It’s a nervy morning in markets Wednesday as more security fears and the upcoming release of Federal Reserve minutes keep investors on edge.
Most major world markets are trading lower, and U.S. stock futures are dipping into negative territory.
Here are the five things you need to know before the opening bell rings in New York:
1. Siege in Paris: Three terrorist suspects were killed in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis during a major security operation linked to the deadly attacks that rocked the French capital five days ago, a police source said. A woman killed herself at the scene by activating a suicide belt, and five police officers were wounded during the raid.
France’s CAC 40 benchmark index fell about 1% in morning trade. Other European markets also began the day with losses.
An international soccer match between Germany and the Netherlands was canceled after German police said they received “concrete intelligence” about plans for a bomb attack inside the stadium.
And two Air France flights headed from the United States to Paris were diverted Tuesday because of bomb threats. Both landed safely. Shares in the carrier fell about 1.2%, while International Airlines Group — the parent company of transatlantic rival British Airways — fell 2% in London.
2. Fed focus: At 2 pm ET, the Federal Reserve will post the minutes from its meeting in October, possibly the last before the first hike in interest rates in nearly a decade. The next policy meeting begins Dec. 15, and investors are betting that the Fed will finally announce a rate hike unless there’s concerning economic news before then.
Still, the minutes will be scrutinized for the Fed’s view on global risks, and for any clues on what will happen beyond the December meeting.
“Investors will also be very keen to hear if there is any more detail as to the likely path and timing of rate hikes beyond the first one should it come next month,” noted Simon Smith, chief economist at FxPro.
3. Stock market movers — Consol, UK Mail: Consol gained 3% in after-hours trading after Greenlight Capital manager David Einhorn reportedly said he’s betting it’s one energy stock that can handle the turbulence in the industry.
Shares in Britain’s biggest independent mail and logistics group, UK Mail, plunged more than 10% in London after the company said profits fell by more than 50% in the six months to September, and warned earnings in its next fiscal year would be softer than expected.
4. Earnings and economics: Reports from Target, Lowe’s and Staples are due this morning. Struggling coffee maker company Keurig is among the companies expected to report after the market closes.
Before the Fed minutes, October’s home construction report is due from the Census Bureau at 8:30 am ET. Later this morning, expect the U.S. government’s weekly crude oil inventories report to post at 10:30 am ET.
5. Tuesday market recap: Closing numbers for the Dow Jones industrial average and the Nasdaq hardly moved from the open. The S&P 500 inched down 0.1%.
