The top stocks to watch today (Tuesday) include holding company Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), Brazilian commercial bank Banco Bradesco SA (NYSE: BBDO), and healthcare giant Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET).
U.S. economic data coupled with earnings will drive the markets today. The U.S. 10-year yield is three basis points higher today at 2.43%. Existing-home sales data will be released at 9:45 this morning.
Here are three top stocks to watch today...
Stocks to Watch Today: Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ)
Johnson & Johnson stock is down almost 2% in pre-market trading despite beating analysts' expectations for 2016 earnings per share (EPS). The falling stock price is due to lower than expected forecasts for FY 2017 earnings.
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The company reported 2016 EPS of $5.93. It also said it expected earnings per share to be between $6.93 and $7.08 for fiscal year 2017. Analysts were expecting FY2017 earnings per share to be $7.11.
Johnson & Johnson is expecting to increase revenue by about 5% for fiscal year 2017, not including the potential strategic operations or partnerships. These partnerships are expected to include joint ventures or other alliance opportunities in the Diabetes Care department.
JNJ stock is currently trading at $113.91 for a loss of 1.13% year to date (YTD).
Stocks to Watch Today: Banco Bradesco SA (NYSE: BBDO)
Banco Bradesco stock is up 13% on news of a dividend payout in March.
The Brazilian commercial bank offers banking and financial products to individuals and companies in its home country and abroad.
The bank announced yesterday that it will pay a dividend of $0.0059 per share on March 8 with an ex-dividend date of Feb. 2.
BBDO stock is currently trading at $10.23 for a gain of 15.54% YTD.
Stocks to Watch Today: Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET)
Aetna stock is down 2.73% after a judge blocked the Aetna-Humana merger.
The merger would have been worth $34 billion and was blocked due to antitrust concerns. The judge ruled that the merger would interfere with a competitive market and rates would increase.
The news is especially tough for Aetna. According to the deal, it will owe Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) $1 billion in breakup fees.
AET stock is currently trading at $119.20 for a loss of 3.88% YTD.
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Related Articles:
- Nasdaq: Johnson & Johnson Earnings Predictions Less Than Expected
- Daily Quint: Banco Bradesco to Pay Dividend
- LA Times: Judge Blocks Aetna-Humana Merger