Bank stocks are among the leading laggards as the Dow stares down a possible eighth straight loss. Among specific equities on the move today are biotech stockCellect Biotechnology Ltd. (NASDAQ:APOP), oil services specialistWeatherford International Plc (NYSE:WFT), and steel concernAK Steel Holding Corporation (NYSE:AKS). Here's a quick look at what's moving shares of APOP, WFT, and AKS stock.

Easily topping the Nasdaq's list of gainers today, APOP is surging 67.3% to $10.48 after earlier notching an all-time high at $13.50. Setting the stock on fire is news Cellect Biotechnology Ltd. has completed the first successful stem cell transplant in a blood cancer patient using its ApoGraft technology. The company also received approval from the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) to enroll two further patients for similar treatment. APOP has more than doubled in value since its first day of public trading last July, and today's gains could attract attention from the brokerage bunch. At present, just one analyst is covering the stock.

WFT is up 9.5% at $6.45, and is one of the leading percentage gainers on the New York Stock Exchange, after the firm announced a joint venture, OneStim, with Schlumberger Limited. (NYSE:SLB), which will result in a $535 million cash payment to Weatherford International Plc. Today's gains may please options traders, who have taken a heavily call-skewed approach in recent weeks, but short sellers could be headed for the exits. Specifically, short interest on WFT rose by nearly 17% in the most recent two-week reporting period, and now represents 15.2% of the stock's total float -- nearly a week's worth of trading, at the equity's typical daily volume.

As the broad market suffers on concerns over the Trump administration's various promises, including infrastructure spending, AKS is among a slew of metals stocks taking a beating. The shares have given back 3.4% to $6.92, widening their year-to-date deficit to 32.2%, and on track for their lowest close since mid-November. Still, AK Steel Holding Corporation is hanging onto support above the 200-day moving average, which has kept its losses in check for more than a year. That's hardly enough to convince analysts, though. At present, 80% of tracking brokerage firms rate AKS a "hold" or "strong sell."

Visit link:
Cellect Biotechnology, Weatherford, AK Steel Stocks Moving Today - Schaeffers Research (blog)