Dow Jones Industrial Average Jumps 216 Points, Out of Correction Territory

The Market's Must-Watch Levels

Oct 5, 2015 at 12:17 PM

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Ahead of Thursday night's earnings-season kickoff, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is on fire as rate-hike fears wane in the aftermath of Friday's downbeat payrolls report. In fact, the possibility the Fed may delay liftoff until 2016 sparked a strong performance overseas, as well. On the economic front, the Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) services index cooled more than expected in September. In any case, the Dow's jump has the benchmark officially out of correction territory, while the Nasdaq Composite (COMP) is back in the black on a year-to-date basis.

Elsewhere, a pair of central bank heavyweights weighed in on the prospects of a 2015 rate hike. Specifically, Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren said it remains possibility -- if Friday's report proves "anomalous" -- while former Fed Chair Ben Bernanke warned higher rates could strengthen the dollar and "kill U.S. exports."

Continue reading for more on today's market -- and don't miss:

One biotech is surging on upbeat analyst attention, while positive drug data boosts another.
Our founder and CEO Bernie Schaeffer puts his finger on a few technical levels every trader should watch.
Plus ... Checking in on the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and other noteworthy stats at midday.

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Among the stocks with notable call volume is Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ:BBBY), with the contracts crossing at 15 times the intraday norm. Digging deeper, traders are betting on end-of-week upside, buying to open the weekly 10/9 58.50- and 59-strike calls. On the charts, BBBY is up 1.9% at $58.48, helped by unconfirmed takeover chatter.

One of the biggest advancers on the Nasdaq is gene therapy specialist Spark Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:ONCE), up 25% at $54.89. Buoying the equity are positive results from a late-stage trial.

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One of the top gainers on the Big Board is SandRidge Energy Inc. (NYSE:SD), as the oil-and-gas firm agreed to buy compression company Pinon Gathering Co LLC for $48 million in cash. At last check, SD has spiked 12.8% to trade at $0.40.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is down 1.5 points, or 7.3%, at 19.41.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.27, with puts outstripping calls. SPY was last seen up 2.7 points, or 1.4%, at $197.74.

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