NASDAQ:ISTA

Stock Futures Struggling to Continue Rally, Stocks to Watch

Stock FuturesInvestors hoping to extend yesterday’s sharp rally woke up disappointed Tuesday morning with the major indices in negative territory. Dow futures are down 13 points to 13,87. Nasdaq 100 futures are trimming 3 points to 2,774. The S&P 500 futures are rounding out the losses, down 2 points to 1,413.

Bernanke’s comments yesterday regarding his lack of trust in the labor markets continuing their growth helped bolster the rally. This was due to him saying that further stimulus is needed. It was a signal to some that QE3 could be just around the corner.

On the economic data calendar, two important reports are slated to be released this morning. The Case Shiller home price index is due out at 9am EST, while consumer confidence numbers are due out at 10am EST. Both will be watched closely for misses like previous data points over the past couple of weeks.

Commodities are a mixed bag this morning. Nymex crude futures are dipping on economic growth concerns. Oil prices are down 13 cents to $106.90.

The Bernanke speech has been a boon to gold prices. The metal is up $2.40 per ounce to 1,688.00 [Read more...]

Greek Worries Push Futures Into The Red. Stocks to Watch: AMLN, AAPL, CTIC, ISTA, BAC, LCC

Another day, another set of worries on Greece. The multi-year saga on Greek bailouts continues this morning with renewed concerns over whether Greece can avoid a default. Dow futures are off 80 points to 12,534. Nasdaq 100 futures are down 16.50 points to 2,440, and S&P 500 futures are shedding nearly 10 pints to 1,303.

The German Finance Minister told the Wall Street Journal this morning that Greece had to get their finances in order if they expected to receive a fresh bailout. His interview came after a weekend of German demands that Greece give up its financial sovereignty. This was subsequently denied by Greece and has led to more tension in the EU. Check out one of the best swing traders on the street.

The lack of a deal has sent the global markets lower. Chinese stocks, after a week of holidays, opened lower. The banking heavy Stoxx 600 Europe is currently down nearly a percent as investors return to a risk-off game-plan.

Economic data for the morning includes personal income and consumer spending. Both are set to release at 8:30am EST.

In commodities, gold prices continued to pull back slightly after their sustained run. Gold is down $8 to $1723.60. Oil prices are following suit, down 45 cents to $99.12. Crude futures continue to remain locked in around the $100 per barrel mark.

Stocks to watch today include Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMLN), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTIC), ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISTA), Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC), US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE:LCC)

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMLN) is up 16.64% in pre market trading at $14.16. AMLN shares are jumping this morning after the FDA approved the company’s Bydureon diabetes drug. AMLN shares have jumped more than $3 a share since last Tuesday. The company has a market cap of 1.78 billion.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is down 0.39% in pre market trading at $445.50. AAPL shares are down this morning as the overall market is set to open lower due to Europe concerns. AAPL shares jumped about $30 a share last week following the company’s stellar earnings. The company has a market cap of 417.03 billion. Check out one of the best swing traders on the street.

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTIC) is down 15.79% in pre market trading at $1.12. CTIC shares are tanking today after the company pulled its new drug application for Pixurvi and plans to resubmit later this year. The company has a market cap of 246.04 million.

ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISTA) is down 6.16% in pre market trading at $7.47. ISTA shares are falling today after Valeant Pharmaceuticals withdrew offer for acquisition of ISTA Pharmaceuticals. ISTA trades 378 thousand shares a day on average and has a market cap of 330.35 million.

Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC) is down 1.78% this morning at $7.16. BAC shares are falling with the overall market this morning. The stock has traded over 900 thousand shares this morning and trades 270 million shares a day on average. Bank of America named Christian Meissner to head the investment bank. The company has a market cap of 76.81 billion.

US Airways Group, Inc. (NYSE:LCC) is up 7.46% in pre market trading at $8.79. LCC shares are up after reports that Delta is considering buying the company. LCC shares are up more than $2 since last Wednesday. The company has a market cap of 1.33 billion.

Pre-Market Gainers and Losers: TTWO, RCL, ISTA, LNG, CCL

Take-Two Interactive Software (NASDAQ:TTWO) is down 3.45% in pre market trading at $14.00. TTWO shares are falling today after Take Two announced the delay of the video game, Max Payne 3. The company is now expecting a 2012 loss. TTWO trades 2.2 million shares a day on average and has a market cap of 1.26 billion.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL) is down 7.48% this morning at $26.60. RCL shares are down after news of a cruise ship accident nearly Italy over the weekend. RCL trades 2.8 million shares a day on average and has a market cap of 6.25 billion.

ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISTA) is up 10.87% in pre market trading at $7.27. ISTA has traded 157 thousand shares already this morning and trades 315 thousand shares a day on average. ISTA shares are up after Valeant Pharmaceuticals raised their proposed price for acquisition of the company to $7.50 per share. The company has a market cap of 301.71 million.

Cheniere Energy, Inc. (AMEX:LNG) is up 3.16% in pre market trading at $10.11. No recent news for LNG, but shares are up more than $1 since last Wednesday. LNG trades around 5 million shares a day on average and has a market cap of 788.63 million.

Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) is down 16.28% in pre market trading at $28.70. CCL shares are down today following the cruise ship accident in Italy over the weekend. The ship is owned by Costa Cruises which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the company. CCL has traded 658 thousand shares so far today and trades 4.3 million shares a day on average. The company has a market cap of 26.64 billion.

Stocks In The Green In Midday Trading: ISTA, RRR, MRT, CRYP, GURE, CIE

ISTA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ISTA) is up 73.52% in midday trading at $6.75. ISTA has traded 4.5 million shares so far today, well above its daily average of 198 thousand shares. ISTA stock is up today after Valeant offers to buy ISTA for $6.50 per share. The company has a market cap of 282.21 million.

RSC Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RRR) is up 55.50% in midday trading at $17.68. RRR has traded 50.4 million shares so far today and trades 1.2 million shares a day on average. RRR stock is up today after United Rentals announced it will buy RSC for $1.9 billion. RSC Holdings has a market cap of 1.83 billion.

Morton’s Restaurant Group, Inc. (NYSE:MRT) is up 32.56% today at $6.84. MRT has traded 5.4 million shares so far today, way above its daily average of 24 thousand shares. MRT stock is up today after Fertitta signed agreement to acquire Morton’s Restaurant Group for $6.90 a share. The company has a market cap of 115.60 million.

CryptoLogic Limited (NASDAQ:CRYP) is up 43.04% today at $2.26. CRYP has traded 788 thousand shares so far today, well above its daily average of 29 thousand shares.CRYP announced on Thursday board agreed to offer by Amaya Gaming Group at $2.50 a share. CryptoLogic has a market cap of 31.09 million.

Gulf Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ:GURE) is up 12.20% in midday trading at $1.8498. GURE has traded 419 thousand shares so far today, above its daily average volume of 340 thousand shares. Gulf Resources announced today they have commenced operations after relocation of one of its factories. The company has a market cap of 63.59 million.

Cobalt International Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CIE) is up 16.33% today at $10.47. CIE has traded 2.1 million shares so far today, more than double its daily average. The company has a market cap of 4 billion.

Biggest Gainers In Pre Market Trading: ISTA, URI, NBG, RIO, JAG

ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISTA) is up 61.18% in pre market trading at $6.27. ISTA has traded about 3 thousand shares so far this morning and trades 170 thousand shares a day on average. Valeant Pharmaceuticals offers to acquire ISTA for $6.50 a share. ISTA Pharmaceuticals has a market cap of 161.44 million.

United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) is up 5.22% in pre market trading at $27.40. URI trades 1.71 million shares a day on average. United Rentals announced this morning they will acquire RSC Holdings for $1.9 billion. United Rentals has a market cap of 1.63 billion.

National Bank of Greece (NYSE:NBG) is up 3.09% in pre market trading at $2.00. NBG trades 624 thousand shares a day on average. The National Bank of Greece has a market cap of 370.90 million.

Rio Tinto Plc (NYSE:RIO) is up 4.07% in pre market trading at $48.60. RIO has traded 65 thousand shares so far today and averages 3.92 million shares daily. RIO has been taking a hit this week and has fallen about $5 a share. The company has a market cap of 88.63 billion.

Jaguar Mining Inc. (NYSE:JAG) is up 6.95% in pre market trading at $6.00. JAG has traded 10 thousand shares in pre market trading and averages 2.64 million shares a day on average. Jaguar Mining has a market cap of 473.54 million.

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