Buzz Stocks: Tesla Motors, Altera, The Medicines Company

Today's stocks to watch include Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA), Altera Corporation (ALTR), and The Medicines Company (MDCO)

Josh Selway

May 1, 2015 at 9:54 AM

After what has been a rough week, U.S. stocks are trading higher this morning. Among the equities in focus are electric automaker Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), semiconductor concern Altera Corporation (NASDAQ:ALTR), and pharmaceutical name The Medicines Company (NASDAQ:MDCO).

During a highly anticipated event last night, TSLA CEO Elon Musk presented the company's new home battery system, named the Powerpack. In response, the shares are up 1.2% this morning at $228.70, and short sellers are likely on notice. Even though Tesla Motors Inc added nearly 20% in April, short interest climbed over 8% during the two most recent reporting periods, and now represents 27.7% of the security's float. At TSLA's average daily volumes, it would take bears over a week to buy back these shares.

ALTR is also gaining this morning, adding 6.2% to trade at $44.25, and fresh off a multi-year high of $46.25. Boosting the stock are reports of a newly signed standstill agreement with Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC). Taking a step back, Altera Corporation has added almost 20% in 2015, and now sits above its average 12-month price target of $39.64. Furthermore, 16 of 21 analysts claim the stock is a "hold" or worse, meaning bullish analyst attention could come ALTR's way, should it continue to display technical strength.

Sitting on a 7.4% year-to-date hole coming into today, MDCO needed a shot in the arm to lift the shares. The company got that last night, when it announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its fibrin sealant RAPLIXA and RaplixaSpray device, as well as its Ionsys postoperative pain instrument. Options bulls are hoping the news can spark an upward move, as nearly 13 calls have been bought to open for every put during the past two weeks at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX). At last check, The Medicines Company was 3.5% higher at $26.51.

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