Dow Jones Industrial Average Set for Best Win Streak Since October

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is up triple digits ahead of quadruple witching expiration, and on track to notch its sixth straight day of gains -- the longest such streak since October -- as Dow components JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) and Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS) soar amid a broader rally in financial stocks. Elsewhere on Wall Street, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) has moved into positive year-to-date territory. In addition to the surging banking sector, stocks are reacting to rising oil prices, with April-dated crude futures up 0.5% at $40.40 per barrel, as optimism grows ahead of next month's meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC oil producers.

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

• How Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc (NYSE:VRX) is trying to squash rumors of bankruptcy.
• 3 high-flying casino stocks that could hit the jackpot.
• Plus ... Checking in on the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and other noteworthy stats at midday.

 

Among today's stocks with unusual call volume today is Adobe Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ:ADBE), with the contracts crossing at 12 times the average intraday rate. A strong showing in the earnings confessional and subsequent round of bullish brokerage attention has shares of ADBE up 5.1% at $94.50 -- and fresh off a record high of $98.00. Eleventh-hour speculators are eyeing more upside, too, with buy-to-open activity detected at ADBE's March 95 call, which expires at tonight's close.

Aeropostale Inc (NYSE:ARO) is the worst performer on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) today, down 47.2% at $0.25. Unlike several of its sector peers, the retailer took a disappointing turn in the earnings confessional -- posting a 13th consecutive quarterly loss -- and said it was exploring strategic alternatives, including a possible sale.

One of the best performers on the NYSE is Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE:AVP), up 10% at $4.84. Earlier this week, the shares plunged following news the cosmetics manufacturer will move its headquarters overseas, but a bounce off their 20-day moving average has helped AVP tackle recent resistance at its 200-day trendline.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is done 0.6 point, or 3.9%, at 13.88.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 0.83, with calls having a rare edge over puts. In fact, SPY calls are crossing at 1.8 times the average intraday clip. SPY is up 0.5% at $204.51.