U.S. Stock Markets Look to Bounce Back Today After Last Week's Huge Losses By Garrett Baldwin

Stock market today, August 4, 2014: U.S. stock markets slumped again Friday despite positive news on the employment front. The U.S. economy added another 209,000 jobs in July, a sixth-consecutive monthly gain. However, the estimate fell short of economists' expectations, and the unemployment rate increased to 6.2% as more Americans search for work. The S&P 500 posted its largest weekly loss since April.

This week, two bellwether companies will report their earnings: American International Group Inc. (NYSE: AIG) and The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS).

Here's the news that will be moving the U.S. stock markets today:

• Bailout World: Portugal announced the government will provide roughly $6.6 billion (4.9 billion Euros) in emergency lending to stave off the collapse of its largest financial institution, Banco Espirito Santo. The deal comes just days after the bank's stock fell by more than 75% and trading was halted while central planners attempt to restructure the bank.

• A Major Accusation: Botox maker Allergan Inc. (NYSE: AGN) has accused its rival Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (NYSE: VRX) and billionaire activist investor Bill Ackman of insider trading. The pharmaceutical giant says that Ackman accessed private knowledge Allergan shares on word of Valeant's intentions to bid $51 billion for the company, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court.

• Back to Business: Fast-food giant McDonald's Corp. (NYSE: MCD) said it has restored its full menu at its more than 2,000 restaurants in China, two weeks after the company and several rivals were embroiled in a massive food safety scandal. One of the firm's suppliers had sold McDonald's and others spoiled meat, which drastically affected the sales and brand reputation of Western fast food companies in the region.

• Welcome to the Party: Retail giant Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT) announced plans to expand its online sales portals to customize its sales offerings to individual users. The website will market more products to users based on their sales history. In addition, the site plans to create a homepage that incorporates additional information for each user based on their location, including local weather and events.

• Invest Like Warren Buffett: Friday marked the launch of The Direxion iBillionaire Index ETF (NYSE: IBLN), but some are wondering if this is a good investment or another Wall Street gimmick. The ETF is a tracking index that emulates the performance of 30 large-cap stocks that are compiled through 13F filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These stocks are supposed to reflect the companies held over the long-term by billionaire investors like Warren Buffett, Carl Icahn, David Einhorn and George Soros.

• The Rich Get Richer: Speaking of Warren Buffett... Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A) announced on Friday that its second-quarter profits surged 41%. The company said it saw immense profit gains through its investments in manufacturing, service, and retail companies, as the domestic economic recovery gathers temporary steam.

• Earnings Reports: Stay tuned for earnings reports from Alleghany Corp. (NYSE: Y), Cardinal Health Inc. (NYSE: CAH), Michael Kors Holdings Limited (NYSE: KORS), Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), Senior Housing Properties Trust (NYSE: SNH), Loews Corp. (NYSE: L), Cna Financial Corp. (NYSE: CNA), Boardwalk Pipeline Partners L.P. (NYSE: BWP), Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE: KOS), and Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ISIS).

• Today's Economic Calendar: Today's schedule includes the Gallup U.S. Consumer Spending Measure and the TD Ameritrade IMX.

Full U.S. Economic Calendar August 4, 2014

• Gallup US Consumer Spending Measure at 8:30 a.m.
• 4-Week Bill Announcement at 11 a.m.
• 3-Month Bill Auction at 11:30 a.m.
• 6-Month Bill Auction at 11:30 a.m.
• TD Ameritrade IMX at 12:30 p.m.

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