US stocks are climbing on Tuesday on the back of a hike in oil prices, weakening Yen and China’s decision to boost its plunging exports, which pushed higher machinery and equipment stocks. Some important stocks to watch today include Qihoo 360 Technology Co Ltd (NYSE:QIHU), ChemoCentryx Inc (NASDAQ:CCXI), 21Vianet Group Inc (NASDAQ:VNET), Sodastream International Ltd (NASDAQ:SODA) and TransDigm Group Incorporated (NYSE:TDG). Let’s see the factors behind the movement in these stocks today and examine hedge funds sentiment towards each of them.
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Qihoo 360 Technology Rebounds
Shares of Qihoo 360 Technology Co Ltd (NYSE:QIHU) soared by more than 9% today after the company has rejected the recent rumors regarding its privatization. The Beijing based internet Security Company said that it does not intend to comment further as it maintains the policy of not discussing rumors. Qihoo’s shareholders approved the privatization of the company for $9.3 billion, or $77.00 per ADS at the end of March. Last week, U.S-traded Chinese companies including Qihoo, which are making an effort to move to the mainland China, faced declines amid reports that the China Securities Regulatory Commission would start an in-depth analysis of the effects of delisting companies in the U.S to sell shares in the mainland at higher valuations.
Out of the comprehensive database of more than 780 funds tracked by us, 22 investors held shares of Qihoo 360 Technology Co Ltd (NYSE:QIHU) at the end of 2015, having amassed $429.5 million worth of stock.
ChemoCentryx Gets Liscesinng Rights for CCX168
ChemoCentryx Inc (NASDAQ:CCXI)’s stock skyrocketed by more than 32% after the company got the licensing rights from Vifor Pharma to commercialize CCX168, a Complement 5a Receptor (C5aR) inhibitor for orphan and rare renal diseases, including anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), in Europe, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, and South Korea. CCX168 is ready for Phase 3 study planned later this year. ChemoCentryx Inc (NASDAQ:CCXI) will receive $60 million in cash as an upfront payment and a $25 million equity investment to purchase Chemocentryx common stock at a price of $7.50 per share. The California based pharmaceutical company will be eligible to receive additional payments after certain regulatory and sales milestones. In a statement, the company said that the agreement is the first step in the potentially bigger partnership of kidney health alliance with Vifor Pharma. ChemoCentryx (NASDAQ: CCXI) also announced today its first quarter financial results, reporting a quarterly loss of $0.34 a share, worse than the estimated loss of $0.27.
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Overall, 10 hedge funds from our system held positions in ChemoCentryx at the end of last year. Mark Lampert’s Biotechnology Value Fund / BVF Inc has one of the biggest stakes in the company with ownership of more than 6.6 million shares of the company.
We will discuss the latest news surrounding 21Vianet Group, Sodastream International and TransDigm Group on the next page.
21Vianet Group Rebounds After Hitting 52-Week Low
21Vianet Group Inc (NASDAQ:VNET)’s stock surged more than 12.9% today after hitting the 52-week low yesterday on the back of the speculations that Chinese regulators might bar the company’s privatization. Overall, 13 funds out of those tracked by us had approximately $195.8 million worth of stakes in 21Vianet Group Inc (NASDAQ:VNET) at the end of last year.
Sodastream International Sharply Beats Estimates
Sodastream International Ltd (NASDAQ:SODA)’s stock jumped by more than 20% today after the company reported first-quarter EPS of $0.29 on $100.9 million in revenue, better than the estimated EPS of $0.11 on $89.00 million in revenue. The Israel-based company didn’t post a guidance in its earnings release. In a statement, Daniel Birnbaum, CEO of SodaStream, said that sales were driven by solid gains in Europe and added that the company has started its new, advanced facility at Lehavim and looks forward to increase its growth in the US. At the end of last year, Wilmot B. Harkey and Daniel Mack’s Nantahala Capital Management owned more than 1.3 million shares of the company and was one of the seven funds from our database long the stock.
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TransDigm Group Beats Earnings and Revenue Estimates
TransDigm Group Incorporated (NYSE:TDG)’s stock has gained around 10% so far today after the company posted fiscal second quarter EPS of $2.86, surpassing the estimates of $2.58. Revenue came in at $796.8 million, higher than analysts’ projections of $777.11 million. For the full fiscal 2016, the aircraft components manufacturer expects EPS in the range of $11.04 to $11.28, versus the consensus of $10.82. W. Nicholas Howley, CEO and Chairman of TransDigm Group Incorporated (NYSE:TDG) said that after a number of bad quarters, the sales results are encouraging. He said that the company continues to focus on its value-based operating strategy. Out of the total funds tracked by us, 55 had stakes in TransDigm Group Incorporated (NYSE:TDG) at the end of the fourth quarter of 2015. Charles Paquelet’s Skylands Capital owns 19,025 shares of the company as of March this year.
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