Cybersecurity stocks have been marching higher in 2015, and there's a reason why -- businesses keep falling victim to hackers. This morning, in fact, Polish airline LOT said 1,400 passengers were grounded over the weekend following a cyber attack. More disconcerting yet, CEO Sebastian Mikosz said the problem extends throughout the industry, and thinks "it can happen to anyone anytime." In light of this news, we decided to take a closer look at three cybersecurity stocks poised to extend their record-setting runs: Cyberark Software Ltd (NASDAQ:CYBR), Fortinet Inc (NASDAQ:FTNT), and Palo Alto Networks Inc (NYSE:PANW).

• CYBR has advanced nearly 80% this year to trade at $71.22, and late last week topped out at an all-time best of $76.35. While the shares are down 2.7% today -- following the lead of FireEye Inc (NASDAQ:FEYE) -- they remain perched solidly above their supportive 10-week moving average. However, the brokerage bunch has yet to fully appreciate Cyberark Software Ltd's technical tenacity, as five of eight consider the stock a "hold" or worse. Plus, the equity's consensus 12-month price target of $60.80 stands at a discount to current trading levels. In other words, the stars may be aligned for a potential round of bullish analyst attention.


• FTNT has surged more than 42% year-to-date to trade at $43.62, and is 1.1% higher at midday, following a price-target hike to $49 from $43 at UBS. What's more, the stock hit a record high of $44.12 last Thursday, and has outperformed the S&P 500 Index (SPX) by almost 25 percentage points over the last three months. Regardless, one-third of analysts tracking Fortinet Inc maintain tepid "hold" ratings, and the equity's current price outstrips the average 12-month price target of $42.80. Long story short, the stage may be set for future upgrades and/or upward price-target revisions.


• PANW jumped to an all-time peak of $185, after UBS bumped its price target to $206 from $180, but has since slipped -- currently 0.9% lower at $182.38. However, the shares have still more than doubled in value year-over-year. While the brokerage bunch is largely bullish toward Palo Alto Networks Inc, traders at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) have bought to open puts over calls at a faster-than-usual rate in recent months. Specifically, the stock's 50-day put/call volume ratio of 1.09 outranks nearly three-quarters of all comparable readings from the past year. An unwinding of this pessimism could add fuel to PANW's fire.

This morning, Kite Pharma Inc (NASDAQ: KITE) and bluebird bio Inc (NASDAQ: BLUE) announced that they are going to team up to develop and market T-cell therapies for human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract, and it is believed to cause as much as 70% of cervical cancers. In addition, HPV may contribute to other urogenital cancers.

While both stocks have backed off from their intraday highs, both are trading higher. We could be seeing a bit of a short-covering rally from each of these biotech firms. BLUE sports a short-interest ratio of 2.40 with nearly 8% of its float sold short. KITE may have a bit more momentum to fuel a short-covering rally, as 16% of its float is sold short and it would take nearly four days for the bears to buy back their shorted shares, at average daily trading volumes.

The pessimism from the short sellers is a good sign for both firms, as it could be fueling a sustained move higher. The biggest sentiment danger for this duo comes from analysts. BLUE has nine analysts tracking it and KITE has five. It isn't a lack of coverage that is the potential problem, it is the fact that all of these analysts rate the respective firms as "strong buys." These rankings allow a lot of room for downgrades -- should the stocks reverse course -- which could push the shares lower. (For more on how we use analyst rankings in our trading here at Schaeffer's, click here.)

Technically, bluebird bio Inc (NASDAQ: BLUE) could be headed back toward an all-time high, as it is riding along support from its 10-week moving average. The last time this trendline was breached on a closing basis was in late February. Watch for continued support, although the stock could stagnate a bit – it is currently trading at $180.81, while the trendline is approaching $170. Similarly, KITE's 10-week moving average may provide support if needed. This moving average acted as rather solid resistance throughout the early part of 2015, but it now has a chance to flip roles. Should the moving average make a substantial turn higher, it could help Kite Pharma Inc (NASDAQ: KITE) advance through potential resistance at the $70 level. At last check, KITE was trading at $66.28.

Analysts are weighing in today on cruise concern Carnival Corp (NYSE:CCL), burrito baron Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG), and streaming content provider Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX). Here's a quick roundup of today's brokerage notes on CCL, CMG, and NFLX.

• CCL is fresh off a multi-year high of $50.65, after Deutsche Bank raised its assessment to "buy" from "hold." The brokerage firm expects Carnival Corp -- which will enter the earnings confessional tomorrow morning -- to post fiscal second-quarter results above the upper end of its guidance. At last check, the stock was still 1.7% higher at $49.77, and has soared 50% since its mid-October low of $33.11. Should CCL muscle to even higher highs, additional analysts could be forced to upwardly revise their ratings. Currently, more than half of the brokerage firms tracking the stock consider it a "hold" or worse, and the average 12-month price target of $52.35 stands at a slim 5.2% premium to current trading levels.


• CMG has tacked on 0.5% to trade at $618.47, as broad-market tailwinds overshadow a price-target cut to $725 from $770 at Credit Suisse. Longer term, however, the shares have struggled -- off 15% since reaching a record high of $727.97 in early January. That hasn't stopped options traders from betting bullishly on Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. During the past 10 days at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), speculators have bought to open 1.24 calls for every put -- a ratio that outstrips 93% of comparable readings from the previous 12 months.


• BTIG upped its price target on NFLX to $950 -- in record-high territory, and the loftiest outlook on Wall Street -- saying the company's business model is "gaining meaningful momentum." As such, the stock has jumped 2.4% to $673 -- 97% higher than where it ended 2014. Options traders have been on Netflix, Inc.'s bullish bandwagon for some time. The stock's 50-day ISE/CBOE/PHLX call/put volume ratio of 1.11 sits a mere 8 percentage points from a 52-week high.

Asian markets followed their U.S. counterparts into the green today, on hopes that Greece will hash out a debt deal with its creditors to avoid default. China's Shanghai Composite returned from holiday with a bang, tacking on 2.2% after the flash HSBC/Markit purchasing managers index (PMI) came in above expectations. Elsewhere, Japan's Nikkei added 1.9% to tap a fresh 15-year high, bolstered by news of a joint venture for Softbank. In the same bullish vein, South Korea's Kospi jumped 1.3% -- its fifth straight daily win -- amid a rally in financial names, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.9%.

European benchmarks are poised for another day of gains, buoyed by signs of progress for Greece. Specifically, following yesterday's summit of eurozone finance ministers, French President Francois Hollande said, "The basis of a deal has been assembled," with some projecting an agreement could be reached as early as Wednesday. Additionally, traders are digesting a raft of PMI data, including a multi-year high in Markit's composite reading for the currency bloc. At last check, the French CAC 40 is up 1.4% and the German DAX is 1.3% higher -- with both countries seeing an increase in their respective PMIs -- while London's FTSE 100 is flirting with a 0.3% lead.

Analysts are weighing in today on telecom titan AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), financial firm Green Dot Corporation (NYSE:GDOT), and health insurance issue CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on T, GDOT, and CI.

• Ahead of T's appearance at the J.P. Morgan Mexico Opportunities Conference this afternoon, the stock was on the receiving end of positive brokerage attention. Specifically, UBS and Barclays upgraded their ratings to the equivalent of a "buy," while the latter also boosted its price target to $39 from $34, citing potential cost synergies from the company's purchase of DIRECTV (NASDAQ:DTV). As a result, AT&T Inc. is sitting 1.5% higher ahead of the bell, attempting to climb atop its year-over-year breakeven mark. More recently, the stock has fared well on the charts, rallying 8.2% since its mid-April bottom of $32.37 to trade at $35.04. Should this recent trend continue, T could benefit from another round of bullish analyst notes. Currently, 14 of 22 brokerage firms consider the shares a "hold," and the equity's consensus 12-month price target of $34.61 is below present trading levels.


• Fresh off a new, long-term MoneyCard agreement with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc (NYSE:WMT), GDOT is up 28.8% in pre-market action, relative to Monday's close at $15.31. Adding fuel to the fire is a trio of price-target hikes from JMP Securities (to $23), KBW (to $20), and SunTrust Robinson (to $20). While Green Dot Corporation has lost 25% year-to-date, today's expected surge will go a long way toward closing that gap. Meanwhile, short-term options traders have been extremely call-skewed toward the equity, per its Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 0.21. Not only does this indicate call open interest outweighs put open interest by about a 5-to-1 margin -- among options expiring in the next three months -- but the SOIR is also lower than all comparable readings from the past year.


• The bullish party will likely continue for CI, which has soared 58% year-to-date to sit at $162.60 -- and yesterday reached a record high of $167, after the company rejected a buyout proposal. This morning, Leerink upped its price target to $175 from $160, boosting the shares 1.5% ahead of the bell. Options traders foresee additional upside for CIGNA Corporation, as well, according to data from the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX). The stock's 50-day call/put volume ratio across these exchanges is 2.88, outstripping 72% of comparable readings taken in the last 12 months. In other words, traders have been buying to open CI calls over puts at an accelerated clip recently.

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With the situation in Greece looking more promising still, U.S. stocks are set for a strong morning. Among the equities in focus are tech concern BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY), restaurant owner Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI), and analytics firm IHS Inc. (NYSE:IHS).

• BBRY is off 0.7% in pre-market action, despite the company posting stronger-than-expected software revenue for the first quarter. A new licensing deal with Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) also has the stock buzzing, as BlackBerry Ltd will receive licensing fees from CSCO as part of the agreement. It'll be interesting to see if today's positive news can dispel any of the pessimism surrounding the stock. Most notably, almost 18% of BBRY's float is sold short, and would take more than 13 sessions to repurchase, at the security's average daily volumes. The shares settled at $9.20 yesterday, sitting 9.1% lower year-over-year. Elsewhere, the company is also hosting its annual shareholders meeting today. 


• DRI is pointed close to 5% higher ahead of the open, with traders applauding the company's decision to start a real estate investment trust (REIT) using 430 of its properties, which will act as its own publicly traded company. What's more, the equity's fiscal fourth-quarter numbers beat the Street's expectations. Darden Restaurants, Inc. is already up over 45% during the past 12 months, and could move higher if analysts become more bullish. Twelve of 22 brokerage firms say DRI is a "hold" or worse, and the stock is set to take out its average 12-month price target of $69.68 out of the gate. On Monday, the shares closed at $69.38, and could topple their late-March all-time high of $70.38 this morning.


• There's a lot to digest with ​IHS​ this morning. The company announced fiscal second-quarter numbers that topped expectations, while raising its full-year outlook and approving a $500 million stock buyback plan. The shares have been strong in 2015, up 13% at $128.63. IHS Inc. option traders have remained focused on puts, though. The security's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) sits at 1.74, higher than 72% of all similar readings from the past year. 

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Analysts are weighing in today on oil-and-gas issue Transocean LTD (NYSE:RIG), diagnostic testing specialist Quest Diagnostics Inc (NYSE:DGX), and data storage solutions concern Western Digital Corp (NASDAQ:WDC). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on RIG, DGX, and WDC.

• Global Hunter Securities cut its price target on RIG to $16 from $18 -- representing a discount to last night's close at $16.94. However, reports the company inked $109 million in new drilling contracts -- an annual high -- are overshadowing this downbeat analyst note, with shares of RIG up 1.4% at $17.17. Technically speaking, its been a rough road for Transocean LTD, which hit a 52-week peak of $46.12 one year ago today, but has since shed 63% of its value. Against this backdrop, sentiment among the brokerage bunch is already skewed toward the skeptical side. All 19 analysts, for example, maintain a "hold" or worse rating.


• DGX saw its rating reduced to "neutral" from "buy" at Goldman Sachs, sending the shares down 1% in early trading. Since spiking to an all-time high of $89 in late May amid M&A rumors, the stock has cooled its jets, down 19.6% at $71.55. Option traders, meanwhile, have been rolling the dice on a rebound by buying to open calls over puts at a faster-than-usual clip. Specifically, Quest Diagnostics Inc's 10-day International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) call/put volume ratio of 6.81 ranks in the 73rd percentile of its annual range.


• J.P. Morgan Securities lowered its outlook for WDC to "neutral" from "overweight," and cut its price target to $92 from $105 -- roughly in line with Monday's settlement at $91.60. The stock dropped 2.5% out of the gate to $89.36 on the negative analyst attention, bringing its year-to-date deficit to 19.3%. Should Western Digital Corp continue to struggle, another round of downgrades and/or price-target cuts could come down the pike from the generally upbeat brokerage bunch -- which may create additional headwinds for the shares. Of the 19 analysts covering the WDC, 15 maintain a "buy" or "strong buy" rating, while the average 12-month price target of $115.67 sits in territory yet to be charted.

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It's official: Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) has finalized its acquisition of AOL, Inc., after the two firms agreed to terms early last month. AOL CEO Tim Armstrong will continue to lead the unit, reporting to VZ Executive Vice President Marni Walden. In light of the news, shares of VZ are 0.4% higher at $47.74 -- good news for recent call buyers.

In fact, long calls have been popular in recent weeks at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX). Traders have bought to open 2.63 calls for every put during the last 10 days, and the resultant call/put volume ratio is higher than 70% of comparable readings from the last year.

Looking elsewhere, the brokerage crowd is bullishly skewed toward VZ. Fifteen analysts currently rate the stock a "buy" or better, compared to seven "holds" and just one "strong sell." Even short sellers have been hitting the exits, with short interest falling 19.1% during the two most recent reporting periods. Now, just 1.5% of VZ's float is sold short.

This optimism is perturbing, considering Verizon Communications Inc.'s (NYSE:VZ) technical track record. The stock is down more than 6% since its early May high of $50.86 -- despite the aforementioned short covering -- and today's gains are being contained by its descending 20-day moving average. Should the shares' struggles resume, a capitulation among bulls and/or an uptick in short selling could pressure VZ.

Analysts are weighing in today on semiconductor firm Ambarella Inc (NASDAQ:AMBA), drugmaker Cempra Inc (NASDAQ:CEMP), and transportation issue Southwest Airlines Co (NYSE:LUV). Here's a quick roundup of today's brokerage notes on AMBA, CEMP, and LUV.

• AMBA is bouncing back from yesterday's bloody session, up 8.6% at $102.43. Boosting the stock is a bullish nod from CNBC's Jim Cramer, who called it "too inexpensive to ignore." Similarly, FBN Securities called yesterday's pullback a "buying opportunity" due to the company's "multiple growth drivers in many attractive markets." On the charts, Ambarella Inc has been an all-star, more than doubling in value in 2015, and tripling year-over-year. However, levels of skepticism remain high. For instance, 28.1% of AMBA's float is sold short, representing four days' worth of pent-up buying demand, at typical volumes. Similarly, traders on the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) have bought to open 1.16 puts for every call in the last 10 days -- a ratio that ranks in the 90th annual percentile. Should shorts and option bears begin to hit the exits, it could further energize AMBA's ascent.


• CEMP has jumped 5.6% to $38.48, following a price-target hike to $57 from $44 at Stifel. The big gains are business as usual for the shares, which have added roughly 64% in 2015 -- and more than tripled in value year-over-year. The brokerage crowd has already recognized Cempra Inc's technical exploits, with all nine covering analysts doling out "strong buy" endorsements. However, additional price-target hikes may be in the cards, as CEMP's consensus 12-month price target of $40.60 is just 5.5% above current trading levels. Should that happen, CEMP could make a run at its mid-March all-time high of $41.63.


• Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on LUV with an "underweight" assessment and a $37 price target. The note has had a negative effect on the stock, which is off 0.3% at $34.69. Longer term, it's been a brutal year for Southwest Airlines Co, which has surrendered 18% in 2015. As such, bearish options activity has been running hot at the ISE, CBOE, and PHLX. During the last 10 weeks, traders have bought to open 0.55 puts for every call -- a ratio that ranks just 3 percentage points from a 52-week high.

It's been a week chock-full of M&A activity, and it's only Tuesday. Kicking things off on Monday was CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI), which shunned a $54 billion takeover bid from one if its sector peers. Today, Verizon Communications Inc.'s (NYSE:VZ) big acquisition is garnering some headlines, as well as news from 3M Co (NYSE:MMM), Monsanto Company (NYSE:MON), and Momo Inc (ADR) (NASDAQ:MOMO).

• MMM said today it will purchase safety equipment specialist Capital Safety from KKR & Co. L.P. (NYSE:KKR) in a deal worth $2.5 billion, making it the largest acquisition in 3M Co's history. The stock has edged up 0.1% to $159.87 in the wake of the announcement, but still remains nearly 3% lower on a year-to-date basis. Option traders have taken a glass-half-empty approach to the blue chip in recent weeks, and have been buying to open puts over calls at an accelerated clip. Specifically, the security's 10-day International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) put/call volume ratio of 1.65 ranks in the 72nd percentile of its annual range.


• MON has been unsuccessfully trying to woo Syngenta AG (ADR) (NYSE:SYT) in recent months, and today Michel Demare -- chairman of SYT -- laid out a list of parameters Monsanto Company would need to follow for the firm to seriously consider an offer. For instance, SYT said MON's $2 billion breakup fee was "wholly inadequate" for a transaction that involves "a lot of uncertainty and no guarantee of completion." At last check, the fertilizer firm was off 0.8% at $113.45, extending its 2015 deficit to 5%. In the options pits, MON's 50-day ISE/CBOE/PHLX call/put volume ratio of 1.32 sits higher than 71% of similar readings in the past year -- pointing to a preference for long calls over puts of late. With the company slated to unveil fiscal third-quarter earnings tomorrow morning, short-term options have been pricing in elevated volatility expectations, relatively speaking. The equity's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 23% rests in the 68th annual percentile.


• Heading into today's session, MOMO was up almost 31% year-to-date, and today, the shares have added an additional 10% to trade at $17.31. Similar to last week's action for fellow China-based name Qihoo 360 Technology Co Ltd (NYSE:QIHU), the app developer is getting a boost on reports of a $3.6 billion takeover bid from CEO Yan Tang and a number of investments firms. Should Momo Inc continue its journey north, short sellers could be prompted to throw in the towel on their losing bets. Short interest rose 3.6% over the last two reporting periods, and now accounts for a lofty 14.3% of the equity's available float.

Late yesterday, news surfaced that Ryan Gosling decided to take a moment out of his busy day of being dreamy to sit down with his notebook and write his feelings to Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ: COST). The result? This letter to COST CEO Craig Jelinek, reviling "abhorrent cruelty including rows upon rows of birds confined in filth-laden cages with mummified corpses of their cage-mates -- eating, sleeping, defecating, and laying eggs on top of dead birds." Gosling added that "hens' wings, legs, and necks" were trapped in "corroded wires of their battery cages." The Remember the Titans actor cited this recent undercover investigation as evidence of the cruelty.

Gosling wasn’t done with drawing attention to the cruelty. He continued to note that "it is appalling that Costco has been selling these eggs with deceptive labeling," referring to "graphics of birds living out in a green pasture" on the cartons. The Hollywood icon feels that the chickens "deserve the same mercy" as the veal calves and pigs that COST has decided to free from cages. The letter concluded with Gosling calling for COST to "set plans now to go completely cage-free for its eggs."

This news garnered about as much attention on the Street as The Ides of March did at the box office. Shares of COST have traded in a tight range between $139.53 and $140.90 throughout the day. The stock is currently facing overhead resistance from its 10-week moving average, which has acted as a roadblock since the beginning of April, and is working its way down through the $143 area. Longer-term, COST is in danger of breaching its 10-month moving average for the first time in a year. 

Analysts are split toward Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST), with 12 doling out "buy" or better ratings, and the remaining nine offering up "holds."  On the other hand, COST puts have been more popular than usual among buyers during the past 10 weeks on the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX). The equity's 50-day put/call volume ratio on this trio of exchanges is 0.96 -- in the 85th percentile of its annual range.

Move over, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT). Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) has just knocked the retailer out of the S&P 500 Index's (SPX) 10 biggest companies by market cap. Getting onto the list is quite a feat for the social network, and it's been helped by an impressive performance on the charts. That said, here's a closer look at FB and a couple other mega-caps on the list -- General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) and Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE:WFC) -- that could be poised to extend their gains.

• As alluded to, FB has been on a tear, adding 11.5% year-to-date to trade at $86.98. Earlier, the shares hit a record high of $87.49, after news broke of a renewed partnership with Mondelez International Inc (NASDAQ:MDLZ) and a bullish note from Deutsche Bank. Specifically, the brokerage firm said FB's WhatsApp and Messenger apps could generate up to $10 billion in incremental revenue by 2020. That hasn't stopped options traders from betting against the stock, though. During the last 10 days at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), Facebook Inc has racked up a put/call volume ratio of 0.47 -- higher than two-thirds of comparable readings from the last year. A capitulation among these naysayers could spell more upside for the outperformer.


• Meanwhile, GE has tacked on a solid 8.9% year-to-date to trade at $27.52. Even more impressive, since bottoming at an annual low of $23.41 in mid-January, the stock has shot up 17.6%. Analysts have been slow to recognize General Electric Company's upward trajectory, though, as nearly half still rate the shares a middling "hold." In other words, GE could benefit from a round of upgrades.


• Finally, WFC is fresh off an all-time peak of $58.26 -- though it was last seen 0.2% lower at $57.82. Longer term, the stock has been impressive, adding close to 15% since bouncing from a mid-January bottom of $50.42 -- ushered higher by its 10- and 20-day moving averages. A capitulation among skeptical analysts could result in tailwinds for Wells Fargo & Co, as half of the firms tracking it have handed out "hold" or worse ratings. Similarly, WFC's average 12-month price target of $57.84 is in line with its current perch, suggesting future bullish notes are a distinct possibility.