The DJIA is clinging to gains in the face of disappointing economic data and an energy sell-off
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) has fluttered above and below breakeven today, but is currently sitting on a gain -- despite intense pressure from a pair of energy names and mostly downbeat data. Specifically, blue chips Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) and Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) are selling off on dreary earnings numbers, while crude has tanked below $48 per barrel. Meanwhile, consumer sentiment slipped and the employment cost index posted its smallest gain on record, while the Chicago purchasing managers index (PMI) topped expectations.
Continue reading for more on today's market -- and don't miss:
- Schaeffer's contributor Adam Warner breaks down the good, the bad, and the ugly on Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR).
- M&A rumors have this beverage stock flirting with highs, while earnings season has claimed its latest social media victim.
- Plus ... Checking in on the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and other noteworthy stats at midday.
Among the stocks with notable call volume is touchscreen expert Synaptics, Incorporated (NASDAQ:SYNA), with the contracts running at five times the expected intraday clip. The shares plunged 7.7% out of the gate on disappointing earnings and guidance -- as well as a number of price-target reductions -- but was last seen just 1.4% lower at $78.13. SYNA's most active strike is the August 80 call, where a block of 2,000 contracts was apparently sold earlier.
One of the top gainers on the Nasdaq is Medivation Inc (NASDAQ:MDVN), up 10.8% at $107.45 -- and back in positive year-to-date territory. The drugmaker's shares are getting a lift from news of a 2-for-1 stock split.
One of the leading losers on the Big Board is Ocwen Financial Corp (NYSE:OCN), thanks to downbeat quarterly results. The mortgage lender was last seen 22.3% lower at $9.14, and has lost over 39% in 2015 -- in no small part due to OCN's early 2015 legal wranglings.
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is off 0.3 point, or 2.1%, at 11.87.
Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.89, with puts almost doubling calls. At last check, the SPY is up 0.5 point, or 0.2%, at $211.30.