Here’s Why Traders Are Piling Into These Five Stocks

Msci Inc (NYSE:MSCI) surged earlier in the session due to an Evening Standard article that said its sources speculate that S&P Global might be ‘plotting an audacious $11 billion (£9 billion) takeover of MSCI’. According to the article, the purported $120 per share offer wasn’t enough and management was looking for $130 per share. Later Msci shares fell when the company released a statement denying the rumors:

We do not normally comment on rumors in the market, but in response to recent media reports regarding third party interest in MSCI, we believe such reports are incorrect. We are not in discussions with any third party, and we have not received any offer or indication of interest.

Shares of Msci are nevertheless still in the green as of early afternoon trading. 20 top funds owned shares of Msci Inc (NYSE:MSCI) as of the most recent 13-F reporting period, down 4 funds from the previous quarter.

Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ:FNSR) is well in the green as the entire optical sector bounces back. Sentiment around the name received a boost from James Kisner of Jefferies, who upgraded the equity to ‘Buy’ from ‘Hold’. Kisner likes Finisar’s ‘compelling valuation’ and potential for accretive M&A. The analyst has a $34 price target, up from the previous $32. 27 top funds were long Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ:FNSR) as of the most recent 13-F reporting period.

Whiting Petroleum Corp (NYSE:WLL) shares are 4% in the green on the back of higher crude prices. Today’s EIA report was better than expected, and inventories are no longer surging faster than expectations. Given Whiting’s debt profile and ambitious capex spend for 2017, the stock is highly sensitive to crude price changes. The number of elite funds with holdings in Whiting Petroleum Corp (NYSE:WLL) fell by 1 quarter-over-quarter to 34 at the end of December.

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