Here is what you need to know.
The global sell-off continues. The S&P 500 closed down 1.7% on Wednesday, making for its biggest drop in eight months, after reports surfaced that President Donald Trump asked former FBI Director James Comey to end his investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. That selling spilled over into Asia, where Japan’s Nikkei (-1.3%) paced the decline, and then Europe, where Britain’s FTSE (-1.3%) leads the losses. The S&P 500 is set to open down 0.3% near 2,349.
The US 10-year is testing its April lows. The benchmark yield is down 3 basis points at 2.19%. A close below 2.18% would be the lowest since the days following the election.
Fed rate hike odds are falling. World Interest Rate Probability data provided by Bloomberg shows an 82.5% chance the Fed hikes in June. That’s down from 100% less than one week ago.
Japan logs its longest stretch of growth in over a decade. The Japanese economy grew at a 0.5% clip in the first quarter, making for the fifth consecutive quarterly increase. That hasn’t happened since 2006.
Brazil’s president is reportedly on tape asking for hush money. Brazilian President Michel Temer is allegedly on tape telling JBS Chairman Joseley Batista to pay a potential witness in the country’s biggest-ever graft probe to keep quiet, Reuters says.
The British pound reclaims 1.30 against the dollar. Strong retail sales data ran the British pound above 1.30 versus the dollar for the first time since September. Currently, the pound trades up 0.5% at 1.3040.
Australia’s jobs report beats, but all the gains were part-time. The Australian economy added a seasonally adjusted 37,400 jobs in April. Full-time jobs fell by 11,600 while part-time jobs jumped by 49,000.
Porsche executives are being investigated for market manipulation. German prosecutors are investigating whether or not Porsche executives Matthias Mueller and Hans Dieter Poetsch waited too long to inform investors about the risks associated with the diesel emissions scandal at Volkswagen, Reuters says.
Earnings reports keep coming. Ralph Lauren and Walmart report ahead of the opening bell while Gap and Ross Stores release their quarterly results after markets close.
US economic data is light. Initial claims and Philly Fed will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET.
Het bericht 10 things you need to know before the opening bell verscheen eerst op Business Insider.