Global markets are mixed on Monday as concerns rise over growth in the world's two biggest economies following weak data from China and the U.S. last Friday. With little action on the economic data calendar scheduled for today, investors will be focused on events to come later this week including the conclusion of the Fed's two-day meeting on Thursday.
Here are the stocks we're watching today:
*AlarmForce Industries Inc., the Toronto-based security alarm and personal emergency response monitoring company that targets residential market subscribers in Canada and the U.S., will report its third quarter 2012 earnings on Monday.
*Talisman Energy Inc., one of Canada's largest oil and gas producers, says its chief executive John Manzoni will step down effective immediately. He is to be replaced by Hal Kvisle, a former CEO of TransCanada Corp. and a Talisman director. The Calgary-based company has not given a reason for Manzoni's departure.
*Michael Kors Holdings Ltd., the luxury retailer, indicated recently that certain shareholders, including members of its management, will sell up to 23 million shares of the company in a so-called secondary offering. The company had 199.4 million shares outstanding as of June 30.
*Sears Holdings Corp. will reportedly distribute rights to buy common shares of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc. on Tuesday. The Hoffman Estates, Ill.-based retailer said each right would entitle the holder to buy 0.218091 of a share of Sears Hometown's common stock. Meanwhile, the company's Sears and Kmart brands have joined other U.S. retailers in dropping layaway fees for shoppers. Due to the weak economy, retailers have increasingly been bringing the layaway concept back in a bid to boost sales.
*Kinder Morgan Inc., the Houston-based energy company and the U.S.'s biggest pipeline operator, recently agreed to pay $110 million to settle claims related to a $21.1 billion acquisition of El Paso Corp. The decision came after much criticism from shareholders. It's expected this company will see active trading in today's session.