LATEST NEWS

After some of the wildest days on markets in recent memory, the weekend can't come soon enough for many. Panicked selling Monday and Tuesday gave way to a scramble to buy Wednesday and Thursday.

And there could be a sting in the tail Friday - U.S. stock futures are signaling all three main indexes will open about 1% lower and European markets are weaker in morning trade.

Here are 4 tips for today's trading. This will help you decide where you should invest and what to look for:

1) China rallies again

The Shanghai Composite had a truly wild ride this week, losing roughly 15% on Monday and Tuesday, before mounting a major rally in the second half of the week. Friday saw gains of nearly 5% on the main Chinese index, while the Shenzhen market put in a slightly stronger performance.

The Shanghai index still suffered a 7.8% decline for the week.

Elsewhere in Asia, new data showed Japan is still struggling to lift inflation to its target of 2%. Unemployment data improved, however, and the Nikkei ended the day with a 3% gain. 

2) Oil slips back

U.S. crude futures jumped 10% Thursday, but the positive tone evaporated Friday. Oil was trading nearly 1.5% weaker at $42 a barrel. That's still a big recovery from the 6-year low of $38 a barrel hit on Monday, but crude is about 20% down since the start of the year. 

3) Market movers

Freeport McMoran, Facebook: Shares in mining company Freeport McMoran (FCX) jumped 12% premarket after hedge fund manager Carl Icahn disclosed he had acquired a stake. Facebook (FB, Tech30) was slipping about 0.5% premarket despite reporting late Thursday that more than one billion people logged on Monday -- the first time that milestone has been hit in a day. 

4) Central bankers huddle

Federal Reserve policymakers continue their annual meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The three-day affair is being closely watched for hints about when to expect an interest rate hike.

New York Fed President William Dudley said Wednesday the case for a September hike had become "less compelling," but the waters were muddied again Thursday by news of much stronger U.S. second quarter growth than expected.

Much of the world's economy is still hooked on cheap central bank cash, and the prospect of a U.S. rate hike has already shaken many emerging markets.

Ask us about our FREE financial advice program: 

Other Top Stories:

Will Twitter's Share Crash?

Technical Analysis Lesson 1 - Introduction

How I Made Over $30,000 a Year by Investing in Binary Options

Follow us and SHARE this story on Facebook:   

What is it? As head of the central bank, which controls short term interest rates, he has more influence over the nation's currency value than any other person. Traders scrutinize his public engagements as they are often used to drop subtle clues regarding future monetary policy.

When? At 12:25pm Eastern Time.

Trading Tip: If the announcement will hint towards higher interest rates, you can expect the CHF to rise.

Ask us about our FREE financial advice program: 

Other Top Stories:

Will Twitter's Share Crash?

Technical Analysis Lesson 1 - Introduction

How I Made Over $30,000 a Year by Investing in Binary Options

Follow us and SHARE this story on Facebook:   

What is it? The Economic Symposium, held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is attended by central bankers, finance ministers, academics, and financial market participants from around the world. The meetings are closed to the press but officials usually talk with reporters throughout the day. Comments and speeches from central bankers and other influential officials can create significant market volatility.

When? All Day

Trading Tip: This announcement can greatly affect all currencies so make sure to follow it!

Ask us about our FREE financial advice program: 

Other Top Stories:

Will Twitter's Share Crash?

Technical Analysis Lesson 1 - Introduction

How I Made Over $30,000 a Year by Investing in Binary Options

Follow us and SHARE this story on Facebook:   

What is it? Trade in goods makes up about 75% of total trade, and therefore provides early insight into the Trade Balance data reported about 5 days later. A positive number indicates that more goods were exported than imported. Source first released in Jul 2015.

When? At 8:30am Eastern Time.

Trading Tip: If the actual number is higher than the forecast, you can expect the USD to rise.

Ask us about our FREE financial advice program: 

Other Top Stories:

Will Twitter's Share Crash?

Technical Analysis Lesson 1 - Introduction

How I Made Over $30,000 a Year by Investing in Binary Options

Follow us and SHARE this story on Facebook:   

1. U.S. stocks rose sharply on Thursday, a day after posting their biggest one-day gain in four years, as data showed the U.S. economy grew faster in the second quarter than initially thought.

2. The U.S. economy grew faster than initially thought in the second quarter on solid domestic demand, showing fairly strong momentum that could still allow the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates this year.

3. The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, pointing to a steadily firming labor market.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits slipped 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 271,000 for the week ended Aug. 22, the Labor Department said on Thursday

4. The dollar extended gains against against the other major currencies on Thursday, after data showed that the U.S. economy grew more than initially estimated in the second quarter, boosting optimism over the health of the economy.

5. Crude oil futures rallied sharply on Thursday, as appetite for riskier assets improved amid a global stock market rally.

Crude oil for delivery in October on the New York Mercantile Exchange surged $1.46, or 3.78%, to trade at $40.06 a barrel during U.S. morning hours.

Ask us about our FREE financial advice program: 

Other Top Stories:

Will Twitter's Share Crash?

Technical Analysis Lesson 1 - Introduction

How I Made Over $30,000 a Year by Investing in Binary Options

Follow us and SHARE this story on Facebook:   

Investors may be suffering from whiplash but they should get some more pain relief Thursday.

U.S. stock futures were pushing higher, and global markets were bouncing as panic over China's stock market crash eased.

Here are 4 tips for today's trading. This will help you decide where you should invest and what to look for:

1) Global markets rally

Markets around the world rebounded after days of wild trading. China's benchmark Shanghai Composite jumped 5.3%, and Japan's Nikkei index closed up 1.5%. European markets notched solid gains in early trading.

Worries about Chinese growth and huge falls on its share markets triggered waves of selling around the globe this week, but the panic receded Thursday, helped by soothing words from central bankers.

China slashed interest rates earlier this week, hoping the move would stabilize the economy and ease fears that the country is slowing sharply. 

2) Oil jumps

The positive tone also washed over to crude markets. Oil surged 4% to trade back above $40 a barrel. Concerns about waning demand and oversupply has slugged crude in recent months, and the commodity is down nearly 25% since the start of this year. 

3) Earnings and economics

A slate of companies including Tiffany & Co (TIF), Dollar General (DG), Burlington Stores (BURL) and Michaels (MIK) are reporting quarterly earnings before the open. Gamestop (GME), Ulta (ULTA), and Aeropostale (ARO) are among the firms reporting after the close.

Federal Reserve policymakers kick off their annual meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on Thursday. The three-day affair will be closely watched for hints about when to expect an interest rate hike. New York Fed President William Dudley said Wednesday the case for a September hike had become "less compelling."

Data to watch includes the second estimate of U.S. second quarter GDP, due out at 8:30 a.m. ET. New weekly jobless claims numbers are also out at 8.30am ET. 

4) Market movers

Transocean (RIG) is one stock to keep an eye on Thursday. As crude prices jumped, shares in the oil services firm are rising 4% premarket. Online streaming outfit Netflix's (NFLX, Tech30) stock is also up 4%.

Ask us about our FREE financial advice program: 

Other Top Stories:

Will Twitter's Share Crash?

Technical Analysis Lesson 1 - Introduction

How I Made Over $30,000 a Year by Investing in Binary Options

Follow us and SHARE this story on Facebook:   

What is it? The Economic Symposium, held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is attended by central bankers, finance ministers, academics, and financial market participants from around the world. The meetings are closed to the press but officials usually talk with reporters throughout the day. Comments and speeches from central bankers and other influential officials can create significant market volatility.

When? All Day

Trading Tip: This announcement can greatly affect all currencies so make sure to follow it!

Ask us about our FREE financial advice program: 

Other Top Stories:

Will Twitter's Share Crash?

Technical Analysis Lesson 1 - Introduction

How I Made Over $30,000 a Year by Investing in Binary Options

Follow us and SHARE this story on Facebook: