In Thursday’s pre-market update, Stephen Whiteside reports a quiet open as markets await key economic data, including the producer price index and jobless claims. Cannabis stocks surged on Wednesday, with the Alternative Harvest ETF up over 13%, while Bitcoin and Ethereum approach key targets of \$125,000 and \$5,000, respectively. The VIX remains on a sell signal, supporting higher stock prices, and Canadian markets hit new highs, led by consumer discretionary, telecom, and real estate sectors.
Whiteside highlights a divide within the Dow 30, with 12 stocks stuck in the “doghouse” despite record index levels, including Amgen, Salesforce, and IBM, while winners like Microsoft, NVIDIA, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan help buoy the market. NVIDIA nears a \$187.50 target, with \$200 in sight, as Whiteside explains his “two-line” price target strategy for options traders. He closes by noting the potential market impact of the morning’s economic releases.
Stephen Whiteside
Thursday, August 14, 2025
