Dow Scores Record High; Investors Parse Key Economic Data
Wall Street is modestly higher Monday, as investors digest September's purchasing managers' index (PMI) reading that showed U.S. manufacturing activity hitting its lowest level since June 2023. Meanwhile, the services PMI for September came in at 47, which indicated expansion and a drawdown to 15-month lows.
In response, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) recorded another all-time high, and is on track for its third consecutive daily win. Elsewhere, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) are also slightly higher, while the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) paces for its third-straight loss.
Micron Technology Inc (Nasdaq: MU) is seeing a bump in bullish attention ahead of the semiconductor maker's fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report, due out after the close on Wednesday, Sept. 25. So far, 86,000 calls have traded hands, which is double the average intraday volume and more than double the 44,000 puts that have exchanged hands today. The most activity is taking place at the weekly 9/27 100-strike call, followed by the 95-strike call in the same series. At last glance, MU is up 3.8% at $94.35, adding to a 9.9% year-to-date lead, bouncing above recent pressure from its 320-day moving average. Micron stock is distancing itself from its Sept. 12, roughly seven-month low of $88.03.
Constellation Energy Corp (Nasdaq: CEG) stock is at the helm of the SPX today, up 6% at $270.31 at last glance and earlier hitting an all-time high of $271.85. Today's bounce comes after the multiple analysts lifted their price target on the nuclear energy provider. Morgan Stanley adjusted from $233 up to $313 -- a nearly 16% upside to CEG's current perch -- after saying the company's plans to restart the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania will help with future growth. Year over year, Constellation Energy stock is up 145%.
Warner Bros Discovery Inc (Nasdaq: WBD) is one of the worst names on the SPX, down 1.7% at $8.10 as it paces for its fifth-straight loss. On Sept. 18, WBD announced it would expand the size of its board of directors to 12 members, which seems to have fueled some of its recent losses. Warner Bros Discovery stock now sports a 29.2% year-to-date deficit.
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