I have more on the Google parent's earnings miss below. But that is not the only issue moving the Dow today...
Before we get into it, here are the numbers from Monday for the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq:
Index
Previous Close
Point Change
Percentage Change
Dow Jones
27,090.72
+132.66
+0.49
S&P 500
3,039.42
+16.87
+0.56
Nasdaq
8,325.99
+82.87
+1.01
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 Tuesday
Markets continue to weigh the ongoing trade developments between the United States and China. While the outlook has improved ahead of next month's global summit in Chile, more uncertainty has emerged over tariffs. On Monday night, the Trump administration said that it may extend certain tariff exclusions on about $34 billion in Chinese imports.
History in the Making: Capitol Hill has opened doors to the pre-IPO market - now, every American has access to the trend that put airplanes in the sky and light bulbs in every home... [Read the full story.]
Today, pay close attention to the developments out of Britain. It looks very likely that the country will have another election in December. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to deliver on Brexit; however, the event has received yet another delay until Jan. 31. The nation's leading parties have different opinions on how to proceed in their divorce with the European Union. More important, neither side appears willing to lead through the process or face responsibility for the outcome.
Oil prices remain under pressure due to growing supply buildups around the globe. WTI crude fell 1.5%, while Brent crude dipped 1%. Meanwhile, the big news today is that Saudi Aramco will begin to ramp up its IPO efforts on Nov. 3. Reuters reports that the firm aims to float a 1% or 2% stake on the country's public market. The IPO would likely be in the $20 billion range.
Stocks to Watch Today: GOOGL, BYND, MRO, AMD
Shares of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL) dipped 1% this morning after a rare earnings report miss from the firm. The search giant reported a 23% dip in profits, year over year, for the third quarter. Analysts had expected the firm to report earnings per share of $12.42. Instead, the firm reported EPS of $10.12. In addition, the firm reportedly made an offer to purchase wearable tech firm Fitbit Inc. (NYSE: FIT), a story that pushed the latter's stock much higher Monday afternoon.
Shares of Beyond Meat Inc. (NASDAQ: BYND) plunged more than 18% after the firm reported quarterly earnings and suggested weaker profits in the future. Although the alternative meat giant reported EPS of $0.06, beating forecasts by $0.03, executives said it must cut prices and offer discounts to address the swell of competition in the space.
Marathon Oil Corp. (NYSE: MRO) has caved to activist hedge fund Elliott Management. The firm announced it will spin off its gasoline stations and overhaul its executive leadership team. The announcement comes weeks after the oil company received demands from the hedge fund to break up into three different companies.
Look for earnings reports today from Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD), Shopify Inc. (NASDAQ: SHOP), Mastercard Inc. (NYSE: MA), Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA), Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE), FireEye Inc. (NASDAQ: FEYE), ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP), and General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM).
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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.