Softer-than-expected retail sales data is capping today's gains, but the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is still up triple digits this afternoon. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) is trading near breakeven, and the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) erased earlier gains and dipped into red territory. Traders are also unpacking the latest batch of earnings reports, and the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) is now on track for its fourth daily win in five.

Options traders are blasting Twilio Inc (NYSE: TWLO), with 45,000 calls and 31,000 puts traded so far, or 12 times the average intraday volume. Most popular by far is the April 100 call. TWLO is down 14.4% at $61.91 at last check, brushing off a better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings report after its current-quarter revenue forecast came in below estimates. In response, the stock attracted a downgrade to "market perform" from Northland Capital and four price-target cuts. So far in 2024, the security shed 18.4%. 

China Natural Resources Inc (Nasdaq: CHNR) is easily the best stock on the Nasdaq today, last seen up 445% to trade at $5.62. The shares are trading at their highest level since February 2021, skyrocketing out of penny stock territory. While there is no clear catalyst for today's massive surge, the security is now up more than 223% in 2024.

Meanwhile, Beamr Imaging Ltd (Nasdaq: BMR) is today's worst stock on the tech-heavy benchmark. Shares are down 33.7% at last glance for no immediately apparent reason, but maintain an impressive 605% year-to-date lead. BMR surged to an all-time high of $34.94 earlier this week, after the company priced a $12 million public stock offering at $7 per share. 

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