Wall Street is pacing for its first win in 2025, though all three major benchmarks are lower for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) sports a triple-digit midday lead to cut short a four-day slump, while the Nasdaq Composite Index (IXIC) and S&P 500 Index (SPX) look to snap a five-day losing streak. Elsewhere, investors’ “fear gauge,” the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), is pacing for a weekly win, as is the small-cap Russell 200 Index (RUT).
Options bulls are flocking to Block Inc (NYSE: SQ) stock, after a bull note from Raymond James. The analyst upgraded the stock to “outperform” from “market perform,” highlighting the protentional for a robust “acceleration story” in the new year. So far, 78,000 calls have been exchanged — double the amount typically seen at this point — in comparison to just 19,000 puts. New positions are opening at the most popular, weekly 1/10 91-strike call. At last glance, SQ was up 5.1% at $91.35, looking to add to its 39% six-month lead.
NU Skin Enterprises Inc (NYSE: NUS) is outperforming on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) today, last seen 23% higher to trade at $8.08. Shares are getting a boost after the multilevel marketing company sold its Mavely platform for $250 million. The stock is now 26.8% higher over the last three months. Kinsale Capital Group Inc (NYSE: KNSL) is off by 4.2% to trade at $434.14 at last glance, following a bear note. Specifically, JPMorgan Chase lowered its price target on KNSL to $412 from $415 and maintained its “neutral” rating. Over the last month, the security has shed 12.8%. More By This Author:Stocks Stumble Out Of The Gate For 2025 Dow Pulls Back From Triple-Digit Gain As New Year Kicks Off Wall Street Wraps 2024 With Historic Annual Gains
