Leading and Lagging Sectors Energy shares jumped by 0.98 percent on Monday. Meanwhile, top gainers in the sector included VAALCO Energy, Inc. (NYSE: EGY), up 11 percent, and Pacific Drilling SA (NYSE: PACD), up 6 percent. In trading on Monday, utilities shares slipped by 1.65 percent. Meanwhile, top losers in the sector included NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), down 63 percent, and Huaneng Power International Inc (ADR) (NYSE: HNP), off 2 percent. Top Headline Humana Inc (NYSE: HUM) aagreed to be acquired by Aetna Inc (NYSE: AET) for $37 billion. Humana also issued a weak profit outlook. Humana projected Q2 adjusted earnings of $1.60 to $1.65 per share, and full-year adjusted earnings of $7.75 per share. Analysts expected Q2 earnings of $2.36 per share and full-year earnings of $8.64 per share. Equities Trading UP Weight Watchers International, Inc. (NYSE: WTW) shares shot up 21 percent to $4.93 on takeover talks. Shares of Catabasis Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: CATB) got a boost, shooting up 16 percent to $14.42 after the company reported that it has received the FDA Fast Track designation for CAT-1004 for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Versartis Inc (NASDAQ: VSAR) shares were also up, gaining 14 percent to $16.61 after the company announced the removal of the FDA partial clinical hold and continuation of VRS-317 Phase 3 clinical trial. View more earnings on BZSUM Equities Trading DOWN HORSEHEAD HOLDING CORP. (NASDAQ: ZINC) shares tumbled 20 percent to $9.19 after the company issued an update on operations at its Mooresboro, North Carolina zinc production facility. Shares of Silicom Ltd. (NASDAQ: SILC) were down 22 percent to $28.42 after the company updated its second quarter guidance. The company expected Q2 revenue of $16.8 million to $17.2 million. Allot Communications Ltd (NASDAQ: ALLT) was down, falling 17 percent to $5.90. Allot Communications issued a weak Q2 and FY revenue guidance. Commodities In commodity news, oil traded down 2.50 percent to $54.12, while gold traded up 0.15 percent to $1,165.30. Silver traded up 0.08 percent Monday to $15.58, while copper fell 3.95 percent to $2.53. Eurozone European shares were lower today. The eurozone’s STOXX 600 fell 1.17 percent, the Spanish Ibex Index dropped 2.30 percent, while Italy’s FTSE MIB Index declined 3.65 percent. Meanwhile, the German DAX dropped 1.47 percent, and the French CAC 40 dipped 1.99 percent while UK shares slipped 1.40 percent. Economics The services PMI came in at 54.80 in June, versus a prior reading of 54.80. The ISM services index climbed to 56 in June, versus a May reading of 55.7. Economists were expecting a reading of 55. See more from Benzinga © 2015 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
|