Wal-Mart’s earnings per share came in at $1.15. Fellow retailer, Kohl’s also reported earnings per share of $0.70.

Kohl’s Corporation posted third-quarter fiscal 2014 earnings of 70 cents per share.

The ECB Survey of Professional Forecasters cut their Eurozone 2014 GDP estimate to +0.8% from +1.0% in Aug and lowered their 2014 inflation forecast to +0.5% from +0.7% in Aug.

December E-mini S&Ps (ESZ14 +0.54%) this morning are up +0.51% and European stocks are up +0.95% ahead of the start of the 2-day of FOMC meeting.

Thinking that lending somehow can lead GDP is an illusion. There is more to economic recovery than sound banks.

December E-mini S&Ps (ESZ14 +0.41%) this morning are up +0.40% and European stocks are up +0.77% on positive carry-over from yesterday's FOMC meeting where policy makes kept their pledge to keep interest rates near zero for a "considerable period" after completing asset purchases.