Top Day Trader Alerts (BP, CTIC, GTIV, INTC, AMD, ASML, NVDA, SMH, JTX, LHCG, VVUS)

There are many stocks on the move for day traders and active traders this Wednesday morning now that earnings season has launched.  Today’s top alerts are in BP plc (NYSE: BP), Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTIC), Gentiva Health Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: GTIV), Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC), Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD), ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ: ASML), NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA), Semiconductor HOLDRs (NYSE: SMH), Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX), LHC Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: LHCG), and VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ: VVUS).  We have given a synopsis on the news and added color for traders on each.

BP plc (NYSE: BP) is down about 1% this morning after it delayed well-cap tests at the Gulf of Mexico disaster until later Wednesday.  This morning the oil flows freely.

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTIC) is trading up after it signed a long-term manufacturing agreement for its Pixantrone with NerPharMa.  Shares are up 7%, but this is still a penny stock at $0.45.

Gentiva Health Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: GTIV) is down almost 13% at $19.42 on about 20,000 shares after an investigation on whether its practices led to overcharging Medicare.

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) is stong and is actually up more than most indications last night after beating earnings handily and raising guidance.  Shares are up about 6.5% at $22.38 on over 1 million shares in the first few minutes of the after-hours session. COATTAIL RIDERS:

• Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) up almost 4% at $7.82;
• ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ: ASML) up 4.5% at $32.70;
• NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) up 4.4% at $11.40;
• Semiconductor HOLDRs (NYSE: SMH) indicated up almost 3% at $29.05.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX) is surging by 28%, but is still a very low-priced stock with shares at $1.67 after a close of $1.31.  While sales were down, its cost cuts helped it to beat earnings expectations.

LHC Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: LHCG) is down 12.5% at $20.15 after an investigation on whether its practices led to overcharging Medicare.

VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ: VVUS) is trading higher again, but by a marginal amount.  The FDA panel review for Qnexa in weight-loss begins today and the options activity and stock activity is expected to remain elevated.

JON C. OGG