Stocks Steady as Upbeat Inflation Battles IBM Earnings

Wall Street is trying to bring home a much-needed win today, buoyed by cooler-than-expected inflation data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) has carried earlier losses into midday, down triple digits at last look, while shrugging off impressive Goldman Sachs (GS) earnings. The S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) are both in the black, the tech-heavy latter up triple digits as semiconductor stocks bounce back from an extended bout of profit taking. The small cap Russell 2000 (RUT) is also higher, though gains across the board are held in check by stubborn oil prices. 

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

• IBM stock anchors the Dow after dire warning.
• This earnings season, we have a special offer for you.
• Plus, EV puts pop; cybersecurity stocks soar; and Biogen's Alzheimer's update. 

Li Auto Inc (NASDAQ:LI) is seeing an uptick in options volume today. At last look, 7,500 puts have changed hands, volume that's triple the average intraday amount and 12 times the number of calls exchanged. The September 10 and 12-strike puts are where most of the action is occurring, with new positions being bought to open at both. LI is up 2.4% to trade at $12.47, but also down 26% year to date, however, and trying to separate from its June 30, 52-week low of $11.65.

Crowdstrike Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:CRWD) stock is near the top of tech today, up 9.4% to trade at $205.52. Cybersecurity names across the board are getting rotated into, after IBM's preliminary forecast cited rising AI/vibe coding risks. CrowdStrike stock is up 72% in 2026, and is a chip shot from its July 6 record high of $209.50. 

Biogen Inc (NASDAQ:BIIB) is sitting out today's rally, last seen 7.8% lower to trade at $192.68. The company's experimental Alzheimer's drug missed the main goal of a mid-stage study. However, the results were promising enough for Biogen to move the drug to late-stage development. Yesterday, Truist upgraded BIIB to "buy" from "hold" on pipeline optimism. The shares are up 9.4% in 2026, with support stepping up today at their 80-day moving average.