Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures Up Triple Digits

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) futures have surged well above fair value, after the Bank of England (BoE) unexpectedly chose to leave its interest rates unchanged. Nevertheless, the Dow is eyeing a triple-digit pop out of the gate -- on pace to extend its lead in uncharted territory -- as stocks react to solid second-quarter earnings from big bank JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM). Adding to the risk-on backdrop is a bounce in oil prices -- with August-dated crude futures up 1.7% at $45.49 per barrel -- while weekly jobless claims were unchanged.

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

• The $1.4 million bullish bet on oil.
• Is Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc (NYSE:VRX) an "obvious zero"? This short seller thinks so.
• Buyout buzz helped lift this restaurant stock and this telecommunications concern.
• Plus... Japan stocks soar, more on JPM's earnings, and the tech stock set to surge on M&A news.

5 Things You Need to Know Today
 

1. European stocks are higher in the wake of the BoE shocker, while Japan's Nikkei surged on a cooling yen.
2. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 737,280 call contracts traded on Wednesday, compared to 413,248 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio fell to 0.56, while the 21-day moving average dropped to 0.67.
3. JPM kicked off bank earnings on a high note, posting better-than-expected second-quarter results on lower costs and a 23% surge in trading revenue. The shares of JPM are pointed 2.4% higher ahead of the bell -- on track to pare a portion of their year-to-date deficit.
4. In the wake of big spin-off news for its China division, Taco Bell owner Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) reported stronger-than-forecast second-quarter profit and upped its full-year guidance. YUM stock is up 4.5% in pre-market trading.
5. Cree, Inc. (NASDAQ:CREE) said it will sell its Wolfspeed unit to German chipmaker Infineon Technologies AG in an all-cash deal valued at $850 million. Shares of LED specialist CREE -- which have struggled since their early April bear gap -- are eyeing a 6% pop out of the gate.

Earnings and Economic Data

The producer price index (PPI) is due out today. In addition, Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart and Kansas City Fed President Esther George will speak, while St. Louis Fed President James Bullard will host a two-day meeting of the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum. Set to report earnings are BlackRock (BLK) and Progressive (PGR). To see what else is on this week's schedule, click here.