Buzz Stocks: Stratasys, Ltd., Herbalife Ltd., and Groupon Inc

Today's stocks to watch include Stratasys, Ltd. (SSYS), Herbalife Ltd. (HLF), and Groupon Inc (GRPN)

Mar 3, 2016 at 9:26 AM

U.S. stocks are pointed mostly lower this morning, as traders digest the latest economic reports ahead of tomorrow's nonfarm payrolls report. Among equities in focus are 3-D printing firm Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS), nutritional supplement concern Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF), and online coupon stock Groupon Inc (NASDAQ:GRPN).

SSYS reported a smaller-than-expected fourth-quarter loss, sending the shares up 11.4% in pre-market trading, after the stock closed at $20.89 on Wednesday. Stratasys, Ltd. had been steadily moving lower since late 2014, pressured by its 10- and 20-week moving averages, and touching a six-year low of $14.48 last month. However, the stock has been in recovery mode in February -- up 10.8% month-to-date. While short sellers have been backing off, nearly 20% of the equity's available float is still wrapped up in these bearish bets. At the stock's typical daily volume, it would take about nine days to buy back the remaining shorted shares -- plenty of buying power to keep SSYS moving higher.

HLF is set to drop 5.6% at the bell, after finishing Wednesday at $56.37. Herbalife Ltd. confessed that database errors had caused it to overstate new member growth numerous times during the past three fiscal quarters. The company insisted that the mistake had no bearing on the validity of its financial statements. Prior to today, the stock was basking in the glow of a solid earnings report, much to the chagrin of one activist investor. But while an abundance of short sellers may be cheering today's slide -- 35.5% of HLF's float is sold short -- some bullish option traders could be spooked. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), HLF's 50-day call/put volume ratio of 1.51 is higher than 95% of all readings from the past year.

GRPN is down 3.9% ahead of the open, after International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming Groupon Inc infringed on IBM patents. GRPN, which settled at $4.66 Wednesday, has been enjoying a journey higher since its February earnings report and news of a high-profile Chinese investor. But while the shares have put in a strong performance of late, analysts are wary at best. Of the 16 brokerage firms following the stock, only three rate it better than a "hold."

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