Dow Closes Higher on Big Boeing Finish

Stocks finished the day higher, with the Dow seeing a late push from a Reuters report that said the Federal Aviation Administration's review board deemed Boeing's ( BA ) software fix for its 737 Max aircraft to be "operationally suitable" -- news that sent BA stock up 1.7%. A bearish reversal for UnitedHealth Group ( UNH ) kept a lid on the index's gains, though, as the insurance giant's earnings beat was offset by concerns over potential regulatory changes to the industry. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 also marked daily gains, with the former closing above the 8,000 mark for the first time since Oct. 3.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• The weed stock roasted by short seller Citron.
• 2 reasons to be bearish on CAT stock .
• Skechers puts are popular before earnings.
• Plus, 2 stocks react to PlayStation buzz; drug stocks higher on FDA notes; and bulls back this popular beauty name.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 26,452.66) added 67.9 points, or 0.3%. Boeing ( BA ) led the 21 advancing blue chips, adding 1.7%. On the flip side, UnitedHealth ( UNH ) paced the nine losers with a steep 4% drop.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,907.06) gained 1.5 point, or 0.05%, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 8,000.23) tacked on 24.2 points, or 0.3%.

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 12.18) shed 0.1 point, or 1.1%.

5 Items on our Radar Today

1. One day after Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral suffered a massive fire, multiple offers for donations to rebuild the historical structure have poured in. Among those pledging donations are Apple ( AAPL ), L'Oreal, and LVMH. ( CNBC )
2. Paper stocks took a hit today, after BofA-Merrill Lynch analyst George Staphos downgraded International Paper ( IP ) and its peer Packaging Corporation of America ( PKG ) to "neutral" from "buy." At the close, IP was down 4.6 % at $44.91, while PKG shares were off 3.5% at $97.94. ( Barron's, via MarketWatch )
3. 2 stocks making moves on the back of PlayStation 5 buzz .
4. FDA notes pushed these 2 drug stocks higher .
5. This beauty stock is backed by bulls .

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Gold Marks Lowest Settlement This Year

Oil prices bounced back ahead of tomorrow's U.S. inventories update. May-dated crude added 65 cents, or 1%, settling at $64.05 per barrel.

Rising bond yields combined with near record highs in the stock market sent gold lower in today's trading. June-dated gold closed down $14.10, or 1.1%, at $1,277.20 per ounce -- its lowest settlement of 2019.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.