Plus, ACOR stock is sliding after a court ruling
Wall Street has trade on the mind again, and most stocks are struggling for gains as a result. Three names making notable moves are Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), drugmaker Acorda Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:ACOR), and aging specialist resTORbio, Inc. (NASDAQ:TORC). Below, we'll break down today's trading on shares of F, ACOR, and TORC.
Ford Faces Lowest Close In Years Before Earnings
General Motors' lowered outlook is weighing on Ford stock ahead of the company's post-close earnings release this evening. In fact, the shares are set for their lowest close since 2012, earlier bottoming at $10.12, and down roughly 4% on the day. This means the stock has now shed 16.7% since peaking at $12.15 back on June 12.
While the vast majority of analysts are already bearish on the auto giant, there remain three questionable "strong buy" or "buy" ratings, and the average 12-month price target remains up at $12.12, now more than a 19% premium to current levels. In other words, there's danger for an onslaught of price-target reductions to add to Ford's woes, should the Detroit darling have a rough turn in the earnings spotlight.
ACOR Shares Slide on Court Ruling
ACOR stock is down 12.2% at $25.20, after a court ruled to allow at least temporary production of generic versions of the company's multiple sclerosis drug, Ampyra. Specifically, a U.S. appellate court denied Acorda's request to temporarily block Teva Pharmaceutical (TEVA) and other firms from selling generic Ampyra during a review of a lower court decision on patents.
However, the stock earlier bounced near its 200-day moving average. And while the equity is short-sale restricted today, a number of short sellers recently closed out and missed today's pullback. Specifically, short interest fell by 24.2% in the last two reporting periods, though more than 12% of the float remains dedicated to short interest.
Mid-Stage Trial Results Lift TORC
resTORbio shares have jumped more than 56% to trade at $14.12, after trading as high as $20.60 earlier, thanks to upbeat mid-stage trial results for a respiratory tract infection drug -- the fourth leading cause of hospitalizations for people over 65, according to the company. TORC's peak today was near the site of its record highs from late February, as well as its highs from its IPO day back in January.
Until today's breakout, the equity traded mostly between $8 and $12 since April, and short interest had been on the rise. In the last two reporting periods, the number of shares sold short jumped 80.4% to 2.33 million. Analysts, on the other hand, love the stock, with all four in coverage handing out "strong buy" recommendations.