Huge Biotech Index Rebalance Means Massive Buy Orders for 5 Stocks

In a research note, the analysts at Cowen have calculated the buys and sells in the index based on the holdings in the First Trust Biotechnology ETF, which essentially mirrors the index and will rebalance as well. The Cowen analysts estimate there are seven stocks rebalancing with greater than 30% of 10-day average volume. We screened the list for the five stocks that could see the highest amount of share count buying and had the highest percentage of volume increase over the 10-day average.

Grifols S.A. (NASDAQ: GRFS) will see a huge order on the close. The Cowen team expects 569,400 shares of the stock to be purchased. That will represent a gigantic 203% increase over the 10-day average volume of the stock. Grifols is a specialty biopharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures and distributes plasma derivative products in the United States, Canada, the European Union and elsewhere. The stock closed most recently at $32.50.

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PDL Biopharma Inc. (NASDAQ: PDLI) will see a gigantic buy order hit the tap on the close. The Cowen team estimates that 3,057,000 shares of the stock will be bought. That represents a 113% increase in the 10-day average selling volume. The company manages a portfolio of patents and royalty assets in the United States and Europe. The stock closed Thursday at $6.56.

Myriad Genetics Inc. (NASDAQ: MYGN) will see a pretty solid buy on the close. The analysts expect 302,300 shares of the stock will be purchased. That represents a 44% increase in the 10-day average volume. Myriad Genetics is a molecular diagnostic company that focuses on the development and marketing of predictive, personalized and prognostic medicine tests in the United States and internationally. The stock closed Thursday at $34.97.

Nektar Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: NKTR) will see a large block hit the buy tape on the close. The analysts are expecting 449,500 shares of the stock to be purchased Friday. That represents a 37% increase in the 10-day average volume. This biopharmaceutical company develops drug candidates that utilize its PEGylation and polymer conjugate technology platforms in the United States. The stock closed on Thursday at $12.62.

Charles River Laboratories International Inc. (NYSE: CRL) will see a sizable buy on the close. The Cowen staff figures that 186,100 shares of the stock will be bought on the last print. That will be a 29% increase in the 10-day average volume. This early-stage contract research company provides drug discovery and preclinical development services worldwide. The stock closed Thursday at $75.12.

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While it is no secret that these purchases will be made, it certainly will put a floor under these stocks. It also gives sellers a chance to have market-on-close sell or buy orders in to match up with all the trading.