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Factory data is pressuring U.S. equities markets lower, following early gains
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:DJI) has backtracked from early gains, erasing a triple-digit lead amid the latest batch of economic data. Specifically, the Institute for Supply Management's December manufacturing index and the Commerce Department's November construction spending numbers both came in below estimates. Earlier, Markit also published its final purchasing managers manufacturing index (PMI) for December, which retreated from the month prior to hit its lowest mark since January 2013.
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Among the stocks with notable put volume is beauty supplies marketer Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE:AVP), with the contracts crossing at 13 times the intraday norm. The shares are down 0.5% at $9.34, and one trader foresees a continual retreat into single-digit territory. Specifically, it looks like a block of 10,000 January 2015 10-strike puts was bought to open earlier -- and it could be connected to heavy activity at the January 2015 13-strike and 15-strike puts, as well.
For more midday statistics and stocks on the move, head to page 2.
Lifelock Inc (NYSE:LOCK) is one of the biggest losers on the Big Board today, shedding 13.2% to hover near $16.07, though a catalyst is unclear. This is quite a reversal for the shares, which have rallied 53.3% since touching an annual low of $10.48 in late May. In fact, LOCK is on pace to close below its 80-day moving average -- at $16.15 -- for just the second time since late July.
On the other hand, Perfect World Co., Ltd. (ADR) (NASDAQ:PWRD) is among the major advancers on the Nasdaq today. The stock has jumped nearly 22% to trade at $19.20, after receiving a non-binding offer to go private at $20 per share. This has PWRD on course to settle atop its 80-day trendline for the first time since early November.
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is down 0.2 point, or 1%, at 19.01, after earlier exploring the north side of 20 for the first time since mid-December.
Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.73, with puts outstripping calls. At last check, SPY is down 0.6 point, or 0.3%, at $204.92.