Dow Jones Industrial Average Rolls to New High as Trump Rally Continues

It was another big day for the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), as the blue-chip index extended its win streak to four days on the back of surging bank stocks. In fact, the Dow, S&P 500 Index (SPX), and Nasdaq Composite (COMP) all hit fresh record highs as the so-called Trump rally continued, with the latter two indexes grabbing their fifth straight win. With the Federal Reserve's December meeting less than a week away, traders this morning reacted to the European Central Bank's (ECB) latest stimulus decision, on top of a decline in weekly jobless claims. Rising oil prices -- which climbed back atop the critical $50 level -- only added to the bullish backdrop for stocks. 

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

• This is the only chipmaker that can challenge Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) and NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA), according to one analyst. 
• Options traders are betting on annual highs for this auto stock, while JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) option activity is approaching extreme levels. 
• This bearish signal has sounded just twice since the dot-com bubble. 
• Plus... Netflix options traders react to Apple rumors, short-term traders target Amazon, and Citron's latest victim. 
  

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 19,614.81) gained 65.2 points, or 0.3%. Half of the Dow's 30 components finished higher, led by a 2.5% charge from Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS). Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT), United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX), and Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE) all finished 1.1% lower to pace the 14 losers, while Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) closed flat. 

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,246.19) closed with a 4.8-point, or 0.2%, win. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 5,417.36) picked up 23.6 points, or 0.4%. 

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 12.64) also closed higher, adding 0.4 point, or 3.4%. 

5 Items on Our Radar Today

1. Japan-based video game company Nintendo is set to release its first-ever mobile game next week, called Super Mario Run. The game, which will be available on iPhones, will be free to download, but accessing the entire game will cost $9.99. (USA Today)
2. President-elect Donald Trump continues to fill out his cabinet, nominating Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to run the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Pruitt is known to be a fierce critic of climate regulation, and a strong supporter of the oil-and-gas industry.  (Reuters)
3. The Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) rumors that enticed Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) option bulls. 
4. How Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) weekly options have been flying off the shelves.
5. Famous short seller Citron Research called this company the "Philidor of the pharma industry," sending the shares tumbling. 

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Commodities:

Oil prices snapped their two-day losing streak, climbing back atop the key $50 level ahead of a weekend meeting between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other major oil producers. January-dated crude futures added $1.07, or 2.2%, to close at $50.84 per barrel. 

Gold futures moved lower amid a strengthening U.S. dollar. Gold dated for February delivery gave back $5.10, or 0.4%, to close at $1,172.40 per ounce.