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1) The dollar rose to two-month highs against the yen on Wednesday after data showing that activity in the U.S. service sector expanded at the fastest rate in ten years last month, bolstering the outlook for higher interest rates.

USD/JPY was up 0.41% to 124.88, the most since June 8 from around 124.25 ahead of the data.

2) Wall Street opened higher on Wednesday after data showed private sector hiring slowed sharply in July, indicating a loss of momentum in the economy at the start of the third quarter and tempering expectations of a September interest rate hike.

The ADP National Employment Report showed private employers added 185,000 workers in July, below the 215,000 increase forecast by economists surveyed by Reuters.

3) Service sector activity in the U.S. grew at the fastest pace since August 2005 in July, boosting optimism over the health of the economy and supporting the case for a rate hike in September, industry data showed on Wednesday.

4) U.S. non-farm private employment rose less than expected in July, dampening optimism over the strength of the economy and fanning hopes that the Federal Reserve could delay raising interest rates until the very end of 2015, industry data showed on Wednesday.

5) West Texas Intermediate oil extended gains on Wednesday, after data showed that oil supplies in the U.S. fell more than expected last week.

Crude oil for delivery in September on the New York Mercantile Exchange tacked on 82 cents, or 1.79%, to trade at $46.56 a barrel during U.S. morning hours. Prices were at around $46.33 prior to the release of the inventory data.

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

Markets are eerily calm right now as traders await a tsunami of corporate earnings.

Don't get complacent! 

1) Earnings

The owner of T.G.I. Friday's and Jamba Juice, Inventure Foods (SNAK), is reporting ahead of the open, alongside Discovery (DISCK), Martha Stewart Living (MSO), Priceline (PCLN, Tech30), Kate Spade (KATE), Ralph Lauren (RL), Sodastream (SODA), Wendy's (WEN) and CNN's parent company Time Warner (TWC).

Then after the close we'll hear from Tesla (TSLA), Transocean (RIG), 21st Century Fox (FOXA), CBS (CBS), Fitbit (FIT), Herbalife (HLF) and GoDaddy (GDDY). 

2) Stock market movers

U.S. stock futures are relatively steady, but some companies are swinging around.

Disney (DIS) shares are tumbling by about 6% premarket as traders react to the company's latest earnings. The results were mixed, with earnings exceeding market expectations but revenue fell short.

On the flip side, expect shares in First Solar (FSLR) to rally by about 6% at the open after releasing well-received earnings Tuesday evening. 

3) Economics

The Institute for Supply Management is releasing data at 10 a.m. ET showing the health of the U.S. services sector in July. The previous report showed business has been growing.

Crude oil inventory data from the U.S. is released at 10:30 a.m, which could result in some brisk trading. Currently, crude futures are trading just below $46 per barrel after falling by about 20% last month.

4) Greek bank crash continues

European markets are mostly advancing in early trading, with miners leading the way higher.

But again, Greek markets are declining. The key Athens index is down by about 3%, with nearly all Greek banks crashing by about 30% for a third day. Investors are racing for the exit because they fear the banks will have to be restructured as part of Greece's new bailout.

Asian markets ended with mixed results. Key stock markets in China and Australia lost some ground while all the others pushed higher.

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What is it? Although it's generally viewed as a lagging indicator, the number of unemployed people is an important signal of overall economic health because consumer spending is highly correlated with labor-market conditions.

When? At 9:30pm Eastern Time

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

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What is it? This is vital economic data released shortly after the month ends. The combination of importance and earliness makes for hefty market impacts.

When? At 9:30pm Eastern Time.

Trading Tip: If the actual number is higher than the forecast, you can expect the AUD 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

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