Buzz Stocks: Disney Company, Merrimack Pharma, and More

Even with the situation in Greece seemingly far from resolved, domestic equities look strong ahead of the open. Among the stocks in focus are media conglomerate Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS), biopharmaceutical name Merrimack Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:MACK), and online media company IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ:IACI).

• As if DIS shareholders haven't had a good enough year already, the company late yesterday announced a 15% increase in the stock's annual dividend, and said it will start paying dividends on a semi-annual basis rather than once a year. The equity has surged almost 21% in 2015, and touched an all-time high of $114.56 yesterday, before settling at $113.77. Still, seven of 20 analysts rate the shares a "hold." Not to mention, short interest on Walt Disney Co represents nearly nine days' worth of buying power, at its normal trading pace. The security could be looking at additional gains, if some of this pessimism unwinds.


• MACK has shot 7.4% higher in electronic trading, after the company announced the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted priority review status to its metastatic adenocarcinoma drug, MM-398. The stock has been a long-time outperformer, adding about 60% in the past 12 months to close yesterday at $11.90. More recently, the shares took a sharp bounce from their 180-day moving average, a trendline that propelled them to new highs earlier this year. Merrimack Pharmaceuticals Inc's potential gains this morning might have bears reconsidering their positions. Close to 19% of MACK's float is controlled by short sellers, which would take over 17 sessions to buy back, at the stock's normal daily volumes.


• IACI is up 5.5% ahead of the open, after the company announced plans to take its online dating unit, which includes Match.com, public. The stock has been on fire recently, rising to an annual high of $78.84 yesterday, before settling at $77.26. If IAC/InterActiveCorp can carry its pre-market gains through the opening bell, it will mark an all-time high for the shares. This may force some analysts to reconsider their outlook on the stock. IACI's average 12-month price target only sits at $79.33 -- a slim 2.7% premium to Wednesday's close.

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