The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) fell off sharply after the open -- shedding as much as 130 points -- with healthcare stock Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) leading the path lower. Uncertainty is once again building ahead of next week's "Brexit" referendum, even while campaigns in the U.K. remain suspended. As the U.S. dollar weakens, oil prices are moving higher, with July-dated crude oil last spotted up 2.7% at $47.47 per barrel, but failing to give stocks a boost. As such, the major indexes are all on pace for hefty weekly losses on this quadruple witching Friday.

Continue reading for more on today's market -- and don't miss:

• Why Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) could be facing a major hurdle in China -- and the pain it's causing for these 3 stocks.
• The gun stock rewarding a crop of last-minute options bulls.
• Plus ... Checking in on the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and other noteworthy stats at midday.

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp (NASDAQ:SWHC) is among the stocks with unusual options volume at midday. The gun maker is up 7.5% at $23.39 after reporting better-than-expected quarterly earnings, along with an upbeat outlook. SWHC calls are trading at nine times their typical intraday rate -- in the 99th annual percentile. The most active options so far are the June 22 and 23 calls, but it looks like most of the action is coming from traders closing out their positions ahead of tonight's options expiration.

AAPL supplier Synaptics, Incorporated (NASDAQ:SYNA) is among the worst performing stocks on the Nasdaq, shedding 10.6% to $54.05 -- and hitting a new two-year low -- after news the company will eliminate 160 employees and cut pay for some executives was met with a price-target cut at J.P. Morgan Securities. The shares have given up nearly one-third of their value so far in 2016.

Among the top performers on the New York Stock Exchange today is Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc (NYSE:LL), surging 23.2% to $16.30 on reports the company will stop selling Chinese-made laminate flooring. A controversy regarding the flooring materials led the stock to drop off sharply last year. While the shares haven't yet made much of a recovery -- still off 21% year-over-year -- they may have found a new ally in the form of their 80-day moving average.

   
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is up 0.4 point, or 2%, at 19.75.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 0.87, with calls outnumbering puts. SPY was last seen down 1 point, or 0.5%, at $206.24.

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The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) extended Friday's slide, as anxiety builds ahead of this week's Fed and Bank of Japan meetings, and as the latest polls show the United Kingdom is leaning toward a "Brexit" on June 23. Against this backdrop, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) -- otherwise known as the market's "fear gauge" -- hit a three-month high. Meanwhile, Dow stock Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) also weighed on the index, following its major M&A announcement.

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

• MSFT wasn't the only tech company on the prowl. Why traders celebrated this $4.7 billion purchase.
• This famous short seller isn't a fan of Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB).
• How option players reacted to Apple Inc's (NASDAQ:AAPL) Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) revelations.
• Plus... A new Wall Street watchdog, Moody's eyes MSFT, and Americans still love Mexican

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 17,732.48) finished down 132.9 points, or 0.7%. MSFT gave up 2.6%, the largest drop among the 25 Dow losers, while Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) led the five winners with a 0.7% gain. 

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,079.06) ended down 17 points, or 0.8%. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP – 4,848.44) lost 46.1 points, or 0.9%.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX – 20.97) gained 23.1%, or 3.9 points, to finish at a three-month high. The VIX has surged 43% in the past two sessions.

5 Items on Our Radar Today: 

1. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has appointed Robert Cook to replace retiring president and CEO Richard Ketchum. (Reuters)
2. Moody's said it is reviewing MSFT's AAA credit rating, following the company's LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD) purchase. (Yahoo! Finance)
3. It looks like America has a new favorite Mexican restaurant.
4. Why Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) enjoyed its best day in a while.
5. This cybersecurity firm was popping off in the pits after today's tech takeovers.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Commodities:

July-dated oil dropped 19 cents, or 0.4%, to end the day at $48.88 per barrel. Oil prices were weighed down by "Brexit" concerns and anticipation of this week's Fed meeting.

August-dated gold was up $11, or 0.9%, to $1,286.90 per ounce, a four-week high. "Brexit" worries made investing in the precious metal more appealing to "safety" seekers. 

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The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) plunged out of the gate and never recovered, marking its fourth straight day of losses. Traders headed for the door as the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) kicked off its much-anticipated two-day policy meeting, and amidst escalating "Brexit" fears ahead of next week's referendum. Dropping oil prices also worked to push stocks lower, with black gold pressured by a surging dollar. 

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

• The FDA warned of "serious" sanitary concerns at Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM). Is the grocery chain the next Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG)?
• What had Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) and Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) options in high demand yet again? 
• The telecom stock that defied broad-market headwinds.
• Plus... A ruling on net neutrality, retail sales improve, and the airline outlier.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 17,674.82) finished down 57.7 points, or 0.3%, to its lowest close in three weeks. General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) led the 13 winners with a 2% gain, while American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) brought up the rear among the 17 Dow losers, shedding 4.1%.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,075.32) ended down 3.7 points, or 0.2%, also at a three-week low. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP – 4,843.55) lost 0.1%, or 4.9 points.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 20.50) lost 0.5 point, or 2.2%, finally breaking a six-day winning streak.

5 Items on Our Radar Today: 

1. A federal appellate court ruled on Tuesday that high-speed internet is to be defined as a utility, upholding rules created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last year. The decision will keep in place regulations on internet providers and cable companies that assure all sites and users are provided fair and equal connection speeds, a concept known as net neutrality. (New York Times) (Subscription required)
2. Retail sales at U.S. stores were strong in May, the second straight month of gains. Month-over-month, retail sales grew by 0.5%. Elsewhere, the Commerce Department reported that business inventories rose by less than expected during the month of April. (Reuters)
3. Why this airline stock stood out from its sector peers.
4. What caused this China-based stock’s options volume to peak?  
5. The manufacturing stock selling off on "potentially weak industry demand."

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Commodities:

Oil extended its losing streak to a fourth session, as a strengthening dollar overshadowed the International Energy Agency's (IEA) forecast for a "balanced" oil market in the second half of 2016. Crude for July delivery ended the day at $48.49 per barrel -- a three-week low -- down 39 cents, or 0.8%.

 On the other hand, gold futures extended their rally to a fifth session, as traders sought "safe havens" ahead of tomorrow's Fed policy decision and next week's "Brexit" referendum. By the close, August-dated gold added $1.20, or 0.1%, to end at a one-month high of $1,288.10 an ounce.

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Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) futures are sitting significantly above fair value, after a pair of weekend opinion polls revealed increasing odds that Britain will remain in the European Union (EU), just days ahead of the "Brexit" vote. In stock news, Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS) could lead Dow stocks higher, after the company's movie "Finding Dory" set an opening weekend box office record for animated films. Meanwhile, oil is hot, with July-dated crude futures up 1.9% at $48.87 per barrel. Looking ahead, things will really pick up tomorrow, when Fed Chair Janet Yellen begins her two-day testimony on Capitol Hill.

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

• Does Priceline Group Inc (NASDAQ:PCLN) have room to run?
• Why skepticism is ramping up on Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL).
• The software stock that surged amid "hyper-growth" expectations.
• Plus... Japanese stocks soar, Apple jilts the GOP, and the insurance merger under fire.

Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are nearly 206 points above fair value.

5 Things You Need to Know Today
 

1. A cooling yen boosted Japanese markets, while European stocks are sizzling on the aforementioned "Brexit" polls.
2. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 918,995 call contracts traded on Friday -- the most since late April -- compared to 577,087 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio plunged to 0.63, while the 21-day moving average edged down to 0.66.
3. Amid overseas iPhone woes, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has reportedly decided to pull support from the Repbulican National Convention. The decision is allegedly linked to presumptive nominee Donald Trump's divisive remarks on immigration and other topics, as well as the billionaire's call to boycott AAPL earlier this year over its refusal to comply with an FBI request.
4. According to The Wall Street Journal, U.S. antitrust regulators are concerned about Anthem Inc's (NYSE:ANTM) planned CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI) acquisition. Officials from both insurance firms will reportedly meet with the Justice Department this week to discuss the matter.
5. Shares of Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO) are 3.3% higher pre-market, after the energy giant agreed to buy privately held PayRock Energy Holdings from EnCap Investments for close to $900 million. This marks a change of pace for the firm, which recently sold $950 million worth of non-core assets.

Earnings and Economic Data

Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari will take the mic. There are no notable earnings to report. To see what else is coming up on this week's schedule, click here. 

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The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is booming, as "Brexit" fears wane ahead of Thursday's vote, and oil prices surge. Specifically, polling over the weekend revealed U.K. residents generally favor staying in the European Union (EU), while a weaker U.S. dollar has July-dated crude futures 2.7% higher at $49.26 per barrel. Financial stocks are getting the biggest boost, with Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS) among the Dow's top performers, up 2.6%. Meanwhile, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari is set to speak at 12:15 p.m. ET, and Fed Chair Janet Yellen's congressional testimony kicks off tomorrow.

Continue reading for more on today's market -- and don't miss:

• According to Deutsche Bank, this social media stock has "considerable upside."
• Potential Zika breakthroughs have this biotech and its sector peer heating up.
• Plus ... Checking in on the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and other noteworthy stats at midday.

Newmont Mining Corp (NYSE:NEM) is among the stocks with unusual put volume, as the gold miner's contracts are crossing at 13 times the expected intraday rate. Despite their long-term technical tenacity, the shares are off 1.4% at $35.17, as the broad-market rally draws traders away from safe-haven investments like precious metals. Digging deeper, buy-to-open activity is detected at NEM's July 31.50 and 32.50 puts.

Among the top performers on the Nasdaq is Chinese e-tailer JD.com Inc (ADR) (NASDAQ:JD), up 6% at $21.33. Sending the stock higher are reports of a potential M&A deal with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT). Longer term, though, JD shares have been anything but impressive, losing more than one-third of their value in 2016.

One of the leading laggards on the New York Stock Exchange today is Kinross Gold Corporation (USA) (NYSE:KGC), as waning "Brexit" fears have sparked sector headwinds. Also, the gold producer temporarily suspended operations at its Tasiast mine amid allegations of invalid work permits. At last check, KGC is down 3.4% at $4.81.
 
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is off 2.6 points, or 13.3%, at 16.83.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.80, with puts nearly doubling calls. At last check, the SPY has advanced 2.7 points, or 1.3%, at $209.21.

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The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) jumped to a triple-digit gain out of the gate, as decreased "Brexit" fears ahead of Thursday's vote encouraged investors, with banking stocks leading the charge. Elsewhere, oil popped on a weaker dollar, and the S&P 500 Index (SPX) briefly flirted with the 2,100 level, but stocks lost some steam in afternoon trading. Looking ahead, traders are awaiting Fed Chair Janet Yellen's two-day congressional testimony, which begins tomorrow.

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

• What helped Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc (NYSE:VRX) bounce from a five-year low?
• FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) is facing off with this crucial level ahead of earnings tomorrow.
• While analysts seem less than impressed with Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE), this rival rallied on upbeat profit projections.
• Plus... Twitter's Magic Pony, Kashkari takes on "too big to fail," and GoPro options see more action.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 17,804.87) was up more than 270 points at its session high, but trimmed its lead to 129.7 points, or 0.7%, by the close. Boeing Co (NYSE:BA) led the 25 Dow winners, ending the day up 2.3%. Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) lost 0.5% to bring up the rear among the five Dow losers.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,083.25) came out ahead by 12 points, or 0.6%. The SPX briefly flirted with the key 2,100 level, but couldn't maintain its momentum. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP – 4,837.21) ended up 36.9 points, or 0.8%, to outperform its peers.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX – 18.37) lost 1 point, or 5.4%.

5 Items on Our Radar Today: 

1. Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said a "Brexit" would likely have only "moderate direct effects" on the domestic economy. In addition, he opined that government efforts to clean up the "too big to fail" banking mess haven't been enough – and he plans to do something about it. (MarketWatch)
2. Can Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) use its $150 million Magic Pony to create content users want, and boost floundering user engagement? (Forbes)
3. GoPro Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO) option players picked up where they left off.
4. Is this steel stock a diamond in the rough -- or D.O.A.?
5. "Finding Dory" success has Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS) finding profits, but option traders aren't sold.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Commodities:

July-dated oil jumped 2.9%, or $1.39, to end the day at $49.37 per barrel, as the dollar weakened on lowering "Brexit" expectations. Expectations for an oil drawdown in Cushing, Oklahoma, further boosted black gold.

August-dated gold fell 0.2%, or $2.70, to $1,290.10 an ounce. Investors withdrew from the "safe haven" commodity as the probability of a British exit from the European Union (EU) lowered, whetting the appetite for riskier investments. A weakening dollar padded the precious metal's fall.

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The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is set to surge at the open, with Dow futures more than 100 points above fair value. All eyes are on the U.K., where voting has kicked off on a potential "Brexit" from the European Union (EU) -- with early polls giving the "remain" camp the lead. Meanwhile, stocks are getting a lift from rising oil prices, as July-dated crude futures were last seen 1.6% higher at $49.92 per barrel. On the data front, weekly jobless claims tumbled more than expected, totaling 259,000.

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

• Inside the $4.6 million bet on higher highs for gold.
• Options volume exploded on these 3 biotechs following upbeat Obamacare news, while analysts are urging "buy" on these 3 healthcare stocks.
• This oil stock's June breakout may have bearish bettors on high alert.
• Plus... European stocks shrug off downbeat data, BlackBerry puts bears on edge, and the retailer that could explore new lows.

Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are more than 167 points above fair value.

5 Things You Need to Know Today
 

1. European markets are running hot ahead of the "Brexit" vote results, despite some disappointing business activity numbers.
2. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 551,054 call contracts traded on Wednesday, compared to 424,543 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio jumped to 0.77, while the 21-day moving average inched up to 0.65.
3. BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) is up 3.1% pre-market, after the handset maker's mixed earnings report and better-than-expected full-year forecast. A breakout above the $7 level could leave yesterday's put buyers kicking rocks.
4. Retailer Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ:BBBY) reported worse-than-expected quarterly earnings and sales, sending the stock down 4.2% in electronic trading. Making matters worse, no fewer than nine analysts cut their price targets on the shares. If BBBY's losses materialize, the stock could hit a fresh five-year low.
5. Accenture Plc (NYSE:ACN) earnings were in line with Wall Street's consensus estimate, while its quarterly revenue surpassed expectations. The consulting firm also lifted its full-year earnings forecast, citing increasing margins and potential new bookings.

Earnings and Economic Data

Markit's flash purchasing managers index (PMI) and new home sales are due today, but all eyes will be on the "Brexit" referendum. Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan will deliver a speech after the close. Stepping up to the earnings plate is Sonic (SONC). To see what else is coming up on this week's schedule, click here. 

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The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is extending its triple-digit lead at midday, as stocks gain ahead of tonight's "Brexit" vote outcome. Rising oil prices and strong economic data are also boosting stocks. Specifically, August-dated crude futures are up 1% at $49.61 per barrel, while weekly jobless claims fell to a two-month low. With 29 of 30 Dow stocks trading in the black, banks stocks JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) and Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS) are leading the charge ahead of tonight's initial stress test results from the Fed, as expectations Britain will remain in the European Union (EU) continue to grow. 

Continue reading for more on today's market -- and don't miss:

• The "amazing" growth numbers boosting Fitbit Inc (NYSE:FIT).
• The semiconductor stock up almost 50% in just a month. 
• Plus ... Checking in on the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and other noteworthy stats at midday.

Among the stocks with unusual options activity is BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY). With the stock up 2.3% at $6.90 following the company's better-than-expected quarterly results, options volume is at four times the intraday norm. Most of the activity is taking place on the call side, where volume is almost triple that of puts. Of course, this is just more of the same from BBRY options traders. 

One of the top gainers on the New York Stock Exchange is Yelp Inc (NYSE:YELP), following Needham's bullish note. Shares of the social media stock are 2.7% higher at $29.06, putting them back into the black for 2016. On the other hand, YELP's 320-day moving average is looming right overhead. 

Over on the Nasdaq, media firm Viacom, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAB) is underperforming yet again. The shares are down 1.9% at $43.18, even though analysts have been becoming more bullish. For instance, Citigroup last night bumped its price target to $48 from $41. 
      
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is down 3.3 points, or 15.8%, at 17.83. 

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 0.90, with calls outpacing puts once again. SPY is up 2 points, or 1%, at $210.13.

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Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) futures are sliding sharply, sitting more than 400 points below fair value, after the U.K. voted to leave the European Union (EU) in yesterday's historic "Brexit" referendum. British Prime Minister David Cameron announced his resignation following the surprise, which has wrought turmoil in global markets, as predicted by Fed Chair Janet Yellen. Amid the chaos, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it is "highly likely" Scotland will vote again to leave the U.K. after being taken out of the EU against its will.

Stateside, financial stocks are being particularly hard hit in electronic trading, while oil prices are plunging. At last check, August-dated crude futures are down 4.5% at $47.88 per barrel. On the other hand, gold is soaring as traders abandon stocks in favor of safe-haven investments, while 10-year U.S. Treasury yields hit a nearly four-year low.

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

• Could this epic "unicorn" IPO be a sign of good things to come?
• A C-suite shake-up sent traders pouring into this retailer's options pits.
• Why Barrick Gold Corporation (USA) (NYSE:ABX) could have room to run.
• Plus... Global stocks sink, Goldman's CEO unshaken by "Brexit," and the shoe retailer set to soar. 

Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are roughly 485 points below fair value.

5 Things You Need to Know Today
 

1. In the wake of the "Brexit" results, Japanese markets had their worst day in over five years, while stocks across Europe are sliding.
2. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 615,854 call contracts traded on Thursday, compared to 376,271 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio dove to 0.61, while the 21-day moving average held steady at 0.65.
3. Blue chip Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS) is down 6.6% pre-market following the historic "Brexit" decision, but CEO Lloyd Blankfein struck a note of confidence. A major contributor to the "remain" campaign, Blankfein nonetheless expressed faith in the financial firm's preparedness, remarking, "Goldman Sachs has a long history of adapting to change."
4. Finish Line Inc (NASDAQ:FINL) has soared 5.4% ahead of the open, after the footwear retailer reported better-than-expected earnings and sales. Same-store sales increased 1.5% on the quarter, and are expected to rise 3%-5% in fiscal 2017.
5. QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM) is suing Chinese smartphone maker Meizu Technology for patent infringement, marking the chipmaker's first legal action since reaching a 2015 antitrust settlement with China's National Development & Reform Commission. Ahead of the bell, QCOM is down 3.8%, which should come as a boon to option bears.

Earnings and Economic Data

The week wraps up with durable goods orders, as well as the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey. No notable earnings are on the docket. To see what is coming up on next week's schedule, click here. 

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The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is down more than 450 points at midday, as Britain's vote to leave the European Union (EU) continues to crush global stocks. The "Brexit" blindside is also pushing oil prices lower, with August-dated crude futures falling 4% to $48.08 per barrel. Elsewhere, traders continue to flock to safe-haven assets such as gold, with the August contract comfortably north of $1,300 an ounce, while the U.S. dollar is strengthening versus almost all other currencies. A drop in durable goods orders for May is merely salt in stocks' wounds. Turning to equities, financial stocks are getting hit especially hard, as JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) and Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS) lead the Dow lower. 

Continue reading for more on today's market -- and don't miss:

• What the biggest SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) bear gap in months could mean for stocks. 
• The oil-and-gas stock bucking the sell-off in a big way. 
• Plus ... Checking in on the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), the SPY, and other noteworthy stats at midday.

Among the stocks with unusual options activity is travel stock Priceline Group Inc (NASDAQ:PCLN). The stock is down 9.3% at $1,260.67, giving back recent gains. Still, call volume is hot, running at four times the intraday norm. It looks like traders are opening new positions at the weekly 6/24 1,310- and 1,300-strike calls, betting on the stock to rebound by the end of the day, when the options expire. 

Finish Line Inc (NASDAQ:FINL) is one of the few Nasdaq stocks in the black today, thanks to the retailer's better-than-expected quarterly results. The stock is up 18.5% today at $19.90, blowing past its 200-day moving average, which thwarted FINL's previous two breakout attempts.

Among the many losers on the Nasdaq is fast-food concern Sonic Corporation (NASDAQ:SONC). The stock is down 9% at $27.61, following the company's disappointing full-year outlook. SONC is now on pace for its lowest close since late February. 
      
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) has surged 5.1 points, or 29.7%, to 22.38. 

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.50, as puts outpace calls. Further, SPY options volume is running at twice the average intraday clip. The SPY is down 5.6 points, or 2.6%, at $205.25. 

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Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) futures are more than 150 points below fair value, pointing to another rocky session following Friday's post-"Brexit" global sell-off. Goldman Sachs said the U.K. will likely enter a "mild recession" by early next year, following Britain's vote to leave the European Union (EU), and the brokerage firm cut its global growth forecast for 2016. Oil prices could also weigh on stocks, as crude future slip in sync with the rest of the market. At last check, crude oil for August was down 1.7% at $46.81 per barrel. Meanwhile, gold continues to rise as investors stick with safe-haven assets. August-date gold was last spotted at $1,336.30 an ounce -- in roughly two-year-high territory.

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

• 3 bank stocks rewarding option bears following the "Brexit" vote. 
• How Mother Nature crushed this solar stock. 
• Why are analysts suddenly trimming expectations on BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)? 
• Plus... The pound gets pummeled, one drug gets "breakthrough therapy" status, and Intel looks to make a deal.

Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are nearly 178 points below fair value.

5 Things You Need to Know Today
 

1. Asian stocks bounced back, but European markets continue to sink as the pound pans 31-year-lows.
2. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 835,430 call contracts traded on Friday, compared to 842,349 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio jumped to 1.01, while the 21-day moving average climbed to 0.67.
3. Medical technology firm Medtronic PLC (NYSE:MDT) is set to drop 2.3% at the open, after announcing it will buy sector peer HeartWare International Inc (NASDAQ:HTWR). The $1.1 billion deal values HTWR at $58 per share -- a 93% premium over the stock's Friday close.
4. Bristol-Myers Squibb Co's (NYSE:BMY) bladder cancer treatment, Opdivo, was given "breakthrough therapy" designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Despite the upbeat news, BMY is down 0.3% pre-market, as the broad-market slump weighs on the stock.
5. Also sitting lower ahead of the bell is blue chip Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC), off 0.7% despite reports the company may be looking to sell Intel Security -- formerly known as McAfee. Intel purchased the antivirus software nearly six years ago for $7.7 billion.

Earnings and Economic Data

The international trade balance is due out today, as well as the Dallas Fed manufacturing survey. The earnings front is relatively quiet. To see what else is coming up on this week's schedule, click here. 

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The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is on track for its second straight triple-digit gain, as stocks continue to recover from last week's "Brexit" shake-up. Specifically, stocks are taking their cues from red-hot oil, with August-dated crude futures up 2.5% at $49.04 per barrel. Crude oil is picking up steam following a sharper-than-forecast drop in domestic weekly inventories, as well as supply disruptions in Venezuela and Norway. Today's other economic data has come in mixed, with pending home sales suffering a steeper-than-expected slide, and consumer spending rising for a second straight month (and in line with estimates).

Continue reading for more on today's market -- and don't miss:

• 2 biotechs making massive moves.
• Skepticism is ramping up on this trio of ailing automakers.
• Plus ... Checking in on the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and other noteworthy stats at midday.

Among the stocks with unusual option activity is blue chip Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE), with intraday volume at seven times the norm. The stock is 1.1% higher at $53.68, shrugging off negative post-earnings analyst attention. The most active strike is the out-of-the-money July 55 call, where International Securities Exchange (ISE) data confirms some buy-to-open activity.

Biotech Esperion Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:ESPR) is the worst performer on the Nasdaq, dropping nearly 39% to $9.91 -- and earlier hitting a record low of $9.65. Weighing on the stock are negative notes from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the brokerage crowd.

Among the top gainers on the Nasdaq is drugmaker Shire PLC (ADR) (NASDAQ:SHPG), thanks to upbeat drug data. Currently, the stock has gained 4.8% to trade at $179.21.
      
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) has dropped 2 points, or 10.6%, at 16.77.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.00, with puts and calls trading evenly. At last check, SPY has gained 2.4 points, or 1.2%, to sit at $205.57.

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