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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:

Investors are bracing for a bruising session Thursday.

U.S. stock futures were falling and global markets are awash with red. 

1) Oil slides

Crude prices are under pressure, losing 0.7% to hover just below $41 a barrel, after plunging to a six-year low on Wednesday. Oil has been falling in recent weeks as the supply glut worsens and demand remains sluggish. Weak oil is ringing alarm bells for investors about the health of the global economy.

And the latest victim of low oil prices? Kazakhstan. Its currency plunged 23% after the country's government allowed the tenge to float freely in an attempt to blunt the impact of falling crude prices. 

2) China tumbles

Another day, another wild ride for Chinese investors. The Shanghai Composite closed down 3.4% and the smaller, tech-heavy Shenzhen index lost 3%.

Volatility has dominated trading in China over the summer and prompted Beijing intervene to stabilize markets. 

3) Earnings updates

A batch of results are due before the market open, including Tech Data (TECD), Sears (SHLD), Madison Square Garden (MSG), Stein Mart (SMRT) and Kirklands (KIRK). This afternoon, Hewlett-Packard (HPQ, Tech30), Gap (GPS) and Ross (ROST) are due to provide earnings updates. 

4) Economic reports

Plenty to watch out for on the economic front, beginning with the federal government's weekly jobless claims at 8:30 a.m. ET.

The National Association of Realtors releases July home sales figures at 10 a.m. ET. Sales surged in June, but analysts don't expect the trend to continue.

Also at 10 a.m., the Philadelphia Fed will post its business outlook survey for August. Last month there were signs manufacturing was slowing down, and unemployment data wasn't favorable.

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What is it? It's a leading indicator of economic health - businesses react quickly to market conditions, and their purchasing managers hold perhaps the most current and relevant insight into the company's view of the economy.

When? At 9:45pm Eastern Time.

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

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What is it? It's a leading indicator of economic health - businesses react quickly to market conditions, and changes in their sentiment can be an early signal of future economic activity such as spending, hiring, and investment.

When? At 10:00am Eastern Time.

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

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Will Twitter's Share Crash?

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What is it? It's a leading indicator of economic health because the sale of a home triggers a wide-reaching ripple effect. For example, renovations are done by the new owners, a mortgage is sold by the financing bank, and brokers are paid to execute the transaction.

When? At 10:00am 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

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What is it? This is the nation's earliest economic data. The market impact fluctuates from week to week - there tends to be more focus on the release when traders need to diagnose recent developments, or when the reading is at extremes.

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

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