US stocks drop amid Hong Kong protests, rate concerns

US stocks fell  as Hong Kong protests added to geopolitical concern and a rebound  in  consumer  spending  fueled  speculation  the  Federal  Reserve may raise interest rates sooner than anticipated. The S&P 500 lost 0.3% to 1,977.80. The Dow slid 41.93 points (0.3%) to 17,071.22.

Fed’s Evans says patience on rates means 2016 with inflation low

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Charles Evans said he favors holding the federal funds rate near zero until the 1Q16 to ensure that the economy is able to withstand higher borrowing costs. Evans and other Fed officials  are  urging patience  before  tightening  policy,  even as the  jobless rate has fallen to match an almost six-year low of 6.1%. He  said that while the first interest-rate increase from near zero could happen in mid-2015, he favors waiting to be sure the economy is stronger and inflation will be near the central bank’s 2% objective.

Consumer spending climbs as job gains boost wages

Consumer  spending  rebounded  in  August  as  employment  gains  revived household earnings growth and encouraged Americans to return to shops and car dealerships.  The  August’s  0.5% increase was more than forecast and followed little change in July, Commerce Department figures showed.

Pending sales of US existing homes fell 1% in August

Contracts  to  purchase  previously  owned  homes  declined  in  August  as tighter  credit  and  limited  wage  growth  weigh  on  potential  buyers.  The pending home sales index dropped 1% in August  after a 3.2% increase in July, the National Association of Realtors said.

Euro-area economic confidence falls in sign ECB plan takes time

Economic  confidence  within  the  euro-area  diminished  in  September  in  a sign  that  the  European  Central  Bank’s  (ECB)  measures  to  shore  up  the recovery  have  yet  to  bear  fruit.  An  index  of  executive  and  consumer sentiment  slipped  to  99.9  in  September  from  100.6  in  August,  the European Commission said.

German inflation beats estimates as ECB adds euro-area stimulus

German  inflation  beat  economists’  estimates  in  September  as  the  ECB prepares to implement more stimulus in the euro-area.  Inflation, calculated using  a  harmonized  European  Union  method,  was  0.8%  in  September unchanged from August, the Federal Statistics Office said.

Flows to emerging markets rebound after August slump, IIF says

Emerging  market  portfolio  inflows  rebounded  in  September  while remaining below  average levels of the past four  years, a report from the Institute of International Finance  (IIF)  showed.  Emerging markets received US$18bn in total inflows in September compared with a revised  US$12bn in August, according to the IIF. That’s still below the  US$24.4bn monthly average from 2010 to 2013.  IIF economist Robin  Koepke  said the outlook for  US  Fed  monetary  policy  could  be  one  reason.  “Given  the  concerns about Fed exit, it’s reassuring that flows picked up a little bit.”

WTI rises to two-week high on economy, Brent gap shrinks

WTI  rose to the highest in almost two weeks on speculation stronger US economic growth will boost demand for oil. Brent for November settlement rose US$0.20 to US$97.20 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange.

Source: Bloomberg