All three major benchmarks are eyeing weekly gains
The major indexes are looking to wrap up a strong week with a bang, thanks to optimism surrounding the White House's infrastructure deal, and assuaging fears over long-lasting inflation. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is up 222 points at midday, while the S&P 500 Index (SPX) is firmly higher, after earlier notching another intraday record. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) is struggling at the breakeven, as the 10-year Treasury yield rises. For the week, all three benchmarks are eyeing substantial gains.
This mostly positive price action comes on the heels of the fastest core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rise in nearly 30 years. This reading fell in line with estimates, boosting confidence over the rapid pace of economic expansion, and supporting the Federal Reserve's recent assertions that inflation will be transitory.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
- Netflix stock is eyeing 4 straight wins thanks to analyst praise.
- A dismal 2022 earnings forecast is sinking FedEx stock.
- Plus, NKE earnings draw in options bulls; merger buzz boosts IKONICS stock; and GLBS plummets on stock offering price.
One stock seeing an unusual amount of options activity today is Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE), last seen up 14.3% at $152.64, after earlier hitting a record high of $154.18. The shoe and apparel retailer received at least 14 price target hikes this morning, in response to its better-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter earnings and $50 billion sales forecast. So far, 163,000 calls and 85,000 puts have crossed the tape, which is 14 times the intraday average. Most popular is the 6/25 160-strike call, followed by the 155-strike call in the same series, with new positions being opened at both. Prior to today's pop, Nike was struggling with overhead pressure at the $138 level and 100-day moving average. The security has now toppled that trendline, and is up 50.5% year-over-year.
Near the top of the Nasdaq today is IKONICS Corporation (NASDAQ:IKNX), up 71.7% at last check to trade at $19.40, after earlier hitting a six-year high of $24.97. The positive price action came after the company said it is merging with bitcoin miner TeraWulf, paving the way for a publicly traded environmental, social and governance-focused (ESG) cryptocurrency mining company. The security is now pacing for its highest single-day percentage jump on record, with support from the 140-day moving average. Over the last 12 months, INKX has added 470.3%.
Meanwhile, Globus Maritime Ltd (NASDAQ:GLBS) is towards the bottom of the Nasdaq today. The security is down 27.5% at $4.01 this afternoon, after it set a price of $5 per share for the underwritten public offering of 50 million ordinary shares. The stock has been trading sideways on the charts since March, with the 160-day moving average and $6 level keeping a tight lid on the shares. Year-over-year, GLBS has shaved 89.1%.