Yesterday, electric car company Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) received its largest pre-order to date of electric semi trucks from United Parcel Service (UPS). UPS joins PepsiCo (PEP), Wal-Mart Stores (WMT), and J.B. Hunt(JBHT) on a growing list of companies that have placed orders for Tesla's truck since the mid-November unveiling. Today, we will take a closer look at TSLA stock and see how sentiment...Read More

U.S. stocks are trading mixed at midday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) taking the lead. Another record closing high today would mark the 71st for the Dow in 2017, setting a new calendar-year record. The Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) and S&P 500 Index (SPX) were sticking close to breakeven, at last check, as traders continue to eye the Republican tax bill. The House is expected to re-vo...Read More

It looks all but certain that Congress is set to pass sweeping tax reform this week. According to J.P. Morgan Securities, the new tax rules will greatly benefit companies such as Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), and Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA). Of course, this comes right after the companies scored what was considered a win with the Federal Communications Commissio...Read More

After a volatile 2017, Credit Suisse said it is cautiously optimistic about U.S. biotechs, believing tax reform could be a positive catalyst for big-cap drug companies. Nevertheless, the brokerage firm issued opposing notes for biotech stocks Biogen Inc (NASDAQ:BIIB) and Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD). Below, we will take a closer look at BIIB and GILD stocks.Credit Suisse Sees BIIB Returnin...Read More

United Airlines parent United Continental Holdings Inc (NYSE:UAL) is moving higher this morning, after Buckingham Research upgraded the shares to "buy" from "neutral." UAL is up 1.9% at $65.63 in early trading, extending a rebound from its Nov. 15 annual low of $56.51. Currently, the airline stock carries 11 "hold" or "strong sell" ratings from analysts, compared to just five "strong buys." Mean...Read More

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday expanded the use of Exelixis, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:EXEL) drug, Cabometyx, to treat those with advanced kidney cancer. The decision comes well ahead of the FDA's mid-February action date, and earned EXEL stock a price-target hike to $38 from $35 at SunTrust Robinson. RBC, meanwhile, projected a $1 billion market opportunity for the biotech.In reaction...Read More

U.S. stock futures are broadly trading above fair value this morning, as tax reform remains the main focus on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is signaling a triple-digit jump, and tech stocks look ready to rebound, illustrated by a sharp rise in Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) futures. The House of Representatives and the Senate bothwere able to pass the GOP's pro-business tax bill, bu...Read More

After this full week of trading, we'll be followed by two shortened weeks for Christmas and New Year's. Below, I show how stocks have performed during these holiday weeks in the past. First, though, I point out how bullish the second half of this month usually is for the S&P 500 Index (SPX).History Says to Buy Stocks NowBelow is a table comparing the first half of December to the second half of De...Read More

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) finished lower today, falling short of its 71st all-time closing high of 2017 -- which would mark a new Dow record. Both the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) joined the Dow in the red, as tech stocks were dragged lower by Apple (AAPL). Anticipation continues to build for the final Republican tax bill, which passed the House vote earlier t...Read More

BlackBerry Ltd (NYSE:BB) will report earnings tomorrow morning, and ahead of the big event, BB stock is trading down 0.5% at $10.89. The stock gapped more than 13% higher following the company's last earnings report in late September -- when it was still trading under the ticker "BBRY" on the Nasdaq -- and options traders are betting on more of the same this time around.At last check, 51,458 calls...Read More

Stocks are taking a breather, as investors await a vote on the GOP's tax bill. Among the names making big moves are blockchain investor Riot Blockchain Inc (NASDAQ:RIOT), medical device stock Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc (NYSE:ZBH), and drugmaker Portola Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:PTLA). Here's a quick look at what's moving shares of RIOT, ZBH, and PTLA. RIOT Stock Makes Another Big MoveOne of th...Read More

TheUnited States Oil Fund (USO) has spent the better part of two years retreating from resistance in the $12 neighborhood, as founder and CEO Bernie Schaeffer noted earlier this month. What's more, if recent history is any indicator, USO shares could start 2018 with a whimper -- and short-term options traders can speculate on the oil fund at a bargain. The exchange-traded fund's (ETF) current annu...Read More

While Twitter (TWTR) explores new highs -- extending yesterday's analyst-induced surge -- shares of Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) are slumping after MoffettNathanson wrote a note to clients entitled "Facebook: Is it Time to Get Out?" In reaction, FB is trading down 1.2% at $178.71, with FAANG stocks feeling additional pressure from this morning's unusual Apple (AAPL) downgrade.In its note, the brokerag...Read More

Shares of Home Depot Inc (NYSE:HD) and Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) hit record highs today, after housing starts for November topped expectations and homebuilder confidence continues to rise. Of course, both stocks are also benefiting from the broader market's surge. When you consider the iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF (ITB) historically averages respective gains of 2.5% and 2.4% in Decem...Read More

Although the retail sector is signaling a strong close to 2017, not every retail stock is cruising into the New Year. Home goods retailer Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ:BBBY) reports third-quarter earnings after the close tomorrow, and will look to avoid its recent post-earnings price-action. Below, we will take a look at Bed Bath & Beyond's past earnings moves, and examine how options traders a...Read More

U.S. stocks are lower this afternoon, pulling back from yesterday's record closing highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), Nasdaq Composite (IXIC), and S&P 500 Index (SPX) are all in the red at midday, with Goldman Sachs (GS) leading the blue-chip losers, and FAANG stock Apple (AAPL) pacing a tech decline. The market is still awaiting the highly anticipated tax vote from Congress, with t...Read More

Nomura initiated coverage on Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:SCMP) with a "buy" rating and a $43 price target -- representing expected upside of 150% to the stock's current perch at $17.10, up 2.1% so far today. The brokerage firm said the current valuation doesn't price in SCMP's Niemann-Pick disease type C1 (NPC1) treatment -- an extremely rare metabolic disorder -- and other products in t...Read More

It's been a good second half of the year for automakers Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) and General Motors Company (NYSE:GM). Respectively, the stocks sport year-to-date gains of 4.4% and 22%, with the latter hitting a record peak of $46.76 in late October. Brokerage firm RBC expects this trend to continue, weighing in bullishly on both F and GM this morning. RBC Bumps Up Ford Stock Price TargetFord s...Read More

As markets await news on the tax reform vote, two stocks have already ascended to fresh record highs this morning: streaming content provider Roku Inc (NASDAQ:ROKU) and online automotive stock Cars.com Inc (NYSE:CARS) are both moving after hedge funds reported stakes. Below, we will take a closer look at ROKU and CARS stocks.ROKU Stock Could Have Room to RunMorgan Stanley reported a 5.1% passi...Read More

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) on Monday notched its 70th record high in 2017, tying 1995 for the most in one year. And with a couple weeks left before we flip the calendar -- not to mention the index taking off in early trading today, ahead of an expected vote on tax reform -- there's a good chance this year will go down in history for the blue-chip index. Further, the Dow and the S&P 50...Read More