The DJIA is attempting to close above 18,000 for the first time since April
The
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is solidly higher, and earlier touched the round 18,000 mark for the first time since late April. Driving stocks upward today -- including Dow pacesetter Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX), up 2.5% -- is a rally in energy. This includes a pop in oil prices, with July-dated crude futures last seen up 0.8% at $50.10 per barrel, amid a softer dollar and continued
supply disruptions in Nigeria. Meanwhile, the broader
S&P 500 Index (SPX) has extended its lead over the
key 2,100 level.
Continue reading for more on today's market -- and don't miss:
Among the stocks with unusual options volume is bulk shipper
DryShips Inc. (NASDAQ:DRYS), with the contracts running at five times the average intraday rate. At last check, the stock was down almost 45% at $1.31 -- and on the short-sale restricted list -- after a recent regulatory filing raised a
major red flag on the company's viability.
One of the top stocks on the Nasdaq today is
Sarepta Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:SRPT), as a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) note was
met with analyst applause. At last check, the biotech stock has soared 25% to trade at $20.06 -- bouncing back from a recent
FDA-induced sell-off.
One of the worst stocks on the Big Board is retailer
Ralph Lauren Corp (NYSE:RL), down 3.5% at $92.99. Pressuring the shares is a bleak full-year forecast, as well as the announcement of
store closures and layoffs.
The
CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is off 0.2 point, or 1.1%, at 13.50.
Today's put/call volume ratio on the
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is 1.24, with puts outstripping calls. At last check, SPY is up 0.7 point, or 0.3%, at $212.08.
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