Buzz Stocks: Coach, VASCO Data Security, Time Warner

U.S. stocks are lower in early morning trading, as traders look toward the Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) two-day policy-setting meeting, which kicks off today. Among the equities in focus are luxury accessories concern Coach Inc (NYSE:COH), security system specialist VASCO Data Security International, Inc. (NASDAQ:VDSI), and cable provider Time Warner Cable Inc (NYSE:TWC).

• COH has tumbled 7.5% this morning to trade at $39.14, after the company's fiscal third-quarter revenue missed estimates. Coming into today, 2015 had been good to the shares, as they had added 12.7%. Short sellers are welcoming the downfall, considering over 17.5 million shares are sold short, which account for nearly six days of trading, at normal daily volumes. Analysts, too, are skeptical. Specifically, 67% of covering brokerage firms consider Coach Inc a "hold" or worse.


• VDSI is 12.7% higher this morning to trade at $27.75, after the company reported strong first-quarter revenue figures and raised its 2015 forecast. The gains have brought the shares within a chip-shot of their year-to-date breakeven level, and likely have short sellers worried. Nearly half of VASCO Data Security International, Inc.'s float is sold short, and it would take bears over eight sessions to buy back the shares, at the stock's average daily volumes.


• TWC is edging higher today, thanks to reports that the company is open to merger discussions with Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR), building on rumors from last week. The shares were last seen 0.4% higher at $157.05. Analysts are already mostly in the bulls' corner, with nine of 15 brokerage firms issuing "buy" or better recommendations. The same optimism is seen from Time Warner Cable Inc's options traders. The equity's 10-day International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) call/put volume ratio of 1.59 ranks higher than four-fifths of readings from the past year.