United Technologies stock is lower on reports of a bid for Rockwell Collins
U.S. stocks are trading higher today, despite slipping oil prices. Among the names in the spotlight are cell phone maker BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY), Dow stock United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX), and biopharmaceutical company Horizon Pharma PLC (NASDAQ:HZNP). Here's a quick look at what's moving shares of BBRY, UTX, AND HZNP.
Goldman Sachs Issues 'Sell' Rating for BlackBerry
Blackberry stock is down 3.4% to trade at $9.12, after Goldman Sachs reinstated coverage with a "sell" rating and a price target of $8.50 -- a discount to BBRY's current price. After hitting a two-year high of $11.74 on June 1, BBRY stock has since dropped 22%, trading right above its 120-day moving average.
While only two of the 10 analysts following the stock rate it a "buy" or better, option traders have upped the bullish ante. BBRY sports a 10-day call/put volume ratio of 12.13 on the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX). This ratio sits in the 90th percentile of its annual range, hinting at a much healthier-than-usual appetite for bullish bets over bearish of late.
Reports: United Technologies Could Buy Rockwell Collins
United Technologies stock is down 2.6% to trade at $118.26, as the company allegedly considers buying aviation equipment supplier Rockwell Collins -- a deal that would rank among the largest ever in the aerospace industry, Bloomberg reports. UTX stock climbed more than 20% from its November lows to its record high of $124.77 on July 12, but the stock has since pulled back -- breaching former support atop its 80-day moving average.
Meanwhile, UTX options are attractively priced. United Technologies stock sports a Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 12% -- higher than just 10% of all other readings from the past year, implying near-term options traders are pricing in relatively low volatility expectations.
Earnings Beat Sends HZNP Stock Higher
A strong second-quarter earnings beat and upwardly revised revenue guidance has Horizon Pharma stock up 4.3% to trade at $13.28. The shares have rebounded more than 40% since touching a two-year low of $9.45 in May, and are now set to end atop their 20-week moving average for the first time in 2016.
Along with HZNP short sellers, options buyers were growing increasingly skeptical of Horizon Pharma shares ahead of earnings. HZNP's 10-day put/call volume ratio of 1.81 on the ISE, CBOE, and PHLX stands higher than 98% of all other readings from the past year.