Closing Bell
The major U.S. averages weren't able to maintain the hot start to the week, but a late rally lifted the Nasdaq and Dow Jones Industrial Average into positive territory just before the closing bell.
The Dow rose 0.01%, or 3 points to 24,361, while the Nasdaq gained 0.02%, or 2 points to 7,267, and the S&P 500 declined 0.03%, or 1 point to 2,672.
Audi Expects 800,000 Electric, Hybrid Car Sales by 2025
German brand Audi says that it will sell 800,000 battery-electric and hybrid-powered cars in 2025.
The company will debut more than 20 electric-powered vehicles by 2025. Audi, a subsidiary of Volkswagen (VLKAY) , says that the car launches will not undermine the company's 8% to 10% operating margin target.
Last year, the company sold about 16,000 semi-electric vehicles and the company still lacks a fully electric model in its portfolio.
Four More Nike Execs Are Out Amid Harassment Crackdown
Nike (NKE) says that four more executives have exited the company in the wake of an internal investigation into workplace harassment.
The probe, which was launched in March, has resulted in 10 top executives departing the shoe and apparel company, according to the New York Times.
Last week, Nike CEO Mark Parker apologized to employees in a company-wide town hall for the brand's previous work culture.
Vodafone to Buy $23 Billion in Assets From Liberty Global
British telecom company Vodafone Group (VOD) is close to purchasing $23 billion in assets from John Malone's Liberty Global (LBTYA) , sources told the Wall Street Journal Tuesday.
Liberty is planning to sell its businesses in Germany, Hungary, Romania and the Czech Republic to Vodafone, which is the world's second-largest wireless carrier by subscribers.
The deal is still subject to an antitrust review by the European Union, which could take some time.
Elon Musk Buys $9.85 Million In Tesla Stock
Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk is putting his money where his mouth is, purchasing $9.85 billion in the company's stock, raising his stake in the company to nearly 20%.
Musk purchased 33,180 shares in a series of transactions that ranged in price between $294.79 and $302.74. The stock purchase was Musk's largest investment in Tesla since early 2017.
Musk has promised to burn short of Tesla stock. Short sellers own about 34% of Tesla's outstanding shares, making the stock the most shorted on the market currently.
Xiaomi Reduces IPO Valuation Target to Between $70 and $80 Billion
Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp. is aiming for an initial public offering valuation between $70 billion and $80 billion, sources told the Wall Street Journal, below the company's previous expectation of a valuation in the $100 billion range.
The IPO is still expected to be the world's largest tech debut this year when it debuts in Hong Kong.
The Beijing-based company is the fourth-largest vendor of smartphones worldwide. The company also sells an array of internet-connected devices.
Southwest Flight Makes Emergency Landing Due to Plane Flap Issue
A Southwest Airline (LUV) flight from Nashville to Dallas-Fort Worth was forced to make an emergency landing at Dallas Love Field instead due to a plane flap issue.
The plane landed safely at DFW airport where emergency vehicles were waiting to assist the 103 passengers. The passengers either left the airport on their own or were bussed to Dallas Love Field, Southwest officials said.
"We worked quickly to accommodate the 103 Customers destined for Dallas so they wouldn't be further delayed by a check of the aircraft by our maintenance teams," Southwest said in a statement. "We've already reached out by email with an explanation of the safety reasons behind the precautionary move in the name of Safety and offered a gesture of goodwill for the inconvenience."
1 in 5 Americans Say Their Next Vehicle Will Be Electric
About 20% of Americans say that their next vehicle will be electric powered, according to a AAA survey released Tuesday.
2018's survey result is a 33% increase from the previous year when just 15% of respondents said that their next vehicle will be electric.
Lower-than-average ownership costs, added safety features and increasing driving ranges were all factors in the increase.
NYSE Owner Is Looking to Open Bitcoin Trading Platform
International Exchange Inc., the owner of the New York Stock Exchange, is working on a trading platform for bitcoin investors, Bloomberg reported citing sources with knowledge of the subject.
The project is not a done deal and could ultimately be aborted, according to Bloomberg.
"There is a trend here we can't ignore in my mind, so I don't discount it," ICE CEO Jeffrey Sprecher told Bloomberg last month when asked about contracts based on digital currencies.
Comcast Is Pressing on With Plans for Fox
Comcast (CMCSA) is seeking $60 billion bridge financing from investment banks in order to swoop in and outbid Disney (DIS) for the media assets that Twenty-First Century Fox (FOXA) agreed to sell to its rival, multiple media outlets reported Monday night.
Comcast only plans to proceed with the deal if the U.S. allows the AT&T (T) , Time Warner (TWX) merger to proceed.
Comcast has also made a $30 billion bid to acquire the 61% stake in Britain's Sky Plc that Fox does not already own.
Premarket
U.S. futures were indicating a soft open for markets Tuesday as the major indices try to build on some momentum after a strong day of trading to start the week.
Dow futures were declining 0.28%, indicating an open 69 points lower, while Nasdaq futures fell 0.38%, indicating an open 26 points lower, and S&P futures fell 0.32%, indicating an open 9 points lower.
In Asia, the three major indices all had strong showings, led by the Hang Seng which rose 1.36%, the Shanghai Composite which climbed 0.79%, and the Nikkei, which climbed 0.18% on the day.
In Europe, markets were having a tougher session, with the DAX and CAC 40 declining 0.59% and 0.57% respectively while the FTSE 100 was basically flat with about four hours left in trading.
