stock news to know before the opening bell

•Asian markets were higher in overnight trading, with the Hang Seng up 1.54%. Major European indices are also higher and U.S. futures suggest a positive open.




•Import and export prices are released at 8:30 AM ET. The data should be a good indicator of inflationary trends.



•The flood crisis in Australia continues today, with the city of Brisbane now under water. More than 5% of the world's coal supply used in steel production will not make it to market as a result of the floods. Check out these remarkable photos of the flood.



•Bank of China opened up trading between the dollar and yuan in the United States today, a step in the currency's move into international markets. It is the first market beyond Hong Kong the currency is being traded in. For more on China's future, here's what Credit Suisse thinks China will look like in 2015.



•AIG has sold its Taiwanese division for $2.16 billion to Ruen Chen Investment Holdings. The deal needs to be formalized by the Taiwanese government, which rejected a deal previously.



•Portugal held a successful bond auction this morning, but still looks likely to take a bailout from the IMF and EU. European leaders are discussing the expansion of the region's bailout fund, as the threat of Spain looms. For more on the world's default risks, check out the 19 countries most likely to default.



•Europe's industrial production surged in November, up 1.2%. Expectations were for a 0.5% rise, and Spain surprised with its own 1.2% growth.



•Airbus has locked up a deal with Indian airline company IndiGo worth $15.6 billion. The deal will see the European plane manufacturer sell the airline 180 planes. Think this is a big deal? Check out the billion dollar deals India inked with the U.S. last year.



•The Trans-Alaska pipeline, shut down due to a leak, is being reopened. The restart of the pipeline that ships BP oil will at first be limited.



•A new U.S. Senate report will criticize Goldman Sachs for its conflicts of interest, associated with the Abacus deal as well as others. Goldman has also been downgraded by JPMorgan. See how Goldman Sachs is adjusting to deal with the public pressure.


More Money Than God: Hedge Funds and the Making of a New Elite
•Bonus: Natalie Portman has expressed her excitement at getting fat after she's switched roles from ballerina to pregnant mother to be.

Stock News You Need To Know Before The Opening Bell

Asian markets were higher in overnight trading, with the Shanghai Composite up 1.59%. Major European industries are also higher, and U.S. futures suggest a positive open.




Factory orders data for November is released at 10:00 AM ET. Expectations are for orders to remain flat.



Floods in Australia's Queensland region look likely to expand with more rain coming. Right now, nearly three quarters of the region's coal exports are being delayed or stopped.



German unemployment surprisingly increased in December, though the unemployment rate remained at 7.5%. The slowdown is being blamed on harsh winter conditions in the country. These are the 6 macro themes that matter in 2011.



The UK's manufacturing sector continued to perform well in December, with the country's PMI rising to 58.3. PMI is now at a 16-year high.



The five biggest lendiers, including Bank of America, JPMorgan, and Citigroup are said to be close to a settlement of the various states foreclosure lawsuits. It should be excellent news for the red-hot financials.



Spain is preparing to launch a new stress test of the country's savings banks in an effort to drive them to raise money on the open market. The government is trying to avoid unnecessary reliance on its banking sector support fund.



The U.S. office occupation rate increased by 2.5% in Q4 2010, the first increase in around 3 years. The vacancy rate on office space nationwide remains high, at 17.6%.

Shell is continuing to ponder a deal for BP, in which the two oil giants would merge. Shell has no interest in bidding, however, unless a rival steps in first.



Borders shares sank over 8% in after hours trading yesterday as a result of two executives leaving the company. Recently, Borders failed to make payment to some of its publishing partners.



The Pentagon will announce plans to cut its budget by $100 billion that will include reductions in spending on certain weapons programs. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates could announce the moves on Thursday. Check out Goldman Sachs' Jan Hatzius answers to 10 pressing questions on the U.S. economy.



A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing (Completely Revised and Updated)

11 Things You Need To Know Before The Opening Bell

10 Things You Need To Know Before The Opening Bell

Money (1-year auto-renewal)
 G, White in Investing, Newsmakers, Recession, Biotech

Related: AOL, EWP, MMM, SPY, PFE




Good morning. Here's what you need to know:



Asian markets were mixed in overnight trading, with the Nikkei down 0.11%. Major European indices are down this morning and U.S. futures suggest a negative open.



The eurozone continues to be under pressure this morning. The euro is falling, now down to $1.33 and the Spanish 10-year bond is now yielding over 5%, again. Here's why markets are so worried about the situation in Spain.



China is expecting inflation to rise no more than 5%, year-over-year, in December, according to government authorities, with the November number to be similar. In October inflation surged 4.4%. Here's why surging Chinese inflation is just the beginning.



Part of what is putting pressure on the euro today is continued uncertainty about the size and potential expansion of the eurozone bailout. Germany is in opposition to any plan that would see the bailout fund increased beyond €750 billion or the creation of ECB bonds. Here are the next dominos at risk in the eurozone debt crisis.



Bondholders in Anglo Irish Bank are preemptively planning on suing the Irish government for the cuts thy intend to force upon investors. The suing parties are bond funds, insurers, and fixed income funds, but not more speculative bondholders, like hedge funds. Here's how Ireland became the biggest basketcase in Europe.



Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke opened the door to further quantitative easing beyond the $600 billion limit last night when speaking on 60 Minutes. Bernanke also called for the closing of tax loopholes and the simplification of the tax code. Here's why QE is a key driver of investing trends in 2011.



3M has acquired Winterthur Technologies for $448 million. 3M plans for the Swiss company to add to its earnings when the deal is finished in Q1 2011.



The municipal bond market will be under further stress this week, as $13.5 billion in debt comes to market. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority alone is bringing $1.5 billion to market. Here are 15 states with bulging deficits muni bond investors need to watch.



Pfizer CEO Jeffrey Kindler has resigned and been replaced by Ian Reed. Kindler's tenure saw Pfizer's stock price decline 35%.



There are rumors of AOL breaking itself up into two divisions and potentially combining with Yahoo, though has yet to contact Yahoo. The strategy would involve the spin-off of the company's internet service and combination of its content business with Yahoo

** now is the time to buy oil ! in 2011 and in 2012 its going to at least $150 - $200 a barrel ... ( Mad Money Fund )