Buzz Stocks: Humana, Dollar Tree, Weight Watchers

U.S. stocks are sharply lower this morning, after Greek citizens rejected bailout terms yesterday. Among specific equities in focus are healthcare company Humana Inc (NYSE: HUM), discount retailer Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR), and weight management services provider Weight Watchers International, Inc. (NYSE: WTW).

• On Friday, health insurer Aetna Inc (NYSE: AET) announced that it would buy HUM for $37 billion in cash and stock – the largest ever deal in the insurance industry . The deal is expected to face aggressive antitrust scrutiny. Mergers and acquisitions could become the rage in the insurer sector, thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling on Obamacare. Technically, Humana Inc has had a good year, and is up 2.2% at $191.55.

• Late Thursday, DLTR was given the okay by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to purchase Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (NYSE: FDO). This announcement puts to bed a year-long saga which saw FDO reject an earlier offer from Dollar General Corp. (NYSE: DG). Dollar Tree, Inc. -- which expects the deal to close today -- is currently up 0.4% at $80.10.   

• According to The New York Post, WTW has drawn the attention of "at least one suitor," despite dropping 80% of its value in 2015. The article notes that the suitor is an "activist hedge fund." Against this backdrop, Weight Watchers International, Inc. has popped 20.8% to sit at $4.94. Short sellers could be getting spooked, as 43.27% of its float is sold short.
  
  

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