US markets opened higher today, as the dollar slipped to a two-week-low, prompting investors to bet that a weaker greenback will boost exports.
The dollar dived against most other major currencies, with the ICE dollar index shaving off 0.5%.
In terms of data, investors await the closely watched monthly report on retail sales on Thursday, as well as a reading on consumer sentiment on Friday.
The Dow Jones, which is aiming to break a six day losing streak, was 134 points to the good at 17,898 while the Nasdaq put on 25 points and the S&P 500 gained 14.
After yesterday’s announcement that tech giant Apple is joining the music streaming space, Spotify, one of its soon-to-be biggest rivals, raised US$526mln to combat the effect.
The private, loss-making, streaming company is now worth US$8.5bn. Shares in Apple gained almost 1% to US$128 despite the news.
Shares of Johnson Controls surged after the company said it is considering the sale of its automotive business.
Johnson Controls said it has retained Goldman Sachs and Centerview Partners as financial advisors but does not have a specific timetable to complete the review process. Shares gained 4.5% to US$53.
Meanwhile, Netflix shareholders approved a major increase to the firm's share count, and chief executive Reed Hastings said management will ask the board of directors to pursue a stock split "in due course." Shares rose 4% to US$672.
Elsewhere, Tesla Motors said chief financial officer (CFO) Deepak Ahuja is retiring but will help with the transition and hiring a new CFO. Shares dropped 2.2% to US$250.
In the UK, Standard Chartered (LON:STAN) led the FTSE 100 higher.
The Asia-focused bank was higher on speculation it will move its headquarters away from the UK after HSBC (LON:HSBA) said yesterday it was still reviewing whether or not to move. Shares gained 5% to 1,086p.