Dow Futures Flat as Verizon Floods the Market with Debt

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

According to stock index futures at 7:40 a.m. EDT, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is set to rise a single point at the opening bell today. But individual stocks can make big moves even on a flat day. So with that in mind, here are three stories to watch for in today's market.

Verizon needs to borrow some cash. The telecom will be in focus as it preps for an unprecedented bond sale today. At $49 billion, it will comfortably qualify as the biggest debt offering ever, beating former champion Apple's $17 billion debt issue earlier this year. Verizon isn't issuing bonds to fund a massive dividend, but rather to make one of the largest purchases on record in nabbing its wireless business from Vodafone. It has been working hard to get the deal done quickly, apparently sharing many investors' worries that long-term interest rates might rise after the Federal Reserve's meeting next week. Verizon shares are down slightly in premarket trading.

Apple is getting mobile in China. The tech giant should see active trading after it finally caught up to its iPhone rumors yesterday. And The Wall Street Journal reported this morning that Apple is one step closer to gaining access to China Mobile's 700 million customers. The iPhone won final approval to operate on that network, and -- assuming Apple reaches a deal with the company -- it could start providing the latest iPhone as early as next week, opening up a major new addressable market. Still, with a $549 unsubsidized price point, the cheaper 5C model might have limited appeal in emerging markets. Apple shares are down 4.3% in premarket trading.

Finally, Netflix is going Dutch. Fresh off of setting a new all-time high yesterday, the streaming-video company announced this morning that it is now available in the Netherlands. That brings Netflix's overseas expansion to 40 countries and zero profit -- so far. With a population of about 17 million, the Netherlands isn't a huge market for Netflix, but it does boast the highest broadband-penetration rate in the world at about 40% of residents. Netflix shares are marginally higher in premarket trading.

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The article Dow Futures Flat as Verizon Floods the Market with Debt originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Demitrios Kalogeropoulos owns shares of Apple and Netflix. The Motley Fool recommends Apple, Netflix, and Vodafone. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple, China Mobile, and Netflix. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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