Stocks are continuing to climb at midday, as traders head into the new year on an optimistic note -- mostly thanks to fresh Chinese stimulus measures and a solid performance out of the semiconductor sector. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI), in particular, is pacing for a triple-digit win today and already hit yet another intraday high, while the S&P 500 Index (SPX), and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) aren't far behind.

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

• What traders can expect for the bull market in 2020, according to founder and CEO Bernie Schaeffer. 
• Why Jefferies is calling this weed stock a top pick for 2020. 
• Plus, JD.com eyes fresh highs; CEO buys SAVA stock; and DRRX shares slide on failed study. 

One stock seeing unusual options activity today is JD.Com Inc (NASDAQ:JD), which is trading up 4.1% at $36.66, and pacing for its highest close in 17 months. So far, 34,000 calls have crossed the tape -- three times the average intraday volume -- compared to only 6,226 puts. The weekly 1/3 36.50-strike call is the most active, with positions likely being sold to open here, followed by the March 40 call, where positions are possibly being purchased. 

One of the top performers on the Nasdaq today is biopharmaceutical concern Cassava Sciences Inc (NASDAQ:SAVA), which has added 29.4% so far to trade at $6.69. The company's CEO Remi Barbier said he purchased 100,000 shares of SAVA stock at $5.53 per share, bringing his stake to over 1 million shares, or $5.56 million. The pop has helped SAVA fill its Dec. 30 bear gap, and has the security eyeing its highest close since June 2018. 

Drugmaker Durect Corporation (NASDAQ:DRRX) is one of the worst performers on the Nasdaq -- down 24.7% to trade at $2.86 -- following an announcement that the firm's DUR-928 treatment did not show any meaningful improvement in patients with psoriasis during a phase 2a clinical trial. DRRX has retreated from its Dec. 31 10-year high of $3.95 as a result, and is eyeing its first close south of its 10-day moving average in nearly two weeks. 

The Dow kicked off 2020 with a flourish, finishing up over 330 points, its best session since Dec. 6. The blue-chip index nabbed a fresh intraday high in the process, thanks to the latest weekly jobless claims data and stimulus chatter out of China. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also posted solid wins and fresh record highs, with the latter nabbing its biggest percentage gain since Oct. 11 on a surging semiconductor sector.

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

• This is the best S&P stock to own in the first quarter, by a landslide.
• AMD options bulls are eyeing even more gains.
• Plus, a defense stock to target now; weed name gets "top pick" status; and a downgrade weighs on Hanesbrands. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 28,868.80) added 330.4 points, or 1.2%. Walt Disney (DIS) led the 24 winners with a 2.5% pop, while Dow Inc (DOW) paced the six laggards with a 1.8% dip.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 3,257.85) settled 27.1 points, or 0.8%, higher, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 9,092.19) tacked on 119.6 points, or 1.3%. 

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 12.47) lost 1.3 points, or 9.5%.

5 Items on Our Radar Today

1. While Wall Street starts 2020 off on the right foot, bitcoin stumbled out of the gate. The enigmatic cryptocurrency dropped as much as 4% today, dipping below the $7,000 level, and earlier traded at its lowest point in three weeks. Bitcoin gained 95% in 2019. (Bloomberg)
2. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today it was banning most flavored e-cigarettes, including fruit, candy, mint, and dessert flavors. Menthol and tobacco flavors will remain, a departure from President Donald Trump's promise to ban all vaping flavors. (MarketWatch)
3. Grab HII stock to start the year off strong.
4. Jefferies named Aphria its top pick in the cannabis industry.
5. Hanesbrands stock was hit with a double downgrade today.

There are no earnings of note today.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Seventh Heaven for Gold

Oil inched higher today, with some speculating growing tensions between the U.S. and Iran could create possible disruptions to crude supply. February-dated crude futures added 12 cents, or 0.2%, to end at $61.18 per barrel. 

Gold logged its seventh straight win today, to hit its highest amount since late September. February gold futures settled up $5, or 0.3%, end at $1,528.10 an ounce.

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) futures are signaling a negative start to the session, as caution sets in following the U.S. airstrikes in Iran that killed top military leader Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Oil prices, on the other hand, are on the rise; February crude futures are up 3.5% to $63.34 per barrel, with major energy stocks set to outperform as a result. Still, stocks on the whole are set to pull back due to the rising geopolitical tensions, as futures on the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) are also pacing for sharply lower opens.

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

• The red-hot defense stock set for an impressive first quarter. 
• Piper Jaffray just upgraded this Wall Street newcomer. 
• Plus, analysts eye a big year for pizza; AAPL's bull note; and a penny stock getting whacked.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 1.33 million call contracts traded on Thursday, compared to 725,914 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio slipped to 0.54, while the 21-day moving average was 0.56.
2. Papa John's International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) and Domino's Pizza, Inc. (NYSE:DPZ) received bullish analyst attention this morning, with BTIG suggesting that 2020 will be a year more people stay in and order food to their homes. The brokerage firm believes political debates and the Olympics will keep consumers glued to their TVs.
3. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) also received upbeat analyst attention this morning, with RBC saying an analysis of social media users shows increasing interest for the company's current-year iPhones. AAPL's price target there was raised to $330 from $295, which comes after the Dow component notched a record close of $300.35 on Thursday.
4. In penny stock news, Novan Inc (NASDAQ:NOVN) shares are set for a massive collapse at the open, down more than 70% in pre-market trading. The biotech's skin infection gel failed to meet its goals in a late-stage trial, and the stock is now pacing to open below $1 per share.

5. Today, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) manufacturing index, construction spending, and motor vehicle sales data is due out.

Airline Stocks in Europe Take Deep Losses

Stocks in Asia were muted today, as investors unpacked escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran. China's Shanghai Composite gave back 0.05%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 0.3%, despite big gains from oil stock PetroChina. South Korea's Kospi eked out a 0.06% win, while Japan's Nikkei remained closed for holiday.

Over in Europe, markets are reacting negatively to a U.S. airstrike that killed a top Iranian commander, with travel and leisure stocks taking the biggest hit. London's FTSE 100 is off by 0.3%, and the French CAC 40 is down 0.5%, at last check, with airliners IAG, EasyJet, and Lufthansa all staring at steep losses. The region's worst performer is the German DAX, though, down 1.7%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is down more than 240 points at midday, as Wall Street weighs news a U.S. airstrike had killed top Iranian military commander, Qassem Soleimani. Iran's promise of "harsh retaliation" in response to the attack is only stoking the bearish flames, while traders are also digesting weak factory data, with the Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) manufacturing index hitting a 10-year low of 47.2 in December. Oil prices, meanwhile, are spiking, with February-dated crude up 3.1% at $63.05 per barrel.

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

• 2 airline stocks selling off on escalating U.S.-Iran tensions
• J.P. Morgan Securities thinks Humana can rally another 23%.
• Plus, Snap calls in heavy rotation; behind Incyte's big sell-off; and GameStop retreats from key trendline. 

Snap Inc (NYSE:SNAP) is seeing unusual options activity today, as the social media stock bucks the bearish broad-market bias to trade up 1.5% at $17.02. Call options continue to be preferred, with roughly 61,000 calls on the tape, compared to 14,000 puts. Speculators may be buying to open the weekly 1/10 17-strike call to bet on bigger gains through the close next Friday, Jan. 10.

Incyte Corporation (NASDAQ:INCY) is near the bottom of the Nasdaq today, on news the company's graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) therapy, itacitinib, failed to meet its main goal in a late-stage study. A round of bear notes has ensued -- including a downgrade to "neutral" from "buy" at Mizuho -- with INCY down 10.9% at $76.64.

GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME) is one of the worst stocks on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) today, down 5.8% at $5.95. The shares of the video game retailer had bounced off their late-December lows near $5.25, but ran headlong into familiar resistance at their 200-day moving average.

Stocks clung close to breakeven today, though the Dow managed to settle higher. This came after traders considered a tweet from President Donald Trump saying he'll sign a trade deal with China by Jan. 15. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq and S&P both managed a small win as well amid light New Year's Eve trading volume. For the year, all three indexes enjoyed major gains, with the S&P and Nasdaq enjoying their best years since 2013. 

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

• Behind these 3 red-hot pot stocks' impressive year-end surges. 
• Why bulls should be targeting INTU stock right now. 
• Plus, the pharma stock to avoid next month; NVDA gets a bull note; Morgan Stanley takes stake in TORC. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 28,538.44) added 76.3 points, or 0.3%. IBM (IBM) led the 26 winners with a 0.9% pop, while Walmart (WMT) sunk to the bottom on a 0.5% dip. The index added 22.3% this year. 

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 3,230.78) settled 9.5 points, or 0.3%, higher, and added 28.9% in 2019, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 8,972.60) tacked on 26.6 points, or 0.3%, with a 35.2% win for the year. 

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 13.78) lost 1 point, or 7%. For 2019, the index lost 45.8%. 

5 Items on Our Radar Today

1. Ex-Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn, in a statement on Tuesday, said that he has left Japan and is now living in Lebanon, adding that he will "no longer be held hostage by a rigged Japanese system where guilt is presumed." The chairman was forced to resign and subsequently arrested over a year ago on suspicions of money laundering and other financial crimes. (CNBC)
2. Several fatal bushfires on Autralia's east coast have driven many to the country's beaches today. So far, the bushfires have consumed and desecrated over 10 million acres of land and taken 11 lives. (Reuters)
3. Watch out for this pharma stock in January.  
4. Behind NVDA's New Year's Eve bull note. 
5. The penny stock popping after Morgan Stanley takes stake. 

There are no earnings of note today.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Gold Celebrates Strongest Year Since 2010

Oil continued to slip today, but managed an 11% pop for the month and a more than 34% surge on the year -- its best since 2016. February-dated crude futures lost 62 cents, or 1% to end at $61.06 per barrel. 

Gold notched its sixth straight win today, to hit its highest amount since late-September, eked out a fifth consecutive win today, as stocks continued to cool. Not only that, the precious metal added 18.9% for the year, marking its biggest annual jump since 2010. February gold futures settled up $4.50 or 0.3% end at $1,523.10 an ounce.

The Dow limped into the weekend with a 233-point loss, pressured by geopolitical tensions and weaker-than-expected economic data. The blue-chip index was down over 368 points at its session low in the morning, after a U.S. airstrike killed top Iranian military commander, Qassem Soleimani. Plus, investors also digested the latest manufacturing data that fell to a 10-year low in December. But while the Dow and S&P slipped into the red on a weekly basis, the Nasdaq held on to a modest week-over-week win.

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

• Stay away from this FAANG stock to start 2020.
• Tesla's Model 3 update resulted in a new record close.
• Plus, a retail stock to avoid; checking in with two airliners; and a bull note for Humana. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 28,634.88) shed 233.9 points, or 0.8%. Only United Technologies (UTX) finished with a win today, up 0.1%. Dow Inc (DOW) led the 28 losers with a 2.5% fall, while Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) broke even. The blue-chip index finished marginally lower on the week.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 3,234.85) settled 23.1 points, or 0.7%, lower, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 9,020.77) lost 71.4 points, or 0.8%. The S&P posted a 0.1% weekly loss, while the Nasdaq added 0.2% on the week.

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 14.02) gained 1.6 points, or 12.4%. It added 4.4% on the week.

5 Items on Our Radar Today

1. In the immediate aftermath of an airstrike against Iran, the U.S. deployed more than 3,500 soldiers to the Middle East. The new troops will be sent to Iraq, Kuwait, and surrounding areas, although defense officials assert it is not a direct response to Soleimani’s death. (CNBC)
2. Starting on Monday, the exporting of artificial intelligence technology from the U.S. will require a license. The move is part of the Trump administration's efforts to keep certain technology out of China. (Reuters)
3. History says this retail stock could struggle in Q1.
4. Options traders blasted AAL and DAL amid a down day.
5. J.P. Morgan Securities has high hopes for Humana stock.

There are no earnings of note today.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Middle East Tensions Send Oil, Gold Soaring

Oil exploded higher today, as Wall Street weighed potential output disruptions amid heightened Middle East tensions. February-dated crude futures added $1.87 cents, or 3.1%, to end at $63.05 per barrel, the highest settlement since May. Black gold gained 2.2% on the week.

Gold made it eight straight wins today, as investors flocked to safe-haven assets during the risk-off session. February gold futures settled up $24.30, or 1.6%, to end at $1,552.40 an ounce. Gold also logged a weekly win of 2.3%, its second straight.

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) futures are pointing to more losses for stocks, as tensions remain high between the U.S. and Iran. This would extend the selling from Friday that was sparked by the airstrikes in Baghdad that killed Irarian military commander Qassem Soleimani, with President Donald Trump yesterday threatening sanctions on Iraq should the country force out U.S. troops. As such, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) are pacing to pullback, as well.

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

• How bulls played this oil ETF's rally.
• Why the L Brands surge could be short-lived.
• Plus, Cal-Maine's earnings drop; GOOGL's bull note; and why SDC investors are smiling.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 1.26 million call contracts traded on Friday, compared to 695,127 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio rose to 0.55, while the 21-day moving average fell to 0.55.
2. One of the worst stocks this morning is Cal-Maine Foods Inc (NASDAQ:CALM), down 11.5% before the open on the company's disappointing quarterly update. The egg producer reported a surprise loss for the fiscal second quarter, with CEO Adolphus B. Baker mentioning an oversupply of eggs that hurt the company's numbers. CALM stock could flirt with two-year lows should the price action hold.
3. Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) was the recipient of a bull note this morning, with Pivotal Research upping its rating to "buy" from "hold," and boosting its price target to $1,650 from $1,445. This comes as data shows GOOGL shares as a typically underperforming equity during the first quarter. The shares are slightly lower, however, heading into this morning's trading.
4. SmileDirectClub Inc (NASDAQ:SDC) is up 8% this morning thanks to buzz around the new line of products it's launching at Walmart. Since its September initial public offering (IPO), SDC shares have struggled, holding near its all-time lows in recent days, last seen at $8.38.

5. Data on the Markit manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) will roll out today. There are no other earnings releases to note.

Rising Global Tensions Weigh on European Markets

Markets in Asia declined across the board today, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East kept investors on edge. Japan's Nikkei lost 1.9% as the yen weakened against the dollar, while South Korea's Kospi shed 1%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng finished down 0.8%, but China's Shanghai Composite paced the region just below breakeven.

Over in Europe, volatile U.S.-Iran relations also weighed on stocks. London's FTSE 100 is down 0.8% at last check, after the U.K.'s composite PMI for December was upwardly revised to 50. The French CAC 40 is down 0.9%, and the German DAX is off 1.3%, despite both French and German service PMI's beating forecasts.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is still lower at midday as geopolitical tensions, sparked by the killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, remain high. The S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC), however, are treading near breakeven after paring most of their intraday losses. Elsewhere, February-dated gold futures hit a six-year intraday high and were last seen up 0.8% at $1,564.50 an ounce, as investors continue to show caution by scooping up the safe-haven commodity. 

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

• Options are hot on SmileDirectClub stock after a major deal with Walmart. 
• RBC sees "significant" upside for this cloud stock in 2020. 
• Plus, bears bombard IMMU; CTIB stock quadruples; and OSMT stumbles after stock offering.  

Immunomedics, Inc. (NASDAQ:IMMU) is seeing unusual options activity today with 1,443 puts across the tape so far -- double what's typically seen at this point -- compared to only 347 calls, and the January 2020 18-strike put is far and away the most popular. IMMU is trading relatively flat today, down 0.1% at $19.76, at last check. 

By far one of the top performers on the Nasdaq today is CTI Industries Corp. (NASDAQ:CTIB), which is up 301.3% to trade at $3.19, on news it's divesting its Guadalajara, Mexico unit for roughly $4 million. The news has CTIB pacing for its first close atop the 320-day moving average since July 2017. 

One of the worst stocks on the Nasdaq today is Osmotica Pharmaceuticals PLC (NASDAQ:OSMT). The stock has fallen 17.9% to trade at $5.73 -- home of its late-November levels -- after commencing its stock offering of 6 million shares. However, the shares seem to be finding support near the 50-day moving average.

U.S. stock futures are mixed this morning, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) will try to again shrug off the lingering tensions around Iran. Outside of this, traders are considering a bigger-than-expected decline in the U.S. trade deficit for November, with more economic data due out shortly after the open. With little else on today's calendar, however, futures on the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) are pointing to a mostly flat open.

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

• Traders grab calls before homebuilder's quarterly release.
• The bull signal flashing on Nordstrom stock.
• Plus, Pfizer a top pick; retailer gets crushed; and 2 companies making self-driving headlines.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 1.21 million call contracts traded on Monday, compared to 603,208 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio moved down to 0.54, while the 21-day moving average was 0.55.
2. RBC yesterday named Salesforce.com (CRM) a top pick in the software space, and last evening said Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) was its top pick among large-cap pharma stocks. The brokerage firm set a $46 price target, and PFE shares closed yesterday at $38.88.
3. The shares of Pier 1 Imports Inc (NYSE:PIR) are down 15% before the open, on news the company is closing about half its stores and has drafted bankruptcy plans. PIR stock was already down 40% on a year-over-year basis, and could hit record lows today.
4. There's a lot of self-driving car buzz coming out of this year's CES event, including from Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) and Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE). The former company released a video of its Mobileye autonomous vehicle driving through Jerusalem for 20 minutes, while the latter revealed plans for an electric concept car featuring various Sony technology that it will test later this year.

5. Today will bring the Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) non-manufacturing index, weekly crude inventories, and factory orders. AngioDynamics (ANGO) will step into the earnings confessional.

Overseas Stocks Mostly Higher

Stocks in Asia made outsized gains across the board. Japan's Nikkei paced the region with a 1.6% win on the strength of the auto and tech sectors. Tech stocks also boosted South Korea's Kospi by 1%, while China's Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 0.7% and 0.3%, respectively.

Over in Europe, markets are trading higher, as concerns in the Middle East over U.S.-Iran relations eased for the time being. London's FTSE 100 is up 0.2% at last check, with retailer Marks & Spencer a big riser and automaker Aston Martin a notable laggard after a profit warning. The French CAC 40 is up 0.4% and the German DAX is 0.9% higher.

Today's better-than-expected U.S. services data from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) has done little to move stocks, as investor focus remains glued to bubbling geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and the Middle East. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) and S&P 500 Index (SPX) are both modestly lower at midday, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) is just atop breakeven. Even gold prices are little changed after touching fresh highs yesterday, with February-dated gold futures last seen up 0.1% at $1,570.10 an ounce.

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

• The cybersecurity stock that could benefit from Middle East tensions. 
• How Apache stock just toppled this key trendline. 
• Plus, bulls like surging Cleveland-Cliffs stock; APOP doubles on patent news; PIR stock stumbles amid store closures.   

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc (NYSE:CLF) is seeing unusual options activity today with over 46,000 calls and 5,806 puts across the tape so far -- five times the average intraday volume. The most popular contract by a mile is the weekly 2/7 9-strike call, where positions are being bought to open, as bulls bet on upside in the coming weeks. The stock is up 3.6% to trade at $8.07. 

Cellect Biotechnology Ltd (NASDAQ:APOP) is a top performer on the Nasdaq today, following news that the Israel-based stem cell therapy concern's production method just received "intention to grant" patents from the European Patent Office and the Israeli Intellectual Property office. The shares have more than doubled in response, up 113.3% at $5.14, eyeing their first close atop the 200-day moving average since Feb. 2018. 

The worst stock on the New York Stock Exchange so far is Pier 1 Imports Inc (NYSE:PIR), which is off 20.5% to trade at $4.06, pacing for its biggest one-day percentage drop since June, after announcing the closure of half its stores. The home goods retailer will also be cutting jobs and cast doubts on its ability to continue as a going concern. The security is also pacing for its lowest close in over four months. 

The Dow finished higher to kick off the week, as Wall Street monitored rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran. The blue-chip index chipped away at a 216-point deficit to break into positive territory, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both finished higher amid outsized gains from the tech sector. Elsewhere, Wall Street's "fear gauge," the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), earlier touched its highest point since Dec. 10, before settling lower on the day.

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

• These 3 stocks saw red-hot options trading today.
• Micron options are cheap as the chip stock flashes a bullish signal.
• Plus, why we're watching Nordstrom; breaking down SmileDirectClub's big day; and a Lennar earnings preview. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 28,703.38) added 68.5 points, or 0.2%. McDonald's (MCD) paced the 15 winners with a 1.1% win, while Walt Disney (DIS) led the laggards with a 0.6% drop..

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 3,246.28) gained 11.4 points, or 0.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 9,071.47) finished 50.7 points, or 0.6%, higher.

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 13.85) lost 0.2 point, or 1.2%.

5 Items on Our Radar Today

1. In the latest development of President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, former national security advisor John Bolton said he would testify if subpoenaed by the Senate. Bolton left the Trump administration back in September, but was vocally supportive of the decision to authorize the airstrike that killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. (CNBC)
2. Rescue efforts continue in Australia, where wildfires have spread across 19.8 million acres, killing 25 people and displacing thousands. Officials say the fires could return next week. (Reuters)
3. An upgrade and bull signal had Nordstom stock in focus today.
4. 2 headlines that powered SmileDirectClub stock's breakout.
5. Options traders are gearing up for Lennar earnings.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Nine Straight for Gold 

Oil extended its gains today, as concerns lingered over U.S.-Iran tensions disrupting global oil supplies. February-dated crude futures added 22 cents, or 0.4%, to end at $63.27 per barrel, the highest settlement since May.

Gold made it a whopping nine straight wins today, as investors continued to flock to safe-haven assets. February gold futures settled up $16.40, or 1.1%, to end at $1,568.80 an ounce, its highest close since April 2013.

The Dow turned in a triple-digit loss today, as rough outings from Merck (MRK) and Chevron (CVX) overshadowed upbeat U.S. services data. The blue-chip index pared a wider triple-digit deficit, though, amid fewer headlines regarding U.S.-Iran tensions. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq joined the Dow in the red, with the latter giving up last-minute gains despite a strong push higher from the semiconductor sector.

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

• This blue chip kicks off earnings season tomorrow.
• Call traders hammered this surging chip stock.
• Plus, Tesla stock cannot be stopped; a cybersecurity stock to watch; and trouble for PIR. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 28,583.68) lost 119.7 points, or 0.4%. Boeing (BA) paced the six winners with a 1.1% win, while MRK led the 24 losers with a 2.7% drop.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 3,237.18) lost 9.1 points, or 0.3%, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 9,068.58) finished 2.9 points lower.

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 13.79) lost 0.06 point, or 0.4%.

5 Items on Our Radar Today

1. U.S. mortgage rates for a 30-year fixed mortgage fell last week. The average rate dropped to 3.69%, the lowest since October, signaling a housing market that could be heating up to start 2020. A monthly survey from Fannie Mae also indicated December buyer sentiment was high. (CNBC)
2. A study shows that U.S. greenhouse emissions fell last year by 2.1%, as coal-fired electricity output plunged 18% to a 44-year low. However, the study also warned that additional declines will not occur without rapid policy changes. (Reuters)
3. Tesla stock cannot be stopped.
4. This cybersecurity stock could actually benefit from Middle East tensions.
5. Pier 1 Imports is shuttering half of its stores.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Gold Logs 10th Straight

Oil took a breather today, snapping a three-day winning streak, as the risk of supply disruptions amid heightened Middle East tensions cooled. February-dated crude futures shed 57 cents, or 0.9%, to end at $62.70 per barrel.

Gold logged its 10th straight win today, its best winning streak in two years. February gold futures settled up $5.50, or 0.4%, to end at $1,574.30 an ounce, its highest close since April 2013.