Technology and Financials Battle for Market Direction

Two of the market's most influential sectors are battling each other for market direction in today's action.

The Technology and Financial Sectors are the strongest and weakest areas of the market in today's session, up 0.8% and down 0.5% respectively.

As a result, all major indices are in a virtual deadlock, fluctuating between positive and negative territory throughout the first half of trading.

The S&P 500 (SPX) is currently down 2 points (0.2%) from yesterday's close to 1,196. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DJI) is down 12 points to 11,402, and the NASDAQ is up marginally at 2,550.

Oil futures (/QM) have come well off of session highs, currently down $0.07 (0.1%) to $89.27.

Gold and silver futures, however, are enjoying significant rallies in today's session, as both are up over 2%. Gold, which underwent a drastic selloff in yesterday's session, is currently trading up 2.4% to $1861 - near intraday highs. Silver is also rebounding from yesterday's plunge, up 2.1% on the session to $42.54.

Keep a close eye on both the Financial and Technology Sectors throughout the rest of the session. If tech stocks should start to roll over, look out below. Conversely, if the financials start to gain steam, look for a significant move to the upside as shorts run for cover.

The strongest performing stocks in the S&P 500 Technology Sector in today's session currently are:

1) Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU): Shares of Micron Technology are currently trading up 9.2% from yesterday's close to $6.62.

2) Sandisk (NASDAQ: SNDK): Shares of Sandisk are currently trading up 5% from yesterday's close to $39.51.

3) Tellabs (NASDAQ: TLAB): Shares of Tellabs are currently trading up 2.7% from yesterday's close to $4.13.

4) Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD): Shares of AMD are currently trading up 2.7% from yesterday's close to $6.94.

5) Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT): Shares of Microsoft are currently trading up 2.4% from yesterday's close to $26.62.

Weakness in the Sector: The following technology stocks are showing signs of weakness in today's action, despite overall sector strength:

1) Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL): Shares of Oracle are currently trading down 2.2% from yesterday's close to $27.02.

2) Xerox (NYSE: XRX): Shares of Xerox are currently trading down 2.1% from yesterday's close to $7.86.

3) Cognizant Technology Solutions (NASDAQ: CTSH): Shares of Cognizant are currently trading down 1.3% from yesterday's close to $63.89.

The weakest performing stocks in the S&P 500 Financials Sector in today's session currently are:

1) Genworth Financial (NYSE: GNW): Shares of Genworth are currently trading down 3.5% from yesterday's close to $6.29.

2) Regions Financial (NYSE: RF): Shares of Regions are currently trading down 3% from yesterday's close to $4.24.

3) First Horizon National (NYSE: FHN): Shares of First Horizon are currently trading down 2.4% from yesterday's close to $6.57.

4) Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ: FITB): Shares of Fifth Third are currently trading down 2.3% from yesterday's close to $10.21.

5) Comerica (NYSE: CMA): Shares of Comerica are currently trading down 2.2% from yesterday's close to $23.03.

Strength in the Sector: The following financial stocks are currently showing signs of strength, despite negative overall sector performance:

1) US Bancorp (NYSE: USB): Shares of US Bancorp are currently trading up 1.4% from yesterday's close to $23.00.

2) People's United Financial (NASDAQ: PBCT): Shares of People's United are currently trading up 0.9% from yesterday's close to $11.92.

3) Mastercard (NYSE: MA): Shares of Mastercard are currently trading up 0.8% from yesterday's close to $341.94.