Dow Jones Industrial Average Snaps Winning Streak

It was a push-and-pull session on Wall Street today, with the bears eventually reigning supreme. Traders took their time digesting disappointing trade data from overseas, as well as the first in a long line of upcoming blue-chip earnings reports. Additionally, crude oil erased its early gains, while Fed officials continued to weigh in on interest rates. At the close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) had snapped its longest winning streak of the year, while the S&P 500 Index (SPX) was clinging to support atop the 2,000 mark.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• How SPY open interest could impact this week's trading, courtesy of Schaeffer's Senior VP of Research Todd Salamone.
• The drugmaker that's shed half its value this week.
• While this cloud concern continued to tumble on a big M&A announcement, one beverage behemoth flew to record heights in the face of record-setting takeover news.
• Plus ... More Fed fodder, the end of an era for Playboy, and 3 notable names headed to the earnings confessional.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 17,081.89) spent time on both sides of breakeven today, eventually succumbing to a 49.9-point, or 0.3%, loss. Twenty-two of the Dow's 30 components closed in the red, led by a 2.5% drop for Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK). UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:UNH) paced the eight advancers with its 1.2% gain.
 
The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,003.69) closed the session down 13.8 points, or 0.7%. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 4,796.61), meanwhile, performed the worst of its peers -- shedding 42 points, or 0.9%.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 17.67) tacked on 1.5 points, or 9.3%, and reclaimed a foothold atop its 120-day moving average.

5 Items on Our Radar Today:

1. While St. Louis Fed President James Bullard earlier laid out his support for a 2015 rate hike, Fed Governor Daniel Tarullo took the road less traveled. Specifically, speaking to CNBC, Tarullo said that while there is "no question we've made progress in the labor market," he doesn't "expect it would be appropriate to raise rates." (CNBC)
2. Playboy announced today it would stop featuring nude models beginning with its March 2016 issue -- a first in the magazine's 62-year history. The move comes as many publications now rely on social media outlets such as Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) to circulate content, a number of which ban nudity. (Bloomberg)
3. Third-quarter earnings season is just beginning, and here are 3 big names for tomorrow's watch list.
4. J.P. Morgan Securities took different routes on sector peers American Airlines Group Inc (NASDAQ:AAL) and Southwest Airlines Co (NYSE:LUV).
5. A battle is heating up between beverage giants The Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:KO) and PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE:PEP).

Commodities:

Crude oil closed lower today, after the International Energy Agency (IEA) said it expects the market to remain oversupplied through next year. At the close, November-dated crude was down 44 cents, or 0.9%, at $46.66 per barrel.

Gold gained ground for a third straight session, amid speculation the Fed could delay raising interest rates. At session's end, gold for December delivery was up 90 cents, or 0.1%, at $1,165.40 per ounce.