Here we go: AstraZeneca ( AZN ) , ConocoPhillips ( COP ) , Estee Lauder ( EL ) , Merck ( MRK ) , New York Times ( NYT ) , Nokia ( NOK ) , Ralph Lauren ( RL ) , Royal Dutch Shell ( RDSA ) , Sony ( SNE ) , Deutsche Bank ( DB ) and Vodafone ( VOD ) are all reporting earnings ahead of the open.
Shares in Germany’s Deutsche Bank were sharply lower following the release of its earning report.
More major firms will report results after the close, including Amazon ( AMZN , Tech30 ) , Chipotle ( CMG ) , GoPro ( GPRO , Tech30 ) and Visa ( V ) .
2. Australia and Iran in focus: President Trump’s comments on Iran and Australia have put the two countries in the spotlight. Trump specifically said he would study a “dumb deal” that U. S. had made to take in refugees detained by Australia .
“The Trump twitter feed overnight included some strong language about Iran, and that most diplomatic of phrases ‘a dumb deal’ in reference to relations with Australia,” said Paul Donovan, global chief economist at UBS Wealth Management.
“Both areas may have market importance — the former given Middle Eastern investors’ apprehensions about the U. S., and the latter given shifting dynamics in Asia-Pacific leadership,” he said.
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3. Let’s do a deal, okay? : Shares in Mead Johnson Nutrition ( MJN ) are poised to surge at the open after the infant formula maker said it’s in talks to be acquired by the British conglomerate Reckitt Benckiser ( RBGLY ) , which owns a range of consumer brands, including Lysol, Clearasil and Durex.
The two companies said they’re in talks about doing a $16.7 billion deal, though nothing has been finalized.
Meanwhile, shares in Macy’s ( M ) are edging up premarket based on rumors that the company may be open to being acquired. The New York Post said the firm’s CEO “has recently become open to offers from potential friendly buyers. ”
Macy’s did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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4. Super Thursday in London: The Bank of England is scheduled to announce its latest interest rate decision, quarterly inflation report and meeting minutes on Thursday. Central banker Mark Carney will also hold a press conference where he’ll discuss his expectations for Brexit and how it will impact the economy.
This comes as the British government is set to release a document on Thursday outlining its formal negotiation plans for the U. K. to leave the European Union.
5. Global stock market overview: U. S. stock futures are looking a bit weak right now.
European markets are mixed in early trading. Most Asian markets ended the day with negative results.
6. Coming this week:
Thursday – Amazon ( AMZN , Tech30 ) and Chipotle ( CMG ) earnings
Friday – U. S. jobs report for January
