The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is surging, up 567 points midday, as the major benchmarks extend this morning's gains in the wake of strong retail sales data. The financial sector is giving the broader market a boost, after several encouraging earnings reports. Still, as all three major indexes head toward weekly losses, investors are still weighing the possibility of a large rate hike from the Fed. Nevertheless, Wall Street's "fear gauge," the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), is set to close below the significant 25 level. 

Ally Financial Inc (NYSE: ALLY) is seeing a bearish options surge today, with 15,000 puts exchanged so far -- 12 times the intraday average -- in comparison to just 1,111 calls. The September 30 put is the most popular by far, with new positions also being bought to open at the August 38 call. ALLY is up 2.4% at $33.92 at last check ahead of its second-quarter earnings report, due out before the open on Tuesday, July 19. 

One of the best performing stocks on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) today is Pinterest Inc (NYSE: PINS), up 12.9% to trade at $19.83 at last check. This jump comes after news that Elliot Management has taken an over 9% stake in the visual discovery engine, making it the biggest shareholder. Year-to-date, PINS is still down 45.4%. 

Meanwhile, Plug Power Inc (Nasdaq: PLUG) is moving lower on the Nasdaq today, down 16.1% to trade at $14.88. The solar sector is taking a hit today after Democratic Senator Joe Machin said he will not support new climate change spending -- a key swing vote. On the charts, PLUG has been struggling with pressure at the $20 level, down 46.9% year-to-date. 

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