U.S. stocks are booming at midday, with the DJIA blowing past the 20,000 level
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is pushing further into all-time-high territory -- making its inaugural trek north of 20,000 -- following the latest round of corporate earnings. Specifically, Boeing Co (NYSE:BA) is the top Dow stock, up nearly 5%, following the company's impressive quarterly results, though blue-chip stock United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX) is lower after earnings. The S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (COMP) have both jumped to record highs as well, while the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) earlier touched its lowest point since July 2014. With the "Trump rally" in full swing, traders are also keeping an eye on any news out of the White House.
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Among the stocks with unusual options volume is parts manufacturer Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:ATI). Despite hitting a new annual high of $23.69 out of the gate, the stock was last seen giving back some of yesterday's post-earnings gains -- down 3% at $21.62. Nevertheless, calls are trading at seven times the intraday norm. The most popular option so far is the February 22.50 call, where buy-to-open activity appears likely. As such, these traders are betting on ATI to rebound and take out the $22.50 level by the close on Friday, Feb. 17, when front-month options expire.
One of the top gainers on the Nasdaq today is tech accessories specialist Logitech International SA (USA) (NASDAQ:LOGI), following a record-setting quarter. The shares were last seen 12.5% higher at $28.83, and earlier hit an eight-year high of $29.90. LOGI is now up 70% in the past six months.
Over on the Big Board, steel stock
AK Steel Holding Corporation (NYSE:AKS) is sitting out today's broad-market rally, following a round of
bearish analyst notes. The shares are down 7.4% at $8.04, and have now shed 29.4% since their December high of $11.39.
The
CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is down 0.4 point, or 3.9%, last seen at 10.64, on pace for its lowest close in over two years.
Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 0.56 -- just 1 percentage point from a 12-month low -- as calls take the rare lead over puts. SPY is up 1.4 points, or 0.6%, at $228.98, and earlier hit a record high of $229.33.
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