Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures Look to Shake Off Lackluster Data

Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are attempting to shake off more pre-Fed jitters and a batch of lackluster economic data. Despite unimpressive reports on retail sales and New York-area business conditions -- not to mention another sour session in Shanghai -- U.S. stocks are looking to avoid Monday's fate, when Fed worries gradually chipped away at gains. 

 

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

 

• How to prepare for a potentially "explosive" Fed week, courtesy of Schaeffer's Senior VP of Research Todd Salamone. 
• Why short sellers are circling these 3 energy stocks.
• M&A buzz lured bulls to this retailer, and triggered some upbeat analyst attention for this telecom stock. 
• Plus … 5 things you need to know this morning -- including stocks making waves and what's happening overseas.

And now, on to the numbers…

 

 

Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are 23 points above fair value. 

 

5 Things You Need to Know Today

 

1. Chinese stocks got hit hard again, while stocks in Japan pared gains after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) policy decision. 
2. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 637,942 call contracts traded on Monday, compared to 580,297 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio rose to 0.91, while the 21-day moving average moved up to 0.77.
3. Cybersecurity firm FireEye Inc (NASDAQ:FEYE) -- which recently shook up its front office -- has identified weaknesses in Cisco Systems, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:CSCO) routers, which have allowed cyber criminals to hack in and obtain large amounts of data. "This is the ultimate cybercrime tool," said FEYE CEO Dave DeWalt.
4. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) on Monday released a statement saying initial demand for the company's new iPhones has been strong. This promising news echoes the optimism for the phone -- and the stock -- seen on the Street recently. 
5. Fitbit Inc (NYSE:FIT) is once again enjoying some analyst love. The stock is headed 3.9% higher this morning, after an "overweight" initiation at Pacific Crest.

 

 

 

Earnings and Economic Data

 

The news week starts up today, with retail sales, the Empire State manufacturing survey, industrial production and capacity utilization, and business inventories data all on the slate.  

There are no notable earnings scheduled.  To see what else is coming up on this week's docket, click here.