The Dow Jones today hit a new record, adding 7.8 points on a fresh round of mergers and acquisitions and news that central banks around the world are prepared to introduce new stimulus measures. The S&P 500 Volatility Index (VIX), the market's fear gauge, slipped 2.7% on the day.
Today's Scorecard:
Dow: 17,817.90, +7.84, +0.04%
S&P 500: 2,069.42, +5.92, +0.29%
Nasdaq: 4,754.89, +41.92, +0.89%
What Moved the Markets Today: The telecom sector kept the Dow from logging greater gains today. AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) slipped more than 1.6%. Meanwhile, rival giant Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) dipped more than 1.4% after the stock received a downgrade from Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C).
Now check out the day's most important market notes:
- Pay Up: Shares of Outerwall Inc. (Nasdaq: OUTR), the owner of DVD-rental firm Redbox, jumped more than 12% on news the company is increasing prices. The firm announced a 25% price increase to $1.50 per film. The price increase is effective on Dec. 2, 2014. Shares of streaming rival Netflix Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) dipped more than 1% on the day.
- Merger Mania: Shares of 3D Systems Corp. (NYSE: DDD) rose nearly 6.7% on news the company plans to purchase Israel-based software maker Cimatron Ltd. (Nasdaq: CIMT) for $97 million. Shares of Cimatron soared more than 42%. The deal aims to strengthen 3D's position as the market leader in third-dimensional printing and expand market share against new wealthy entrants into the sector, including Autodesk Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK), Canon Inc. (NYSE ADR: CAJ), and Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ).
- Time to Buy: Shares of Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) jumped 1.5% on higher auto sales for Black Friday. According to a report by Edmunds.com, auto companies will see a nice boost ahead of the holiday season. This is just one reason why Money Morning Executive Editor Bill Patalon made the case today that now is the time to own Ford stock.
- Changing Horses: Global brewer Anheuser Busch Inbev SA (NYSE ADR: BUD) may be putting its iconic Clydesdales out to pasture. The horses, which have been an integral part of the company's marketing efforts since the end of Prohibition in 1933, may be retired as the company seeks to attract younger beer drinkers, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. Additional reports indicate that the brewer may introduce zombies to its ad-buys for the 2015 Super Bowl, where a 30-second spot will cost $4.5 million. BUD shares were up 0.67% on the day as the stock hovered near a 52-week high.
Now our experts share some of the most important investment moves to make based on today's market trading - for Money Morning Members only:
- This Play Could Double Again - But There's Much More to It: Money Morning Chief Investment Strategist Keith Fitz-Gerald's recent small-cap stock pick has already doubled. And this human augmentation company is still a great buy - especially if you understand how to use Keith's favorite trading tactic. Here's how to put the power of the "free trade" to work for you to collect even bigger
- How We'll Play the 2014 Year-End Rally: Stocks are headed higher through year end for many reasons, but one in particular is telling. It's really simple, yet too many people have overlooked it. Indeed, most wouldn't even give it enough thought. And that would be a big mistake... As Money Morning's Shah Gilani explains, if you understand that one compelling reason, you can pick some winners - and pocket big profits - yourself.
- How Google Will Dominate the Future: Today tech Specialist Michael A. Robinson reveals why Google is such an intriguing tech investment with enormous upside. This industry leader has somehow combined Warren Buffett's business genius with the futurist brain of Ray Kurzweil, Google's director of engineering. And there's nothing but profit ahead for investors...
About the Author
Garrett Baldwin is a globally recognized research economist, financial writer, consultant, and political risk analyst with decades of trading experience and degrees in economics, cybersecurity, and business from Johns Hopkins, Purdue, Indiana University, and Northwestern.