Crude Oil Keeps Dow Jones Industrial Average in Check

Sunedison Sinks Again; Plus, A Pre-Earnings Look at Netflix

Apr 15, 2016 at 12:14 PM
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Declining crude oil prices are keeping the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) in check today. At last glance, May-dated crude futures were 2.7% lower at $40.37 per barrel, as traders take a risk-off stance ahead of this weekend's meeting of global oil producers in Doha, Qatar. Meanwhile, the latest economic reports came in mixed, with regional manufacturing hitting an encouraging mark, while both consumer sentiment and industrial production unexpectedly fell. Nevertheless, thanks to some big moves to the upside this week, the Dow is still on track notch its loftiest weekly advance since mid-March.

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

 

Midday Market Stats April 15


Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UA) is among the stocks with unusual put volume at midday, with the contracts crossing at twice the typical intraday pace. This is nothing new for UA traders, and it looks as if today they may be buying to open the weekly 4/22 39-strike put. If this is the case, they are targeting a move below $39 by next Friday's close -- when the weekly option expires -- a time frame that includes the company's upcoming earnings report. The shares were last seen off 2.4% at $42.42.

Among the top performers on the Nasdaq today is oil-and-gas stock Linn Energy LLC (NASDAQ:LINE), surging 11% to $0.40 today -- even as bankruptcy buzz swirls. Longer term, though, the shares have given up about 97% of their value over the past 12 months.

Relypsa Inc (NASDAQ:RLYP) is among the biggest laggards on the Nasdaq, down 3% at $19.55 on rumors that the company parted ways with an M&A advisor. The shares have dipped below a recent level of support at their 200-day moving average today.

RLYP Daily Chart

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is off 0.1 point, or 0.9%, at 13.60.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.92, with puts nearly doubling calls. SPY was last seen down 0.1 point, or 0.04%, at $207.92.

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