Apple Dulls Dow Jones Industrial Average's Pain

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) turned lower out of the gate, as stocks reacted to deadly explosions in Brussels -- which Belgian authorities are calling terrorist attacks.The early anxiety in the stock market helped to buoy safe-haven assets, though, with gold futures for April delivery up 0.6% at $1,251.40 per ounce. At last check, however, the Dow and broader S&P 500 Index (SPX) were each off their session lows on a boost from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL).

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

• American Airlines Group Inc (NASDAQ:AAL) isn't the only travel stock spiraling following the Brussels bombings.
• The "tough" outlook that has smacked Transocean LTD (NYSE:RIG).
• 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 option volume is Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE), with the contracts trading at four times the expected intraday rate ahead of the athletic apparel firm's turn in the earnings confessional this evening. While the stock is extending yesterday's analyst-induced upside -- up 0.1% at $64.81 -- option traders are honing in on NKE's weekly 3/24 64-strike put, which is possibly being sold to open as part of a larger hedging strategy.

NQ Mobile Inc (ADR) (NYSE:NQ) is one of the best performers on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) -- up 16.1% at $4.44 -- after the Chinese mobile security firm swung to a fourth-quarter profit. However, today's earnings-induced rally is running out of steam in the $4.50 region, a level that's contained a number of NQ's recent rally attempts.

Liquefied petroleum gas specialist Dorian LPG Ltd (NYSE:LPG) is one of the biggest losers on the NYSE, down 11.5% at $10.07 -- and on the short-sale restricted list. Earlier, UBS lowered its rating on the stock to "neutral" from "buy" and its price target to $12.50 from $19. With two "strong buys" still levied toward a security that's shed 43% since last July's annual high of $17.59, additional negative analyst notes could be on the horizon.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is up 0.6 point, or 4.4%, at 14.39.

Today's put/call volume ratio on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 2.27, as puts more than double calls. SPY was last seen 0.1% lower at $204.40.