Dow Jones Industrial Average Hits a New High

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is solidly higher, after being up triple digits earlier and touching a fresh all-time peak of 19,274.85 -- while shrugging off political uncertainty in Italy. Also boosting stocks was a better-than-expected Institute for Supply Management (ISM) non-manufacturing index -- which echoed a ninth straight monthly rise in the Markit services purchasing managers index (PMI) -- as well as a rally in oil prices. At last check, January-dated crude futures were up 0.7% at $52.06 per barrel, after exploring annual highs. Finally, rate-hike expectations continue to grow ahead of next week's monetary policy meeting, following hawkish remarks from New York Fed President William Dudley.

• The "inexpensively priced" homebuilder stock Barron's just dubbed a "top pick" ahead of earnings.
• Call buyers are cheering these 2 rallying athletics retailers.
• Checking in on the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and other noteworthy stats at midday.
• Plus... The monster bet on Deutsche Bank, the oil stock spiking, and Citigroup slams Kinross Gold.

Among the stocks with unusual call volume at midday is financial giant Deutsche Bank AG (NYSE:DB), with the contracts running at nine times the expected intraday rate. The bulk of the action is transpiring at the January 2018 27-strike call, where a block of 16,856 contracts was most likely bought to open. Currently, DB shares are hovering 4.1% higher at $16.38.

One of the top performers on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is oil-and-gas issue Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK). The stock has shot 4.7% higher to trade at $7.57, after the firm secured a $450 million asset sale, putting the critical $8 level back into play.

One of the worst stocks on the Big Board so far is precious metals producer Kinross Gold Corporation (USA) (NYSE:KGC). The shares have shed 5% at $3.30, following a bearish note at Citigroup and amid a decline in gold prices.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is down 1.62 points, or 11.5%, at 12.50.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.42, with puts edging out calls. At last check, SPY has advanced 1.5 points, or 0.7%, at $221.15.

Find out where the Dow lands right after the closing bell. Sign up now for Schaeffer's Market Recap