JPM shares are higher ahead of earnings tomorrow
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is cautiously higher, up nearly 30 points at midday. The index is getting a boost from bank stock JPMorgan Chase (JPM) ahead of tomorrow's earnings release, and Boeing (BA) is on pace to snap a four-day losing streak. However, UnitedHealth (UNH) is keeping the Dow's gains in check, with the shares lower on negative analyst attention.
Elsewhere, traders are monitoring progress between Beijing and Washington, and continue to digest the latest inflation data. The S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) are struggling to stay atop breakeven, with Tesla (TSLA) lower on reports it's freezing spending on its Gigafactory, and energy stocks lower with oil prices. Front-month crude was last seen 1.6% lower at $63.57 per barrel.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
- This high-flying pharma stock is ripe for a short squeeze.
- 2 outperforming stocks in analyst crosshairs.
- Plus, analysts and options bears pile on X stock; the fintech stock that's doubled; and WW stock gets slapped with a bear note.
United States Steel Corporation (NYSE:X) is seeing unusual options volume today. So far, roughly 58,000 puts have crossed the tape -- nearly six times the average intraday volume. It looks like the May 15 put is the most popular, with the majority of contracts being bought to open. The steel concern just hit a new two-year low of $16.57 earlier today, and is now down 3% at $16.73, on a double downgrade to "underperform" from BofA-Merrill Lynch. It's U.S. Steel's second major downgrade this week.
Fruit juice concern Future Fintech Group Inc (NASDAQ:FTFT) is by far the best stock on the Nasdaq, after the Chinese company announced a new subsidiary to expand its logistics network. As a result, the shares are 175% higher, at $2.15 a share, pacing for their best day in over 14 years. Plus, FTFT stock is set to finish atop its 320-day moving average for the first time since January 2018.
One of the worst stocks on the Nasdaq is WW International Inc (NASDAQ:WTW) -- formerly Weight Watchers -- after J.P. Morgan Securities cut its price target to $12 from $14. The analyst sees downside risk to 2019 earnings guidance, based on a declining daily active user (DAU) count. As a result, the equity just hit a new two-year low of $17.55, and is down 12.9% at $17.90, at last glance.