Dow Closes Higher on Big Boeing Finish

Stocks finished the day higher, with the Dow seeing a late push from a Reuters report that said the Federal Aviation Administration's review board deemed Boeing's (BA) software fix for its 737 Max aircraft to be "operationally suitable" -- news that sent BA stock up 1.7%. A bearish reversal for UnitedHealth Group (UNH) kept a lid on the index's gains, though, as the insurance giant's earnings beat was offset by concerns over potential regulatory changes to the industry. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 also marked daily gains, with the former closing above the 8,000 mark for the first time since Oct. 3.

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

• The weed stock roasted by short seller Citron.
• 2 reasons to be bearish on CAT stock.  
• Skechers puts are popular before earnings.
• Plus, 2 stocks react to PlayStation buzz; drug stocks higher on FDA notes; and bulls back this popular beauty name.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 26,452.66) added 67.9 points, or 0.3%. Boeing (BA) led the 21 advancing blue chips, adding 1.7%. On the flip side, UnitedHealth (UNH) paced the nine losers with a steep 4% drop.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,907.06) gained 1.5 point, or 0.05%, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 8,000.23) tacked on 24.2 points, or 0.3%.

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 12.18) shed 0.1 point, or 1.1%.

5 Items on our Radar Today

1. One day after Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral suffered a massive fire, multiple offers for donations to rebuild the historical structure have poured in. Among those pledging donations are Apple (AAPL), L'Oreal, and LVMH. (CNBC)
2. Paper stocks took a hit today, after BofA-Merrill Lynch analyst George Staphos downgraded International Paper (IP) and its peer Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) to "neutral" from "buy." At the close, IP was down 4.6% at $44.91, while PKG shares were off 3.5% at $97.94. (Barron's, via MarketWatch)
3. 2 stocks making moves on the back of PlayStation 5 buzz.
4. FDA notes pushed these 2 drug stocks higher.
5. This beauty stock is backed by bulls.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Gold Marks Lowest Settlement This Year

Oil prices bounced back ahead of tomorrow's U.S. inventories update. May-dated crude added 65 cents, or 1%, settling at $64.05 per barrel.

Rising bond yields combined with near record highs in the stock market sent gold lower in today's trading. June-dated gold closed down $14.10, or 1.1%, at $1,277.20 per ounce -- its lowest settlement of 2019.