Analysts are weighing in on biotech Ardelyx Inc (NASDAQ:ARDX), mobile game maker Glu Mobile Inc. (NASDAQ:GLUU), and retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc (NYSE:WMT). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on shares of ARDX, GLUU, and WMT.

Ardelyx Spikes On Price-Target Hikes

Ardelyx stock is up 41.7% to trade at $7.65, after the company last night announced its constipation drug succeeded in a late-stage study. As a result, Cantor Fitzgerald and Ladenburg Thalmann raised their price targets to $14 and $19, respectively. The latter sits in territory ARDX shares haven't visited since December 2015.

Down roughly 62% year-to-date, ARDX shares have struggled to recover from a mid-May bear gap, touching an all-time low of $4.05 on June 7. Despite its poor performance in recent months, all three analysts following the equity rate it a "strong buy."

Analyst Expects Glu Mobile Stock to Deliver on Earnings

Another stock on the rise this morning is Glu Mobile stock, last seen trading 4.5% higher at $3.97 -- earlier hitting an annual high of $4.04 -- after Benchmark upgraded the mobile game maker stock to "buy" from "hold." The brokerage firm expects GLUU's earnings to top forecasts and is optimistic for the launch of "The Swift Life," a social platform designed for Taylor Swift fans.

The security has more than doubled in 2017, with recent pullbacks neatly contained by its 40-day moving average. In fact, the shares haven't close below this trusty trendline since mid-July, and options traders have certainly taken note. GLUU stock's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 0.24 ranks in the 7th annual percentile, suggesting near-term options players have rarely been more call-heavy on the security in the past 12 months.

Goldman Sachs Takes Wal-Mart Off Its Conviction List

Wal-Mart stock is trading fractionally lower this morning at $85.47, after Goldman Sachs removed the Dow component from its Conviction Buy List, citing its higher valuation. The brokerage firm, however, also issued a price-target hike on WMT to $91 from $87, saying the company is "clearly executing, but not quite transforming."

The security has been grinding higher in 2017, tacking on roughly 24%. WMT shares spiked to a two-year high of $86.29 yesterday, after the company announced a $20 billion buyback plan. Amid the equity's positive price action, short sellers have jumped ship. Short interest on WMT fell roughly 6% in the past two reporting periods to account for just 5.8 million shares, or 3% of the stock's total available float.

U.S. stocks are trading slightly lower this morning, as third-quarter earnings season commences. Among the stocks making moves this morning are banking institution and blue-chip powerhouse JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE:JPM), pizza restaurant chain Domino's Pizza, Inc. (NYSE:DPZ), and drugmaker AcelRx Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:ACRX). Here's a closer look at what's moving shares of JPM, DPZ, and ACRX.

JPMorgan Stock Dips After Earnings

While JPMorgan Chase reported better-than-expected third-quarter earnings, the bank's bond trading revenue was weaker than forecast. The blue-chip stock was last seen trading fractionally lower at $96.67, likely to the dismay of recent options traders. JPM's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 0.66 ranks in only the 7th percentile of its annual range, which suggests that near-term options traders have rarely been more call biased in the past 12 months. Still, JPM stock has added more than 12% in 2017, and touched a record high of $97.64 on Oct. 6.

DPZ Stock Takes a Breather After Same-Store Sales Miss

Shares of Domino's Pizza have dipped 2.4% to $204.20, but seem to have found support at their 10-day and 20-day moving averages. While the pizza company reported better-than-expected third-quarter earnings, same-store sales growth fell short of expectations. Prior to today, Domino's stock had been on a tear, rallying roughly 20% from its August lows amid a sea of skepticism. Just five of 15 analysts consider DPZ stock worthy of a "buy" or better rating, leaving the door wide open for upgrades if the equity resumes its recent ascent.

ACRX Stock Flatlines After FDA Rejection

ACRX shares have taken a major hit after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected the firm's opioid painkiller, Dsuvia. Just one day after touching an annual high of $5.75, the drug stock was last seen 60% lower at $2.15 -- within pennies of a new low. Some recent option buyers are likely cheering the news. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), ACRX sports a 50-day put/call volume ratio of 0.43, ranking in the 94th percentile of its annual range, suggesting options traders have bought to open puts over calls at a faster-than-usual clip during the past 10 weeks.

A handful of Federal Reserve officials will step up to the podium again this week. Fed Chair Janet Yellen's Friday speech will likely draw the biggest crowd, and Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer will take the mic on Wednesday. Plus, third-quarter earnings season kicks into high gear with several notable names set to report, including Dow components American Express Company (NYSE:AXP), General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), Procter & Gamble Co (NYSE:PG), and Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ), as well as FAANG stock Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), to name a few.

Below is a brief list of some key market events scheduled for the upcoming week. All earnings dates listed below are tentative and subject to change. Please check with each company's respective website for official reporting dates.

The week kicks off on Monday, Oct. 16, with the Empire State manufacturing survey. Netflix, Charles Schwab (SCHW), IDEX Corp (IEX), Omnicom (OMC), and Sonic (SONC) will report earnings.

On Tuesday, Oct. 17, will bring the release of monthly industrial production data, import and export prices, the NAHB housing market index, and the Treasury International Capital (TIC) data.

Goldman Sachs (GS), IBM (IBM), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), UnitedHeatlh (UNH), Comerica (CMA), Cree (CREE), Harley-Davidson (HOG), Morgan Stanley (MS), Navient (NAVI), Progressive (PGR) and Select Comfort (SCSS) will step up to the earnings plate.

In addition to Fischer's speech on Wednesday, Oct. 18, traders will hear from New York Fed President William Dudley and Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan before the open. Reports on housing starts, the weekly crude inventories update, and the Fed's Beige Book will also hit the Street.

American Express, American Airlines (AAL), Alcoa (AA), Dunkin Brands (DNKN), eBay (EBAY), Skechers (SKX), Steel Dynamics (STLD), United Continental (UAL), United Rentals (URI), and U.S. Bancorp (USB) are scheduled to release quarterly earnings.

Weekly jobless claims and the Philly Fed business outlook survey will be released on Thursday, Oct. 19.

Travelers Companies (TRV), Verizon, athenahealth (ATHN), BB&T (BBT), Blackstone (BX), Del Taco (TACO), E*TRADE (ETFC), Honeywell International (HON), KeyCorp (KEY), PayPal (PYPL), Philip Morris International (PM), Quest Diagnostics (DGX), WD-40 (WDFC), and Winnebago (WGO) will step into the earnings confessional.

Yellen's speech is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 20, along with data on existing homes sales. Investors will also hear from Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester.

General Electric, Procter & Gamble, Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF), Kansas City Southern (KSU), and SunTrust Banks (STI) will round out the week's earnings reports.  

U.S. stocks are slightly lower today, despite the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite all touching record highs earlier. Retail stocks Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (NYSE:ETH), Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM), and Ulta Beauty Inc (NASDAQ:ULTA) are all having days to forget, amid sector headwinds. Here's a quick look at what is moving shares of ETH, WSM, and ULTA.

Ethan Allen Stock Slides After Lowered Guidance

Ethan Allen Interiors stock is down 4.7% to trade at $29.08, after the company lowered its guidance for 2017, citing a negative impact from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. ETH will report earnings after the market closes on Wednesday, Oct 25.

In 2017, the stock has shed 21.1%, and is currently on track for a seven-day losing streak. Shorts are likely cheering ETH's latest struggles. Although short interest decreased by 2% during the last reporting period, the 3.88 million shares sold short represent 15.2% of the stock's total available float.

Credit Suisse Downgrade Digs Into Williams-Sonoma Stock

Williams-Sonoma stock is down 3.8% to trade at $48.77, after Credit Suisse downgraded the retailer to "underperform" from "neutral." Analysts cited online competition and sales underperformance as reasons for the downgrade. The dip today takes the stock below its year-over-year breakeven level, although the shares appear to have found a foothold atop their 2016 close at $48.39. WSM stock is no stranger to negative analyst note. Of the 15 brokerages covering the stock, 13 rate the shares a "hold" or "buy." 

Downgrade Extends Ulta Beauty Stock Slide

Cleveland Research downgraded Ulta Beauty to "neutral" from "buy" and lowered its third-quarter and full-year profit forecast, citing increased competition and a slowdown in the cosmetics industry. ULTA stock is currently down 7.7% to trade at $191.92, and earlier fell to an annual low of $189.50. The stock is on track for its seventh straight losing session. Longer term, the equity has shed 24.8% year-to-date, with the 40-day moving average has guided the stock lower since late June.

Nevertheless, options traders remain confident in the beauty retailer. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), ULTA boasts a 50-day call/put volume ratio of 1.39, which ranks in the 78th percentile of its annual range. This signals a stronger-than-usual preference for long calls over puts. 

Analysts are weighing in on TV streaming platform Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), software solutions provider HP Inc (NASDAQ:HPQ), and car maker General Motors Company (NYSE:GM). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on shares of NFLX, HPQ, and GM.

Netflix Scores Price-Target Hikes Ahead of Earnings, Breaks $200

Netflix stock is trading up 2.3% at $200.33, earlier hitting a record high of $200.82, after Citigroup, J.P. Morgan Securities, and Goldman Sachs raised their price targets to $205, $225, and $235, respectively. The price-target hikes come before the online TV streaming company is scheduled to report earnings after the close on Monday.

Netflix stock has roughly doubled in the past 12 months. Still, more than one-third of the analysts following the FAANG stock rate it a "hold" or worse, leaving additional room for upgrades in the near term.

HP Stock Hits 6-Year High on Strong Forecast

HP stock is jumping today after the company last night raised its full-year outlook. The equity was last seen trading up 5.3% at $21.50, after hitting a six-year high of $21.78 earlier. Citigroup and Mizuho both raised their price targets to $23 in response. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley boosted its price target to $25 from $23 -- territory the security hasn't visited in 17 years.

HPQ shares have been on a steady climb, gaining roughly 17% in the past three months. Surprisingly enough, however, options traders on the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) have been upping the bearish ante. The stock's 10-day put/call volume ratio of 1.15 ranks in the 87th annual percentile. In other words, options traders have been buying to open puts relative to calls at an accelerated clip in recent weeks.

Analyst Expects General Motors to Drive to More Record Highs

An upgrade to "overweight" from "equal weight," paired with a price-target hike to $55 from $41 is driving General Motors stock up 0.5% to trade at $45.13, earlier hitting another record peak of $45.60. Barclays, which issued both the upgrade and price-target hike, said the car maker is more of an "evolving mammal than the dying dinosaur its valuation implies."

GM shares have taken off in the past three months, tacking on roughly 25%, thanks to the car maker's involvement in the self-driving car business and competitor Tesla's production struggles. Now looks like an opportune time to buy near-term options, too, as evidenced by the stock's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 18%, which stands high than just 15% of all other reading from the past year. Simply put, near-term options traders are pricing in relatively low volatility expectations.

U.S. stocks are trading higher this morning, en route to new record highs as third-quarter earnings roll in. Among the stocks making moves this morning are financial institution Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC), bank holding company Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE:WFC), and gene therapy concern Sparks Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:ONCE). Here's a closer look at what's moving shares of BAC, WFC and ONCE.

Bank of America Bounces Post-Earnings

After a shaky start to the session, shares of BAC are trading slightly higher this morning following better-than-expected third-quarter earnings. BAC stock is up 1% at $25.69, hovering just below its Oct. 6 nine-year high of $26.30. Bank of America has gained roughly 60% year-over-year, and on Thursday found a foothold at its rising 20-day moving average (currently located at $25.38).

Options players favored puts ahead of BAC earnings. The stock's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 0.89 ranks in the 98th percentile of its annual range, as near-term options traders have rarely been more put-biased in the past 12 months. Plus, at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), BAC sports a 50-day put/call volume ratio of 0.37, in the 99th percentile of its annual range -- indicating puts were bought to open at a faster-than-usual clip relative to calls over this time frame.

Wells Fargo Gaps Lower on Revenue Miss

Wells Fargo stock is taking a hit after the scandal-stricken bank reported worse-than-expected third-quarter revenue, with mortgage banking revenue tanking 37% during the period. WFC gapped lower out of the gate this morning, and at last check was trading down 3.5% at $53.30 -- tumbling back into negative year-to-date territory for the first time this month.

At the ISE, CBOE, and PHLX, Wells Fargo sports a 50-day call/put volume ratio of 1.34, which ranks in the 70th percentile of its annual range. This suggests that, despite the bank's costly scandal stemming from the creation of fake customer accounts, traders have preferred WFC call options over puts during the past 10 weeks.

Analysts Target Triple Digits for Spark Therapeutics Stock

Spark Therapeutics received no fewer than four price-target raises this morning, after receiving unanimous FDA panel approval for its Luxturna retinal disease drug. Analysts at Stifel, BMO, and SunTrust Robinson all hiked their ONCE price targets to $101, while Barclays lifted its own target all the way up to $107. The biotech stock is trading up 2.7% at $88.50, and earlier set a fresh record high of $91.75. 

Prior to the FDA nod, analysts following ONCE were already shouting "buy" for the stock, with 16 out of 18 carrying "buy" or "strong buy" recommendations. Meanwhile, short interest on the stock accounts for more than 7% of its available float, suggesting some of today's gains could be the result of short-covering activity.

Analysts are weighing in on fiber-optic communications concern Applied Optoelectronics Inc (NASDAQ:AAOI), as well as hospital stocks Tenet Healthcare Corp (NYSE:THC) and Community Health Systems (NYSE:CYH). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on shares of AAOI, CYH, and THC.

Earnings Warning Sinks AAOI Stock

Applied Optoelectronics stock is down 21% at $46.51, after the company warned that third-quarter earnings and sales will fall short of estimates, due to declining sales at one of its bigger data-center customers. As a result, Craig-Hallum downgraded the security to "hold" from "buy," and nearly halved its price target, to $42 from $80. Additionally, three other brokerage firms cut their price targets on the stock. AAOI shares are pacing for their first close beneath their 200-day moving average in over a year, but still remain more than 100% higher year-to-date.

Recent options buyers are likely cheering AAOI's drop today. On the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), the shares' 10-day put/call volume ratio of 1.85 is higher than 87% of all other readings from the past year. In other words, options speculators picked up Applied Optoelectronics puts over calls at a faster-than-usual clip during the past two weeks.

THC Touches New Lows on 'Disruptive' Trump Order

President Trump yesterday signed an executive order meant to weaken Obamacare, after the GOP failed to take it down in Congress. Mizuho analyst Sheryl Skolnick warned that "the effect of the order is likely to be profoundly destabilizing, disruptive, and potentially materially damaging to hospitals," and hospital operators should count on bad debts rising next year, after Trump cut off billions in subsidies. Meanwhile, SunTrust Robinson cut its price target on THC stock to $15 from $19.

Tenet Healthcare stock is down 6.3% at $12.99, extending yesterday's slide, and earlier touched a new eight-year low of $12.25. There are plenty of short sellers likely applauding the equity's drop, as short interest accounts for more than 37% of THC's total available float. Today, however, Tenet is on the short-sale restricted (SSR) list.

CYH Stock Drops to Year-to-Date Low

Community Health stock is now on pace for a ninth straight down day, and was last seen 11% lower at $5.32 -- a new year-to-date low. Like Tenet, CYH stock is suffering in the wake of the new Trump executive order, and was also singled out for a price-target cut at SunTrust Robinson, to $7 from $8.

Also like THC, CYH stock is a favorite among the shorts. Although short interest depleted by nearly 10% in the most recent reporting period, about 24.4 million Community Health shares are dedicated to short interest -- nearly 23% of the stock's total available float. Today, Community Health is also on the SSR list.

U.S. stocks are slightly higher today, with the Dow and S&P 500 on track for their fifth straight weekly win. Online restaurant delivery service GrubHub Inc (NYSE:GRUB) and food stock Hostess Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:TWNK) are mired in lower sessions, while steel stock Cleveland-Cliffs Inc (NYSE:CLF) is enjoying a breakout performance. Here's a quick look at what is moving shares of GRUB, TWNK, and CLF.

Facebook's Shadow Looms Over GRUB Stock

Facebook made headlines earlier today, announcing that it was launching a food pick-up and delivery service in the United States. The news means the social media giant is now a direct competitor to GrubHub. GrubHub stock is down 0.3% to trade at $52.00, pulling back in recent weeks from its record high of $57.61 on Sept. 7. Nevertheless, the shares, which have tacked on 39% year-to-date, have found support at their 80-day moving average. Analysts aren't ready to give up hope just yet. Of the 19 brokerages covering GRUB stock, 12 rate the shares a "buy" or "strong buy."

Hostess Brands Stock Gets Dreary Downgrade 

Hostess Brands stock was downgraded earlier today by UBS to "sell" from "neutral," while also picking up a price-target cut to $11 from $16. Analysts cited the upcoming retirement of CEO Bill Toler as reason for the downgrade. TWNK stock, which is currently short-sale restricted and among the worst Nasdaq performers today, is down 10% to trade at $12.04, its lowest level since last October. Short sellers are likely toasting Hostess' drop. Short interest has increased by 4% during the last two reporting periods to 12.18 million shares, which represents 15.5% of the stock's total available float. 

Cleveland-Cliffs Stock Soaring Amid Kobe Steel Debacle

Cleveland-Cliffs stock is up 9.2% to trade at $7.47, among the best stocks on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) today, as steel stocks rise amid news that Kobe Steel had sold companies products that had failed certification. CLF stock, despite adding 39% year-over-year, has seen its 50-day moving average cap recent rally attempts.

Options traders are confident in the steel stock. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), CLF boasts a 50-day call/put volume ratio of 3.55, which ranks in the 85th percentile of its annual range. This signals a stronger-than-usual preference for long calls over puts. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), S&P 500 (SPX), and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) all chalked up new record highs this week, even after the latter ended its nine-day winning streak Monday. The Dow and SPX are now set for a fifth straight weekly win, which would mark the S&P's longest since the first quarter.

As big banks kicked off quarterly earnings season, the Fed was also in focus. The September minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting reaffirmed expectations for a December interest rate hike. While "many participants expressed concern" about low inflation, several Fed members think another rate hike in 2017 is "likely warranted."

Big-Name Banks Take Earnings Spotlight

Bank stocks headlined the earnings lineup this week, with JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Citigroup (C) kicking things off. JPM stock dipped on weak bond trading revenue, and C shares also reacted negatively, to the dismay of recent options traders. Wells Fargo (WFC) stock also dipped after earnings, while Bank of America (BAC) shares were last seen modestly higher after the financial firm reported better-than-expected quarterly results.

Analysts Expect FAANG Stocks to Soar

Analysts showered popular FAANG stocks with love this week, including Netflix (NFLX), which is scheduled to report earnings after the close Monday. Brokerage firms also upped their price targets on fellow FAANG stocks Facebook (FB), Amazon (AMZN), and Alphabet (GOOGL).

2 Sectors Suffer Under Weight of Trump's Tweets, Executive Order

President Trump took to Twitter again on Wednesday, this time threatening to challenge the media licenses for reporting "fake news." Vulnerable media stocks like Twenty-First Century Fox (FOXA) and CBS Corporation (CBS) traded lower as a result. Another sector that took a hit from Trump's rhetoric this week was healthcare. Hospital stocks fell after Trump signed a new executive order meant to take aim at Obamacare.

Blue Chips Expected to Report Earnings

Looking ahead, Dow stocks will be in focus next week as third-quarter earnings season kicks into high gear. American Express (AXP), General Electric (GE), Procter & Gamble (PG), Verizon Communications (VZ), and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) are among the names expected to release quarterly reports. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen is also scheduled to speak next Friday, two days after Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer takes the stage. 

Analysts are weighing in on tech stocks Adobe Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ:ADBE) and IBM Corp. (NYSE:IBM), as well as advertising agency Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC). Here's a quick roundup of today's bearish brokerage notes on shares of ADBE, IBM, and OMC.

ADBE Stock Dips After Deutsche Downgrade

Adobe Systems stock is down 1.7% at $151.25, after Deutsche Bank downgraded the shares to "hold" from "buy," citing cautious feedback from the company's digital marketing partners. The stock recently bounced off its 120-day moving average -- a historic "buy" signal for ADBE shares -- but is struggling to fill its post-earnings bear gap from September, prior to which the equity was flirting with record highs.

Still, Adobe stock has rallied nearly 50% in 2017, so it's no surprise that most analysts remain bullish. Specifically, ADBE boasts 19 "buy" or better endorsements, compared to four "holds" and not a single "sell."

IBM's Price Target Cut Before Earnings

Ahead of the blue chip's earnings tomorrow night, J.P. Morgan Securities this morning trimmed its price target on IBM stock to $157 from $159. As such, Big Blue shares were last seen 0.2% lower at $146.95. The stock has stair-stepped lower since early March, and is now running into a potential wall in the form of its 20-week moving average.

Despite IBM shares dropping more than 11% year-to-date, short-term options traders are more call-heavy than usual right now. The stock's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 1.02 stands higher than just 39% of all other readings from the past year. In the soon-to-expire October series of options, the 150 strike is home to peak call open interest of more than 9,100 contracts, which could act as an added layer of options-related resistance this week.

Omnicom Slapped With Pre-Earnings Downgrade

Omnicom stock is down 1.4% at $73.76, after Morgan Stanley downgraded the shares to "underweight" from "equal weight," and slashed its price target to $72 from $86 -- a discount to OMC's current price. The brokerage firm said Omnicom -- which will report earnings tomorrow -- works with a host of sectors and brands facing their own headwinds, including retailers and telecom, which is possibly the "greatest concern" for the company right now.

It's been a rough year for OMC stock, with the shares down 13.3% in 2017. Nevertheless, recent options buyers have been more bullish than usual. On the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), Omnicom has racked up a 10-day call/put volume ratio of 4.01 -- higher than 72% of all other readings from the past 12 months.

U.S. stocks are trading higher this morning, with major equity indexes setting fresh record highs out of the gate in anticipation of the first full week of corporate third-quarter earnings. Among the stocks making moves this morning are online sales concern JD.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:JD), along with biopharmaceutical names Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) and TG Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:TGTX). Here's a closer look at what's moving shares of JD, EXEL, and TGTX.

JD Bounces After Upbeat Barron's Article

Shares of JD stock are on their way up after an upbeat Barron's article on the China-based online retailer. Specifically, Barron's said that the stock could rise 30% or more over the next year, and is a better deal than Alibaba (BABA). JD.com stock is up 2.1% at $39.53, on pace to challenge its overhead 20-day moving average. JD has gained more than 55% year-to-date, though the shares have yet to recover from a mid-August earnings miss.

Most analysts are already optimistic towards JD, with nine out of 11 issuing "buy" or better recommendations. However, data from the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) shows options traders are leaning bearish towards JD. The stock currently sports a 10-day put/call volume ratio of 0.31, which ranks in the 75th percentile of its annual range -- suggesting puts were bought to open at a faster-than-usual pace relative to calls during the past two weeks.

Exelixis Vaults Higher on Expanded Label Hopes

Pharma stock Exelixis is making moves this morning after its liver cancer drug, Cabometyx, met the key goal in a late-stage trial -- clearing the path for an expanded label approval by U.S. regulators. EXEL is currently trading up 28.3% at $31.76, gapping above short-term resistance at its 80-day moving average in the process. The stock has more than doubled year-over-year, and capped off today's early gains by touching a new 17-year high of $32.33.

Today's EXEL rally could be the result of a short squeeze, as the stock's short-to-float ratio currently stands at 7.1%. At the equity's average daily trading volume, it would take more than a week for all of these bearish bets to be covered.

TGTX Tanks Into Single Digits on Regulatory Hiccups

TG Therapeutics stock is down this morning, after the FDA flagged a potential "review issue" for TG-1101, which could put accelerated approval for the drug at risk. At last check, TGTX was trading 12.1% lower at $9.68, breaking below consistent support in the $10 region. The stock is now at risk of closing below its 200-day moving average for the first time since early March.

Short sellers have a fairly massive position on TGTX, with 45.6% of the stock's float sold short -- even after a 9% drop during the most recent reporting period. Of course, given the magnitude of today's decline, short selling is temporarily restricted on TGTX.

Analysts are weighing in on Dow stock Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), online discount provider Groupon Inc (NASDAQ:GRPN), and mining company AngloGold Ashanti Limited (NYSE:AU). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on shares of AAPL, GRPN, and AU.

KeyBanc Weighs In On Apple Stock

Apple stock is up 0.8% to trade at $158.23, after KeyBanc upgraded the Dow component to "overweight" from "sector weight," on optimism the tech giant's transition to a subscription-like strategy could offset weak iPhone sales and increase margins. The brokerage firm also said its surveys suggest the iPhone 7 is outselling the newer iPhone 8, while many customers are choosing to wait for the iPhone X.

AAPL shares hit a record high of $164.94 on Sept. 1, but have since fallen roughly 5%, amid pressure from reports of lackluster iPhone X sales, negative Apple Watch reviews, and reports of iPhone 8 battery swelling. Overall, the equity has shown a tendency to make bigger-than-expected moves over the past year, compared to what options traders have expected. This is evidenced by its Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard (SVS) of 99.

Groupon Stock Pops on Upgrade

Shares of Groupon stock are trading 4% higher at $4.82, after Cowen and Company upgraded the stock to "market perform" from "underperform" and raised its price target to $5.50 from $3.50 -- territory GRPN shares haven't visited since September 2016. The brokerage firm cited the company's new product initiatives like Groupon+. The security struggled in the first half of 2017, hitting an annual low of $2.90 on June 12, but has since rallied back thanks in part to support from its 40-day moving average. 

Options traders on the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) have been unusually bearish toward the equity of late, however. GRPN's 10-day put/call volume ratio of 0.46 ranks in the 96th annual percentile. In other words, options traders have been buying to open puts relative to calls at an accelerated pace during the past two weeks.

AngloGold Ashanti Breaks Technical Resistance After Upgrade

A third stock on the rise this morning is AngloGold Ashanti stock, last seen up 4.7% to trade at $9.89, after J.P. Morgan Securities upgraded the stock to "overweight" from "neutral." The brokerage firm also cut its price target on AU shares to $13.40 from $13.69 -- still an upside of 36% to current levels.

AU stock has struggled over the past year, hitting an annual low of $8.89 on Aug. 25. Although the mining stock is still down 6.6% year-to-date, today's jump helped the equity break through its 80-day moving average, which had acted as technical resistance since early September. Plus, now may be a good time to buy premium on the equity, as evidenced by its Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 39% -- lower than 91% of all other readings from the past year. In other words, near-term options traders are pricing in relatively low volatility expectations for AU stock.