Stock markets’ rally is set to continue on Wednesday.
Here are 4 tips for today's trading. This will help you decide where you should invest and what to look for:
1. Dow pushing toward 20,000
1. Dow pushing toward 20,000
It’s maybe cold outside, but U.S. markets are expected to shine bright.
The Dow Jones industrial average and Nasdaq hit fresh all-time highs on Tuesday and they look set to continue lighting up Wall Street on Wednesday.
The Dow is currently just a hair away from hitting the 20,000 mark for the first time ever.
Meanwhile, European markets and Asian markets are having a mixed trading session.
2. Coca Cola takes Africa
2. Coca Cola takes Africa
Coca-Cola (KO) announced Wednesday it's paying nearly $3.2 billion to Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) to buy the beer giant's majority stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.
The African business bottles Coca-Cola drinks that are sold in countries such as South Africa, Kenya and Uganda.
AB InBev officially took control of its rival SABMiller in October in one of the biggest takeover deals ever. To ensure the business doesn't get too big, the newly formed firm has been selling off different units over the past few months.
3. Dollar slips after profit taking
3. Dollar slips after profit taking
Investors opted to take profit in the dollar on Wednesday, though the greenback held near 14-year highs against major rivals.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was down 0.12% at 103.13 by 10:59GMT.
The move lower in the American currency boosted gold prices, as it increases the metal's appeal as an alternative asset and makes dollar-priced commodities cheaper for holders of other currencies.
On the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, gold futures for February delivery were up 0.22% at $1,136.15 by 10:59GMT, still hovering near 11-month lows.
4. Earnings watch
4. Earnings watch
Accenture (ACN) and Finish Line (FINL) are releasing earnings before the opening bell.
Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) is one of the key firms reporting results after the close.
Shares in Nike (NKE) are set to jump at the open after the company reported better-than-expected results on Tuesday evening.
But shares in FedEx (FDX) are set to decline as investors react negatively to the company's earnings.
Also coming this week:
Thursday - Final Q3 revision of U.S. GDP
Friday - NYSE closes at 18:00 GMT.
