Morning Movers (GMCR, GPS, RGDX, EDMC, SD)

There are several stocks trading more heavily than usual this morning, and also experiencing large gains or drops in share prices. These include Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR), Gap Stores Inc. (NYSE: GPS), Response Genetics Inc. (NASDAQ: RGDX), Education Management Corp. (NASDAQ: EDMC), and SandRidge Energy Inc. (NYSE: SD).

After the first half hour of trading this morning, Green Mountain is up nearly 20% at $64.20. Volume is already equal to the daily average of about 7.2 million shares traded. The coffee company posted solid earnings after markets closed last night.

Gap Stores is up more than 9% at $21.25. Volume is already about 80% of the daily average of about 5.3 million shares traded. The clothing retailer reported weak January sales, but lifted its EPS outlook for the fourth quarter above analysts’ estimate.

Response Genetics is up more than 32% at $1.56. Volume is more than double the daily average of about 17,000 shares traded. The drug maker announced the private placement of about 5.3 million shares at $1.50/share, about 28% higher than last night’s closing price.

Education Management is down nearly -20% at $20.55. Volume is already about a third of the daily average of about 230,000 shares traded. The for-profit educator reported weak earnings and lowered its EPS outlook for 2012.

SandRidge is down more than -13% at $6.80. Volume is already nearly double the daily average of about 11.7 million shares traded. The oil & gas company has agreed to acquire an offshore driller for about $1.3 billion.

The DJIA is up 0.01% at about 12,718, the Nasdaq Composite is up 0.31% at about 2,857, and the S&P 500 is up 0.15% at about 1,326.

Paul Ausick