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Dow Jones Rallies On Pfizer Vaccine News; Tesla Stock Rises After China Sales

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 100 points early Wednesday, as Pfizer provided an update on the effectiveness of its vaccine vs. the omicron Covid-19 variant. Apple hit new highs, while Tesla stock dropped after reports of strong electric-vehicle sales in China.




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Among the Dow Jones leaders, Apple (AAPL) gained 0.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Wednesday, while Microsoft (MSFT) fell 0.3{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} in today’s stock market. Nike (NKE) also ticked 0.3{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} lower, still below a buy point despite Tuesday’s strong gain.

EV leader Tesla (TSLA) shed early gains and dropped 1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Wednesday. EV peer Rivian (RIVN) was down 1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, while Lucid Group (LCID) moved down around 4{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. Chinese EV leaders Li Auto (LI) and Xpeng Motors (XPEV) were mixed after Wednesday’s open.

Among the top stocks to buy and watch, Endeavor Group (EDR), Louisiana-Pacific (LPX), NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) and Zim Integrated Shipping (ZIM) are in or near new buy zones. Despite the recent stock market strength, investors should still be developing watchlists, and avoid making new purchases until the market’s current rally attempt stages a follow-through day.

Microsoft and Tesla are IBD Leaderboard stocks. Louisiana-Pacific was Tuesday’s IBD 50 Stocks To Watch pick. NXP was spotlighted in this week’s Stocks Near A Buy Zone story. Endeavor was featured in last week’s IPO Leaders story. Zim is an IBD SwingTrader stock.

Dow Jones Today: Pfizer Vaccine News

After the stock market open Wednesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average pared gains to 0.1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, as Honeywell International (HON) dragged on the index following a Bank of America downgrade. The S&P 500 rose 0.1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite reversed higher after early losses.

Among exchange traded funds, the Nasdaq 100 tracker Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) rose 0.1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Wednesday, while the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) gained 0.2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}.

Elsewhere, the 10-year Treasury yield traded down to around 1.46{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Wednesday morning, following its close at 1.48{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Tuesday after two straight days of strong gains. Crude oil prices were lower, with West Texas Intermediate down about 0.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} and on pace to snap a two-day advance.

Early Wednesday, Pfizer (PFE) and vaccine partner BioNTech (BNTX) said a third dose of their Covid-19 vaccine neutralized the omicron variant in lab tests. They also reported that the two-dose regimen was significantly less effective vs. the new variant than prior strains of the virus. Pfizer shares and BNTX shares both traded higher after the open.

Stock Market ETF Strategy And How To Invest

Stock Market Rally Attempt

The stock market posted strong gains Tuesday, as the major stock indexes continued their rebounds from last week’s weakness. Tuesday marked Day 2 of a new rally attempt on the Nasdaq. That is a positive sign, but means the market correction isn’t over yet — one or two days doesn’t make a trend. Starting at Day 4, you are looking for the index to rise sharply in higher volume than the prior day. That would indicate a follow-through day, and signal the start of a potential uptrend.

Now, while the market is still correcting, is a good time to search for stocks that could become the next uptrend’s leaders. One tool helpful in such a search is the relative strength line. The RS line measures a stock’s price performance vs. the S&P 500. If the stock is outperforming the broader market, then the RS line angles upward. If a stock is performing worse than the broad market, then the line will point lower.

After Tuesday’s session, The Big Picture commented: “With two solid gains this week, much of the stock market’s damage from the previous couple of weeks is patched up. The Nasdaq sank almost 8{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} from its Nov. 22 peak and is now 3.2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} from new highs.”

The stock market outlook was downgraded on Friday, so it’s an important time to read IBD’s The Big Picture.

Five Best Dow Jones Stocks To Watch Now

Dow Jones Stocks To Watch: Apple, Nike

Apple shares hit new highs Tuesday, rallying more than 3.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. The stock is getting further extended past a 153.27 buy point out of a cup-with-handle base, according to IBD MarketSmith chart analysis. The 5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} buy zone topped out at 160.93. Apple shares moved up 0.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Wednesday, setting another all-time high.

Retail leader Nike remains about 2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} below a cup base’s 174.48 buy point after Tuesday’s 1.4{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} gain. Shares fell 0.3{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Wednesday.

Stock Market Earnings: Toll Brothers

Photronics (PLAB), Thor Industries (THO) and Lovesac (LOVE) were all making strong morning moves after reporting earnings early Wednesday.

Toll Brothers (TOL) reported better-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter earnings and sales late Tuesday. Shares dropped more than 2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Wednesday. TOL stock closed Tuesday in buy range past a 68.98 buy point, but is already extended above a 67.43 handle entry. That 5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} buy area topped out at 70.80.

Elsewhere, Stitch Fix (SFIX) dived 27{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Wednesday after cutting its revenue outlook for the fiscal year due to ongoing supply chain pressures. Shares closed Tuesday about 78{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} off their 52-week high.

Stocks To Buy And Watch: Endeavor, Louisiana-Pacific, NXP, Zim

IPO Leader and Ultimate Fighting Championship owner Endeavor Group is trying to break out past a cup-with-handle base with a 31.80 buy point, according to IBD MarketSmith chart analysis. Shares are about 3{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} below the new entry after Tuesday’s breakout attempt. The stock was down about 4{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Wednesday.

The stock’s relative strength line is making strong upward progress and is at its highest level since early October. The RS line measures a stock’s price performance vs. the broad market. A strengthening RS line during periods of market weakness indicates leadership potential.

Louisiana-Pacific — Tuesday’s IBD Stocks To Watch pick — is breaking out past a 73.76 buy point in a cup with handle amid Tuesday’s 3.9{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} rise. Shares are in the 5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} buy range that tops out at 77.45. LPX stock moved up 1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Wednesday.

Chip leader NXP Semiconductors is testing a 227.60 buy point in a cup-with-handle base following Tuesday’s 6.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} advance. The buy area goes up to 238.98. Shares were down over 6{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Wednesday after UBS started coverage with a sell rating and a 170 price target.

IBD SwingTrader stock Zim Integrated Shipping is rapidly approaching a cup with handle’s 60.19 buy point following Tuesday’s 4.9{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} climb. Shares rallied 2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Wednesday.

Join IBD experts as they analyze leading stocks in the current stock market correction on IBD Live

EV Stocks: Li Auto, Xpeng, Lucid Motors, Rivian

Li Auto triggered the 7{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}-8{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} loss-cutting sell rule below a cup-with-handle base’s 34.93 buy point after Friday’s sharp loss. Shares are fighting to regain their 50-day line after finding support around the long-term 200-day moving average. Shares tacked on 0.7{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Wednesday.

Xpeng Motors triggered the round-trip sell signal from a 48.08 buy point during last week’s decline. Investors should sell the growth stock if it falls back near the buy point after it has made a gain of more than 10{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. Try to sell before all gains are wiped away. XPEV shares ended Tuesday above their 50-day support level. Wait for the stock to form a new base, which would offer a new entry. The stock moved up 0.7{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Wednesday.

Lucid Motors shares threatened to extend a five-day losing streak Wednesday, falling 4{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. LCID stock remains extended past a 28.49 buy point in a cup-with-handle base, but huge gains have dwindled.

Hot initial public offering Rivian extended Tuesday’s 0.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} fall, dropping nearly 1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} early Wednesday.

RIVN shares closed Tuesday about 35{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} off their post-IPO highs. The decline is a potential positive for investors remaining disciplined and waiting for an IPO base to form before considering a purchase. The recent weakness is the start of Rivian’s first base formation, and Monday’s strong gain was a step in the right direction.

Tesla Stock

Tesla stock turned down 1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Wednesday, after Tuesday’s 4.2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} gain as it rebounds from a key support level. Early Wednesday, the China Passenger Car Association reported that Tesla Shanghai sold 52,859 made-in-China Model 3 sedans and Model Y crossover SUVs in November, including 21,127 that were exported.

Shares traded as high as 1,243.49 on Nov. 4, but the stock ended Tuesday about 15{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} off its 52-week high.

TSLA shares remain sharply above a 764.55 buy point in a cup with handle, as well as earlier entries at 700.10 and 730. The chart also showed an alternate entry at 900.50. Tesla shares are likely forming a new base, but there is no new buy point yet.

Dow Jones Leaders: Microsoft

Among Dow Jones stocks, software giant Microsoft moved down 0.3{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} Wednesday, as it fights to continue its rebound from the 50-day line.

On Oct. 18, Microsoft stock broke out past a flat base’s 305.94 buy point. The 5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} buy zone topped out at 321.24, so the stock is extended.

Be sure to follow Scott Lehtonen on Twitter at @IBD_SLehtonen for more on growth stocks and the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

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Dow Jones Futures Loom As Market Rally Awaits Omicron Covid Variant News; What To Do Now

Dow Jones futures will open Sunday evening, along with S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures, with all eyes on the newly discovered omicron Covid variant following Friday’s sell-off.




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The stock market rally was hit from all directions last week, with the major indexes tumbling below key levels Friday on the new omicron Covid variant, with crude oil prices and Treasury yields plunging. Coronavirus vaccine makers such as Moderna (MRNA), BioNTech (BNTX) and Pfizer (PFE) were big winners.

Is this the start of a significant market slide, the continuation of recent whipsaw action or will stocks quickly rebound? The current uncertainty makes it difficult to navigate the stock market rally. Investors should be playing more defense than offense until conditions clearly improve. More clarity on the new omicron variant is needed.

Li Auto earnings are due before Monday’s open. Later this coming week, Li Auto (LI) and Chinese EV startups Nio (NIO) and Xpeng (XPEV) are likely to release November delivery figures. China EV giant BYD Co. (BYDDF) may come slightly later, with Tesla (TSLA) China sales figures eventually following.

Tesla stock is on IBD Leaderboard and the IBD 50. Pfizer stock was Friday’s IBD Stock Of The Day.

The video embedded in this article analyzed a pivotal market week and discussed PFE stock, Ovintiv (OVV) and Li Auto.

Dow Jones Futures Today

Dow Jones futures will open at 6 p.m. ET, along with S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures.

Dow futures could be volatile Sunday night, with investors making best on the market rally’s direction without a clear picture of just how serious, or not, the omicron variant is.

Bitcoin rose modestly, trading above $56,500 and at weekend highs, suggesting a vague “risk on” sentiment after Friday’s sharp sell-off in cryptocurrencies.

After U.S. crude oil prices plunged 13{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} on Friday, OPEC+ is delaying some technical meetings set for Monday-Tuesday to Wednesday-Thursday so the market can digest the impact of the new Covid variant.

Remember that overnight action in Dow futures and elsewhere doesn’t necessarily translate into actual trading in the next regular stock market session.

Join IBD experts as they analyze actionable stocks in the stock market rally on IBD Live

Omicron Coronavirus: Covid Variant Of Concern

A new coronavirus variant with a large number of mutations, first detected in South Africa, is raising concerns. It’s unclear if the B.1.1529 Covid variant, dubbed the omicron variant on Friday, is more deadly or infectious than prior strains, or whether vaccinations or prior Covid infection provide substantial protection.

The World Health Organization noted that the omicron variant appears to have a higher risk of reinfection for people who have already had Covid-19. The WHO declared it a “variant of concern,” the first such designation since the delta variant a year ago.

However, a coronavirus adviser to the South Africa government as well as the Pretoria doctor who sounded the alarm about the Omicron variant said that cases generally seem to be “mild.”

There are reasons to believe that anti-viral pills, such as those made by Pfizer and Merck (MRK), would retain effectiveness vs. the latest Covid strain.

The U.S., U.K., European Union, Australia, Israel and Singapore have suspended flights or entry from southern Africa.

Dutch officials on Sunday reported 13 omicron Covid cases among travelers from South Africa to the Netherlands.

The U.K., Belgium, Australia, Italy, Hong Kong and Israel are among countries that have identified a handful of omicron Covid cases.

Coronavirus Vaccine Stocks

Pfizer partner BioNTech said it will take two weeks to see how effective its vaccine is vs. the omicron Covid variant. Moderna said it could have a Covid vaccine designed for the omicron variant by early 2022. MRNA technology speeds up vaccine development, though FDA approval could take several months.

On Nov. 19, the FDA approved Moderna or Pfizer booster shots for all adults. That came soon after the FDA approved the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for children aged 5-11, after already approving the Covid vaccine for adolescents aged 12-15.

Pfizer and partner BioNTech, along with rival mRNA coronavirus vaccine maker Moderna, jumped Friday on the omicron Covid variant, also called Nu Covid. Pfizer also is benefitting from Merck reporting even-lower efficacy from its antiviral Covid pill. A Pfizer Covid oral drug is much more effective.

PFE stock jumped 6.1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} on Friday to 54, gapping above a 51.96 buy point, according to MarketSmith analysis. However, Pfizer stock has surged for six straight weeks off the bottom of its cup base. A pullback wouldn’t be a surprise.

MRNA stock gapped above its 50-day line, breaking a trend line with a 21{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} gain. BNTX stock, which cleared its 50-day line earlier in the week, soared 14{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. Both Moderna stock and BioNTech could be deemed early entries. But investors might want to see more strength from Moderna and a post-gap up consolidation from BNTX stock.

Meanwhile, other coronavirus medical plays such as Quest Diagnostics (DGX) and PerkinElmer (PKI) showed positive action as well.

Covid Cases Rising

Coronavirus cases had already been ramping up worldwide for the past several weeks, notably in Europe. Austria began a lockdown in the past week.

Coronavirus cases worldwide reached 261.72 million. Covid-19 deaths topped 5.21 million.

Coronavirus cases in the U.S. have hit 49.09 million, with deaths above 799,000. U.S. cases, after picking up for a couple of weeks, appeared to be leveling off shortly before Thanksgiving. Will the holiday travel spur another upsurge in cases next week? Coronavirus deaths in the U.S. have continued to fall.

These Sectors Lead Sell-Off As New Covid Variant Emerges

Stock Market Rally

The stock market rally had a rough holiday-shortened week, with broad-based losses.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gave up 2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} in last week’s stock market trading, all driven by Friday’s 2.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} decline. The S&P 500 index shed 2.2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. The Nasdaq composite skidded 3.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. The small-cap Russell 2000 tumbled 4.6{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}.

Crude oil futures plunged 13{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} on Friday. The 10-year Treasury yield lost 4 basis points to 1.49{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} for the week. But the benchmark yield dived 15 basis points Friday after nearly hitting a six-month high Wednesday intraday.

Among the best ETFs, the Innovator IBD 50 ETF (FFTY) plunged 5.9{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, while the Innovator IBD Breakout Opportunities ETF (BOUT) gave up 3.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) slumped 5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. The VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF (SMH) retreated 4.1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}.

Reflecting more-speculative story stocks, ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) dived 5.3{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} and ARK Genomics ETF (ARKG) 5.7{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. Tesla stock remains the No. 1 holding across ARK Invest’s ETFs.

SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) fell 3.2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} and Global X U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE) declined 2.1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. U.S. Global Jets ETF (JETS) tumbled 7{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) slid 2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. The Energy Select SPDR ETF (XLE) rose 1.3{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, but tumbled 4.3{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} on Friday with many shale plays faring far worse. The Financial Select SPDR ETF (XLF) lost 1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, skidding 3.7{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} on Friday.

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Li Auto Stock

Li Auto is expected to narrow its per-share loss with Q3 revenue tripling. Last week Li Auto stock rose 5.9{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} to 32.40. That’s near possible entries, including an official 34.93 handle buy point.

Xpeng stock is holding above a 48.08 buy point and 50.50 alternative entry after surging on earnings in the past week. Tesla and BYD stock could be working on new consolidations, both closing Friday near their 21-day lines. Nio stock has fallen back below its 200-day line.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in a “leaked” email to employees, suggested the EV giant may push some Q4 deliveries from the typical end-of-quarter crush into early 2022, in a bid to lower shipping costs. “Leaked” Musk emails often spur analysts to lower quarterly delivery targets. The upcoming Austin and Berlin plants should eventually ease some of the Tesla delivery crush in the U.S., Europe and China.

Tesla Berlin will begin production in December, Automobilwoche reported Sunday. Regulators are expected to give final approval to the plant with days. Production is seen picking up in January, but it at a relatively slow ramp in early 2022.

Market Rally Analysis

In the past week, the stock market rally started a major sell-off in highly valued growth stocks, especially software, while energy stocks and banks rebounded. The new Covid variant sent stocks sharply lower on Friday, especially oil and financials, as crude prices and Treasury yields tumbled. Travel stocks also were hard hit, while retailers extended a recent retreat. Coronavirus plays bounced, while software names held up relatively well.

The Nasdaq composite and S&P 500 gapped below their 21-day lines after both found support at that key level earlier in the week. The Dow Jones, which was up modestly through Wednesday, gapped below its 50-day line on Friday.

The Russell 2000 tumbled below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages. The small-cap index is a decent proxy for market breadth, which has weakened considerably. Losers trounced winners 4-to-1 on the Nasdaq Friday, and by 5-to-1 on the NYSE. The advance/decline lines have deteriorated in the past few weeks.

The CBOE Volatility Index, or VIX, spiked 54{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} to 28.62, hitting a 10-month high. Extreme moves in the so-called market fear gauge could raise the odds of at least a short-term market bottom. But it doesn’t have to happen right away and it doesn’t have to last.

There’s a lot of uncertainty right now regarding the market rally and which sectors will lead and lag. Market action is likely to be headline driven. How dangerous is the omicron Covid variant?. That will inform governments’ decisions on travel bans and restrictions and whether or not people adjust their behavior once again. A major outbreak could trigger new government and business shutdowns, roiling supply chains once again and sending commodity prices on a longer slide.

Perhaps all these fears are overdone. Goldman Sachs, in a Friday night note, said “this mutation is unlikely to be more malicious and that the existing vaccines will most likely continue to be effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths.” Goldman added, “we do not think that the new variant is sufficient reason to make major portfolio changes.”

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What To Do Now

The whipsaw, downside action in the major indexes, various sectors and leading stocks is not conducive to new buys. Sure, if the overall stock market rally or specific sectors rebound, buying now will likely turn out well. But with so much uncertainty regarding the new omicron Covid variant, inflation, supply chains and more, the odds are not especially favorable.

It’s quite possible the oil, bank or travel stocks will try to rebound early next week, much as software stocks did on Wednesday. But that doesn’t mean the bounce will continue.

Investors should review their holdings and ditch losers. If you got caught out in Friday’s gap-down losses and didn’t act, don’t continue to freeze.

Take more of a defensive posture with all of your holdings and portfolio. Don’t necessarily be in a rush to sell everything, unless all your stocks are triggering losses.

When market conditions do shore up, whether it’s next week or next year, you want to be ready financially and mentally to take advantage.

Read The Big Picture every day to stay in sync with the market direction and leading stocks and sectors.

Please follow Ed Carson on Twitter at @IBD_ECarson for stock market updates and more.

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Five Diverse Stocks Near Buy Points

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Dow falls 900 points for worst day of year on fears of new Covid variant, S&P 500 drops 2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}

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U.S. stocks dropped sharply on Friday as a new Covid variant found in South Africa triggered a global shift away from risk assets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 905.04 points, or 2.53{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, for its worst day of the year, closing at 34,899.34. The S&P 500 lost 2.27{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} to close at 4,594.62, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 2.23{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} to finish at 15,491.66. The Dow was down more than 1,000 points at session lows.

The downward moves came after World Health Organization officials on Thursday warned of a new Covid-19 variant that’s been detected in South Africa. The new variant contains more mutations to the spike protein, the component of the virus that binds to cells, than the highly contagious delta variant. Because of these mutations, scientists fear it could have increased resistance to vaccines, though WHO said further investigation is needed. On Friday, the WHO deemed the new strain a variant of concern and named it omicron.

The United Kingdom temporarily suspended flights from six African countries due to the variant. Israel barred travel to several nations after reporting one case in a traveler. Two cases were identified in Hong Kong. Belgium also confirmed a case.

“When I read that there’s one [case] in Belgium and one in Botswana, we’re going to wake up next week and find one in this country. And I’m not going to recommend anyone buy anything today until we’re sure that isn’t going to happen, and I can’t be sure that it won’t,” CNBC’s Jim Cramer said.

Bond prices rose and yields tumbled amid a flight to safety. The yield on the benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury note fell 15 basis points to 1.49{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} (1 basis point equals 0.01{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}). This was a sharp reversal, as yields jumped earlier in the week to above 1.68{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} at one point. Bond yields move inversely to prices.

Asia markets were hit hard in Friday trade, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index both falling more than 2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. Germany’s Dax index slid more than 4{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. Bitcoin fell 8{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}.

The Cboe Volatility Index, often referred to as Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” rose to 28, its highest level in two months. Oil prices also tumbled, with U.S. crude futures down 12{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} and breaking below $70 per barrel.

Travel-related stocks were hit hardest, with Carnival Corp. and Royal Caribbean down 11{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} and 13.2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, respectively. United Airlines dropped more than 9{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, while American Airlines dropped 8.8{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. Boeing lost more than 5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, and Marriott International fell nearly 6.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}.

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Bank shares retreated on fears of the slowdown in economic activity and the retreat in rates. Bank of America dropped 3.9{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, and Citigroup slid 2.7{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}.

Industrials linked to the global economy declined, led by Caterpillar, off by 4{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. Chevron dropped 2.3{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} as energy stocks reacted to the rollover in crude prices.

On the flip side, investors huddled into the vaccine makers. Moderna shares surged more than 20{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}. Pfizer shares added 6.1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}.

Some of the stay-at-home plays that gained in the earlier months of the pandemic were higher again. Zoom Video and Peloton each added more than 5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}.

Friday was a shortened trading day because of the Thanksgiving holiday with U.S. markets closing at 1 p.m. ET. Holiday weeks often have relatively light trading volume, which can amplify moves in the market.

“It’s important to stress that very little is known at this point about this latest strain, including whether it can evade vaccines or how severe it is relative to other mutations. Therefore, it’s hard to make any informed investment decisions at this point,” Bespoke Investment Group’s Paul Hickey said in a note to clients. “Historically speaking, chasing a rally or selling into a sharp decline (especially on a very illiquid trading day) rarely ends up being profitable, but that isn’t stopping a lot of people this morning.”

Several investment professionals told CNBC on Friday that the sell-off could be a buying opportunity.

“Friday is the day after Thanksgiving — probably not as many traders on the desks, with an early close today. So potentially lower liquidity is causing some of the pullback,” Ajene Oden of BNY Mellon Investor Solutions said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “But the reaction we’re seeing is a buying opportunity for investors. We have to think long term.”

Markets were closed Thursday for Thanksgiving and had been split earlier in the week, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq underperforming amid an upward trend in Treasury yields.

The Nasdaq finished the week down 3.5{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, while the S&P 500 and Dow slumped by 2.2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} and 2{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}, respectively.