The Buzz
Do Tase me, bro? Taser stock back in spotlight
December 19, 2012: 12:25 PM ET
Shares of Taser rose as investors punished gun stocks.
It's been a good year for shares of stun gun maker Taser. The stock is up more than 65%. But nobody could have predicted how well it would do on Tuesday as the gun control debate reached a fever pitch in the wake of last week's tragedy in Connecticut.
Taser's (TASR) stock soared more than 10%. The move coincided with a big wave of selling in gun makers Smith & Wesson (SWHC) and Sturm, Ruger (RGR) as well as hunting goods retailer Cabela's (CAB). The stock pulled back a bit Wednesday as the gun stocks rallied. But traders on StockTwits were still wondering if the outrage over the killings in Newtown could lead to stronger sales of Taser guns to both law enforcement agencies as well as consumers.
ZorTrades
don't tase me bro will probably be in the spotlight for a while $TASR
cperruna
$TASR an old rock star stock from 10 yrs ago gaining institutional support and moving higher on volume. Non-lethal alternative to guns?
Note the term "old rock star." Despite Taser's big rally in 2012, shares are still well below their all-time highs from late 2004.
The company isn't immune to bad publicity. It's been targeted in numerous lawsuits by people who have been Tased by police officers. And we all remember the infamous 2007 incident at the University of Florida that gave birth to "Don't Tase me bro!' as a catchphrase. (Although in that case, it seems like people are divided as to who acted worse ... university police or Andrew Meyer, the student who was resisting arrest.) But some traders still seem bullish.
ProptraderMW
$TASR could be a play if anyone decides that guns in classrooms are a bad idea but tasers could be an effective countermeasure
protradermike
dec 17 - $TASR $MACE these 2 stocks when the "guns" are in news and the words "banned" are there I have seen these 2 rock, on the radar!!"
I guess that's possible. But it might be a stretch. It seems like investors are merely speculating about a lot of unknowns at this point. Will Congress really approve tougher gun control laws? Seems like an uphill battle. Will average Americans really buy more Tasers in order to use in self-defense? Dubious about that too.
As for Mace Security International (MACE)? That's a thinly traded penny stock. It has gained ground since last Friday ... but from 24 cents to 26 cents. Steer clear there.
Related: After the massacre, gun industry faces uncertain future
The selling in the gun makers may turn out to be warranted but right now it's an understandable reaction to a horrible event. But investors can often be irrational. Just look at what was happening to video game companies on Wednesday.
It looks like fears of tougher regulations have moved from guns to companies that produce violent video games. Shares of EA (EA), Activision Blizzard (ATVI) and Take-Two Interactive (TTWO) were all down sharply.
Given all the emotions that are in play, some traders are skeptical of Taser's prospects.
StockSavant
they got lucky on one sentiment play, i dont think itll last..gun sales skyrocketing not bug zappers..
KidDynamiteBlog
lol $TASR... 2 1/2 trading day delayed reaction? really?
Indeed. It is odd that the supposedly efficient market waited until Tuesday to decide Taser was a strong gun control alternative play.
Ultimately, the best an investor can do is to make decisions based on fundamentals. Laws may change and it's difficult to predict what politicians will do. And when you look at the expected sales and earnings growth for Taser, it seems that buying now following the Tuesday rally may be a mistake, especially when you consider the big move the stock has already enjoyed this year.
Shares now trade for more than 30 times 2013 earnings estimates. That's probably enough reason to be wary.
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Smith & Wesson down 10%
As the nation reels from the latest act of gun violence, investors have the unenviable task of analyzing what last week's mass shooting means for shares of U.S. gun makers.
Shares of Smith & Wesson (SWHC) and Sturm Ruger (RGR) have tumbled since a gunman killed 20 children and six adults at the Sandy Hook school in Connecticut. Cabela's (CAB), a sporting goods story that specializes in hunting gear and guns, MORE
Ben Rooney - Dec 18, 2012 2:48 PM ET -
Election leads to run on gun stocks
The election is finally over. It's not a huge surprise that so-called Obama stocks in health care (particularly hospitals) are rallying, while stocks that might have fared better under Mitt Romney, such as coal companies and banks, are tanking.
But there is a rally in one small sector Wednesday that may seem counterintuitive at first: guns and ammo. Firearms manufacturers Smith & Wesson (SWHC) and Sturm, Ruger (RGR) both popped Wednesday. MORE
Paul R. La Monica - Nov 7, 2012 12:12 PM ET -
Smith & Wesson shoots higher
Smith & Wesson's(SWHC) profits are surging as Americans buy guns at record levels.
Shares of the 160-year-old gunmaker shot up more than 16% Friday, after Smith & Wesson reported record first-quarter sales and earnings.
The gun manufacturing firm supplies handguns and pistols to consumers, the U.S. military and law enforcement officials, but in its earnings release, Smith & Wesson pointed to the consumer as the reason for its record results. Consumers' appetite MORE
Maureen Farrell - Sep 7, 2012 1:35 PM ET
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