May 7, 2015, here are the stock futures updates, top market news, earnings reports, pre-market movers, and stocks to watch in the stock market today...
Stocks slumped Wednesday after U.S. Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen said there are "dangers" in current U.S. stock valuations. "I would highlight that equity market valuations at this point generally are quite high," Yellen said. "There are potential dangers there." The report erased pre-market momentum and raised new concerns about the markets at a time when economic data suggests the U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter after years of Fed-induced stimulus and loose monetary policy.
Top News in the Stock Market Today
The Stock Market Today: Today, the focus on U.S. employment continues with an update to weekly jobless claims, while companies like Priceline.com Inc. (Nasdaq: PCLN), Zynga Inc. (Nasdaq: ZNGA), Monster Beverage Corp. (NYSE: MWW), and NVIDIA Corp. (Nasdaq: NVDA) announce earnings.
Focus Abroad: On the international front, all eyes will be on the United Kingdom, where a very tight general election could introduce a new Prime Minister. Meanwhile, Greece's Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said this morning that Greece and its international creditors could soon announce an agreement that would ensure aid to the debt-stricken nation. Greece is facing a June deadline over its massive debts.
Oil Prices Today: Oil prices slid this morning as investors' concerns grew over growing supply and Friday's jobs report, which could affect the timing of the Fed's decision to raise interest rates. WTI crude, priced in New York City, gained 0.2% to hit $61.08 per barrel. Meanwhile, Brent oil, priced in London, gained 0.5% this morning to hit $68.08 per barrel.
Pre-Market Movers in the Stock Market Today: BABA, TSLA, ANN
Pre-Market Movers 1, BABA: Shares of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE: BABA) jumped more than 10% this morning as the company exceeded March-ending quarter estimates. The company said that its revenue jumped 45% thanks to more active buyers and service fees. In addition, the company's chief operating officer Daniel Zhang will replace Jonathan Lu as CEO. The company announced per-share adjusted earnings of $0.48, beating Wall Street per-share adjusted earnings of $0.42.
Pre-Market Movers 2, TSLA: Shares of Tesla Motors Inc. (Nadsaq: TSLA) slipped more than 2.7% this morning on news that Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) exposed the company's cash burn rate. In addition to the firm reporting lackluster earnings on Wednesday, the focus on its burn rate, which Morgan Stanley called "eye watering," increases concerns about the timing of Tesla's launch of the Model X this summer.
Pre-Market Movers 3, ANN: Shares of Ann Inc. (NYSE: ANN), the parent company of Ann Taylor, jumped more than 8.3% this morning on news that the company is in talks to sell itself to Golden Gate Capital for roughly $2 billion.
Stocks to Watch Today: PG, DIS, LL
Stocks to Watch No. 1, PG: Consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) is allegedly seeking suitors for its hair care business. A number of private equity firms are considering the purchase of the unit, which could fetch a buying price as high as $5 billion.
Stocks to Watch No. 2, LL: Shares of Lumber Liquidators (NYSE: LL) slipped more than 6% this morning on news that the hardwood retailer has stopped sales of all Chinese laminate flooring. The company has been dogged by reports for months over the chemicals in its flooring, dating back to a "60 Minutes" segment that exposed high levels of formaldehyde.
Stocks to Watch No. 3,DIS: Shares of The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) retreated 1.2% from near all-time highs this week. With "Avengers: Age of Ultron" tearing up the box office, Disney's Marvel cinematic properties have raked in more than $7.2 billion so far. Our Defense and Technology Specialist Michael Robinson joined FOX Business to discuss Disney's recent surge. Be sure to watch the full interview, right here.
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.