Good morning! For Dec. 4, 2015, here’s the top stock market news moving the Dow Jones Industrial Average today…
Stock Futures Today
After the largest selloff in roughly two months yesterday, Dow futures rallied 86 points into the green this morning as traders eyed a better-than-expected November jobs report. The U.S. economy added 211,000 jobs in November, beating economist expectations of 200,000. The unemployment rate stayed at 5%. This week, Fed chair Janet Yellen laid out the case for an interest rate hike sooner rather than later. This fresh jobs report didn’t fall far short of forecasts, further cementing the prospect of a rate hike in two weeks.
On Thursday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 252 points after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi cut interest rates and boosted stimulus below Wall Street’s expectations for the euro bloc’s monetary intervention. [Editor’s Note: Here’s more on what the ECB decision means for your money.]
Top News in the Stock Market Today
- The Stock Market Today: On Friday the markets will be 100% focused on reaction to this morning’s November unemployment report, released by the U.S. Labor Department at 8:30 a.m. ET. The announcement plays a central role in speculation on whether the Federal Reserve plans to raise interest rates.
- Oil Outlook: Oil priceswere on the rise again as the dollar hit a one-month low and traders prepared for OPEC to announce results from its latest policy meeting on how to react to the ongoing global glut of supply. January contracts for WTI crude gained 1.6% to hit $41.77 per barrel. Meanwhile, Brent oil crude – priced in London – gained nearly 2% to hit $44.71.
Earnings Outlook: BIG
- Earnings Report No. 1, BIG: Discount retailer Big Lots Inc. (NYSE: BIG) will report fiscal third-quarter earnings before the market opens this morning. The company is expected by Wall Street analysts to report earnings of -$0.01 per share on top of $1.12 billion in revenue.
Stocks to Watch:
- Stocks to Watch No. 1, NFC: Shares of Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NFC) slipped more than 4.4% on news its board of directors has unanimously rejected a takeover bid from Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (USA) (NYSE: CP). The board said that the current bid is “grossly inadequate” and that it is highly concerned about regulatory risks. It is likely that the firm will receive another bid in the near future.
- Stocks to Watch No. 2, COO: Shares of Cooper Cos Inc. (NYSE: COO) cratered more than 20% on news that the company slashed its 2016 outlook. The firm also reported lower-than-expected quarterly profits.
- Stocks to Watch No. 3, GPRO: Shares of GoPro Inc. (Nasdaq: GPRO) fell more than 1.5% on news that the company’s stock received a downgrade from investment firm Robert W. Baird. The firm cut GPRO’s rating from “outperform” to “neutral.”
Today’s U.S. Economic Calendar (all times EST)
- Employment Situation at 8:30 a.m.
- International Trade at 8:30 a.m.
- Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank President Patrick Harker speaks at 10:15 a.m.
- Baker-Hughes Rig Count at 1 p.m.
- Treasury STRIPS at 3 p.m.
- Louis Federal Reserve Bank President James Bullard Speaks at 3:45 p.m.
- Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Narayana Kocherlakota speaks at 4:10 p.m.
What Investors Must Know This Week
- The Best Market Crash Insurance You Can Buy
- Grab Triple-Digit Gains from This “Stealth” Tech Star
- The Real Reason for China’s Insatiable Gold Lust
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