The DJIA and SPX are on track for their first positive session in a week
The
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is sharply higher at midday, shrugging off
ongoing woes in China amid the start of the
Fed's two-day policy meeting. Traders are also digesting a mixed round of blue-chip earnings -- including better-than-expected results from
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) -- and a rebound in energy names. In other news, U.S. home prices rose less than anticipated in May, while consumer confidence dropped sharply in July, bucking expectations for a modest increase. All told, the DJIA and the broader
S&P 500 Index (SPX) are both on pace to snap their
five-session losing streaks.
Continue reading for more on today's market -- and don't miss:
Among the stocks with notable call volume is Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), which is fresh off a standout earnings report. At last check, the stock is 1.7% higher at $14.80, and calls are changing hands at 1.8 times the normal intraday rate. More specifically, possible buy-to-open activity is detected at F's weekly 7/31 15-strike call.
One of the biggest gainers on the Nasdaq is BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY), which is up 5.1% at $7.65 and attempting to muscle its way atop its 10-day moving average. Sparking the gains is a rare dose of bullish attention for the handset maker, which may be a sign of things to come.
One of the top winners on the Big Board is grocery chain SUPERVALU INC. (NYSE:SVU), which has soared 16.2% at $8.56 -- a marked reversal from its longer-term trend. The stock has caught a tailwind following the company's better-than-expected earnings report, and news it may spin off its Save-A-Lot business.
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is down 1.3 points, or 8.3%, at 14.30.
Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.47, with puts outpacing calls. At last check, the SPY was up 1.6 points, or 0.8%, at $208.41.