Dow Reverses Course After Early Record High

Travelers is the best Dow stock today after earnings

Jan 23, 2018 at 11:58 AM
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U.S. stocks are mixed at midday, though the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI), S&P 500 Index (SPX), and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) all reached record highs earlier in the session. Netflix earnings have stolen the show today, as the well-received report provides tailwinds for the broader stock market. Comments from hedge fund legend Ray Dalio likely helped to spark a risk-on attitude, as well, after he told CNBC, "If you're holding cash, you're going to feel pretty stupid."

However, while the S&P and Nasdaq are holding modest gains, the Dow has slipped into negative territory. Dow component Travelers (TRV) is up 4.2% after well-received earnings -- but Procter & Gamble (PG) is down 2.8% after its own quarterly report, and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has shed 2.7% after warning of a $13.6 billion charge stemming from the new U.S. tax law.

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

  • 2 tech stocks soaring on strong forecasts.
  • The Elon Musk news boosting Tesla shares. 
  • Plus, a leisure stock on call buyers' radar; a red-hot Wall Street newbie; and a biotech getting burned.

midday market stats january 23

One stock seeing unusual options activity today is experiential vacation provider ILG Inc (NASDAQ:ILG). Options traders are targeting the security's March 30 call, where more than 5,000 contracts have crossed alone. On average, ILG sees just 627 calls trade per day. Trade-Alert notes that this option has seen heavy attention in recent months, with some traders likely betting on a breakout from ILG shares, which were last seen trading up 1.2% at $29.80.

One of the best Nasdaq stocks today is agricultural gene-editing specialist Calyxt Inc (NASDAQ:CLXT), last seen trading up 6.7% at $25.77. There doesn't appear to be any specific news behind the move, though the biotech group has been boosted by some multi-billion dollar M&A activity this week. CLXT shares appear to be testing another breakout from a bull flag chart pattern, which has occurred just above the 50-day moving average. CLXT only began trading publicly back in July, opening at $9.50.

CLXT stock price

Near the bottom of the Nasdaq is fellow biotech Insmed Incorporated (NASDAQ:INSM), after the company launched a convertible bond offering of $300 million. The offering is scheduled to price after today's closing bell. INSM shares were last seen trading down 8.4% at $28.28, but are still holding above the site of their early September bull gap.
 

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