AAL

Buzz Stocks: Facebook Inc, Energy Transfer Partners LP, and Chesapeake Energy Corporation

Today's stocks to watch in the news include Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB), Energy Transfer Partners LP (NYSE:ETP), and Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK)

Dec 5, 2016 at 9:28 AM
facebook X logo linkedin


U.S. stock futures are on the rise -- with the Dow eyeing record highs -- despite Italy's failed constitutional referendum over the weekend. Among specific equities in focus today are social media giant Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB), as well as energy stocks Energy Transfer Partners LP (NYSE:ETP) and Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK). Here's a quick look at what's driving FB, ETP, and CHK.

  • FB is edging higher in electronic trading amid a number of news reports. For starters, Sweden may take legal action against the company if it doesn't do more to stop fake news on its site, while the European Union (EU) is pressuring the company to stop hate speech. Elsewhere, traders are also considering a report that suggests social media ad spending will surpass newspapers in the next few years. Looking back to the charts, Facebook Inc stock will need to pick up the pace to avoid a round of bearish attention in the weeks ahead. Specifically, the shares have dropped 13.6% since their all-time high of $133.50 on Oct. 25 to close Friday at $115.40 -- settling below their 50-week moving average for the first time in more than three years. Despite this, 28 of 31 analysts recommend buying Facebook stock, with no "sell" ratings to be found. 
  • ETP is down 1.7% ahead of the open, on news the company is not allowed to build a section of the Dakota Access Pipeline near the Standing Rock Sioux Native American Indian reservation. In fact, the stock could give up its modest year-to-date lead of less than 2%, after closing Friday at $34.38. In the options pits, Energy Transfer Partners LP traders have long been focused on calls. Data from the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) shows ETP has a 50-day call/put volume ratio of 3.23, which tops 71% of the past year's readings. 
  • CHK is set to open 4.8% higher, after the company announced it's selling a portion of its Haynesville Shale assets for $450 million. Chesapeake Energy Corporation has climbed the charts fast since its most recent bottom of $5.14 last month to trade at $7.23, as the shares aim for the closely watched $8 mark once again. Based on the stock's front-month gamma-weighted Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR), it looks like options traders are prepared for a continued push higher. This indicator comes in at 0.30, meaning call open interest more than triples put open interest among near-the-money options in the December series. 

Stay on top of overnight news & big morning movers. Sign up now for Schaeffer's Opening View.

 

Same-Day Trading Power: +227% YTD and Counting  — Get in for $10!

We're celebrating 44 years of helping traders win, and you can now tap into one of our most explosive services — Dynamite Day Trading Signals — for just $10.

This service was built for one thing: capturing intraday gains with precision. 

Access two highly-vetted options trades each week -  Complete with defined entries, exits, and a clear plan for same-day profits.

👉 Click Here to Learn More and Position Yourself to Take Action When the Next Alert Hits.