Today's stocks to watch in the news include Home Depot Inc (HD), Juniper Pharmaceuticals Inc (JNPR), and Stratasys, Ltd. (SSYS)
U.S. stock futures are signaling a positive start to the day, with the Dow looking for its seventh straight win. Among specific equities in focus today are home improvement specialist Home Depot Inc (NYSE:HD), drugmaker Juniper Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:JNP), and 3-D printing stock Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS). Here's a quick look at what's driving HD, JNP, and SSYS.
- HD reported better-than-expected earnings and sales, and boosted its full-year guidance. As a result, the stock is pointed 1% higher pre-market, after settling yesterday at $127.67 -- and on a 3.5% year-to-date deficit. Given Home Depot Inc's long-term struggles, it should come as little surprise that options traders have been very put-skewed toward the shares. Specifically, the stock has a Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) of 1.65, ranking just 13 percentage points from an annual high.
- JNP reported a per-share profit of 2 cents for the third quarter, and also said it's entered into an agreement with Allergan plc (NYSE:AGN) to monetize future royalty payments for domestic sales of Crinone progesterone gel. It's been a tough year for Juniper Pharmaceuticals Inc stock, down 47% at $5.45. Meanwhile, over the past two reporting periods, short interest on the shares jumped over 38%, and it would take about nine sessions for short sellers to cover their positions, based on JNP's average daily volume.
- SSYS swung and missed in the earnings confessional, citing overall market weakness and the timing of new product innovations. In addition, the firm provided a lackluster full-year forecast. As a result, Stratasys, Ltd. is bracing for a 9.8% drop out of the gate, which would add to its already steep 12.7% slide in 2016, as of Monday's close at $20.50. Recent call buyers may not appreciate it if the pre-market losses materialize at the open. During the past 20 days at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), traders have bought to open more than three SSYS calls for every put.
Stay on top of overnight news & big morning movers. Sign up now for Schaeffer's Opening View.