CNBC
U.S. stock futures were lower this morning after Friday's losses saw the Nasdaq break its 10-session winning. On the week, the Dow posted its worst five-session stretch since May. However, the Nasdaq and S&P 500 posted their third straight week of gains. (CNBC)
* June existing home sales is out at 10 a.m. ET (CNBC)
* Google-parent Alphabet releases earnings after the bell (CNBC)
* Fed begins two-day rate meeting tomorrow (CNBC)
* The rest of the world picks up US economic slack, says IMF (CNBC)
Oil prices were stable as a meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC members got underway in Russia on Monday. Traders were eager to see how officials would deal with rising production from OPEC's Nigeria and Libya, which were exempted from last year's output cut deal. (Reuters)
The dollar struggled near a 13-month low against a basket of major currencies on concern about the White House communications shakeup and the Russian investigation could bog down President Donald Trump's policy agenda. (Reuters)
IN THE NEWS TODAY
The White House said Trump plans to speak to the press at the White House this afternoon after meeting "victims of Obamacare." Meanwhile, Senate Republicans plan to vote this week on their years-long quest to demolish the Affordable Care Act. (USA Today & Washington Post)
In a counterpunch to Republicans, Democrats are rolling out today a new economic platform in hopes of winning over President Trump's populist base with promises to take on big businesses, lower the cost of prescription drugs, and create jobs. (CNBC)
WebMD (WBMD) shares were soaring about 20 percent in premarket trading after the health website operator agreed to be acquired by private equity firm KKR (KKR) for $66.50 per share in cash or about $2.8 billion. (CNBC)
Uber rival Grab expects to raise about $2.5 billion from China's Didi Chuxing, Japan's Softbank Group, and others to bolster ride-hailing dominance in the region and grow its fledging mobile payments business. (CNBC)
Israel-based Neuroderm (NDRM) shares were rocketing about 15 percent higher in the premarket after the Israeli drugmaker agreed to be purchased by Japan's Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma for $1.1 billion in cash. (Reuters)
Time Warner (TWX) chief Jeff Bewkes said he does not think the White House will interfere in AT&T's $85.4 billion bid or try to use the deal as as leverage to affect CNN's news coverage. (NY Times)
General Motors (GM) put six of its cars under review, including its once breakthrough Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, as it evaluates whether to cancel them in the coming years. (Reuters)
Microsoft (MSFT) is considering removing the iconic Paint application from an upcoming update of Windows 10 after nearly 32 years in existence. The autumn update of Windows 10 does not have a release date yet. (CNBC)
Actor and ex-wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson teamed up with Apple (AAPL) for a new commercial promoting Siri as the tech giant faces challenges from rivals such as Amazon (AMZN) and Google in the virtual digital assistant space. (CNBC)
A sold out event Saturday in Chicago to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Niantic's Pokemon Go turned into a disaster with spotty cellular coverage and other technical snags. Shares of the game's part-owner Nintendo were lower in Tokyo trading. (USA Today)
Viewers took to social media to blast Discovery (DISCA) and Michael Phelps after it was revealed about an hour into Sunday's kick-off of Shark Week that the olympic gold medalist was not going to race a real shark. He raced a simulation and lost. (Washington Post)
EARNINGS SEASON
Hasbro (HAS) earned an adjusted 52 cents per share for its latest quarter, 6 cents above estimates. Revenue also beat forecasts, as the toymaker saw stronger sales of its Nerf and Transformer toys, among others.
Oil services giant Halliburton (HAL) came in 5 cents above estimates with adjusted quarterly profit of 23 cents per share. Revenue also beat. Results were driven by increased demand in the North American market.
VF Corporation (VFC) reported adjusted quarterly profit of 29 cents per share, a penny above estimates. Revenue was also above forecasts on strength in VF's largest brands, which include Lee, Wrangler, North Face, and Timberland.
STOCKS TO WATCH
Volkswagen (VLKAY) and rivals Daimler and BMW are facing possible antitrust fines in Europe, with regulators there investigating allegations whether the companies were operating a cartel.
American Airlines (AAL), Delta (DAL) and Frontier Airlines were fined by the Transportation Department for violating various consumer protection rules. Frontier was assessed $400,000, American $250,000, and Delta $200,000.
Prosecutors have dropped criminal charges against two former JPMorgan Chase (JPM) traders implicated in the 2012 "London Whale" trading case that resulted in $6.2 billion losses.
Amid the Trump administration's "too big to fail" skepticism, MetLife's (MET) lawsuit against its designation as a systemically important company will the subject of a meeting of financial regulators this week.
Bank of America (BAC) has chosen Dublin as its post-Brexit European hub, according to the New York Times, the latest major financial firm to outline plans to deal with Britain's departure from the 28-nation bloc.
Blackstone (BX) is reportedly in talks to buy 40 percent of Israeli cyber firm NSO Group. The deal's value is estimated to be around $400 million, according to Israeli business newspaper Calcalist.
Teva Pharmaceutical (TEVA) plans to lay off an unspecified number of its Israeli workforce as it tries to improve its competitiveness. Teva currently employees about 7,000 workers in Israel.
Ferrara Candy, maker of Lemonheads, will reportedly join the auction for Nestle's (NSRGY) U.S. candy business, which sells such popular brands as Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, and Raisinets.
WATERCOOLER
Christopher Nolan's World War II epic "Dunkirk" debuted in the top spot at the weekend box office this week with $50.5 million in domestic ticket sales. The R-rated comedy "Girls Trip" took second with $30.4 million. (AP)
CONTRIBUTORS
Matthew J. Belvedere
Peter Schacknow
Tom DiChristopher
