Stocks, Oil Stabilize Ahead of Thanksgiving Holiday

January crude futures are up 1.6% at midday

Karee Venema

Nov 21, 2018 at 11:54 AM

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is paring a portion of its massive Thanksgiving week losses in today's low-volume session, boosted by a big bounce in tech and energy stocks. The S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) are up, as well, with oil prices also stabilizing. At last check, January-dated crude is 1.6% higher at $54.31 per barrel. This is offsetting a dismal round of economic data, which includes a wider-than-expected decline in durable goods orders last month, a sharp rise in weekly jobless claims last week, and the University of Michigan's lower-than-forecast reading on consumer sentiment for October.

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

Analyst: Buy the dip on this beaten-down California utility stock.
This retail stock is breaking above short-term resistance after earnings.
Plus, Autodesk options pop after earnings; the Chinese stock near the top of the Big Board; and the tech name that's doubled today.

midday market stats nov 21

Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) is seeing unusual options activity today, with roughly 8,000 puts and 7,900 calls on the tape so far -- seven times the expected intraday amount. New positions are being intiated at the weekly 11/23 132-strike put and 140-strike call, which expire at Friday's 1 p.m. ET close. ADSK stock is up 9.1% to trade at $134.21 after the Apple partner reported impressive third-quarter results and said it's buying construction software firm PlanGrid for $875 million in cash.

adsk stock daily chart nov 21

Cheetah Mobile Inc (NYSE:CMCM) is near the top of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) today, after the China-based app creator reported third-quarter earnings. CMCM stock is up 10.1% to trade at $9.34, but remains down 22.7% year-to-date.

Ability Inc (NASDAQ:ABIL) is the top stock on the Nasdaq today, after the Israel-based satellite company said it is purchasing its main cellular interception system supplier. ABIL stock is up 100.4% to trade at $5.65, but is being contained by familiar resistance in the $6 region.

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