The Dow is down around 150 points this afternoon
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is lower this afternoon, last seen down around 160 points, a session removed from reclaiming its record highs. The blue-chip index is brushing off positive jobless claims data that fell to 290,000 last week, less than the 300,000 estimated by economists. Elsewhere, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) boasts a modest lead thanks to Tesla's (TSLA) earnings report, while the S&P 500 Index (SPX) is hovering around breakeven as it looks to lock in its seventh-straight win.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
- The Chinese stock boosted by possible Hong Kong listing.
- See why IBM stock is plummeting today.
- Plus, call traders circle weed stock; Digital World stock boosted by M&A news; and Kaiser Aluminum's dismal earnings report.
Bullish attention is ramping up for cannabis stock Tilray Inc (NASDAQ:TLRY) today, with 104,000 calls crossing the tape already -- volume which is three times what's typically seen at this point. The most popular contract by far is the weekly 10/22 12-strike call, where new positions are being bought to open. Tilray stock is up 3.1% at $11.95 at last check, following news that the company signed a distribution agreement with Great North Distributors. Still contending with pressure at the $12 level, as well as pressure from the 320-day moving average, TLRY has shed 33.3% over the last nine months, though it remains up 44.8% year-to-date.
Digital World Acquisition Corp (NASDAQ:DWAC) is the best performing stock on the Nasdaq so far today, jumping 49.1% to trade at $14.85 on news that the company is taking former U.S. President Donald Trump's new media company public. Digital World is merging with Trump's TRUTH Social network app, following his indefinite suspension from various social media sites -- most notably Twitter (TWTR) -- after spearheading a conspiracy campaign that his 2020 election loss was due to widespread voter fraud. There's not much technical information to relay concerning DWAC, as the company went public in September, and has added 47% month-to-date.
Near the bottom of the Nasdaq is Kaiser Aluminum Corp. (NASDAQ:KALU), last seen down 11.4% to trade at $101.02. This sharp pullback comes after Kaiser Aluminum missed Wall Street's top- and bottom-line expectations, with the company reporting earnings of 57 cents per share on revenue of $750.6 million. Today's negative price action has KALU pacing for its lowest close since February. The 320-day moving average seems to be acting as a safety net, while the stock is now up just 2.7% in 2021.
