Dow Jones Industrial Average Swings Higher; New High for Nasdaq

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) has overcome a slow start to push into positive territory, as stocks shrug off concerns over tomorrow's press conference from President-elect Donald Trump. While the Nasdaq Composite (COMP) has notched yet another record high, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Dow are both near session peaks, following the latest batch of economic data. On top of an encouraging NFIB small business optimism index, the Labor Department's job openings and labor turnover survey (JOLTS) matched forecasts for November. 

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

• While this healthcare stock is up more than 33% in the past month, a flurry of news is boosting Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc (NYSE:VRX). 
• Analyst: Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) could lose 50% of its value. 
• Checking in on the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and other noteworthy stats at midday.
• Plus... Chipotle bulls eye a bigger bounce, one of the biggest "Trump winners," and the pipeline operator getting battered. 

Among the stocks with unusual options volume today is fast-casual restaurant stock Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG). After the company released mixed financial data this morning, shares of the burrito chain are up 5.7% at $417.71, and call volume is running at three times the expected pace. The weekly 1/13 options series is seeing heavy action, with the 425-strike call the most popular option. Anyone buying to open positions here is betting that CMG will rally past the $425 level before the options expire at this Friday's close. 

Looking at the top gainers on the Nasdaq, Uranium Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ:URRE) is again making a big move, adding 14.7% to trade at $2.01.  The uranium mining stock has been rallying since the election of Donald Trump, more than doubling in value since its November record low. 

Among the worst performers on the Big Board is pipeline expert Williams Companies Inc (NYSE:WMB), after the company last night announced a public stock offering priced at $29 per share -- prompting a downgrade to "hold" and price-target cut to $22 at Jefferies. The stock was last seen 9.6% lower at $28.86, but it still boasts a year-over-year lead of greater than 54%. 

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is down 0.1 point, or 1%, at 11.44. 

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.16, with puts outpacing calls. The SPY is up 0.7 point, or 0.3%, at $227.17. 

Find out where the Dow lands right after the closing bell. Sign up now for Schaeffer's Market Recap