The Dow took another hit today, shedding over 260 points -- its biggest one-day drop since Oct. 8 -- after disappointing U.S. manufacturing data was released earlier in the day. Traders also reacted to reports of new Trump administration tariffs, which offset this weekend's strong holiday shopping numbers. The Nasdaq and S&P also slipped, suffering their worst days since early October. In contrast, today's sharp decline had the Cboe Volatility Index notching its biggest one-day percentage gain since August.

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

• Call options look good for this FAANG stock in December. 
• Why options bears might want to board Carnival Cruise stock right now. 
• Plus, a red-hot bank stock; FUN drops on bearish analyst attention; and the $50 million news that sent XENE stock soaring. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 27,783.04) lost 268.4 points, or nearly 1%. Only six of the 30 blue chips ended higher, with Coca-Cola (KO) pacing the gainers with its 0.7% pop. Boeing (BA) sunk to the bottom of the barrel on its 3% dip.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 3,113.87) shed 27.1 points, or 0.9%, and the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 8,567.99) sloughed off 97.5 points, or 1.1%.

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 14.91) saw its highest close in over a month, adding  adding 2.3 points, or 18.2%.

5 Items on Our Radar Today

1. A new Second Amendment case was taken to the Supreme Court today, challenging a New York City ruling that bans the transportation of handguns outside city limits. While conservative Justices Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito initially wanted to bend the case to address recent gun law controversy in the U.S., it looks as if the case will eventually be dismissed. (CNBC)
2. According to J.P. Morgan Securities analyst Samik Chatterjee, Apple (AAPL) will be expected to release four new iPhones, with a range of screen sizes, in the fall of next year. The smartphones are expected to have 5G connectivity, and could mark the beginning of a new launch strategy for the tech titan, which is projected to begin staggering its phone productions. (MarketWatch)
3. This financial stock is red-hot ahead of next week's Fed meeting.  
4. Why this amusement park stock is sputtering out. 
5. The $50 million agreement that sent Xenon stock soaring. 

There are no earnings of note today.

OPEC Optimism Boosts Oil Prices 

Optimism over the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies' plans to potentially deepen output cuts during this week's meeting had oil settling higher today. January-dated crude futures were up 79 cents, or 1.4%, to settle at $55.96 a barrel. 

Gold prices dipped on Monday, as traders digested global manufacturing data. February gold futures dropped $3.50 , or 0.2%, to close at $1,469.20 an ounce.

After the market kicked off December on a sour note, Dow futures are now staring at an over 200-point drop, pivoting away from earlier gains after President Donald Trump's remarks at a London news conference. Speaking ahead of a NATO meeting, Trump's noted he "like[s] the idea of waiting until after the [2020] election for the China deal," casting doubt that a trade deal with Beijing will be reached ahead of the looming Dec. 15 deadline for tariff hikes. Elsewhere, Trump also took aim at France's new digital services tax, after the White House threatened yesterday it could impose duties of up to 100% on $2.4 billion worth of French imports. 

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

• Schaeffer's Senior V.P. of Research Todd Salamone explains why IWM call options are a smart way to manage risk right now.
• Breaking down these big Ford options bets.
• Plus, AK Steel bought out by Cleveland-Cliffs; PG&E hit with damning probe; and Facebook has a fan in Piper Jaffray.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 991,406 call contracts traded on Monday, compared to 654,018 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio edged up to 0.66, while the 21-day moving average rose to 0.59.
2. AK Steel Holding Corporation (NYSE:AKS) stock is up 8.3% in electronic trading, after Cleveland-Cliffs Inc (NYSE:CLF) agreed to buy the company for $1.1 billion in an all-stock deal. The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of next year, barring regulatory approvals. AKS is on track for its highest open since late February, and looks ready to clear resistance at its 320-day moving average.
3. PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) stock is down 1.5% ahead of the bell, after a California state probe showed the utility company neglected inspection of transmission lines that caused the deadly 2018 Camp Fire. PCG is down 67% year-to-date, and facing stiff pressure from its 50-day moving average.
4. The shares of Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) are down 1.1% in electronic trading, despite a bullish initiation from Piper Jaffray. The brokerage firm doled out an "overweight" rating and $230 price target for the FAANG stock, citing online ad spending as a 2020 catalyst. FB has added 15% since its early October pullback to support at its 200-day moving average.
5. Today's economic calendar will feature monthly auto sales. AeroVironment (AVAV), AutoZone (AZO), Marvell Technology (MRVL), Salesforce.com (CRM), Workday (WDAY), and Zscaler (ZS) will report earnings.

European Stocks Weighed Down By Trade Barbs

Stocks in Asia closed mostly lower, though they managed to pare much of their early deficits, with the Shanghai Composite coming all the way back to close in positive territory. The Chinese benchmark added 0.3% for the day, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng settled with a 0.2% loss, weighed down by disappointing retail data for October. Japan’s Nikkei ended in the red, as well, dropping 0.6%, and South Korea’s Kospi closed down 0.4%. 

European indexes are moving lower today on heightened trade war fears. London’s FTSE 100 is leading the sell-off with a 1.4% decline, putting the index on pace for its lowest close since mid-October. France’s CAC 40 is also getting hit hard, last seen 0.7% lower, with luxury retailers in particular suffering big losses after Trump threatened more tariffs on the country's imports. The German DAX, meanwhile, has managed a 0.4% gain. 

Stocks are getting hammered again today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) dropping more than 400 points, to put it on pace for its worst day since early October. The selling comes after President Donald Trump suggested a trade deal with China may not happen until after the 2020 presidential election, while his tariff threats toward France are applying additional pressure. The S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) are falling fast too, with heavy losses piling up in the tech sector, as the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) makes another double-digit percentage move to the upside.

• Why option bears were blitzing this penny stock out of the gate.
• The options indicator nearing extreme levels on Lululemon.
• Plus, Shopify weeklies popular; 2 healthcare stocks making huge moves.

One name seeing unusual options trading is Shopify Inc (NYSE:SHOP), as the shares move up 2.1% to $336.69, moving higher from long-term chart support. The weekly 12/6 series is seeing most of the action, and the 340- and 350-strike calls are leading the way. New positions are opening here, and those buying the contracts are betting on more upside for SHOP through the end of the week, when the series expires.

One of the best stocks today is Audentes Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:BOLD), exploding 105% to $58.74, thanks to news Japan's Astellas Pharma plans to buy the gene therapy company for $3 billion. Those who were holding BOLD shares since the start of the year have seen the stock rise 176% year-to-date.

Another healthcare stock making a big move is Cara Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:CARA), though to the downside. The biopharma concern is down 27.8% at $18.68 following mixed trial data for the company's anti-itch drug Korsuva. Despite the slide, the shares seem to be finding familiar support near the $17.50-$18 range, which has served as a floor since March.

After the market spent the last three days swimming in red ink, Dow futures are poised for a triple-digit bounce-back today. A Bloomberg report cited sources that claimed the U.S. and China were making progress toward a "phase one" deal, assuaging concerns that tensions between the two sides had intensified. Elsewhere, investors are unpacking the latest ADP employment report, which showed private payrolls rose by a weak 67,000 in November, far short of the 150,000 consensus estimate. 

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

• The Dow's not at new highs if you look beyond the dollar, according to Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White.
• These two stocks moved in opposite directions yesterday.
• Plus, Campbell Soup dinged by sales forecast; Mastercard increases quarterly dividend; and Alphabet's C-suite shakeup.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 1.00 million call contracts traded on Tuesday, compared to 704,555 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio edged up to 0.70, while the 21-day moving average remained at 0.59.
2. Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) stock is down 1.7% in electronic trading, after the packaged food titan cut its 2020 organic sales forecast. This is overshadowing the company's fiscal first-quarter earnings beat. CPB is up 44% in 2019, with support in place at its 80-day moving average. 
3. Mastercard Inc (NYSE:MA) stock is up 1.2% ahead of the bell, after the credit card company increased its quarterly dividend by 21% to 40 cents per share. Mastercard also announced an $8 billion share buyback program. MA is up 52% year-to-date, and remains a chip-shot from its Sept. 9 record high of $293.58. 
4. The shares of Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) are up 0.7% in pre-market trading, after the Google parent company announced co-founder Larry Page would step down and be replaced by Sundar Pichai, the current CEO of Google. GOOGL has shed 1.3% in the last seven days, but support has emerged at its 40-day moving average.
5. Today's economic calendar also features Markit's services PMI, and the ISM non-manufacturing index. At Home (HOME), Five Below (FIVE), G-III Apparel Group (GIII), H&R Block (HRB), National Beverage (FIZZ), Slack Technologies (WORK), RH (RH), Tilly's (TLYS), and Verint Systems (VRNT) will step into the earnings confessional.

Trade Uncertainty Weighing on Asian Markets

Stocks in Asia struggled during today’s session, taking a cue from their U.S. counterparts and falling under pressure from trade uncertainty. Starting in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng paced the selling, dropping 1.3% for its lowest close since Oct. 10. Traders were met with more downbeat data from the territory, with the IHS purchasing managers index falling the most since 2003.  China’s Shanghai Composite also fell, dropping 0.2%, and Japan’s Nikkei pulled back 1.2%. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Kospi closed with a 0.7% loss. 

European markets are mostly on the rise today, though, benefiting from Bloomberg’s report of progress on a potential trade deal between the U.S. and China. The one outlier is London’s FTSE 100, which was last seen down 0.05%, on pace for a fifth straight loss. On the other hand, the French CAC 40 is up 1.2%, and Germany’s DAX is up 1.1%. 

Concerning comments from U.S. President Donald Trump that he may not be ready to make a trade deal with China until next year's election had the Dow continuing its slide today -- down 280 points for its biggest one-day dip since early October. A report also said the president is still planning on placing new tariffs on Chinese goods on Dec.15, despite recent signs of progress on a "phase one" agreement between the two countries. The Nasdaq and S&P also took a hit, with the latter clocking its lowest close in three weeks. 

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

• Uber stock could keep sliding, if history is any indicator. 
• The buyout news that had this pharma stock doubling today. 
• Plus, LYFT gets a bear note; LULU call options pop; and PLUG stock's wild trading day. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 27,502.81) lost 280.2 points, or 1%. Only five of the 30 blue chips ended in the black, with Merck (MRK) in the lead with a 0.4% win, and Intel (INTC) dropping to the bottom of the index on a 2.8% loss. 

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 3,093.20) shed 20.7 points, or 0.7%, and the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 8,520.64) lost 47.3 points, or 0.6%.

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 15.96) notched its highest close since Oct. 10, adding 1.1 points, or 7%.

5 Items on Our Radar Today

1. U.S. Senator and presidential hopeful Kamala Harris just announced that she is suspending her campaign. Harris cited lack of funds, and a recent tumble from the top tier of Democratic candidates currently in the running.  (CNBC)
2. After President Trump's initial calls to hold the next G-7 meeting at Trump National Doral Miami resort was met with widespread criticism, the U.S. president finally announced that Camp David in Maryland would act as the new location for the event. (MarketWatch)
3. LYFT stock continued to sputter after Piper Jaffray's bear note.  
4. Calls pop on Lululemon stock amid upbeat analyst attention. 
5. Why PLUG stock got slammed by options bears today. 

Gold Pops After Trump Comments Spook Wall Street 

Oil initially pulled back amid the latest U.S.-China trade headlines, but was able to notch a shaky win later in the day on lingering hopes of bigger output cuts from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). January-dated crude futures were up 14 cents, or 0.3%, to settle at $56.10 a barrel. 

With Trump's comments spooking traders today, Wall Street reached for gold, causing the the safe haven to hit a nearly one-month high. February gold futures jumped $15.20, or 1%, to close at $1,484.40 an ounce.

Stocks are recovering some of yesterday's massive losses, thanks to more vague trade headlines pointing to progress in U.S.-China trade talks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is comfortably in triple-digit territory, while a big day from the energy sector has the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) higher as well. This comes as oil prices surge on a bigger-than-expected decline in U.S. inventories, with January-dated crude futures up 4.1% at $58.42 per barrel at last check.

• Bullish GPRO bets go as planned for options traders.
• Salesforce.com sinks despite positive post-earnings analyst attention.
• Plus, bulls see airline stock rising; drug stock hits fresh highs; and Wayfair breaks down further.

One name seeing unusual options trading is JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ:JBLU). The December 20 call is seeing extreme volume, with more than 41,000 contracts crossing so far, and data points to buy-to-open activity. If that's the case, traders see JBLU rising above $20 in the coming weeks. The airline stock was last seen up 1.7% at $19.12, bouncing back from yesterday's sector-wide pullback.

One of the best stocks today is Relmada Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:RLMD). The shares are trading up 17.6% at $40.51, and earlier hit their highest levels since 2015, peaking at $42.80. The move comes after the drugmaker announced a $100 million equity offering, and puts its year-to-date lead at 810%.

One name making a notable move lower is Wayfair Inc (NYSE:W), last seen down 4.6% at $79.22, flirting with fresh lows and a potential break south from a recent post-bear-gap consolidation pattern in the $80-$85 range. W's 10-day put/call volume ratio at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) is 1.92 and ranks in the bearish 83rd annual percentile, so options traders were positioned for more losses.

The Dow snapped its three-day losing streak today, after a report from Bloomberg suggested the U.S. and China could reach a "phase one" trade deal sooner than investors previously believed. U.S. President Donald Trump also changed his tune, following yesterday's comments that he would hold off on an agreement until after the 2020 election, indicating trade negotiations between the two countries are progressing. But while the S&P and Nasdaq also gained ground on the day, all three indexes settled off their intraday highs on disappointing economic data, including a lower-than-anticipated reading on private payrolls from November.

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

• A look into this oil ETF's options pits ahead of tomorrow's OPEC meeting. 
• How Expedia stock is staging a turnaround after last month's devastating earnings report.  
• Plus, WDAY stock takes post-earnings nosedive; GPRO posts upbeat sales data; and analysts brush off CRM's dismal Q4 outlook. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 27,649.78) added roughly 147 points, or 0.5%. Twenty-three of the blue chips ended higher. JPMorgan Chase (JPM) took the lead with a 2% gain, while Cisco (CSCO) paced the losers on a 0.9% drop.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 3,112.76) tacked on 19.6 points, or 0.6%, and the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 8,566.67) added 46 points, or 0.5%.

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 14.80) gave back 1.2 points, or 7.3%. 

5 Items on Our Radar Today

1. Popular Japanese gaming company Nintendo just announced that a record-setting 830,000 Switch devices were sold in the U.S. between Nov. 24 and Nov. 30, boosted by strong Black Friday sales, and the brands cheaper Switch Lite model, which runs at $199. (CNBC)
2. During the second day of Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk's defamation trial, following a series of tweets in which he called Vernon Unsworth -- a British diver and cave explorer -- a "pedo guy," Musk tried to defend himself by saying he was overworked. He added that he was "absolutely not" accusing Unsworth of pedophilia, and called his tweets "off the cuff." This would not be the first time the Tesla founder has come under fire for his often contentious tweets. (MarketWatch)
3. Workday stock was slammed with bear notes following a dismal earnings report. 
4. Why options bulls think struggling GoPro stock could bounce back. 
5. Behind CRM stock's mixed post-earnings reaction. 

Oil Prices Skyrocket Ahead of OPEC Meeting 

Oil prices surged on Wednesday, hitting a two-week high ahead of tomorrow's Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meeting. Quite a bit of optimism surrounds the summit, with expectations for deeper production cuts. A decline in domestic crude supplies also boosted the commodity. January-dated crude futures were up $2.33, or 4.2%, to settle at $58.43 a barrel. 

Gold prices pulled back today as stocks bounced. February gold futures fell $4.20, or 0.3%, to close at $1,480.20 an ounce.

Wall Street bounced back yesterday from its early week drubbing, and Dow futures are pointed confidently higher once more today. The latest U.S.-China trade headline is powering this morning's surge, after Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman, Gao Feng, confirmed both sides are communicating with each other. However, additional details were scant ahead of the Dec. 15 deadline for the U.S. to hike tariffs on Chinese goods, although President Donald Trump did remark yesterday that talks were "going very well." Elsewhere, weekly jobless claims fell by 10,000 last week to a seven-month low, while the U.S. trade deficit fell 7.6% in October to its lowest level since May 2018. 

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

• Bulls blasted rallying JetBlue stock yesterday.
• Analysts are betting big on this Dow stock.
• Plus, Goldman says "buy" Nike; Slack jumps on revenue beat; and a C-suite shake-up at United Airlines.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 883,050 call contracts traded on Wednesday, compared to 478,525 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio fell to 0.54, while the 21-day moving average stayed at 0.59.
2. Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE) stock is up 2.3% in electronic trading, after Goldman Sachs upgraded the shoe retailer to "buy" from "neutral," and added it to its conviction list. The analyst in coverage thinks Nike is on the verge of "sharp acceleration" in earnings growth, in part due to China revenues. NKE is set to open a chip-shot away from its Oct. 21 record high of $96.87. 
3. Slack Technologies Inc (NYSE:WORK) stock is up 4.8% ahead of the bell, after the software company reported a third-quarter adjusted loss that was slimmer than expected. Revenue also topped forecasts, although Credit Suisse trimmed its price target to $27 from $35. WORK is down 44% in 2019.
4. The shares of United Airlines Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:UAL) are up 0.9% in electronic trading, after the company announced CEO Oscar Munoz will step down in 2020, to be replaced by President Scott Kirby. Munoz will transition to the executive chairman role. The airline stock is holding above its year-to-date breakeven point, with its 80-day moving average emerging as additional support.
5. Today's economic calendar features factory orders. Earnings from American Outdoor Brands (AOBC), Cloudera (CLDR), DocuSign (DOCU), Dollar General (DG), Kroger (KR), Ulta Beauty (ULTA), Zoom Video Communications (ZM), and Zumiez (ZUMZ) will be released.

Asian Markets Mostly Higher; European Stocks Mixed at Midday

It was a bullish session for most of the major stock indexes in Asia. The Shanghai Composite in China added 0.7% to test the 2,900 level, and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong saw similar upside, finishing with a 0.6% gain. Japan’s Nikkei joined in with the winners, rising 0.7%, while South Korea’s Kospi was the odd one out, dropping 0.4%.

It’s shaping up to be a mixed session in Europe. London’s FTSE 100 was last seen in negative territory, dipping 0.2%, while the German DAX is hovering near breakeven. In France, the CAC 40 is up 0.7%, on pace for another day of sharp gains after bouncing from the $5,700 level on Tuesday. 

Stocks are generally searching for direction at midday, as investors consider a muddied outlook for U.S.-China trade talks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI), S&P 500 Index (SPX), and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) are all trading in the red at last check, despite another positive day for the energy sector. January crude futures are trading up 0.3%, at $58.63 per barrel, as the OPEC meeting gets underway. 

• 3 retail stocks rising after earnings.
• Why an analyst is saying to buy Nike stock.
• Plus, Micron puts pick up; another retailer rallying higher; and drug stock crashes to new low.

One name seeing unusual options trading is Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU). Puts are crossing at an accelerated rate, with the April 40 put most popular overall. Meanwhile, new positions are possibly being bought to open at the weekly 12/13 46-strike put. The shares of MU were last see 0.2% higher at $46.39, with the company tentatively scheduled to report earnings on Dec. 18.

One of the best stocks today is Duluth Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:DLTH), with the apparel name rising 30.9% to $10.22, thanks to a well-received earnings release. The $10 level had been acting as a strong ceiling since mid-September, as DLTH looks for its first close in double-digit territory since that time, while also clearing recent congestion near the 80-day moving average.

One of the worst stocks on the Street is SAGE Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:SAGE), down 56.5% at $64.85, already hitting a two-year low of $56.50, after the company's depression drug failed a late-stage study. Options traders had been bearish in recent days, with the 10-day put/call volume ratio of 2.63 at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) ranking in the 87th annual percentile.

The Dow was relatively static today, trading on both sides of breakeven before eventually eking out a small win. Investors continued to turn a wary eye to the U.S.-China trade conflict, while economic data was also in focus. Elsewhere, investors paid specific attention to Nike (NKE) after an upgrade from Goldman Sachs, along with the retail sector more broadly, after several members stepped into the earnings confessional. Against this backdrop, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also didn't stray too far from breakeven.

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

• Why one analyst is concerned with Facebook's fast growth. 
• Calls were red-hot for this retail stock after a halo lift. 
• Plus, AOBC stock pops before earnings; Chipotle options are on sale; and finance stock gets rocked. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 27,677.79) added 28 points, or 0.1%. Seventeen of the 30 blue chips ended higher with Nike (NKE) in the lead on a 2.2% pop, while 3M (MMM) sunk to the bottom of the index, shedding 1.7%.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 3,117.43) added 4.7 points, or 0.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 8,570.70) added 4 points, or 0.1%.

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 14.52) gave back 0.3 point, or 1.9%. 

5 Items on Our Radar Today

1. Pharmaceutical issue Biogen (BIIB) just unveiled even more data on its late-stage Alzheimer's therapy, aducanumab. While much of the data echoed that of the release from October, analysts expect the drug will be taken to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (CNBC)
2. A Peruvian diplomat announced that the United States and Peru are nearing an agreement that would promote U.S. investments in the country. The agreement will take place under the United States' "Growth in the Americas" initiative. (Reuters)
3. What options traders were pricing in for AOBC stock ahead of earnings.
4. Why speculators should CMG options right now. 
5. The finance stock that just got gutted by Instinet. 

Oil Prices Waffle as Investors Eye OPEC Meeting

Oil prices waffled today, as investors kept tabs on today's Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meeting. January-dated crude futures closed flat for the day at $58.43 per barrel.

Gold prices managed to win back most of yesterday's losses today as investors turned back towards the precious metal amid shaky trade sentiment. February gold futures tacked on $2.90, or 0.2%, to close at $1,483.10 an ounce.

Stock futures are pointed confidently higher to end the week, as Wall Street reacts to a blowout jobs report. The Labor Department said the U.S. added 266,000 jobs in November -- handily toppling estimates for 187,000 new positions -- while the unemployment rate dipped to 3.5%. Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) futures, which were initially higher on reports China will waive import tariffs on some U.S. pork and soybean shipments, have extended their lead, while the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) are also signaling positive starts.

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

• Behind Goldman's big bull note for Nike stock. 
• The restaurant stock to take a bite out of right now. 
• Plus, ULTA reports big earnings beat; Tesla gets good China news; and Kate Spade's Tapestry downgraded.  

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 772,662 call contracts traded on Thursday, compared to 503,919 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio climbed to 0.65, while the 21-day moving average stayed at 0.59.
2. Ulta Beauty Inc (NASDAQ:ULTA) stock is up 8.7% in electronic trading, after the cosmetics retailer reported third-quarter earnings that topped analyst forecasts. Revenue and same-store sales came in roughly on par with estimates, too, and five brokerages have responded with price-target hikes this morning, the highest coming from J.P. Morgan Securities to $326 from $317. ULTA is poised to reclaim its year-to-date breakeven level today.
3. Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) stock is up 1.5% ahead of the bell, after the electric car company secured energy vehicle subsidies for its China-built Model 3. Morgan Stanley also chimed in, and upped its "bull case" on Tesla to $500, while keeping its overall price target at $250. The analyst laid out an optimistic scenario for the company's new Cybertruck. 
4. The shares of Tapestry Inc (NYSE:TPR) are 1% lower ahead of the bell, after Evercore cut its rating on the luxury retailer to "in-line" from "outperform." The brokerage firm also trimmed its price target to $25 from $32, noting a trend shift to more casual lifestyle clothing. TPR is down 24.6% in 2019, and has spent the last three months consolidating below the $26 level.
5. The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index and wholesale inventories will be released today. Big Lots (BIG) is scheduled to report earnings.

Asian Markets Climb; European Stocks Take Cues From Jobs Report

It was mostly a positive session for Asian stock markets today. China's Shanghai Composite closed up with a 0.4% gain, grabbing its highest close since Nov. 19. It was an even stronger session for the Hang Seng in Hong Kong, as the index rose 1.1%. In South Korea, the Kospi closed up 1%, and Japan’s Nikkei tacked on 0.2%.

European stocks are also on the rise today, extending their lead, as of this writing, thanks to the upbeat jobs data out of the U.S. The FTSE 100 in London was last seen with a 0.9% gain, pacing the major indexes in the region. Meanwhile, the French CAC 40 is up 0.4%, and Germany’s DAX has managed a 0.2% advance, with lackluster industrial output from Europe’s largest economy likely holding back its flagship index.

Stocks continue to climb after this morning's impressive jobs report, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) sporting a more than 300-point lead at the halfway point. Positive China buzz and rising oil prices are only adding to the bullish bias, after Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members agreed on even deeper production cuts. At last check, January crude futures were up 1.2% at $59.13 per barrel. Energy is outperforming as a result, along with the tech and retail sectors, helping push the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) sharply higher, as well. 

• One oncology stock an analyst is buying.
• Traders are blasting Ulta Beauty after earnings.
• Plus, Stitch Fix speculation ramps up; a retail winner; and Yext sinks after earnings.

One name seeing unusual options trading is Stitch Fix Inc (NASDAQ:SFIX), as traders pick up calls at a rapid pace. Volume is accelerated at the weekly 12/13 26-strike call, 32-strike put, and 30.50-strike put, as speculators target a one-week time frame, with the contracts due to expire at the close next Friday, Dec. 13. SFIX stock was last seen up 1% at $23.47, and earnings are due out this coming Monday, Dec. 9.

One of the best stocks today is Genesco Inc. (NYSE:GCO), thanks to the retailer's strong quarterly update. GCO was last seen 31.4% higher at $48.50, putting it above recent resistance at the 200-day moving average. Data from the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) shows call buying was popular coming into today, so some options traders could be cheering the earnings win. 

One of the worst stocks on the Street is Yext Inc (NYSE:YEXT), trading down 13.7% at $14.32, after earlier touching new lows just below the $13 level. The digital media company gave a disappointing outlook that was met with a wave of bear notes from analysts.