After stumbling in the second half of yesterday's session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) looks poised to start the day in the red. For the first time all week, traders will have some economic data to take in, with the release of existing home sales this morning, as well as the latest data on crude inventories. Still, earnings continue to dominate investors' focus -- especially today, with several huge names sharpening their earnings blade.

• What could the first two weeks of earnings season mean for stocks in the short term? Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White crunches the numbers to find out.
• Pre-earnings bulls eye all-time highs for Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB).
• Why were analysts so interested in these cybersecurity stocks?

And now, on to the numbers...

Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are 32.6 points below fair value.

Market Statistics

The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 791,276 call contracts traded on Tuesday, compared to 505,138 put contracts. The resultant single-session equity put/call ratio jumped back up to 0.64, while the 21-day moving average remained right at 0.63.

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Currencies and Commodities

• The U.S. dollar index is down 0.4% at 97.67.
• Crude oil is moving lower still, down 0.8% to trade at $56.17 per barrel.
• Gold is off slightly, dropping 0.04% at $1,202.60 per ounce.

Earnings and Economic Data

Existing home sales and weekly crude inventories are due out Today. Boeing (BA), Coca-Cola (KO), AT&T (T), Facebook (FB), Qualcomm (QCOM), Abbott Laboratories (ABT), Angie's List (ANGI), Cheesecake Factory (CAKE), Citrix Systems (CTXS), D.R. Horton (DHI), eBay (EBAY), EMC Corporation (EMC), F5 Networks (FFIV), O'Reilly Automotive (ORLY), Owens Corning (OC), St. Jude Medical (STJ), T. Rowe Price (TROW), Texas Instruments (TXN), Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO), Tractor Supply Company (TSCO), and Xilinx (XLNX) will step into the earnings spotlight. To see what else is on this week's agenda, click here.

Overseas Trading

It was a good day for Asian bourses. In fact, China's Shanghai Composite boomed 2.5% to touch its highest levels since 2008, while Japan's Nikkei hit 15-year-highs, finishing 1.1% higher on well-received trade data. Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended up 0.3%, and like yesterday, South Korea's Kospi was the sole loser, falling 0.04%.

Stocks in Europe are having a rougher go of it, with indexes seeing a clean sweep of losses at midday after the latest round of earnings. Germany's DAX is down the most, giving back 0.9%, with London's FTSE 100's 0.6% loss not too far behind. France's CAC 40 has fallen 0.4%.

Unusual Put and Call Activity

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) jumped out of the gate, but quickly reversed lower as traders digested the latest round of earnings reports. Specifically, blue chips United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX) and Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) topped bottom-line estimates, but missed on sales -- while fellow Dow member DuPont (NYSE:DD) is sharply lower after cutting its full-year forecast due to strength in the dollar. In addition, International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) topped earnings estimates, while the firm's sales were flush with the Street's consensus forecast. Taking a step back, although the blue-chip bellwether is struggling, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (COMP) is solidly higher, while the broader S&P 500 Index (SPX) is flirting with breakeven.

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

• 2 stocks climbing the charts on positive post-earnings attention.
• The pharmaceutical name that's surging on M&A buzz.
• 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 notable option activity is Palo Alto Networks Inc (NYSE:PANW), as the stock is fresh off a record high of $153.10 -- and currently up 4.2% at $152.64. The sharp upside move springs from an "outperform" initiation at Imperial Capital, which also set a price target of $170. Option volume on PANW is running at triple the usual intraday rate, with likely buy-to-open activity transpiring at the weekly 4/24 150-, 152.50-, and 155-strike calls, as well as the weekly 4/24 144-strike put.

Harley-Davidson Inc (NYSE:HOG) is among the biggest losers on the Big Board, after the company posted mixed quarterly results and cut its full-year sales guidance. At last check, the motorcycle stock was down 9.5% at $55.88, bringing its year-to-date deficit beyond 15%. HOG is also approaching its annual low of $54.22 from mid-October.

Voltari Corporation (NASDAQ:VLTC) is one of the biggest advancers on the Nasdaq, as shares of the digital marketing firm have soared 38% to trade at $14.32 -- and earlier touched a multi-year high of $14.77. Despite the lack of a recent catalyst, the shares continue to benefit from late-March news that activist investor Carl Icahn upped his stake in the company.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is up 0.02 point, or 0.2%, at 13.32.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 2.28, with puts more than doubling calls. SPY was last seen up 0.2 point, or 0.1%, at $210.05.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is poised to notch a second straight day of gains, as well-received earnings from another blue chip help buoy the 30-stock index. Traders are also digesting a round of mixed economic data, which includes drops in industrial production and the Empire State manufacturing index, and a rise in sentiment surrounding the housing market. Meanwhile, crude is lingering near its highest levels of 2015, after the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said domestic inventories rose by a smaller-than-expected margin last week.

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

• Google Inc's (NASDAQ:GOOGL) legal woes are having a positive effect on this fellow Internet issue.
• What does the Nasdaq Composite's (COMP) outperformance spell for the rest of the year? Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White runs the numbers.
• Plus ... Checking in on CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and other noteworthy stats at midday.

Among the stocks with notable put activity is Mobileye NV (NYSE:MBLY), with the contracts crossing at six times the average intraday pace. Most active is the equity's September 36 put, which appears to be seeing a mix of buy- and sell-to-open activity. The Israel-based camera maker has jumped 8% today to trade at $45.26, amid a pair of bullish brokerage notes.

For more midday statistics and stocks on the move, head to page 2.

Firearms specialist Sturm, Ruger & Company (NYSE:RGR) is one of the leading advancers on the Big Board, thanks to halo lift from its surging sector peer. At last check, the stock was up 10% at $53.88, extending its year-to-date advance to 55.6%. However, today's upside is stalling out near RGR's 320-day moving average, a trendline not conquered on a daily closing basis since June 19.

Australia-based biotech Novogen Limited (ADR) (NASDAQ:NVGN) is one of the biggest gainers on the Nasdaq. The shares have tacked on 16.8% to linger near $8.46, after earlier topping out at a two-year high of $8.75. Year-to-date, NVGN has more than tripled in value -- thanks in part to some well-received drug data in early March. In spite of this, short interest surged 31% in the latest reporting period, and now accounts for a healthy 7.5% of the stock's available float.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) off 0.4 point, or 3.2%, at $13.23 -- and on track to notch an eight consecutive close south of its 10-day moving average.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.78, meaning puts nearly double calls. SPY was last seen up 0.8 point, or 0.4%, to trade at $210.32.

After a brief foray south of breakeven, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) has since moved back into the green -- and north of the highly watched 18,000 mark -- thanks to solid earnings from one blue-chip bank. However, the day's gains are being capped due to a round of mixed economic reports. Specifically, retail sales rose by a smaller-than-expected margin, the producer price index increased for the first time in five months, and business inventories climbed more than economists had forecast. Looking ahead, the week's rush of earnings from financial firms continues tomorrow morning, when former Dow component Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC) is slated to unveil its results.

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

• Credit Suisse weighed in on a number of Internet firms today, naming Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and two of its sector peers its "top picks" for large-cap stocks.
• The retailer that's getting smacked today following an executive snafu.
• Plus ... Checking in on CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and other noteworthy stats at midday.

Among the stocks with notable put activity is Zillow Group Inc (NASDAQ:Z), with the contracts crossing at 12 times what's typically seen at this point in the day. The equity's April 80 put has received the most attention, and appears to be seeing a mix of buy- and sell-to-open activity. After tumbling to an annual low of $81.07 earlier in the wake of some dreary fundamental news, shares of the real estate issue were off 3.2% at $89.96 at last check.

For more midday statistics and stocks on the move, head to page 2.

The major advancer on the Big Board is China-based Internet issue 58.com Inc (ADR) (NYSE:WUBA). The stock is up 27.4% at $64.75 -- and earlier hit a record high of $64.89 -- on rumors the company could possibly merge with sector peer Ganji.com. Year-to-date, shares of WUBA are now up 56%.

Arrowhead Research Corp (NASDAQ:ARWR) is one of the biggest decliners on the Nasdaq, following a tepid "hold" initiation and new $9 price target at Jefferies. After adding 1.1% on Monday in the wake of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nod, shares of the drugmaker are down 7.1% to trade at $7.43.

After topping out at 14.74 earlier, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) has pared these gains to 0.02 point, or 0.1%, to trade at 13.96.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 2.14, meaning puts more than double calls. SPY was last seen fractionally higher at $209.15.

After signaling a slow start amid some downbeat data overseas, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) reversed course shortly after the open as optimism sets in ahead of a slew of high-profile earnings out of the financial sector. This burst of buying power has spread elsewhere on the Street, with the Russell 2000 Index (RUT) notching its highest perch to date earlier. Additionally, the Nasdaq Composite (COMP) has found a comfortable footing above the highly watched 5,000 mark -- thanks to an analyst-induced rally for this streaming giant -- while the S&P 500 Index (SPX) is also extending last week's impressive gains.

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

• A massive valuation for Spotify has Pandora Media Inc (NYSE:P) higher -- and options traders calling for more
• The cybersecurity firm in the spotlight after uncovering a decade-long cyber espionage scheme.
• Plus ... Checking in on CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and other noteworthy stats at midday.

Among the stocks with notable put activity is Arrowhead Research Corp (NASDAQ:ARWR), with the contracts crossing at 14 times the average intraday pace. The stock is in rally mode today, following a tip of the hat from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and was last seen up 4.3% at $8.25. Against this backdrop, it appears a number of option traders are throwing in the towel on their bearish bets, selling to close ARWR's May 7 put.

For more midday statistics and stocks on the move, head to page 2.

One of the major advancers on the Big Board is bookseller Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE:BKS). The stock is up 6..2% at $23.34, amid some upbeat attention from Craig-Hallum. What's more, the shares are back in the black on a year-to-date basis, and on track to close north of their 30-day moving average for the first time since March 9.

Recro Pharma Inc (NASDAQ:REPH) is one of the biggest gainers on the Nasdaq, after the drugmaker completed its purchase of a handful of assets from Alkermes Plc (NASDAQ:ALKS). At last check, REPH was up 25.3% at $13.99, after earlier hitting a record high of $14.70.

After closing last week at its lowest perch since early December, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is up 0.7 point, or 5.3%, at 13.24.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.06, meaning puts have the slight edge over calls. SPY was last seen 0.3 point, or 0.1%, higher at $210.30.

Still benefiting from the news out of General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) fought off an early foray into the red to rally north of the 18,000 mark for the first time this month. With the SPX 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (COMP) also both boasting gains on the day, all three indexes are prepared to finish the week solidly higher. Not to be left behind, crude and gold were each sharply in the black at last glance.

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

• Analysts weighed in on General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) after its $1 billion announcement.
• After slashing first-quarter forecasts, Citrix Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTXS) got buried by downbeat analyst attention, and is now in the red on the year.
• Plus ... Checking in on CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and other noteworthy stats at midday.

Among the stocks with notable call activity is Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK), with the contracts crossing at 31 times normal intraday volumes, and accounting for eight of NOK's 10 most active options. The most active contract is the April 8 call, which speculators may be buying to open. With a 3.6% lead amid speculation the firm could possibly put its map division up for sale, the shares were trading a notch above the strike, at $8.01.

For more midday statistics and stocks on the move, head to page 2.

A 39.8% increase is easily enough to make PostRock Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:PSTR) the top gainer on the Nasdaq today. The stock's jump to $6.18 stems from the company's announcement on Tuesday that its directors would be purchasing shares. Today's surge puts PSTR 71.7% above its year-to-date breakeven level.

Tilly's Inc (NYSE:TLYS) is one of the biggest losers on the Big Board today, dropping 7.9% to trade at $15.06, due to a downgrade to "neutral" from "buy" at B. Riley. The equity may have been ready for a breather even without the downgrade. After adding 68.7% year-to-date coming into today, TLYS' 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) was docked at 66 -- approaching overbought territory.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is down 0.4 point, or 2.7%, at 12.74, as it continues its recent downtrend.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.97, meaning puts are nearly doubling calls. SPY was last seen 0.7 point, or 0.3%, higher at $209.60.

Stocks have given back early morning gains, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) slipping into negative territory on the day. In fact, only seven of the index's 30 components were in the black at last check. Discouraging investors are mixed earnings numbers, as Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA) started off first-quarter earnings season on shaky ground. On top of this, weekly jobless claims came in higher than expected.

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

• Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) has failed to capitalize on a price-target hike, while LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD) is lower amid M&A buzz.
• The retailer hurting from disappointing same-store sales.
• 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 notable call activity is Mylan NV (NASDAQ:MYL), with the contracts crossing at 12 times normal intraday volumes, and accounting for eight of MYL's 10 most active options. Heavy activity has been detected in the July series, and there's also possible buy-to-open action at the April 80 call. At last check, the stock was 4.5% higher at $71.41, and fresh off a record high of $72.62, following a price-target hike to $80 from $65 at Cowen.

For more midday statistics and stocks on the move, head to page 2.

Looking at the top gainers on the Nasdaq, biotech Novogen Limited (ADR) (NASDAQ:NVGN) is boasting a 33% lead to trade at $6. The shares touched an annual high of $6.74 early in the day, with gains stemming from positive findings associated with a potential skin cancer drug. Since the start of the year, the equity has nearly tripled.

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ:BBBY) is one of the biggest losers on the Nasdaq today, dropping 4% to trade at $74.50, due to mixed fiscal fourth-quarter results and a weaker-than-anticipated current-quarter profit forecast. Elsewhere, the shares received a price-target cut to $80 at J.P. Morgan Securities, and a hike to $70 at Deutsche Bank. With the decline, the equity is back in the red on a year-to-date basis.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is down 0.1 point, or 0.1%, at 13.97, as it fights to gain back the 14 level.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.47, as puts continue to outpace calls. SPY was last seen down 0.1 point, or 0.04%, at $207.88.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is sitting just above breakeven around midday, after giving back some of its early gains. Investor attention remains aimed at the 2 p.m. ET release of the minutes from the latest Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, as well as the unofficial beginning of first-quarter earnings season. Elsewhere, crude prices have taken a turn to the downside, after it was reported domestic oil inventories rose more than expected.

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

• Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and this solar energy stock fell victim to analyst downgrades today, despite their impressive year-to-date advances.
• Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) upgrades the Model S, while Lululemon Athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) hits a new high following an upgrade.
• 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 notable call activity is ARM Holdings plc (ADR) (NASDAQ:ARMH), with the contracts crossing at a pace 40 times what's normally seen at this point in the day. Buy-to-open activity appears to be taking place at the April and May 55 calls. At last check, the shares were 2.8% higher at $50.34, as speculation swirls over a possible takeover bid.

For more midday statistics and stocks on the move, head to page 2.

Qihoo 360 Technology Co Ltd (NYSE:QIHU) is one of the leading gainers on the Big Board, adding 10.2% to trade at $59.50. The stock's advance could be related a cybersecurity deal that went down last night. Today's price action puts shares of the Chinese Internet company up 3.9% on the year.

TravelCenters of America LLC (NYSE:TA) is one of the biggest losers on the Big Board, dropping 4% to trade at $17. It's a rare sight for the convenience store stock, as it has outperformed the S&P 500 Index (SPX) by nearly 33 percentage points in the past three months.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) has lost 0.7 point, or 4.4%, at 14.11.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 2.68, revealing a heavy skew toward puts over calls. SPY was last seen up 0.3 point, or 0.2%, at $207.62.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) has been steadily moving higher today, with the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (COMP) each sporting solid gains, as well. The economic calendar is relatively bare -- save for the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), which revealed a slight increase in job openings in February -- with most headlines going to FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) after it purchased an overseas rival. Looking at commodities, crude is gaining once again, while gold has fallen sharply.

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

• This biotech is still reaping benefits from its deal with Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE).
• This Dow component is lower after being downgraded at Oppenheimer.
• 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 notable put activity is athenahealth, Inc (NASDAQ:ATHN), with the contracts crossing at a stunning pace of 40 times what's normally seen around midday. The most popular contract is the weekly 4/10 113-strike put, which may be seeing sell-to-open activity. The shares were 4.1% lower at $117.12 at last check.

For more midday statistics and stocks on the move, head to page 2.

Ocwen Financial Corp (NYSE:OCN) is among the leading gainers on the Big Board, adding 10.9% to trade at $9.24, after the company yesterday agreed to a multi-year extension with New Residential Investment Corp (NYSE:NRZ). Even with today's surge, OCN sits 38.8% below breakeven in 2015.

As for losers on the Big Board, investment banking stock Evercore Partners Inc. (NYSE:EVR) is one of the biggest today. The shares have fallen 4.7% to $47.24, after UBS cut its rating on the security to "neutral" from "buy," and slashed its price target to $49 from $58, citing a weak pipeline. With the plunge, EVR has dropped 20.5% since touching an annual high of $59.43 in mid-May.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is down 0.4 point, or 2.7%, at 14.35.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.81, with puts outnumbering calls. SPY was last seen up 0.6 point, or 0.3%, at $208.42.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) has bounced back from a triple-digit drop out of the gate, and was last seen up triple digits around midday. Traders may be responding to Friday's weak nonfarm payrolls report with a risk-on mentality, feeling it may lead to a delay in an interest-rate hike. A cooling dollar is likely also contributing to today's sharp reversal. Elsewhere on the economic front, the Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) non-manufacturing index was roughly in line with expectations. Also, both crude and gold were sharply higher at last check.

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

• Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is soaring after breaking a personal record, while Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE:RAD) has cooled off.
• QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM) is struggling after some disappointing Samsung news.
• 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 notable call activity is Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ), with the contracts changing hands at 13 times the usual intraday rate. The most popular contract by far is the April 120 call, with data giving the impression of buy-to-open activity. At last check, STZ was 1.8% higher at $119.90, after earlier touching an all-time peak of $120.24.

For more midday statistics and stocks on the move, head to page 2.

Biotech name Vitae Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:VTAE) is one of the biggest advancers on the Nasdaq, last seen 16% higher at $14.71. The equity could still be benefiting from a price-target hike to $19 at JMP Securities last week. Still, year-to-date, VTAE is off 11.6%.

One of the biggest losers on the Nasdaq today is Digital Ally, Inc. (NASDAQ:DGLY). The video surveillance specialist has dropped 8.2% to trade at $12.56, after a "big announcement" over the weekend failed to impress. It's a change of pace for a stock that has outperformed the S&P 500 Index (SPX) by over 27 percentage points in the past two months.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is down 0.04 point, or 0.3%, at 14.63.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 2.21, with traders showing a strong preference for puts over calls. SPY was last seen up 1.5 points, or 0.7%, at $207.63.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) flirted with a triple-digit gain earlier on the heels of an encouraging jobless claims report, and remains solidly higher around midday. Specifically, first-time filings for unemployment unexpectedly dropped last week, stoking the market's bullish flames ahead of tomorrow's nonfarm payrolls report. Also helping stocks are a surprise increase in factory orders, a smaller-than-anticipated international trade deficit, and a moderating dollar.

Meanwhile, the Street is digesting late-breaking news out of Greece that the nation will not exhaust its cash supply next Thursday, April 9, contrary to earlier reports. Finally, Fed Chair Janet Yellen spoke earlier -- following a number of recent speeches from central bank officials -- and called for research into economic mobility to determine "which public policies are most helpful in building an economy in which people are poised to get ahead."

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

• A look at how traders are reacting to new highs at Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE:RAD) and Sunedison Inc (NYSE:SUNE).
• An optimistic note from Credit Suisse has Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) trending higher.
• 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 notable put activity is Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK), with the contracts changing hands at five times the usual intraday rate. Even though the equity is 1.3% higher at $14.53, it appears option bears may be buying to open CHK's deep in-the-money April 25 put and out-of-the-money June 13 put. Just yesterday, it was revealed the company's chairman purchased 1 million shares of the oil-and-gas firm.

For more midday statistics and stocks on the move, head to page 2.

Online gambling issue 500.com Ltd (NYSE:WBAI) is the biggest advancer on the Big Board, last seen 18.5% higher at $12.35, on reports Internet lottery sales will resume in China following a temporary suspension and investigation by the government. However, the shares remain 29% lower on a year-to-date basis, and have underperformed the S&P 500 Index (SPX) by nearly 43 percentage points over the last two months.

Biotech OvaScience Inc (NASDAQ:OVAS) is among the notable gainers on the Nasdaq, partially rebounding from yesterday's sell-off. At last check, the shares are 7% higher at $33.34, but still 24.6% lower in 2015.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is down 0.5 point, or 3.3%, at 14.61, surrendering its perch atop 15.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 2.28, with puts more than doubling calls. SPY was last seen up 0.8 point, or 0.4%, at $206.48.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was sitting on a nearly 200-point deficit earlier, but has managed to pare its losses despite a raft of downbeat economic data. Among the numbers traders are digesting are a weaker-than-expected ADP employment report, an unanticipated drop in construction spending, and the latest Institute for Supply Management (ISM) manufacturing index -- which revealed factory activity expanded at its slowest rate in nearly two years. Also, auto sales slowed slightly in March due to ongoing wintry weather, with sales at Detroit darlings Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) and General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) retreating on a year-over-year basis. Finally, central bank officials continue to make the rounds -- including Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart, who earlier said he still expects an interest-rate hike between June and September despite a weak first quarter.

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

• Why a huge breakthrough at this biotech firm may be lifting the spirits of recent call buyers.
• In case you missed it, Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White explains why a positive year-to-date return is so important right now.
• 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 notable call activity is Sears Holdings Corp (NASDAQ:SHLD), with the contracts crossing at five times the usual intraday rate. The retailer's most active option by far is the weekly 4/2 47-strike call. At last check, SHLD was up 5.2% at $43.51, thanks to a pair of fundamental developments.

For more midday statistics and stocks on the move, head to page 2.

China Southern Airlines Co Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:ZNH) is one of the biggest gainers on the Big Board, up 7.4% at $38.70 at last check. The overseas carrier is getting a lift from China's decision to raise the fuel surcharge threshold for domestic flights, which should reduce travel costs for passengers. ZNH has now advanced roughly 62% year-to-date, and earlier touched a four-year high of $38.79.

Biotech Dyax Corp. (NASDAQ:DYAX) is the leading advancer on the Nasdaq, shooting 46.6% higher to $24.56 -- and fresh off a 14-year high of $26.11. The shares are getting a boost from the firm's latest drug trial results, and a subsequent round of price-target hikes.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is up 0.5 point, or 3.4%, at 15.81.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.71, with puts outstripping calls. SPY was last seen 1.1 points, or 0.5%, lower at $205.33.