Dow Futures Propped up by UnitedHealth, Retail Sales

Stock futures are a mixed bag this morning. While futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) are indicating a 260-point pop, Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and S&P 500 (SPX)futures are struggling for direction, the latter looking to build on last night's record close. Fresh retail sales data is boosting sentiment, which showed a 0.5% lift in July, meeting expectations.

Also in focus is President Donald Trump's scheduled sit-down with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as news that Berkshire Hathaway's (BRK.A) Warren Buffett bought around 5 million shares of insurance stock UnitedHealth Group (UNH) last quarter. At last check, UNH is over 10% higher premarket, also fueling the blue-chip index's surge.

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

• This small-cap ETF is a target of pessimism despite recent gains. 
• A valuable sentiment indicator for options traders.
• Plus; Berkshire boosts healthcare sector; Intel eyes government deal; and another quantum stock moves red.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE) saw nearly 3 million call contracts and more than 2.2 million put contracts traded on Thursday, the latter's most since July 24. The single-session equity put/call ratio rose to 0.75, while the 21-day moving average stayed at 0.59.
2. Molina Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:MOH) stock is 4% higher before the bell, with healthcare stocks across the board getting a halo lift from the UNH news. Ahead of today's rise, MOH was down 45% year to date and received a price-target cut to $198 from $216 just this morning from Wells Fargo.
3. Intel Corp (NASDAQ:INTC) stock is another blue chip up ahead of the open, after a Bloomberg report revealed the chipmaker was in talks with the U.S. government about a potential stake in the company. Intel stock yesterday closed at its highest level since late March, and is poised to build on its 19% year-to-date lead.
4. The shares of Quantum Computing Inc (NASDAQ:QUBT) are 2.2% lower in electronic trading, after the company's second-quarter revenue fell short of estimates. QUBT is down 19.7% this quarter as quantum computing stocks struggle, though support could emerge at the equity's 80-day moving average.
5. Next week will bring plenty of earnings and economic data, as well as the Fed's latest meeting minutes. 

Asian Markets Mixed After Chinese Retail Data

Asian markets finished mostly higher, with Japan’s Nikkei closing at a new all-time high after a 1.7% gain, fueled by better-than-expected second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth. South Korea’s Kospi was also able to clinch a modest gain of 0.04%. Fresh Chinese economic data showed retail sales and industrial output falling short of expectations, leading to mixed market reactions. The Shanghai Composite managed a 0.8% rise, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was among the few regional losers, dropping 1%.

In Europe, London’s FTSE 100 was last seen trading near breakeven, pulling back from a record close that was driven by strength in defense and financial stocks. France’s CAC 40 is up 0.6%, and Germany’s DAX is 0.09% higher.