Wall Street cautious after Barcelona terror attacks and continued Trump political fallout

BY THE NUMBERS

U.S. stock futures were under some pressure this morning as investors contend with two developing stories: the Barcelona terror attacks and the political fallout swirling around President Donald Trump. Equity markets in Europe and Japan were also lower today. (CNBC)

The markets are concerned that the Trump turmoil will scare away his best advisors, with National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn at the top of the list. But the White House said any reports that Cohn may resign are "100 percent false." (CNBC)

The Dow and S&P 500 were coming off their biggest one-day drop in three months. Both measures were tracking for their second straight weekly drop. But ahead of Friday trading, the Dow and S&P 500 were each down less than a half of a percent. (CNBC)

* The University of Michigan's mid-August consumer sentiment index is out at 10 a.m. ET (CNBC)

Foot Locker (FL) was plunging about 18 percent in the premarket after quarterly earnings missed estimates by 28 cents. Revenue and same-store sales were also worse than expected. Shares Nike (NKE) and Under Armour (UAA), which sell in Foot Locker stores, were also down. (CNBC)

Gap (GPS) was jumping about 5 percent in the premarket after quarterly earnings, revenue, and same-store sales beat estimates. The company behind the Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic brands raised its full-year forecast. (CNBC)

Shares of Ross Stores (ROST) were soaring about 10 percent in premarket trading after the discount retailer beat forecasts with quarterly earnings, revenue, and same-store sales. Ross Stores predicted full-year earnings up 12 to 14 percent. (MarketWatch)

IN THE NEWS TODAY

A manhunt continued in Spain as authorities search for the driver of a van who plowed into pedestrians in Barcelona on Thursday, leaving at least 13 people dead and more than 100 wounded. The ISIS terror group claimed responsibility but that's yet to be verified. (CNBC)

In an attack in the nearby seaside resort of Cambrils Thursday, Spanish police shot and killed five attackers wearing fake suicide belts. Six civilians and one officer were also injured during the police raid. (CNBC)

An explosion Wednesday in Alcanar, about 100 miles southwest of Barcelona, is being investigated in connection with the two attacks. One person was killed in the blast at a residence being used for preparing bombs, police said. (Sky News)

Shortly after condemning the Barcelona attacks as terrorism, President Trump promoted a graphic, unfounded story about U.S. General John Pershing executing Muslim insurgents in the Philippines in the early 20th century. (Washington Post)

The American Civil Liberties Union will no longer defend hate groups seeking to protest with firearms and will screen clients more closely for the potential of violence at their rallies. (WSJ)

The president damaged his ability to press his economic agenda by mishandling his response to Saturday's deadly white nationalist rally in Virginia, billionaire GOP businessman Ken Langone told the New York Times.

James Murdoch, the CEO 21st Century Fox and the son of a frequent ally of President Trump's, condemned the president's performance after Charlottesville, and pledged to donate $1 million to the Anti-Defamation League. (NY Times)

Republican Sen. Bob Corker offered a pointed critique of Trump, saying the president has not shown the "stability" or competence to be "successful." Corker said the country needs to see Trump succeed. (CNBC)

* Three charities cancel Mar-a-Lago events amid Trump backlash (AP)
* NBA star Kevin Durant says he's skipping the White House visit (Washington Post)

Trump has scrapped plans for an infrastructure advisory council after two similar panels dissolved this week amid a backlash to Trump from corporate America. The infrastructure panel, which was still being formed, won't move forward. (CNBC)

Ahead of a meeting with President Trump at Camp David today on Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis isn't giving any hints of what the adminstration's strategy would look like. (AP)

Travis Kalanick, co-founder of Uber and recently ousted as CEO, called a lawsuit filed against him by one of the ride-hailing company's top investors a "public and personal attack" without merit. (Reuters)

Infosys (INFY) CEO Vishal Sikka has resigned, pointing to a series of disruptions for the India-based IT services company. Chief Operating Officer U.B. Pravin Rao will serve as interim CEO until a permanent chief executive is named. (Reuters)

* India threatens Philip Morris with 'punitive action' over alleged violations (Reuters)

Apple (AAPL) has scoped out an idea for Bluetooth sensors that help cars communicate with each other, according to an updated patent. The sensors would scan the surroundings and update driver dashboard displays to reflect obstacles. (CNBC)

STOCKS TO WATCH

Applied Materials (AMAT) came in 2 cents above estimates with adjusted quarterly profit of 86 cents per share. Revenue also beat. The maker of semiconductor manufacturing equipment also gave strong current quarter guidance.

Becton Dickinson's (BDX) blood collection tubes were not linked to inaccurate results in tests for lead conducted by Magellan Diagnostics, according to the FDA. Magellan markets the only FDA-approved lead-testing products in the U.S.

Calpine (CPN) agreed to be bought by private equity firm Energy Capital Partners for $15.25 per share in cash, or about $5.6 billion

AT&T's (T) deal to buy Time Warner (TWX) for $85 billion is near the final stages of its government review, according to the Wall Street Journal. The paper said AT&T lawyers are now discussing merger conditions with the Justice Department.

WATERCOOLER

As Americans get ready for the first total solar eclipse to be viewable in the contiguous U.S. since 1979, Volvo created eclipse viewers that attach to the moonroofs of its 2018 XC60 SUVs. (Engadget)