Stocks On The Move - July 17

Stocks Rise on Heavy Volumn:

• Lyondell Chemical Co.(LYO): shares of Houston, Texas based chemicals and plastics manufacturer surged 17.27% to new 52 weeks hig of $47.05 per share after Dutch chemicals company Basell is buying its competitor for $12.1 billion or $48 per share. The stock was the third leading gainer and the second heaviest traded on NYSE today with 52.8 million shares traded.
• Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc.(ENCY): shares of Houston based biotechnology company jumped 19.41% to $2.03 per share as the company is exploring strategic alternatives and has retained Morgan Stanley to help evaluate strategic alternatives. The stock was the seventh leading gainer on Nasdaq today with 7.86 million shares traded.

Stock Drop on Heavy Volumn:

• Metabasis Therapeutics Inc. (MBRX): shares of La Jolla, CA based biopharmaceutical company plummetted 54.35% to 52 weeks low of $3.15 per share on disappointing data from its type 2 diabetes drug. The stock was the worst performer on Nasdaq today with 4.28 million shares traded.
• Nautilus Inc. (NLS): shares of Vancouver, Washington based fitness equipment maker tumbled 17.09% to $9.9 per share on downgrade after the company reported weak second quarter earnings. The stock was the leading decliner on NYSE today with 6.7 million shares traded.