10 things you need to know before the opening bell
Here is what you need to know.
1. SoftBank's $9.5 billion bailout of WeWork hits a hurdle as Japanese banks are worried about funding it. The tech conglomerate wants to partly finance its rescue of the coworking startup by borrowing $3 billion from Japan's three biggest banks, but the trio have reached their internal lending limits to the company, according to Reuters.
2. China plans to lower import tariffs on frozen pork, avocados from January 1. The Asian nation will cut tariffs on more than 850 products in a bid to galvanize its slowing economy and offset the impact of its trade war with the United States.
3. Tesla has agreed to take a new $1.4 billion loan for its Shanghai factory. The electric-vehicle maker and a group of Chinese banks have struck a $1.4 billion, five-year loan facility for the automaker's Shanghai plant, three sources told Reuters.
4. Bayer shares climb after US government's backing in glyphosate lawsuit. The pharma giant's shares touched a 14-month high after the Environmental Protection Agency and the Justice Department said a federal appeals court should reverse a $25 million verdict against the company in a case involving its Roundup weed killer.
5. JD.Com's logistics unit taps banks for potential $8-$10 billion IPO. The Chinese e-commerce giant's logistics unit has held early talks with banks about a potential overseas IPO at a valuation of at least $30 billion, two people told Reuters.
6. Trump has reportedly invited Boris Johnson to the US for a general election 'victory tour,' but Johnson is 'reluctant' to accept. The US president made the offer after the prime minister won a landslide victory in the UK's general election this month, but Johnson is reportedly reluctant to visit while Trump is facing impeachment.
7. NMC Health launches independent review after short-seller attack. The UAE's largest private healthcare provider wants to reassure investors after Muddy Waters questioned its finances last week.
8. Stocks are mixed. US futures underlying the Dow (+0.3%), S&P 500 (+0.5%), and Nasdaq (+0.4%) are up, pointing to a positive open. European stocks are mixed with the FTSE 100 (+0.5%) up, the DAX (-0.1%) down, and the Euro Stoxx 50 flat. Asian stocks were under pressure with the Shanghai Composite (-1.4%) down and the Nikkei and Hang Seng almost flat.
9. Some interesting earnings are coming out. Avanti Communications and Firebird Resources are the highlights.
10. It's a busy day for data. The latest figures for new home sales and durable goods orders are slated for release.