The DJIA is following AXP stock up the charts
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is charging higher, sparked by American Express Company's (NYSE:AXP) stellar earnings report and stabilizing oil prices -- after both stocks and crude got clobbered on Wednesday. At last check, May-dated crude futures were slightly above breakeven, at $50.47 per barrel.
Traders are also reacting to a mixed round of economic data, with weekly jobless claims up more than expected and the Philadelphia Fed business outlook plunging sharply, but leading indicators besting estimates. Elsewhere, Fed Governor Jerome Powell called for a rollback of "unnecessarily burdensome" and "excessively complex" bank regulations, while it's rumored that Republicans are making progress on a new plan to replace Obamacare following last month's legislative disaster.
Continue reading for more on today's market -- and don't miss:
- 2 tech stocks flashing "buy."
- The "key issue" impacting QUALCOMM shares.
- Plus, bulls bombard Groupon; the retail stock up 23% on earnings; and one blue chip breaking out.
Among the names with unusual call volume today is Groupon Inc (NASDAQ:GRPN), with the coupon concern's calls trading at 10 times the usual intraday rate. The most active strike is the June 4 call, which speculators are likely buying to open in the hopes of upside over the next two months. At last check, GRPN stock was 1.9% higher at $3.85, with the company slated to report earnings next week.
The top gainer on the Nasdaq is Select Comfort, up nearly 23% at $31.76, and fresh off an annual high of $32.23. The mattress stock is surging on a well-received earnings report, which prompted bullish analyst notes.
One of the top performers on the New York Stock Exchange -- and the best Dow gainer so far -- is AXP, with the credit card stock up 4.4% at $78.86. As with SCSS, an upbeat earnings report -- as well as a round of bullish brokerage notes -- are triggering gains in AXP stock.