Alibaba touched a fresh record high after an 'outstanding' quarter
U.S. stocks are trading mixed this morning, as traders await the unveiling of the House Republican tax bill and President Trump's Fed Chair pick. Among the stocks making moves this morning are athletic device company Fitbit Inc (NYSE:FIT), drug concern Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (NYSE:TEVA), and Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:BABA). Here's a closer look at what's moving shares of FIT, TEVA, and BABA.
FIT Moves Lower Despite Earnings Beat
Fitbit reported a narrower-than-expected third-quarter loss and sales that exceeded estimates, and offered an upbeat current-quarter forecast. However, the firm said it sold 3.6 million devices last quarter, falling short of expectations. FIT stock was initially higher in after-hours trading, but is down 5.4% at $5.91, shrugging off price-target hikes to $6.50 and $10 from Deutsche Bank and Raymond James, respectively. The stock is now down 53% year-over-year.
A few Fitbit options traders are likely kicking rocks. FIT call buying was on the rise during the past 10 weeks, as data from the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) shows FIT stock with a 50-day call/put volume ratio of 3.30, ranking in the 74th percentile of its annual range.
Teva Pharmaceutical Stock Gets Crushed
Shares of TEVA are plummeting, after the drug company reported disappointing third-quarter earnings and slashed its 2017 forecast. At last check, the stock was down 20% at $11.23, after hitting a fresh 17-year low of $11.11. Teva Pharmaceutical stock is now down nearly 69% in 2017, with its 10-day moving average emerging as recent resistance.
TEVA's short interest surged during the past two reporting periods, jumping 61.4% to represent more than 68 million shares. Still, short interest only accounts for 6% of the stock's available float, leaving plenty of room on the bearish bandwagon. Today, Teva Pharmaceuticals stock is on the short-sale restricted list.
Alibaba Touches Fresh Record High After Earnings Beat, Forecast
Alibaba stock is higher, after the company announced impressive fiscal second-quarter earnings and revenue, and hiked its full-year forecast. "We had an outstanding quarter," said Alibaba CEO Daniel Zhang. The online commerce stock was last seen up 2.4% at $190.58, and just off an all-time high of $191.22. BABA is now up an impressive 115% on the year.
Analysts following BABA stock optimistic ahead of earnings, all 19 carrying "buy" or "strong buy" recommendations. However, a short squeeze could propel the shares even higher. Short interest represents more than two weeks' worth of pent-up buying demand, at the equity's average pace of trading.