Asian markets were a mixed bag on Tuesday as caution kicked in ahead of tomorrow’s key US inflation report, although Chinese shares rose after export data beat market expectations.

The next few days promise to be volatile for the S&P 500 thanks to fundamental and technical forces. After bouncing within a range for the past two weeks, the index could be waiting for a fresh catalyst to trigger a major bullish or bearish breakout.

The countdown begins for the heavily anticipated U.S inflation that data that may impact the Fed's monetary policy path. Most Asian stocks struggled for direction on Wednesday, while European and US equity futures are both pointing to a mixed open in what feels like the calm before a potential storm!

European markets flashed green on Tuesday along with Asian equities as fears over a looming banking crisis eased.