APRN Stock Burned After Shakeup; Banner Prime Day Boosts iRobot Guidance

Options traders are flocking to iRobot calls at an annual-high clip

Managing Editor
Jul 26, 2017 at 3:12 PM
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U.S. stocks are climbing again, with the Dow on pace for another triple-digit victory. While meal-kit service company Blue Apron Holdings Inc (NYSE:APRN) and Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:KND) are two stocks trading in negative territory, Roomba maker iRobot Corporation (NASDAQ:IRBT) is enjoying a breakout day. Here's a quick look at what's moving shares of APRN, KND, and IRBT.

Leadership Change Skewers Blue Apron Stock

Blue Apron stock is down 7.6% to trade at $6.90, after the company said co-founder and COO Matthew Wadiak will step down to transition into a senior advisory role. It's been a rough start for APRN stock, which has fallen more than 30% from its IPO price of $10. Nevertheless, despite Blue Apron's lackluster performance as a publicly traded entity, as well as escalating competition from Amazon, several analysts are bullish on APRN stock.

CMS Cuts Send Kindred Healthcare Stock Spiraling Lower

Kindred Healthcare stock is down 15% to trade at $9.50 -- among the worst on the New York Stock Exchange and currently short-sale restricted -- after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed $950 million in reimbursement cuts to home health providers for 2019. It is the fourth straight year such cuts have been made.

Prior to today's bear gap, KND stock had been in a channel of higher highs and lows since the November election, boosted by their 40-day moving average. However, the shares are now set for their lowest close since April. Analysts are firmly bearish on Kindred Healthcare stock. All six brokerages covering KND shares rate them a "hold" or worse.

Amazon Prime Day Boosts iRobot Guidance

iRobot stock is up 24% to trade at $108.66 -- and just touched a record high of $109.40 -- to lead the Nasdaq today, after the company reported earnings that exceeded expectations. The firm also increased its forecast for 2017, citing robust numbers seen on Amazon Prime Day a month ago. In addition, the robotics company also announced an agreement to acquire Robopolis for $141 million. The double-dose of good news is a boon to what has already been a banner year for IRBT, which has now nearly tripled in the past 12 months.

In the options pit, IRBT calls are flying off the shelves. Over 10,000 calls have been traded today -- 12 times the intraday average and a new annual high. The front-month August 110 and 100 calls are the most popular, with over 3,000 contracts combined changing hands.

 

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