Trump's combative State of the Union 'left traders empty handed' - markets are mixed as investors await GM earnings, Fed

(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

• US futures are edging lower. Traders had little to digest in President Trump's State of the Union address and are awaiting Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell's comments later today.
• European markets are lower on Wednesday after weak earnings from BNP Paribas and Daimler. UK PMI was poor as well as German factory orders.
• The Australian dollar plunged 1% after the central bank opened the door to a possible rate cut. Many markets in Asia are still closed for the Lunar New Year holiday.

Markets have been mixed in their response to President Trump's combative State of the Union address while investors shift their attention to any signs for the economy from Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell.

European shares sunk lower after disappointing results from BNP Paribas and Daimler. The Australian dollar plunged 1% after the central bank opened the door to a possible rate cut. Many markets in Asia are still closed for the Lunar New Year holiday.

"I have great respect for President Xi, and we are now working on a new trade deal with China," Trump said in the address on Tuesday.

"Whilst the president touched on Chinese trade relations and the budget there was nothing new for traders to sink their teeth into," said Jasper Lawler, Head of Research at London Capital Group. "Those that had been hoping that Trump would offer fresh trade news with China were left empty handed."

• GM is among companies reporting earnings today.
• Fed Chairman Powell is due to speak at a Town Hall meeting in Washington on Wednesday.
• US futures are trading marginally down while Asian trading saw Japanese and Australian stocks gain slightly in subdued trading during the Lunar New Year celebrations.
• German factory order data declined 1.6% in December, yet another mark against the Eurozone economy leading the DAX down 0.5% as of 8.40 a.m in London (3.40 a.m in New York).
• In Europe, the Euro Stoxx 50 and the FTSE 100 are down 0.3%. The pound struggled after weak UK PMI data battered sentiment during an increasingly fraught Brexit process.
• Markets are closed in China, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and New Zealand
• US markets on Tuesday closed up following strong results from Disney and Estee Lauder.