All three major indexes are lower midday
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is down 342 points as all but five of its components move lower, including UnitedHealth (UNH), which is down a sharp 4.5% at last look. The S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite Index (IXIC) are lower as well, as the Nvidia (NVDA) rally appears to taper off. Rising long-term Treasury yields are weighing on the market, as investors look ahead to the central bank's Beige book report, due out later today, alongside comments from several Fed officials.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
- 2 retailers flying to record highs after earnings.
- Billion-dollar oil merger to watch.
- Plus, options traders eye CAVA; ASTS' big-time deal; and AAL heads for worst day since 2020.
Options traders are targeting Cava Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA), after the fast-casual restaurant name's strong first-quarter earnings report, though margins disappointed investors. So far, 33,000 calls and 24,000 puts have been exchanged, which is triple the average daily options volume already. The weekly 5/31 85-strike call is the most popular, where new positions are opening. At last glance, CAVA was down 1.2% at $81.44, and falling from last session's all-time highs.
AST SpaceMobile Inc (NASDAQ:ASTS) stock is at the top of the Nasdaq today, after the company made a deal with Verizon (VZ) to help target 100% coverage of the continental U.S. from Space. At last glance, ASTS was up 42.9% at $7.61 and trading at 52-week highs. Year to date, the equity is up 26%.
Meanwhile, American Airlines Group Inc (NASDAQ:AAL) is dragging the airline sector after slashing its second-quarter profit forecast. Plus, Seaport Research Partners downgraded the stock to "neutral" from "buy." At last look, AAL was down 14.9% at $11.44, and headed for its worst day since June 2020. Year over year, the security is down 21.6%.
