Diamonds and Dogs

1/5/15

Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CNAT)

Conatus Pharmaceuticals is trading higher today, up 25.22% to $10.13. The biotechnology company which focuses on liver disease saw its shares jump ahead of its January 8th after-market release of results from three clinical trials. Conatus will report top-line results from three clinical trials in subjects with varying degrees of organ impairment. The three trials are a Phase 2 trial was in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), a Phase 1 trial was in patients with mild, moderate and severe hepatic impairment, and a Phase 1 trial in patients with severe renal impairment Shares of Conatus climbed over $2.00 per share today, but are still off of their 52-week high of $15.67.

Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)

Caterpillar is getting squashed today, down 5.56% to $86.77. The construction and mining equipment company saw its shares fall after being downgraded. JP Morgan analysts' downgraded Caterpillar from neutral to underweight, and lowered its price target from $95 to $80. JP Morgan said that Caterpillar's direct exposure to oil and gas through services and products used in exploration and production accounts for about $6.5 billion, or 12%, of its total revenues. The recent decline in oil has affected all oil and gas stocks, and JP Morgan cited that as the key reason for the downgrade. Shares of Caterpillar fell over $5.00 per share today but managed to hold up above their 52-week low of $85.88.