Dow Jones futures were sharply higher Wednesday after Tuesday's stock market surge. The Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision is due out Wednesday afternoon. The Russia-Ukraine war remains a key focal point in the stock market today. Treasury yields held at their highest level since July 2019, while U.S. oil prices fell below $95 a barrel Tuesday.
Investors need patience and discipline right now, keeping cash mostly on the sidelines to see if the new market rally attempt can signal a new uptrend. Dow Jones health care giant UnitedHealth, Costco and O'Reilly Automotive are among those holding up well in the current stock market volatility.
Stock Market Today
On Tuesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.8%, while the S&P 500 rose 2.1%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite surged 2.9%. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 snapped three-day losing streaks.
U.S. Stock Market Today Overview |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Index | Symbol | Price | Gain/Loss | % Change |
| Dow Jones | (0DJIA) | 33545.92 | +600.68 | +1.82 |
| S&P 500 | (0S&P5) | 4262.73 | +89.62 | +2.15 |
| Nasdaq | (0NDQC ) | 12948.62 | +367.40 | +2.92 |
| Russell 2000 | 195.70 | +2.99 | +1.55 | |
| IBD 50 | 36.69 | +0.70 | +1.94 | |
Last Update: 4:30 PM ET 3/15/2022 |
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Among the Dow Jones leaders, Apple rallied 3% and Microsoft traded up 3.9% in today's stock market. UnitedHealth, a Dow Jones stock to watch, finished Tuesday just below a new buy point.
Electric-vehicle leader Tesla raced more than 4.5% higher Tuesday after announcing price hikes for its cars.
Amid the volatile, headline-driven market, Costco, O'Reilly Automotive, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Vertex Pharmaceuticals are among Tuesday's top stocks to watch. Keep in mind that current stock market conditions should keep investors in cash and on the sidelines.
Microsoft, Tesla and Vertex are IBD Leaderboard stocks. O'Reilly was Tuesday's IBD 50 Stocks To Watch pick. And Costco and Regeneron were featured in this week's Stocks Near A Buy Zone column.
Dow Jones Today: Fed Decision
Before Wednesday's market open, Dow Jones futures jumped 1.1% vs. fair value, while S&P 500 futures moved up 1.3%. Nasdaq 100 futures rose 1.9% vs. fair value. Remember that overnight action in Dow futures and elsewhere doesn't necessarily translate into actual trading in the next regular stock market session.
Among exchange traded funds, the Nasdaq 100 tracker Invesco QQQ Trust jumped 3.1%, and the SPDR S&P 500 ETF climbed 2.2% Tuesday.
The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose to 2.16% to hit its highest point since July 2019. On Monday, the 10-year Treasury yield surged to 2.14%. U.S. oil prices plunged more than 7% Tuesday, as West Texas Intermediate crude traded around $95 a barrel. Dow Jones energy giant Chevron tumbled more than 5%, but is still sharply above the 20%-25% profit-taking area from a cup base's 113.21 entry.
The Federal Reserve's two-day meeting will end Wednesday with an interest-rate decision at 2:00 p.m. ET. Expectations call for the central bank to raise interest rates by a quarter percentage point, which would be the first increase since 2018.
Stock Market Rally Attempt: What To Do Now
The stock market posted strong action Tuesday, as the major stock indexes finished with big gains. But a key element of a follow-through day — higher volume than the previous day — was lacking. So despite the strong gains, the stock market correction is still here.
A follow-through day — signaling the start of a new uptrend — is still possible on the S&P 500 anytime now, since the major stock index didn't undercut the Feb. 24 low. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq hit fresh correction lows Monday, so it will take some time before a potential follow-through day on that index. However, even if a follow-through day occurs, there isn't a whole lot of merchandise to purchase after the recent heavy losses in the broad market.
During market corrections, investors should be in cash. But don't tune out. Instead, keep a watchlist of top-performing stocks that are trying to hold up during the market weakness. Use the relative strength line to help you identify some emerging leaders. You can also find stocks newly added to IBD's proprietary watchlists like the IBD 50 here.
Be sure to check out the IBD University on how to identify market bottoms and get invested after a follow-through day.
Tuesday's The Big Picture column commented, "To be sure, Tuesday's gains were impressive. But, as we learned only days ago, big gains don't necessarily signal true market uptrends. Tuesday's index gains were the largest since March 9, which only took the market lower." Amid the current volatility, it's an important time to read and follow IBD's The Big Picture column.
If you're new to IBD, consider taking a look at its stock trading system and CAN SLIM basics. Recognizing chart patterns is one key to the investment guidelines. IBD offers a broad range of growth stock lists, such as Leaderboard and SwingTrader.
Investors also can create watchlists, find companies nearing a buy point, or develop custom screens at IBD MarketSmith.
Four Dow Jones Stocks To Watch Now
Dow Jones Stocks To Watch: UnitedHealth
Managed care giant UnitedHealth shows a 500.10 buy point with a handle entry on a double-bottom base. Shares ended Tuesday within striking distance of their latest entry after the session's 2.05% rise. UNH was Monday's IBD Stock Of The Day.
Bullishly, the stock's relative strength line is near new highs, indicating significant stock market outperformance.
Four Top Growth Stocks To Watch In The Current Stock Market Correction
Stocks To Watch: Costco, O'Reilly, Regeneron, Vertex
Costco stock now shows a cup with handle with a 545.39 buy point, according to IBD MarketSmith chart analysis. Bullishly, the stock's relative strength line already hit new highs, a sign of extreme strength, especially during periods of significant market weakness. Costco shares rallied more than 3% Tuesday.
Tuesday's IBD 50 Stocks To Watch pick, O'Reilly Automotive, broke out past a 687.33 buy point in a cup with handle during Tuesday's 3.1% advance and is in buy range. The 5% buy area tops out at 721.70.
Regeneron decisively cleared an early entry at 645.10 during Monday's session. Meanwhile, the stock is moving closer to a 673.96 buy point in a flat base after Tuesday's 1.45% rise.
IBD Leaderboard stock Vertex is tracing a flat base with a 255.03 buy point. Per Leaderboard analysis, Vertex was boosted to a half position from a quarter on a solid bounce off the 50-day line in recent sessions. VRTX shares gained 2.2% Tuesday.
Join IBD experts as they analyze leading stocks in the current stock market correction on IBD Live
Tesla Stock
Tesla stock rallied 4.6% Tuesday, snapping a three-day losing streak. Shares remain below their long-term 200-day moving average.
On Tuesday, Tesla raised its car prices in China and the U.S. for the second time in less than a week. In the U.S., Tesla raised prices for all of its models by 5%-10%. On Sunday, Chief Executive Elon Musk tweeted, "Tesla & SpaceX are seeing significant recent inflation pressures in raw materials & logistics."
The stock traded as high as 1,243.49 on Nov. 4, but ended Tuesday about 36% off that all-time high.
Dow Jones Leaders: Apple, Microsoft
Among Dow Jones stocks, Apple shares advanced 3% Tuesday, recovering from Monday's skid. The stock regained its long-term 200-day line.
Software leader Microsoft jumped 3.9% Tuesday, ending a three-day losing streak. Shares are still far below the 200-day line, as they continue to build a new base.
Be sure to follow Scott Lehtonen on Twitter at @IBD_SLehtonen for more on growth stocks and the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
