Dow Jones Industrial Average Today Rises on Fed News; Here Are the Top Stories By Garrett Baldwin

The Dow Jones Industrial Average today jumped after U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen suggested the central bank must continue its stimulus efforts for the U.S. economy. The Nasdaq, however, slumped after several tech giants reported poor first-quarter earnings. Here are the closing numbers:

DOW JONES: 16,518.54, +0.7%
S&P 500: 1,878.21, +0.6%
NASDAQ: 4,067.67, -0.3%

And now here is today's top market news - plus watch Money Morning's trading expert Shah Gilani talk about today's markets on FOX Business' "Varney & Co.":

20140507_SG-Varney

• More Pumping: Fed Chair Janet Yellen told the Joint Economic Committee of Congress that the U.S. economy needed significant support to buffet the "considerable slack" in the labor market. Yellen also stressed risks in the weakened housing market and rising geopolitical tensions across the globe.
• Having a Bad Day: Several tech titans had horrible days on bad earnings. Shares of Groupon Inc. (Nasdaq: GRPN) plunged by more than 20% after reporting a first-quarter loss of $0.06 per share. AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL) plummeted more than 20% to a near 52-week low. Shares of cyber-security firm FireEye Inc. (Nasdaq: FEYE) fell by more than 22% to reach a 52-week low. And e-commerce firm Zulily Inc. (Nasdaq: ZU) plummeted more than 29%.
• The Excitement Builds: Plans for the Alibaba initial public offering (IPO) was the talk of the tech industry on Wednesday. Rumors are swirling the company could achieve a $200 billion market cap on its first day of trading. But the biggest surprise today was shares of Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq: YHOO) slumping by more than 6%. The company owns a 24% stake in Alibaba and will sell one-third of its shares when the IPO happens. For all the Alibaba details, go here.
• Profit Starved: Shares of Whole Foods Market Inc. (NYSE: WFM) fell by more than 19% on lowered 2014 profit expectations. This is the third time the company has slashed its 2014 prospects amid increased competition in the natural and organic grocery sector. The company plans to slash prices in order to stay out ahead of its primary competitors in Trader Joe's, Fresh Market Inc. (NYSE: TFM), and even Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT). For a closer look at WFM's tumble, go here.
• A Slight Pullback: Shares of Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) pulled back slightly after striking $600 yesterday for the first time since 2012. Despite the tiny drop, there are several reasons why the stock is poised to rise much higher in 2014.
• Ukraine Tensions Abate: Russian President Vladimir Putin asked pro-Moscow separatists in Ukraine to delay a succession vote five days before it was scheduled. The request could prevent the nation from splintering into factions. The fate of Ukraine is very uncertain, but our Bill Patalon suggests that these companies could decide what happens to the nation in the months ahead.
• This One Factor Will Isolate Huge Winners... Quickly: If you're a do-it-yourself type of investor you might be overwhelmed trying to make heads or tails of all the information at your disposal. But let's take a moment to demystify how to use a stock screen - and then we'll finish up with a "cherry on the top." It's an additional input that will take you quickly to tremendous gains...
• The Emerging Market Game Changer Is Here: Many observers thought the BRICS nations would encounter too many obstacles to collaborate effectively in creating an institution to take on the IMF. But after announcing such plans just over a year ago, the next BRICS summit in July is likely to see the official launch of these institutions. The implications are huge for investors...
• These Long-Term Profit Machines Just Went On Sale: There's a huge opportunity in biotech happening right now, but it won't be here for long. There are three stocks you can buy to cash in on it - get started here.