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Eli Lilly Among Healthcare's Biggest Movers on October 9, 2012
The market is having a bad day so far. The Nasdaq has declined 1.7%; the S&P 500 is trading down 0.8%; and the Dow has fallen 0.7%. The healthcare sector is the category of stocks relating to medical and healthcare goods or services. This sector includes hospital management firms, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), biotechnology and a variety of medical products. Stocks in the healthcare sector are often considered to be defensive because the products and services are essential. Even during economic downturns, people will still require medical aid and medicine to overcome illness. Having a consistent demand for goods and services makes this sector less sensitive to business cycle fluctuations.
The Healthcare sector (XLV) is currently ahead of the overall market, down only 1.1%, and its biggest movers are currently:
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Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW) is currently trading at $87.10 per share, after a steep drop of 18.9%. The company's volume for the day so far is 5.2 million shares, 8.9 times the current three-month average. Volume indicates the level of interest that investors have in a company at its current price.
After rising 4.9%, Questcor Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:QCOR) is currently trading at a share price of $21.28. The company is trading at a volume of 5.1 million shares. If a stock is trading on low volume, then there is not much interest in the stock. On the other hand, if a stock is trading on high volume, then there is a lot of interest in the stock.
Affymax (Nasdaq:AFFY) has risen 4.2% and is currently trading at $23.50 per share. The company's volume is currently 715,466 shares for the day, 1.2 times the average daily volume. Volume is an important indicator in technical analysis as it is used to measure the worth of a market move. If the markets have made a strong price move either up or down the perceived strength of that move depends on the volume for that period. The higher the volume during that price move the more significant the move.
Zimmer (NYSE:ZMH) has decreased to $64.37 per share, a 3.7% fall. This morning, the company is trading a volume of 1.5 million shares. The trading volume for a stock indicates the level of investor interest.
Sirona Dental Systems (Nasdaq:SIRO) has fallen 3.6% and is currently trading at $55.80 per share. With 213,949 shares changing hands so far today, the company's volume is consistent with its current three-month average. In technical analysis, trading volume is used to determine the strength of a market indicator.
Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) has risen 3.4% to hit a current price of $52.49 per share. The company's volume is currently 16.9 million shares. This is on pace to reach yesterday's trading volume of 28.6 million shares. If a stock price makes a big move up or down, volume lets us know the significance of that move.
Falling 3.2%, Intuitive Surgical (Nasdaq:ISRG) is currently at a share price of $492.78. So far today, the company's volume is 302,522 shares, one times its current daily average. When a stock price moves up or down, watching the volume is a good way of identifying how significant that shift is.
The Bottom Line On any given day, a particular stock may see positive or negative change in its share price. Paying close attention to the previous ratios will help you identify key times to adjust your strategy. Keep in mind that all these ratios should be compared against historical numbers and industry information in order to get a more complete picture.
The Healthcare sector (XLV) is currently ahead of the overall market, down only 1.1%, and its biggest movers are currently:
| Company | Market Cap | Percentage Change |
| Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW) | $12.43 billion | -18.9% |
| Questcor Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:QCOR) | $1.21 billion | +4.9% |
| Affymax (Nasdaq:AFFY) | $816.1 million | +4.2% |
| Zimmer (NYSE:ZMH) | $11.67 billion | -3.7% |
| Sirona Dental Systems (Nasdaq:SIRO) | $3.19 billion | -3.6% |
| Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) | $58.93 billion | +3.4% |
| Intuitive Surgical (Nasdaq:ISRG) | $20.34 billion | -3.2% |
Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW) is currently trading at $87.10 per share, after a steep drop of 18.9%. The company's volume for the day so far is 5.2 million shares, 8.9 times the current three-month average. Volume indicates the level of interest that investors have in a company at its current price.
After rising 4.9%, Questcor Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:QCOR) is currently trading at a share price of $21.28. The company is trading at a volume of 5.1 million shares. If a stock is trading on low volume, then there is not much interest in the stock. On the other hand, if a stock is trading on high volume, then there is a lot of interest in the stock.
Affymax (Nasdaq:AFFY) has risen 4.2% and is currently trading at $23.50 per share. The company's volume is currently 715,466 shares for the day, 1.2 times the average daily volume. Volume is an important indicator in technical analysis as it is used to measure the worth of a market move. If the markets have made a strong price move either up or down the perceived strength of that move depends on the volume for that period. The higher the volume during that price move the more significant the move.
Sirona Dental Systems (Nasdaq:SIRO) has fallen 3.6% and is currently trading at $55.80 per share. With 213,949 shares changing hands so far today, the company's volume is consistent with its current three-month average. In technical analysis, trading volume is used to determine the strength of a market indicator.
Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) has risen 3.4% to hit a current price of $52.49 per share. The company's volume is currently 16.9 million shares. This is on pace to reach yesterday's trading volume of 28.6 million shares. If a stock price makes a big move up or down, volume lets us know the significance of that move.
Falling 3.2%, Intuitive Surgical (Nasdaq:ISRG) is currently at a share price of $492.78. So far today, the company's volume is 302,522 shares, one times its current daily average. When a stock price moves up or down, watching the volume is a good way of identifying how significant that shift is.
The Bottom Line On any given day, a particular stock may see positive or negative change in its share price. Paying close attention to the previous ratios will help you identify key times to adjust your strategy. Keep in mind that all these ratios should be compared against historical numbers and industry information in order to get a more complete picture.
by
Investopedia Staff
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