Dow Jones Industrial Average Today Climbs Ahead Of Fed Meeting On Tuesday

Get ready for more stimulus, lower interest rates, and more fiscal alchemy from the world's largest economy.

Over the weekend, G20 financial leaders all pledged to use "all policy tools" to help bolster economic growth. We can expect more of the same policy efforts we've seen over the last seven years, including the possibility of "helicopter money."

Academics are growing more desperate to prove that the theory they learned in graduate school works.

But don't expect a reduction in regulations, taxes, or education to unleash a new class of entrepreneurs.

Here is today's top stock market news, stocks to watch, ways to profit, and economic calendar for July 25, 2016.

What's Moving the Dow Jones Industrial Average Today: Helicopter Money

Dow Jones futures projected a 12-point gain as a busy earnings week and economic calendar kicks off. Today, we want to focus on the Dallas Federal Reserve's manufacturing report. This region has been held back by a recent slump in oil prices.

The U.S. Federal Reserve is back in focus as the FOMC meeting kicks off tomorrow. Policymakers will discuss the timing of the next interest rate increase. Although the Fed has said it wants at least two more interest rate hikes by the end of 2016, it's becoming clear that won't happen. CME Group projects just a 2.4% chance that the company will raise rates in July. CME projects a 40% probability that the Fed will increase rates in December. If the Fed actually does raise interest rates in 2016, though, this is the best stock to buy.

However, investment bank Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) says we shouldn't expect a rate hike. In fact, MS believes that rates will remain unchanged until 2018. That could have serious consequences if you have a checking or savings account. Here's how to protect your money and your portfolio from the Fed's sluggish action on interest rates.

The Democratic National Convention kicks off this week despite a massive email leak that shows party leaders had colluded on behalf of Hillary Clinton. Wikileaks released 20,000 emails (trending under the tag #DNCLeak) of communications among Democratic National Committee members. The most damning emails questioned the religion and faith of Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and proved the leaders were biased towards Clinton. On 60 Minutes, presumed nominee Hillary Clinton said she had no knowledge of any collusion efforts.

Oil prices were near their lowest levels in 10 weeks. WTI crude oil prices slipped 1%, while Brent crude oil prices dipped 0.9%. Money Morning Global Energy Strategist Dr. Kent Moors argues that sliding oil prices are setting up a profitable investment opportunity for the long term. Here's how Kent says that investors should trade oil right now.

Now here's your list of top stocks to watch in today's market, plus today's economic calendar:

Companies to Watch in the Stock Market Today

  • In deal news, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) is set to pay $4.8 billion for the core business of Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq: YHOO). The deal does not include the tech giant's stake in Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: BABA) or Yahoo Japan. The two latter units combined have a market value of roughly $40 billion.
  • Shares of Nintendo Co. Ltd. (OTCMKTS ADR: NTDOY) are falling again today – down another 3% – after the company said that its "Pokemon Go" game has had a limited impact on its profitability.
  • Shares of movie chain Carmike Cinemas (Nasdaq: CKEC) were up more than 3% after AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. (NYSE: AMC) agreed to acquire the firm for roughly $1.2 billion. AMC Entertainment has said it expects the deal to save the company around $35 million per year.
  • The deals don't stop there. G-III Apparel Group (Nasdaq: GIII) stock was off slightly after the company announced plans to purchase Donna Karan International for $650 million.
  • In other deal news, Reuters reports that Tesla Motors Inc. (Nasdaq: TSLA) and SolarCity Corp. (Nasdaq: SCTY) are getting closer to a merger. The deal between the electric car maker and the solar panel installer has faced sharp criticism given that Elon Musk is the CEO of both companies.
  • On the earnings front, shares of Sprint Corp. (NYSE: S) added 4% in pre-market hours. The company reported a quarterly loss, but still topped sales expectations. The company reported an earnings per share (EPS) loss of -$0.08.

Disclosure: None.

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