Markets Get Boost on China Decision, ECB

Morning Money Memo…

Markets worldwide are getting a boost this morning after a slew of positive policy news for investors. China's central bank cut interest rates overnight for the first time in over two years in an effort to boost slowing growth. European Central Bank President Mario Draghi rallied markets with his speech at the Euro Banking Congress where he strongly emphasized the ECB's intentions to expand its stimulus program. Markets across Europe and Asia are firmly in the green this morning with many exchanges seeing 1-2 percent gains for the day. Dow futures are up over 100 points heading into today's trading day, indicating a strong open on Wall Street as well. WTI Crude is up more than 2 percent to $77.65 per barrel, gaining back some ground after recent price drops. Gold is up $7 to $1,198 per ounce.
Consumers are being warned of a new recall, this time for dangerous baby strollers. Nearly 5 million Graco and Century brand strollers have been recalled after multiple reports of serious injury to the fingers of infants. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has advised parents to take caution when placing and removing a child from strollers, making sure the hinges in the stroller are fully locked. The commission also advises owners of the recalled models to seek repair kits from the manufacturer. 11 models in total have been recalled, and have been sold at retailers including Target, Toys R Us, Walmart and Amazon, among others.
And a message to drivers: Don't pick up the cash. The Maryland Attorney General's office is warning drivers in the Washington D.C. metro area of a dangerous parking lot scam involving $100 bills. Potential carjackers are luring drivers out of their vehicles with an innocuously placed hundred on their windshield, only to overtake the vehicle when the driver exits to grab the money. While there are very few known incidents of the scam, authorities are still urging consumers to be cautious when out and about this holiday season.

Don't expect a battle at this weekend's box office; analysts have crowned a champion before the first ticket was sold. This weekend's blockbuster open of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 is expected to be the biggest of 2014, with analysts pegging estimates upwards of $150 million, easily surpassing the $100 million open of Transformers: Age of Extinction in early summer. No other film is expected to come even close, with holdovers Big Hero 6, Dumb and Dumber To, and Interstellar each expected to draw in the $20 million range. Mockingjay is widely expected to build upon the success of the first 2 installments of the series, each of which topped $150 million in its opening weekend and collectively brought in $1.5 billion at the worldwide box office.?

Put on your bathing suits, cable customers, because you'll be channel surfing in no time! No, it's not Jim Carrey's iconic Cable Guy character coming promptly to your door, but your own local cable guy (or girl). Comcast is testing a new system in its My-Account App that would allow customers to track when their cable technician will arrive for scheduled services. The app will reportedly send alerts to customers when the technician is about 30 minutes away, and allow them to track said technician on a map. Customers will also have an option to rate the technician's service. The app is expected to be widely available beginning early next year.