Humana Goes Banana's

em>Joel Elconin is the co-host of Benzinga's #PreMarket Prep, a daily trading idea radio show.

Humana HUM shares are trading sharply higher by $32.50 at $212.91 in Friday's session. The catalyst for the inhuman rally is a Wall Street Journal report that speculates the company may be considering a sale. The issue was trading in the red (Thursday's close $178.41) until the report surfaced around 1:00 PM. That is all the news algorithms and momentum traders needed to send the shares into orbit. Before the circuit breaker was put into effect, it had already surpassed its former all time high of $183.05, resting at $187.48. Upon the resumption of trading, short-sellers scrambled to end their misery and have taken issue all the way to $219.70 before retreating to its current level. The runaway rally was aided by comments from a Stifel analyst that the may see $230-$240 on a takeover valuation. Obviously, with no confirmation forthcoming from the company the speculative excess has ended for now as the issue has repelled from its elevated level. In addition, speculators that bit on the $230-$240 and purchased the issue near its high may be regretting their decision and are bailing out of the issue.