Dow Jones Industrial Average Pops on Jobs Friday; U.K. Stocks Soar

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is pointed solidly higher ahead of the much-anticipated nonfarm payrolls report -- which could impact the timing of a Fed interest-rate hike. Yesterday, the blue-chip index bounced back from a two-day sell-off, but needs to gain more than 100 points today to secure a week-over-week win. Across the pond, European markets are rallying on a surprise win by the Conservative Party in the U.K. parliamentary election.

 

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

• Quarterly results lifted Sodastream International Ltd (NASDAQ:SODA), but weighed on Keurig Green Mountain Inc (NASDAQ:GMCR).
• The fertility breakthrough that rewarded these biotech bulls.
• Why shares of this video game maker zoomed to a record high.

And now, on to the numbers…

Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are roughly 58 points above fair value.

Market Statistics

The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 751,025 call contracts traded on Thursday, compared to 519,715 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio dipped to 0.69, while the 21-day moving average remained at 0.64.

Currencies and Commodities

• The U.S. dollar index is up 0.2% at 94.78.
• Crude oil is 0.7% higher to trade at $59.36 per barrel.
• Gold has edged 0.1% north to $1,183.90 per ounce.

 

Earnings and Economic Data

 

Closing out the week is the nonfarm payrolls report. As for earnings, we'll hear from AOL (AOL), JD.com (JD), Blue Nile (NILE), and WhiteWave Foods (WWAV). To see what's on next week's agenda, click here.

 

Overseas Trading

 

Asian markets got a lift from Wall Street's Thursday rebound, finishing mostly higher. The Shanghai Composite soared 2.3% -- snapping a three-day cold spell -- as disappointing international trade numbers bolstered hopes of additional stimulus. Hong Kong's Hang Seng and Japan's Nikkei followed suit, rallying 1.1% and 0.5%, respectively. The lone outlier was South Korea's Kospi, which gave back 0.3%.

 

European stocks are higher at midday, with London's FTSE 100 up 2% on a surprise win by the Conservative Party in parliamentary elections. On a similar note, the French CAC 40 has popped 1% and the German DAX has advanced 0.7%.

 

 

Unusual Put and Call Activity

 

 

Follow @Schaeffers