Dow futures are forecasting a drop in the markets today (Tuesday).
This comes after a 100-point fall in the Dow the day before, just as Ford Motor Co. suffered a downgrade from an analyst and the international markets were hit with a flurry of troubling economic news.
Here's what else you'll need to know today to make the day a profitable one...
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As the European Central Bank (ECB) top brass battle it out on quantitative easing, the stakes couldn't be higher.
Europe's at the precipice of deflation, despite European Central Bank President Mario Draghi attempting to do "whatever it takes" to avoid that fate.
But dissent at the highest levels could quickly change the winds of investment in Europe.
The problems are getting deeper as three of the European Central Bank's board members are throwing a wrench into his plans.
This seemingly trivial ECB stalemate could quickly trigger recession, or worse. Europe's monetary union is feeling the pressure, and that's adding further stress to its political union because, after all, it's always about the money.
Here's the inside story on how this could play out, and a way we can profit amid the confusion...
by Diane Alter
It's been a bigger-than-average year for special dividends. These one-time payouts have jumped a whopping 49% year to date through September (Q3), to 559 from 375.
Paid separately from a company's regular recurring (if any) dividend, special dividends are typically larger than normal dividend payouts.
Following are the six special dividends announced during the week ending Dec. 12, 2014.
There's more OPEC news today after the 12-nation oil cartel announced again that it will not be cutting production in the face of falling oil prices.
According to Money Morning's Global Energy Strategist Dr. Kent Moors, these actions will spell the end of the cartel. You see, OPEC is fighting a battle it simply can't win.
Here are the three major reasons we're about to see the end of OPEC...
DJIA Today, Dec. 15, 2014: The Dow Jones fell another 100 points Monday as oil prices continued to slump. The market swung wildly in today's session before settling lower.
The S&P 500 Volatility Index (VIX), the market's fear gauge, dropped 2.94% on the day.
Here's today's scorecard - plus a look at the top stories from the stock market today...
by David Zeiler
The search for top performers never ends – and that's especially true when the markets are stumbling.
That why Money Morning Chief Investment Strategist Keith Fitz-Gerald likes Berkshire Hathaway B stock (NYSE: BRK.B) right now.
"It's not cheap in dollar terms, but it's cheap in terms of potential," Fitz-Gerald said. He also likes an energy stock that he says is "cheap and ready to buy."
For more on why Fitz-Gerald likes Berkshire B stock, as well as his energy pick, watch this video.
by David Zeiler
Money Morning's "unloved" pick of the week is 3D tissue printing and testing company Organovo Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ONVO).
Several of Money Morning's experts have made note of the great potential of ONVO stock. Defense & Tech Specialist Michael Robinson first called attention to Organovo stock in July of 2013. Earlier this month, Money Morning Biotech Investing Specialist Ernie Tremblay recommended it.
Organovo stock is down 58% from its all-time high, as investors got ahead of themselves in 2013.
But in recent months ONVO has started to realize its tremendous potential...
by Diane Alter
Amid six years of near-zero interest rates, income-hungry investors have increasingly turned to dividend-paying stocks.
Companies have taken note by sweetening distributions. This year is on track to set a milestone for total dividend payouts.
Forty dividend stocks boosted payouts last week, including Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) and General Electric (NYSE: GE).
Following are 25 notable hikes from the week ending Dec. 12.
There are six deals on the IPO calendar this week, which should raise a combined $1 billion.
Raising $1 billion would bring the 2014 IPO market's total to $85.2 billion. That's nearly $30 billion more than 2013's total, and by far the most of any year in the last decade.
by Diane Alter
Last week's stock market rout left the Dow Jones reeling. But don't rule out a Santa Claus rally just yet.
Some weakness in early December isn't unusual. In fact, the recent declines are pretty typical for December. So you see, odds are still good that markets will get a widely wished-for Santa Claus rally.
Earnings this week from these eight stocks to watch might fuel a rally and keep the Grinch at bay.
