The DJIA snapped its streak of record intraday highs
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) ended its streak of record highs today, finishing lower for a second session after dismal Disney earnings and amid building tension with North Korea. The S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (COMP) finished lower as well, while the collective aversion to risk boosted the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) and "safe haven" assets like gold.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
- Options traders gear up for Snap's second earnings report as a public company.
- The pharma stock sinking on tax trouble.
- Behind the recent flood of gold bugs.
- Plus, 2 biotech stocks on the rise; Priceline's post-earnings plunge; and the defense stock that's red hot.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 22,048.70) ended with a loss of 36.6 points, or 0.2%. Fifteen of the Dow's 30 stocks ended higher, led by Home Depot and Travelers' 1.2% rallies. Walt Disney stock paced the 14 losers, dropping 3.9%, while McDonald's finished flat.
The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,474.02) lost 0.9 point, or 0.04%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 6,352.33) lost 18.1 points, or 0.3%.
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 11.11) gained 0.2 point, or 1.4%.
5 Items on Our Radar Today
- Top military brass and President Trump are being sued by five U.S. military members that want to keep Trump's transgender ban from becoming a reality -- "in any capacity." These military members are suing anonymously, but stem from three different branches of the U.S. armed forces. (Bloomberg)
- Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort was subject to an FBI raid last month, in connection to the ongoing investigation of Russia's involvement during the 2016 presidential election. It was reported that multiple files were taken from Manafort's home. (Reuters)
- 2 biotech stocks that rallied after earnings.
- Priceline's post-earnings plunge.
- The red-hot defense stock with bargain options.
Data courtesy of Trade-Alert
Commodities
Oil managed to end higher today, after the Energy Information Administration reported a bigger-than-expected decrease in domestic crude inventories last week. September-dated crude futures settled up 0.8%, or 39 cents, at $49.56 per barrel.
Gold enjoyed an impressive single-day jump -- its biggest in nearly three months -- as the rising tensions between the U.S. and North Korea lifted safe-haven demand. December-dated gold futures finished the day up 1.3%, or $16.70 at $1,279.30 per ounce.