Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures Pop With Oil Prices

It's been a volatile week of trading, and today looks to be no different. However, unlike yesterday's drubbing, stocks this morning are pointed higher. Helping buoy investor sentiment is a big bounce in oil prices -- with March-dated crude futures jumping 5.2% to $27.57 per barrel -- amid speculation the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) could be willing to work toward reducing crude output. In addition, retail sales increased by more than expected last month. Against this backdrop, futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are up triple digits -- suggesting the Dow could snap its five-session losing streak.

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

• The flight-to-safety strategy that's Mark Cuban-approved.
• One brokerage eyes record highs for Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB), while option buyers find opportunity in LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD).
• Why bulls should bite on this restaurant stock.
• Plus... Japan picks up right where it left off, Jamie Dimon puts his money where his mouth is, and Groupon is set for a huge day.
  

Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are nearly 177 points above fair value.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

 

1. After being closed yesterday, Japan's Nikkei reopened to sharp losses -- settling at its lowest level in over a year -- amid a strengthening yen.
2. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 784,297 call contracts traded on Thursday, compared to 749,463 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio jumped to 0.96 -- the highest since Jan. 15 -- while the 21-day moving average edged up to 0.77.  
3. Financial stocks have put in a woeful performance this week, but big bank JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) looks ready to help buoy the sector today. Specifically, JPM is up 3.6% in electronic trading, after CEO Jamie Dimon bought 500,000 shares for roughly $26 million.
4. Shares of Groupon Inc (NASDAQ:GRPN) are poised to continue their history of big post-earnings moves -- up nearly 23% ahead of the bell. The online coupon concern said rising North American sales and a round of restructuring helped its fourth-quarter adjusted profit arrive above analysts' expectations. 
5. After surging Thursday amid reports the company is seeking a suitor, shares of Pandora Media Inc (NYSE:P) are pointed 2.4% higher ahead of the bell, despite disappointing fourth-quarter sales and a fresh round of negative analyst attention.

Earnings and Economic Data

It will be a busy end to the week, with import and export prices, business inventories, and the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey due. Also, Dallas Fed President Rob Kaplan will speak. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (RRGB) will close out the earnings lineup. To see what's on next week's holiday-shortened agenda, click here.