Despite upbeat stimulus news, the blue-chip is down triple digits
Stocks fell to begin the holiday shortened week, as a new COVID-19 strain in the U.K. kept a lid on enthusiasm surrounding a new stimulus deal in the U.S. Specifically, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is off 172 points at midday, as travel stocks took a hit after the U.K. implemented severe lockdowns and saw border restrictions implemented across Europe. Elsewhere, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) are lower as well, as lawmakers today are set to vote on a second stimulus bill, which includes a $600 direct payment to most Americans, nine months after the first round of $1,200 checks were released. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on CNBC's "Squawk Box" that checks could be sent out as early as next week.
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One stock seeing notable put activity today is Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:FOLD). Though the catalyst is unclear, the biotechnology company was last seen up 0.1% to trade at $24, and so far today, 15,000 puts have already exchanged hands -- a staggering 52 times the intraday average and volume pacing in the highest percentile of its annual range -- versus a paltry 45 calls. Most popular is the January 2021 20-strike put, followed by the 19 put from the same series, with new positions being opened at the former. FOLD has had long-term support from its 30-week moving average in 2020, and has tacked on 145% in that time.
Meanwhile, one stock near the top of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) today is Fubotv Inc (NYSE:FUBO), last seen up 12.6% at $44.32, earlier hitting a nearly two-year high of $50.02, as the new strain of COVID-19 have stay-at-home stocks looking even more enticing. Since its public trading debut in early October, FUBO has charged 380% higher.
After Friday soaring to their highest levels in two years, the shares of Curo Group Holding Corp (NYSE:CURO) are sitting near the bottom of the NYSE today, last seen down 11.7% to trade at $14.65. However, the reason for today's plunge is unclear, and CURO still sits a healthy 17.7% above its year-to-date breakeven level..