Today's Headlines

Bloomberg:      

• Trump Sees ‘Strong Signals’ as China Swings Into Action on Trade.

• May's Enemies Step Up Attacks Over Legal Advice: Brexit Update.       

• Suddenly Brexit Outlook Is Starting to Look Brighter in Markets.    

• Italian Bond Yields Fall to Five-Month Low as Budget Hopes Grow.

• Emmanuel Macron Still Has No Good Answer for Angry French Voters.   

• Bank of Canada Pares Back Optimism as It Holds Rates Steady.

• Boom Has Turned to Bust for Asia Hedge Funds.

• Trade Pledge Slows Stock Rout; Pound Erases Gain. European and Asian stocks dropped on Wednesday following the rout on Wall Street, though declines were contained and U.S. equity futures rose after China pledged to start delivering on trade agreements reached with America. The pound erased a gain as the U.K. government published legal advice relating to its proposed Brexit deal. Global markets were left reeling following Tuesday’s steep sell-off in New York, but nerves appeared to steady after China’s Commerce Ministry said Beijing will start to quickly implement specific items where there’s consensus with the U.S. and will push forward on trade negotiations within the 90-day “timetable and road map.” While the Stoxx Europe 600 Index slumped as much as 1.2 percent, that was far less than the 3.2 percent plunge recorded by the S&P 500 a day earlier. Futures for America’s benchmark gauge advanced, though the U.S. market is closed on Wednesday to mark the death of President George H. W. Bush. Futures on the S&P 500 Index gained 0.6 percent as of 2:29 p.m. London time. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index sank 0.9 percent to the lowest in more than a week on the biggest dip in more than two weeks. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index sank 1.1 percent to the lowest in almost six weeks on the largest tumble in almost two weeks. Germany’s DAX Index decreased 0.9 percent to the lowest in more than a week. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index sank 1 percent, the largest tumble in more than two weeks. The MSCI Emerging Market Index sank 1.3 percent, the biggest tumble in more than two weeks.  

• China Trade Action, Fed Dilemma, Italy Recession Risk: Eco Day.

• Traders Look to Proxies During U.S. Market Closing for Bush.  

• U.S. Job Market’s Strength May Surprise Investors on Friday.

Wall Street Journal:   

• President George H.W. Bush Remembered at State Funeral.

• China Says There Is ‘Clear Timeline’ on Trade Negotiations.

• Putin Threatens Arms Race as U.S. Prepares to Exit Nuclear Treaty.

• Reading the Tea Leaves on Trade With China.

• China Maneuvers to Snag Top-Secret Boeing Satellite Technology.

• Italy Tries to End Budget Fight With EU as Economy Teeters.

MarketWatch.com:

• Proposed U.S. Postal Service price hikes could hurt Amazon earnings.

Fox News:

• Trump's numbers tower over European counterparts despite overwhelmingly negative coverage.

• The incredible gesture George H.W. Bush made to support a sick child.

CNBC:   

• 'Not to sound naive or anything': Trump says he believes 'every word' from China's Xi on trade truce.

• Trump says he hopes OPEC will be keeping oil flows 'as is'.

• George HW Bush's funeral: Here's a rundown of the financial markets that are open and closed.

• A flattening yield curve means it's time to worry, but not panic, top economist says.

• No deal on car tariffs as White House backpedals, Volvo threatens to move jobs overseas. 

• These are the 10 best places to work in 2019, according to Glassdoor—and Facebook is no longer No. 1.

• Mortgage applications rise 2%, but buyers seem unimpressed by lower rates.

• The 'yield curve' explained and whether it really is a barometer for the economy and markets.

• 'We've got a path to finding an exit on the trade war highway,' Wall Street bull Art Hogan says.

• US is well on its way to Trump's goal of 'energy dominance,' says Marathon Petroleum CEO.

• This sell-off was caused by a computer-driven 'footrace,' Jim Cramer says. 

• Stocks making the biggest moves after hours: Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Marvell Technology and more.

• The economy will surprise to the high next year, predicts investment advisor. 

• Don't raise the 'white flag' on Apple, this is a 'golden buying opportunity': Analyst.

Zero Hedge:   

• US Equity Futures Rebound As Trump Notes "Very Strong Signals" From China.

• China Dismisses Confusion Claims, Says Will Quickly Implement Trade Agreement With US.

• Trump Mocks Macron: Glad "Yellow Vest" Protesters Agree With Me.

• Qatar's OPEC Exit May Just Be The Beginning.

• After Historic Commons Contempt Vote, JPM Raises Odds Of 'No Brexit' To 40%.

• Italian Economy Minister Said Close To Resigning Over Rift With PM.

• No Jail Time For Flynn; Mueller Says Former Trump Official Provided "Substantial" Assistance.

• France Is Becoming More Violent.

• "The Worst Deal in History?": Theresa May's Surrender.

• The Real Significance Of The French Tax Revolt.

• This Anti-Gun Bill Requires Access To Social Media & Internet Search History Of Prospective Buyers.

• What America Has Done To Its Young People Is Appalling.

• Nearly Two-Thirds Of Non-Citizen Households In America Are On Welfare.

• Four Out Of Five Racist Notes Were Fake At An Iowa University: School Officials.

• WTI Extends Loss After Surprise Crude Build.

• "Everybody's Miserable": Why Hedge Fund Analysts Suddenly Find Themselves In An Existential Crisis.

• Gundlach: Yield Curve Inversion Shows "Total Market Disbelief" In The Fed's Hiking Plans.

• Here Is What Triggered Today's Sudden Stock Liquidation.

• Macron Blinks: France Suspends Fuel Tax Hike After "Yellow Vest" Riots... But It's Not Enough.

• Bloodbath - From Triumphant Truce To Deal Dysphoria In 36 Hours.

The Telegraph:

• Growth slumps to lowest in two years as businesses panic over Brexit.