The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) has moved into the black at midday, overcoming early losses, thanks to a CNBC report indicating the Trump administration will delay tariffs on auto imports from Europe for up to six months. This comes after President Donald Trump said a trade deal with China is going to happen, while investors are also monitoring soft retail sales figures in both the U.S. and China. The S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) are higher, too, as tech outperforms.

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

• One chip stock that may not be hurt by tariffs.
• The healthcare stock analysts think could double.
• Plus, bulls bet on ad stock; Coty keeps climbing; and Tilray turns lower.

One name seeing unusual options trading today is Trade Desk Inc (NASDAQ:TTD), as short-term speculators bet bullishly on the digital advertising stock. Specifically, new positions are opening at the weekly 5/24 215-strike call, with almost all the action occurring at the ask price, suggesting the contracts are being bought to open. TTD stock was last seen trading up 7.1% today at $198.44, as it tries to recover from last week's earnings bear gap that sent it spiraling from all-time-high territory above the $230 area.

One of the best stocks today on the S&P 500 Index is Coty Inc (NYSE:COTY). The cosmetics concern is continuing its big year, adding 4.9% today to trade at $12.70, putting it on pace for its highest close since early October, and the first above its 320-day moving average in over a year.

One stock trading lower today on the Nasdaq is Tilray Inc (NASDAQ:TLRY). The weed company almost tripled its revenue on a year-over-year basis, but the shares are down 4.3% at $46.63, nonetheless. For the most part, TLRY has been fading lower since it exploded to $300 back in September.

The Dow finished higher again today, amid reports that President Donald Trump will delay tariffs on European automobiles by up to six months. In addition, Wall Street cheered Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin's comments that he will likely head to Beijing soon to resume trade talks with China. The positive trade headlines helped the major market indexes reverse early losses stemming from weak economic data from both the U.S. and China, with the S&P and Nasdaq marking their second consecutive gains as well. 

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

• 2 consumer product stocks that could stay hot next month. 
• Don't toss Apple stock just yet, according to one signal.
• 3 pharma stocks that made monster moves today. 
• Plus, Macy's soars on an earnings beat; a bull signal flashing for one retailer; the activist chatter surrounding Legg Mason stock. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 25,648.02) gained 116 points, or 0.5%, in today's trading. Twenty-four of the Dow components finished higher, with Visa (V) leading on a 1.6% surge, and 3M (MMM) dropping to the bottom with a 0.6% loss. United Technologies (UTX) finished unchanged. 

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,850.96) ended 16.6 points, or 0.6%, higher, and  the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 7,822.15) ended 87.7 points, or 1.1%, higher.

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 16.44) sunk 1.6 points, or nearly 9%. 

5 Items on our Radar Today

1. The popular e-cigarette brand Juul is being sued by the state of North Carolina, on accusations that the brand "targeted young people as customers" and "downplayed" the dangers of nicotine in its pods. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein said that as a result, we're facing "an epidemic among minors."  (CNBC)
2. Former Vice President Joe Biden is leading the pack of Democratic presidential hopefuls. In a poll Wednesday, 29% of Dems and independent voters picked Biden as their choice for the primaries. This lead extended to all demographic fields except millennials, who favor U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. (Reuters)
3. Options bears are kicking rocks after Macy's earnings surprise.
4. The bull signal flashing for Best Buy ahead of earnings. 
5. Legg Mason stock moved on activist chatter. 

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Middle East Concerns Overshadow Oil Supply Surge

Oil prices were up again today, as traders prioritized growing tensions in the Middle East over a rise to 2017 highs in U.S. crude stockpiles last week. Traders also shrugged off a downwardly revised forecast for global oil demand from the International Energy Agency (IEA). Oil for June delivery tacked on 24 cents, or 0.4%, to end at $62.02 per barrel.

Gold inched higher, but failed to climb back atop the key $1,300 marker. June-dated gold rose $1.50, or 0.1%, to end at $1,297.80 an ounce. 

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) futures are pointed toward a positive open, as the latest quarterly earnings reports from Dow stocks Walmart (WMT) and Cisco (CSCO) exceeded analysts' expectations. Both WMT and CSCO are poised to open about 3% higher, offsetting a fresh round of U.S.-China trade tensions after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to ban the use of telecom gear from sources deemed to pose a national security risk -- a move intended to target Huawei. Meanwhile, investors are also digesting stronger-than-forecast reports on weekly jobless claims and housing starts.

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

• 3 small-cap drug stocks to watch.
• It's time to buy calls on this red-hot defense stock.
• Beyond Meat options volume soars to new heights.
• Plus, Cisco weighs in on its trade war exposure; Fred's shutters a fresh round of stores; and South Korea stocks take a dive on Huawei-related selling.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 889,012 call contracts traded on Wednesday, compared to 681,752 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio rose to 0.77, while the 21-day moving average moved up to 0.64.
2. Fred's, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRED) is down 8.4% in electronic trading, after the discount chain announced its plan to close an additional 104 underperforming stores by the end of June, while simultaneously entering a forbearance agreement with its lenders. Another drop for FRED today would add to the stock's post-earnings bear gap from earlier this month, with the shares now lower by 68.8% year-to-date.
3. Just one day after announcing fiscal fourth-quarter revenue that surpassed estimates, Chinese tech giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:BABA) this morning has received no fewer than six price-target hikes and one cut from analysts. Raymond James handed over the sole price-target cut to a still-lofty $280, while Mizuho doled out the loftiest of the six hikes with a boost to $225 from $215. BABA is up 29.6% year-to-date, and closed Wednesday at $177.60.
4. Blue-chip tech name Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is also seeing some post-earnings analyst action, after the company last night posted a fiscal third-quarter beat, and said it has "greatly reduced" its supply chain exposure to the U.S.-China trade skirmish. So far, five analysts have hiked their price targets on CSCO, including a raise to $65 from $62 out of Cowen. CSCO stock is up 2.9% in early trading, getting ready to add to its 21% year-to-date lead.

5. The Fed balance sheet and the Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey are all due out.The earnings ring will contain Applied Materials (AMAT), Baidu (BIDU), iQIYI (IQ), NVIDIA (NVDA), Pinterest (PINS), and Wix.com (WIX). 

South Korea Chip Stocks Sink

South Korean stocks ended sharply lower in mixed Asian trade today. The Kospi closed down 1.2% on widespread weakness in exporters and chip stocks after the Department of Commerce on Wednesday moved to restrict Huawei Technologies from doing business in the U.S. market. Elsewhere in the region, Japan's Nikkei fell 0.6%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng edged up 0.02%, and China's Shanghai Composite rose 0.6%.

Trade headlines are also driving European stocks at midday, with bulls taking the lead after the Trump administration signaled it would delay auto tariffs by up to six months. At last check, the German DAX has advanced 0.5%, while the French CAC 40 and London's FTSE 100 are each up 0.2%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is soaring today, up over 250 points and barreling toward its third straight win, thanks to a combination of well-received blue-chip earnings and upbeat economic data. Cisco (CSCO) has popped more than 6% -- and is on pace for its best day in three years -- as traders cheer its minimal trade-war exposure; meanwhile, Walmart (WMT) has rallied 3.3% despite warning that it will pass along tariff-related price hikes to customers.

On the economic front, the news today has been resoundingly upbeat. Weekly jobless claims fell to a lower-than-forecast 212,000, the Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index bolted to a four-month high of 16.6, and housing starts improved in April to a better-than-expected annual rate of 1.24 million. Against this backdrop, the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) is poised for its fifth loss in six days.

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

• 2 biotech stocks climbing the charts today.
• Huawei news has options bears circling chip stocks.
• Plus, bulls bet on FedEx stock rally; Pyxus International pops; and analysts wary of Nektar Therapeutics' cancer drug.

One name seeing unusual options trading today is FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX). At last check, roughly 18,000 calls have changed hands, representing four times the intraday amount and pacing in the 99th percentile of its annual range. Leading the charge is the May 175 call, where new positions are being opened -- indicating some options traders are banking on the stock to move higher through the end of the week. FDX is up 1.8% to trade at $175.75, at last check.

One of the best stocks on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) earlier was Pyxus International Inc. (NYSE:PYX), up 7.5% at its highs to trade at $19.58. The pot stock announced earlier this week that it would break ground on a new facility in Ontario within the next 60 days. PYX is set for its third straight win, despite paring its earlier gains -- but the 30-day moving average looms overhead, a trendline that contained a late-April breakout.

On the other end of the spectrum is Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR), down 7.8% to trade at $31.25, and one of the worst stocks on the S&P 500 (SPX) today. Analysts are wary of the company's combination cancer treatment, with H.C. Wainwright not convinced it is "living up to its promise." NKTR has dropped below its year-to-date breakeven level, and has now shed 60% in the last 12 months.

The Dow clocked its third straight win on a roughly 215-point gain today, as traders cheered strong earnings from Walmart (WMT) and Cisco Systems (CSCO). A round of upbeat economic data also boosted stocks, helping turn Wall Street's attention from lingering U.S.-China trade uncertainty and President Donald Trump's executive order targeting Chinese company Huawei. A rebounding 10-year Treasury yield had bank stocks contributing to market gains, with the Nasdaq and S&P ending higher, as well.

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

• A look inside Uber's first day on the options board. 
• The Oracle of Omaha's new favorite FAANG stock. 
• Plus, a bull signal flashing for AMD; 2 chip stocks surrounded by options bears; and 2 cancer stocks surging on upbeat drug data. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 25,862.68) gained 214.7 points, or 0.8%, in today's trading. Twenty-three of the Dow components finished higher, with Cisco Systems leading on a 6.7% surge, and 3M (MMM) dropping to the bottom, once again, with a 1.3% loss. 

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,876.32) ended 25.4 points, or 0.9%, higher, and  the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 7,898.05) ended 75.9 points, or 1%, higher.

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 15.29) sunk 1.2 points, or 7%, marking its fifth loss in six sessions. 

5 Items on our Radar Today

1. Angela Ahrendts, who formerly served as retail chief at Apple, just joined the board of directors at popular home-share name Airbnb. Ahrendts, who left Apple earlier this year, will be Airbnb's third independent board member. The news comes before Airbnb's initial public offering (IPO), which is expected as soon as late 2019.  (CNBC)
2. Auction giant Sotheby's just joined the automobile game after launching its new collectible car sales. These single-lot auctions kicked off with a 1967 Austin-Healy 3000 Mark II BJ8 on May 10, and will commence on May 23.  (MarketWatch)
3. AMD stock could win big according to bull signal. 
4. 2 Huawei suppliers slammed by options bears today. 
5. Short sellers could jump ship after these 2 pharma firms reported upbeat drug data. 

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Oil Hits 2-Week High Amid Middle East Turmoil

Oil clocked its third day in the black as tensions in the Middle East continue to take center stage. Oil for June delivery tacked on 85 cents, or 1.4%, to end at $62.87 per barrel, hitting a new two-week high. 

Gold, on the other hand, saw its worst day in a month, as traders turned back to stocks amid a surging market. June-dated gold slipped $11.60, or 0.9%, to land at $1,286.20 an ounce. 

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) futures are struggling this morning, more than 200 points below fair value as trade tensions with China flare up once more. According to state-run news agency Xinhua, Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman Gao Feng accused the U.S. of "bullying behavior," and expressed reluctance to resume trade talks. Chinese officials also called out President Donald Trump for his executive order targeting Huawei. Elsewhere, Brexit uncertainty is also weighing on global markets, after talks between Britain's Labour and Conservative parties failed to produce any progress toward an orderly exit agreement. 

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

• AMD stock eyes its next big bounce. 
• Dillard's took a tumble after earnings.
• Plus, Under Armour upgraded; more trouble for Tesla; and Applied Materials scores a big earnings beat.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 1.1 million call contracts traded on Thursday, compared to 730,249 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio fell to 0.66, while the 21-day moving average moved up to 0.65.
2. Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UAA) stock is up 3.1% in electronic trading, after J.P. Morgan Securities raised its rating on the athleisure name to "overweight" from "neutral." The brokerage also upped its price target to $29 from $23, while waxing optimistic about the company's brand direction. UAA is set to rally above its 30-day moving average at the open.
3. Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) stock is down 3.1% ahead of the bell, after it was reported that the company's autopilot system was engaged during a Model 3 crash back in March. In addition, CEO Elon Musk told employees he will be reviewing all expenses going forward as the company attempts to slow the pace it's burning through cash, according to Reuters. Tesla stock fell to a two-year low of $224.50 on May 13, and has shed 31% year-to-date.
4. The shares of Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT) are up 1.5% in electronic trading, after the chipmaker reported fiscal second-quarter earnings and revenue that exceeded analysts' forecasts. The company's guidance also beat estimates, prompting five price-target hikes this morning -- as well as an upgrade to "buy" from "neutral" at B. Riley. AMAT stock is on track for its fourth straight daily gain.

5. A quiet day on the earnings and economic front, Friday will wind down with two more speeches from New York Fed President John Williams, as traders look over consumer sentiment data, as well as an earnings report from Deere (DE). 

Asian Stocks Sink on Tariff Drama; Europe Bogged Down by Brexit

Investors in Asia watched as Chinese stocks sold off again to end the week. China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) acknowledged that U.S. tariffs were affecting the country’s economy, but labeled the effects as “controllable.” Still, the Shanghai Composite was clobbered for a 2.5% loss, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng sank 1.2%. South Korea’s Kospi also closed lower, down 0.6%. However, the Nikkei grabbed a 0.9% win in Japan thanks to a huge session out of Sony. 

Over in Europe, the attention is back on Brexit drama, with investors considering the possibility of Boris Johnson replacing British Prime Minister Theresa May. Looking at individual stocks in focus, food delivery name Just Eat is down sharply after Amazon.com reportedly invested in rival Deliveroo, and another huge loser is Britain-based tour company Thomas Cook. As for the indexes, Germany’s DAX is having the worst day, down 1.1%, followed by a 0.7% drop in the CAC 40 in France, while London’s FTSE 100 is off 0.5%. 

U.S. stocks have overcome early losses, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) erasing a triple-digit decline thanks to another round of bullish economic data. Today it's consumer sentiment that's bringing buyers back to the table, with the University of Michigan index jumping to its highest point in 15 years in May. This update has helped the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) pare their losses, despite the latest batch of downbeat trade headlines this morning. The retail sector in particular is outperforming, with Under Armour (UAA) standing as the top SPX stock so far following an analyst upgrade. 

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

• Nvidia CEO offers upbeat China comments.
• 2 reasons to like this retailer ahead of earnings.
• Plus, a closer look at UAA's move; huge M&A news; and a China stock getting buried.

Digging into UAA's move today, the athletic apparel stock is trading up 6.5% at $23.30, putting it on pace for its highest close in months. J.P. Morgan Securities this morning upgraded its rating to "outperform" from "neutral," and hiked its price target to $29 from $23, citing a promising meeting Under Armour management. The move is good news for recent options traders, since the 10-day call/put volume ratio at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX) comes in at 1.85, ranking in the top quartile of its annual range.

One of the best stocks today is supercomputer expert Cray Inc. (NASDAQ:CRAY), thanks to news Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co (NYSE:HPE) will buy the company in a deal valued at $1.3 billion. As such, CRAY stock, which had already been on the rise after news of a government contract last week, is trading up 18% at $35.18.

One of the worst stocks on the Nasdaq is Baidu Inc (NASDAQ:BIDU), after the Chinese search engine's ugly quarterly update. BIDU shares have shed 13% to trade at $133.80, earlier bottoming at an almost four-year low of $128.56. The stock is down 52% year-over-year.

It was a wild day of trading, with the Dow down 358 points at its session low, before swinging to a gain by the close. Stocks were initially lower after President Donald Trump's threatened tariff hikes on $200 billion in Chinese goods went into effect, and after a Trump tweet fueled concerns about a lengthy trade dispute. However, the turnaround came after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said some progress was being made between the U.S. and China, calling today's trade talks "constructive." In addition, Trump said "conversations into the future will continue" between the countries. As such, the S&P and Nasdaq bounced back by the end of the day as well, though all three indexes suffered their steepest weekly losses of 2019. 

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

• Uber stock scored analyst love on its first day of trading.  
• The China stock that jumped after an impressive earnings report. 
• Plus, PBYI stock suffers its worst day in months; the "dead money" cybersecurity stock; and one ETF's miserable week. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 25,942.37) tacked on 114 points, or 0.4%, in today's trading. Walmart (WMT) led the 23 gainers with a 2.4% pop, while Apple (AAPL) paced the six losers, down 1.4%. Home Depot (HD) finished flat. The index ended the week down 2.1%.   

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,881.40) was 10.7 points, or 0.4%, higher, but suffered a 2.2% weekly loss, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 7,916.94) inched 6.4 points, or 0.1%, higher, with a 3% loss for the week. 

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 16.04) dipped 3.06 points, or 16%, lower, but racked up a weekly gain of 24.4%.

5 Items on our Radar Today

1. Victoria's Secret parent L Brands issued a memo to its employees that the lingerie concern's annual fashion show might be leaving network television. The event, which has aired on ABC and CBS since 1995, saw miserable ratings this past December, with viewership dwindling in the past several years. L Brands' CEO said the brand will try and zone in on a "new kind of event," with no further specification. (CNBC)
2. After metal shard contamination resulted in meat processing giant Tyson Foods recalling almost 12 million pounds of frozen chicken strips, a company exec said the poultry producer will be installing metal-detecting X-ray machines at its facilities. (MarketWatch)
3. The pharma stock pummeled after earnings.  
4. Why Baird is calling this cybersecurity stock "dead money."
5. This China ETF suffered its worst week in over a year. 

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Gold Boosted By Safe-Haven Seekers

Oil inched lower today, amid concerns about a trade war's impact on demand. Oil for June delivery fell 4 cents, or 0.1%, to settle at $61.66 per barrel -- down 0.5% for the week. 

Gold enjoyed a second straight win, with investors finding solace in the precious metal amidst the tariff war. June-dated gold rose $2.20, or 0.2%, to end at $1,287.40 an ounce. For the week, gold added 0.5%.

The Dow's midday comeback didn't last long, as the index slipped back below breakeven by the end of the day. The index lost nearly 100 points, amid reports that trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing have come to a standstill. This follows a China representative's comments that the U.S. is exhibiting "bullying behavior," and after President Donald Trump's recent swipe at Chinese telecom company Huawei.

The renewed trade jitters helped to overshadow earlier reports that Trump will lift tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Mexico and Canada, as well as a better-than-expected consumer sentiment reading. Against this backdrop, the S&P and Nasdaq ended the day in the red, as well, with all three indexes finishing the week lower. 

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

• Analysts think this penny stock could surge as much as 75%. 
• Goldman: This retail stock could hit fresh highs after earnings. 
• Plus, a bull signal flashing for NYT; 2 video game stocks garnering analyst love; and NVDA steps into the earnings confessional. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 25,764.00) lost 98.7 points, or 0.4%, in today's trading. Only nine of the 30 blue chips finished higher, with UnitedHealth (UNH) leading leading the pack on a 1.9% pop, and Dow Inc (DOW) dropping to the bottom after losing 4.1% in today's trading. The index was 0.7% lower for the week. 

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,859.53) ended 16.8 points, or 0.6%, lower, and  the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 7,816.29) ended 81.8 points, or 1%, lower. The former lost 0.7% for the week, while the latter lost 1.3%,

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 15.96) eked out a 0.7-point, or 4.4%, win, and gained 0.3% on the week. 

5 Items on our Radar Today

1. A poll from the Workforce Institute at Kronos indicated that approximately 4.9 million workers in the U.S. will call off work Monday following the "Game of Thrones" series finale. This number is joined by an estimated 5.8 million workers expected to play hooky in order to watch the end of the popular HBO show on Sunday night. (CNBC)
2.  Starbucks' biggest Chinese competitor Luckin went public today, opening at $25 a share, topping its initial public offering (IPO) price of $17. The coffee stock -- which traded under the ticker LK -- surged as high as $25.96 in intraday trading, before ending at $20.38. (Reuters)
3. New York Times stock could be eyeing new highs, says signal. 
4. 2 video game stocks analysts are zeroing in on. 
5. Nvidia's CEO weighed in on China after earnings. 

The unusual options volume chart is unavailable today. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Oil Higher for the Week on Mounting Middle East Tensions

Oil for June delivery ended 11 cents, or 0.2%, lower, cooling off from its two-week highs to settle at $62.76 per barrel. However, crude was higher for the week, up 1.8%, as traders monitored turmoil in the Middle East, which could affect supplies.

Better-than-expected U.S. consumer sentiment data had gold trading lower today. June-delivered gold fell to a nearly two-week low, dropping $10.50, or 0.8%, to end at $1,275.70 an ounce, and was off 0.9% for the week. 

Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) are pointed toward a negative open, as Alphabet (GOOGL) and other tech giants have begun taking steps to cut ties with China's Huawei Technologies, only days after President Donald Trump banned U.S. companies from supplying components to the telecommunications name. Several chipmakers with Huawei ties are also seeing their shares sink in pre-market trading, sending Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) futures to a triple-digit deficit.

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

• 2 video game stocks analysts are circling.
• Elon Musk's cost-cutting initiative that sent TSLA to fresh lows.
• Signal flashing for this news stock could mean fresh highs. 
• Plus, 2 tech stocks sinking on Huawei headwinds; and Blue Apron eyes a reverse stock split.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 1.08 million call contracts traded on Friday, compared to 877,762 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio rose to 0.81, while the 21-day moving average moved up to 0.66.
2. Lumentum Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:LITE) is down 6% in electronic trading, after halting shipments to the aforementioned Huawei. In response, Lumentum also lowered its quarterly outlook, saying Huawei accounted for 18% of its revenue last quarter. LITE is eyeing its third straight bear gap on the charts, and is down 25% so far in May.
3. Another chip stock suffering Huawei-related blows is Qorvo Inc (NASDAQ:QRVO), the equity already down 4.6% in pre-market trading. Qorvo reportedly suspended shipments to Huawei on Friday. QRVO stock is down 15.4% in May, and looks to also be eyeing a third straight daily bear gap.
4. Meal-kit service Blue Apron Holdings Inc (NYSE:APRN) is proposing a reverse stock split of between 1-for-5 to 1-for-15 shares, now sending the idea for shareholder approval. APRN has struggled since its June 2017 initial public offering (IPO), and is now trading under $1. Over the past 12 months, the security has shed 73%.

5. Today will bring Fed speeches from Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker, New York Fed President John Williams, and Fed Vice Chairman Richard Clarida. Cracker Barrel (CBRL), International Game Technology (IGT), and Red Robin Gourmet (RRGB) will post earnings. 

Trade Tensions Weigh on Asian Markets

Markets in Asia were mostly lower, led by losses in China and Hong Kong. Trade tensions weighed on the Shanghai Composite and Hang Seng, as did news of Google booting Huawei from its some of its services. As such, the former index closed down 0.4%, and the latter lost 0.6%. South Korea’s Kospi finished fractionally lower, while Japan’s Nikkei managed a 0.2% win thanks to a stronger-than-expected first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP).

European stocks are falling at midday. The technology sector, especially chipmakers, are struggling, likely due to fallout around the Huawei drama. Another name in focus is budget airline Ryanair, as the shares slide on disappointing financial results. London’s FTSE 100 is off 0.9%, the German DAX is down 1.4%, and France’s CAC 40 is 1.5% below breakeven.

Following yesterday's tech sell-off, futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) are signaling a positive open, as U.S. officials Monday night temporarily eased trade restrictions on China’s Huawei through Aug. 19. Elsewhere, Boeing (BA) shares are pointed higher in electronic trading, on reports that a bird strike may have caused a 737 MAX crash in March. That's helping to offset what could be a negative open for Home Depot (HD) after earnings. The tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and the S&P 500 Index (SPX) are also pointed higher.

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

• This sector indicator should give bulls a boost, per Schaeffer's Senior Market Strategist Matthew Timpane.
• BofA-Merrill: Dump this finance stock before earnings.
• This travel stock's "buy" signal has never been wrong.
• Plus, the retailer swinging higher on earnings; Elon Musk's latest blow; and the auto stock seeing a post-earnings dip.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 1.07 million call contracts traded on Monday, compared to 703,725 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio fell to 0.65, while the 21-day moving average stayed at 0.66.
2. Retail giant TJX Companies Inc (NYSE:TJX) is up 1% in electronic trading, after the company reported a first-quarter earnings beat and a 5% rise in comparable-store sales. TJX has pulled back since its April highs, but found support atop its 80-day moving average, and remains 18% higher year-to-date.
3. Elon Musk's Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is under fire once again, with Morgan Stanley slashing its "worst-case scenario" price target to $10 from $97, citing concerns about Chinese demand. In addition, TSLA received a price-target cut to $340 from $400 at Baird. TSLA has already shed 25% in the past month, and is set to open at a nearly three-year low, last seen down 3.1% in pre-market trading.
4. Monro Inc (NASDAQ:MNRO) is eyeing a modestly lower open, after the auto company reported fiscal fourth-quarter profit below expectations. However, the company also said it's expanding its tire partnership with Amazon (AMZN). MNRO has been in a channel of higher highs since early 2017, touching a record peak of $89.72 as recently as April 1.

5. Expected today is a speech from Fed Vice Chairman Richard Clarida, as well as one from Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren. Data on existing home sales is also slated for release. Autozone (AZO), Nordstrom (JWN), Toll Brothers (TOL), and Urban Outfitters (URBN) will all step into the earnings confessional.

Asian Stocks Close Mixed on Huawei Exemptions

The selling eased some in global markets overnight and into this morning. In Asia, China’s Shanghai Composite snapped back with a 1.2% gain thanks to news of the Huawei exemptions, though Hong Kong’s Hang Seng sank 0.5%. In South Korea, the Kospi managed to pick up 0.3%, while the Nikkei dipped 0.1%.

In Europe, the major indexes are broadly higher as investors digest a wave of corporate earnings releases. Germany’s DAX is leading the way so far today, up 1%, followed by a 0.6% advance from London’s FTSE 100. In France, the CAC 40 has gained 0.5%.

U.S. stocks are pushing higher today thanks to the more lenient stance taken against Huawei by the Trump administration. The Dow is trading well into triple-digit territory, and gains from the tech and healthcare sectors are helping the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) rise, as well. On the data front, traders were greeted with another drop in existing U.S. home sales for April.

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

• A shocking bear case for Tesla.
• 2 drug stocks crashing to fresh lows.
• Plus, weed stock's weeklies hot; gene therapy stock jumps; and Kohl's gets crushed.

Weed stock Cronos Group Inc (NASDAQ:CRON) is seeing unusual options activity, with speculators likely targeting a strong finish to the week. Specifically, more than 2,600 contracts have crossed at the weekly 5/24 17-strike call -- roughly double the next closest contract -- and most have traded at the ask price, hinting at buy-to-open activity. CRON shares were last seen up 6% at $15.64, trying to break north from a recent consolidation pattern just atop their 200-day moving average.

One of the best stocks today is gene targeting specialist Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:ARWR), up 18.3% at $22.41 on news the security will be joining the small cap S&P 600 Index (SPCY). ARWR earlier hit a five-year high of $22.74, and is up 80% in 2019.

Kohl's Corporation (NYSE:KSS) is one of the worst performing stocks today after the company's earnings release. The shares hit an annual low of $54.15 earlier, and were last seen down 10.9% at $56.07. They were trading near $76 less than a month ago.