Nasdaq Markets

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(RTTNews) - Canadian cannabis company Aurora Cannabis is selling its entire stake in Alcanna to an underwriting syndicate led by Cormark Securities Inc.

Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. NTLA was a big mover last session, as the company saw its shares rise more than 10% on the day. The move came on solid volume too with far more shares changing hands than in a normal session. This continues the recent uptrend for the company as the st

One stock that might be an intriguing choice for investors right now is Semtech Corporation SMTC. This is because this security in the Semiconductor - Analog and Mixed space is seeing solid earnings estimate revision activity, and is in great company from a Zacks Industry Rank p

Whether you're a retiree or a brand-new, long-term investor in the stock market, dividends matter. From the beginning of 1930 through 2019, the compound growth of reinvested dividends accounted for 42% of the total return of Standard & Poor's 500-stock index, according to Ha

The coronavirus pandemic touched off increased demand for toilet paper, Clorox wipes, at-home hair coloring kits--and financial advice. A recent survey by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards found that nearly 80% of CFPs had seen an uptick in questions from existi

(RTTNews) - The Hong Kong stock market has finished higher in four straight sessions, rising more than 1,370 points or 5.9 percent along the way. The Hang Seng Index now sits just above the 24,365-point plateau although it's due for consolidation on Friday.

(RTTNews) - The China stock market on Thursday snapped the five-day winning streak in which it had advanced more than 85 points or 3 percent. The Shanghai Composite Index now rests just beneath the 2,920-point plateau and the losses could accelerate on Friday.

Aurora Cannabis (NYSE: ACB) is divesting a large asset. The company is selling the entirety of its 9.2 million share stake of common stock in fellow Canadian company Alcanna.

(RTTNews) - The Taiwan stock market has climbed higher in four straight sessions, advancing almost 450 points or 4.2 percent along the way. The Taiwan Stock Exchange now rests just above the 11,390-point plateau although it's looking at a red light for Friday's trade.

(RTTNews) - The South Korea stock market has climbed higher in five straight sessions, surging more than 125 points or 6.2 percent along the way. The KOSPI now rests just above the 2,150-point plateau although it may run out of steam on Friday.

(RTTNews) - Dynagas LNG Partners LP (DLNG) - The operator of operator of liquefied natural gas carriers soared over 83% after market closed on Thursday as the company's first-quarter results trumped Wall Street estimates. The company reported adjusted earnings of $7.07 million o

DocuSign (DOCU) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.12 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.11 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.07 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

Occidental Petroleum (OXY) closed the most recent trading day at $15.55, moving +0.65% from the previous trading session. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.34%. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.05%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.69%.

Gilead Sciences (GILD) isn’t a one-trick pony. While the news coverage has largely fixated on its potential COVID-19 treatment, remdesivir, the large-cap has an increasingly diverse pipeline.

In addition to the headline grabbing remdesivir, Gilead is the biggest player in the HIV space, manufacturing what could become the best-selling HIV drug ever, Biktarvy.

Having said that, Gilead has been expanding, and through a series of M&As, building an increasingly strong oncology portfolio. Following the addition of Kite in 2018 and the more recent acquisition of cancer-focused biotech Forty Seven, Gilead has just inked a deal with immuno-oncology player Arcus Biosciences. They have agreed to a 10-year partnership to develop next-generation cancer immunotherapies. Arcus will bring a number of immuno-oncology assets to the table, including a PD-1, anti-TIGIT, CD73 inhibitor, and a dual A2a/A2b antagonist, and in return, will receive $175 million upfront, a $200 million equity investment and R&D funding to the tune of $1.6 billion.

Gilead has a similarly structured, though larger, deal in place with Galapagos. In total, Gilead invested $5.1 billion in the Belgian-Dutch biotech last year. The two are working together on rheumatoid arthritis treatment, filgotinib, which is currently awaiting U.S. and European regulatory approval.

Weighing in for Maxim Group, analyst Jason McCarthy believes Gilead’s ever-growing portfolio will present the large-cap with fresh opportunities.

The 5-star analyst said, “With near-complete dominance in HIV and a steadily declining Hep-C franchise, inflammation and oncology have been positioned as the next growth areas for Gilead. Deals like the Galapagos and Arcus partnerships represent an attractive structure for Gilead, granting them access to deep therapeutic candidate pipelines while mitigating risk by not acquiring the companies outright. More 'bolt-ons' like Galapagos and Arcus, or full acquisitions? We'll see as Gilead continues its transformation.”

Waiting to see how things play out, McCarthy maintains a Hold recommendation on Gilead. He also has not set a price target. (To watch McCarthy’s track record, click here)

The rest of the Street appears to be reading from the same page as the Maxim analyst. Based on 15 Holds, 9 Buys and 4 Sells, the analyst consensus rates GILD a Hold. There’s upside of 7% in the cards should the $79.95 average price target be attained over the next 12 months. (See Gilead stock analysis on TipRanks)

To find good ideas for healthcare stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks’ Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks’ equity insights.

InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips

Taking the term penny stock to a whole new level, we have Seanergy Maritime (SHIP). Shares are going for $0.12 apiece following another year of massive share price depreciation. The stock is down by 78% so far in 2020. Zoom out by five years and add in bouts of shareholder dilution, and the stock is only 0.25% away from a 100% decline.

However, not all hope is lost. In fact, Maxim analyst Tate Sullivan remains firmly in the shipping company’s corner.

Sullivan has a Buy rating on Seanergy based on his "outlook for SHIP to use recent equity proceeds to reduce and/or extend debt maturities, as well as our forecast for an eventual rebound in international shipping activity and higher rates.”

Having said that, the decline in shipping rates means the price target is reduced from $0.40 to $0.30. Despite the trim, the potential upside from current levels is a lofty 120%. (To watch Sullivan’s track record, click here)

After equity was raised through four public offerings in Q1 – amounting to roughly $25 million - Seanergy recently disclosed that over the last two weeks, it raised another $9.9 million from warrant exercises.

Sullivan believes the proceeds will go towards further reducing debt, and forecasts debt of $196.8 million by the end of the year – down from the prior estimate of $206.3 million. Looking ahead, the analyst is optimistic, expecting “continued debt paydown in 2020.”

“We estimate SHIP will reduce debt by $28.7 million in 2Q20. Our forecast includes the use of net proceeds from equity raises of $36.8 million (our estimate). In addition, we forecast debt reduction of $8.8 million in the second half of 2020 based on generating free cash flow,” said Sullivan.

It should be noted that the Baltic Capesize Index has been particularly volatile in 2020, increasing by more than 370% in April as factory and port activity in China ramped up after COVID-19 lockdown measures were loosened. The index then dropped sharply in May, falling 66% from the previous month, mainly because of lower international demand for iron ore.

Additionally, iron ore exports from Brazil, one of the world’s current COVID-19 hotspots, could experience further delays as a result of the pandemic. That said, Sullivan expects things to pick up later in the year.

“We continue to forecast a rebound in rates after 2Q20, but from a slightly lower base,” the analyst concluded. (See SHIP stock analysis on TipRanks)

To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks’ Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks’ equity insights.

(RTTNews) - BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (BMRN) will present at the Jefferies Virtual Healthcare Conference.

InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips

InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips