SeaWorld, HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Skechers Stocks Moving Today

With the delayed healthcare vote still in focus, stocks are struggling to hold onto earlier gains. Among specific equities on the radar are entertainment issue SeaWorld Entertainment Inc (NYSE:SEAS), diagnostic firm HTG Molecular Diagnostics Inc (NASDAQ:HTGM), and shoe retailer Skechers. Here's a quick look at what's moving shares of SEAS and HTGM, as well as SKX stock.

Stake Sale Sends SeaWorld Stock Surging

SEAS is up 5.9% to trade at $18.33, on news China's Zhonghong Zhuoye Group Co Ltd has agreed to purchase Blackstone Group LP's (NYSE:BX) position in the company -- which represents a 21% stake in SeaWorld Entertainment Inc -- for $23 per share. This represents a 25% premium over current levels, and a price point the stock hasn't seen since its massive mid-2014 bear gap. The shares are still in the red on the year-to-date basis, but could stand to benefit if short sellers start to jump ship. Short interest accounts for 23.4% of SEAS available float, or 9.1 times the stock's average daily pace of trading.

HTG Molecular Diagnostics Skyrockets to 404% Weekly Lead

Following yesterday's well-received news its in vitro testing device can be sold in Europe, HTGM reported in-line fourth-quarter earnings, which seems to have been plenty to please traders. After being halted several times for volatility, the stock was last spotted up 163% at $10.34, and earlier notched a 52-week high of $13.25. Needless to say, HTG Molecular Diagnostics Inc is the top percentage performer on the Nasdaq by far, set to finish with a monumental weekly gain of 404%. Plus, the shares could keep on soaring should short sellers hit the exits. After a 13.8% climb in the past two reporting periods, these bearish bets are currently docked at a record high.

Analyst Nod Sends SKX Stock to Eight-Month High

Analysts at Cowen and Company upgraded SKX stock to "outperform" from "market perform," while raising their price target to $35 from $26 -- territory not seen since October 2015 -- sending the shares 4.7% higher to $28.74. The brokerage cited strong wholesale growth in international markets, particularly in regions "underserved by competitors." Skechers stock has tacked on 17% so far in 2017, and SKX options traders seem to be betting on more gains. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), speculators have purchased 6.41 calls for each put over the past 10 sessions -- a call/put volume ratio that is docked just 8 percentage points from an annual bullish high.