U.S. Stock Futures Look Up on Eclipse Day

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is trying to shake off another weekly loss, with Dow futures signaling a positive open for U.S. stocks. There's little in the way of earnings and economic data today, likely keeping investor attention centered on President Donald Trump and any news out of Washington, D.C. In fact, Trump is expected to give a speech Monday night about his plans for the war in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, futures on the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (COMP) are trading slightly above fair value, as well, ahead of a highly anticipated solar eclipse later today. 

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

• The VIX just did this for the third time in history.
• The sporting goods stock bucking the retail trend.
• Why analysts expect more record highs for Applied Materials stock.
• Plus, the apparel stock analysts say to buy; a big EA and NFL collaboration; and another Chinese internet stock set to soar.

1. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 899,141 call contracts traded on Friday, compared to 741,621 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio rose to 0.82, and the 21-day moving average edged up to 0.71.
2. With earnings scheduled for next Thursday, Lululemon Athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) could be in focus today, after BofA-Merrill Lynch upgraded the yoga apparel specialist to "buy" from "underperform," while raising its price target to $70 from $49. LULU shares rallied after the company's previous earnings release in June, but are still in a 27.4% hole on a year-over-year basis. 
3. Video game giant Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) and the NFL have announced a national competition for its newest "Madden NFL '18" game. EA stock is edging higher ahead of the open, looking to extend its brilliant year on the charts. Specifically, the shares are up 48% year-to-date, touching a record high of $120.25 on July 27.
4. Chinese e-commerce concern 58.com Inc (ADR) (NYSE:WUBA) is ready to jump almost 11% at the open -- and could hit new highs -- following the company's earnings release. WUBA stock would be just the latest Chinese internet company to see its shares rally, joining the likes of Alibaba and Weibo. 
5. A quarterly report from Fabrinet (FN) is about all there is to see on the earnings calendar today. 

Overseas Trading

It was a mixed finish for Asian markets today, with Tokyo- and Seoul-listed stocks settling modestly lower as the U.S. and South Korea kick off their annual 10-day Ulchi-Freedom Guardian military exercise. Elsewhere, China Unicom surged after a regulatory nod for its $11.7 billion ownership reform plan, while state-owned aluminum giant Chalco gained ground on news of increased production. By the close, Japan's Nikkei fell 0.4%, South Korea's Kospi shed 0.1%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng advanced 0.4%, and China's Shanghai Composite tacked on 0.6%.

Stocks in Europe are mostly lower at midday, with traders keeping a wary eye on geopolitical tensions. However, miners are a pocket of strength in London, boosted by a dividend hike from Australia's Fortescue Metals. At last check, the German DAX is down 0.4%, the French CAC 40 is off 0.3%, and London's FTSE 100 is 0.08% higher.