Mid-Day Market Update: SolarEdge Technologies Gains Following Q4 Earnings Beat; Avid Bioservices Shares Slide

Midway through trading Thursday, the Dow traded up 0.27 percent to 24,960.45 while the NASDAQ climbed 0.67 percent to 7,191.27. The S&P also rose, gaining 0.36 percent to 2,708.41.

Leading and Lagging Sectors

On Thursday, the non-cyclical consumer goods & services shares climbed 0.95 percent. meanwhile, top gainers in the sector included Aaron's, Inc. AAN, up 15 percent, and Avon Products, Inc. AVP, up 8 percent.

In trading on Thursday, energy shares tumbled 0.72 percent. Meanwhile, top losers in the sector included SunPower Corporation SPWR, down 9 percent, and Marathon Oil Corporation MRO down 7 percent.

Top Headline

Cisco Systems, Inc. CSCO reported stronger-than-expected results for its second quarter on Wednesday.

Cisco said it earned 63 cents per share in the second quarter on revenue of $11.9 billion versus expectations of 59 cents per share and $11.81 billion.

Cisco boosted its quarterly dividend from 29 cents per share to 33 cents per share and guided its fiscal third quarter EPS above the Street's estimates.

Equities Trading UP

Solaredge Technologies Inc SEDG shares shot up 20 percent to $44.45 after the company posted better-than-expected Q4 earnings and issued a strong guidance. A 13F filing from George Soros also showed an increased stake in the company.

Shares of AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. AMAG got a boost, shooting up 32 percent to $18.40 after the pharmaceutical company that focuses on maternal health, announced an update for its therapy to reduce the risk of preterm birth in certain at-risk women called Makena. The company said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Makena for pregnant women with one baby and who spontaneously delivered one preterm baby in the past.

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc BBW shares were also up, gaining 20 percent to $9.40 as the company posted better-than-expected Q4 earnings.

Equities Trading DOWN

Avid Bioservices Inc CDMO shares dropped 27 percent to $2.35. Avid Bioservices priced its 9 million share public offering of common stock at $2.25 per share.

Shares of Inpixon INPX were down 24 percent to $2.40 after announcing launch of public offering of Class A and B units.

CAI International Inc CAI was down, falling around 20 percent to $21.40. CAI International reported upbeat Q4 earnings, while sales missed estimates.

Commodities

In commodity news, oil traded up 0.02 percent to $60.61 while gold traded down 0.25 percent to $1,354.60.

Silver traded down 1.05 percent Thursday to $16.70, while copper rose 0.09 percent to $3.239.

Eurozone

European shares were higher today. The eurozone’s STOXX 600 climbed 0.53 percent, the Spanish Ibex Index rose 0.30 percent, while Italy’s FTSE MIB Index jumped 0.28 percent. Meanwhile the German DAX gained 0.06 percent, and the French CAC 40 rose 1.11 percent while U.K. shares rose 0.29 percent.

Economics

Initial jobless claims gained 7,000 to 230,000 in the latest week. Economists projected claims to reach 230,000 last week.

The Producer Price Index rose 0.4 percent for January, versus economists’ expectations for a 0.4 percent gain.

The Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index climbed to 25.8 in February, versus a reading of 22.2 in January. However, economists were expecting a reading of 21.1.

The Empire State manufacturing index declined to 13.1 in February, compared to 17.7 in January. Economists projected a reading of 17.5.

U.S. industrial production declined 0.1 percent for January, versus economists’ expectations for a 0.2 percent growth.

The NAHB housing market index remained flat at 72 for February. However, economists projected a reading of 72.