Futures on the DJIA are modestly higher today, as traders digest PMI data from around the globe
As expected, it's been a volatile week on the Street. Today, the momentum appears to be shifting to the upside, with futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) modestly higher ahead of the bell. Speculators are digesting a slew of manufacturing reports from around the globe -- with China's dismal reading taking top billing. Traders will also have the chance to gauge the temperature of the domestic economy, with Markit's flash purchasing managers manufacturing index (PMI) for the U.S. due at 9:45 a.m. ET.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
- Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White explains why low-priced stocks aren't always a bargain -- plus, 7 stocks over $300 that have put their low-priced rivals to shame.
- The automakers getting burned amid Volkswagen's emission scandal.
- In case you missed it, why these 4 names are a must for your Wednesday watch list.
- 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 more than 50 points above fair value.
5 Things You Need to Know Today
- Asian markets took a big hit today, after the preliminary Caixin China PMI fell to its lowest level in more than six years.
- The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 596,135 call contracts traded on Tuesday, compared to 474,526 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio jumped to 0.80, while the 21-day moving average edged down to 0.76.
- Following brazen comments by President Barack Obama last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the country is ready to establish a "high-level, joint-dialogue mechanism" over the issue of cybersecurity. Jinping was speaking in Seattle -- where he signed a 300-aircraft deal with Boeing Co (NYSE:BA) -- before he heads to Washington D.C. later this week.
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Ahead of the always-important holiday season,
J C Penney Company Inc (NYSE:JCP) said last night it has replaced its chief merchant. The stock has
been on a roll lately, and looks ready to extend this momentum today -- up 1.8% in electronic trading.
- Heron Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:HRTX) is up 24% ahead of the bell, after the company reported positive mid-stage trial results for its experimental pain drug, HTX-011. The news was met with no fewer than four price-target hikes -- but the bullish attention is just more of the same for this outperforming biotech.
Earnings and Economic Data
The weekly crude inventories update and the flash PMI for September are on today's docket. Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart will continue to make the rounds, speaking around midday in Columbus, Georgia. There are no earnings of note. To see what else is coming up on this week's docket, click here.