Dow Snaps 3-Day Skid Despite Rising "Fear Gauge"

The Dow scored a much-needed triple-digit win today, snapping a three-day losing streak. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq spent times on both sides of breakeven throughout the day, but ultimately joined the blue-chip index in the black. Despite the low-volume session, Wall Street's "fear gauge," the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) clocked its fourth win in the last five days.  

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

• Restaurant giant becoming an analyst favorite.
• Advanced Micro Devices stock has chart support in place.
• Plus, a PepsiCo earnings preview; an energy stock to sell; and 1 booming biotech. 

5 Things to Know Today

1. U.S. President Joe Biden has been clear about Ukraine's NATO status. (Reuters)
2. Used-car prices keep plummeting, now to pre-pandemic levels. (Bloomberg)
3. PepsiCo stock red-hot as earnings loom.
4. Signal says buy puts on Peabody Energy stock. 
5. This biotech beast is ripe for a short squeeze.

There are no notable earnings reports today.

Commodities Take a Breather to Start Week

Oil prices fell today, cooling off from last week's outperformance. August-dated oil lost 87 cents, or 1.2%, to settle at $72.99 per barrel.

Gold also logged a loss ahead of a critical inflation report later this week. August-dated gold gave back $1.50 or 0.1%, to close at $1,931 an ounce.