Dow Ekes Out a Win in Low-Volume Session

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) finished modestly higher today, avoiding a three-day losing streak in a relatively muted session. Meanwhile, both the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) finished just above breakeven, held in check by pullbacks from energy stocks and retailers. Elsewhere, gold and copper futures extended their recent hot streaks.

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

• The volatility signal we haven't seen since the 1960s, per Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White. 
• What this stock market streak could mean for 2018.
• The logistics stock that has quintupled since 2016.
• Plus, the best stocks to own in January; 2 stocks to target in the first quarter; and a drug stock scoring an analyst nod.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 24,744.30) finished 28.1 points, or 0.1% higher. Visa (V) led 19 Dow stocks higher with its 0.9% win, while Nike (NKE) paced the nine decliners with its 1.1% loss. Merck (MRK) and DowDupont (DWDP) finished flat.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,682.62) finished 2.1 points, or 0.1%, higher. The Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 6,939.34) added 3.1 points. 

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 10.47) gained 0.2 point, or 2.2%, for its highest close since Dec. 14.

5 Items on Our Radar Today

1. Discount retailer Dollar General (DG) announced earlier today its plans for a 17th distribution center in the United States. The facility will be in Longview, Texas, and will aid over 1,400 stores in the state. Earlier in the month, Dollar General announced plans to expand to over 14,000 new locations. (USAToday)
2. One week after reports surfaced that Apple (AAPL) was slowing down older models of iPhones, several class-action lawsuits have emerged against the FAANG company. Eight lawsuits were filed this week, seeking to "represent potentially millions of iPhone owners nationwide." (Reuters)
3. The best stocks to buy in January.
4. Keep an eye on these two stocks in the first quarter of 2018.
5. Analyst: Sarepta Therapeutics (SRPT) is a key SMID-cap pick.

There are no quarterly earnings to report.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Commodities

Crude slated for February delivery fell 33 cents, or 0.6%, to close at $59.64 per barrel, unable to build off yesterday's best close since June 2015. It was also reported that Tuesday's pipeline blast in Libya could be fixed as early as next week.

February-dated gold futures added $3.90, or 0.3%, to settle at $1,291.40 an ounce -- a three-week high and gold's eighth straight victory. Another retreat from the greenback lifted the dollar-denominated asset. Elsewhere, palladium futures continued to flirt with 17-year highs, while copper future notched a three-year peak on signs of strong demand from China.