Traders are also eyeing strong July retail sales
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) has traded on both sides of breakeven today, but was last seen higher on a bigger-than-anticipated rise in July retail sales and better-than-expected earnings from Walmart (WMT). Traders are also eyeing a 2.3% increase in second-quarter productivity. However, disappointing earnings from Cisco Systems (CSCO) are keeping the Dow's gains in check, and dragging the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) into the red. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) is modestly higher, despite news that whistleblower Harry Markopolos accused General Electric (GE) of fraud. The stock has dipped nearly 10% as a result.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
- Why J.P. Morgan Securities is buying this e-Pay stock's latest dip.
- The retail stock hitting new lows ahead of earnings.
- Plus, the weed stock attracting options traders; SINT stock surges on a Nasdaq nod; and the oil stock at all-time lows.
Cannabis concern Aurora Cannabis Inc (NYSE:ACB) is lower on sector headwinds. The company also announced today that it would be upsizing its credit facility to roughly $280 million. So far, about 7,200 puts and 26,000 calls have crossed the tape, two times what's typically seen at this point. The December 7 call is most active, with buyers expecting ACB to rebound above the $7 level by December expiration. The stock, which hit a new seven-month low earlier, is trading down 3.6% at $5.86.
One of the best stocks today is biomaterial concern SINTX Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:SINT), which is up 73.4% at $3.07, after the firm regained compliance with the Nasdaq's listing requirements. The company also reported stronger-than-expected earnings. This surge comes just one day after hitting an all-time low of $1.40. Now, SINT stock is trading back near its mid-July highs, and is threatening to close atop its 50-day moving average for the first time since May.
Natural gas firm Just Energy Group Inc (NYSE:JE) is one of the worst performers on Wall Street today, after reporting a surprise quarterly loss. The stock is down 28.7% to trade at $2.21, and just hit an all-time low of $2.04 earlier today.