Buzz Stocks: Express, Google, American Realty Capital

Markets appear ready to rebound from Tuesday's steep losses, as traders keep a close eye trained on the soaring greenback. Meanwhile, among specific equities in focus are retailer Express, Inc. (NYSE:EXPR), tech titan Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL), and real estate investment trust (REIT) American Realty Capital Properties Inc (NASDAQ:ARCP).

• EXPR is up more than 5% in electronic trading, following a better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings report and stronger-than-anticipated current-quarter profit forecast. Technically speaking, the stock has been a long-term laggard, down 18% year-over-year. However, a halo lift from sector peer Urban Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ:URBN) yesterday helped EXPR notch its first close north of its 200-day moving average since Sept. 19. Should Express, Inc. extend its recent uptrend, a round of price-target hikes could translate into a fresh burst of buying power. Currently, the equity's average 12-month price target of $15.50 stands at a slim 3.7% premium to last night's close at $14.95.


• Following in a string of recently announced partnerships, GOOGL is reportedly attempting to amplify its presence in the mobile advertising sphere, and is in early discussions to purchase Bangalore-based startup InMobi. Separately, the company announced Chief Financial Officer Patrick Pichette will retire after spending seven years on the job. On the charts, the equity has been gaining ground since hitting an annual low of $490.91 in mid-January, up 14% to trade at $559.85. Meanwhile, options traders have been betting on more upside. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), Google Inc's 20-day call/put volume ratio of 2.01 suggests more than two calls have been bought to open for every put over the past month.


• ARCP is up nearly 4% ahead of the bell, after the REIT announced a new CEO. Specifically, Glenn Rufrano will replace interim CEO William Stanley, who has been manning the post since December. It's been a volatile few months for ACRP both on and off the charts. In fact, since signs of financial troubles surfaced in late October, ARCP has surrendered nearly a quarter of its value -- based on its Oct. 28 close at $12.38 -- to churn near $9.33. Not surprisingly, sentiment is skewed toward the skeptical side. In the options pits, the equity's 10-day ISE/CBOE/PHLX put/call volume ratio of 0.99 rests just 8 percentage points from an annual peak. Elsewhere, all six covering analysts maintain a "hold" or worse rating toward American Realty Capital Properties Inc.