Dow Continues to Break Records: AT&T Inc. (T), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)

After the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow Jones Indices: .DJI) set an all-time closing high yesterday, many investors were expecting the index to slightly pull-back today. But the Dow actually managed to not only open and close higher, but it also never fell into negative territory today. The Dow finished the trading session up 42 points, or 0.3%, and now sits at 14,296 after hitting an intraday high of 14,320.

Although a number of its components traded in the red throughout the day, only eight of its 30 stocks were down when the closing bell rang at 4 p.m. EST.

The Dow’s downers
Shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) fell by 0.92% during today’s trading session, after European Union regulators fined the company more than $732 million. The EU found Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) failed to comply with commitments it had made with the EU during an antitrust case back in 2009. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) had agreed to offer customers more than just its own Internet Explorer option for Internet browsing. An investigation found that, from May 2011 till July 2012, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) failed to offer more than one browser. The EU could have fined the company up to $7.9 billion, but opted not to penalize Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) the full amount at this time.

The Dow’s telecommunication companies also fell today. Shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) dropped 0.86%, while AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) slid lower by 0.85%. The moves lower were likely caused by the fresh reports that Verizon would like to take full control of the joint venture Verizon Wireless. Currently, Vodafone owns 45% of Verizon Wireless, while Verizon owns the other 55%. Vodafone’s 45% stake has been valued at $115 billion.

Taking full control of Verizon Wireless would saddle Verizon with a huge pile of debt, but it would also give management more flexibility to pursue other options that could strengthen the company in the long-term.

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) shareholders are likely concerned that a singly owned Verizon Wireless could become more of a competitive threat in the future, and make bolder moves to gain market share. Owning the entire wireless division would give management the ability to sacrifice profits today, in return for higher market share and larger profits in the future.

The article Dow Continues to Break Records originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Matt Thalman.

Check back daily as Matt gives the run-down on the Dow’s winners and losers of the day or follow him on Twitter @mthalman5513. Fool contributor Matt Thalman owns shares of Microsoft. The Motley Fool owns shares of Microsoft.

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