Buzz Stocks: Ford, eBay, and Honeywell International

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) looks poised to start on a positive note this morning, as the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) convenes its two-day policy meeting.  In equity news, today's stocks to watch include automotive firm Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), auction giant eBay Inc (NASDAQ:EBAY), and technology and manufacturing company Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE:HON).

• F easily surpassed expectations with its second-quarter earnings report this morning. Ford Motor Company earned 47 cents per share during the second quarter, topping analyst estimates by 10 cents per share. The automotive company attributed the earnings performance to strong pricing in North America -- driven by the company's revamped F-150 pickup truck. We could see a bit of bearish sentiment unwind in the wake of this morning's news, as F saw put buying accelerate ahead of its earnings report. F is poised to start the session on a positive note, as the shares are nearly 2.5% higher in pre-market trading action, after settling Monday at $14.58.  


• After the closing bell sounded yesterday, online auction giant eBay Inc announced that it is putting an end to its one-hour domestic delivery service. EBAY noted that the service -- called eBay Now -- provided "encouraging results" but emphasized that the program was "always intended ... as a pilot." Technically speaking, EBAY's performance is picking up, thanks to support from its 10-day moving average. The stock is up 18.5% year-to-date, and finished Monday at $28.00. Option players are bullishly aligned toward the equity, as EBAY's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 0.40 is lower than 94% of the readings taken in the past 52 weeks. While option players are upbeat, analysts have some room for upgrades. Seventeen of the 26 brokerages tracking the auction house rate it a "hold" or worse -- leaving plenty of room for bullish notes to help further the stock's current winning streak.


• The final stock in our morning news roundup is HON -- which announced that it will purchase gas, electric, and water meter producer Elster for $5.1 billion. Honeywell International Inc. CEO Dave Cote stated that Elster has "outstanding technologies, brands, energy efficiency know-how, and global presence, all of which we are very well-positioned to build on." Technically, HON is in the midst of a rather impressive run higher. Since late 2011, the shares have roughly doubled in value, depending on the support of their 10-month moving average. After closing Monday at $101.64, HON is set to open fractionally higher.

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