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The top stocks to watch today (Monday) are motion and controls company Parker-Hannifin Corp. (NYSE: PH), BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: BCRX), and La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co. (Nasdaq: LJPC).
Friday, the Dow closed 7.47 points higher, just barely stretching its streak of record-high closes to 11 days. There are several factors that may cause some volatility in the markets today, though.
The first is President Trump releasing his first budget proposal today. It will have an increased military budget as promised, while taking funding from nondefense sectors like the EPA. There won't be any cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or other entitlement programs, though.
The second factor for market swings today is a number of U.S. economic data reports being released. Durable goods orders, pending home sales, and the Dallas Fed manufacturing index will all be released this morning.
Now that we know what will be moving markets, here are three top stocks to watch today...
Top Stocks to Watch Today: Parker-Hannifin Corp. (NYSE: PH)
Parker-Hannifin stock is down 1% in early morning trading after analysts adjusted its one-year price target.
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Twenty-five analysts follow the company and released new consensus ratings. Twenty of the analysts rate Parker-Hannifin a "Buy," but the consensus one-year price target is $153.71.
The price target is below the current trading price of $155.04. The company is trading at an 11% gain year to date (YTD).
Top Stocks to Watch Today: BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: BCRX)
BioCryst stock is down 23% in early morning trading after posting its latest earnings report.
The company reported a net loss of $0.06 per share for Q4. The same quarter last year the company posted a loss of $0.25 per share.
While Q4 numbers were largely positive, 2016 year-end numbers were not. The company saw revenue decrease from $48.3 million in 2015 to $26.4 million in 2016.
For the year, BioCryst reported a loss of $0.75 per share, compared to a loss of $0.59 per share in 2015.
BCRX stock is currently trading at $5.49 for a loss of 13% YTD.
Top Stocks to Watch Today: La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co. (Nasdaq: LJPC)
La Jolla Pharmaceutical stock is up 40% in early morning trading after releasing positive phase 3 trial results.
The company announced that 70% of patients with high-output shock had a positive blood pressure response to its treatment, as opposed to 23% of the placebo patients.
Full results of the study will be published later this year.
Currently, LJPC stock is trading at $19.87 for a gain of 13% YTD.
Editor's Note: Protect your money in 2017. Know exactly what to buy and what to sell.
