"Midday Watch: Top Biotech Ratings & $10 Stocks on the Move"

Stocks pushed higher on Thursday as the S&P 500 continued edging toward its record highs from earlier this year, fueled by strong economic data and a temporary easing of geopolitical tensions.

As of 11:40 AM ET, the Dow was up 289.09 points, or 0.6726%, at $43271.53. The Nasdaq Composite added 124.16 points, or 0.56%, at $22361.91. The S&P 500 rose 35.13 points, or 0.58%, at $6127.29. Among the 11 major S&P 500 sectors, 9 showed positive movement, with Energy leading the way with a 1.55% increase.

Weekly jobless claims came in at 236,000 for the week ending June 21—lower than the 244,000 expected—signaling continued resilience in the labor market and supporting optimism about the broader economy.

Meanwhile, geopolitical risk appeared to ease after President Trump confirmed a ceasefire between Israel and Iran was in place. While he criticized both nations for recent violations and expressed frustration, the truce has so far held, with U.S.-Iran talks reportedly planned for next week.

Top Movers: Under $10 

Ascent Solar Technologies Inc (ASTI) is up 99.14% today to trade at the current level of $2.32. This comes after the company announced that it is starting a project with NASA's Marshall and Glenn centers to develop better beamed power systems using CIGS solar panels.

Vor Biopharma Inc (VOR) zoomed 68.31% in today’s trade to $0.93 after announcing exclusive global license agreement with RemeGen for late-stage autoimmune asset and $175 million private placement.

In current trading, Adial Pharmaceuticals Inc (ADIL) stock is at $0.34 after announcing new agreements to produce AD04 (0.33 mg ondansetron tablets) to support upcoming clinical trials and a planned FDA application for treating Alcohol Use Disorder in the U.S.

Plus Therapeutics, Inc. (PSTV) rose 16.39% in the early hours of today's trading to move at $0.37. The company provided a business update on CNSide Diagnostics Subsidiary.

In the current trading session, ESS Tech Inc (GWH) jumped 21.43% to $1.3 over a previous close of $1.07. The company achieved significant technical milestones in June far ahead of schedule.

Ex-Dividends Stocks

Advanced Flower Capital Inc (AFCG) is about to trade ex-dividend Monday, meaning that investors who buy the stock after Monday will not be eligible for the next dividend payment. The company's next dividend payment will be $0.15 per share. It has fixed June 30 as the record date for the same and will pay the actual dividend on July 15. Last year, the company distributed a total of $1.21 to its shareholders. Based on last year's worth of payments, AFCG has a trailing yield of 25.57% on the current stock price of $4.75.

Another stock that is shelling out dividends Monday is AGNC Investment Corp (AGNC), having a market capitalization of $9.43B. It will pay a dividend of $0.12 per share, the payment date of which is July 10. Currently, the stock is trading at a trailing dividend yield of 15.58%.

Shares of ATN International Inc (ATNI) will be the talk of the stock market on Monday as the stock will turn ex-dividend. The company's next dividend payment will be $0.28 per share, and in the last 12 months, it paid a total of $0.96 per share. Last year's total dividend payments show that ATNI has a trailing yield of 6.00% on the current share price of $16.12.

Crescent Capital BDC Inc (CCAP) is also set to go ex-dividend Monday. The next dividend payment from CCAP will amount to $0.05 per share. August 29 has been designated as the record date for this dividend, with the actual payout scheduled for September 15. In the previous year, CCAP distributed a total of $1.67 to its valued shareholders. Considering the cumulative dividend payments from last year, the trailing yield for CCAP stands at 11.59% based on the current stock price of $14.38.

Carlyle Secured Lending Inc (CGBD) will be paying out a dividend of $0.4 per share to shareholders holding their shares as of the close of the business hours on the record date of June 30. Over the past 12 months, CGBD has paid out a total of $1.64 per share in dividends. Based on the total dividends paid out last year, CGBD boasts an impressive trailing yield of 11.79% on the current share price of $13.95.

Crypto Market Highlights

• The EU’s executive body adopts a lenient stance on stablecoins, diverging from the ECB and boosting industry optimism.

• India’s ruling party spokesperson proposes a Bitcoin reserve pilot to enhance national economic resilience.

• Billions Network launches its blockchain-based identity mobile app for Android and iOS. 

• Galaxy Digital secures $175 million in its first external capital venture fund to back early-stage crypto startups.

• Hong Kong unveils a digital asset strategy focused on stablecoin regulation and asset tokenization to position itself as a global crypto hub.

Most Shorted Stocks

Stem Inc (STEM) was one of the most shorted stocks as of the latest short interest figures, with 21.67% short interest. The days to cover ratio, a measure of how long it would take for all the short positions to be covered based on average trading volume, is 8.8. This represents a change of -3300000 shares, which corresponds to a -9.01% decrease in short interest. The total value of the shares held short is estimated to be around $220.18 million. The average daily volume stands at 214.19K shares, and the market capitalization of the company is $55.19M.

The Webuy Global Ltd with the symbol WBUY currently has a short interest of 0.84%. The short interest has changed by -1531300 shares. The days to cover ratio stands at 0.0. The estimated value of the shares held short is approximately $1.22 million. On an average day, 871.03K shares are traded, with the company's market capitalization totaling $7.14M.

For the stock Luminar Technologies Inc (LAZR), the current short interest is at 20.45%. This represents a significant short interest change of 290000 shares, corresponding to a short interest percentage increase of +3.37%. The days needed to cover the short positions amount to 3.4. The approximate worth of the shares held short is $25.81 million.

With the symbol VERV, the stock currently has a short interest of 30.17%. The short interest change is 1430000 shares, compared with a short interest percentage change of +7.77%. It would take approximately 5.9 days to cover all the short positions. The shares' short value is estimated to be around $99.68 million. The company boasts an average daily volume of 5.26M shares, contributing to a market capitalization of $998.85M.

Biotech Stocks to Watch

According to our ST Score evaluation, Krystal Biotech Inc (KRYS) emerges as a high-quality stock in the Biotech industry, attaining an impressive score of 62. The stock's profitability, performance, growth, financial strength, and Piotroski Score are strong. Additionally, it is neutral in terms of stock sentiment, and forecast.

Our ST Score also classifies Verona Pharma Plc ADR (VRNA) as a high-quality Biotech stock today, presenting a Score of 62. The stock has strong fundamentals in terms of performance, growth, and financial strength. However, it has weak profitability. The stock sentiment, Piotroski Score, and forecast are neutral.

Another stock in the category, Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc (BCRX) has the ST Score of 61, which means that the stock carries the potential for higher returns. The stock is strong in profitability, performance, and growth. Financial strength, stock sentiment, Piotroski score, and forecast suggest a neutral outlook.

PTC Therapeutics Inc (PTCT) stock has the ST Score of 61 which implies that the Biotech company has a high probability of beating the market. The stock's strengths lie in its profitability, performance, financial strength, and Piotroski Score. However, it shows neutral outlook in growth, stock sentiment, and forecast.

Stoke Therapeutics Inc (STOK) currently has the ST Score of 61, which signifies a huge upward potential. The Biotech stock's strong points are its profitability, performance, financial strength, and Piotroski Score. The stock's growth, stock sentiment, and forecast indicate a neutral outlook.

That's it for today. Thanks for reading. Good luck out there!

Best Regards,

Stocks Telegraph Team

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