European shares struggled for direction on Wednesday as investors awaited corporate earnings for fresh directional cues ahead of a busy week for financial markets.

Asian shares rose on Tuesday, following the positive cues from Wall Street overnight as growth stocks looked enticing ahead of major tech earnings.

It’s a new year but the same old story with markets sensitive to Fed rate hike bets and hawkish chatter by policymakers.

Gold continues to glitter, gaining roughly 2.8% since the start of the new year. The precious metal remains supported by a weaker dollar, falling Treasury yields and growing expectations of a less hawkish Fed.