SunGard’s hottest stocks
24 March 2015 Global
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SunGard’s Astec Analytics has compiled the hottest stocks from around the globe for the week beginning 16 March 2015.
African-focused mining company Afren (AFR.L) is Astec’s top pick for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region this week after news it notified the UK Serious Fraud Office following its lawyers raising concerns surrounding the hiring of an individual in 2012, and certain expense and travel payments connected to the company's activities.
Data from Astec has suggested short sellers have been making strong bets against the company, positions they are seemingly holding onto despite the price drop, with borrowing volumes currently 35 percent higher than at the same time in February—the all-time highest levels seen for this stock.
Hot stocks regular, Transocean (RIG), has also been selected for the EMEA region after it said it expects to record a non-cash charge of between $300 and $325 million in Q1 of 2015, with S&P separately downgrading its corporate credit and debt rating to “BB+”.
Despite these negatives, the company's stock actually managed to make some headway in the cash market, though on the borrowing front Astec’s data hints at some increased short selling activity. The number of RIG shares being borrowed now 7 percent higher in March.
New York-listed cable company Liberty Global (LBTY-A) is Astec’s top pick for the Americas after it emerged the company wants to distribute the most popular shows from UK television channel ITV, which it holds a 6.45 percent stake in, throughout Europe, though its CFO suggested the company is "too pricey" to buy outright.
While its shares managed to squeeze out some gains during the week, Astec’s data suggests short sellers also started to take an interest, with borrowing volumes climbing 23 percent.
Weight Watchers International (WTW) has seen its share hit a 52-week low in the 20 March session, having seen Credit Suisse downgrade its stock from “neutral” to “underperform” earlier in the week, targeting a price of $5 per share.
As the stock slipped lower in the cash market, Astec's data suggests short sellers were taking the opportunity to cover their positions, with borrowing volumes falling 26 percent in the week.
Again Sony (6758) has made its way to the top of the Asia Pacific’s hottest stocks after it released its latest earnings numbers, which were generally taken well in the cash market and helped its share price gain about 10 percent in the week.
The company also announced it will be launching an online TV service for PlayStation users in the US, aiming to capture so-called "cord cutting" customers who are moving away from cable and satellite subscription.
While its stock made gains, Astec's data suggests short sellers eased off their positions a little, with borrowing volumes falling 16 percent in the week.
Japanese gaming giant Nintendo (7974) also entered the top of the list after news it will be teaming up with smartphone game designer DeNa to bring its iconic characters to this new medium.
The news helped Nintendo shares rocket almost 50 percent higher at one point, though profit taking soon pared some of this rally; its shares ending the week around 30 percent higher.
On the borrowing front, Astec's data suggests this rally has done little to change the mind of short sellers, with borrowing volumes having now more than doubled in March, albeit from a fairly low initial volume.
African-focused mining company Afren (AFR.L) is Astec’s top pick for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region this week after news it notified the UK Serious Fraud Office following its lawyers raising concerns surrounding the hiring of an individual in 2012, and certain expense and travel payments connected to the company's activities.
Data from Astec has suggested short sellers have been making strong bets against the company, positions they are seemingly holding onto despite the price drop, with borrowing volumes currently 35 percent higher than at the same time in February—the all-time highest levels seen for this stock.
Hot stocks regular, Transocean (RIG), has also been selected for the EMEA region after it said it expects to record a non-cash charge of between $300 and $325 million in Q1 of 2015, with S&P separately downgrading its corporate credit and debt rating to “BB+”.
Despite these negatives, the company's stock actually managed to make some headway in the cash market, though on the borrowing front Astec’s data hints at some increased short selling activity. The number of RIG shares being borrowed now 7 percent higher in March.
New York-listed cable company Liberty Global (LBTY-A) is Astec’s top pick for the Americas after it emerged the company wants to distribute the most popular shows from UK television channel ITV, which it holds a 6.45 percent stake in, throughout Europe, though its CFO suggested the company is "too pricey" to buy outright.
While its shares managed to squeeze out some gains during the week, Astec’s data suggests short sellers also started to take an interest, with borrowing volumes climbing 23 percent.
Weight Watchers International (WTW) has seen its share hit a 52-week low in the 20 March session, having seen Credit Suisse downgrade its stock from “neutral” to “underperform” earlier in the week, targeting a price of $5 per share.
As the stock slipped lower in the cash market, Astec's data suggests short sellers were taking the opportunity to cover their positions, with borrowing volumes falling 26 percent in the week.
Again Sony (6758) has made its way to the top of the Asia Pacific’s hottest stocks after it released its latest earnings numbers, which were generally taken well in the cash market and helped its share price gain about 10 percent in the week.
The company also announced it will be launching an online TV service for PlayStation users in the US, aiming to capture so-called "cord cutting" customers who are moving away from cable and satellite subscription.
While its stock made gains, Astec's data suggests short sellers eased off their positions a little, with borrowing volumes falling 16 percent in the week.
Japanese gaming giant Nintendo (7974) also entered the top of the list after news it will be teaming up with smartphone game designer DeNa to bring its iconic characters to this new medium.
The news helped Nintendo shares rocket almost 50 percent higher at one point, though profit taking soon pared some of this rally; its shares ending the week around 30 percent higher.
On the borrowing front, Astec's data suggests this rally has done little to change the mind of short sellers, with borrowing volumes having now more than doubled in March, albeit from a fairly low initial volume.
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