Here is what you need to know.
Tensions are mounting on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea held its sixth – and largest – nuclear test over the holiday weekend, provoking the US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, to say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was “begging for war,” Reuters reports.
Stock markets around the world are mixed. Japan’s Nikkei (-0.63%) lagged in Asia, and Germany’s DAX (+0.74%) leads in Europe. The S&P 500 is set to open down 0.39% near 2,467.
Gold is trading at its best level in almost a year. The yellow metal holds little changed at $1,333 an ounce after finishing Monday’s session at its highest level since the end of last September.
China’s economy is humming along. The Caixin-IHS Markit China composite purchasing managers’ index, a measure of activity levels across the nation’s manufacturing and services sectors, hit 52.4 in August, making for its fastest growth since February.
Australia's central bank holds rates. The Reserve Bank of Australia held its key interest rate at 1.50%, as expected, and said it was seeing a slowdown in red-hot housing markets in the country, "especially in Sydney."
Cryptocurrencies are getting smoked after China bans ICOs. The cryptocurrency universe has lost more than $30 billion in market cap since Friday as investors run for the exits following China's decision to ban initial coin offerings, a cryptocurrency-based fundraising method.
United Technologies agrees to a $30 billion deal for Rockwell Collins. The deal pays Rockwell shareholders $140 a share, split between $93.33 in cash and $46.67 in stock, Reuters says.
The maker of 'Angry Birds' is planning an IPO. Finland's Rovio Entertainment announced on Tuesday it was planning to raise about 30 million euros, or $36 million, and potentially use its shares to make acquisitions, according to Reuters.
Earnings reports trickle out. HP Enterprise is set to announce its quarterly results after markets close.
US economic data flows. Factory orders and durable-goods orders will be released at 10 a.m. ET. The US 10-year yield is down 2 basis points at 2.14%.