Stocks plowed into early gains Wednesday, as the Dow surged more than 200 points at the starting bell following a May employment report, and as U.S. coronavirus data showed a peak in active cases.

Crowdstrike Holdings spiked poast a possible buy point, while American Express and chemicals maker Dow lifted the Dow Jones today.

The Dow Jones today is about 12% below its Feb.

The VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF (SMH) gained 2.1% in early trade.

For detailed analysis of the current stock market and its status, study the Big Picture.

China-based GSX Techedu (GSX) popped 6.7% to easily lead the IBD 50 list in early trade.

American Express (AXP) jumped 2.7%, Dow (DOW) rallied 3%, leading the Dow Jones today following the ADP employment report, leading the index.

Boeing stock is gaining some cushion above support at its 50-day moving average.

Dow Jones stocks Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT) and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) all remain in buy ranges and were trading higher early Wednesday.

Five analysts cranked up their buy points on the stock to an average of 109.60 — about 19% above Tuesday's closing price.

Second, the number of active cases — confirmed infected patients either in hospitals or in some sort of quarantine care — decreased in two of the past three days, following a May 30 peak.

Active cases on Tuesday numbered 1.12 million.

The active cases number is critical, because it shows the capacity demand placed on hospitals and other healthcare resources.

The Dow Jones today staked out another early lead in the stock market's confirmed uptrend, on track for a fourth straight up day.

The stock market has shown little reaction to the protests racking cities across the U.S., and has been generally positive on the view toward states beginning to restart their economies following their coronavirus lockdowns.

While the Dow industrials remain around 12% below their record high from February, the index on Wednesday moved to less than 1% from its 200-day moving average.

26, and converting that moving average into a level of support would send a bullish signal across the broader market.

Breaking that resistance and advancing to test its 200-day moving average would also mark an important test.

The Russell was outpacing the overall market in early trade Wednesday, and appeared set to take another run at the 1,450 mark?

Coronavirus Stock Market Survival Guide.

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