3 Stocks Popping on Activist Chatter

MRVL, PPG, and LPT are joining in on the broad-market gains

U.S. stocks are on the rebound today, the Dow trading up more than 350 points at midday. Three names in particular making strong moves to the upside are semiconductor issue Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:MRVL), paint supplier PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG), and real estate investment trust (REIT) Liberty Property Trust (NYSE:LPT). Let's take a closer look at what's moving shares of MRVL, PPG, and LPT.

Starboard Ups Stake In Marvell

MRVL shares are trading up 2.9% at $17.03, following news activist investor Starboard Value has increased its stake in the chipmaker to 5.9%. The security just hit a 52-week low of $16.53 yesterday, sliding lower despite last week's share buyback news. So far in 2018 it's shed 21%, and the 40-day moving average has acted as a ceiling since an early August bear gap.

Despite the lackluster performance on the charts, the vast majority of covering analysts have remained bullish on Marvell Technology. There are 17 analysts tracking MRVL, and 15 of them have "strong buy" ratings. This puts the equity at danger of bear notes going forward.

Trian Demands Prop Up PPG Shares

PPG shares are up 4.9% at $102.61, after activist hedge fund Trian Fund Management called for the removal of the company's CEO and said it should considering split the company into two. PPG Industries stock is set for its highest settlement since a huge bear gap earlier this month, though the 20-day moving average could be acting as resistance. The security hit a nearly two-year low of $94.43 on Oct. 12, and is down almost 13% in the past 12 months. Not surprisingly, most analysts are already skeptical, as nine of 15 in coverage have just "hold" ratings.

Liberty Property Trust Stock Higher on WSJ Story

LPT stock has hurdled recent resistance from the 50-day moving average, trading up 2.2% at $43.31, following a Wall Street Journal report that Land & Buildings Investment Management is pushing the company to put itself up for sale (subscription required). This puts the equity back into positive year-to-date territory, as it rallies back after recently finding support at the $40 region. Analysts, meanwhile, are split on Liberty Property Trust, with four handing out "strong buy" recommendations, against four "holds."