The Dow snagged its fourth straight win today, good for its longest winning streak since July 15. Trade tailwinds had the Dow up almost 100 points at its session highs to tap the 26,900 level, and despite paring most of those gains, the blue-chip index ultimately finished in the black. However, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq finished mixed, with tech stocks causing a drag. More specifically, the latest antitrust probe from 50 attorneys general has put big-name tech stock Alphabet (GOOGL) in the cross-hairs. 

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

• Time to short these 2 commodity stocks.
• Puts on this retail stock could double, signal says. 
• Microsoft call options are in high demand. 
• Plus, 2 struggling pharma stocks; a bull note for Energizer; and Anaplan stock approaches oversold status.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 26,835.51) recorded a 38.1-point, or 0.1%, gain. Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) had the best day of the 16 blue-chip gainers, finishing up 5.8%, while Merck (MRK) led the 14 laggards with its 3.6% drop.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,978.43) shed 0.3 point, or just under 0.01%, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 8,087.44) closed down 15.6 points, or 0.2%.

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 15.27) gained 0.3 point, or 1.8%.

5 Items on our Radar Today

1. North Korea has indicated it would be willing to restart nuclear talks with the U.S. later this month. Vice North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said Pyongyang was willing to have “comprehensive discussions” with U.S. officials in late September, but the U.S. State Department hasn't announced any meetings. (Reuters)
2. J.P. Morgan Securities is taking steps to quantify the impact of President Donald Trump's tweets. The bank has created a “Volfefe Index” to analyze how Trump's Twitter blasts have impacted implied rate volatility for short-term bonds, as the Fed has increasingly become a target of his social media posts. (CNBC)
3. Bad data sent these drug stocks stumbling.
4. Energizer stock's latest bull note has put short sellers on notice.
5. Oversold Anaplan stock just broke critical trendline support.

There are no earnings to report today.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Four Straight Wins for Oil; Three Straight Losses for Gold

Oil prices finished higher today for their fourth straight gain, getting a lift from news that newly minted Saudi energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, backed his country's commitment to planned cartel production curbs. October-dated crude futures added $1.33, or 2.4%, to settle at $57.85 per barrel -- their highest finish since late July.

Gold fell again today -- its third straight loss -- as the metal's safe-haven appeal takes a hit amid the latest U.S. equity rally. Gold futures for December delivery closed down $4.40, or 0.3%, to settle at $1,511.10 an ounce.

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) futures are holding cautiously below fair value this morning, with the blue-chip index fresh off a four-day winning streak. Blue-chip Apple (AAPL) will be in focus today, with the firm expected to reveal new iPhones at today's event, as well as more details for its streaming services. AAPL stock is trading lower ahead of the bell, though, as weak Chinese inflation data creates headwinds for the broader tech sector. As such, futures on the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) are down, with the benchmarks poised to extend Monday's weakness.

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

• Schaeffer's Senior V.P. of Research Todd Salamone explains why traders still need to take precautions.
• Altria options traders reacted to Juul's e-cigarette regulatory woes.
• Energizer stock is turning up the heat on short sellers.
• Plus, Ford slumps; retail stock soars 80% ahead of the bell; and Wells Fargo gets downgraded.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 1.19 million call contracts traded on Monday, compared to 707,290 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio rose to 0.59, while the 21-day moving average dipped to 0.68.
2. Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) unveiled plans to launch eight electric cars in Europe by year's end, and will add an additional 15 electric vehicles by 2024. The automaker also saw its debt rating downgraded to "Ba1" from "Baa3" at Moody's, on expectations that lengthy restructuring efforts will create "weak earnings and cash generation." After closing last night at $9.54, F stock is down 3.6% ahead of the open.
3. Francesca's Holdings Corp (NASDAQ:FRAN) stock is up 80% in electronic trading, after the retailer reported its second-quarter results. Heading into today, FRAN shares were down 92.9% on a year-over-year basis, settling last night at $5.16.
4. UBS downgraded Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE:WFC) to "neutral" from "buy," with a $49 price target -- a slight premium to last night's close at $48.41. The bank stock is down 0.4% in pre-market trading, set to extend its nearly 16% year-over-year slide.
5. The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) is due. Dave & Busters Entertainment (PLAY), GameStop (GME), RH (RH), and Zscaler (ZS) will report earnings.

South Korean Stocks Pop on Stimulus Hopes

Asian markets were mostly higher today, with the exception of China's Shanghai Composite, which lost 0.1% as investors responded cautiously to spiking food prices in August. Elsewhere, Hong Kong's Hang Seng hovered just atop breakeven with a 0.01% gain, while the Nikkei in Japan tacked on 0.4% on the strength of the auto sector -- led by Nissan Motor following its CEO's resignation. South Korea's Kospi was higher on the day, too, up 0.6% on the increasingly promising prospective of global stimulus.

Markets in Europe are a mixed bag today, as investors anticipate a potential stimulus package announcement from the European Central Bank (ECB) meeting Thursday. There's also the latest Brexit news to digest, where British lawmakers once again rejected Prime Minister Boris Johnson's second bid to hold a snap general election. At last check, London's FTSE 100 is up 0.06%, while the French CAC 40 is off 0.04%. Elsewhere, the German DAX is up 0.3%, as long-term bund yields briefly hit a one-month high ahead of the ECB meeting.

It's a somewhat low-volume day on Wall Street, with few market-moving events on the radar. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI), S&P 500 Index (SPX), and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) were all last seen sporting modest losses, putting the Dow on pace for its first loss in five days. Outside of today's product reveal from Apple (AAPL), traders are also monitoring rising oil prices, with October crude futures up another 0.8% at $58.30 per barrel, as liquid gold continues to benefit from hopes of output cuts from major producers.

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

• 2 auto stocks down after car unveils.
• Analysts, options traders move in on Mastercard.
• Plus, Intel put players take action; a healthcare stock on the rise; and Chipotle dips.

One name seeing accelerated options trading today is Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC), with the chip stock last seen down 1.3% at $50.90. Puts are crossing at twice the normal rate, and new positions are opening at the September 49.50 and weekly 9/13 51-strike puts. If buy-to-open action is taking place, these traders are hoping for more losses from INTC shares through the respective expiration dates of next Friday, Sept. 20, and this Friday, Sept. 13.

One hot stock today is Kodiak Sciences Inc (NASDAQ:KOD). The biopharma concern is trading 7.3% higher at $12.87, seemingly getting a boost after the company's appearance at the Morgan Stanley Global Healthcare Conference. This has the shares above the 50-day moving average, set for their highest close since July, after coming into 2019 around $7.

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) futures are modestly above fair value this morning, after the blue-chip index muscled to a fifth straight win on Tuesday. This comes after China's Finance Ministry unveiled a list of U.S. goods exempt from retaliatory tariffs, including cancer drugs and pesticides. Traders are also eyeing the latest producer price index (PPI), which edged up 0.1% in August, while wholesale inflation rose 0.4%, as well as President Donald Trump's Twitter feed. In addition to tweeting about "Fake News" this morning, the president has also suggested the Fed bring "interest rates down to ZERO, or less."

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

• How to play a growth/value ratio reversal, courtesy of Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White.
• Breaking down the six-figure Chesapeake Energy options bet.
• Why Cboe Global Markets stock looks ripe for a bullish trade.
• Plus, more bull notes for Micron; the retail stock set to soar; and a devastating quarter for GameStop.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 1.15 million call contracts traded on Tuesday, compared to 747,046 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio rose to 0.65, while the 21-day moving average stayed at 0.83.
2. Longbow Research upgraded Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) to "buy" from "neutral," citing improving trends in memory fundamentals. Wells Fargo also chimed in, raising its MU price target to $60 from $50. This brings the number of bull notes Micron has received this week to three, and has the chip stock up 1.8% ahead of the bell -- eyeing its first trek above the round $50 mark since last September.
3. Furniture retailer Lovesac Co (NASDAQ:LOVE) reported a slimmer-than-anticipated second-quarter loss of 31 cents per share, while revenue of $48.1 million -- up 44.8% year-over-year -- also beat the consensus estimate. After closing last night at $18.41, down 19.8% year-to-date, LOVE stock is poised to jump 20% out of the gate.
4. The shares of GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME) are down 16.5% in electronic trading, after the video game retailer said new hardware sales plunged 41% in the second quarter. As such, GME's second-quarter loss of 32 cents per share missed the consensus estimate, while quarterly revenue sank 14.3%, and same-store sales slumped 11.6%. The stock had been rebounding off its Aug. 15 bottom at $3.15, but recently ran into resistance at its 80-day moving average.
5. Crude inventories data is due. Aurora Cannabis (ACB) and Tailored Brands (TLRD) will report earnings.

Stimulus Hopes Boost Hong Kong, European Stocks

Markets in Asia were mostly higher today, with China's Shanghai Composite being the exception, down 0.4% following news that the country’s Ministry of Finance will leave 16 American products exempt from more tariffs. Stimulus expectations buoyed stocks in Hong Kong, specifically in the financial and property sectors, with the Hang Seng up 1.8% to a new six-week high. South Korea's Kospi got a lift, too, tacking on 0.8%. Elsewhere, Japan's Nikkei collected a 1% win as the yen continues to weaken.

European stocks are up at midday, as investors eye Thursday's European Central Bank (ECB) decision with hopes of a new government stimulus package. The French CAC 40 is up 0.6%, while the DAX in Germany has added 0.9%. Meanwhile, London's FTSE 100 is up nearly 1% on merger developments, with London Stock Exchange Group (LSE) trading more than 5% higher after Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) proposed an unsolicited $36.6 billion takeover.

The Dow cruised to a sixth straight win today, its longest winning streak since early June. Thanks to outsized gains from Apple (AAPL) and the latest trade tailwinds, the blue-chip index spent nearly the entire day in the black, and closed above the 27,000 level for the first time since July 30. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also earned wins, with the latter snapping a three-day losing streak thanks to a resurgent tech sector. Elsewhere, Wall Street's "fear gauge" -- the VIX -- closed at its lowest point since July 30. 

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

• Call buyers could hit it big with these 2 pharma stocks.
• GameStop stock ended its recent winning streak after an earnings flop.
• iQiyi calls were hot during today's pop.
• Plus, 2 stocks that soared after earnings; puts pop on Broadcom; and Micron gets upgraded.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 27,137.04) recorded a 227.6-point, or 0.9%, gain. Boeing (BA) had the best day of the 21 blue-chip gainers, finishing up 3.6%, while International Business Machines (IBM) led the nine laggards with its 1% drop.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 3,000.93) gained 21.5 points, or 0.7%, to close above 3,000 for the first time since July 20. The Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 8,169.68) closed up 85.5 points, or 1.1%.

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 14.61) shed 0.6 point, or 3.9%.

5 Items on our Radar Today

1. A Scottish civil court ruled today that U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's suspension of Parliament until Oct. 14 was unlawful. Johnson is pushing for a no-deal Brexit deal to get Britain out of the European Union (EU) by Oct. 31, and the U.K. government appeal against the proroguing will be heard next week by Britain's Supreme Court. (BBC)
2. The White House reportedly met with representatives from both the biofuel and oil refining industries in order to reach a deal that expands ethanol blending mandates. The Trump administration apparently said a deal must be reached by Friday in order to reopen a previous agreement from June. (Reuters)
3. Earnings beats led to these two stocks to big days.
4. Put traders came out of the woodwork ahead of Broadcom earnings.
5. An upgrade helped Micron stock vault past the $50 level.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Oil Extends Losses; Gold Reclaims $1,500

Oil prices finished lower today for the second straight day, after reports indicated President Donald Trump was considering easing U.S. sanctions against Iran. Also weighing on black gold was the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' (OPEC) decision to trim its demand forecast for next year. October-dated crude futures fell $1.65, or 2.9%, to settle at $55.75 per barrel.

Gold rebounded today to reclaim the key $1,500 per-ounce level, as expectations for a Fed rate cut next week ramped up after President Trump's tweets. Gold for December delivery closed down $4, or 0.3%, at $1,503.20 an ounce.

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) futures are above fair value this morning, after President Donald Trump delayed an upcoming tariff hike on Chinese goods to Oct. 15 from Oct. 1, citing the People's Republic of China's 70th anniversary as the catalyst for his "gesture of good will." The European Central Bank's (ECB) decision to cut its key interest rate and initiate quantitative easing with a bond-buying program is only fanning the bullish flames, while traders are also eyeing the latest consumer price index (CPI), which edged up 0.1% in August, as expected. Another gain today would mark a seventh straight for the Dow, a winning streak not seen since May 2018.

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

• Broadcom options traders scooped up pre-earnings puts.
• Behind this biotech's 27% surge.
• Founder and CEO Bernie Schaeffer drills down on the key technical hurdles Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index is facing.
• Plus, Hertz gets an Icahn boost; and 2 weed stocks set to drop.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 1.30 million call contracts traded on Wednesday -- the most since March 15 -- compared to 705,249 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio sank to 0.54, while the 21-day moving average slipped to 0.67.
2. Hertz Global Holdings Inc (NYSE:HTZ) stock is up 2.5% in electronic trading, after a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing revealed activist investor Carl Icahn boosted his stake in the car rental name to 30.1% from 29.49%. HTZ stock has surged 28% since its Aug. 28 bottom at $11.24, settling last night at $14.39.
3. The shares of Aurora Cannabis Inc (NYSE:ACB) are down 10% in pre-market trading, after the pot producer reported lower-than-expected quarterly revenue, and said it won't be profitable until fiscal 2020, compared to a previous estimate for its fiscal 2019 fourth quarter. ACB stock's rally off its late-August lows near $5.40 stalled yesterday near its 50-day moving average, with the shares closing at $6.49.
4. Fellow weed stock Tilray Inc (NASDAQ:TLRY) is also lower ahead of the bell, poised to open down 1.7%. The company filed for a mixed-shelf offering of Class 2 common stock of up to $400 million, per an SEC filing. TLRY's attempt to rise off its early September bottom just above $25 has been contained by its 20-day moving average, with the stock settling Wednesday at $30.71.
5. The Fed's balance sheet, weekly jobless claims, and the Treasury budget are due. Broadcom (AVGO), Duluth Holdings (DLTH), and Kroger (KR) will report earnings.

ECB Moves Boost European Stocks

Stocks in Asia ended mostly higher today, as President Donald Trump's tweet on tariff delays helped buoy global trade sentiment. The Shanghai Composite in China and the Nikkei in Japan each rose 0.8%, with the latter getting a lift from Yahoo Japan, which surged after announcing its plan to buy e-tail name Zozo. Hong Kong's Hang Seng inched 0.3% lower, and South Korea's Kospi was closed for holiday.

A brand new stimulus package from the ECB has lifted major European markets at midday, with policymakers announcing a sizable new bond-buying program and an interest rate cut that arrived in line with expectations. The French CAC 40 is 0.5% higher after oil issue Rubis reported a major earnings beat, while the German DAX has tacked on 0.6%. London’s FTSE 100 is eking out a 0.2% win, as fears of potential economic and political turmoil thanks to a no-deal Brexit tamp further gains.

U.S. stocks are pushing higher today, putting the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) on pace for a sixth straight win. The gains come after China released a list of U.S. goods that would be exempt from tariffs, while Wall Street is also reacting to President Donald Trump's tweets about interest rates and the Fed. The tech sector is one prominent area of strength today, with Apple (AAPL) near the top of the Dow, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) and S&P 500 Index (SPX) are in positive territory, too.

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

• Wall Street's been warming up to this mining stock.
• Analyst glows about ELY's TopGolf investment.
• Plus, Micron traders react to bull note; FDA update bolsters drug stock; and potential support for GameStop.

One name seeing accelerated options trading today is Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU), as traders react to the equity's latest bull note. Calls are crossing at twice the expected rate, and volume has already surpassed the daily average. The September 50 and October 55 calls are most popular, with new positions opening at the latter. MU shares were last seen at $50.77, up 2.8% today.

One of the best stocks today is Aimmune Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:AIMT), after Food and Drug Administration (FDA) staffers reviewed the company's peanut allergy drug. The shares are trading up 12% at $24.70, making a big move past recent congestion near the 200-day moving average.

U.S. stocks are off their morning highs, but the major indexes are still trading in positive territory halfway through the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is eyeing a seventh straight winning session, as traders respond to President Donald Trump's tariff postponement, on top of stimulus plans from Europe. Wall Street's also considering comments from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who told CNBC that the Trump administration is "seriously considering" issuing a 50-year bond.

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

• OLED pullback worsens after downgrade.
• Construction stocks drilled by bearish analyst attention.
• Plus, traders target volatile PCG; a blockchain stock keeps rallying; and a sinking boat stock. 

One name seeing notable options trading is utility name PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), as new positions open in the weekly 9/27 series. The 11.50-strike call is most popular by a wide margin, and next up is the 13-strike call, with some of the action here potentially part of a call ratio spread. Longer term, new positions are also opening at the October 13 and 14 calls. PCG shares were last seen down 3.1% at $10.35.

One of the best stocks today is Overstock.com Inc (NASDAQ:OSTK), as it looks for a seventh straight up day. The shares were last seen up 8.8% at $24.77, as the blockchain specialist benefits from buzz around its token platform tZero. OSTK has been rallying higher since another meet-up with its 200-day moving average earlier this month.

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) futures are signaling a higher start, building on the momentum that sent the blue-chip index to its longest winning streak in 16 months yesterday. Upbeat trade headlines continue to drive the positive price action, with China's Commerce Ministry saying earlier it will add pork and soybeans to a list of U.S. products exempt from additional tariffs. Wall Street is also digesting this morning's retail sales data, which rose a more-than-expected 0.4% in August on robust auto sales. Futures on the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) are up, too, with stocks poised to close in on new record highs.

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

• Caterpillar stock flashes warning signs.
• RH call traders won big on a pre-earnings rally.
• Plus, a bouncing drug stock; Etsy gets a big upgrade; and Baker Hughes is indicted.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 1.10 million call contracts traded on Thursday, compared to 610,116 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio rose to 0.55, while the 21-day moving average remained at 0.67.
2. Catalyst Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:CPRX) withdrew its plan for an eight-million share offering, representing around 8% of the drugmaker's float, saying the "current market price of the common stock is not in the best interest of the company and its stockholders." Initial news of the offering had CPRX stock settling at $6.13 on Thursday -- down 20% from Wednesday's record high of $7.67 -- but the shares are up 10.6% ahead of the bell today.
3. Wedbush upgraded Etsy Inc (NASDAQ:ETSY) to "outperform" from "neutral," with the brokerage firm waxing optimistic over the online marketplace's pre-holiday season launches of Etsy Ads and free shipping. ETSY stock is 3.8% higher in electronic trading, set to open around the $57 per-share mark -- just below its Aug. 2 bear gap.
4. Baker Hughes A GE Co (NYSE:BHGE) was indicted by a grand jury in Alaska on allegations the energy firm exposed workers to toxic chemicals, though the company denied the charges. BHGE stock closed last night at $22.64, off 8.5% since a recent rejection at its 200-day moving average.
5. Import and export prices, consumer sentiment, and business inventories are due. This busy batch of economic data comes ahead of next week's Fed meeting.

U.K. Stocks Struggle as Pound Strengthens

The stimulus deal in Europe and easing tensions between the U.S. and China sent stocks in Asia higher today. Japan's Nikkei was up almost 1.1%, hitting a four-month high on big gains for Yahoo Japan and SoftBank Group, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng nearly eked out a 1% win on a boost from life insurance issue AIA. China's Shanghai Composite and South Korea's Kospi were both closed for holiday.

Stocks in Europe are mostly higher at midday, as bank stocks advance following yesterday's European Central Bank (ECB) stimulus announcement. The French CAC 40 is up 0.3%, while the German DAX has added 0.6%. London's FTSE 100 is hovering right below breakeven, however, off 0.03% as blue-chip stocks falter in the face of a strengthening pound.

The Dow staged a last-minute rally to log its fifth straight gain and longest winning streak since early June. The blue-chip index spent most of the day in the red, though, bogged down by a lackluster tech sector. And while the S&P 500 joined the Dow in the green at the close, the Nasdaq ended in the red for its third straight loss. Investors digested Apple's latest product reveal event, with the tech titan unveiling the new iPhone 11 and pricing its AppleTV+ and Apple Arcade streaming services at $4.99 a month -- putting fellow FAANG names Amazon.com (AMZN) and Netflix (NFLX) under particular pressure. Elsewhere, small-cap stocks outperformed, with the Russell 2000 Index surging 1.2%.

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

• These 2 drug stocks made major moves today.
• This red-hot Chinese tech stock sports cheap options. 
• Workday stock is on sale, according to this signal.
• Plus, Fox gets double downgraded; a bearish bet on Chesapeake Energy; and 2 auto stocks in focus.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 26,909.43) recorded a 73.9-point, or 0.3%, gain. Dow (DOW) had the best day of the 18 blue-chip gainers, finishing up 4.2%, while McDonald's (MCD) led the 12 laggards with its 3.5% drop.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,979.39) gained 1 point, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 8,084.16) closed down 3.3 points.

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 15.20) shed 0.07 point, or 0.5%.

5 Items on our Radar Today

1. President Donald Trump took to Twitter earlier to say he asked National Security Advisor John Bolton for his resignation. The two reportedly had disagreements over policies in North Korea, Iran, and Afghanistan. Bolton, who was Trump's third national security advisor, said in a tweet of his own that he "offered to resign." (Reuters) 
2. The roadshow for the WeWork initial pubic offering (IPO) appears ready to kick off next Monday, Sept. 16, sources tell CNBC. There have been a string of hiccups leading up to the event, the latest being outside investor SoftBank asking the We Company to shelve the IPO. The real estate startup also had its valuation slashed last week. (CNBC) 
3. Cord-cutting had one analyst double downgrading Fox stock. 
4. Breaking down one option bear's big bet on Chesapeake Energy stock.
5. These two auto stocks revealed new products today. 

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Oil Streak Snapped; Gold Breaches Key Level

Oil prices finished lower today to snap a four-day winning streak, with some speculating Bolton's ouster could boost chances the U.S. lifts sanctions on Iran. October-dated crude futures fell 45 cents, or 0.8%, to settle at $57.40 per barrel.

Gold fell again today -- its fourth straight loss -- with demand under pressure amid rallying bond yields. Gold futures for December delivery closed down $11.90, or 0.8%, at $1,499.20 an ounce, its first settlement below the psychologically significant $1,500 per-ounce mark in over a month. 

The Dow roared to its seventh straight win today, its longest winning streak since May 2018. The blue-chip index also came within a chip-shot of its July 15 record close in intraday action, as traders cheered President Donald Trump's "gesture of good will" toward China, as well as his tweet that Beijing may "be buying large amounts of [U.S] agricultural products." European stimulus buzz fueled bulls' fire, too, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also finishing in the black -- the former locking up a third consecutive gain, and the latter powered by an outperforming tech sector.

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

• Put options on this oil stock could pay off. 
• Signal says there's more upside to Sony stock.
• These 3 stocks made massive moves today.
• Plus, bearish alarms for Caterpillar; a successful RH options trade; and bears bombard GE.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 27,182.45) recorded a 45.4-point, or 0.2%, gain. Visa (V) had the best day of the 22 blue-chip gainers, finishing up 1.7%, while Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) led the eight laggards with its 4.3% drop.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 3,009.57) gained 8.6 points, or 0.3%, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 8,194.47) closed up 24.8 points, or 0.3%.

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 14.22) shed 0.4 point, or 2.7%.

5 Items on our Radar Today

1. Democratic presidential front-runners Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren will share the stage for the first time tonight. The top 10 candidates will debate in Houston tonight for the third time leading up to the 2020 presidential election. (Reuters)
2. Another FAANG name could be facing antitrust issues. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reportedly looking into Amazon.com (AMZN), and how small businesses are impacted by revenue made on Amazon's site in comparison to other online marketplaces. Facebook (FB) and Alphabet's Google (GOOGL) are already facing antitrust probes. (USA Today)
3. 2 signs that say steer clear of Caterpillar stock.
4. Breaking down this profitable RH options trade.
5. GE options traders are bracing for more losses soon.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Three Straight Drops For Oil

Oil logged its third straight loss today, after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' (OPEC) said bigger production cuts won't be discussed until its December meeting. October-dated crude futures fell 66 cents, or 1.2%, to settle at $55.09 per barrel.

Gold extended its rally today, taking cues from the new stimulus measures announced by the ECB. Gold for December delivery closed up $4.20, or 0.3%, at $1,507.40 an ounce.

U.S. stocks are mostly pushing higher once again, putting the major indexes within striking distance of fresh record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) has an eighth straight gain in its sights thanks to China's tariff exemptions, though the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) are trading closer to breakeven. Still, all three indexes are well on their way to a third consecutive weekly win.

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

• Bulls bet on upside for Freeport-McMoRan.
• An airline stock that's running red hot.
• Plus, United Rental bulls cash out; Wall Street newbie tries to bounce; and insurance stock dips.

One name seeing notable options trading is United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI), as the shares look set to notch an eighth straight win -- up 2.7% at $131.48. Traders may be cashing out amid the rental name's technical strength, with positions seemingly being closed at the September 125 call, which was second on the top open interest positions list coming into today. URI stock is now testing the 320-day moving average, a trendline that has acted as a ceiling in recent months.

One notable riser today is SmileDirectClub Inc (NASDAQ:SDC), as the shares try to recover from their weak initial public offering (IPO) performance. The teledentistry stock hit the public market yesterday at $20.55, but settled near session lows at $16.67. Today, though, SDC stock is up 11.3% at $18.55.

Meanwhile, insurance concern Progressive Corp (NYSE:PGR) is underperforming on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The company reported disappointing net income for August, sending the shares down 7.4% to $71.26. However, PGR could find support at the 320-day moving average, and is still up 18.1% year-to-date.