Volume Spike Investor

Options traders are making, and have been making, a very large bet using Citigroup, Inc. (NYSE: C) stock options that is technically a very low risk bet if done on a de-leveraged basis.  It is almost very similar to a Citigroup Lotto Ticket. October stock options expiration date in only about 75 hours away for [...]

We are seeing elevated trading in ITT Corporation (NYSE: ITT) on trader chat of a takeover.  ITT has been a rumored takeover before, but be advised its market cap is almost $10 billion.  We have seen over 3 million shares trade as of 12:30 PM EST and average volume is only about 1.45 million shares.  [...]

Starent Networks, Corp. (NASDAQ: STAR), multimedia hardware/software player, is being acquired by Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) for some $2.9 billion versus a $2.08 billion market cap based on Monday’s $29.03 closing price. The deal is an all-cash buyout and the buyout price is $35.00 per share in a deal which companies have approved and which [...]

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) is trading down 2.5% at $60.95 on over 700,000 shares as of 9:08 AM EST. Despite $1.20 EPS vs. $1.13 estimates, revenues were $15.1 billion versus estimates of over $15.2+ billion.  The dollar was believed to be a help but was not and the company’s ‘raised guidance’ looks effectively in-line. [...]

Novavax, Inc. (NASDAQ: NVAX) is rising sharply after it was awarded a National Institute of Health grant for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine program.  Be advised that the SBIR grant is valued at approximately $246,000…. At 9:06 AM EST we have seen 392,000 shares trade hands and the stock is up 7.6% at $3.95.  Average [...]

Citigroup, Inc. (NYSE: C) reports earnings this week and has already recovered over 300% from its lows.  But few analysts have gotten behind it in support of the stock.  This morning we have Deutsche Bank that initiated a BUY rating and a $5.50 price target.  Shares are up 1.2% at $4.83 on 15 million shares [...]

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) is getting hit ahead of earnings as analyst Meredith Whitney has come out and downgraded the stock to Neutral from Buy after shares have run up over 30% since her Buy recommendation.  It is surprising that the volume is not more and that the reaction is not more as [...]

Vascular Solutions, Inc. (VASC) is trading up now that it and Zerusa Limited have announced FDA marketing approval for its next-generation Guardian II Hemostasis valve.  Shares traded over 115,000 shares in the after-hours session last night and the stock went out as the top gainer up 27% at $10.61.  The excitement is there but not [...]

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: VNDA) is one of this mornings top gainers on active trading volume with news that helps it and helps Titan Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Pink Sheets: TTNP).  Shares closed at $11.45 Monday, but are up over 13.5% at $13.00 on 735,000 shares as of 8:43 AM EST.  The news is that Vanda Pharmaceuticals [...]

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) has two negatives, although one may not be too bad considering how the company has done.  There are reports that it is closer to bankruptcy and now its Chairman/CEO announced his resignation. UPDATE: 9:28 AM EST: CIT shares are “INDICATED $0.80 X $1.00 as specialist is not open and trades [...]