2 Healthcare Stocks Getting Hit Hard Today

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals and Plus Therapeutics are both trading toward the bottom of the Nasdaq

Stocks have been trading on both sides of breakeven today as disappointing economic data out of Europe stoked fears of a slowing global economy. Three stocks in particular making moves today are healthcare names Catalyst Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:CPRX), Plus Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:PSTV), and Polartyte Inc (NASDAQ:PTE). Below, we'll take a look at what has been driving the shares of CPRX, PSTV, and PTE.

CPRX Puzzled as Stock Sinks

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals is near the bottom of the Nasdaq today, eyeing its lowest close in a month. This dip comes roughly a week after the company decided to scrap its stock offering plan. Catalyst commented on today's price action, saying it's not aware of any information that could be causing the sell-off, and that it believes its stock is undervalued. Now, the stock is set to finish below its 30-day moving average for the first time in three months, down 16.6% at $5.52 at last check

While short interest has been unwinding in the last two reporting periods, down 12.5%. the 6.22 million shares still sold short represent a healthy 7.4% of the stock's available float, and would take four days to cover at CPRX's average pace of trading. This massive plummet could have these bears cheering, though the security has landed on the short sale restricted list earlier today.

Secondary Price Offering Knocks PSTV Stock to Record Lows

The shares of Plus Therapeutics have been trading wildly today. The stock initially surged on news that it would be receiving a $4.6 million reimbursement payment from the Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority, before hitting a record low of $3.56, after announcing a public stock offering of 3 million units priced at $5 per unit -- a 37.5% discount to last night's close. The stock is now trading 50.1% lower at $4, after being halted for volatility.

This wild trading is nothing new for PSTV, which enjoyed a massive post-earnings bull gap last month, spiking towards seven-month highs in late August before a dramatic pullback. In fact, the security is eyeing its biggest one-month loss on record -- trading back at its pre-bear-gap levels today.

PTE Stock Soaring On Positive Skin Treatment Data

Polaryte is up 8.9% at $4.52 after a study of its skin graft treatment, SkinTE, produced positive results. While the equity is eyeing its first close atop its 50-day moving average since August, the shares are still down 66.5% for the year. Considering this, analysts have been surprisingly bullish, with all six in coverage giving it a "buy" or better rating. What's more, the consensus 12-month target price of $24.71 is about than five times the stock's current perch.