Buzz Stocks: Keurig Green Mountain Inc, General Electric Company, and Pep Boys-Manny Moe and Jack

Today's stocks to watch include Keurig Green Mountain Inc (GMCR), General Electric Company (GE), and Pep Boys-Manny Moe and Jack (PBY)

Dec 7, 2015 at 9:37 AM

GMCR
PBY
GE

U.S. stocks appear ready to erase some of Friday's gains, as crude oil prices continue to slump and traders consider the strong possibility of an interest rate hike from the Fed next week. Among the equities in focus are coffee retailer Keurig Green Mountain Inc (NASDAQ:GMCR), blue-chip conglomerate General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), auto specialist Pep Boys-Manny Moe and Jack (NYSE:PBY).

GMCR has soared 74% to $89.95, on the news that the company has agreed to be sold to private equity firm JAB Holding Co. for nearly $14 billion. Specifically, JAB offered $92 per share for Keurig Green Mountain Inc -- a 78% premium to the stock's close of $51.70 on Friday. What's more, this recent crop of option bulls could be breaking out the champagne.

GE is down 0.3% at $30.39, after the company's plan to sell its appliance business to Swedish firm Electrolux has fallen through. The $3.3. billion deal was announced over a year ago, but had not been finalized, as the U.S. Department of Justice met Electrolux in court to argue over whether the purchase would reduce competition, driving up prices. Before a federal court could reach a final decision, General Electric Company pulled the plug on the deal. On the charts, GE has added more than 20% this year, and is just shy of its seven-year high, seen in late November. In the option pits, open interest on the stock has been booming, keeping GE near the top of the list of most active options for weeks. Short interest on the security has also been high, increasing more than 200% over the last two reporting periods.

PBY is up 3.2% at $16.19, after activist investor Carl Icahn revealed that he has taken a 12.1% stake in the company. In October, Pep Boys-Manny Moe and Jack agreed to be bought by Bridgestone, and Icahn said its auto parts segment would "present an excellent synergistic opportunity" for competitor Auto Plus, a privately held Icahn-owned company. PBY will report quarterly earnings on Wednesday.