Monday, October 03, 2005

Quick Overview

  • U.S. Manufacturing rose unexpectedly from 53.6 to 59.4 in September, much stronger than expected the Institute for Supply Management said Monday.

  • U.S. construction spending gained 0.4% in August, the Commerce Department reported Monday

  • Rising gas prices and a shift to more fuel-efficient models has cut into sales of SUV’s in September. GM sales fell 24% from a year earlier, while Ford sales dropped 19.5%. At the same time, falling resale values for traditional SUVs are making it harder for car owners who want to trade for less gas-thirsty vehicles.

  • President Bush is ready "to do whatever it takes" including, if necessary, tapping government stocks of heating oil to counter supply shortages this winter, his energy secretary said Monday.

  • Traders are watching a storm that is expected to reach Florida's east coast by tomorrow - November orange juice was up 2.00 to 104.30.

  • Japan's Tankan index of business confidence increased less than expected from 18 to 19.

  • March sugar closed up 0.30 cent at 11.53 cents a pound driven by ethanol demand and crop damage in the gulf.

  • Soybean Oil closed at a two-month high driven by potential biodiesel prospects.

  • The dollar hit a 16-month high against the yen on Monday, buoyed by expectations for more interest rate rises in the United States and a slightly disappointing survey of corporate sentiment in Japan.

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