SHLD, SSYS, and STM are among the stocks in the news today
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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