Why These Five Stocks Are in Spotlight

Monsanto Earnings Miss the Mark

Monsanto Company (NYSE:MON) reported earnings of $2.17 per share on revenue of $4.19 billion, missing estimates by $0.23 per share and $300 million, respectively, for its fiscal third quarter. For fiscal year 2016, management expects as-reported EPS of $3.36 to $4.14 per share. Although Monsanto’s results missed the mark, the stock still gained over 2% in the intraday trading on Wednesday. The results could be strong enough to justify a higher bid from Bayer or they could be construed as making Bayer’s previous offer adequate. The number of funds from our database with holdings in Monsanto Company (NYSE:MON) rose by 13 quarter-over-quarter to 51 at the end of March.

Wall Street Journal Article Shines Spotlight on Wal-Mart, JD.com

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) and JD.Com Inc (ADR) (NASDAQ:JD) are in the spotlight after the Wall Street Journal published an article providing more details on the companies’ recent deal to swap Wal-Mart’s Yihaodian online platform for a 5% stake in JD.com. According to the article, Wal-Mart would garner ‘observer status’ at the Chinese e-commerce company’s board meetings if Wal-Mart increased its stake to 10% or higher. The retailing giant can increase its stake by buying on the open market or by purchasing shares from existing shareholders. On the surface, a deeper alliance between the two companies makes sense. Wal-Mart has struggled to achieve traction in the Chinese e-commerce market, while JD.com could use a deep-pocketed partner in its battle against Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:BABA). A total of 54 funds tracked by us had a bullish position in Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) at the end of the first quarter, up by five funds from the previous quarter. Meanwhile, 73 funds owned shares of JD.Com Inc (ADR) (NASDAQ:JD) at the end of the first quarter, down by five from the end of the fourth quarter.

Disclosure: none