The Biotech Stock Skyrocketing After a Rare Drug Approval

A short squeeze could add fuel to ADMS stock's fire

Managing Editor
Aug 25, 2017 at 10:14 AM
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Analysts are weighing in on drugmaker Adamas Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:ADMS), online review concern Yelp Inc (NYSE:YELP), and tech stock  VMware, Inc. (NYSE:VMW). Here's a quick roundup of today's bullish brokerage notes on shares of ADMS, YELP, and VMW.

Rare Drug Approval Has ADMS Stock Rallying

Adamas Pharmaceuticals stock is up 44% to trade at $20.52 -- and touched a new annual high of $21.44 out of the gate -- after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drugmaker's treatment for the involuntary movements of Parkinson's disease. Gocovri -- the only drug of its kind with regulatory approval -- is expected to be rolled out in the fourth quarter. In addition, MP Securities and Cowen and Company raised their price targets on ADMS stock, to $33 from $29, and to $55 from $45 -- more than double current trading levels -- respectively.

An astounding amount of Adamas stock is tied up in short interest. Over 30% of the stock's total available float is sold short. At ADMS' average daily trading volume, it would take more than 30 sessions to repurchase all of those pessimistic positions. This means shares of ADMS have plenty of fuel to keep surging forward. 

Jefferies Sees An Extended Rally For YELP 

YELP stock is up 0.8% to trade at $42.07, after Jefferies raised its price target to $49 from $43 -- in two-year-high territory. YELP shares have been on a tear since touching an annual low of $26.94 on May 10, rallying more than 55%, with help from an earnings-induced bull gap earlier this month.

Despite YELP's recent success, options traders have bought to open puts over calls at an accelerated clip. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), YELP's 50-day put/call volume ratio of 1.10 ranks 1 percentage point from a 12-month high. An unwinding of skepticism in the options pits could translate into added upside for the online retail stock.

Earnings Beat Has VMW Stock Sizzling

VMware stock is up 3% to trade at $103.80, and earlier notched a new three-year high of $104.81, after its second-quarter earnings beat analyst expectations. As a result, no fewer than 10 brokerages raised their price targets, including to $130 from $125 at RBC -- the brokerage firm's second price-target hike on VMW stock this week. VMware stock has now added 38% year-over-year.

The boost likely has quite a few short sellers nervous. Over 25 million shares of VMW are sold short, accounting for 37% of the stock's total available float. It would take more than 19 days for the shorts to fully cover their positions. If VMW continues to climb, ia short squeeze could push the tech stock to even higher heights.
 

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