The Dow Jones news today projects a 12-point gain for stocks Monday before earnings week kicks off.
Let's look at the numbers from Friday for the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq:
- Dow Jones: 20,656.10; -6.85; -0.03%
- S&P 500: 2,355.54; -1.95; -0.08 %
- Nasdaq: 5,877.81; -1.14; -0.02%
Today's market highlights:
- Though no major companies report earnings Monday, investors are looking forward to a busy round of reports from banking and energy companies this week. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) - the largest U.S. bank by assets - and Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) are expected to generate the most chatter this week as investors eye the strength of the industry since the election of President Donald Trump.
- On Friday, the Dow fell nearly seven points because of the weaker than expected March jobs report and uncertainty following the U.S. military's strike on a Syrian airbase.
- Friday's military strike on Syria has raised geopolitical concerns and pushed crude oil prices higher.
- Investors will be watching for statements from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen. The chair is expected to comment on interest rate hikes in the months ahead.
- A government shutdown looms. What does that mean for the markets in the future?
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Here's a look at today's most important market events and stocks, plus a look at Monday's economic calendar.
What's Ahead for the Dow Jones Industrial Average Today
- Dow Jones futures are up 12 points in pre-market hours as investors weigh a wealth of ongoing geopolitical threats around the globe.
- Last week's military strike on Syria has markets on edge. Over the weekend, Russia warned that U.S. intervention could have "serious consequences." Investors are also trying to get a better understanding of whether President Trump plans to take action over North Korea's nuclear program.
- Meanwhile, markets are keeping an eye on an economic panel at the University of Michigan today. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen will likely address the pace of interest rate hikes and the momentum of the U.S. economy's recovery.
- Gold prices struck a five-month high Friday thanks to increased geopolitical uncertainty and the weak March jobs report. The Syrian missile strike helped gold climb 0.3% today. Money Morning Resource Specialist Peter Krauth took some time to talk about the Syrian strike's impact on the yellow metal. He also offered his latest gold forecast for 2017.
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- Friday, the U.S. Labor Department announced the economy produced just 85,000 jobs in March. The figure fell well below economists' expectations.
- Crude oil prices have been ticking up despite concerns about rising supply levels in the United States.
- On Friday, Baker Hughes Inc. (NYSE: BHI) announced the number of U.S. oil rigs increased for the 12th consecutive week. Friday's lackluster jobs report weighed on trader sentiment and offset the bump received from increased geopolitical uncertainty.
- The WTI crude oil price today added 1.1%. Brent crude gained 1.2%.
- With the U.S. military strike on Syria, chatter about potential military intervention in North Korea, and the recent healthcare whiff on Capitol Hill, many pundits aren't focusing on the upcoming battle in Washington over the nation's finances.
- But the big news today is the threat of a government shutdown. The threat of a 2017 government shutdown could prevent Congress from ensuring the passage of deregulatory bills, tax cuts, and other pro-growth policies. But while everyone else is panicking, we see a lot of opportunity. That's why we've found a way to profit from the uncertainty that many are overlooking... We break down that opportunity, right here.
Stocks to Watch Today, April 10, 2017:
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- Investors in Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) should be raising their voices over executive pay. Company CEO Muhtar Kent snagged an outrageously high bonus last year, even though the beverage distributor reported less than stellar financials. So, what should investors do now? We break down this news, right here.
- Shares of Alphabet Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOGL) are generating negative headlines after the Department of Labor alleged its Google division has found serious pay discrepancies between its male and female employees. On Friday, the government agency made a series of disclosures before a judge in San Francisco. Google has denied all charges.
- Shares of Delta Airlines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) are in focus after the company reported another round of steep delays across the United States. The company has struggled to get its schedule in order for five straight days. On Sunday, the airline announced more than 135 cancelations and hundreds of delays.
- Tesla Inc. (Nasdaq: TSLA) has generated a lot of headlines in recent weeks. The company just surpassed Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) as the second-largest U.S. auto manufacturer by market capitalization. With the stock hitting nose-bleed levels, Money Morning Options Trading Specialist Tom Gentile has identified an easy way for you to profit off the major upswing in TSLA stock. Check out this profit opportunity, right here.
- In earnings news, shares of Franklin Resources (NYSE: BEN) are in focus as the company prepares to report quarterly results before the bell. Wall Street anticipates the company will report earnings per share (EPS) of $0.64 on top of $1.528 billion in revenue.
Today's U.S. Economic Calendar (all times EDT)
- Labor Market Conditions Index at 10 a.m.
- Four-Week Bill Announcement at 11 a.m.
- Three-Month Bill Auction at 11:30 a.m.
- Six-Month Bill Auction at 11:30 a.m.
- TD Ameritrade IMX at 12:30 p.m.
- Three-Year Note Auction at 1 p.m.
- Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen speaks at 4:10 p.m.
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