Here are 4 tips for today's trading. This will help you decide where you should invest and what to look for:
1. Mixed feelings:
U.S. stock futures are pointing up, but the mood in European markets is mixed in early trading, and Asian stocks mostly closed with losses.
Key stock markets in China fell by about 3.5%, though the swings were less violent than in recent days. Chinese markets are now experiencing a correction after a stunning rise this year.
Wednesday was a negative day in the U.S. The Dow Jones industrial average sank by 1%, while the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq both dipped by 0.7%.
2. Greece crisis grinds on:
Negotiations over Greece's dire financial situation are dragging on, putting a damper on market enthusiasm in Europe.
Markets have been waiting for months for Greece and its creditors to reach a deal about the country's debts and economic reforms, but time is running very short -- it must pay the IMF about 1.5 billion euros next week.
"The apparent lack of progress at yesterday's meeting of eurozone finance ministers has left the prospect of a deal between Greece and its creditors once more hanging by a fine thread," said Jonathan Loynes, chief European economist at Capital Economics. "Following the optimism earlier in the week that an agreement was very close, it has become clear that there are still major differences between the two sides."
If Greece doesn't get more cash from Europe, it faces an IMF default and a potential exit from the eurozone.
3. Earnings:
Barnes & Noble (BKS) is reporting before the market opens. Last quarter, the company reported a slump in revenue as sales related to its Nook e-reader dropped by about 50% compared to the same period in the previous year. The Nook has failed to keep up with Amazon's (AMZN, Tech30) Kindle.
After the close, sports retail giant Nike (NKE) will report earnings. The company's stock price recently hit a fresh all-time high after rising by 10.5% since the start of the years. Investors have been especially enthusiastic after the company landed a deal with the NBA to be its exclusive uniform provider.
4. Stock market mover:
Bed Bath & Beyond: Shares in Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) are dipping about 2.2% in extended trading after the company reported quarterly results that came in slightly below market expectations.
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