5 things to know before the stock market opens Friday, April 26 [Video]

Here are the most important news items that investors need to start their trading day:

1. It’s the economy

Stocks fell Thursday after the latest U.S. economic data raised concerns about stagflation. The blue-chip Dow slid 375 points for the day, while the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.5% and 0.6%, respectively. U.S. gross domestic product expanded 1.6% in the first quarter, less than expected, while the personal consumption expenditures price index increased at a 3.4% pace, well above the previous quarter’s 1.8% advance. Taken together, investors worried it could mean a combined slowing economic growth and rising inflation. Still, major averages are on track for a winning week, and traders will be watching March’s PCE reading, due Friday morning. Follow live market updates.

2. Alphabet’s first-ever dividend

3. Spending and demand

Microsoft is increasing spending at a rate not seen since 2016, but it may still not be enough to meet demand. The company said Thursday in an earnings …