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All three major indexes are comfortably in the black
U.S. stocks are making an end-of-week statement today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) adding over 100 points. The S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (COMP) are both well in the black also, with the latter reclaiming the significant 5,000 level and hitting a 15-year high. A lower dollar is helping the market -- as is speculation that Greece could unveil a new economic reform package -- with all three major indexes looking at strong weekly gains.
Continue reading for more on today's market -- and don't miss:
Among the stocks with notable put volume is Monsanto Company (NYSE:MON), with the contracts crossing at 14 times the normal intraday rate. It appears most of the activity can be attributed to a 10,000-contract block of the April 110 put, which was bought to open according to Trade-Alert. Shares of the agricultural concern were last seen 1.1% higher at $116.69.
For more midday statistics and stocks on the move, head to page 2.
Prothena Corporation PLC (NASDAQ:PRTA) is by far the biggest gainer on the Nasdaq today, after some positive developments from it Parkinson's drug, and a price-target hike at RBC. The drugmaker has added an astonishing 39% today to trade at $40.65.
Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:FOLD) is one of the biggest losers on the Nasdaq today, giving back some of yesterday's monstrous gains. The biotech concern was 6.1% lower at last check to trade at $11.71.
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) has lost 1.3 point, or 9.5%, at 12.74, its lowest point since early December.
Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.39, with puts outnumbering calls. SPY was last seen 1.6 point, or 0.8%, lower at $210.19.