After turning in a lackluster performance throughout the previous session, stocks may continue to experience choppy trading on Tuesday. The major index futures are currently pointing to a roughly flat open for the markets.
Another quiet day on the U.S. economic front is likely to keep trading activity relatively subdued, with investors looking ahead to the release of key reports on new and existing home sales, weekly jobless claims, and durable goods orders later in the week.
Traders are also likely to stay on the sidelines ahead of remarks by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who is due to testify before the Joint Economic Committee of Congress on Wednesday.
Bernanke's remarks could have a big impact on expectations regarding the Fed's plans to slow the pace of its asset purchase program.
Recent comments from some Fed officials have suggested that the central may taper its asset purchase program sooner than previously anticipated.
Nonetheless, some buying interest may be generated by the release of better than expected quarterly results from home improvement giant Home Depot (HD), which also raised its full-year guidance.
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