Stocks Poised For Lower Open Amid Light Pre-Holiday Action - U.S. Commentary

(RTTNews) - Stocks look poised for a slide early in Wednesday's session, giving back some of Wall Street's recent gains. Traders are responding to lower oil prices and uncertain action overseas.

U.S. stocks turned in a strong performance Tuesday, led by gains among energy, tech and health care companies. This resumed an upswing that has marked trading lately, despite a bout of profit taking on Monday.

Action is likely to be light, however, as many traders remain away from their desks ahead of the upcoming New Year's Day holiday.

The European markets are trading mixed in thier mid-day action, as weak commodity and metal prices impacted risk appetite.

Asian stocks ended mixed on the day despite positive overnight cues from Wall Street and Europe. After opening mostly higher, stocks pared early gains amid further oil price weakness and speculation that China's central bank is guiding the yuan lower through fixings.