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Here’s what’s happening in the stock market today:
The stock market today is showing cautious weak moves as investors digest the end of the longest U.S. government shutdown in history, which officially ended last night after 43 days. Futures for the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq are down by about 0.1% to 0.4%, signaling some early softness despite the Dow and S&P 500 reaching fresh record highs in recent sessions. Tech shares and AI-linked names are under pressure, while sectors like health care and financials are gaining some traction.
Major Indices Performance 📊
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell about 0.1% to 0.3% after the index hit record highs Wednesday.
S&P 500 futures retreated roughly 0.1% to 0.3%, with the main index down slightly to around 6841 points.
Nasdaq futures declined around 0.2% to 0.4%, led by weakness in technology stocks.
Market Movers 🚀
Cisco Systems beat earnings and raised guidance, with its stock up more than 6% premarket.
Walt Disney beat earnings but disappointed on revenue, causing its stock to fall over 6% premarket.
Health care names like Eli Lilly (+3%) and AbbVie (+3.6%) are boosting the sector.
Financial stocks such as Goldman Sachs (+3.5%), JPMorgan (+1.5%), and American Express (+0.7%) are gaining.
Tech and AI stocks including Tesla (-2.1%), Meta (-2.9%), and Palantir (-3.6%) are lagging.
Key Events Driving the Market 🗞️
The U.S. government shutdown ended with President Trump's signing of the law late Wednesday, restoring government operations and back pay for employees.
Investors are cautious following this major political event and are monitoring upcoming economic reports.
Rotation from growth/tech stocks toward value sectors like health care and financials continues amid a clouded Federal Reserve rate outlook.
Treasury yields remain elevated, weighing on richly valued assets.
Investor Sentiment 👀
Investor mood is cautious with subdued trading volume as markets digest the shutdown resolution amid mixed earnings and a rotation in sector performance. Optimism about the shutdown ending is balanced by concerns over economic outlook and inflation pressures, leading to modest downside in major futures with some pockets of strength in health care and financials.
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TRADE OF THE DAY:
GOOGL
Name: Alphabet Inc. (Class A)
Symbol: GOOGL
Current Price: ~$277.85
Trade
Sell to Open: 1 GOOGL Nov 28 2025 262.5/257.5 Put Vertical
Total Credit Received: $63.00
Credit per Contract: $63.00 (for one contract covering 100 shares)
Direction: Bullish (expects GOOGL to stay above break-even level)
Probability of Profit (PoP): 83.24% (as provided)
Potential ROI:
Max Risk (Loss): $437.00 (spread width $5.00 × 100 = $500 minus credit $63 = $437)
ROI: ($63 ÷ $437) × 100 ≈ 14.4%
Trade Explained in Simple English:
You’re entering a bullish put vertical spread by selling the 262.5-strike put and buying the 257.5-strike put, both expiring November 28, 2025. You receive $63 upfront. Your break-even is roughly 262.50 − (63 ÷ 100) = $261.87, meaning if GOOGL closes above about $261.87 at expiration, you keep the credit. Your maximum loss is capped at $437 if GOOGL falls below $257.50. This is a bullish strategy because you expect GOOGL to stay above the break-even level.
Wall Street Highlights:
News Beyond the Numbers
Michael Burry has de-registered his hedge fund, stating "Onto much better things" as he hints at new directions after years of market fame. Read more.
Chinese authorities have launched a crackdown targeting tax-dodging sellers on Amazon and other ecommerce platforms, intensifying global regulatory scrutiny. Read more.
The U.S. Treasury has initiated a department-wide audit for potential fraud across preference-based contracting programs, overseeing $9 billion in awarded contracts. Read more.
Applied Digital has secured a massive lease deal with AI service provider CoreWeave, pushing its expected contract revenue to approximately $11 billion over 15 years. Read more.
Broadcom boasts a 53% jump in AI semiconductor revenue, driven by strong demand for its Titan AI chip and expanding relationships with top-tier hyperscale clients. Read more.
Disclaimer: The content provided by OptionPicks is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. We are not registered as a broker-dealer, investment adviser, or financial advisor with the SEC, FINRA, or any other regulatory authority. Options trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for every investor. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and no representation is being made that any subscriber will or is likely to achieve profits or incur losses similar to those mentioned. You should consult with a licensed financial professional before making any investment decisions.
