Schaeffer's Top Stock Picks for '25

Dow Jones Industrial Average Swings Higher on Disney

2 Stocks Down 50% Today; Plus, The Netflix-Amazon Standoff

Apr 18, 2016 at 11:58 AM
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After stocks initially had a negative reaction to the failed talks among global oil producers in Doha, Qatar, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) has swung higher -- thanks to a big boost from Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS). In fact, while May-dated crude futures are off 1.8% at $39.24 per barrel, the Dow is lingering near levels not seen since November. Meanwhile, following a dire economic outlook from New York Fed President William Dudley this morning, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari is slated to speak at 12:30 p.m. ET.

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

Midday Market Stats April 18

Among the stocks with unusual option volume is Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS), with the contracts crossing at 15 times the average intraday pace. The toymaker turned in a standout earnings report this morning, with the shares last seen up 5.3% at $86.76 -- and fresh off a record high of $88.00. It looks like some of today's options traders are calling for more upside by week's end, with buy-to-open activity detected at HAS' weekly 4/22 87-strike call.

Cvent Inc (NYSE:CVT) is among the biggest gainers on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) -- up 65.8% at $35.32. The cloud concern has agreed to be purchased by private-equity firm Vista Equity Partners for roughly $1.65 billion, or $36 per CVT share.

Sunedison Inc (NYSE:SUNE) is one of the leading laggards on the NYSE, down 7.9% at $0.34. The solar stock's downfall has been one for the record books, with shares of SUNE off 99% year-over-year -- most recently pressured by bankruptcy buzz.

SUNE daily chart

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is unchanged at 13.62.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.50, with puts outpacing calls. SPY is up 0.5% at $208.74.

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