1. U.S. stocks retreated on Wednesday as investors absorbed mixed earnings from major banks and Wal-Mart's weak forecast wiped more than $20 billion off the retailer's market value.
Weak economic data from the United States and China added to worries about the health of the global economy even as investors' focus shifted to company results.
"The major theme, not only today but through the balance of the earnings season, is going to be the revisions to fourth quarter and 2016 earnings," said Bill Northey, chief investment officer of the private client group at U.S. Bank.
2. Wal-Mart Stores Inc (N:WMT) said full-year sales would be flat due to the stronger-than-anticipated impact of the dollar's strength, and that investment in technology and employees would pressure earnings next year, sending its shares down 10 percent.
Shares of the company, which also announced a $20 billion share buyback, fell to a more-than three-year low of $60.18 on Wednesday, wiping out about $21 billion in market value.
The stock was on track for its worst one-day performance in more than 17 years.
"We can deliver stronger financial performance in the short-term simply by running our core business better but that won't be enough," Chief Executive Doug McMillon said at an investor meeting in New York.
3. Oil eased further below $50 a barrel on Wednesday, falling for a third day, on concern a supply glut will persist and demand slow down as economic growth moderates in No. 2 consumer China.
Chinese growth for the third quarter is expected to fall below 7 percent for the first time since the global financial crisis. The International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Tuesday the oil market would remain oversupplied in 2016.
Brent crude was down 8 cents at $49.16 a barrel as of 1114 GMT (0714 EDT). U.S. crude was up 3 cents at $46.69.
4. The dollar remained broadly lower against the other major currencies on Wednesday, after the release of disappointing U.S. retail sales and producer price inflation data dampened optimism over the strength of the economy.
The dollar extended losses against the euro, with EUR/USD up 0.46% at 1.1432.
The U.S. Commerce Department reported on Wednesday that retail sales increased by 0.1% last month, missing expectations for a gain of 0.2%.
5. U.S. natural gas futures rebounded from the previous session's losses on Wednesday, as market participants looked ahead to fresh weekly information on U.S. gas inventories to gauge the strength of demand for the fuel.
Natural gas for delivery in November on the New York Mercantile Exchange tacked on 2.2 cents, or 0.88%, to trade at $2.520 per million British thermal units during U.S. morning hours. A day earlier, natural gas declined 3.7 cents, or 1.46%.
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