10 things you need to know before the opening bell (SPY, SPX, QQQ, DIA, NKE, SHLD, FDX)

pulse

March 22, 2017 12:10 PM

This is what traders are talking about.

Seguin, a Yorkshire terrier, meeting Daily, an English bulldog, at a news conference to announce the American Kennel Club top 10 breeds in New York City.

Here is what you need to know.

Stocks end their streak. Both the Dow Jones industrial average and the S&P 500 fell by more than 1% on Tuesday, the first time they suffered a loss of that size on the same day since October 11.

Stock markets around the world are under pressure. Japan's Nikkei (-2.1%) was hit hard in Asia, and Britain's FTSE (-0.9%) leads the losses in Europe. The S&P 500 is set to open little changed near 2,343.

Scotland is set to back a second independence referendum. On Wednesday, Scottish MPs are expected to vote to go ahead with a second referendum on independence from the UK. The referendum would most likely take place between the fall of 2018 and the spring of 2019.

Japan's exports surge. Data released by Japan's Ministry of Finance on Wednesday showed exports surged 11.3% year-over-year in February as China went back to work following the Lunar New Year holiday. Exports to the middle kingdom soared 28.2% versus a year ago.

Sears casts a cloud on its future. In its annual report released Tuesday, Sears said "substantial doubt exists related to the company's ability to continue as a going concern."

Akzo Nobel rejects PPG's takeover bid. The dutch paint maker rejected an improved 22.4 billion euro ($24.1 billion) takeover offer made by its US rival PPG Industries, Reuters reports.

Nike beats on earnings, just misses on sales. The sneaker giant posted adjusted earnings of $0.68 a share on revenue of $8.4 billion compared with the Wall Street estimates of $0.53 and $8.47 billion.

FedEx misses big on earnings. The courier giant earned an adjusted $2.35 a share in its third quarter, missing the $2.62 that Wall Street was expecting by a wide margin. Revenue was in line at $15 billion.

Earnings reports trickle out. Winnebago Industries will report ahead of the opening bell, and Cintas will release its quarterly results after markets close.

US economic data is light. Existing-home sales will be released at 10 a.m. ET. The US 10-year yield is down 2 basis points at 2.40%.

pulse