Buzz Stocks: GW Pharmaceuticals PLC, Williams Companies Inc, and HeartWare International Inc

Today's stocks to watch in the news include GW Pharmaceuticals PLC - ADR (NASDAQ:GWPH), Williams Companies Inc (NYSE:WMB), and HeartWare International Inc (NASDAQ:HTWR)

Josh Selway

Jun 27, 2016 at 9:30 AM

MDT
HTWR
ETE
WMB
GWPH

Dow futures are signaling another sell-off this morning, as last week's "Brexit" vote continues to weigh on stocks pre-market. Among the equities in focus today are biotech stock GW Pharmaceuticals PLC - ADR (NASDAQ:GWPH), pipeline expert Williams Companies Inc (NYSE:WMB), and medical device firm HeartWare International Inc (NASDAQ:HTWR).

GWPH is set to pop 10% when the market opens, thanks to news the company's cannabis-based epilepsy drug, Epidiolex, met its main goal in a late-stage trial. After settling Friday at $83.31, the stock is 20% higher in 2016, though it slipped below its 60-day moving average last week for the first time since March. Still, analysts have high hopes for GW Pharmaceuticals PLC, as all the brokerage firms tracking the drugmaker recommend buying it.

WMB is down almost 3% in electronic trading, after a judge ruled Energy Transfer Equity LP (NYSE:ETE) is allowed to back out of the companies' $20 billion merger agreement. Despite the news, Evercore ISI raised its price target on WMB stock to $24 from $21. Plus, Williams Companies Inc -- which closed Friday at $21.31 -- could find support at the round $20 level, an area that previously acted as resistance. Short sellers are likely hoping to see WMB fall even further, though, as short interest on the stock exploded by over 30% in the most recent reporting period.

HTWR has almost doubled in value in pre-market action, following news the company agreed to be purchased by Medtronic PLC (NYSE:MDT) for $1.1 billion, or $58 per share. Given HeartWare International Inc's technical performance coming into today, shareholders have to be overjoyed. Specifically, the stock has dropped well over half its value in the past 12 months to trade at $29.98. Conversely, short sellers are set for a terrible day, considering almost 15% of HTWR's float is sold short.

Sign up now for Schaeffer's Opening View newsletter to get a head start on all the major pre-market news!

Follow @Schaeffers

Which of These SUB-$5 Stocks Could 26x From Here? (AD)

He called a rare 11x on Tesla…

Then he called a 26x on Workhorse…

Then an even rarer 35x on Nio Inc…

Now Tim Bohen says these 5 tiny “America First” stocks are next up in 2025.

They’re trading for less than $5 right now.

But thanks to Elon & Trump’s new alliance…

They could be off to the races in Trump’s first 100 days.

And right now for a limited time…

You can get the names & tickers for just $1 here. (AD)

Featured Articles from Trusted Partners:

🚀 One Stock Pick Could Change Everything in 2025
What if one stock pick could define your success next year? Get 10 expert-vetted stocks set for 2025—plus 5 bonus picks to watch now. Get the Report →

🆕 New Options Need New Trading Strategies
Zero-DTE options are the newest (and hottest) options to trade. Professional traders have rushed into the market and are making a mint. Don’t get left behind - learn all about these options, how to trade them, market setups to profit from, plus much more. Download now →

👀 Revealed: 3 Defensive Stocks for Your Portfolio
Worried about the market? This free report reveals 3 under-the-radar defensive stocks for uncertain times in any kind of economy.