CNBC
U.S. stock futures were modestly lower this morning ahead of a vote on Capitol Hill that could lead to a temporary funding solution to end to the government shutdown. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Russell 2000 were coming off record closes. The major averages have posted weekly gains for each of the past three weeks. (CNBC)
Celgene (CELG) has agreed to buy the rest of Juno Therapeutics (JUNO) it doesn't already own for about $9 billion in cash. The acquisition gives Celgene access to Juno's pipeline of cancer treatments that use a patient's own immune cells. Juno shares were up about 27 percent in the premarket after soaring about 50 percent last week on reports of deal talks. (CNBC)
Bioverativ (BIVV) shares were soaring 62 percent in premarket trading after the hemophilia treatment specialist agreed to be bought by French drug maker Sanofi (SNY) for $11.6 billion. This buyout and the Celgene-Juno deal highlight the renewed interest by large drugmakers in smaller biotech firms. (Reuters)
Halliburton (HAL) and Wynn Resorts (WYNN) are among the companies set to report quarterly earnings this morning, while Netflix (NFLX), TD Ameritrade (AMTD), and Zions Bancorp (ZION) will issue their latest numbers after today's closing bell. (CNBC)
There are no economic reports scheduled for today, although later in the week investors get the latest on existing and new home sales, jobless claims, and durable goods orders, as well as the first read on 2017 fourth-quarter GDP, which the CNBC Rapid Update economic tracker sees at 3 percent. That would mark three quarters in a row at 3 percent or above. (CNBC)
IN THE NEWS TODAY
The government shutdown entered its third day today, as the Senate failed to strike a deal to break an impasse before the work week begins in Washington. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell aims to advance a short-term spending bill at noon on the Hill, which could lead to an end to the shutdown. (CNBC)
* Trump urges Senate to use 'nuclear' option as government shutdown drags (CNBC)
* Eric Trump says the government shutdown is 'a good thing for us' politically (CNBC)
Amazon's (AMZN) automated grocery store, called Amazon Go, will launch today after a year of false starts. The e-commerce giant boasts the stores could be a game changer for grocery and retail with "no lines, no checkouts, no registers." (CNBC)
STOCKS TO WATCH
Insurer American International Group (AIG) is buying Validus (VR), a provider of reinsurance, primary insurance, and asset management services, in a deal worth about $5.56 billion. Validus was soaring more than 40 percent in the premarket.
Xerox (XRX) is being pushed to explore a sale by investor Carl Icahn and major Xerox shareholder and fellow billionaire Darwin Deason, according to the Wall Street Journal. Icahn and Deason together control more than 15 percent of the office equipment maker's shares.
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is proposing a buyout of agricultural commodities supplier Bunge (BG), according to the Wall Street Journal and Reuters. Bunge, which has also drawn interest from Swiss agriculture company Glencore, is said to be keeping its options open.
Microsoft (MSFT) sales in Russia are being crimped by new restrictions related to U.S. sanctions against that country, according to a Reuters report.
Twitter (TWTR) executive Anthony Noto has been offered the CEO job at Social Finance, according to the Wall Street Journal. Noto is currently in talks with SoFi about the job, according to people familiar with the matter.
Walmart (WMT) is in talks with a number of buyout firms to sell a major stake in its Brazilian operations, according to Reuters citing people familiar with the matter.
UBS (UBS) is proposing a dividend increase and new share buyback program, even as the Swiss bank takes a multibillion writedown relating to the new U.S. tax law.
WATERCOOLER
Sony's (SNE) "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" is No. 1 at the U.S. box office for the third weekend in a row. Many studios had apparently considered the debut date of the film suicide because it was one week after the new "Star Wars" installment. (WSJ)
CONTRIBUTORS
Matthew J.Belvedere
Peter Schacknow
Tom DiChristopher
