Flexion Therapeutics, HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Supervalu Stocks Moving Today

Financial stocks are leading the Dow higher while a key House vote on healthcare takes center stage. Among specific equities in focus are drug stock Flexion Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:FLXN), diagnostic specialist HTG Molecular Diagnostics Inc (NASDAQ:HTGM), and retail issue Supervalu stock. Here's a quick look at what's moving shares of FLXN, HTGM, and SVU.

M&A Chatter Sends Flexion Therapeutics Sooaring

FLXN is surging 36.3% higher to $26.83 today, and fresh off a new annual peak of $28.20, on reports the company is close to reaching an agreement with French drugmaker Sanofi SA (ADR) (NYSE:SNY), which is rumored to be mulling a buyout bid valued at more than $1 billion. Shares of Flexion Therapeutics Inc have now more than tripled year-to-date, which could explain why analysts are firmly in the stock's bullish corner. Specifically, all five firms providing coverage currently rate FLXN stock a "strong buy."

HTG Molecular Diagnostics Doubles on Device Nod in Europe

The top gainer by a mile on the Nasdaq today, HTGM shares were last seen up 115% at $4.60 after earlier notching a 52-week high of $4.90. Driving the monstrous gains is news HTG Molecular Diagnostic Inc's in vitro testing device HTG EdgeSeq ALKPlus Assay received CE marking, meeting requirements to be sold in Europe. Today's pop saw the shares barrel past resistance in the $3.20-$3.50 neighborhood, which shut down HGTM stock numerous times in the past 12 months. Perhaps this upbeat news will draw attention from the brokerage crowd. At present, just one analyst is providing coverage on the security.

Analyst Upgrade Gives SVU Stock a Boost

SVU is among the leading gainers on the New York Stock Exchange, tacking on 11.1% to $3.71 following an upgrade to "outperform" from "sector perform" at RBC, which cited reduced competitive pressures after the sale of the company's Save-A-Lot business. The pop has the stock going head-to-head with its declining 40-day moving average -- a trendline SUPERVALU hasn't topped on a closing basis since the first week of the year. Bearish options traders could be spooked by the gains, too. Amid light absolute volumes, SVU stock has amassed a 10-day put/call volume ratio of 0.74 on the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) -- higher than 80% of the past year's comparable readings.