The Dow Jones Industrial Average is getting a pop after concerns about China's currency dissipated overnight. Treasury yields are bouncing back after hitting a three-year low prior to yesterday's rebound. Details further down.
And don't miss the earnings report from Activision Blizzard Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) today. More on that below as well.
Here are the numbers from Wednesday for the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq:
Index
Previous Close
Point Change
Percentage Change
Dow Jones
26,007.07
-22.45
-0.09
S&P 500
2,883.98
2.21
0.08
Nasdaq
7,862.83
29.56
0.38
Now, here's a closer look at today's Money Morning insight, the most important market events, and stocks to watch.
The Top Stock Market Stories for Thursday
This morning, China set the midpoint on its currency just above 7 yuan per U.S. dollar. That is the lowest midpoint level since April 2008. China's state media reported this morning, "It will not take long before the rate returns toward 7." In addition, China's July exports unexpectedly increased by 3.3% from a year ago. However, imports decreased by 5.6% during the same time frame.
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Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) has raised alarm bells over the U.S.-China trade war. The investment bank slashed the price target for Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) from $156 to $130 on weakened expectations for the firm's operating profit growth. The downgrade comes a week after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 10% tariffs on $300 billion in Chinese goods starting on Sept. 1. CAT stock has declined by 8% since the announcement.
Oil prices are trying to break out of a bear market. Brent crude is off more than 20% from its April peak with concerns about the global economy and the ongoing trade war. Economic worries continue to outweigh speculation about tensions in the Middle East, tensions in Venezuela, and the possibility of more cuts by OPEC. WTI crude oil prices ticked up 1.7% to $52 per barrel. Brent crude added 1.1% to fall just short of $57 per barrel.
Stock to Watch Today: SYMC, ATVI, EA, TTWO, LB, QCOM
Shares of Symantec Corp. (NASDAQ: SYMC) popped 13% this morning after The Wall Street Journal reported plans by the cybersecurity firm to sell its enterprise business to Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM). Various sources indicate that a deal could be worth more than $10 billion.
Activision Blizzard Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) will lead a busy day of earnings reports. The gaming software giant will look to follow in the footsteps of positive earnings bumps from rivals Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO) and Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA). ATVI stock is off more than 30% over the last year as investors remain timid over recent gaming releases and user engagement.
L Brands Inc. (NYSE: LB) stock continues to slide after the departure of its chief marketing officer. Edward Razek resigned this week following the ongoing scandal surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, struggling sales at the organization, and ongoing brand issues within chains like Victoria's Secret. Now, CEO Leslie Wexner is making headlines after a report by The New York Times. Wexner - who had a professional relationship with Epstein - announced that the jailed financier misappropriated "vast sums of money" from the founder of L Brands. LB stock was off another 0.5% this morning.
Look for additional earnings reports from Trade Desk Inc. (NYSE: TTD), UBER Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: UBER), Yelp Inc. (NASDAQ: YELP), Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB), AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. (NYSE: AMC), and CBS Corp. (NYSE: CBS).
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