow drugmaker bluebird bio Inc (NASDAQ:BLUE). While the stock still remains 18.8% lower on the year, a continued rise could prompt some of the weaker bearish hands to hit the exits. Currently, 8.1% of the stock's float is sold short, and would take more than seven sessions to cover, at Five Prime Therapeutics Inc's average daily pace of trading.

OXGN, meanwhile, has tacked on 6.5% to trade at $1.47, after the company said it was given a patent for its experimental cancer drug, OXi4503. Today's pop is much needed, considering the shares have surrendered 47% of their value over the past 52 weeks, and hit a record low of $1.31 on May 8. Analysts, however, have kept the faith, with each of those covering OXiGENE Inc maintaining a "strong buy" rating. Plus, the average 12-month price target of $6.25 sits in territory not charted since October 2012.

XBIT was up 13.3% at its intraday peak -- and was last seen 1.7% higher at $20.56 -- after the company said it successfully cloned an anti-Ebola product. Since opening for trading at $23 in mid-April, shares of XBiotech Inc have shed 10.6%, and along the way, hit an April 21 all-time peak of $32.50 and a May 1 record low of $17.06. Short sellers haven't shown much interest yet, as less than 1% of the stock's float is sold short.

Analysts are weighing in today on communications specialist Frontier Communications Corp (NASDAQ:FTR), health care concern Amedisys Inc (NASDAQ:AMED), and network services provider 21Vianet Group Inc (NASDAQ:VNET). Here's a quick look at today's brokerage notes on FTR, AMED, and VNET.

• FTR is 6.3% higher today at $5.23, after Morgan Stanley raised its outlook to "overweight" from underweight." However, the brokerage firm also cut its price target to $6 from $7 on financing concerns related to the company's purchase of Verizon Communications Inc's (NYSE:VZ) wireline assets. The shares will take whatever gains they can get, considering they've given back over 38% since touching a three-year high of $8.46 in mid-February. In Frontier Communications Corp's option pits, put buying has picked up. The security's 50-day International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) put/call volume ratio of 5.81 is only 6 percentage points from an annual high. Elsewhere, it would take over three weeks for traders to repurchase the 111 million FTR shares sold short, at its regular daily volumes.


• A fresh "buy" rating from SunTrust Robinson has AMED 8.4% higher at $31.57. The shares hit a four-year high of $31.74 earlier, and have more than doubled during the past 12 months. During the past 50 sessions at the ISE, CBOE, and PHLX, only five Amedisys Inc puts have been bought to open, compared to over 400 calls -- suggesting the majority of traders see more upside ahead. Analysts haven't been afraid to show skepticism, though. All nine brokerage firms tracking AMED say it's a "hold" or worse.


• Finally, there's VNET, which has dropped over 8% today, last seen at $17.09. Yesterday, the company reported disappointing first-quarter numbers and current-quarter guidance, leading Pacific Crest and Canaccord Genuity to cut their price targets on the stock to $24 and $18, respectively. Short sellers are likely smiling, as close to 14% of 21Vianet Group Inc's float is sold short, and would take almost two weeks to buy back, at its average trading pace. Today's technical struggles represent a change of pace for VNET. Over the past three months, the stock has outperformed the S&P 500 Index (SPX) by 13 percentage points.

Analysts are weighing in today on car manufacturer General Motors Company (NYSE:GM), cybersecurity provider Palo Alto Networks Inc (NYSE:PANW), and pharmaceutical name Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc (NYSE:VRX). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on GM, PANW, and VRX.

• GM has added 1.1% in pre-market trading, thanks in part to Morgan Stanley, which upgraded the stock to "equal weight" from "underweight." This comes after yesterday's news that lawsuits pertaining to the company's ignition switch issues will be put on hold. Looking back, the shares hit an annual high of $38.99 on March 23, but have given back 8.2% since, settling at $35.81 yesterday. Regardless, call buying has been popular lately. General Motors Company's 10-day International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) call/put volume ratio comes in at 3.81, higher than 88% of all readings from the past year.


• With its close yesterday at $160.65, PANW has easily doubled in the past year. The stock looks poised to continue that success today, pointed 1.2% higher ahead of the open after the company's fiscal third-quarter figures -- and purchase of fellow cybersecurity firm CirroSecure -- were met with a round bullish analyst attention. No fewer than 10 brokerage firms raised their price targets on the equity, with JMP Securities setting the highest bar by far, with a price target of $210. This favorable attention from the Street is nothing new; 17 of 20 brokerage firms say Palo Alto Networks Inc is a "buy" or better. What's more, the stock's recent crop of option bulls are likely cheering the news.


• FDA approval on the company's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) drug, Xifaxan, has VRX moving higher in electronic trading. The shares are poised to open 1.4% higher -- and in uncharted territory -- ready to add to their 67.1% year-to-date lead, as of yesterday's close at $239.12. In the option pits, traders have been buying to open puts at an accelerated rate. Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc's 50-day ISE/CBOE/PHLX put/call volume ratio of 1.23 is only 4 percentage points from an annual high. However, given the stock's impressive technical performance, it's could be that some of this activity is from shareholders hedging against any downward moves in the underlying.

Futures are lower this morning, on reports a Greece debt deal may not happen. Back on the homefront, semiconductor specialist Avago Technologies Ltd (NASDAQ:AVGO), wearable camera maker GoPro Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO), and oil-and-gas issue Seadrill Ltd (NYSE:SDRL) are all garnering their fair share of attention.

• Confirming yesterday's speculation, AVGO said it will purchase sector peer Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ:BRCM) for $37 billion in cash and stock -- making it the biggest purchase in the semiconductor space to date. The news is being received well on the Street, with shares of AVGO up 3.3% in electronic trading -- and on track to notch a new record high. Longer term, the stock has been a technical standout, boasting a nearly 41% year-to-date lead. A continued rise could prompt some price-target hikes. Avago Technologies Ltd's average 12-month price target of $142.38 is within a chip-shot of last night's close at $141.49. In other news, the company reported better-than-expected fiscal second-quarter earnings last night.


• GPRO has been charting a path steadily higher in recent months -- a move analysts have started taking note of -- tacking on 43.5% from its March 10 low of $37.13 to trade at $53.28. The stock looks poised to add to these gains today -- up 6% ahead of the bell -- following reports the company plans to build its own quadcopter, which CEO Nick Woodman says is "in some ways the ultimate GoPro accessory." GoPro Inc could get an additional boost, too, should short sellers capitulate to the equity's upward momentum. Although short interest dipped 3% in the latest reporting period, it still accounts for 39% of the equity's available float.


• It's been a volatile month for SDRL, and today, the shares are signaling a lower start. Stoking the day's bearish bias is a downbeat outlook on the global rig market, with Seadrill Ltd predicting a struggling oil market through 2016 -- which comes despite the firm's first-quarter earnings beat. On the charts, the stock has shed 68.5% since hitting an annual high of $40.44 in late June, and settled Wednesday at $12.73. More recently, the shares have encountered a stern layer of resistance from their 160-day moving average. Meanwhile, in the options pits, short-term speculators have shown a distinct preference for puts over calls. In fact, SDRL's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 1.56 rests in the 86th percentile of its annual range.

Analysts are weighing in today on accessories designer Michael Kors Holdings Ltd (NYSE:KORS), semiconductor firm Semtech Corporation (NASDAQ:SMTC), and specialty retailer Tilly's Inc (NYSE:TLYS). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on KORS, SMTC, and TLYS.

• KORS is getting pounded by brokerage firms, as no fewer than 12 weighed in on the stock in the wake of yesterday's lackluster earnings. Among them is Goldman Sachs, which removed KORS from its "America's Buy" list, downgraded the equity to "neutral" from "buy," and slashed its price target to $50 from $93. Nevertheless, in early action, Michael Kors Holdings Ltd is up 0.3% at $46.09, after earlier touching a fresh two-year low of $45.61. Additional price-target cuts could be in the works, too, considering KORS' average 12-month price target of $75.58 stands at a 64% premium to current trading levels.


• SMTC is also feeling the weight of an earnings miss and a lackluster outlook, as well as a subsequent round of negative analyst attention. Specifically, Raymond James and B. Riley cut their price targets on the shares to $25 and $21, respectively, while the latter also lowered its opinion to "sell" from "neutral." At last check, Semtech Corporation was 11.3% lower at $21.85. In fact, the stock could notch a new annual low today, should it breach its July 2014 bottom at $21.69. Traders at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) might not be so happy with these developments. During the past 50 days across those exchanges, speculators have bought to open 2.67 SMTC calls for every put -- a ratio that outstrips 74% of comparable readings from the past year.


• Last night, TLYS reported mixed first-quarter results and issued a disappointing current-quarter outlook. Both B. Riley and Roth responded by trimming their respective price targets to $15 from $17. On the charts, Tilly's Inc is getting wrecked, plunging 17.2% to trade at $10.77 -- a boon to recent short sellers. During the two most recent reporting periods, short interest on TLYS jumped 30.5%, and now makes up 6.4% of its total float -- which would take almost seven sessions to buy back, at typical daily trading levels.

Analysts are weighing in today on data storage focus Western Digital Corp (NASDAQ:WDC), semiconductor concern Integrated Device Technology Inc (NASDAQ:IDTI), and footwear retailer DSW Inc. (NYSE:DSW). Here's a quick look at today's brokerage notes on WDC, IDTI, and DSW.

• A bullish note from Goldman Sachs has WDC 5% higher today at $99.06. Specifically, the brokerage firm raised its outlook on the stock to "buy" from "neutral" and lifted its price target to $122 from $106, saying the stock's current price doesn't fully account for the company's non-PC exabyte growth. Most brokerage firms share this bullish sentiment, with 15 of 19 calling Western Digital Corp a "buy" or better. This, despite the equity underperforming the S&P 500 Index (SPX) by more than 11 percentage points in the past three months.


• IDTI has added 3.3% to trade at $23.94 -- and earlier touched a nearly 13-year high of $24.15 -- after some positive analyst attention. For instance, Wedbush and Topeka Capital each raised their price targets on the stock, to $23 and $29, respectively. Integrated Device Technology Inc is now up 77% in the past 12 months, but short-term option traders are still more put-skewed than normal, according to its Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR). At 1.44, this reading is only 2 percentage points from an annual high.


• DSW has given back 2.8% today to trade at $34.17, after Goldman Sachs waxed pessimistic on the shares -- despite the company's encouraging first-quarter results. The brokerage firm removed the stock from its "America's Buy" list (as it also did to this more upscale retailer), cut its assessment to "neutral" from "buy," and reduced its price target to $37 from $44. After all that, DSW Inc. is now 8.4% below breakeven in 2015, and option traders are likely dissatisfied. The security's 50-day International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) call/put volume ratio of 17.43 is only 3 percentage points from an annual bullish peak.