1. Markets stay calm despite recent events

Global markets have reacted calmly to deadly attacks in Germany and Turkey, and a shooting at an Islamic center in Zurich, Switzerland.

European markets are mostly edging up in early trading. U.S. stock futures are also in positive territory.

The main U.S. indexes are all near record highs, which they reached early last week.

2. Italy to rescue banks

Shares in Italian banks are among the best performers in Europe right now after the Italian government said that it is asking parliament to let it borrow as much as €20 billion ($20.8 billion) for a potential bank rescue plan.

Italy's weakest bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BMDPF), has been scrambling to raise €5 billion ($5.2 billion) from investors before the end of the year to avoid a state bailout. If the plan fails, the government is likely to have to step in with a rescue package.

Shares in Monte dei Paschi are rising by about 3% as investors express relief that a back-up plan is in the works. The bank's stock has crashed by about 85% since the start of the year.

3. Earnings and economics

Blackberry, General Mills and cruise ship operator Carnival are releasing quarterly earnings before the open Tuesday, while FedEx and Nike plan to release earnings after the close.

The Bank of Japan opted to hold interest rates steady and has made no change to its economic stimulus measures. This decision was widely expected.

The Japanese yen is declining following the announcement. Traders are instead opting to move their money into U.S. dollars.

4. Gold prices slipping

Gold prices edged lower on Tuesday, as the U.S. dollar bounced back toward its 14-year high against a basket of major currencies with markets focused on the possibility of further U.S. interest rate hikes next year.

A stronger USD usually weighs on gold, as it dampens the metal's appeal as an alternative asset and makes dollar-priced commodities more expensive for holders of other currencies.