Piper Jaffray downgraded MannKind Corporation (NASDAQ:MNKD) to “underweight” from “neutral” and slashed its price target to $1.50 from $5, in the wake of FDA questions regarding MNKD’s inhaled diabetes drug Afrezza. MannKind Corporation (NASDAQ:MNKD) shares after opening at $4.44 on last trade day and at the end of the day closed at $4.02. Company price to cash ratio in past twelve months was calculated as 21.42. MannKind Corporation (NASDAQ:MNKD) showed a negative weekly performance of -31.98%.
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) has been ordered to pay a total of $100 million as settling fees, on a case involving its intrauterine device, Merck Nuvaring. The health care drug company had been accused of not adequately warning people on the effects of using the device, which is reported to have caused increased fatal blood clots. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) shares advanced 1.41% in last trading session and ended the day on $56.77. MRK return on equity ratio is recorded as 12.10% and its return on assets is 5.60%. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) yearly performance is 34.24%.
H.C. Wainwright assumed coverage on Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARIA) with a Buy rating from a Neutral rating based on expected Iclusig share gains and the lifting of partial clinical holds allowing investigators to look at new indications. Price target is $14. Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARIA) shares moved up 1.00% in last trading session and was closed at $8.06, while trading in range of $7.75 – $8.10. Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARIA) year to date (YTD) performance is 18.18%.
In the latest look at the underlying components of the S&P 500 ordered by largest market capitalization, Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) has taken over the #33 spot from Visa Inc (Symbol: V), according to The Online Investor . Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) weekly performance is -1.76%. On last trading day company shares ended up $70.86. Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) distance from 50-day simple moving average (SMA50) is -10.20%. Analysts mean target price for the company is $99.20.