Mid-Morning Market Update: Markets Open Higher; USG To Divest L&W Supply For $670M

Following the market opening Monday, the Dow traded up 0.40 percent to 18,468.71 while the NASDAQ climbed 0.25 percent to 5,232.08. The S&P also rose, gaining 0.38 percent to 2,177.27.

Leading and Lagging Sectors

Monday morning, basic materials shares gained by 0.61 percent. Meanwhile, top gainers in the sector included USG Corporation USG, and Teck Resources Ltd (USA) TCK.

In trading on Monday, healthcare shares rose by just 0.03 percent. Meanwhile, top losers in the sector included Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. FOLD, down 3 percent, and MediciNova, Inc. MNOV, down 3 percent.

Top Headline

USG Corporation USG and ABC Supply disclosed that they reached a definitive deal through which the former would divest its L&W Supply Corporation to the latter for $670 million cash.

The transaction is expected to be completed before the current year ends.

Equities Trading UP

Macrocure Ltd MCUR shares shot up 117 percent to $2.63 as the company agreed to be acquried by Leap Therapeutics.

Shares of Invuity, Inc. IVTY got a boost, shooting up 6 percent to $13.50. Craig-Hallum initiated coverage on Invuity with a Buy rating.

Lantheus Holdings Inc LNTH shares were also up, gaining 10 percent to $9.03. Jefferies reiterated Buy rating on Lantheus and raised the price target from $8 to $12.

Equities Trading DOWN

Caesars Entertainment Corp CZR shares dropped 16 percent to $6.32. The New York Post reported that David Tepper's Appaloosa Management is likely to win an $11 billion lawsuit versus Caesars Entertainment.

Shares of BOS Better OnLine Sol (USA) BOSC were down 11 percent to $3.12. Better Online Solutions posted Q2 earnings of $0.14 per share on revenue of $14.38 million.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc KTOS was down, falling around 8 percent to $6.83. KeyBanc downgraded Kratos Defense & Security Solutions from Overweight to Sector Weight.

Commodities

In commodity news, oil traded down 1.68 percent to $46.84 while gold traded down 0.18 percent to $1,323.50.

Silver traded down 0.40 percent Monday to $18.67, while copper fell 0.19 percent to $2.08.

Eurozone

European shares were lower today. The eurozone’s STOXX 600 slipped 0.29 percent, the Spanish Ibex Index declined 0.56 percent, while Italy’s FTSE MIB Index dropped 1.16 percent. Meanwhile the German DAX declined 0.48 percent, and the French CAC 40 climbed 0.68 percent.

Economics

U.S. consumer spending rose 0.3 percent for July, versus economists’ expectations for a 0.3 percent growth. Personal income increased 0.4 percent last month.

The Dallas Fed manufacturing index for August is schedule for release at 10:30 a.m. ET.

The Treasury is set to auction 3-and 6-month bills at 11:30 a.m. ET.