Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) futures are trading below fair value this morning, following the September nonfarm payrolls report. Government data showed that the U.S. economy created 134,000 jobs during the month, missing expectations of 185,000, though the unemployment rate fell to a 49-year low of 3.7%. In addition, August payrolls were upwardly revised. As such, stocks are set to extend their pullback from yesterday's session, putting the Dow's weekly gains in jeopardy, while the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) and 10-year Treasury yield should also continue to get plenty of attention, as well.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• The drug stock that doubled on a flu vaccine update.
• 2 stocks that made wild moves yesterday.
• Bullish options traders have taken aim at Netflix. 
• Plus, Costco margins weigh; more upbeat news for GoPro; and a new S&P stock that could rally. 

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 998,160 call contracts traded on Thursday, compared to 713,835 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio moved up to 0.72, and the 21-day moving average moved up to 0.60.
2. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) stock is in the red in pre-market trading, following the company's fiscal fourth-quarter results. Revenue for the period edged out estimates, but investors are focusing instead on tepid gross margins and decelerating online sales growth. COST stock is set to open down 3.5%, going against its historical trend of outperforming in the fourth quarter.
3. GoPro Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO) last night released a statement touting the strong sales for its new HERO7 camera, sending the stock 4.6% higher before the open. The camera's weekly sales were the best for any new camera in the company's history, while social media engagement surged from last year's release. GPRO stock rallied on upbeat analyst attention late last month, but has since given back those gains.
4. Cybersecurity stock Fortinet Inc (NASDAQ:FTNT) is slightly lower in pre-market trading, despite news the security will be added to the S&P 500 Index (SPX). FTNT stock has been a major outperformer in the past year, yet the vast majority of analysts still have just "hold" ratings -- which could be a bullish signal, based on our research on new SPX additions.

5. International trade data, the consumer credit report, and Baker-Hughes rig count are also expected. There are no notable earnings to report. Dow component Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) highlights next week's earnings schedule.

Tech Losses Weigh on Asian Markets

Asian markets finished lower as tech extended its global sell-off, and investors reacted to yesterday’s surge in U.S. bond yields. Japan's Nikkei closed 0.8% lower, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng shed 0.2%, as Apple suppliers weighed heavy following Bloomberg Businessweek's Chinese hacking report. Lastly, South Korea's Kospi finished down 0.3%, and China's Shanghai Composite remained closed for holiday.

European stocks are lower at midday, as traders digest U.S. jobs data. London's FTSE 100 and Germany's DAX are both 0.7% lower, and France's CAC 40 is down 0.4%, at last check.

U.S. stocks are suffering notable losses at midday, as bond yields continue to rise on the back of this morning's jobs data. The S&P 500 Index (SPX) is heading toward its first close below 2,900 since Sept. 17, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) has erased its weekly gain. The Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) is down, as well, on track for its worst week since late March. The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), meanwhile, is trading at its highest levels since August.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• This struggling video game stock just landed another buy rating.
• Behind Costco's earnings disappointment.
• Plus, options traders blast this Muddy Waters short; BKS gets another buyout-related boost; and the biotech slammed with a bear note.

Manulife Financial Corporation (NYSE:MFC) is sporting unusual options volume for the second day in a row, with 5,841 puts and 1,388 calls on the tape, nearly eight times the average intraday pace. Most active is the November 16 put, where new positions are being initiated. MFC is down 3.2% at $16.89, just off an annual low of $16.88 -- good news for Muddy Waters, which unveiled a short position on the insurance stock yesterday.

 

It's another volatile session on Wall Street today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) exploring a more than 200-point range on both sides of breakeven. At last check, the Dow was trading in positive territory alongside the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC), putting the latter two indexes on track to snap three-day losing streaks.

Wall Street is keeping a close eye on the 10-year Treasury yield, which is pulling back from a seven-year high. Traders are also digesting reports that U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Nikki Haley will resign at the end of this year.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• Options bears are targeting this FAANG stock. 
• Behind the new record low for Snap stock.
• Plus, put options pop on Foot Locker stock; Starbucks taps a new CFO; and a downgrade sinks Kroger stock.

Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE:FL) is sporting unusual options volume today, with nearly 6,400 puts on the tape, eight times the average intraday pace. Most active are the October 42.50 and 47.50 puts, where it looks like speculators are closing a spread that was opened last month. Foot Locker stock gapped lower in late August on a negative earnings reaction, which has created a new layer of resistance near $52.

U.S. stocks took a massive hit in today's trading, despite a generally upbeat nonfarm payrolls report for September. While the headline increase in jobs was smaller than forecast, the unemployment rate fell to its lowest level since 1969. Investors viewed the report as giving the Fed the "all-clear" to continue hiking rates, and bond yields surged. As a result, the Dow suffered a more than 325-point drop at its session low, and fell into the red for the week.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• David Einhorn just cut his stake in this FAANG stock.
• Morgan Stanley sends up a bearish signal ahead of earnings.
• Plus, the retailer flashing buy; gold snaps out of a slump; and Berenberg's video game pick.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 26,447.05) fell 180.4 points, or 0.7%, for the day, and lost 0.04% on the week. Only six of the 30 Dow components closed higher, with Pfizer (PFE) leading with a 0.5% gain. Meanwhile, Intel (INTC) paced the 24 decliners with a 2.3% drop.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,885.57) shed 16 points, or 0.6%, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 7,788.45) gave back 91.1 points, or 1.2%. The S&P lost 1% for the week, while the Nasdaq tumbled 3.2%.

The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 14.82) gained 0.6 point, or 4.2%. For the week, the VIX added 22.3% -- its biggest weekly gain since March.

5 Items on our Radar Today

1. Consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas estimates that the high-profile controversy surrounding Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has cost employers some $8.8 billion in lost productivity so far, due to workers tuning into hearings and news coverage on the job. The Senate is expected to move ahead with a final vote on Kavanaugh's nomination this weekend. (CNBC)
2. After pricing its initial public offering (IPO) at $36 per share, software stock Elastic (ESTC) opened at $70 per share in its NYSE debut today. The IPO raised $252 million. (CNBC)
3. Retail giant Macy's flashes a buy signal.
4. Strong camera sales briefly lifted GoPro shares.
5. Berenberg: Buy EA stock.

Gold Snaps Losing Streak as Oil Ends Flat

Oil futures finished the day little changed, with supply concerns keeping a floor under the recently volatile commodity. November-dated crude futures settled nearly flat, adding just 1 cent to settle at $74.34 per barrel. For the week, oil rose 1.5%. 

Gold futures broke out of a three-day slump today, as equities sold off and the dollar softened. December-dated gold added $4, or 0.3%, to close at $1,205.60 an ounce on the day, and advanced 0.8% for the week.   

The U.S. stock market struggled for direction in today's trading, with all three major indexes flipping between positive and negative territory. Worries over rising bond yields drove early losses, while investors also digested the unexpected news that U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley will be leaving her post at the end of this year. While major equity benchmarks ended the session little changed, today's volatile trading sent the VIX to its fourth straight daily gain, marking its lengthiest string of positive sessions in a month.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• Perrigo's CEO shake-up rattled the stock. 
• The biotech stock sending up a buy signal. 
• Traders bid up eBay options ahead of earnings.
• Plus, put traders pounce on a faltering FAANG; the airline stock hitting turbulence; and why we're bullish on CROX.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 26,430.57) shed 56.2points, or 0.2%, for the day. Walmart (WMT) led the 13 blue-chip winners with a 2.5% gain, while DowDuPont (DWDP) paced the 17 decliners with a 3.7% loss.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,880.34) shed 4.1 points, or 0.1%, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 7,738.02) added 2.1 points, or 0.03%.

Meanwhile, the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 15.95) gained 0.3 point, or 1.7%, to settle at its highest level since June 28.

5 Items on our Radar Today

1. The Canadian division of Walmart stated it has been exploring the option to join the cannabis craze as legalization looms north of the border. Spokesperson Diane Medeiros said Walmart Canada has "done some preliminary fact-finding on this issue, but do not have plans to carry CBD products at this time." (CNBC)
2. Activist investor Bill Ackman said his Pershing Square Capital fund has taken a $900 million stake in Starbucks. Starbucks shares were up nearly 5.6% at their intraday peak. (Bloomberg)
3.  Put traders pounce on a struggling FAANG stock.
4. American Airlines stock hit a new annual low after its revenue update.
5. The bullish case behind our Crocs call trade.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Oil, Gold Rebound on Output Woes, Haley Exit

Worries over a dip in oil exports out of Iran and potential damage from Hurricane Michael sent crude futures higher in today's trading. November-dated oil added 67 cents, or 0.9%, to settle at $74.96 per barrel.

Reports of friction between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, coupled with news of Haley's departure, sent the dollar slightly lower and gold futures higher for the day. December-dated gold picked up $2.90, or 0.2%, to close at $1,191.50 per ounce. 

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) futures are trading below fair value, suggesting another choppy trading day could be ahead. Investors are once again monitoring bond yields, though this morning they at least have notable economic data to break up the recent monotony. Specifically, the producer price index (PPI) bounced back in September, rising 0.2% to match expectations. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) are both set for lower opens, while the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) could be in store for a fifth straight win.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White dives into a rare signal in small-cap stocks. 
• A cloud stock flashing "buy."
• The announcement that sank American Airlines stock.
• Plus, Fastenal after earnings; Snap tries to recover; and McDonald's gets a bull note.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 906,730 call contracts traded on Tuesday, compared to 558,308 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio fell to 0.62, and the 21-day moving average stayed at 0.60.
2. Fastenal Company (NASDAQ:FAST) is down close to 5% before the opening bell, following the company's third-quarter earnings. The pre-market losses come despite the fact the industrial company beat estimates on the top and bottom line. The shares have been testing the site of their previous highs from earlier in the year, also near the 80-day moving average, while they're still well above the 320-day moving average which sent them soaring back in July.
3. Snap Inc (NYSE:SNAP) is trying to get out of its recent rut, with the shares yesterday hitting an all-time low and set for an unbelievable 14th straight losing week. The stock is up 2% before the open, possibly responding to news that the company is launching its first slate of scripted shows called Snap Originals.
4. McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) has been trending higher since an early August bottom related to food safety issues, yesterday notching its highest close since February. The blue chip is up another 1% before the open, after an upgrade to "buy" from "neutral" at Guggenheim.
5. Chicago Fed President Charles Evans will speak, as will Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic. FAST is the only name reporting earnings.

Asian Stocks Manage Gains

Asian markets saw a mostly positive session today. Hong Kong's Hang Seng managed an 0.08% advance -- marking its first daily gain this month -- while Japan's Nikkei and China's Shanghai Composite both added 0.2%, the latter of which rose as the yuan continued to fall against the U.S. dollar. On the flip side, South Korea's Kospi returned from Tuesday's holiday with a 1.1% loss.

Stocks in Europe are trading lower at midday, with Italian banks and Comcast's finalized $40 billion bid for British television concern, Sky, in focus. London's FTSE 100 is just below breakeven, last seen down 0.02%, while France's CAC 40 is 0.7% lower, and Germany's DAX is off 0.6%.

Stocks are getting gashed today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) down more than 375 points and on track for its worst day since May 29. Tech giants such as Intel (INTC) and Microsoft (MSFT), as well as FAANG stocks like Alphabet (GOOGL) are selling off at a dramatic rate, putting the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) on pace for its lowest close since early July, and the S&P 500 Index (SPX) on track for its worst losing streak since November 2016.

Traders are also keeping a close eye on the 10-year Treasury yield, which once again has climbed to a seven-year high. Elsewhere, Wall Street's "fear gauge," the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), has spiked to its highest level since late June.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• This VIX signal has been hot in 2018.
• The Dow stock failing to capitalize on a new Amazon partnership.
• Plus, options traders target Altria; Kohl's stock bounces off support; and Twitter sells off again.

Altria Group Inc (NYSE:MO) is seeing unusual options volume today, with 24,000 calls on the tape, six times the average intraday pace. Most active is the October 64.50 call, where Trade-Alert indicates new positions are being sold to open. The tobacco stock is up 1.2% to trade at $63.87 today, and has been turned away by familiar technical resistance. 

The U.S. stock market is stabilizing, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) up triple digits and the S&P 500 Index (SPX) set to snap its six-day skid. The Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) is higher, too, as FAANG stocks rally. Today's upside comes after two days of sharp selling, with traders also watching the start of earnings season -- with big banks JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Citigroup (C), and Wells Fargo (WFC) all reporting this morning. However, even with today's impressive gains, all three benchmarks are still staring at their worst weekly losses since late March.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• 2 drug stocks boosted by bull notes.
• Analyst: This tech stock could pop on a FAANG partnership.
• Plus, options traders target more gains for Turtle Beach stock; Nvidia stock rallies with tech; and Abiomed stock scales the S&P 500.

Turtle Beach Corp (NASDAQ:HEAR) is seeing unusual options volume today, with nearly 7,300 calls on the tape, five times the average intraday pace. Most active is the October 20 call, where it looks like new positions are being purchased. The headset maker made popular by Fortnite is up 15.6% to trade at $20.82 today, bringing its 2018 gain to 1,009%.

Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is up 4.6% to trade at $245.87, one of the top stocks on the S&P 500 today. The broader tech and semiconductor sectors are powering the rally today after the extensive sell-off earlier this week. For NVDA, its pullback found support at its 200-day moving average. The chip stock has added 27.6% in 2018, and is a favorite in the analyst community.

Also outperforming on the SPX today is ABIOMED, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABMD), up 5.9% to trade at $388.63, after Morgan Stanley issued a price-target hike to $396 from $370. The medical device maker pulled back this week amid the broad-market sell-off, but found support at its 160-day moving average. Longer term, ABMD has more than doubled in 2018.

Last week's stock market volatility looks set to continue today. While Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) futures are still signaling a lower open for stocks, they're far off their lows from earlier in the morning, and it's a similar setup for the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq-100 (NDX). Traders are preparing for a full week of data and earnings on Wall Street, starting today with retail sales for September -- which came up short of expectations -- and Bank of America's (BAC) third-quarter results. Elsewhere, rising interest rates and growing tensions with Saudi Arabia will remain in focus.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• This pot stock has tripled in a month.
• 2 healthcare stocks set to bounce.
• Plus, Bank of America beats; Activision Blizzard gets a bull note; and big M&A news.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 1.07 million call contracts traded on Friday, compared to 715,188 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio fell to 0.67, and the 21-day moving average edged up to 0.62.  
2. Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC) stock is pacing for a positive post-earnings open, up 0.8% before the bell. The company beat estimates on the top and bottom line for the third quarter. Those who purchased call options last week will be hoping for an even bigger push higher from the shares, however.
3. Last week we highlighted Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) as a potential target for bullish traders, and the video game stock is set to rise 1.1% at the open. Barclays upgraded the shares to "overweight" from "equal weight" and set an $86 price target, saying early engagement metrics for Activision's new "Call of Duty: Black Ops 4," released last week, look strong.
4. In M&A news, Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) is buying L3 Technologies Inc (NYSE:LLL) in all-stock deal valued at north of $15 billion. LLL shares are up more than 6% in pre-market trading on the news.
5. Today brings the New York manufacturing survey and business inventories data. Charles Schwab (SCHW) is also scheduled to report earnings.
   .

Asian Stock Markets Struggle

Stocks in Asia closed today lower, as investors remained cautious following last week's volatile trading. Japan's Nikkei fell 1.9%, as tumbling finance and defense stocks weighed heavy. In Hong Kong, suffering tech shares pushed the Hang Seng 1.4% lower, while in South Korea, the Kospi pulled back 0.8%. Meanwhile, China's Shanghai Composite took a loss of 1.5% -- and marked its lowest close since November 2014.

European markets are modestly higher in afternoon trading, with focus on this week's European summit, where Brexit will be discussed. London's FTSE 100 is up 0.1%, Germany's DAX is 0.5% higher, and France's CAC 40 is trading flat, at last check.

Following this week's brutal two-day sell-off, U.S. stocks managed to finish today comfortably higher. The Dow got an early boost from well-received JPMorgan earnings -- though the blue-chip bank erased its gains by the close -- and FAANG stocks also snapped back from their recent losses. However, sentiment remained skittish, with the major equity indexes taking a dive back toward breakeven around midday. In fact, despite a downturn in today's trading, the VIX posted its biggest weekly advance since March. 

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• Sentiment signal flashes for the sixth time since 2009.
• Apple stock bounces from a key level after the sell-off.
• Plus, Bank of America draws bulls before earnings; analyst says to buy the Square stock dip; and 2 popping drug stocks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 25,339.99) added 287.2 points, or 1.2%, for the day. For the week, the blue-chip index shed 4.2% -- its worst weekly performance since late March. Refreshingly, 26 Dow stocks closed higher, with Visa (V) taking the lead on a 4.7% gain. Pacing the four losers was JPM, which closed 1.1% lower.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,767.13) gained 38.8 points, or 1.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 7,496.89) managed to add 167.8 points, or 2.3% on the day. For the week, however, the indexes shed 4.1%, and 3.7%, respectively -- both indexes also posting their worst weekly performances since March.

After a volatile week, the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 21.31) snapped its daily gaining streak, shedding 3.7 points, or 14.7%, on the day. However, the fear gauge did manage to post an impressive weekly gain of 44% -- its best since March 23.

5 Items on our Radar Today

1. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is once again cracking down on e-cigarette companies, this time having sent letters to roughly 21 manufacturers, demanding proof that the sales of any new products are legal. The regulators have already obtained information from Juul, the e-cig market leader. (CNBC)
2. Facebook (FB) announced in a letter today that 30 million users -- not the 50 million previously thought-- suffered from last month's data breach. However, about half of the 30 million were subject to the hackers' swipe of personal information, including phone numbers, search history, and the recent places users have checked in. (Bloomberg)
3. Call options are hot on Bank of America stock before earnings.
4. Analyst: Bet on Square bounce.  
5. Bull notes sent 2 drug stocks soaring.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Gold Pulls Back as Stock Market Stabilizes

Crude futures finished today slightly higher, after a report out of the International Energy Agency (IEA) described the current supply as "adequate," and was accompanied by the firm lowering its forecast for demand. For today, November-dated oil added 37 cents, or 0.5%, to close at $71.34 per barrel. More broadly, oil fell 4% for the week.

Gold pulled back today as global markets settled, reducing the collective appetite for "safe haven" investments. December-dated gold shed $5.60, or 0.5%, to close at $1,222 per ounce for the day, but managed to add 1.4% for the week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) has explored a roughly 185-point trading range on both sides of breakeven, last seen higher on a boost from Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA). On the other hand, the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) is firmly in the red, as a big drop in Apple (AAPL) weighs on technology stocks. Traders are also digesting this morning's quarterly earnings reports, as well as a weaker-than-expected reading on September retail sales.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• The FAANG stock dropping on new price targets.
• Why one analyst sees 25% downside for NutriSystem stock.
• Plus, pre-earnings options bulls blast Pfizer; Ralph Lauren rallies; and Adobe stock extends its pullback.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is seeing unusual options volume today, with nearly 31,000 calls on the tape, three times the average intraday pace. Most active is the November 45 call, where Trade-Alert suggests new positions are being purchased. At last check, PFE was down 0.5% to trade at $43.56. The healthcare giant reports earnings before the market opens on Tuesday, Oct. 30, so it seems options traders are positioning for a post-earnings surge. 

Ralph Lauren Corp (NYSE:RL) is up 3.8% to trade at $126.04, one of the top stocks on the S&P 500 today. This morning, J. P. Morgan Securities upgraded the luxury retailer to "overweight" from "neutral," while boosting its price target to $150. RL boasts a 21.6% lead in 2018, but remains well off its July 31 three-year high of $147.79. 

On the other end of the spectrum is Adobe Inc (NASDAQ:ADBE), down 2.7% to trade at $242.18, one of the worst stocks on the SPX today. Adobe stock raced to a record high of $277.61 on Sept. 14 on a positive earnings reaction. While the shares have pulled back since then, they appear to have found support near their 200-day moving average.  

U.S. stock futures are pointing toward a mixed open this morning. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) looks set for a meaningful pullback after yesterday's massive rally, with Dow component IBM (IBM) down pre-market after earnings. On the other hand, Nasdaq-100 (NDX) futures are comfortably above fair value, thanks to impressive Netflix (NFLX) earnings. The market is also anxiously awaiting the release of the latest Fed meeting minutes later today, which could shift the focus back to rising interest rates.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• Data from Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White shows why small-cap stocks have the advantage right now.
• A social media stock bulls can target.
• Options traders reacted quick to the Twilio stock sell-off.
• Plus, NFLX shares rise; IBM's post-earnings move; and a semiconductor stock set to surge.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 931,375 call contracts traded on Tuesday, compared to 583,267 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio moved up to 0.63, and the 21-day moving average remained at 0.62.
2. NFLX shares are set to open up 11.3%, thanks to impressive third-quarter earnings and strong subscriber growth. While a number of analysts responded favorably with price-target hikes, KeyBanc joined a recent chorus of Netflix bears, downgrading the stock to "sector weight" from "overweight."
3. Meanwhile, IBM stock is trading down 4.7% before the open, due to weak third-quarter revenue. This was followed up by price-target cuts to $164 and $168 at BMO and Morgan Stanley, respectively. Most analysts are already bearish on the blue chip, though UBS recently weighed in bullishly.
4. Another big pre-market mover is semiconductor stock Vicor Corp (NASDAQ:VICR), as it's set to jump 21.6% after impressive third-quarter results. The shares had been struggling since peaking at $64.50 in August, closing Tuesday at $38.37, due in part to broader headwinds in the chip sector. Still, VICR stock was trading down near $21 coming into 2018.
5. Housing starts and the weekly crude inventories report will come out, too. As for corporate earnings, Alcoa (AA), Steel Dynamics (STLD), United Rentals (URI), and U.S. Bancorp (USB) will report.

Asian Markets Rise After U.S. Rally

Asian markets followed Wall Street’s Tuesday lead, and closed higher in today’s session. Japan’s Nikkei picked up 1.3% with a push from tech, specifically SoftBank, after Chief Operating Officer Marcelo Claure said the company – which has ties to Saudi Arabia – is still performing "business as usual" despite the disappearance of a U.S. journalist. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Kospi closed 1% higher, China’s Shanghai Composite added 0.6%, and markets in Hong Kong were closed for holiday.

Stocks in Europe are mixed at midday, as investors digest a tame consumer inflation reading out of the U.K. and gear up for Brexit talks scheduled for later this afternoon in Belgium. Disappointing European auto sales have car stocks weighing heavy, and at last check, London’s FTSE 100 is 0.3% higher, while Germany’s DAX is down 0.4%, and France’s CAC 40 is 0.2% lower.