Sears, Stratasys, STMicroelectronics News Today

Sears Holdings Corp (SHLD), Stratasys, Ltd. (SSYS), and STMicroelectronics NV (ADR) (STM) are making headlines today

Mar 9, 2017 at 9:27 AM

Stocks could struggle today, weighed down by sinking oil prices. Among specific equities in focus this morning are retailer Sears Holdings Corp (NASDAQ:SHLD), 3-D printing specialist Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS), and semiconductor stock STMicroelectronics NV (ADR) (NYSE:STM). Here's a quick look at the news driving SHLD, SSYS, and STM shares.

Sears Soars on Lower-Than-Forecast Loss

SHLD is pointed 6.8% higher, after the company posted a narrower-than-expected fourth-quarter loss. The shares are desperate for gains, considering they've sunk 58.4% year-over-year to trade at $7.49. While shareholders should be elated with Sears Holdings Corp's pre-market developments, the opposite is true for short sellers. Over 19 million shares are currently sold short -- the highest level since December 2008. Assuming the stock gaps higher at the open, a number of SHLD bears will likely get burned.

Upbeat Earnings Can't Save Sinking Stratasys

Despite an earnings beat, SSYS is in for a rough day. Specifically, the stock is pointed 8.3% lower ahead of the bell, after settling Wednesday at $20.06. In other words, Stratasys, Ltd. will likely extend its year-over-year losses, which currently stand at 19.4%. It's no wonder the brokerage crowd has been so bearish toward the stock. In fact, nine of 13 analysts tracking SSYS consider it a "hold" or worse.

iPhone 8 Delay Fears Slam STMicroelectronics

STM shares are down 3.8% in electronic trading, amid concerns the iPhone 8 supplier could be late delivering components for Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ:AAPL) forthcoming smartphone -- potentially delaying its launch. Long term, though, STMicroelectronics NV has been on fire, touching a nine-year high of $15.73 last week, and landing just below that level yesterday, at $15.59. Meanwhile, options traders have been placing bullish bets at a feverish pace of late. STM's 20-day International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) call/put volume ratio is a top-heavy 24.68, with nearly 25 calls bought to open for each put.

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